201 Street » Education

Vacations can be Educational

Brody — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 00:24:56 +0000

Parents around the country are beginning to plan summer vacations for their families. While they want to make sure that everyone has a good time and enjoys themselves, some parents also want to find ways to mix in some learning with the fun. They may imagine taking their kids to museums to instill art history and appreciation or to landmarks that will provide a glimpse into history. There are countless ways to impart some educational facts into almost any vacation.

They may actually want to start by teaching a little bit of geography to their children during the planning stages. For long trips, the family can sit down with an
atlas and look up various states and cities that would make good travel destinations. This is especially useful for car trips, where kids can learn about the scale of maps and to read the different natural features that exist along the route.

If the destination is already decided, such as a family trip to Disney World, there are many things to be learned before the trip commences. Utilizing a Florida Wall Map , kids can mark up the various locations within the state that they will get to visit as well as do some research about local history and legends. This can be related to interests that they already have, such as studying rivers and wildlife if the kids enjoy camping, boating, or fishing.

Vacations can be Educational is a post from: 201 Street

Property Management Exceeds Their Tenants Needs

Brody — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:07:56 +0000

Aside from the responsibilities a property management company has to the owners of the buildings they manage, they have responsibilities to the tenants who rent those buildings. One of the basic elements of customer service is to not only meet the needs of customers and clients, but to anticipate them when that is possible, and to exceed those needs most certainly. People put their lives in the hands of the property managers when they rent. In some cases it is their home life and in other cases it is their business in which they gain their livelihood. In either case they trust the company with their “stuff”, in keeping their possessions safe and in keeping them safe and cared for when things break down.

In terms of property management companies , there are various websites that are dedicated to the anticipation of what people may need. They not only advertise the properties they have available for rent, but they do a bit extra. One of the websites is for properties located throughout the cities in Canada. This is a site where college students can go to find apartments that are in their budget. But that is not all that is on this site. The options that are also available on the site, inform young college students on developing study habits , how to go about finding jobs, and the best way to look for a roommate.

In years past, not only did college students have to look through the paper and the rental magazines to find a place to live, they had to ride around on their bikes simply looking for “For Rent” signs. And, on top of that, they many times found it necessary to simply run adds to find roommates, and search the adds looking for those who needed them. This is just one of the ways a property management company can go above and beyond in their field and in the practice of great customer service . It is why those companies who do, continue to stand out and continue to be the most trusted companies in the industry.

Property Management Exceeds Their Tenants Needs is a post from: 201 Street

Law School at University of Utah

Brody — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:03:37 +0000

Vincent really needed a change. He had grown up in a small town in Wyoming and as will most people from that state he had strong ties to his hometown and loved the big sky country. However, he felt a strange stirring in his heart from a very early age and instinctively he knew that he would move on from his hometown as soon as he graduated high school. Fortunately for Vincent, buy the time he was old enough to articulate this desire he also realized that college would be just the ticket to get him out of town. He looked around for schools that he felt he would like to go to as well as cities that he wanted to live in.

During the summer of his senior year of high school his family took a trip to visit relatives just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. It was a major family reunion and to be honest Vincent really wasn’t looking forward to going. Click here to see where his family and others stayed that summer. Once they arrived in Salt Lake Vincent felt a sudden calm come over him and a knowledge that this was where he needed to be. It was absolutely beautiful to him and he couldn’t imagine going anywhere else. At first it was the geographic beauty and the feeling that the city was nestled in among cradling mountains. He felt a little silly thinking that, but it was true. He would come up with a more masculine way to describe the sensation to friend however.

While his family was visiting, he talked his parents into taking him on a tour of the University of Utah campus. He loved the campus though he became a little confused, for the first time since his arrival. He knew he wanted to study law, and was greatly attracted to the S.J. Quinney College of Law, though he didn’t want to get his undergraduate and law degree from the same school. After a great deal of consideration, Vincent decided he would go to the University of Wyoming in Laramie and then apply to law school in Salt Lake. At last Vincent felt like he was headed in the right direction and his age old restlessness abided a bit.

Law School at University of Utah is a post from: 201 Street

Going Green in India

Brody — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:06:14 +0000

It was strange when I arrived to my room at a Five Star Hotel India and was bombarded with placards on the bed, on the dresser-drawers, on the bathroom counter and posted on the door was way with which I could go green while enjoying my stay in India. Apparently, The Maharashtra government and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board along with the Department of Environment have all gotten together and have made it a huge project to make all tourist aware of how to help India in her attempts to reduce the impact and amount of harm all of us tourist can cause.

I appreciated that the hotel provided me with a traditional wind-up alarm clock rather than using an electronic one. The placard said I would be saving almost 48 grams of carbon dioxide each day. Another placard by the lamps said that they have switched from using 60 watt light bulbs and replaced them with a more energy-saving fluorescent bulb. This will produce four times less greenhouse gas emissions.

When I was eating in my hotel room, the hotel also offered me a free newspaper. On the front page reported that the budget for the ‘afforestation’s programme’ which was announced yesterday by The Maharashtra government will bring down the sales tax on composting machines used for making compost from organic solid waste. The Indian government is appealing to its people to unite to combat climate change. Asking everyone to pitch in to do their part in reducing carbon emissions. So, it seems that even the tourist industry is doing it’s part to help. I’m kind of glad, in a way, that they are. I feel somehow better for travelling to an already stressed out country and not adding to the stress and doing my part in helping with such simple ideas as reusing my shower towels and not getting new clean sheets put on my bed everyday. Simple really.

Going Green in India is a post from: 201 Street

Continuing Therapy

Brody — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:40:40 +0000

When I came out of clinic for my chronic pain issues, I didn’t feel any better. I used up most of my life savings to go to this particular pain clinic with which their brochure boosted a 99% success rate with reducing pain or removing pain all together. They said they’ll take on what ever pain ails you and heal you within 30 days with their patent pending breakthrough intense treatments of psycho-analysis, physical therapies, natural remedies like meditation and yoga and if necessary, surgery using State-of-the-Art procedures and equipment. With that kind of claim, I took an emergency sabbatical from teaching at the University, got my passport, booked a room in one of the Top Singapore Hotels and headed off to Malaysia.

I’ve suffered with chronic pain not too long after my mother died. I woke up on morning not being able to move with out excruciating pain. Pain all over. I was taken to the emergency room via ambulance screaming all the way. I can’t even tell you exactly where the pain is cause it’s everywhere. After tons of testing, poking and prodding, the doctors could not find a reason for my pain. All they could do for me is give me some prescription for pain pills. I’ve been on the pain pills for years. Every now and then, I would stop taking the pills to see if the pain has gone away, stupid of me really, it would take me hours bent over with severe pain waiting for the pain medication to take effect again.

I knew I couldn’t live this way the rest of my life, so I’ve been all over the country consulting with pain specialist that promised results, and none came. Surgeons who said to get psychiatric help because there was nothing physically wrong with me. Allergy specialist, any specialist. No one could help me. I finally broke down and went to a psycho-therapist and was still in pain after six month of now knowing my love hate relationship with my mother.

Walking down the streets of Singapore in a daze, disappointed and absolutely broke, I found myself standing in front of a Buddhist Temple. Monks were chanting inside the temple halls seeming all blissful and peaceful. I wanted that. Peace. I wanted to know peace again; a non drug prescribe peace.

Continuing Therapy is a post from: 201 Street

Goa University

Brody — Tue, 26 May 2009 21:04:58 +0000

Goa University was established in 1985 with the intention of forming the nucleus of the Center for Post Graduate Instruction of the University of Bombay in Goa. The University over looks the beautiful Zuari River where it joins the Arabian Sea. It is located on the outskirts of Panaji. Along with this institute of higher learning, the scenic views in the area and cultural history associated with it offer plenty of sight seeing experiences for the tourist who enjoys Goa luxury accommodations. The University can be toured and has plenty of interesting architecture to keep visitors captivated.

The University has 23 PG and 2 centers of study that offer various academic programs aimed toward achieving master and Ph.D. degrees from various disciplines. The University was accredited with a Four Star rating on a Five Star scale in 2001, which attests to its high standard of instruction. Ph.D.s can be earned in 23 departments including English, Hindi, History, Physics, Zoology, Chemistry and much more. The English department was first established in 1965, before the formal launching of Goa University. In the last two decades the department has been led by faculty with a unique vision and leadership skills. The Department of Hindi is research oriented and offers an emphasis in many areas, generally translation, poetry and comparative literature.

Goa University also has a progress distance program. The Distance Education, information and Training Infrastructure (DEITI) has a live one-way video and audio facility using the Internet and Satellite technology. It offers both formal and informal classroom-teaching formats. This allows students to interact with the top educational professionals in the field. The DEITI studio is equipped with state of the art digital audio and video production facilities. The studio is also available for commercial in house production projects. This innovative program has taken the distance out of distant learning and offers students the best education experience they can get, even if they live too far to attend classes in person.

Goa University is a post from: 201 Street

Maestro Antonio Figueiredo

Brody — Tue, 26 May 2009 20:58:08 +0000

Maestro Antonio de Figueiredo is one of the most famous Goan violinists in his lifetime, and is still recognized for his work and is honored. He was born in August of 1903 in Nacorda, which is near Loutolim and part of what was then known as Portuguese India. His introduction to music came in primary school and then he went on to study the violin at the Lyceum of Panjim. He advanced quickly and soon became known as an accomplished player. His musical education didn’t end there; he went to Portugal in 1927 to study at the University of Lisbon. He later transferred to the National Conservancy of Lisbon where he received his degree in Higher Education with a focus on the violin. He continued his education further and went to study at the University of Paris after receiving his degree at the Conservancy.

Figueiredo returned to Goa in 1936 and was appointed the Choirmaster at the Lyceum of Panjim. He was extremely active in the musical community and organized string ensembles and choral groups, which he also directed. Many of the performances staged by these groups were presented in support of charity organizations. One of the most memorable of these was the Orfeao, which was produced in response to the leprosy and Tuberculosis outbreaks of 1946. Tourists staying in a Goa resort spa have the opportunity to attend a production at the Lyceum.

Figueiredo returned to pairs in 1948 after having received a scholarship for a two-year program in conducting. He studied under the Maestro Eugene Bigot at the National Conservatory of Music Paris. There he gained the title of Maestro when he earned the highest classification for excellence in conducting. He went on to attend the Accademia Musicale Chigiana before guest conducting the L’Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. Eventually Figueiredo returned to Goa where he founded the Goa Symphony orchestra. He had a prolific career, which included numerous lectures on music, which were broadcast over Goa’s Portuguese Radio. He died in 1981.

Maestro Antonio Figueiredo is a post from: 201 Street

The Mind Blowing Structure of Valencia

Brody — Tue, 26 May 2009 17:57:27 +0000

One of the most incredible architectural structures in Europe is in the Spanish city of Valencia and is becoming the top destination in Spain for tourism. This is the City of Arts and Sciences, located conveniently close to many of the best Valencia hotels. The design is futuristic and expansive, its own city within the city of Valencia. There have been many projects related to the Millennium and this is certainly one of the most imaginative and innovative of the all, world-wide. This building was to signify the turning of the century and to honor that. And while it does appear to be from another planet, the approach was very down to earth, as it is all dedicated to firing people up with enthusiasm and interest in the sciences and the arts. Regardless of the amazing wonders inside the building, the structure alone raises interest and has lured millions of visitors.

Some people not able to afford the tickets to the various museums and theater events come to just wander around and look, as admission is free to the building. This was very important to the architect who created it, Santiago Calatrava. He states that he is filled with pride that people have the opportunity to do so without paying admission. Most of what is to be discovered here is done so by simple walking around and taking a look. This center spans 7 kilometers. Calatrava is responsible for this in his roles as not only the engineer and the architect, but as the artist with such a creative vision that he has become acclaimed and renown internationally. He let his imagination run wild. This is known as one of the most ambitious undertakings ever accomplished in Valencia, the city that he is by the way, a native. There are four sections to the city, the Reina Sofia Art Museum, the Oceanarium, the Principe Felipe Science Museum and the Hemesferic Planetarium, which are all worth the price of admission, however, as stated above there is no fee for just entering the center and taking in the sights.

The Mind Blowing Structure of Valencia is a post from: 201 Street

Pop-tarts and Trix

Brody — Tue, 26 May 2009 16:51:34 +0000

Jumping up and down wildly like she was her own pogo stick during recess time was Kas’s only way to use up all the over-whelming energy created by her breakfast ritual of eating her own creation of pop-tarts crumbled on top of sugar filled cereal Trix. Before recess she found it extremely difficult to study her lessons of adding and subtracting, reading and writing and her least favorite spelling because all the while she couldn’t stop twitching and being agitated. She has never associated her breakfast routine was the cause of her difficulties with staying still in the classroom. But, being a Kindergartner, why would she connect the two.

Her parents, currently out of the country and staying in one of the wonderful Singapore Hotels on a business trip, are unaware that Kas is even allowed to create her own breakfast. They never ask her nanny, who is obese, what she makes for their six year old daughter for breakfast in the morning. They don’t ask much at all as to how the care-taking of Kas is going, they just expect the nanny that they are paying top dollar for is doing a great job. Kas seems to be happy when ever that talk to her over the phone. That’s all that concerns them. Kas’s happiness.

Recess ends and Kas is still pretending to be a pogo stick makes her way back to her classroom. As she jumps through the doorway, her teacher puts a hand on her and stops her from jumping up and down. Kas looks up at this teacher and doesn’t understand the intrusion of her joyous jumping. She begins to cry loudly and stomps her feet. She’s tired and cranky, but still she needs to jump. Jump, jump, jump. The teacher, not knowing how to deal with tantrums, offers Kas a lollipop; this works every time on all her difficult children. Kas stops crying and stops jumping for joy. She is happy.

Pop-tarts and Trix is a post from: 201 Street

Desert Transformation

Brody — Tue, 26 May 2009 16:32:02 +0000

Listening to a Mexican radio station as I drive down a lonely two lane road in the middle of the night reminds me just how isolated I truly am and how driving through what seems to be a foreign country. But it’s not a foreign country that I’m driving through, it’s Death Valley and I’m driving through it in the middle of summer. All by myself, no cell phone and no spare tire. One would call it suicidal, but I call it a necessity. I do take this trek, and it’s usually always summertime, but I take this trek in the middle of the night so I can park my car way off the road, get out, lay on the hood of my old Toyota Tacoma truck, ‘Little Taco’ I named her, and look up at the immensity of the Universe.

Before I make this trip, I always wear the beautifully dyed silken scarf my father bought for me from a Singapore Boutique Hotel when I was about six years old because it was cold outside. Why wear a scarf in the heat of the desert? Why drive out to the middle of nowhere? These are questions my husband asks me every-time I make this trip to the hottest desert in the world. He knows why, I’ve told him over and over again, it’s just that he chooses to not understand. I ask him to come with me and then he’ll know the why, but he refuses, as he puts it, to be a crazy person.

It’s my grounding, my ‘put-it-all-into-perspective’ and my therapy. No words of wisdom, no psychoanalysis, no prescription drugs can make me as whole and as at peace as when I look up into the night’s sky. No thinking required, only an opening of the minds eye. A serenity that no words can describe. I find the reasoning that my husband gives as to why he won’t go with me a lie. I figured out that he knows I need to go alone cause when I come back, after a nights stay, he knows he’s seeing a transformed me, one that he loves even deeper every time I come back.

Desert Transformation is a post from: 201 Street