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A K-12 Education Blog

Archive for November, 2009

30
Nov

Creating the Perfect Desert Garden to Surround Your Hot Tub

One of the many design ideas to consider when choosing to install your own hot tub, is if you are going to put it outside, which garden should you surround it with?  Well, in the desert of Arizona, that is something we consider no matter what.  The water it takes to keep plants and trees alive in the summer, when the are not native to our environment, is…well, a lot.  Sometimes in the middle of August, no matter how much you water, you will lose some of your favorites to the heat, and sometimes just in the matter of a day or two.

Add to that restrictions that are placed on watering your gardens or lawns, in order to conserve the water of the Colorado River, and careful landscape planning is a must.  So when you are planning where to put your spa, and considering the design of your garden, many of your questions will be answered by contacting the staff at choosehottubsdirect.com.  Their knowledge and experience will help with those tough decisions, and put your mind at ease.

Some of the cacti of the Southwest can actually add color, seriously, they are more than oddly shaped and prickly.  One of the most beautiful blossoms I have seen is that that sits atop the Opuntia aciculata, or more commonly known as the Prickly Pear.  This particular species offers up stunning and vibrant blooms and is perfect to enhance the beauty of any desert, cactus garden.

Mix this in with a few of the standard species of Prickly Pear which sport yellow blooms, and the warmth of your hot tub will be reflected in the visual surroundings.  These plants will grow to just about three feet in height, and for a hot tub or spa that is installed in the ground, they will provide the perfect private desert oasis.  Many of the mesquite trees will provide shade and covering, but be aware of their droppings, of the pods and their needle like leaves, as these can be a bit of trouble when keeping your new spa clean.

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posted by Aisha in Home & Garden and have No Comments
25
Nov

Royal Shakespeare Company and The Globe Theatre in London

Carley went to London as part of her school’s drama club. It was a special summer college credit trip that she had one a scholarship for and was incredibly excited to go. Aside from the long plane flight the moment the trip began it was filled with excitement and some unexpected thrilling encounters. It began at Heathrow Airport in London. Carley was standing in a long line and was exhausted when she noticed a small crowd of people gather in one area near what she assumed was an exit. Suddenly two people moved aside and she had clear view of Sir Elton John. She was sure it was him and just as she turned to get her friend June’s attention, he disappeared out of sight. June, of course, didn’t believe her so he asked the nearest airport assistant if it was him. He simply replied that he could not comment on anyone’s identity. June laughed and called her friend crazy. To this day Carley is certain that she saw Elton John there.

After making it through the airport the small group of students and their drama coach settled into their rooms in a quaint hotel London. Part of their trip included participating in a workshop with the Royal Shakespeare Company and this meant a trip out to Stratford-upon-Avon. This was incredibly exiting for the students as well as the drama coach and the day would include a tour of the Shakespeare’s house. Meanwhile, the following day, the day before they would attend the workshop, they planned to tour the Globe Theatre in London. This was a rebuilt version of the original Globe Theatre that Shakespeare built and worked it. It was made of some of the same materials and wood that his original theatre, called The Theatre, was made from. The group would be seeing a production of Romeo and Juliet and afterward they would discuss some of the themes of the play and approaches taken by the actors in performing in it. This was definitely and exciting and educational summer trip for Carley and her fellow students.

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posted by Aisha in Arts & Culture,Travel and have No Comments
24
Nov

A Taste of a Taste of Melbourne

If you thought Australian food hasn’t improved beyond the Vegemite sandwich or boiled, salted beef, then you haven’t had a chance to check out the Taste Festivals in Australia, featuring some of the finest cuisine local restaurants have to offer.  In March, there will be a Taste of Sydney, but the most recent festival has been the one in Melbourne, and in case you missed it, here are a few words about what you might find the kinds of cuisine now offered, a look, perhaps, at what you might find next year if you decide to fly in and check into one of the luxury hotels Melbourne Australia has to offer its visitors.

Thanks to Geoff, I didn’t have to pay a thirty dollar entry, but it looked as if there were a great deal of complimentary tickets, because there was a sign that reminded folks to validate any free tickets.  Still, we paid about sixty dollars in order to buy the food we wanted, so it wasn’t inexpensive; however, it was a great opportunity to get a taste of what all the restaurants in Melbourne are serving — and it’s a far cry from the aforementioned Vegemite and beef.  Here’s a sampling of the cuisine we had that day:
Lamb Kustilji which is lamb ribs, crispy, with spices and roast nuts, yogurt, and lemon.  Really enjoyable dish to eat while standing; we had cuttlefish, slow-cooked, with chickpeas and chorizo, which was very welcome, but I think I would have liked the braised beef, accompanied by the paprika & saffron mixed with potatoes.   One of the items I was really anticipating was a black cod with miso, and that was everything I wanted it to be.  Amazing food.

If you want to sample the cuisine of a particular city in Australia, these Taste Festivals are certainly a way to go.  I came across so many different types of food, including a favorite of mine, a sandwich called the char siew pau — a steamed bun, spring onion with hoisin sauce and pickled carrot — which sounds odd, I know.  Maybe I do have different tastes than everyone else.  But I guarantee everyone might enjoy the chocolate delice, with basil, coconut and a salted caramel popcorn.  You couldn’t eat a lot of it, it was so rich, but excellent anyway.

It was a terrific way to spend an evening in Melbourne.

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posted by Aisha in Travel and have No Comments
24
Nov

Sundance Square in Fort Worth Has Great Entertainment and Nightclubs

To Timothy, Fort Worth, Texas definitely seemed like a place where the cowboys ruled and the buffalo roamed. He was born and had been raised in Chicago and had never been to the great state of Texas prior to his trip there with his wife to visit her brother. Timothy, who had strong symbolic imagery associated with the city of Fort Worth imagined Diane’s brother Buck to pick them up from the airport in his Stetson and chaps. Diane was about to take offense to the stereotype when she realized that Timothy actually respected the archetype and it was something of a thrill for him to get to go to Texas. Still, she thought, it just doesn’t excuse his tremendous naiveté.

When they met Buck at at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Timothy was slightly disappointed that he wasn’t wearing a Stetson after all. However, as soon as they sat down in his Chevy Silverado, Buck put on his rugged Resistol hat and Timothy gave Diane a slight nudge. He drove the couple to his favorite steak house and tried to make one last insistence that they stay with him at his house. Diane was firm though and did not want to be a burden to her brother and his family and insisted that they keep their reservations with their luxury Fort Worth hotels resort.

That night the two families got together for an evening out on the town. Timothy was impressed with Buck’s hosting abilities and really provided the couple with a great tour of the city. Timothy quickly began to realize his misguided illusions about Fort Worth being the wild west and dismissed is expectations to witness a train robbery. Nevertheless he and Diane had a great time there. And Timothy thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated Fort Worth for the city that it is. On that first evening Buck took them to the Sundance Square area of downtown. They had a great time in this vibrant community and danced in a couple of the nightclubs. Timothy had a great time and knew he would want to visit again soon.

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posted by Aisha in Travel and have No Comments
23
Nov

Hillary’s Stay

Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State, has been making her rounds through out the world. She has been met in many cities of many country’s with a lot of security. Delhi India hotels have had their eye on the highest fortress of all, the Taj Palace, where she stayed. On top of the red carpet, the palace beefed up their security for her stay. They brought in the local police, national security guards and even the special forces to conduct deep searches of all coming in and out of the fortress.

On here visit here, Hillary Clinton met with many Indian leaders. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Minister S M Krishna where two of the main meetings she had. Getting there was a crazy planning extraviganza from the plane flight to driving around the city. The plane came from Mumbai. It was a special air plane that had layers of security around it. There were 2,000 staffers from the local police and the NSG placed at the Taj Palace and along the path she traveled. They kept her movement a secret by trying to always change the plans for the routes she traveled. Of course, the security form the US was always with her as well. They always sent teams of security to the cities ahead of her arrival to survey the areas and places she will be going.

The security forces both local and from the U.S. had taken part in many drills at the Taj Palace. The defiantly accomplished there goals in keeping Mrs. Clinton safe during her visit. She took the time to go to the Delhi University before she met with top officials. She did get up in front of a few select students and professors and gave a lecture at the Convention Hall in the Old Vice Regal Lodge. This was an event you needed an invitation to get in. Of course, attendees still needed to get past the dog squad.

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posted by Aisha in Travel and have No Comments
23
Nov

Big in Singapore

The further you look into Singapore, the more complicated it gets.  That’s one of the reasons why it’s such a splendid place to visit for tourists.  The first trip is just amazing, as you’re pulled into the energy of this enormously magnetic metropolis, and discover all the fantastic attractions that are visible at a first glance.  But repeated visits never take away the thrilling energy of the city state, and there’s always more to see and do, and there’s always another layer.  For travelers with a desire to see and do in a new place, where the location gives you energy, and you can move with the excitement, it’s a good idea to consider having your own transportation.  There’s a lot to do here, and many sides to Singapore.  Car rentals are easy to arrange, and you can find the same splendid hospitality you’ll find in all the other services here.

Having your own transportation means you can negotiate your own itinerary with much more ease, deciding when and where you want to go, and what you’d like to show your guests.  It allows you a freedom from the usual timetables that everyone else has to stick to, and it’s easier to be spontaneous, going places you haven’t seen yet, and even making new plans with new friends as your adventure here unfolds.  There are many terrific opportunities to find things you love here, and one of the best ways to see Singapore is to allow your schedule some flexibility, so you can follow your nose.  If you have any interest at all in pop culture, your path might begin or end with the JCC, Japan Creative Centre.

This just opened in November, 2009, and promises to be a wonderful attraction for any visitor wanting to know Singapore better, and it’s a fantastic way to see how the history and culture of Japan intersects here.  They feature a lot of anime and manga, along with traditional art, music, architecture, and fashion in Japan.  The government is funding the building for the first five years so the project can get off the ground, and it’s been spectacular in its short life.  One of the most exciting moments during the ribbon-cutting ceremony was the introduction of a new robot suit, the Hybrid Assistive Limb, or HAL, which can help the elderly move their arms and legs, and has enormous possibilities for a future we all share.

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posted by Aisha in Travel and have No Comments
18
Nov

EMACM in Malaysia

Traveling in Malaysia is fascinating and exciting.  There are some of the world’s most vibrant and happening cities, offering a host of attractions, constant entertainment, and fabulous people watching.  There are also plenty of natural areas, including the magnificent beaches, to offer a gorgeous sense of escape from the everyday world.  It’s tropical weather and amazing cuisine seem designed to lure every guest into coming back.  It’s certainly worth repeat trips, because there is always something new that is happening, and it’s also hard to get too much of a good thing.  You may come to believe that the good life was, in fact, invented right here.  There are plenty of restaurants, shopping centers, and luxury hotels.  Malaysia has it all, and it’s all right here at your fingertips.

Getting into the local culture is the best way to understand a place, and one of the fastest ways is through art.  Live entertainment offers you the chance to see some fantastic work, but also to become part of a local culture, the audience, even if it’s only temporary.  Heisenberg or the Buddha spoke about how our participation in the world affects it, and our perceptions can shape it, and here you can see this at work when you take part in an art event.  If you haven’t experienced this before, you certainly could at an event that’s connected to EMACM.

The acronym stands for Experimental Musicians and Artists Co-Operative Malaysia, and they’re an organization based in Cheras, and they do a wide variety of projects.  They serve as the sponsors to support and produce unusual art and sound projects that have had difficulties getting produced in the past, or because of their experimental nature, are having trouble finding venues and funding.  The talent is very high here, and they have an array of interesting collaborators and circle of artists they work with, and it’s absolutely worth checking out.  If you want to see how perceptions create realities in art, it’s a great place to begin, and if you’re looking for the cutting edges of Malaysia, this is where you might start seeing interesting rabbits worth chasing.

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posted by Aisha in Entertainment,Travel and have Comment (1)
17
Nov

Indonesia’s Artist of Memory: J. Ariadhitya Pramuhendra

Indonesia offers many things to many people, and it’s always offering more.  There is a sense of endless mystery here, and it’s one of the most fascinating places on earth to visit.  It has long held a reputation for being a country that is vast and mysterious, holding exotic treasures and adventures, and while none of this is actually true, there are hints of the exotic here, and there are certainly adventures of a most contemporary kind.  There is still a great sense of hospitality in the luxury hotels.  Indonesia does have a flair for keeping the tradition of welcoming guests with a fantastic sense of graciousness, and it’s a pleasure to wake up to the splendor the accommodations hold.  Beginning your day here is a wonderfully fortuitous event, and speaks well for the rest of your journey.

There are many different sides to Indonesia, and depending on where you go, there are a multitude of adventures to be had.  In some of the larger cities, there is an enormously diverse cultural scene, creating some of the most interesting new works of art in the world.  There are plenty of new works, and new artistic movements, to see here, and it’s an incredibly diverse place for artists.  In Jakarta particularly, with its dense urban population, there is a sense of great excitement, restlessness, and frustration that’s leading toward new artistic directions, and it’s a very welcome thing to see.  One of its promising artists is a young man who works in charcoal, by the name of J. Ariadhitya Pramuhendra.
He lives and works in Bandung, and has had a number of recent shows that have been turning heads.  His drawings could be said to be intense reflections on identity and self, and play with the notions of memory and history.  They certainly do work with the notion of the self, and the way his drawings become photos in the act of disappearing are very profound and moving, and seem to be hitting on something quite revolutionary.  Art that does what it is attempting to mean is a fascinating form, and a very difficult trick.  His work is all this and more, where form meets function to investigate what it means to be a human being right here in this place, producing a pronounced melancholy that almost borders on sweetness.

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posted by Aisha in Arts & Culture,Travel and have No Comments
16
Nov

The View from Cape Town

When I think of Cape Town, I think of its natural beauty.  Truly, this place is one of the world’s most gorgeous cities.  There are mountains and beaches, an excellent spot to return to Nature, but also quite an engaging nightlife!  Everyone there seemed to welcome me and were so friendly.  I definitely plan on a return trip in the near future.  I keep thinking of Table Mountain, the V&A waterfront, penguin-spotting at Simon’s town, where they were all over on the beach.  So many things!  I loved it, everything from the sights to the food at the best cape town restaurants.

Remember this is only my opinion, but I really think Cape Town might be the most magnificent place I’ve been for scenery than any other city: better than San Francisco, better than Sydney or Rio!  It’s truly something.  According to some reading I’ve done, Cape Town has more mountains than San Francisco has hills (they have 42).  The interesting thing about Cape Town is that the mountains are actually INSIDE the city.  They’re not just a part of the distant scenery: they’re part of what makes up the city itself.  You might compare it to Rio, the way the mountains rise up over the city, but in this case, we’re talking much bigger mountains in Cape Town, so by sheer size they’re more impressive.  It’s absolutely incredible, and my new favorite city in the world.  It’s European and, well, relaxed, while retaining its African qualities, and all of this works together to make me feel comfortable.  I didn’t know I could feel this way about a place, but as a vacation spot, the city is reasonable, with plenty to do, and most of all, so beautiful visually.  Even if the tickets are costly, I recommend you find your way here!

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posted by Aisha in Travel and have No Comments
10
Nov

Jerom in Ibiza

It’s not the largest of the Balearic Islands, but it’s probably the hottest.  In terms of nightlife and excellent beach culture, Ibiza lives up to its reputation as one of the greatest spots in the world to have a party.  There are plenty of opportunities to find a spectacular club featuring one of the world’s best DJ’s every night here, and there’s plenty more where that came from.  Ibiza continues to attract artistic and creative minds, as well as a host of celebritites and other party-goers, from all over the world.  There’s more to it than clubs, however.  In the tradition of Spanish style and sensibility, there are superb restaurants and hotels.  Ibiza has plenty of splendid things to offer guests of all ages.

There is a long tradition here for hospitality, having been a major port for many generations, and Ibiza is very welcoming when it comes to cultures and traditions.  Because of this, there is a very heady mix here, reflecting the many civilizations that have been here in the past, as well as the people who come through here in contemporary times.  One of the most fascinating things about this place is the awareness that you are actually contributing to this cultural mix with your presence.  You’ll see how the creative flow is affected by every person’s energy, reflecting and absorbing their movements and their moods.  In some clubs, and with certain DJ’s, this is much more apparent than others.  But it’s a very different place once the rhythms start to get into your blood, and your heartbeat starts to shift to a techno beat.

You can hear it in the music, but you can also see it in the streets.  The street art and graffiti here is pretty fantastic in places, and some of the local artists, like Jerom, are making a name for themselves.  Graffiti as an art form belongs to the international hip hop nation, and when it’s recognized by the local communities, it can launch careers in the art world, as well as providing an outlet for creative energies.  With artists this good, it also boosts the community in general, as there are public art works that can become a source of great pride.  This process was evidenced when the local Apartamentos Jet commissioned Jerom, along with Hosh and Shine, to paint the sound barrier next to Bora-Bora, and an eyesore was turned into a large artwork that will give generations ideas for their next tattoo.

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posted by Aisha in Travel and have No Comments
03
Nov

Hawker Food and Fun in Singapore

When Joey visited Singapore last year he was actually there for business. He had no intention of touring the city or planning any adventurous site seeing agendas. He has always been a reserved and serious person and he simply wanted to attend the necessary meetings and see to his work so he could relax back at one of the luxury hotels Singapore. However, and quite unexpectedly, Joey ended up having a great time while he was there and he saw and did much more than he ever anticipated he would.

The change began the second day he was there. His group finished their meetings around noon, which left most of the rest of the day for site seeing and having fun. Joey was going to return to his room to review the proposal for the following morning when Teresa asked him if he would go with her to the marina. Joey would have turned down the request had it come from any other person, but since Teresa asked it more as a favor he reluctantly accepted. He knew that Teresa had an uncommonly difficult time with directions and was always getting lost. So he was well aware that she wanted his assistance and his security as much as his company.

And so it was, they stopped along the way and enjoyed what he learned was called hawker food. It was basically a combination of noodles and seafood and it was sold along the street, which is also were he saw most people eating it. Teresa spotted a little table and the two of them sat down and enjoyed their food. Later in the afternoon they arrived at the marina and walked along the shops and stores. They had a nice conversation that wasn’t strictly based on work and Joey felt himself really have a good time. The sun started to set as the toured the Esplanade and both Joey and Teresa were struck by the beauty of the skyline. The next afternoon they finished a little later and had time to visit the Fort Canning Park. They noticed a group of people collecting in one area as the sun started to set. Hoping to experience another beautiful twilight they followed the crowd and realized they were going to the open air Starlight cinema. The rest of the trip continued in this manner and changed Joey forever. He realized how much of life he was missing out on and makes it a point to experience the city he travels to.

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posted by Aisha in Travel and have No Comments
02
Nov

Street Food: The Dai Pai Dongs of Hong Kong

Restaurants can be found in any city, from any city.  Italian restaurants in Los Angeles, Mexican restaurants in Edinburgh, and Korean restaurants in Paris.  And there are some very fine restaurants indeed, but there is something about eating Italian food in Italy, Mexican food in Mexico, and Korean food in Korea.  So eating at the Dai Pai Dongs in Hong Kong is a treat, not only in the culinary sense, but also in the cultural sense. Dai Pai Dongs are open air kitchens serving street food, much in the way that the hot dog stands are for the city of New York.

Street food is a cultural tradition, known to be extremely inexpensive, and they move around from time to time.  Some of the street food is extremely hard to find, so it is sometimes best to ask for help from the staff of your boutique hotel.  Hong Kong owners of these eating establishments often times hang no signs, or move the location of their kitchens, and sometimes various kitchens join together to create one larger venue. Pai Dai Dongs however, do have permanent locations, making the quest for this side of the culture of Hong Kong easy to locate.

One of the best of them is on Graham Street.  This is in the center of the city, and consists of a collection of stalls, like a Pai Dai Dong market place.  The food is known to be some of the best in the city, so be prepared to wait in line.  The wait will be well worth it however.  Some others that are known to be extremely incredible are located by the Temple Street Markets.  Both the market and the food stalls are best experienced at time, when the locals hang out drinking Tsing Tao beer and diving into plates of the freshest of seafood.  Some other locations to find these food stalls are at the Mongkok Ladies Market, the Causeway Bay, and on Hau Fook  and Haiphong Streets.  This will be one of the best meals of your life, the food of Hong Kong, eaten with the people of Hong Kong, in the city of Hong Kong…perfect.

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posted by Aisha in Travel and have No Comments
02
Nov

Majorca Frequencies

The Balearic Islands have a mysterious attraction for nearly everyone, and certainly for everyone who’s been there.  It’s a mystique that grows, and continues to grow, offering visions of ancient civilizations, Spanish history, and the prehistoric realms, where fantasy and imagination take root firmly in the collective consciousness.  It’s present is glorious, however, and though it may offer fantastic windows to the past, it also offers amazing things for the here and now.  You can find some of the world’s best restaurants here, as well as the world’s best hotels.  Majorca has been a big attraction for savvy world travelers for a couple centuries now, and offers more today than it ever has.

The Spanish Mediterranean sensibility really is as lovely as it sounds, and it offers a generous share of hospitality and style in the same breath.  Spain has always been at the forefront of fashion and design, and that certainly applies here, but the pace is a bit more leisurely.  One of the most pleasurable activities in the world is people-watching, and here it’s simply stunning.  There are, of course, all the gorgeous young clubbers from all over the world, but there are also interesting cultures that live here, as well as the cultures the tourists make up while they’re here.  A new culture is formed in every club, every night, as locals and visitors mix to make up unique combinations of human energy, dancing to DJ’s like PsyTrance Frequency.

They mostly perform in Ibiza, but, like most DJ’s, they also travel around the Balearic Islands, and often throughout Spain and nearby countries.  Where Ibiza is a bit of a larger version in the clubs, in Majorca there is the same electric energy, but toned down just a few notches, for an audience that’s a bit mellower.  Or perhaps not, it’s up to you, as you enter into and start to make up the temporary cultures that grow here.

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posted by Aisha in Travel and have No Comments
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