GREAT PARTY

HI ALL FRIENDS! I POST THE PICS TAKEN ON THE PARTY. PLS SHARE YOURS WITH US.

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!

Greetings from Morroco - Debbie's mail

Hi Everyone

How are you all? We've covered a lot of territory since I wrote last. We spent another 2 weeks in France, which we loved, then moved on to Spain and Portugal. I thought of you Napoleo  when we visited Belem-didn't find your old school. We thoroughly enjoyed southern Spain, it's the Spain of you're imagination. There' a magnificent palace in Granada called The Alhambra ( worth googling) that was built by the Moors in about the 12th century, they were later conquered by Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain in the 14th century and Islam was driven down to Africa. I read a great historical novel about Isabella- very interesting!! We've been enjoying Morocco, it's a nice change from Europe. Cheaper too! We left Tangiers and went to a small town in the hills called Chafchouen- it has a fascinating medina, painted in all shades of blue-every single building, every single wall, all shades of blue, it was like looking into an ice cave. Then we moved on to Fez, which has an amazing 1400 year old medina- and it's huge! There's no way you won't get lost. We ended up paying someone to show us the way out.

At the moment we're on "the Marrikesh Express" headed for you know where. We've just left a town called Meknes, nice little place with a good medina but the best thing was the Roman ruins of Volubilis. They command magestic views over a very fertile valley with high hills behind. There were no hords of tourists, just a few, and what's left standing shows the grandeur and beauty that it once had. There are still some beautiful mosaic floors, althouth they are exposed to the weather and wont last forever. After we've poked around Marrakesh for a few days we're going to head for the desert and some cranky camels. We've got plenty of time, maybe too much, because we're not going to Tunisia now- there was a terrorist bomb that went off in a tourist area 12 days ago. It's a pity but it's not worth the risk. We may fly somewhere else in Africa but we're not sure yet.

I've included a couple of photos from a medina we were in recently.

I hope the course is going well for you and that everybody's still hanging in.

Anyway, take care, and say high to Mersaline and Philip for me.

Best wishes

Debbie

SCHOOL RANKING

http://www.bettereducation.com.au/SchoolRanking.aspx

More and more Asian parients are checking this website every DAY! It is not an official website of education, but parients believe it.

China's top leaders finish key meeting with reform promises

China's top leaders have promised to deepen economic reforms to give the market a "decisive" role in allocating resources, as a key Communisty Party meeting came to a close.

State media reported the end of the gathering, known as the Third Plenum, which brings together the ruling party's full Central Committee and takes place amid intense security and secrecy.
It has traditionally set the economic tone for a new government, but analysts played down the significance of the declarations and Chinese social media users expressed disappointment.
"The core issue is to properly handle the relationship between the government and the market, so as to allow the market to play a decisive role in allocating resources and the government to better play its role," state news agency Xinhua cited a communique as saying.
A state security committee will be set up to "improve systems and strategies to ensure national security", Xinhua cited the communique as saying, two weeks after a fiery attack in Tiananmen Square, the symbolic centre of the Chinese state.
The document pointed out the need to "effectively prevent and end social disputes and improve public security", Xinhua said.
China will "push forward land reform and give farmers more property rights", it said, including having one market for development land in both cities and the countryside.
"Both public and non-public sectors of the economy are important components of the socialist market economy and significant bases for economic and social development," Xinhua cited the document as saying.
It did not mention China's one-child policy, which had been trailed as a possible area for reform.
The document indirectly addressed the divisive hukou residency system, which denies people who have migrated from the countryside to the cities equal access to benefits.
The plenum comes a year after China embarked on a once-a-decade leadership change, with Xi Jinping taking over as party chief in November and then state president in March this year.
China has in the past used the meetings to signal major changes in policy, most notably in 1978 when it embarked on the landmark transformation from a Communist-style command economy into a key driver of global growth, trade and investment.

The best popular cartoons for children under 6

ANGELINA BALLERINA

                                                                        OLIVIA

 

                                                                           PEPPA PIG

COSTCO CASULA WILL OPEN ON 21ST NOV!

http://www.costco.com.au/index.shtml

Regist earlier for your number card.

Wet'n'Wild Sydney is Opening 12 December 2013:BUY 3 GET 1 FREE

Over 40 slides and attractions including adrenalin pumping action on some of the tallest and fastest water rides in the world.

BUY 3 GET 1 FREE - OFFER EXTENDED: Limited quantity available, buy 3 Season Gold Passes and get 1 FREE! That’s just $93.74 per pass with all the same great benefits! But hurry, get your passes before this OFFER END SOON! Offer ends Sunday 17^th November 2013

Westpac's CEO Gail Kelly paid $9.2m!

Ms Kelly earned $9.2 million in cash and shares in the year to September 30, down from $9.6 million in the previous year. But she maintains her position as one of Australia's highest paid executives.

She received $5.65 million in cash, up slightly from the previous year because of a larger bonus payment.
Westpac's annual cash profit rose by eight per cent to a record $7.1 billion in 2012/13.
The remainder of Ms Kelly's remuneration for the year was mostly made up of shares she will receive in coming years if long-term performance targets are met.
Westpac's annual report, released on Wednesday, shows Ms Kelly received $5.3 million in shares in the 2012/13 year as part of deferred bonuses awarded in previous years.
Commonwealth Bank chief executive Ian Narev earned $7.8 million in his bank's 2012/13 year.
Remuneration details for ANZ boss Mike Sith and National Australia Bank chief executive Cameron Clyne are expected to be released in the coming week.

What is the Morning-After Pill? Everyone should to know.

We talked about Morning-After Pill today on writing class, and some of us didn't know what is it and some felt shy about this topic. Let us see some informations:

Morning-After Pill (Emergency Contraception) at a Glance

• Birth control you can use to prevent pregnancy up to five days (120 hours) after unprotected sex
• Two kinds of emergency contraception — morning-after pill and ParaGard IUD insertion

Safe and effective

Available at health centers and drugstores

Costs vary from $30 to $65 for the morning-after pill and $500 to $900 for IUD insertion

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/emergency-contraception-morning-after-pill-4363.asp

http://www.drmarie.org.au/ask-dr-marie/contraception/morning-after-pill/

Think about it, it may be good for you and the one you love or don't love.

Dreamtime Stories- for you and your children

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=dreamtime+stories

There are some very interesting stories of aboriginal Dreamtime. Cartoon is the best way to understand.

Lindt Chocolate Voucher - $19 for $45.50

$19 Lindt Chocolate Experience Platter with Hot Chocolate for Two at Lindt Chocolate Café, Eight Locations ($45.50 Value)

https://www.groupon.com.au/deals/sydney/Lindt-Cafe/717749679

Apple iPhone 5C vs Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Apple's iPhone 5C is certainly a spruced up version of last year's iPhone 5 but does the colourful newbie have what it takes to give some serious competition to Samsung's best phablet till date, the Galaxy Note 3? We find out.

http://www.knowyourmobile.in/samsung/iphone-5c-galaxy-note-3/9369/battle-bigwigs-apple-iphone-5c-vs-samsung-galaxy-note-3

Princess Castle Cake

Princess Castle Cake Recipe

Ingredients

2 boxes Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® yellow cake mix

2 cups water

1 cup vegetable oil

6 eggs

3 1/2 containers Betty Crocker® Whipped fluffy white frosting

Red food color

Tray or cardboard (18x18 inches), covered with wrapping paper and plastic food wrap or foil

5 ice cream cones with pointed ends

Betty Crocker® pink decorating sugar

5 candy stars

28 sugar cubes

4 pink gum balls

5 pink sugar wafer cookies

1 tube (4.25 oz) Betty Crocker® white decorating icing

Watching the video on:

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/princess-castle-cake/30644b1f-8ec2-4c23-b8d8-cce1d9566df4

First aid - basics

First aid is as easy as ABC – airway, breathing and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). A first aid course will teach you to recognise an emergency and give first aid to the injured or ill person until an ambulance arrives. This could mean the difference between life and death. In any situation, apply the DRSABCD Action Plan.

DRSABCD stands for:

• Danger – always check the danger to you, any bystanders and then the injured or ill person. Make sure you do not put yourself in danger when going to the assistance of another person.
• Response – is the person conscious? Do they respond when you talk to them, touch their hands or squeeze their shoulder?
• Send for help – call triple zero (000). Don’t forget to answer the questions asked by the operator.
• Airway – Is the person’s airway clear? Is the person breathing?
• If the person is responding, they are conscious and their airway is clear, assess how you can help them with any injury.
• If the person is not responding and they are unconscious, you need to check their airway by opening their mouth and having a look inside. If their mouth is clear, tilt their head gently back (by lifting their chin) and check for breathing. If the mouth is not clear, place the person on their side, open their mouth and clear the contents, then tilt the head back and check for breathing.
• Breathing – check for breathing by looking for chest movements (up and down). Listen by putting your ear near to their mouth and nose. Feel for breathing by putting your hand on the lower part of their chest. If the person is unconscious but breathing, turn them onto their side, carefully ensuring that you keep their head, neck and spine in alignment. Monitor their breathing until you hand over to the ambulance officers.
• CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) – if an adult is unconscious and not breathing, make sure they are flat on their back and then place the heel of one hand in the centre of their chest and your other hand on top. Press down firmly and smoothly (compressing to one third of their chest depth) 30 times. Give two breaths. To get the breath in, tilt their head back gently by lifting their chin. Pinch their nostrils closed, place your open mouth firmly over their open mouth and blow firmly into their mouth. Keep going with the 30 compressions and two breaths at the speed of approximately five repeats in two minutes until you hand over to the ambulance officers or another trained person, or until the person you are resuscitating responds. The method for CPR for children under eight and babies is very similar and you can learn these skills in a CPR course.
• Defibrillator – for unconscious adults who are not breathing, apply an automated external defibrillator (AED) if one is available. They are available in many public places, clubs and organisations. An AED is a machine that delivers an electrical shock to cancel any irregular heart beat (arrhythmia), in an effort get the normal heart beating to re-establish itself. The devices are very simple to operate. Just follow the instructions and pictures on the machine, and on the package of the pads, as well as the voice prompts. If the person responds to defibrillation, turn them onto their side and tilt their head to maintain their airway. Some AEDs may not be suitable for children.

Cherry Picking Season

Farms are only open when their fruit is in season, so phone first.

Hawkesbury
Castlereagh Strawberries, by appointment only from October to December. Castlereagh, 4776 1624.
Pine Crest Orchard, apples, peaches, plums and pears, Boxing Day to April. 2549 Bells Line of Road, Bilpin, 4567 1143.
Shields Orchard, more than 10 apple varieties, January to May. 2270 Bells Line of Road, Bilpin, 4567 1206.
Bilpin Springs Orchard, apples, Australia Day to Queen's Birthday. 2550 Bells Line of Road, Bilpin, 4567 1294.
Kookootonga Walnut and Chestnut Farm, walnuts and chestnuts, March to April. 247 Mount Irvine Road, Mount Irvine, 4756 2136.
Nutwood Farm, chestnuts and walnuts, March to April. 22 Danes Way, Mount Irvine, 4756 2191.
Fords Farm, mandarins, June to August. 1275 Singleton Road, Wisemans Ferry, 4566 3127.
Watkins Orchard, mandarins and kumquats, June to October long weekend. 1125 Singleton Road, Lower Hawkesbury, 4566 3107.
Penrith Valley Orange Orchard, navel oranges and mandarins, June to November. 800 Castlereagh Road, Castlereagh, 4776 2332.
South-western NSW
Stockman's Ridge Orchard, five varieties of cherries, November 21 to end of December. 2160 Limekilns Road, Bathurst, 9972 3440.
Huntley Berry Farm, strawberries, blueberries, boysenberries and gooseberries, November to April. Huntley Road, Huntley, 6365 5282.
Montrose Berry Farm, blueberries, raspberries, loganberries, red and black blackcurrants and hazelnuts, November to April. Ormond Street, Sutton Forest, 4868 1544.
Clyde River Berry Farm, mainly blueberries with other berries, peaches, nectarines and plums, December and January. River Road, Brooman, 4478 1057.
Young
Allambie Orchard, cherries in November and December. Olympic Highway, Wombat, 6384 3243.
Ballinaclash Orchard, mostly cherries but also apricots, nectarines, peaches and plums subject to availability, October until Christmas. Wombat Road, Young, 6382 1830.
Cherryhaven Orchards, cherries in November and December. Olympic Highway, Young, 6382 4023.

How to add background music to a PowerPoint presentation

http://www2.palomar.edu/pages/atrc/2013/03/01/how-to-add-background-music-to-a-powerpoint-presentation/

Yummy Chinese BBQ - Must Go!

http://www.yummychinesebbq.com.au/

Yummy Chinese BBQ is Australia's first upscale Chinese BBQ buffet, automatic rotation BBQ machine, Dishes up to more than 100 dishes, The Sunday Telegraph named "It's heaven on a stick".

Safe Operating of Fire Extinguishers

Fire is familier for every Australian. Every year the bush fire and house fire give us huge damage and lost. Families are recommended to prepair fire extinguishers for emergency. Here is the information from Fire & Rescure NSW about how to operate a fire extinguisher.

http://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=632

Usefull!

SPF50+ sunscreen

In November 2012, the Therapeutic Goods Administration announced a new standard for sunscreens sold in Australia, increasing the maximum sun protection factor from SPF30+ to SPF50+.

The standard requires the same level of Ultra Violet B (UVB) protection, with improved Ultra Violet A (UVA) protection for new formulas.

UVB is the major cause of sunburn and increased skin cancer risk, while UVA contributes to ageing of the skin, as well as skin cancer risk.

The change brings Australia and New Zealand into line with the United States and Europe, where SPF50+ labelling is already allowed.

The new standard is likely to see SPF50+ sunscreens on pharmacy and supermarket shelves by mid-January 2013, though some could appear sooner.

What we recommend

Cancer Council recommends using any sunscreen that is labelled broad spectrum, water-resistant and SPF30 or above.
So there is no need to get rid of your current SPF30+ sunscreens, providing they are broad spectrum, water-resistant and have not passed their expiry date.
Manufacturers will be allowed to continue producing and selling their current formulations. The new standard applies to new products only. It offers marginally better protection and a little more choice.

What were the changes?
	Old SPF30+	New SPF30	SPF50+
UVB protection (sunburn and skin cancer)	96.7%	96.7%	98%
UVB protection (sunburn and skin cancer) in 'broad spectrum' sunscreens	Included	Improved	Improved
Application	Every two hours and after swimming, exercising or towel drying	Every two hours and after swimming, exercising or towel drying	Every two hours and after swimming, exercising or towel drying

Whether using SPF30, SPF30+ or SPF50+, application is the key. On an average sized adult, approximately 35mL should be applied, or the equivalent of one teaspoon of sunscreen to each arm, leg, front of body, back of body and face (including neck and ears). Most people apply less than half this amount, which means they get far less protection than the SPF as stated on the bottle.

Girls may be interested in: Laundry powders vs liquids review

Laundry powders vs liquids review

Liquid or powder? CHOICE determines which detergents give you the best clean.

Test results for 49 detergents - 20 liquids and 29 powders

We test and compare whether liquid or powder detergents are better for general soil removal, stain removal, waste water recycling, and which are safe to use on our garden. We also calculate the cost per wash to find which product gives the best value for money, as laundry detergent is the largest expense when running your washing machine.

Details:
http://www.choice.com.au/reviews-and-tests/household/laundry-and-cleaning/washing-and-drying/laundry-powders-review-and-compare.aspx

 

Hybrid Car

A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. The term most commonly refers to hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), which combine an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors. However other mechanisms to capture and utilize energy are included.

The Toyota Prius is the world's top selling hybrid electric vehicle, with cumulative global sales of over 3 million units by June 2013.

What I have is a Prius V, 7 seats wagon:

Melbourne Cup

The Melbourne Cup is Australia's major thoroughbred horse race. Marketed as "the race that stops a nation", it is a 3,200 metre race for three-year-olds and over. It is the richest "two-mile" handicap in the world, and one of the richest turf races. Conducted by the Victoria Racing Club on the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Victoria, the event starts at 3pm (daylight saving time) on the first Tuesday in November.

The first race was held in 1861 (see list of Melbourne Cup winners) over two miles (about 3,218 metres), but was shortened to 3,200 metres (2.0 mi) in 1972 when Australia adopted the metric system. This reduced the distance by 18.688 metres (61.31 ft), and Rain Lover's 1968 race record of 3min.19.1sec was accordingly adjusted to 3min.17.9sec. The present record holder is the 1990 winner Kingston Rule with a time of 3min 16.3sec.

Have you won any this year, my friends?

What's in Soft Drink

Soft drink

 

A soft drink is a beverage that typically contains water, usually a sweetener and usually a flavoring agent. The sweetener may be sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, fruit juice, sugar substitutes or some combination of these.

 

Look at what you will get when you drink half cup of Cola:

If you can't sing this song, you are OUT now!

Ylvis - The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)

I don't know why they write this song, because I can see nothing underlying. But the music sounds good and I am sure children can learn it easily.

Chinese Collection Music

The guzheng or gu zheng (Chinese: 古箏; pinyin: gǔzhēng, pronounced [kǔt͡ʂə́ŋ]), also simply called zheng (箏, gu 古 means "ancient"), is a Chinese plucked zither. It has 18 or more strings and movable bridges, and the modern guzheng usually has 21 strings and bridges. The Guzheng has more than 1800 years history.

This music is called "High Mountains and Flowng River". It came from a story between ancient musicians 2000 years ago.

Real estate websites recommendation

Last month, I did a short presentation of real estate in speaking lesson, and it seems some students are interested in. Here are two well-know real estate websites in Australia:

www.realestate.com.au

www.dmain.com.au

Both of them offer mobile app so you can check information of buy, rent, open time etc. at any time. They also give you some simply but useful calculator tools.

You must need this camera for this summer-Canon D20

Canon PowerShot D20

Custom-built, waterproof camera for spectacular underwater photography.

The PowerShot D20 is second generation in the D-series. A compact digital camera built for spectacular underwater photography up to 10m. The sturdy body structure is built to endure a variety of environments, freezeproof to -10° and shockproof to 1.5m giving you the ability to take pictures absolutely everywhere. The PowerShot D20 is perfect for the snow, surf, boat or skate park.

More features see: http://www.canon.com.au/en-AU/Personal/Products/Cameras-and-Accessories/Digital-Cameras/PowerShot-D20

My comment of Equal marriage

Equal marriage should be like equal opportunity in Australia

Sarah Hanson-Young in her article states “I am a believer in love and a believer in marriage equality”. That is totally as same as my opinion for homosexual relationship. A person is a homosexual or a heterosexual depends on his genes. It is already decided when the person was born. That is a totally nature thing, just like people have different colour hairs or eyes. In the ancient time, a marriage between two tribes was illegal in many countries. If a love couple who came from two villages was “caught”, they may be outlawed and lost their lives. But as time passed, marriages between two countries or races are very acceptable and common in civilizations. The homosexuals just need to insist their faith and keep their love more than other people. I believe all the social and nations will accept and legalize homosexual marriage after times.

If Australia government don’t accept equal marriage, that will against Australia’s democratic beliefs, rights and liberties. Every Australian people have the right of freedom of speech, expression and freedom of religion. If we agree that, why can’t we accept the freedom of choose love? When we are talking about the equality in Australia, besides the equality of opportunity and equality of gender, please do not forget the equality of love.

Greetings from Europe--Debbie

From: debbie.brinson1 <debbie.brinson1@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Oct 5, 2013 at 1:52 AM
Subject: Greetings from Europe
To: gglsunny@gmail.com

Hi Sunny,

Would you mind putting this on the class blog? Thanks, Debbie

Hi Everyone

I'm in southern France at the moment in a small town called Carcassone. It's famous for its small medieval city perched on a hilltop overlooking the new town. It was built in about the 12 century and has been really well restored. It's fabulous! We're really enjoying France, the people, the culture and the food, and I've had fun trying to use my school French, I ask a question then have no idea what the answer is.

I've attached a couple of photos taken from a tablet(so not so good), one is of a small village in southern Turkey where we stayed for a couple of nights on the boat-it was typical of many lovely little places along the Turkish coast. The other is in the fascinating city of Venice, where we spent 5 days. We'll probably spend another week or two in France then fly to Madrid. I spent a year learning Spanish a few years ago, it's probably all gone now- use it or lose it! I really appreciate how good your English is(every one of you) because of my failed attempts to learn other languages- it's not easy!!

How are you all going? Mantasha, is all well with you? Michael I hope you ask Peter A LOT of questions. I think of each of you often and hope that you're skills are really starting to come together and that all the time and work you've put in has been worthwhile. I know it gave me great pleasure to see the development of the students I taught from the beginning of the year. I'm sorry I haven't seen that with everyone. I expect to hear about the great things you go on to do.

Well, I'll sign off now, hope you're managing to keep Philip in line, and not giving Mersaline too many grey hairs!

My warmest regards

Debbie 

 

 

 

Darwin's Theory of Evolution

Darwin's Theory of Evolution

When I chose my topic of the PowerPoint task, I thought about the Darwin's theory of evolution. Most people know about that theory, but not every one believes that.

So, what do you think, my classmates?

WHY IS THE SEA SALTY?

Last night, my daughter asked me:"Mama, why is sea water salty, but river and lake water isn't salty?"

I was stuck because I never thought this question in the past 33 years and she is just three year's old. So I said:"That's a good question. Let's check the answer together."

If you, my friend, don't know the answer like me, please watch the videos below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8ru4r7xPkE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lwzoh38alGE

FIRST DAY IN CHILD CARE OF LEYA

FIRST DAY IN CHILD CARE OF LEYA

 

Better than what I thought. She cried, but I didn't. When I saw she was crying on the teacher's lap, not alone, I knew she would be fine!