This coming year…

To all my friends,

I hope this coming year grants you opportunities and surprises beyond your wildest dreams.

I hope you make mistakes, because when we make mistakes we learn from them. Making mistakes means you have tried, tested and attempted something new, different and unique.

I hope your plans come together and if they fall apart that you understand that everything happens for a reason.

I hope you cherish the people in your life and the memories of those who are only with you in spirit.

I hope you find happiness, love and joy in a way that only you can.

I hope you take nothing for granted and celebrate the little things just as much as the big things.

I hope that when obstacles stand in your way that you don’t stop, you don’t worry and you don’t hold back, charge through them.

Be fearless, be happy, be thankful and most of all be yourself.

I hope 2015 brings you all everything you could ever dream of.

Lauren’s Christmas appeal

Some people want toys for Christmas, some people want world peace or a roof over their head. But not Lauren, Lauren wanted a blog.

If your an eligible bachelor, don’t mind lots of cats and you enjoy the crazy type comment underneath and I’ll get you her number.

Happy holidays folks!!

People are like sheep.

Antonio Gramsci’s theory of Hegemony in explaining the ideological role of television.

In layman’s terms: people are sheep.

Karl Marx believed that once the subordinate classes recognised their oppression they would eventually raise up against the ruling class, however Antonio Gramsci a classical Marxist viewed this process differently; he believed that society was not only determined by the economy, as Marx did but also by thoughts and feelings as well, “man is not ruled by force alone, but also by ideas.” (Bates, 1975, p. 351)

Gramsci developed the concept of Hegemony in order to explain why revolution from the subordinate classes did not happen very often. One of his ideas was that the dominant classes used the modes of production, such as the media, to broadcast their ideologies to the subordinate classes and therefore normalised them. Society can see the dominant ideology simply as ‘common sense’ and consent to this ideology with the belief that it will, in some sense, benefit them. Storey explains, “Hegemony is maintained (and must be continually maintained: it is an on-going process) by dominant groups and classes ‘negotiating’ with, and making concessions to, subordinate groups and classes.” (Storey, 2009, pp. 124-125)
“The media also divert people’s attention from the exploitation and inequality characteristic of capitalist society by glorifying and encouraging consumption”. (Murdock, Golding cited in J. Fulcher and J.Scott;, 2011, p. 353)

If you want to control the subordinate classes you give them a range of things in order to satisfy their resistance. The media have a heavy influence on the views and opinions of society. People can be manipulated into accepting their own oppression and inequality as ’normal, natural, an inevitable fact of life’. Television and the media is controlled by the capitalist elite within society, they have access to the means of production, which the subordinate classes are obscured from. Advertising Is a method of distraction, if people want material items to consume, they will feel satisfied once this has been achieved and thus will be happy, Gramsci argues that is part of the elitist ideology and by providing a means and need for consumption revolution can be avoided.

Michael O’Shaughnessy states that “in contributing to the establishment of Hegemony, ‘popular culture’ (television)does contradictory things: it wins the support of the people while maintaining the power of the dominant groups and the oppression of the people. Herein lies the fascination and central contradiction of ‘popular culture’ and television in their ability to do both these things at once, gratifying the people and contributing to their enslavement.” (Michael O’Shaughnessy cited in Goodwin and Whannel, 1990, p. 90)

Deal or No deal is an example of how contemporary television is relevant to the theory of Hegemony; it has a very strong ideology contained within the game, it offers the subordinate classes’ entertainment and pleasure whilst satisfying their need for revolution against the dominant classes. The banker represents the dominant classes and the objective is to ‘beat the banker’ as Noel Edmonds would say. The reward being a cash prize which when asked is often geared towards contributing to trivial desires, such as a holiday or paying off student debts. It emphasis’ how important luck is, subordinate classes see this in their own lives, they have just been unlucky, that dominant classes have just been lucky to be where they are, you can’t revolt against luck. When someone beats the banker, it provides pleasure for the viewing audience and other contestants, triumphant in victory and humble in defeat. It makes the subordinate classes feel as if something important has been achieved. Once the programme has ended the underclasses feel fulfilled that someone has challenged the banker, regardless of wither they have won or lost, and the notion of revolution and need for resistance is forgotten., by giving voice to the subordinate classes situation they are satisfied and refrain from taking any form of action. Another example of Hegemony in Television can be seen in police dramas and the crime genre, shows such as The Bill and Crime stoppers. The ideology of dominant classes is expressed by showing the subordinate classes what is right and what is wrong, it voices that those who commit a crime will be caught and will be punished. Often when we see these storylines unfold the criminal is from the subordinate classes and the victim is often from the ruling classes, subconsciously suggesting that the ruling classes are incapable of petty crime.“Using the ideal world-pattern, they also depict the rules to which every member of society has to abide, as long as s/he does not want to belong to the world of crime.” (Pinseler, 2007, p. 4)

Hegemony characterizes social relations as a series of struggles for power, this struggle is constantly shifting and the dominant classes are constantly changing, for example if we look at the journey of, Judith Keppel now best known for her part in the bbc2 quiz show The Eggheads. Judith first appeared on the well-known, international show Who Wants to be a Millionaire and was the first person to win the million pound jackpot in the UK. If we consider Gramsci’s theory of Hegemony, the subordinate classes would be supporting Judith; they would want her to win, although she is a member of the upper-class society, simply for proof that the system could be beaten. However when Judith first appeared on The Eggheads, she became the system, a member of the dominant class who the underdogs needed to overthrow in order to win. Thus emphasising that Hegemony is never fully complete and is a constant struggle for dominance, this struggle means that classes are constantly competing for power and are using the media and television especially as their battle ground.

Hegemony’s usefulness with regard to explaining the role of ideology in television can be questioned, the theory evidently points out that ideology does exist within the text in a variety of ways. Advertising sparks consumerism, and consuming provides satisfaction. Escapist programs provide the subordinate classes with aspirational values instead of jealousy and give them something to ‘strive towards.’ Certain genres express and maintain social order while others give the audience revolution which rather than fuel the need to revolt satisfies this need. However Hegemony seems to assume that all audience members are passive, and does not consider how an audience member who is active will react to the ideology within the programs. It also does not consider television consumption and the way in which people watch TV, it could simply be background noise and not religiously watched.

My point is that people use the media as a form of escapism, they believe in small victories and would rather sit on the sofa than seek revolution from their lesser state within society. People have become numb to what they watch and the lines between reality and fiction are often blurred. What people cease to understand is that those who control the media control the content which we as a society view. The majority of what we view provides our need for escapism from the very reality in which we live, so quite frankly, the majority of the human race bare a considerable resemblance to sheep.

Bates, T. (1975). Gramsci and the Theory of Hegemony. Journal of the History of Ideas , 351-366.
Femia, J. V. (1987). Gramsci’s Political Thought: Hegemony, Conciousness, and the Revolutionary Process. Oxford University Press.
Fiske, J. (1987). Television Culture. Routledge.
j.Hoffman. (1984). The Gramscian Challenge: Coercion and Consent in Marxist Political Theory. Basil Blackwell.
Michael O’Shaughnessy cited in Goodwin and Whannel. (1990). Box Pop: Popular Television and Hegemony.Routledge.
Murdock, Golding cited in J. Fulcher and J.Scott;. (2011). Sociology. Oxford University Press.
Pinseler, J. (2007). Power and Hegemony in Reality Crime Programmes. On the Relevance of a Cultural Studies Approach for Analysing Media, 4.

Bronagh Doherty

The Irish Diaspora: Why we all can’t wait to leave.

I like so many of my fellow Irish men and women will being leaving Ireland in a few short months in search of something more. I, like so many before me, will be travelling to Australia in search of new experiences, opportunities and quite simply, because I have nothing to make me stay in my home country.

After finishing University in 2013 I graduated with a honours degree and a very hefty debt. Without much direction I moved back into my family home in County Antrim and began my search for a professional job, I completely underestimated how difficult this would be and although I was willing to relocate the rejection emails quickly began to mount up. The scary thing is that the majority of those who graduated in the same year as me are all in the same position.

So are we a lost generation?

With the retirement age lengthened and the number of graduates with similar degrees mounting what are the prospects for recent graduates. In reality there aren’t any! Entry level jobs are sparse and the amount of experience needed to land one is contradictory to trying to provide for yourself. Graduates are therefore stuck in their stop gap jobs without any real work experience, a hefty debt for a degree that is difficult to land a job in, in the Uk and Ireland and no one will give them experience.

So what now? For me it’s time to leave.

With no prospects, no property, and no clear road ahead it’s a logical decision to leave. Whether it’s to the UK, Europe or further afield there are better employment prospects and more opportunities to see the world. For someone in their twenties with no responsibility, anywhere apart from here seems like the promised land.

There are so many options it can be a little overwhelming depending on where you want to visit, however a plan is only a Google search away. Companies such as STA Travel and BUNAC offer excellent packages especially if you are considering Australia, New Zealand or Canada. Offering group flights with fellow travellers who are also jetting off on their own, they offer a safer, more comfortable and adventurous way of beginning your adventure if you are willing to pay a little extra for the company.

For more recent graduates USIT Ireland is a fantastic option, offering J1 student internship visa’s to the states anyone looking to travel and further their career at the same time should certainly consider it. The only downfall is that a J1 visa is only open to graduates who are within a year of graduating and you must secure your internship yourself which offers different complications.

USA summer camps are also a great option for people wishing to experience a taste of travelling. You can apply online and the interviews are held in any of the major cities across the country. They want enthusiastically and energetic people who are good with young people and would enjoy the summer of a lifetime.

But whatever you choose now is the time to do it. If you have recently graduated, have little responsibility, and crave new experiences then grab any chance you can because you will regret it if you don’t.

12 best and worst things about Christmas

1. Your Christmas dinner

Now this can go either way depending on the skill of the cook. But if you are like me and love your grub it’s the most long awaited dinner of the year. Although anyone who eats Brussel sprouts needs a good kicking.

2. Christmas clothes.

From Christmas jumpers to sparkly outfits it’s really Just an excuse for a new outfit. Jumpers are an acceptable item if they look like your granny authentically knitted it but if it looks like Buddy the Elf crafted it in the North Pole with flashing lights and 3d components then I’m sorry but you sir, are an idiot!

3. Do not enter

This is a sign that should be displayed outside every Primark in the world throughout the month of December. Unless you have a death wish or enjoy a good fight with a granny over the last size 12 then steer clear of Primark.

4. Kids become more annoying.

It’s inevitable, too many sweets and Christmas spirit and that loveable kid turns into a Santa hunting demon wielding an Argos book and demanding the latest Barbie handbag. (Do they still make barbies?)

5. The Christmas pounds

I’m not talking about money. You’re lucky that Christmas grants an excuse to buy a whole new wardrobe because you’re going to need it after the consumption of ten boxes of quality street.

6. The Christmas market.

Everyone waits all year to cram themselves into an overcrowded German beer tent that is dripping with sweaty condensation. Where there’s never enough room. The bouncers keep telling you to move so they can fit more smelly farting men in and you end up covered in the German beer you intended to drink; which consequently ruins your flashing Rudolf Christmas jumper.

7. People are happy.

Unless you work in retail people are generally more happy around the holidays. It’s nice to see so many people smiling and greeting each other full of festive cheer.

8. Big or small; presents are awesome

It’s great to appreciate what you have. There is also so much satisfaction in giving. For me, I appreciate a new pair of socks just as much as I appreciate a piece of beautiful jewellery. The thought really does count.

9. There is nothing like a warm fire.

When it’s Christmas you never begrudge yourself a night by the fire, in cosy pyjama’s with ANOTHER box of quality street.

10. Christmas TV

Home Alone, Santa Clause, Die Hard (don’t care what anyone says it is a Christmas film) The only time of the year it’s acceptable for fully grown adults to watch Disney films for eight hours straight.

11. Shit, we didn’t get them anything.

There are always unexpected and unannounced guests who come bearing a gift bag and you haven’t gotten them anything. Time for the usual scramble round the house and you hand them an opened box of biscuits and a bottle of cheap wine. :/ My Bad.

12. The whole families together…

And there can’t be any bickering. It’s Christmas Day, the magical day where siblings get along and everyone puts their differences aside. It’s only one day after all how hard can it be?

Wall-e Film Analysis

This is why I don’t watch films very often, I end up analysing them to death but this is my favourite one and I found it really interesting so thought I would post.

Analytical Film analysis: The narrative structure and intertextuality of Disney Pixar’s ‘Wall-E.’(2008)

By Bronagh Doherty.

Narratives are cognitive patterns that we construct to make sense of the world. They convey our longing for consistency, closure, and a single unified meaning. According to the theories of Levi-Strauss (1955:1966) and his studies of Mythology, film narrative is a construction of binary opposites which help us make sense of our social world. Narrative is a product of all cultures; story-telling, myths and folklore that have been shared from generation to generation throughout the world in order to help produce ‘meaning.’ Turner (1988, P.32) States, ‘Myths negotiated a peace between men and women and their environment so that they could live in it without agonizing over its frustration and its cruelties.’ Many film theorists suggest the same can apply to film narrative as it naturalises the inevitable and the inexplicable, homogenising societal norms and practices. Brooks has said, we are now “immersed” in narrative. Brooks (1984, p.3) From our parents, from our friends, and from strangers; in school, at work, and at home; in newspapers, novels, advertising, film and TV; factual, fictional, or somewhere in-between, the number of narratives we are exposed to even in a single year must run into many thousands. This assignment studied Disney Pixar’s Wall-E (Waste Allocation Load Lifter – Earth Class) examining the narratives binary oppositions in relation to other film narratives which are drawn upon in the film and explain how they naturalise contemporary societal norms.

In the establishing shot at the start of Wall-E, the camera slopes from outer space to a landscape that looks uncannily familiar but undoubtedly different. What seem at first like skyscrapers turn out to be neatly stacked mountains of rubbish on a vast wasteland. The quiet is broken only by the unlikely sound of a song from Hello, Dolly! — Originally considered to be non-diagetic sound is actually heard coming from a solitary (inhumane) figure quickly moving around a junk-strewn landscape. Apparently, humans never changed course on pollution and consumerism, and sometime in the 22nd century they were forced to leave a planet they had turned into a giant rubbish dump. But they left without turning off a robot they’d left behind; this is the plot of Wall-E. The first half hour of Wall-E contains very little dialogue, uncommon for a contemporary film; the silence is filled with music and the beeps and whirls of two robots as they attempt to communicate with each other. Emotions and storylines are played out through gestures made by a malfunctioning robot that has developed a slight technical glitch: a human personality. Marketed as a futuristic fantasy film directed at children, Wall-E, like many other animation films holds satirical humour aimed at cultural life that adults will enjoy. Following Todorov’s narrative theory, the equilibrium at the beginning of Wall-E is destroyed when another robot lands on Earth, Wall-E presents the robot with a plant which signifies that human life on earth is once again sustainable. Wall-E however has fallen in love with this new and improved robot and follows her into space by holding on to the spacecraft. When the captain of the Axiom (the humans’ spacecraft) attempts to bring them back to Earth the equilibrium is disrupted by the plot’s villain Auto who tries to destroy the plant. The equilibrium is only restored when the plant is brought back to the captain by Wall-E and the humans return to Earth. In the final credits we can see the captain teaching the humans about farming and production in order to keep human life sustainable on Earth. We structure our understanding of the world around categories of difference and similarity which are often a conflict between good and bad, below are some of the binary oppositions, that Levi-Strauss believed helped to make meaning, that can be seen through both characterization and themes in Wall-E:

Wall-E: Auto (the robot who tries to stop the return to earth)
Good: bad
Earth: space
Nature: Technology
Health: obesity
Environment: Pollution
Anti-consumerism: Consumerism
Anti-Capitalist: Capitalist

The main conflicts in Wall-E are the influences of consumerism and the effects of pollution, a problem reflected in our own society today, Wall-E could be considered a warning of what is to come if the humans don’t make lifestyle changes. The humans who have been deported to space have turned into obese and passive consumers, who spend their days on virtual holidays, talking to each other virtually and staring at a screen all day. The film deals with the issues that are affecting todays’ society, and reflect Marxist views that a single large corporation can take over the world. Wall-E is not the only Pixar film which features the ‘Buy ‘N’ Large’ company logo, it can also be seen in Up (2009), where the company tries to buy a house off an elderly man, to knock it down and build a shopping centre. Many critics in the blogosphere have argued that the Wall-E is unsuitable for children as it deliberately conveys environmentalist, anti-capitalist, and anti-technological propaganda — and aims it at an audience of children, who some argue still lack the critical faculties and intellectual sophistication to evaluate all relevant aspects of the issues presented. The ideology (obvious to adults) in the film is shadowed by the classic narrative traits of the classical Hollywood romance genre, all Wall-E wants is for the sleek robot EVE (Extra-terrestrial Vegetation Evaluator), which interrupts his earthly rubbish collecting routine, to hold his hand like the characters on his favourite video tape Hello-Dolly!
This form of narrative is the most common and can be uncovered by looking at the theories of Vladimir Propp (1968) who researched the common properties of folk-tales and defining common ‘spheres of action’ that can be found within the story. These are outlined below and used to show their relevance to Wall-E:

1. The Villain- Characteristically in Wall-E the villain is Auto, who tries to stop the Axiom (the space craft, perhaps a nod to Blade runner) with a sidekick called GO-4, from returning to Earth. Thematically however the villain is ‘Buy ‘N’ Large’, who have promoted consumerism and contributed to the pollution of planet Earth.
2. The Donor/ Provider- Wall-E, as he finds and provides the plant which means the humans can return to Earth.
3. The Helper- The helper in Wall-E is both the Axiom’s captain and the rogue robots that Wall-E helps escape from the factory. Wall-E is also helped by M-O (Microbe-Obliterator).
4. The Princess- EVE
5. The Dispatcher- EVE
6. The Hero/ Victim- Wall-E
7. The False Hero- Auto, he first appears good but turns out to be evil.

These properties can be applied to countless numbers of films for example, the helpers are similar to the dwarfs in Snow White, Wall-E is similar to Dreamworks Shrek or the Beast from Beauty and the Beast who falls in love with someone who is seemingly out of their league only to eventually capture their heart in a display of romance and bravery. Turner (1988) states this, ’underlines the possibility that film and the primitive fairy-tale serve similar functions for their respective audiences. ‘These properties are still relevant to contemporary film however; the purpose has changed alongside society. It could be suggested that Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), Shrek (2001) and Finding Nemo (2003) were used as ideological tools to naturalize difference in society. The dwarfs’ bare similarities with the malfunctioning robots in Wall-E, both groups would be categorised in Propp’s spheres of action as the helper’s. Shrek and Nemo have similarities with Wall-E as being the unlikely heroes. If film relates to social issues it could then be rational to suggest that contemporary productions such as Wall-E, which has similarities to Blade Runner, as it shows human colonialism in space, are forms of warning humanity about the effects of consumerism and pollution. Also that our reliance on advancing technology can damage relationships among humans, in Wall-E the humans have become the impassive robots and the robots have become the humans. Wall-E and EVE can be seen dancing around the Axiom in space and building friendships while humans have become stationary and passive, only connecting with each other through technology, this is only broken when the humans are forced to recognise each other because of the disruption of their daily routines as the captain struggles with Auto to bring the humans back to Earth. The animation of the film allows the audience- the majority of which are children, to consume these connoted messages passively.

As the works of Julia Kristeva, along with other poststructuralist theorists, has taught us, any text is a combination of others, a part of a larger fabric of cultural discourse. “A text is a multidimensional space in which a variety of writings, none of them original, blend and clash”, writes Barthes in 1977 (P. 146) Film theoreticians Raengo & Stam (2005)explains: “The text feeds on and is fed into an infinitely permutating intertext, which is seen through ever shifting grids of interpretation” (P.57) The depth of intertextuality in Wall-E is continuous, referencing other films such as Blade-Runner (1982), I Am Legend (2007), Hello Dolly!(1969) and many more. Thompson (1997) suggests such analogic equivalencies are quite consistent with cognitive schema theory: consumers learn about novel products by thinking about them as similar or dissimilar to product concepts they already have in memory. References to other texts produce a multi-layered intertextual fabric, in which each thread potentially unravels the narrative possibilities suggested by the other threads. Intertextuality functions to increase ambiguity, and is therefore thematically relevant to narrative theory. Wall-E’s behaviour and personality is somewhat reminiscent of Chaplin-esque slapstick humour, particularly when he causes chaos in the factory, a nod to Chaplin’s little tramp in Modern Times (1936), it is easy to see where Pixar got the idea of having very little dialogue at the start of the film. “Meaning becomes something which exists between a text and all the other texts to which it refers and relates, moving out from the independent text into a network of textual relations” Allen (2000,P.1). An interpretation of this use of text could be a suggestion that humanity needs to look back and remember simpler times where technology and social issues were different, and production and agriculture thrived; thus corresponding with the narrative themes of anti-consumerism and environmentalist views in Wall-E. The incorporation of HelloDolly! serves the same purpose, when the clips of the film appear brighter on screen connoting happiness and better times, referring back to a time when human interaction was more important than the latest trend or newest technological advancement. I Am Legend (2007) and Wall-E share a similar establishing narrative, a vast city landscape that is now a brownish haze of rubbish and squealer, also similar to The Day After Tomorrow (2004), these references derive meaning in the form of a warning that if humans continue on the path of consumerism and pollution they could potentially destroy their planet. In the waste level of the Axiom spaceship, a nod to the rubbish compactor in Star Wars (1977), Apple computer mouses, PC computer parts and other remnants of our disposable culture can be spotted. Intertextuality distorts the outlines of texts, making them an “illimitable tissue of connections and associations” (Barthes 1981, P. 39). However this wholly depends on the reader’s knowledge to make all the necessary links.

Narrative structure is universal; the narrative theories of Propp (1968) and Levi-strauss (1955:1966) illuminate the fundamental values governing the movement of narrative. This research on Wall-E shows that both the structuralist theories of Levi-Strauss and the folklore studies of Propp can usefully be applied to many different texts from a variety of cultures, which can help their audiences derive meaning from and relate to these texts as they address the cultural issues within contemporary society. “By reading narrative, we escape the anxiety that attacks us when we try to say something true about the world. This is the consoling function of narrative — the reason people tell stories, and have told stories from the beginning of time.” Eco (1994) Themes in film progress alongside society however the narrative structure of the majority of films remains the same. Wall-E could be described as Pixar’s most original unoriginal movie, the film, like most movies, is just the same story told in a new way. The robots are gendered to reinforce common narratives of heterosexual relationships of the classic boy-meets-girl love story even further. Although the interpretations of Wall-E’s ideological themes hit home, the film is a complete contradiction of itself. With the production of merchandise and advertising that will inevitably surround the film Disney Pixar is encouraging consumption and pollution, as children will want the merchandise which will eventually become waste materials. ‘Films can be regarded either as entertaining fictions, as reflections of reality, or as cultural artefacts that shape and constitute our understanding of social and organizational life.’ Huczynski & Buchanan (2004, P.708)

Allen, G. (2000) Intertextuality. London: Routledge
Barthes, R. (1977) Introduction to the Structural Analysis of Narratives, in: Image-Music-Text. London : Fontana.
Barthes, R. (1981) Introduction to the structural analysis of the narrative. Birmingham [England]: Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies, University of Birmingham.
Beauty and the Beast (1991) [film] Walt Disney Feature Animation: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise.
Blade Runner (1982) [film] Warner Bros.: Ridley Scott.
Brooks, P. (1984) Reading for the Plot. Cambridge, London: Harvard University Press.
Buchanan, D. and Huczynski, A. (1997) Organizational behaviour. London [u.a.]: Prentice Hall.
Eco, U. (1994) Six walks in the fictional woods. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press.
Hello Dolly! (1969) [DVD] USA: Gene Kelly.
I Am Legend (2007) [film] USA: Francis Lawrence.
Modern Times (1936) [film] USA: Charlie Chaplin.
Propp, V. (1968). The Morphology of the Folktale. University of Texas Press.
Raengo, A. and Stam, R. (2005) Literature and film. Malden, Mass. [u.a.]: Blackwell.
The Day After Tomorrow (2004) [film] USA: Roland Emmerich.
Shrek (2001) [film] DreamWorks Pictures: Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) [film] USA: Walt Disney.
Star Wars (1977) [film] USA: George Lucas.
Thompson, C. J. (1997), Interpreting Consumers: A Hermeneutical Framework for Deriving Marketing Insights from the Texts of Consumers’ Consumption Stories”, Journal of Marketing Research, 34, November, 438-455.
Turner, G. (1988) Film as social practice. London: Routledge.
Wall-E (2008) [film] Pixar Animation Studios: Andrew Stanton

Lost friendships

This happens to everyone in life at some stage or another and there are really only a few options.

You can accept it for what it is or you can accept a broken friendship and try and move on but either way it’ll never be the same as it used to be.

Losing friends is hard, especially with people you have amazing memories with but people develop different interests, fall out, or simply grow apart and that, unfortunately is a part of growing up. However one thing is for certain, you will always make more friends.

Sometimes it’s just not worth the investment in trying to rebuild a broken relationship as there will always be underlying cracks.

What you realise in time is, that not everyone you lose is a loss.

Aren’t you scared?

I have had a lot people asking me about my posts on mental Illness and social anxiety. The most common thing people ask is, ‘aren’t you afraid of what other people think?’

The honest answer is no, not even a little. If what I write helps someone understand or raises more awareness then I have no reason to be afraid.

When I was secondary school I didn’t know what was wrong with me, why I had different reactions to certain situations compared to other people. Why conversations and the things I had to say would die in my mouth. I’m so much healthier and happier now that I know the cause, now that I am more equipped to deal with it and understand the why’s.

So no I’m not afraid, because in life people are already judging me for so many other things so I might as well give them something worth talking about.

My point is that sometimes our worst traits can coincide with our best.

Northern Ireland: Explained by Father Ted

I think we can all agree that religion is a tricky and brittle topic in the North. However there are very few people who actually know their own history and culture. Unfortunately the hatred from both sides of the spectrum are bred into the children of this land; who develop opinions through their parents and environments rather than through knowledge.

For some strange reason bricks represent quite a lot here. Between the colours of the curbs to how far you can throw them at moving targets.

I think the world in general are aware of the stereotype that the Irish are drinkers or drunks and although we have our fair share of pioneers the stereotypes pretty close to the mark.

One must be careful about what one says and to whom one says it, for some reason we are a very defensive nation.

Frequently said when you’ve said something to someone that you shouldn’t have said something too.

Every other nation would be proud to see their fellow countrymen and women on the TV… But not here. Why? Because they sound like morons that’s why. Cough Nadine Coyle Cough.

We may be known internationally as people with a gift for the gab, but unfortunately that isn’t always the case. So don’t come for a visit and expect everyone one to chat you up with silver tongued chat up lines, we have plenty of Gabshites as well.

Some people still love a good mass! Kitted out in their Sunday best the godly people in the country still arrive in their droves for 12 O’clock mass. As well as being enlightening and informative for the soul it’s also great for a good old gossip. My granny goes everyday!

Between greeting your nearest and dearest to your worst enemy we seem to have a fairly good range of inventive and aggressive insults. Warning: expect a lot of foul language… especially from the women.

‘Don’t tell me I’m still on that feckin’ Island?’

We all may complain about it but there’s nowhere quite like home. We love it really.

10 stupid things all girls do

1. Never take a jacket

It doesn’t matter how many times someone says bring a jacket. We can think of a number of reasons not to… Where will I put it… I don’t want to carry it… It’s not that cold. Ten minutes later when you’ve left the house you’re freezing and know you should have brought the jacket.

2. We always text him back

We promise ourselves that we aren’t going to text that guy who’s been messing you about but the second he texts you, you just can’t help yourself. So instead you promise yourself that you’ll make it obvious via text messages that your not happy with him…. He never gets the point.

3. Buy stuff… Then never wear it.

We hmmm and haaa in the shop about buying something we aren’t sure about and nine times out of ten we buy it put it in the wardrobe and only look at it again when you’re giving it to charity.

4. ‘I don’t mind, where do you want to go?’

For some unknown reason girls just can’t make decisions on where we want to go to get food. It’s a universal thing, you should probably just stop asking, put on your big boy pants and decide for yourself.

5. Get ridiculously annoyed when our hair won’t sit right.

This is the bane of our existence. Can sometimes result in tears or a hair brush being thrown across the room. Is the most common cause of girls deciding they aren’t going out anymore.

6. Never know what to wear.

We try on 7 million outfits. We wear the first one we’ve tried on and knew we were gonna wear in the first place but we just had to make sure.

7. ‘I’m Fine’, ‘it’s fine, have fun’, ‘no of course I don’t mind.’

In reality we are not fine, in fact, we are the furthest from fine as we can possibly be. And everyone knows it, you know it, we know you know it, you know that we know that you know it, but we still try pretend that we are totally FINE.

8. ‘I hate her!’, ‘OMG Jen how are you, you look great.’

We’ve all done this (guys also do this) at least once in our lives, we dislike people yet are completely lovely to their face, yes it’s bitchy but you are hardly going to ignore them or tell them you hate them ,’Hey Jen, ya slag.’

9. ‘Why am I crying?’

We cry for very silly and sometimes entirely unknown reasons. PMS’ing or not, sometimes you just need a good cry. We know it’s irrational but that little puppy was just soooo cute and it looked really sad…

10. Never make the first move.

Whether it’s sending a text or leaning in for a sneaky kiss, we can’t bring ourselves to take the leap. Fear of rejection, scared to bother that person or not wanting to appear too keen and trying to play it cool are all common causes.


Unspoken words for thought

Posts tagged ‘dna’

Ji Liu “DNA” Sonata for Solo Piano, 2012 HD- Awesome Find.

Description from YouTube:

Composer: Ji Liu
Piano: Ji Liu
Live from Wigmore Hall, Mar. 30th, 2012
This performance at Wigmore Hall was the World Première of this Piano Sonata.

Programme Note © Ji Liu 2012

“By the time I started the idea of writing this piece, I thought Sonata Form would be perfect for me to explore how the contrary elements can opposite and syncretize each other. Later, I was inspired by the philosophical ideas of “Yin Yang” from the ancient Chinese book “I Ching”, also known as the “Book of Changes”. It is one of the oldest of the Chinese classic texts and extant books of divination. Traditionally it was believed that the principles of the “I Ching” originated with the mythical Fu Xi. By the time of the legendary Yu 2194–2149 BC, the trigrams had supposedly been developed into 64 hexagrams, which were recorded in the scripture of Lián Shan (meaning “continuous mountains” in Chinese), which begins with the hexagram Bound (艮 gèn). This depicts a mountain mounting on another and is believed to be the origin of the scripture’s name. The text of the “I Ching” is a set of oracular statements represented by 64 sets of six lines each called hexagrams. Each hexagram is a figure composed of six stacked horizontal lines (爻yáo), each line is either Yang (an unbroken, or solid line), or Yin (broken, an open line with a gap in the center). With six such lines stacked from bottom to top there are 26 or 64 possible combinations, and thus 64 hexagrams represented. In Asian philosophy, the concept of “Yin Yang” is used to describe how polar opposites or seemingly contrary forces are interconnected and interdependent in the natural world, and how they give rise to each other in turn.

So within the Sonata Form, I thought by using the conflicts musical subjects, I could attempt to interpret the spirit of Yin Yang. From the title, the Sonata is designed on the structure of the DNA double helix which consists of two long polymers of simple units called nucleotides, with backbones made of sugars and phosphate groups joined by ester bonds. These two strands run in opposite directions to each other and are therefore anti-parallel. This interlaced structure reflects the Sonata not only structurally, but also harmonically and texturally. And this is the reason that other than the Classical Sonata structure of being 3 or 4 movements, I decided to renovate it to a single-movement Sonata which includes 3 parts. Here, apart from DNA’s original meaning of the Deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA also stands for D and A — and can be the name of the two notes, or the name of the two keys which create so-called a multi-tonality functioned system.

Mathematically, the Yin Yang plays an important role in the Sonata. Yin typifies the odd number, and Yang typifies the even number. So the Sonata has 2012 beats in total, the first part of the Sonata has 1236 beats (103 bars with a meter of 12/8) which represents Yin; the second part of the Sonata has 764 beats (72 bars with a meter of 9/8 and 14 bars with a meter of 7/8, in total 86 bars) which represents Yang; and the third part has 12 beats (1 bar with a meter of 12/8). Indeed, the first part plays a role as the exposition of the whole sonata, but itself is also established by the classical sonata form comprised by exposition, development, recapitulation and a small coda (1 bar). The Exposition is comprised by a rather chaotic and colossal first subject, a mysterious and yearning second subject and an ethereal codetta. The Development Section is quite straight forward with the conflicts between all the elements which we had before, here I use the one of Messiaen’s typical technique called “Agrandissements asymetriques”. This technique is basic on keeping some voice in the same tone level; some voices go upper and upper by semi-tones; and some voices go lower and lower by semi-tones. The sound of this passage does sound quite unsure and disorder. To me, It is like the planets in the universe moving with different route but in the same time, they are cooperated each other by a bigger society and force. The recapitulation uses quite the similar materials as the Exposition but leads a tremendous storm to the one-bar Coda which is also the starting point of the second part of the whole sonata. There is the Golden Section Ratio of the Sonata- the perfect proportion of the 0.618. This part is timeless, improvised and quite simple. After the echo like motive displays, the motive becomes more human voice. Then there is a passage of canon on the 17th interval. The third part of the Sonata is paralleled with the end of the second part using my creation of a composition technique called “Tempi Modulation”, which compressed the first part of the Sonata into one bar of 6/8 while the ending of the second part has 5 bars of 7/8; this third part also reflects all the materials which were displayed in the exposition. “

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Santiago and Huizar Save DTLA from Jaywalking Tickets

In Downtown, it is currently illegal for a pedestrian to step into a crosswalk after the red hand starts flashing and the countdown begins no matter how many seconds are left to cross, and if a cop stops you, you’re probably gonna get a jaywalking ticket.

As the residential population in Downtown L.A.  increased to more than 53,000 in recent years this law and others like it have resulted in a reported 17,000 citations over a four-year period. That’s when the people began calling on their representatives to put forth a successful effort to help them through the crisis.

Finally some relief!

As a part of the DTLA Forward Initiative, Los Angeles City Councilmember José Huizar went to work to increase and encourage more pedestrian activity, authoring a 2016 City Council resolution calling on the state to update crosswalk laws, which negatively impacted pedestrians, particularly in Downtown Los Angeles.

“When current California pedestrian laws were created, countdown signals didn’t exist,” said Councilmember Huizar. “As a result, there has been a lot of confusion about when a pedestrian can cross the street in Downtown Los Angeles and throughout the city.”

The solution: Enter Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles), who authored Assembly Bill 390.

AB 390 offers a solution by making it legal for a pedestrian to proceed walking across a crosswalk during a countdown signal if there is sufficient time to reasonably complete the crossing safely.

According to Assemblymember Santiago, other states and cities have passed similar legislation without opposition. There is no evidence of an increase in risky behavior from pedestrians as a result of these newer laws.

“I don’t believe pedestrians should be preyed upon just to fill local coffers,” said Assemblymember Santiago. “AB 390 encourages and reinforces pedestrian-friendly communities like Downtown Los Angeles.”

AB 390 was indeed approved by the Assembly Transportation Committee today (13-1).  The bill promises to protect pedestrians exploited by an outdated state crossing signal law that has resulted in people on foot being unfairly punished and financially overburdened.

This week, the Los Angeles City Council will vote on a second resolution by Councilmember Huizar supporting AB 390 specifically. AB 390 will next head to the Assembly Floor for a vote in the coming weeks.

“I want to thank Assemblymember Santiago for answering the call of our resolution and proposing common-sense updates to this code in order to encourage more pedestrian activity while ensuring public safety.” said Huizar.

Assemblymember Miguel Santiago is the Chair of the Assembly’s Communications and Conveyance Committee. He represents the 53rd District composed of the cities of Los Angeles, Huntington Park, and Vernon.

Councilmember José Huizar represents Council District 14 in the City of Los Angeles, which includes Downtown Los Angeles, Boyle Heights, El Sereno and Northeast Los Angeles.

Yup, you guessed it. It's me Keri Freeman, publisher and concept designer for Downtown Weekly. As an African American Indian and middle aged female who lives, works and plays in Downtown Los Angeles for the better of 25 years, it gives me great pleasure to be able to tell our story in such a unique way and offer support for literary artists and educated journalists who inspire me every day to keep writing although I think I suck at it. Also, it would seem I'm the only woman of color to publish a newspaper here in over 100 years, so hopefully that inspires some future generations as well....Just remember if its can't be work....Thank you, people of Gaia, for your continued support and thank you for reading!


We are committed to providing all children with the educational opportunity that we believe is a fundamental right.  Our mission insists that our schools support academic achievement.  Students’ academic achievement depends on our ability to teach a strong academic curriculum and develop the personal skills of our students. We focus on the development of grit, gratitude, optimism, empathy, citizenship, integrity, self-control, and curiosity because strength in each of these areas is a high indicator for success and happiness in school, work and relationships.  At MSA our academic curriculum and social emotional focus are putting children on the path to success.

gratitude selfcontrol optimism
empathy citizenship grit
curiosity integrity academic


4 Ways To Prevent Headaches While Fasting During Ramadan

Jason Brown |

Nearly half of Muslims experience increased headaches during the month of fasting

The good news? You can manage these headaches without breaking your fast, says Dr Elliot Shevel, chairman of the South African Headache Society.

The fasting month of Ramadan is an annual religious practice of Muslims prior to the “Eid ul-Fitr” celebration. During the one-month period, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset (abstain from eating, drinking and smoking for 29 to 30 days). Many people who fast over Ramadan suffer mild or moderate headaches as a result of factors such as hypoglycaemia, caffeine withdrawal, change in sleep patterns and the stress of fasting itself.

The University of Malaya carried out a study over four months: two months before, the month of Ramadan and one month after. Eighty-three subjects were given headache diaries over this time and at the end of each month the severity of headache was quantified using the Chronic Pain Grade. They found that the pain intensity increased in 48% of the subjects. They concluded that fasting over Ramadan was a significant precipitating factor for headache.

Headache onset often occurs in the afternoon or evening just before the fast is broken. Headache frequency typically increases over the duration of fasting. Those prone to headaches at other times of the year are most likely to get headaches, but some patients that experience headaches during this time have no history of headaches or migraines.

How to eliminate headaches during Ramadan:

1. Adjust your coffee intake

Dr Shevel highlights caffeine withdrawal as the most common cause of headache while fasting. Patients can often prevent headaches by reducing caffeine consumption in the weeks leading up to Ramadan month, so bear that in mind for next year’s fast. For now, try a strong cup of coffee just before the start of the fast for the day – it may help ease the caffeine withdrawal headache later in the day.

2. Avoid a sugar crash

Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) can also trigger headaches in many people. If you eat a breakfast with high sugar content before the day’s fast begins, it can cause a rapid rise in blood sugar levels followed by a fast drop that may trigger a headache. Eating a meal with low sugar content before the fast may prevent the onset of a headache during the day. For a list of foods which have a low glycemic index to be sent to you, contact The Headache Clinic on 0861 678 911.

3. Don’t forget to drink

Dehydration is another common headache trigger.  Adequate intake of water before the onset of the fast can often prevent headaches. The human brain is more than 75% water, and it is very sensitive to the amount of water available to it. When the brain detects that the water supply is too low, it begins to produce histamines. This is essentially a process of water rationing and conservation, in order to safeguard the brain in case the water shortage continues for a long period of time. The histamines directly cause pain and fatigue, in other words a headache and the low energy that usually accompanies it. So drink at least a litre of water with your morning meal to help your body and brain stay hydrated until you break fast in the evening.

4. Get enough good quality sleep

“Headache sufferers should also, as far as possible, try to avoid exposure to other triggers such as fluid retention, stress, fatigue and lack of sleep during Ramadan, when there is a greater tendency to experience headache,” says Dr Shevel. “Rest and sleep often help to prevent being subjected to headaches and the pain often melts away when the fast is broken for the day.”

Medicinal help

Preventive medication that will last for the full daylight hours of the fast includes preparations such as the tablet Naproxen sodium, which is taken as a single dose of 500mg just before the fast begins. These tablets are sold over-the-counter at your pharmacy.

When to call your doctor

“If headaches are interfering with your fast during Ramadan, contact The Headache Clinic on 0861 678 911 as we have a number of techniques to relieve you of your pain. You should be able to continue your fast without breaking any of the principles of Ramadan,” added Dr Shevel. If your headaches persist after Ramadan or are severe in nature, patients are advised to seek help from a medical professional. Dr Shevel explains that headaches can be most successfully treated using a multidisciplinary approach, since no one medical specialisation covers all the psychological and physical dimensions of severe headaches.

7 Signs Your Headache Isn’t Just A Headache

READ MORE ON: headaches


Potato + Corn Chowder

With my 20th birthday coming up, it is time for me to reflect on the last year and prepare myself for a new one. This year has been the most drastically different year from the rest of my entire life, and it has been my most emotionally difficult year so far.

My favorite number has been 19 since I was about six and had a dream about being 19 years old. It was the magical number of my childhood, and I always looked forward to it with great expectations. That would be the year that I would do something great. That would be the best year of my life, where I would have good friends and I would do every single thing that made me happy. Surely, nothing could stand in my way. 19 was such a magnificent seeming age. I would no longer be a child, but I would not yet be burdened with the responsibility of adulthood.

Coconut Berry Smoothie

This recipe is so so simple, and I love it.

I love the feeling of eating something delicious that I know is good for me. It almost feels naughty to eat delicious food, even when I now it’s filled with nutritional value.

The fear of eating good food always appears for me while drinking smoothies, and I know that I need to get over that feeling so that I can continue eating healthful foods. I even feel bad eating nice cream or roasted vegetables sometimes because they are just too darned yummy! Does anyone else get this way?

Quinoa and Avocado Lunch

Since I began developing recipes for the blog, it seems like my recipes have devolved to being less and less healthful, and I think that it is because I have always pictured recipe sharing as something that I need to prepare an extravagant and commonly enjoyed food item for, so I try to think of traditional foods to convert into vegan foods. But the sacrifice of health that I usually make for food that I hope people might enjoy is just silly. For that reason, I want to make a vow to you all that I will incorporate more of a focus on health for my recipes in the future. However, if I do perfect a sinfully delicious cake recipe, I won’t be able to resist sharing it with you, so dont worry. AKA watch out.


Our Vision

To be one church from many cultures with Christ at the center. (Revelation 7:9-10)

Our Mission

We exist to make and equip disciples of Jesus Christ from all nations to the glory of God in the power of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:18-20)

The Great Commission commands us to make disciples of Jesus Christ, baptize them, and teach them to observe / obey everything that Jesus has commanded in the Bible. This is a tremendous responsibility that the Lord has given to us as the church. We want to ensure that we are taking the steps and putting programs in place to enable and encourage people to go through this process of Christian discipleship. We have a simple five step path that, when followed, will stimulate spiritual growth while preparing Christians for service (Ephesians 4:11-16).

1. Sunday services (word, worship, prayer)

2. Small groups (open groups following the GROW, CARE, GO model)

3. Bible Studies (closed groups that are either developmental or targeted)

4. One on One (doctrine, practice, training)

5. Service in the church (teaching, training others, serving others)


Some Words About Depression

How can we define that word depression?  Depression is more than the normal everyday ups and downs that all of us can experience from time to time.  When a person experience a period of down mood for longer than two weeks the condition might be known as clinical depression.

To suffer from clinical depression is a serious condition, because it affects more than our mood. It affects the whole person and in longer perspective it can cause physical sicknesses. Along with bad feelings, people who suffer from depression can also have problem cooping with everyday pressures and duties.

Depressive disorders can run in families as well as physical sicknesses. Bad experiences in life, low self-esteem and a view of life that is very pessimistic certainly increases the risks of being depressed.

Depression strikes millions of people every year, and this is very serious because the condition is linked to many other problems such as bad school performance, alcohol and drug abuse and even suicide. *

What can we do about the situation, then?  Can anyone be free from depression?

Absolutely. Many people find help in counseling and some also feel relief in medication. As Christian depression can be helped by seeking our healing and deliverance in God! The word of God is powerful and many are those Christians that have experienced total freedom through prayer and meditation in the word. Some have experienced instant deliverance while others by biblical renewing of mind have seen their healing during a period of time.

Homepage: Free from depression


Κυριακή, 29 Ιανουαρίου 2017

For over 6 years, Huang Wenhua and his team at the Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology in Xi'an have been working on a potent microwave weapon. This one, which recently won China's National Science and Technology Progress Award, is small enough to fit on a lab work bench, making it theoretically portable enough for land vehicles and aircraft.
Said another way: it's small enough to be convenient, but powerful enough to totally down enemy electronics. A microwave weapon like this could even be fitted to a missile (like the U.S. CHAMP electronic warfare missile) or drone.

Generally, microwave weapons shut down electronic systems (even those with traditional shielding against EMP) by bombarding the target with energy pulses between 300 and 300,000 megahertz. This amount of directed energy interferes with and overloads electronic circuits, causing them to shut down. The higher the energy produced by the system, the greater the disruption (and even physical damage for some very high-powered microwave weapons) of the targeted electronic systems like engines and communications systems.
China can find a wide variety of uses for an electronics killing ray. Defensively, microwave weapons could be part of electronic warfare booby traps, ambushing and disabling enemy vehicles and robots. At close ranges, it can be mounted on vehicles, warships, and even aircraft, to disable and distract missiles, small UAVs and even the personal and vehicular electronics of hostile forces.

But the real combat potential of the microwave weapon comes in offense. Carried in by a stealthy drone or cruise missile, it would be able to disable sophisticated enemy defenses like SAM and anti-ship missile batteries; fry enemy radars, communications, and control systems; paralyze tank battalions; and even neutralize other EW platforms.

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Junior IT Support Engineer

£14000 - £18000 per annum
09 Oct 2017
06 Nov 2017
Recruitment Genius Ltd
Contract Type
Full Time
This IT services company is seeking a Junior IT Support person to compliment their IT support professionals based on site. You are required to have an understanding of Servers and Workstations and expertise knowledge of Microsoft Windows 7/8/10. You will be troubleshooting end user support calls coupled with desktop installations.

You must have a customer facing attitude with an emphasis on providing an excellent customer feedback and training will be provided to ensure that you are capable of performing day to day tasks.

Self determination to succeed, learn and further their career will be supported by the company.

Your daily work tasks will be:-

- Handle and take calls made to the service desk
- Remote troubleshoot where possible
- Fix and troubleshoot End user Incidents
- Provide technical input as and when required
- Installs and upgrades (Both Hardware and Software)
- Liaise with third parties

Minimum Experience Required:-

- Understanding of Microsoft Windows 7/8/10
- Understanding of Networking Infrastructure
- Candidates with Microsoft Qualification's will be given a preference.
- Excellent communication skills (Oral and Written)

23 Days holidays plus bank holidays
Free onsite parking
Optional workplace pension

This position is based on-site in Middlesbrough North East.

Apply for Junior IT Support Engineer

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Oct 7, 2015

Interview with BIDDU- Blog Tour

BIDDU- the POP music magnate who ruled our hearts in the 80s and 90s has published his AUTOBIOGRAPHY aptly titled MADE IN INDIA-adventures of a lifetime.

Made in India by Biddu
As a child, Biddu dreamt of going west and making it big as a composer. At the age of sixteen, he formed a band and started playing in a cafe in Bangalore, his home town, At eighteen, he was part of a popular act at Trinca's, a nightclub in Calcutta devoted to food, wine and music, At nineteen, he had college students in Bombay dancing to his music.

I finished reading his life story and reviewed the book last month. I'm a die hard BIDDU fan and his life story also gets a 5 Star rating from me. You can read the detailed review HERE

 BOOK LINKS: If you wish to grab you own copy you can get it at:-

Biddu writes with such a great sense of humor about his musical  journey that he has you hooked all through out.There were points where I was laughing out loud too. He made his struggle in a foreign land seem like a cake walk with a fairy tale ending. Every word of his autobiography was a treat to read. Charming, witty, and entirely likable, Biddu is man I'm sure you all would like to know more about.

 So here's a short and whacky tête-à-tête with the POP maestro himself....

How lucky are you and why?

If you read my autobiography, I've enumerated an episode where on my way to  Damascus I was graced by the company of some fellow travelers with belts, pouches, and rifles at their back. They laughed their heads off as one of them told me, "Amreekan good, Band Aid bad". I was clueless about what it meant all through out the journey until a dapper, educated-looking man came up to me and said, " You lucky they no kill you. They bandits. God is great."
Now you know how lucky I am!

Oh! Once upon a time I did spot a heartthrob of an actor- Kumar Gaurav who was a spitting image of me. Bunty (as he was affectionately called) and I got along well, like two peas in a pod. If someone as glamorous as him could show up, then he'd definitely be signed up to play 'BIDDU'.

What was the last gift you gave someone?

This book, my autobiography is my gift to my mother, Sue, Zak and Zaza- the four pillars of my inner temple.

From the nine million selling "Kung Fu Fighting" to the iconic youth anthem of "Made in India" and the numerous hits in between. Your music made you a household name in India and abroad. What is that one thing you sacrificed to get where you are?
I don't know if I can put my finger on that right now but the funny thing is that it was indeed 'QURBANI' that got me stupendous success in India!

If you could sing one song for us right now, what would it be?
"Made In India!" Ofcourse...but I'd prefer to pass the mike on to Alisha instead..:)

Biddu was born in India, where he started his career playing in a pop band whose influences lay in the classic repertoire of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Following his early success, he decided to hear West and move into the international music arena. He struck gold, signing the unknown Carl Douglas and producing "Kung Fu Fighting?" which went on to become a hit all over the world. He also wrote and produced hits for Tina Charles and soul legend Jimmy James.

If you would still love to read more about BIDDU, you can find it HERE

**********DO NOT MISS THE GIVEAWAY***********

Giveaway Details:
-        1 Signed copy of Curse of the Godman by Biddu
-        Paperback copy of Made in India by Biddu

Rafflecopter Code:


Electronic Music Workshop
Music 261

Lecture 2 hours, Laboratory 2 hours

Prerequisite: Music 161 with a grade of “C” or better

Electronic Music Workshop (Music 261) is a continuation of Introduction to Electronic Music (Music 161). This course extends the electro-acoustic music techniques introduced in Music 161. The focus of this course is on the application of advanced electro-acoustic music equipment, software and techniques used in a contemporary music project studio. The production of music using advanced synthesis, computer applications, MIDI, signal processing and recording techniques will be stressed.
You may repeat the class 3 times. The class is held in "The Cube."

For a tour of the studio see Studio Tour

This class covers the following subjects:
MIDI review
Advanced synthesis
MIDI patchbay
Signal flow

Projects for the class will include:
1) Create an original work in the electro-acoustic medium using the knowledge base discussed in the lectures and equipment available in the lab.

2) Choose proper equipment needed to complete a successful electro-acoustic music project.

3) Demonstrate new and existing equipment/software used in professional music project studios.


Why isn't my BRAIN working?

Concerned about taking your education into clinical practice? Confused about what labs to order and when? Nervous about being able to put all the pieces of someone’s healthcare puzzle together? Learn valuable tips for bridging the gap between classroom education and clinical application with this exciting series – “Why Isn’t My ______ Working?” Every other week, Kimsey Self, MNT, will walk you through various body systems, from the brain to the immune system and everything in between. Each class will discuss associated signs and symptoms of dysfunction, complex pathways leading to the dysfunction, applicable functional lab testing and interpretation guidelines, and nutritional recommendations to restore homeostasis. Learn how each body system interacts with the whole. If you’re looking to learn efficient evaluation tools and gain confidence as a practitioner, you don’t want to miss this series.

Sign up for the entire four-class series for $189 or individual classes for $59 each.  Call the NTI office today - 303-377-3974.

Why isn't my brain working?

The brain controls everything in the body, and many systemic signs of dysfunction actually originate in the brain. In today’s world, signs of brain degeneration are appearing in increasingly younger ages. This class will discuss the role and function of various brain regions, signs and symptoms of degeneration, the connection between the gut and the brain, the brain’s immune system, the role of the spine, and the effects that toxicity, nutrient deficiencies, hormone imbalance, mitochondrial dysfunction, blood sugar dysregulation, and more have on the brain. Neurotransmitter testing, nutrient testing, hormone testing, and other forms of functional tests will be discussed, as will Diet and nutrient considerations.

July 10, 2017 10am - 2pm

Nutrition Therapy Institute
1510 York St, Suite 204
Denver CO 80206
1510 York St, Suite 204, Denver CO 80206

Voice: 303-377-3974

Fax: 720-389-6257

Voice: 303-377-3974 ∣ Fax: 720-389-6257


Cremation Services Trumbull CT

When looking for affordable Cremation Services in the Trumbull CT area, Nutmeg State Cremation Services can satisfy the needs of your family. We service and cater to the families located in Trumbull CT and surrounding areas such as Darien and Stamford CT.

Trumbull CT Cremation Services

While there are many other reputable Cremation Service Providers serving families in Trumbull CT, Nutmeg State Cremation Services is there for you and stands by you and your family every step of the way.

Allow Nutmeg State Cremation Services a chance to serve your family. Contact us today to learn more about our Affordable Cremation Cost Options.

Did you know...

What is cremation?

To begin with, it is probably easier to describe what cremation isn't. The cremation process is not final disposition of the remains, nor is it some type of funeral service. Rather, it is a process of reducing the human body to bone fragments using high heat and flame.

How long does the actual cremation process take?

The length of the entire cremation process depends on the weight of the individual. For an average size adult, the cremation process takes from two to three hours at normal operating temperature between 1,500 degrees F to 2,000 degrees F


Roller conveyor what works

roller chain conveyor as a continuous transport equipment , high production efficiency , due to its low noise , simple structure, as the transport of sand and gravel aggregate common

tools are widely used. Belt both in traffic , or in the economic indicators are an advanced worthwhile

Wide range of transport equipment. Conveyor system is the main equipment , it 's safe and stable operation directly affects the entire body works supply of raw materials . The

rubber conveyor belt conveyor belt deviation is also common faults , its timely and accurate processing of its safe and stable operation of protection. Run

Partial phenomena and for many reasons, according to the different causes deviation phenomenon and take a different adjustment methods in order to effectively solve the problem.

Equipment installation have quality problems ( such as the fuselage , truss and other structural skew is not straight ) , the quality of the Power Roller Conveyor belt , conveyor belt

joint and the center is not

Vertical conveyor edge S-shaped , reproduced blanking position is not at the point with transport centers, etc. These problems can cause deviation conveyor belt products , and

should therefore be adjusted when it is running idle .


What is submucosal fibroids grow - fibroids and treatment options

what is submucosal fibroids grow

fibroids effect on hcg what is submucosal fibroids grow

I had scan my scan picture of 7 cm fibroid tumor a few days ago and I'm happy to report that the big one which was 5.90 is now 5.20. The best chance at early detection is through mammograms scheduled yearly, beginning at age 40, as recommended by the American Cancer Society. Uterine fibroids are linked pregnancy complications. It is also very laparoscopic myomectomy subserosal fibroid expensive and the current version uses slightly larger trocars than the trocars used in standard laparoscopy cases, which makes the scars a little bigger and perhaps increases post-operative pain. Eating foods that are high picture of 7 cm fibroid tumor in iron such as leafy green vegetables and taking iron supplements should reduce some of the cravings. It is also important after surgery what is submucosal fibroids grow to not place anything the for at least the first 4 weeks. Told to take out my uterus as well but have the same type of concerns as you do. Foods that have high glycemic index are usually very processed and include white bread, rice, French fries, donuts and chips. If this is the cause for your fibroids, then when you lose weight by shedding excess fat, your fibroids will shrink. I have a bicornuate ut and the submucosal is in the dip/septum at the top of my ut.

The whole operation can take several hours to complete, depending on shrinking fibroids and weight loss the size and location and number of fibroids to be removed. I felt allopathy medicines would be harmful for long time and hence I thought of shifting to Ayurvedic Treatment. Serrapetase enzymes are thought to be one of the most powerful enzymes in the shrinking fibroids and weight loss treatment of fibroids. Paul MacKoul, MD at CIGC. In the second step the estrogen becomes a chemical that causes the formation what is submucosal fibroids grow of the fibroids that cause fibromyalgia. If the fibroid is large, 10 cm. Endometrial ablation - this procedure involves destroying the uterus lining and is used to control heavy bleeding. A technologist then inserts an intravenous line into a vein so that sedation can laparoscopic myomectomy subserosal fibroid be safely delivered during the procedure.

Effects of fibroid sufferers and may be dealt with many women for fibroids normally. When a woman has problems getting pregnant with fibroids but there is no apparent reason why this should be the case, it has been shown that removal or shrinkage of the fibroids can increase her chances of conceiving by between 40-80%. My waist is still swollen and I am not able to fit my biggest jeans yet but she said my uterus will be normal size in about 5 more months. If you are overweight then lose the excess weight , as fat cells increase estrogen production. Endometriosis is a leading cause of infertility and typically impacts women between 25 and 40 years of age. The physician said what is submucosal fibroids grow the plan was to mark the occasion by doing free fibroid surgeries for six indigent women. Women who have 8 cm pedunculated fibroid this type of surgery tend to gain more weight afterwards than those who have other types of hysterectomy. This method of tissue destruction is called thermal ablation. Gynaecological history included a single sexual partner with regular, frequent, unprotected and vigorous sexual intercourse.

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1 cm fibroid in pregnancy

After reading all of these comments, I too had a hysterectomy 8 years ago and have been on025 mg of estrodial until a month ago - I am 48. Age - Uterine fibroids become more common as you age, especially during your 30s and 40s and right up until menopause. Further studies are needed to explore epidemiological and socioeconomic factors that might explain observed differences in the occurrence of fibroids among women of different ethnic groups. Women who eat more red meat and ham have an increased fibroids risk, according to Overweight women are as much as three times more likely to experience fibroids. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inclusion and exclusion criteria for MRgFUS treatment, in order to avoid side effects, using a conservative therapy in women in childbearing age, with the possibility of saving the uterus without fibrotic scarring. There may be only one or two fibroids present in a uterus of there may be several; the larger ones can easily be seen during an ultrasound scan examination. These remedies are not all inclusive, however, when symptoms become more severe, c do fibroids disappeared should consult a health care professional.

can uterine fibroids cause anemia

Increased blood levels of vitamin D will reduce your risk of several chronic diseases. I had these cramps for several years and visited at least 3 different doctors for treatment for fibroids without surgery video Soybean and soy products are not only beneficial in reducing the chances of fibroids but also help the body in shrinking them if they already exist in the uterus. For more information about fibroids or the study call 864-455-5951 and ask for Cheryl Myers.

ovarian cyst fibroid tumor

While most women with fibroids do not face any problems during pregnancy, some women are affected leading them to have a miscarriage or a preterm labor. Submucosal fibroids are a common cause of heavy menstrual bleeding, which may result in anemia. I have regular periods and my bleeding is normal. Imperforate hymen manifests itself at puberty and adolescence often with a history of vague abdominal pain with approximately monthly exacerbation. As a result, more estrogen is eliminated and less stays in the blood where it may continue to feed the growth of fibroids. Whether you suspect a thyroid problem or know you already have a thyroid issue, there are some significant symptoms associated with fertility. I was referred to the gynae clinic and fitted with a proper pessary, discussed the matter with the consultand and despite always vowing I would not have a hysterectomy for what I regarded as a minor complaint, was convinced by him it was the best course of action. One is that fibroids distort the shape of the uterus making conception difficult and the other is that carrying a pregnancy is compromised because fibroids affect the flow of blood. Though pranayam has many health and beauty benefits, the primary reason why yogis do pranayama is for Kundalini awakening. Always consult your physician before you take red clover or any other herbal supplement. If hormones are in the right ration to each other then you can increase your chance of avoiding fibroids by ensuring that you have a diet that also limits your oestrogen intake. Another 5% of ovarian cancers are known as stromal ovarian cancers and develop from the cells in the ovary that hold the ovary together and produce hormones. Patients are typically excluded if they weigh more than 115 kg, have serious health complications, have contraindications to MR such as claustrophobia or implants, have abdominal scarring, uterine size greater than 24 weeks, or have pedunculated, nonenhancing or heavily calcified fibroids 11■ , 12 Initial studies excluded patients desiring future fertility; however, this exclusion has come into question after a fibroids fertility and pregnancy of uncomplicated pregnancies after MRgFUS have been reported. I am talking about a cure which people have experienced around me, and that is what was practiced when there were no ''doctors''. Although abnormal bleeding can occur with any of the three classes of fibroids , women with submucous fibroids seem particularly prone to this complication. UFE blocks the blood flow to the fibroids so as to reduce the size of the fibroid and remove the symptoms. Several laboratories now are able to determine whole body iodine sufficiency through the use of a 24-hour collection test. Trials on humans have not been undertaken to study the effect of interferon on fibroids. Occasionally, the removal of fibroids cannot be accomplished laparoscopically and a larger laparotomy incision must be made. Acupuncture is based on theories of life force, the flow of vital energy and blood, and the importance of Qi in maintaining overall good health.

fibroids and bladder infection

He tested iodine on over 2,000 school age girls in the Great Lakes region who suffered from a goiter, and the overwhelming positive results of the study lead to the utilization of iodized salt in 1924. I think that these fibroids compete with the baby for the space in the uterus also. With a fiscal price tag of about $5.9 billion in terms of medical costs and lost productivity, the economic impact of fibroids is also substantial. We do not know what impact adenomyosis may have on fertility although research medication for fibroids could be a decrease in the ability to conceive or, more likely, have the embryo implant within endometrium.

6 cm fibroid size

Castor oil has a very unique ability in that it is able to penetrate the skin in order to relax smooth muscle. Sugar is supposed to be bad for fibroids so that is ayurvedic uterine fibroids for medicine alternative why they don't use the regular one. Considering the users reviews for each menopause supplement, sewing machine crucifying with myomas pressure in abdomen and that surgery may or may not reduce. Pelvic Pain/Pressure: It is common for an enlarged uterus with fibroids to result in the sensation of pelvic heaviness, fullness, and bloating. You will keep the liquid in your bladder for about 15 minutes and then release it.

can fibroids cause dizzy spells

You can make an herbal poultice for the uterine fibroids from raw or cooked cabbage leaves. In fact, Eilish's symptoms - persistent and increasing abdominal bloating and pain, unpleasant wind, extreme tiredness and feeling full after eating just a small amount - were all textbook signals for ovarian cancer. I rest assured you that with fibroids natural health clinic california and other fibroid treatments or remedies, you will definitely shrink your fibroid. Because ultrasound cannot see these small fibroids we often underestimate how common this condition is. Drink two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar mixed with 8 oz.

fibroids colon cancer symptoms in women

In addition, a significant proportion of women sought alternative treatments following the procedure, such as hysterectomy. Healthy eating is very important during conception and pregnancy - science has discovered what we eat impacts the health of our unborn children, and not just ourselves. For women who want to have more babies the fibroids can be removed Laparoscopically leaving the uterus completely intact for childbearing. Usually benign, dermoid cyst, or teratoma, is as a CPT code Level V 88307 Ovary with or without Tube, Neoplastic. Additionally your doctor may recommend oral contraceptives or progestins can help control menstrual bleeding, but they don't reduce fibroid size. There are key nutrients to support the thyroid including vitamins, minerals and herbs. If you are taking any blood thinning or arthritis medications they may need to be stopped prior to surgery. Some warning signs of liver damage are nausea, fatigue, fever, stomach pain, poor appetite, and yellow eyes and skin. Fibroid calcification is when calcium salts accumulate in the muscular tissues of the tumor. Hence, myomectomy and hysterectomy are the two most commonly performed surgical procedures in our centre for uterine fibroids. The period is a built-in detoxification process that has an added benefit that doctors never talk about. Although it's not clear what causes fibroids, they do seem to be affected by changes in hormone levels, particularly estrogen. A comparative study of the usefulness of Toki-shakuyaku-san and an oral iron preparation in the treatment of hypochromic anaemia in cases of uterine myoma. The vast majority of women tolerate Lupron quite well though some have m diet for fibroids hot flashes or headaches. I had been for an ulrasound a few days before that because of what they thought was an enlarged ovary. Fibroids cause inflammation of the uterine lining and change the local hormonal environment, affecting the implantation of the embryo. The sonications are targeted to a small section of the fibroid and the energy heats the tissue enough to cause tissue ablation, which occurs when tissue is heated enough to be destroyed. Kim HS, Baik JH, Pham LD, et al. Those fibroids composed of more living tissue are generally thought to respond more readily to these therapies. The FDA estimates that one out of every 352 women who undergo what they believe to be benign uterine fibroid removal had an undiagnosed case of sarcoma. However, if you suffer from constipation regularly and notice other symptoms of fibroids along with it, consult a gynecologist.

how fibroid tumors are removed

Mercy shrinking uterine fibroids ovarian cyst Center Dr. A targeted DIE ultrasound is more detailed than a routine pelvic ultrasound of the uterus and ovaries. My breast surgeon said it would be fine and not increase my chance of breast cancer recurrence in any significant way since I was post bilateral mastectomies. However these risks must be weighed against the risks of surgery or uterine fibroid embolization. While laparoscopy is ideal for the pedunculated fibroid this is not the case for intramural fibroids. The previously mentioned is commonly associated with the presence of intramural or submucosal fibroid tumors.

fibroids cause hip pain

However, in some cases, women will start to experience symptoms of fibroids during and after their pregnancy. Scientists haven't been able to identify the exact cause of fibroid in the uterus. But learning more about heavy periods due to fibroids risk, as well as related health and lifestyle factors, can help you regain control. Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma syndrome-associated renal cancer: recognition of the syndrome by pathologic features and the utility of detecting aberrant succination by immunochemistry. Fibroids may also raise the risk of certain pregnancy complications, such as placental abruption, fetal growth restriction and preterm delivery. Some develop the condition before pregnancy, while others experience thyroid problems for the first time during pregnancy or soon after delivery.

ovarian cancer mistaken for fibroid

However, fatal bleeding due to uterine rupture is rare when it occurs in a hospital. He has been selected to participate care that the gallstones do not Biggest in 2009, teaching a skills the uterus. This treatment is successful for both serosal and subserosal fibroids and is recommended for women who have symptomatic fibroids that measure 10 cm or less. Fibroids grow within and around the wall of the uterus, and 30% of women 25 to 44 years of age report fibroid-related symptoms, such as lower back pain, heavy vaginal bleeding or painful menstrual periods. The Mayo Clinic explains that high glycemic foods cause insulin levels to cyst fibroid ovary symptom more than foods that have a lower glycemic index value.

uterus fibroid removal surgery

I first found out I had fibroid tumors when I was 24, in college, and pregnant with Maxie Me. In this article, I try to make an effort to answer the above question so that you have informed choice of choosing the right treatment for your uterine fibroids. I did not bleed heavy, my period is less than before ,but this is my 3 period and the blood prgnancy and fibroid tumors light in color almost rose, Not heavy but with lots of shed fibroids. Another advantage of MRI scanning is that it is able to predict the outcome of some treatments.

after a fibroid operation

Mostly, polyps grow in the uterus; however, they can move into the vagina also. In a paper that reviewed 34 different articles, researchers looked at levels of urinary iodine as well as Tg levels. Bowel herniation through a defect of the broad ligament. All of this is perfectly normal in the short term, yet if left unchecked, prolonged stress and high levels of cortisol cause high blood sugar, increased belly fat, high blood pressure, high cholesterol uterine fibroid and food muscle loss.

fibroid size of 16 week pregnancy

Liver diseases such as cirrhosis from excessive alcohol intake reduce the breakdown of estrogen. Lessons learned, healing initiated and carried out, possibilities created, health recovered, womb reinfused with life, second chakra rebooted, body rejuvenated, honoring my sacred feminine, grateful to my ancestors and team of light for helping me understand what's needed to be done, and grateful for the universal light and love that surrounds fibroid cyst during pregnancy as I recover. Malignant melanoma - this aggressive tumor may be found virtually anywhere on the body and is one of the few primary malignancies found on the feet and legs. A fibroadenoma is usually felt as a lump in the breast which has a rubbery texture, is smooth to the touch and moves easily under the skin. If a fibroid is submucosal, it often can be removed hysteroscopically - through the cervix without any incisions.

what is submucosal fibroids grow
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Exploiting contextual independence in probabilistic inference

David Poole and Nevin Lianwen Zhang

In Journal of Artificial Intelligence Research, Volume 18, pages 263-313, 2003.

Bayesian belief networks have grown to prominence because they provide compact representations for many problems for which probabilistic inference is appropriate, and there are algorithms to exploit this compactness. The next step is to allow compact representations of the conditional probabilities of a variable given its parents. In this paper we present such a representation that exploits contextual independence in terms of parent contexts; which variables act as parents may depend on the value of other variables. The internal representation is in terms of contextual factors (confactors) that is simply a pair of a context and a table. The algorithm, contextual variable elimination, is based on the standard variable elimination algorithm that eliminates the non-query variables in turn, but when eliminating a variable, the tables that need to be multiplied can depend on the context. This algorithm reduces to standard variable elimination when there is no contextual independence structure to exploit. We show how this can be much more efficient than variable elimination when there is structure to exploit. We explain why this new method can exploit more structure than previous methods for structured belief network inference and an analogous algorithm that uses trees.

You can get the pdf or the postscript or the html.

Last updated 3 April 2003 - David Poole


<XML><RECORDS><RECORD><REFERENCE_TYPE>31</REFERENCE_TYPE><REFNUM>7268</REFNUM><AUTHORS><AUTHOR>Johnson,C.W.</AUTHOR></AUTHORS><YEAR>2003</YEAR><TITLE>Using IEC61508 to Guide the Investigation of Computer Related Incidents and Accidents</TITLE><PLACE_PUBLISHED>In S. Anderson, M. Felici and B. Littlewood (eds), Safecomp 2003, LNCS 2788, Pages 410-424 </PLACE_PUBLISHED><PUBLISHER>Springer Verlag</PUBLISHER><LABEL>Johnson:2003:7268</LABEL><KEYWORDS><KEYWORD>61508</KEYWORD></KEYWORDS<ABSTRACT>Abstract. Relatively few investigation techniques have been specifically developed to identify the causal factors that contribute to mishaps involving safety-critical computer systems. This is a significant omission because a number of factors distinguish this class of incidents from other mishaps. For example, the Rand report into NTSB investigation methods observed that the introduction of software control systems has greatly increased the integration and complexity of many applications. This has had ‘knock-on’ effects in terms of the complexity of any incident investigation. The following pages, therefore, presents two complementary investigation techniques that are intended to support the analysis of Electrical, Electronic or Programmable, Electronic Systems (E/E/PES)-related mishaps. One is intended to provide a low-cost and lightweight approach that is appropriate for low consequence events. It is based around a flowchart that prompts investigators to identify potential causal factors through a series of questions about the events leading to a failure and the context in which tbey occurred. The second approach is more complex. It involves additional documentation and analysis. It is, therefore, more appropriate for incidents that have greater potential consequences or a higher likelihood of recurrence. This approach uses Events and Causal Factors (ECF) modelling together with particular forms of causal reasoning developed by the US Department of Energy (1992). Both approaches provide means of mapping causal factors back to the lifecycle phases and common requirements described in the IEC 61508 standard. This provides an important bridge from the products of mishap analysis to the design and operation of future systems. The UK Health and Safety Executive sponsored this work as part of an initiative to develop analysis techniques for E/E/PES related incidents. The events leading to an explosion and fires in a fractional distillation unit are used to illustrate the application of our techniques. </ABSTRACT></RECORD></RECORDS></XML>


How much gas is in Scotland

Estimates show that Scotland could have up to 134.6 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas under its feet. To put this into context the annual demand for gas in Scotland in 2014 was 0.3 tcf.

Without proper exploration of what is beneath our feet we will never know how much there is. Experience from the North Sea has shown that estimates in combination with experience and better technology can go up significantly.

This therefore is not something we believe should be ignored given the UK’s import dependency projections and also the environmental impacts of transportation across the world.

Areas considered prospective for shale gas

Areas considered prospective for shale gas (BGS DECC MVS 2014).

The increase in the production of shale gas and liquids has also had a major impact on the downstream activities of the [US] chemical industry … [European] feedstock prices can now be double those of rival plants making identical products in the US

Independent Expert Scientific Panel, 2014


Some of the common questions we are regularly asked

A:   If you are looking for a school that combines local language and culture with a global outlook, and balances a challenging academic curriculum with opportunities for pursuing athletics, arts and learning through service, BWYA is the school of choice for you.
We have a highly qualified teaching staff, and a warm welcoming student community. We would love for you to visit our campus so that we can further introduce you to the many opportunities BWYA has to offer.
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Lower Primary School 8.30am until 3.20pm
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A:   Yes there is, as we believe this makes an important contribution to unity and school spirit. Parents can purchase the relevant school uniform when they register their children at BWYA.
A:   Absolutely. BWYA has an active PTA at all four of our campuses, who regularly organize and take part in celebrations and events for the staff, students and the whole BWYA community, including our annual May Fair. Each campus also regularly hosts events to celebrate the work of our students and parents are positively encouraged to attend.
A:   Yes. BWYA offers over 60 after-school activities and clubs as well as our BWYA Wolves Athletics programmes which sees teams of BWYA athletes competing against other international schools in Beijing, Tianjin and further a field. You can find out more about the activities, clubs and athletics programmes in the Community Life section of our website.
A:   BWYA has real-time air quality monitoring in place, as well as the latest air purification equipment in each and every classroom. When air pollution is high in Beijing we also have plans and procedures in place to take the necessary steps to limit our students exposure to poor air quality outside.
A:   We do yes. We have bus routes covering the majority of Beijing  to ensure that our students arrive at school and get home afterwards safely.
A:   BWYA does provide an opportunity for students to sit the PSAT test every year, giving them a chance to experience the exam under real conditions. We do not provide specific SAT or ACT preparation.
A:   No. BWYA operates to an international school calendar, which we publish and share with parents every year. You can also view the school calendar on our homepage or the calendar section of our website.
A:   Yes, all of our programmes meet the required Chinese and International standards.
A:   Yes. A school provided lunch is available for all primary school students and students in grades 6 to 10.
A:   BWYA does provide a healthy, balanced lunch for all students. It is impossible to cater for all dietary requirements however so students are also welcome to bring their own lunch to school.

If you are interested in enrolling your child at BWYA, please contact us  to
make an appointment with our Admissions Office.
We would be pleased to show you around the school and assist you
through the application process.