Venue: Uranquinty Community Hall, Baker Street, Uranquinty.
Shim Jang Taekwondo's Uranquinty Centre is operated by 1st Dan and Branch Instructor Jelbert Recta.
For further details, please contact Regional Advisor Lee on 0401 285 079.
All existing members are welcome along to the Uranquinty class to enjoy a training session, if you are thinking of joining please come along, say hi and take advantage of a FREE TRIAL LESSON !
SATURDAY 3RD FEBRUARY AT 11AM. BRING A FRIEND!
Once a Senior Kup member has achieved an acceptable level of skill the Branch instructor may select them for more advanced training, they then enter the WSTA's special Trainee Instructor Program where they undertake various responsibilities that focus on their ongoing development and future positioning as a WSTA Qualified Black Belt Instructor.
Successful candidates have developed a real passion for the teaching, class education and management process.
Our dedicated Trainee Instructors are very serious about their ongoing training and martial art development; they devote their time to both teaching and learning at their allocated centre as they learn to facilitate Student Education, Class Management and all other aspects necessary for operating a Shimjang Taekwondo centre.
By the time they reach Black Belt level the Trainee Instructor is well equipped to accept future responsibility if and when required.


WhereThe cruise departs and returns to the Royal Landing on the water's edge.
Guests or SpectatorsVisitors not booked on the cruise are welcome to browse the curio shop at the Royal Landing, or purchase refreshments while waiting for the cruise to return.
Our sunrise cruise promises not only the early morning yawn of the hippo, the cry of the fish eagle and reflections on still water, but a sumptuous breakfast fit for royalty. Our breakfast cruises are by pre-arrangement only and require a minimum of 20 guests. Transfers leave at 07h00, the cruise departs at 07h30 from the Royal Landing. The duration of the Cruise is 2 hours. Return to the hotel at approximately 10h00.


Given her grandparents founded the iconic Italian fashion house Missoni, it's safe to assume that Margherita Missoni grew up immersed in creativity. A darling of the fashion world, Margherita has not only has spent time as a Missoni brand ambassador and designer, but she's also launched a successful children's line (Margherita Kids) and now, a rather covetable children's homeware line available in Australia through Pottery Barn Kids.
We're loving the daisy mirror, side table, daisy pom pom quilt and accessories!
Whimsical and colourful yet sophisticated (a tough balance to strike), the range includes home décor for the nursery, bedroom, and playroom with the daisy a recurring motif. It's rather fitting really given Margherita's name means 'daisy' in Italian and her personal aesthetic has always had something of the flowerchild about it.
"Collaborating with Pottery Barn Kids was such a joy and a natural fit for me, as it brought together playful design and quality craftsmanship to create a beautiful collection for kids and baby. The collection is comfortable, colourful, and it evokes the same sense of freedom I feel when dressing myself and my children – mixing, matching and creating something that is unique to your own sense of style. I wanted to create a line of homewares that would inspire and empower kids to be imaginative and inventive," says Margherita.
"Margherita means daisy in Italian, so it's really my namesake flower. It's also such a cheerful motif," says Margherita. Pictured is the daisy pouf.
Becoming a mother in 2013 (she has two young sons, Otto and Augusto) has informed the collection too, meaning it's both beautiful and practical. "As a mother, I'm always thinking about the needs of my children first and foremost. For the collaboration with Pottery Barn Kids, I thought about the needs children and parents have when it comes to home furnishings. There's lots of child-sized furniture, as I strongly believe that it's important for children to be surrounded by furniture that's both approachable and size-appropriate." She is a big fan of the storage pieces in the collection – for both children and adults alike. "They're perfect for stowing away your kids' toys and for staying organised, which is essential when you're a busy parent," says Margherita.
As for her favourite pieces from the range, the designer has quite a few. "The colour blocked rugs, the whimsical daisy chair and the lullaby embroidered linens are my favourite pieces for sure. I can't wait to incorporate them into my boys' nurseries." And with prices ranging from $29 to $299, the range is sure to fly off shelves.
The collection is available in store and online from today (Friday).


text:
Retail Sales & Walmart, Crypto Slumps, Oil Tide Turning – What's Moving Markets
© Reuters.
By Geoffrey Smith
Investing.com — The spotlight is on the U.S. consumer today, with October retail sales data coming out within an hour or two of earnings from Walmart (NYSE:WMT) and Home Depot (NYSE:HD). Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies tumble as the market absorbs the fact that the final version of the Infrastructure Bill included some potentially onerous reporting restrictions. Elon Musk continues to sell Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) stock, but at least Michael Burry has stopped doing the same. The International Energy Agency accepts that the tide is turning for oil, and sterling leaps after strong U.K. labor data put a December rate hike back in play. Here's what you need to know in financial markets on Tuesday, 16th November.
1. Retail day
How strong is the U.S. consumer feeling heading into the holiday season? We'll find out at 8:30 AM ET (1330 GMT), when retail sales data for October are reported. Analysts expect a 1.2% rise from September, which would be the biggest monthly rise since March, when the U.S. lifted most of its lockdown restrictions on stores.
There's an implicit tension between that forecast and the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index, which fell to a 10-year low at the start of this month. It can be partly explained by the fact that much of the increase in retail sales is due to rising prices ( Tyson Foods (NYSE:TSN) on Monday became the latest company to announce blandly that it is passing on higher input prices to customers).
The nationwide data will probably find echoes in earnings from Walmart and Home Depot, both of which report early.
2. Musk keeps selling but Burry throws in the towel
Elon Musk continued selling Tesla stock on Monday, according to filings released late in the day. The CEO Musk sold 934,091 shares, worth around $930 million, after exercising options to buy 2.1 million shares previously granted as compensation at $6.24 each.
He is required to pay income tax on the difference between the exercise price and the market value.
Tesla stock fell 1.2% in premarket. However, there's one less person selling the stock – Michael Burry of 'The Big Short' fame, whose Scion Capital hedge fund has closed its short position on both Tesla and Cathie Wood's ARK Investment, apparently after tiring of 'being right too early'.
3. Stocks set for flat opening after Biden-Xi call
U.S. stocks are set for another flat opening after a lackluster day on Monday when they struggled for direction. The extended telephone call between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping produced some positive mood music, but little in the way of hard news.
By 6:15 AM ET, Dow Jones futures were down 3 points, effectively flat, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures contracts were both down by less than 0.1%.
In addition to Walmart and Home Depot, stocks likely to be in focus later include Chinese gaming company NetEase (NASDAQ:NTES), which has revived plans for an IPO of its music business according to The Wall Street Journal. The company's earnings fell somewhat short of expectations but revenue came in ahead of forecasts.
4. Crypto slumps at realization of reporting requirements in infrastructure bill
Cryptocurrencies sold off across the board as the market digested the implications of a clause in the infrastructure bill that threatens heavy reporting requirements on the transfer and receipt of such funds.
The bill mandates that digital asset transactions over a value of $10,000 must be reported to the Internal Revenue Service, something that will increase the administrative costs of many crypto brokerages as well as inhibiting the trade in illicit goods and services that generate the bulk of ultimate demand for crypto.
By 6:25 AM ET, Bitcoin was down 8.6% at $60,284, having earlier dipped as low as $58,655. Ethereum was down 10%, Litecoin was down 14% and Cardano was down 9.2%.
Back in the world of real currencies, sterling perked up after strong U.K. labor market data put the prospect of a rate hike at the Bank of England's next meeting back on the agenda.
5. Oil bucks bearish IEA report. API inventories due
Crude oil prices rose overnight, despite fresh indications that the global supply-demand balance may finally be turning in the favor of consumers.
The International Energy Agency said it expects global oil supply to rise by an average of 1.5 million barrels a day over the final two months of this year, helped by a 400,000 barrel-a-day increase in U.S. output. It also assumes that OPEC and its allies pump the volumes that they have promised to pump – despite the bloc missing its targets for the last two months.
By 6:25 AM ET, the January U.S. crude futures contract was up 0.5% at $80.13 a barrel, while Brent crude was up 0.6% at $82.56 a barrel. The American Petroleum Institute's weekly inventory data are due at 4:30 PM ET, as usual.
Previous articleSoybeans, wheat consolidate after rally
Next articleU.S. Retail Sales Jump by Most Since March, Topping Forecasts
Rotation to Value Here to Stay as Fed Desperate to Vanquish Inflation Boogeyman

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
(Redirected from Porter five forces analysis)
A graphical representation of Porter's five forces
Porter's Five Forces Framework is a tool for analyzing competition of a business. It draws from industrial organization (IO) economics to derive five forces that determine the competitive intensity and, therefore, the attractiveness (or lack of it) of an industry in terms of its profitability. An "unattractive" industry is one in which the effect of these five forces reduces overall profitability. The most unattractive industry would be one approaching "pure competition", in which available profits for all firms are driven to normal profit levels. The five-forces perspective is associated with its originator, Michael E. Porter of Harvard University. This framework was first published in Harvard Business Review in 1979.[1]
Porter refers to these forces as the microenvironment, to contrast it with the more general term macroenvironment. They consist of those forces close to a company that affect its ability to serve its customers and make a profit. A change in any of the forces normally requires a business unit to re-assess the marketplace given the overall change in industry information. The overall industry attractiveness does not imply that every firm in the industry will return the same profitability. Firms are able to apply their core competencies, business model or network to achieve a profit above the industry average. A clear example of this is the airline industry. As an industry, profitability is low because the industry's underlying structure of high fixed costs and low variable costs afford enormous latitude in the price of airline travel. Airlines tend to compete on cost, and that drives down the profitability of individual carriers as well as the industry itself because it simplifies the decision by a customer to buy or not buy a ticket. A few carriers--Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic is one--have tried, with limited success, to use sources of differentiation in order to increase profitability.
Porter's five forces include three forces from 'horizontal' competition--the threat of substitute products or services, the threat of established rivals, and the threat of new entrants--and two others from 'vertical' competition--the bargaining power of suppliers and the bargaining power of customers.
Porter developed his five forces framework in reaction to the then-popular SWOT analysis, which he found both lacking in rigor and ad hoc.[2] Porter's five-forces framework is based on the structure–conduct–performance paradigm in industrial organizational economics. Other Porter strategy tools include the value chain and generic competitive strategies.
1 Five Forces
1.1 1* Threat of new entrants
1.2 2* Threat of substitutes
1.3 3* Bargaining power of customers
1.4 4* Bargaining power of suppliers
1.5 5* Competitive rivalry
3 Criticisms
Five Forces[edit]
Major dimensions
Strategy • Strategic management
Military strategy • Maritime strategy
Strategic planning • Game theory
Strategic studies • Strategic thinking
Major thinkers
Michael Porter • Rita Gunther McGrath
Bruce Henderson • Gary Hamel
Candace A. Yano • C. K. Prahalad
Jim Collins • Liddell Hart
Carl von Clausewitz • Sun Tzu
Julian Corbett • Alfred Thayer Mahan
J.C. Wylie • Adrian Slywotzky
Sharon Oster • Chris Zook
Henry Mintzberg • Clay Christensen
Competitive advantage • Experience curve
Value chain • Portfolio theory
Core competency • Generic strategies
Uberisation
Sharing economy • Performance effects
Frameworks and tools
SWOT • Five forces
PEST analysis • Growth–share matrix
1* Threat of new entrants[edit]
Profitable industries that yield high returns will attract new entities. New entrants eventually will decrease profitability for other firms in the industry. Unless the entry of new firms can be made more difficult by incumbents, abnormal profitability will fall towards zero (perfect competition), which is the minimum level of profitability required to keep an industry in business.
The following factors can have an effect on how much of a threat new entrants may pose:[citation needed]
The existence of barriers to entry (patents, rights, etc.). The most attractive segment is one in which entry barriers are high and exit barriers are low. It's worth noting, however, that high barriers to entry almost always make exit more difficult.
Government policy such as sanctioned monopolies, legal franchise requirements, or regulatory requirements.
Capital requirements - clearly the Internet has influenced this factor dramatically. Web sites and apps can be launched cheaply and easily as opposed to the brick and mortar industries of the past.
Absolute cost
Cost advantage independent of size
Product differentiation
Switching costs are well illustrated by structural market characteristics such as supply chain integration but also can be created by firms. Airline frequent flyer programs are an example.
Expected retaliation - For example, a specific characteristics of oligopoly markets is that prices generally settle at an equilibrium because any price rises or cuts are easily matched by the competition.
Access to distribution channels
Customer loyalty to established brands. This can be accompanied by large brand advertising expenditures or similar mechanisms of maintained brand equity.
Industry profitability (the more profitable the industry, the more attractive it will be to new competitors)[citation needed]
2* Threat of substitutes[edit]
A substitute product uses a different technology to try to solve the same economic need. Examples of substitutes are meat, poultry, and fish; landlines and cellular telephones; airlines, automobiles, trains, and ships; beer and wine; and so on. For example, tap water is a substitute for Coke, but Pepsi is a product that uses the same technology (albeit different ingredients) to compete head-to-head with Coke, so it is not a substitute. Increased marketing for drinking tap water might "shrink the pie" for both Coke and Pepsi, whereas increased Pepsi advertising would likely "grow the pie" (increase consumption of all soft drinks), while giving Pepsi a larger market share at Coke's expense.
Potential factors:
Buyer propensity to substitute. This aspect incorporated both tangible and intangible factors. Brand loyalty can be very important as in the Coke and Pepsi example above; however contractual and legal barriers are also effective.
Relative price performance of substitute
Buyer's switching costs. This factor is well illustrated by the mobility industry. Uber and its many competitors took advantage of the incumbent taxi industry's dependence on legal barriers to entry and when those fell away, it was trivial for customers to switch. There were no costs as every transaction was atomic, with no incentive for customers not to try another product.
Perceived level of product differentiation which is classic Michael Porter in the sense that there are only two basic mechanisms for competition - lowest price or differentiation. Developing multiple products for niche markets is one way to mitigate this factor.
Number of substitute products available in the market
Ease of substitution
Availability of close substitute
3* Bargaining power of customers[edit]
The bargaining power of customers is also described as the market of outputs: the ability of customers to put the firm under pressure, which also affects the customer's sensitivity to price changes. Firms can take measures to reduce buyer power, such as implementing a loyalty program. Buyers' power is high if buyers have many alternatives. It is low if they have few choices.
Buyer concentration to firm concentration ratio
Degree of dependency upon existing channels of distribution
Bargaining leverage, particularly in industries with high fixed costs
Buyer switching costs
Buyer information availability
Availability of existing substitute products
Buyer price sensitivity
Differential advantage (uniqueness) of industry products
RFM (customer value) Analysis
4* Bargaining power of suppliers[edit]
The bargaining power of suppliers is also described as the market of inputs. Suppliers of raw materials, components, labor, and services (such as expertise) to the firm can be a source of power over the firm when there are few substitutes. If you are making biscuits and there is only one person who sells flour, you have no alternative but to buy it from them. Suppliers may refuse to work with the firm or charge excessively high prices for unique resources.
Potential factors are:
Supplier switching costs relative to firm switching costs
Degree of differentiation of inputs
Impact of inputs on cost and differentiation
Presence of substitute inputs
Strength of distribution channel
Supplier concentration to firm concentration ratio
Employee solidarity (e.g. labor unions)
Supplier competition: the ability to forward vertically integrate and cut out the buyer.
5* Competitive rivalry[edit]
For most industries the intensity of competitive rivalry is the major determinant of the competitiveness of the industry. Having an understanding of industry rivals is vital to successfully marketing a product. Positioning pertains to how the public perceives a product and distinguishes it from competitors'. An organization must be aware of its competitors' marketing strategies and pricing and also be reactive to any changes made.
Sustainable competitive advantage through innovation
Competition between online and offline organizations
Level of advertising expense
Powerful competitive strategy which could potentially be realized by adhering to Porter's work on low cost versus differentiation.
Firm concentration ratio
Strategy consultants occasionally use Porter's five forces framework when making a qualitative evaluation of a firm's strategic position. However, for most consultants, the framework is only a starting point and value chain analysis or another type of analysis may be used in conjunction with this model.[3] Like all general frameworks, an analysis that uses it to the exclusion of specifics about a particular situation is considered naïve[by whom?].
According to Porter, the five forces framework should be used at the line-of-business industry level; it is not designed to be used at the industry group or industry sector level. An industry is defined at a lower, more basic level: a market in which similar or closely related products and/or services are sold to buyers (see industry information). A firm which competes in a single industry should develop, at a minimum, one five forces analysis for its industry. Porter makes clear that for diversified companies, the primary issue in corporate strategy is the selection of industries (lines of business) in which the company will compete. The average Fortune Global 1,000 company competes in 52 industries [4].
Criticisms[edit]
Porter's framework has been challenged by other academics and strategists. For instance, Kevin P. Coyne and Somu Subramaniam claim that three dubious assumptions underlie the five forces:
That buyers, competitors, and suppliers are unrelated and do not interact and collude.
That the source of value is structural advantage (creating barriers to entry).
That uncertainty is low, allowing participants in a market to plan for and respond to changes in competitive behavior.[5]
An important extension to Porter's work came from Adam Brandenburger and Barry Nalebuff of Yale School of Management in the mid-1990s. Using game theory, they added the concept of complementors (also called "the 6th force") to try to explain the reasoning behind strategic alliances. Complementors are known as the impact of related products and services already in the market.[6] The idea that complementors are the sixth force has often been credited to Andrew Grove, former CEO of Intel Corporation. Martyn Richard Jones, while consulting at Groupe Bull, developed an augmented five forces model in Scotland in 1993. It is based on Porter's Framework and includes Government (national and regional) as well as pressure groups as the notional 6th force. This model was the result of work carried out as part of Groupe Bull's Knowledge Asset Management Organisation initiative.
Porter indirectly rebutted the assertions of other forces, by referring to innovation, government, and complementary products and services as "factors" that affect the five forces.[7]
It is also perhaps not feasible to evaluate the attractiveness of an industry independently of the resources that a firm brings to that industry. It is thus argued (Wernerfelt 1984)[8] that this theory be combined with the resource-based view (RBV) in order for the firm to develop a sounder framework.
Economics of Strategy
Industry classification
Porter's four corners model
Nonmarket forces
^ Michael E. Porter, "How Competitive Forces Shape Strategy", Harvard Business Review, May 1979 (Vol. 57, No. 2), pp. 137-145.
^ Michael Porter, Nicholas Argyres and Anita M. McGahan, "An Interview with Michael Porter", The Academy of Management Executive 16:2:44 at JSTOR
^ Tang, David (21 October 2014). "Introduction to Strategy Development and Strategy Execution". Flevy. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
^ "External Inputs to Strategy | Boundless Management". courses.lumenlearning.com. Retrieved 2017-12-06.
^ Kevin P. Coyne and Somu Subramaniam, "Bringing Discipline to Strategy, McKinsey Quarterly, 1996, (Vol. 33, No. 4), pp. 14-25.
^ Brandenburger, A. M., & Nalebuff, B. J. (1995). The Right Game: Use Game Theory to Shape Strategy. Harvard Business Review, (Vol. 73, No. 4), 57-71. PDF
^ Michael E. Porter. "The Five Competitive Forces that Shape Strategy", Harvard Business Review, January 2008 (Vol. 88, No. 1), pp. 78-93. PDF
^ Wernerfelt, B. (1984), A Resource-based View of the Firm, Strategic Management Journal, Vol. 5: pp. 171-180 PDF
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Porter's Five Forces Model.
Coyne, K.P. and Sujit Balakrishnan (1996),Bringing discipline to strategy, The McKinsey Quarterly, No.4.
Porter, M.E. (March–April 1979) How Competitive Forces Shape Strategy, Harvard Business Review.
Porter, M.E. (1980) Competitive Strategy, Free Press, New York.
Porter, M.E. (January 2008) The Five Competitive Forces That Shape Strategy, Harvard Business Review.
Ireland, R. D., Hoskisson, R. and Hitt, M. (2008). Understanding business strategy: Concepts and cases. Cengage Learning.
Rainer R.K. and Turban E. (2009), Introduction to Information Systems (2nd edition), Wiley, pp 36–41.
Kotler P. (1997), Marketing Management, Prentice-Hall, Inc.
Mintzberg, H., Ahlstrand, B. and Lampel J. (1998) Strategy Safari, Simon & Schuster.
Strategic planning tools
Growth–share matrix
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Porter%27s_five_forces_analysis&oldid=935695550"
Articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases from December 2018
Articles containing video clips


SET-XP® is a 1:1 two component, high solids epoxy-based anchoring adhesive formulated for optimum performance in both cracked and uncracked concrete.
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text:
/*
	This file is owned by Murtaza Alexandru and may not be distributed, edited or used without written permission of the owner
	When using this work you accept to keep this header
	E-mails from murtaza_alexandru73@yahoo.com with permissions can be seen as valid.
*/

#ifndef MPACK_AABB2D_HPP
#define MPACK_AABB2D_HPP

#include "AABB1D.hpp"
#include "Vector2.hpp"

namespace MPACK
{
	namespace Math
	{
		template<class T> class AABB2D
		{
		public:
			AABB2D();
			AABB2D(AABB1D<T> x, AABB1D<T> y);
			AABB2D(Vector2<T> A, Vector2<T> B);
			AABB2D(T xmin, T xmax, T ymin, T ymax);

			bool Intersect(const AABB2D<T> &other) const;
			bool Contain(const Vector2<T> &point) const;

			void Clear();
			void AddPoint(const Vector2<T> &point);

			T m_xmin, m_xmax, m_ymin, m_ymax;
		};
	}
}

#include "AABB2DImplementation.hpp"

#endif

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


I am not an expert in early childhood education. Ten years ago, II studied it as much as I could while I did my K-8 teaching certificate and MA in Education. I knew that I wanted to work with children in the younger age ranges in the public school system, and they are still considered under the umbrella of ECE until they are 8. I wanted to focus on the role of play within learning, and how we can teach through play.
I found out some interesting things about child development. I discovered that children construct their own learning best through play, and that just because it doesn't look like "learning", doesn't mean that they aren't learning wonderful things. I learned that natural learning takes different forms for each child, and that a rich learning environment allows for differences in learning by creating open ended tasks. Challenging and supporting young learners doesn't come from having the best workbooks, but from having relationships with children, and small enough ratios that adults can really interact with children.
Let's contrast two fictional first grade learning environments. In environment A, the focus is on developmentally appropriate learning, while in environment B, the focus is on having all children "meet standards". Both groups are working on division.
Children are given collections of materials to play with (shells, keys, stones…). They spend a little while familiarizing themselves with these materials, sorting them in different ways and noticing their characteristics.
The teacher presents a task. All children count out 10 objects, and put the rest back into the box. Then the teacher challenges the students to fairly share their objects among 2 stuffed animals. The teacher interacts with the children, giving suggestions and using appropriate vocabulary. The children also help one another, problem solving together. Once the children have shared their objects among the animals, they talk about how they made their decisions. The teacher talks about how important it is to divide the items evenly. The conversation could continue to include conversations about what to do if there was one more object. What would they do? Would it be an item they could split to make it fair (fractions), or something that would have to be leftover (remainders). Students go and try it to find out. They repeat this activity with different numbers of objects and continue to explore and discuss their findings, encouraged to use the correct vocabulary by the teacher. Throughout the lesson, fast finishers are encouraged to try different strategies, and to help their peers, further solidifying their learning, while those who are struggling with the concept are having fun with the materials, and are attempting to figure it out. Most students are engaged in the task throughout, requiring few redirections from the teacher.
The teacher introduces the concept of division by talking about forming equal groups. Next she hands out a worksheet with story problems describing a situation in which children might need to divide. She models drawing the objects in equal groups and sends the children to their desks to work on the task. She then circulates and helps the children read the story problem, as many of them struggle with the wording, since they are beginning readers. Children who are waiting for help quickly get off task, requiring redirection, while fast finishers are already hard at work. The teacher continues to circulate to help students one on one. Many children are not yet ready for the abstraction of drawing to represent objects, and are frustrated at having to erase mistakes. They notice their fast finishing peers come up to the teacher to ask what they should do now that they are finished, and feel defeated because they are still struggling with the first problem. Students with learning disabilities in reading, and students who are learning English stand out. Children start trying to help each other while they wait for the teacher to get over to them, but are asked to be quite so everyone can concentrate. The teacher is frustrated as well. She has chosen this task because the children need to be able to answer these types of teaching them the technology skills as well as the actual math. She knows her kids are not quite ready for this level of abstraction, but feels trapped by the test requirements, and doesn't think they have enough time to learn through play and discovery.
The purpose of this conversation isn't to say that kids can't handle the rigorous standards we are asking of them. I am trying to show that the concepts can certainly be taught to young children, and they can have fun learning them! When presented with worksheets, kids (and adults) tend to get task focused. When a child hasn't finished a worksheet and it comes home to a parent, that parent is worried. When a task is finite and abstract, it discourages kids from thinking hard about what they are doing and why they are doing it. They tend to label themselves as "good" or "bad", and the negative self given labels tend to stick with kids long after they have actually mastered the concepts in question.
Without the pressure of "teaching to the test", teachers can relax, spend more time interacting with their kids doing real learning activities that build a strong foundation. With that strong foundation, when we formally introduce the abstracts, kids are ready and find it exciting and fun. Great teachers try to do this anyway, but we also know that we shouldn't test kids in formats they haven't practiced in, and learning format tricks is very significant for passing the current (and most likely future) standardized tests.
Finally, the attitude seems to have become "well, they are going to have to learn it soon, so we better get them used to it." Again, when it's open ended, hands on, and fun, it'll probably be fine. When it's stuff kids just are ready for and they feel the pressure of the task-based assignments, it results in a lot of stress for everyone.
Can we look at kids as individuals, and enjoy exploring learning through play with them? Fun and games aren't 'testable', but teach so many skills that we truly value, more than 6-year-olds spitting out random facts they don't understand. What do we really value in education and why aren't we focusing on that?


As Ardens are unable to report on your local Residential Institute (RI) codes, if you use a clinical report at your practice using RI codes for your care home patients instead of read codes, please ensure that they also have the appropriate read code on their record too. To find do this, follow the two steps below.
Go to Ardens > Registers > Housing > Nursing or Residential Home Resident.
Lastly select the join type 'Only report on patients NOT found in this report'.
1. This report will need to be re-run periodically.
2. Every residential institute has a local authority code. To view the codes you have recorded on SystmOne go to Links >Residential Institute Codes.


text:
The Memorial Candle Program has been designed to help offset the costs associated with the hosting this Tribute Website in perpetuity. Through the lighting of a memorial candle, your thoughtful gesture will be recorded in the Book of Memories and the proceeds will go directly towards helping ensure that the family and friends of Eileen "Lorraine" McDonald can continue to memorialize, re-visit, interact with each other and enhance this tribute for future generations.
Eileen "Lorraine"
McDonald (Robertson)
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arlene white
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483 Broadway Street PO Box 791
Haileybury, Ontario, Canada


text:
Q: Abstract method from an abstract superclass as a static method within the subclass I have developed a custom communication protocol. In this protocol each packet is made up of a header and a payload. Each payload contains multiple commands.
I'd like to implement a static 'decode' method within every Command (Command0, ..., Command N) because all commands of the same type are decoded the same way (they have the same field structure). I use an abstract
class 'Command' as a template with some common fields and methods and an abstract 'decode' method for my commands. But since the superclass method is abstract, the 'decode' method within Command0, ..., CommandN can't be static.
Any workaounds? I'd like to avoid instantiating every command each time I have to decode some packet.
As an alternative I've got rid of the abstract 'decode' method and included a static 'decode' method within every command extending Command. However, without a superclass or an interface, another programmer could forget to implement a decode method.
This alternative would lead to the following code:
{
    switch(commandIdentifier)
    {
        case 0:
        {
            Command0 command0 = Command0.decode(dbConnection, header, data, offset);
            payload.getCommands().add(command0);
            break;
        }
        //...
        case N:
        {
            CommandN commandN = CommandN.decode(dbConnection, header, data, offset);
            payload.getCommands().add(commandN);
            break;
        }
        default:
        {
            //some code
        }
    }
}

Where I first have to check the command identifier.
I have originally implemented the classes this way:
public class Packet
{
    private Header header;
    private Payload payload;

    public static Packet decode(Connection dbConnection, byte[] data, int offset) throws Exception
    {
        //...
    }
}

public class Header
{
    public static Header decode(byte[] data, int offset)
    {
        //...
    }
}

public class Payload
{
    private List<Command> commands;
    public static Payload decode(Connection dbConnection, Header header, byte[] data, int offset)
    {
        //iterate over the data bytes to populate commands
    }
}

public abstract class Command
{
    public abstract Command decode(Connection dbConnection, Header header, byte[] data, int offset) throws Exception;
}

public class Command0
{
    int field1;
    String field2;
    float field3;
    public Command decode(Connection dbConnection, Header header, byte[] data, int offset) throws Exception;  //I can't make it static and I'd like to because all commands of class Command0 are decoded the same way.
}

//...

public class Command N
{
    int field1;
    Map<Integer, ConfigBean> field2;
    public Command decode(Connection dbConnection, Header header, byte[] data, int offset) throws Exception;  //I can't make it static and I'd like to because all commands of class CommandN are decoded the same way.
}

A: You could have an enum class that contains the info relative to what command is and how to decode it. Using an abstract method instead of a static methid will force you to implement a decode for each one:
public enum CommandType {
    COMMAND_0(0) {
        @Override
        public <T extends Command> T decode(Connection dbConnection, ResponseBuilder.Header header, byte[] data, int offset) throws Exception {
            // decode Command 0
            ...
        }
    },
    COMMAND_1(1) {
        @Override
        public <T extends Command> T decode(Connection dbConnection, ResponseBuilder.Header header, byte[] data, int offset) throws Exception {
            // decode Command 1
            ...
        }
    }
    ...
    COMMAND_N(N) {
        @Override
        public <T extends Command> T decode(Connection dbConnection, ResponseBuilder.Header header, byte[] data, int offset) throws Exception {
            // decode Command N
            ...
        }
    }
    ;

    private final int commandIdentifier;

    CommandType(int commandIdentifier) {
        this.commandIdentifier = commandIdentifier;
    }

    public abstract <T extends Command> T decode(Connection dbConnection, ResponseBuilder.Header header, byte[] data, int offset) throws Exception;

    private static Map<Integer, CommandType> map = new HashMap<Integer, CommandType>();
    static {
        for (CommandType commandType : CommandType.values()) {
            if (map.get(commandType.commandIdentifier) != null)
                throw new IllegalStateException("There are several commands with the same identifier");
            map.put(commandType.commandIdentifier, commandType);
        }
    }

    public static CommandType fromIdentifier(int commandIdentifier) throws IllegalArgumentException {
        CommandType commandType = map.get(commandIdentifier);
        if (commandType == null)
            throw new IllegalArgumentException("Unkown command identifier");
        return commandType;
    }

}

After that you can simply use:
Command c = CommandType.fromIdentifier(commandIdentifier).decodedecode(dbConnection, header, data, offset);

I think that's a more stylish way of handling this

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


I know you have heard of self love. The questions is, why aren't you practicing it?
Unfortunately, you can't find many reasons not to love yourself. You aren't pretty enough, rich enough, tall enough, and many more. How much time do you spend criticizing yourself? I think as human beings you are prone to criticize yourself. Is this because you compare yourself to others, all the time? This is always a set up for disaster. If it doesn't stop, you can end up with anxiety or depression.
One thing I always tell my clients, is that you can't go back and you can't really predict the future. So, what does this mean? Live in the present. If you are filled with regrets about the past or are constantly worried about the future, then you miss out on the present moment. What about that beautiful smile your child just gave you or the birds chirping. What a beautiful sight and a beautiful sound. Stop comparing yourself to other and stop criticizing yourself.
This means it's time to be good to yourself. There is nobody else like you. This means you are special. This is not the same as being self-absorbed. This means you don't hate yourself. When you love yourself, you will attract people into your life that respect you and love you for the person you are.
Say no when you need to.
Play with your children all day.
Take action towards a goal.
You always put everyone else first. What does this mean? You are last on the list. I want you to start practicing self love today. Start with one of these tips. Then, keep adding more self love to your day. You will start to feel better about yourself, and others.
Self love has been known to prevent burn out. This is when you start losing your passion for life. You no longer enjoy what you used to, and you begin to feel resentful towards those around you. If you try these tips and they don't help, then it's time to get help. You can talk to a friend or family member. You can also talk to a professional (like myself) for help.
If you liked 25 Ways To Practice Self Love. There is more at Reducing Stress.
Lianne Avila is a Marriage & Family Therapist, in San Mateo, CA. She has helped many individuals learn to love themselves and thrive. For more information, please call (650) 892-0357 or email Lianne@LessonsforLove.com.


text:
How to get from Eeklo to Knokke-Heist by bus, train, taxi or car
There are 5 ways to get from Eeklo to Knokke-Heist by bus, train, taxi or car
Line 58 bus, train • 1h 39m
Take the line 58 bus from Eeklo Eikelstraat to Brugge Station perron 4 58
Take the train from Bruges / Brugge to Duinbergen Ic / ...
Cheapest option
Line 58 bus, bus • 2h 29m
Take the bus from Brugge Station perron 9 to Knokke Station perron 3 41 / ...
Train • 2h 33m
Take the train from Eeklo to Gand-Dampoort / Gent-Dampoort S51
Take the train from Gand-Dampoort / Gent-Dampoort to Bruges / Brugge Ic / ...
Taxi • 24 min
Take a taxi from Eeklo to Knokke-Heist 31.3 km
Drive • 24 min
Drive from Eeklo to Knokke-Heist 31.3 km
What is the cheapest way to get from Eeklo to Knokke-Heist?
The cheapest way to get from Eeklo to Knokke-Heist is to drive which costs 3€ - 6€ and takes 24 min.
What is the fastest way to get from Eeklo to Knokke-Heist?
The quickest way to get from Eeklo to Knokke-Heist is to taxi which costs 40€ - 50€ and takes 24 min.
Is there a direct bus between Eeklo and Knokke-Heist?
No, there is no direct bus from Eeklo to Knokke-Heist station. However, there are services departing from Eeklo Eikelstraat and arriving at Knokke Station perron 3 via Brugge Station perron 9. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 2h 29m.
Is there a direct train between Eeklo and Knokke-Heist?
No, there is no direct train from Eeklo to Knokke-Heist. However, there are services departing from Eeklo and arriving at Duinbergen via Gand-Dampoort / Gent-Dampoort and Bruges / Brugge. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 2h 33m.
How far is it from Eeklo to Knokke-Heist?
The distance between Eeklo and Knokke-Heist is 27 km. The road distance is 31.3 km.
How do I travel from Eeklo to Knokke-Heist without a car?
The best way to get from Eeklo to Knokke-Heist without a car is to line 58 bus and train which takes 1h 39m and costs 7€ - 10€.
How long does it take to get from Eeklo to Knokke-Heist?
It takes approximately 1h 39m to get from Eeklo to Knokke-Heist, including transfers.
Where do I catch the Eeklo to Knokke-Heist bus from?
Eeklo to Knokke-Heist bus services, operated by De Lijn, depart from Eeklo Eikelstraat station.
Where do I catch the Eeklo to Knokke-Heist train from?
Eeklo to Knokke-Heist train services, operated by Belgian Railways (NMBS/SNCB), depart from Eeklo station.
Train or bus from Eeklo to Knokke-Heist?
The best way to get from Eeklo to Knokke-Heist is to line 58 bus and bus which takes 2h 29m and costs 6€. Alternatively, you can train, which costs 14€ - 23€ and takes 2h 33m.
What companies run services between Eeklo, Belgium and Knokke-Heist, Belgium?
You can take a bus from Eeklo to Knokke-Heist via Brugge Station perron 9 in around 2h 29m. Alternatively, you can take a train from Eeklo to Knokke-Heist via Gand-Dampoort / Gent-Dampoort and Bruges / Brugge in around 2h 33m.
Belgian Railways (NMBS/SNCB)
belgiantrain.be
Train from Bruges / Brugge to Duinbergen
Belgian Railways
Book at
Belgium Rail Pass
Train from Eeklo to Gand-Dampoort / Gent-Dampoort
Train from Gand-Dampoort / Gent-Dampoort to Bruges / Brugge
1st class seats
The Man in Seat 61...
Belgian Railways Exterior
Belgian Railways Interior
delijn
delijn.be
Bus from Eeklo Eikelstraat to Brugge Station perron 4
Bus from Brugge Station perron 9 to Knokke Station perron 3
Bus Exterior
Bus in Brugge
Bus from Bruges / Brugge to Knokke
Taxi from Eeklo to Knokke-Heist
Taxi Gent
taxigent.be
Taxi Discount Gent
taxisdiscount.be
Express Taxi VIP
expresstaxi.be
airport-taxis.be
Taxi Georges
Taxi Abby Albert
Want to know more about travelling around the world?
Rome2rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Read our range of informative guides on popular transport routes and companies - including How to plan an amazing trip around Scandinavia, Getting to Rome from the airport and Which side of Niagara Falls should I choose (and how do I get there)? - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
Where does the Eeklo to Knokke-Heist bus arrive?
Eeklo to Knokke-Heist bus services, operated by De Lijn, arrive at Knokke Station perron 3.
Where does the Eeklo to Knokke-Heist train arrive?
Eeklo to Knokke-Heist train services, operated by Belgian Railways (NMBS/SNCB), arrive at Duinbergen station.
Can I drive from Eeklo to Knokke-Heist?
Yes, the driving distance between Eeklo to Knokke-Heist is 31 km. It takes approximately 24 min to drive from Eeklo to Knokke-Heist.
How do I get a train ticket from Eeklo to Knokke-Heist?
Book your Eeklo to Knokke-Heist train tickets online with RailEurope, RailEurope and RailEurope.
Where can I stay near Knokke-Heist?
There are 1986+ hotels available in Knokke-Heist. Prices start at 87€ per night.
Knokke-Heist, Belgium
Knokke-Heist is a municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Heist-aan-Zee, Knokke, Duinbergen, Ramskapelle and Westkapelle. On January 1, 2006 Knokke-Heist had a total population of 34,063. The total area is 56.44 km² which gives a population density of 603 inhabitants per km². Knokke-Heist is located along the North Sea in a polder area on the Belgian border with the Netherlands. It is one of Belgium's better known and more affluent seaside resorts. - Wikipedia
Things to do in Knokke-Heist
Basilica of the Holy Blood
The Basilica of the Holy Blood (Dutch: Heilig-Bloedbasiliek, French: Basilique du Saint-Sang) is a Roman Catholic minor basilica in Bruges, Belgium. Originally built in the 12th century as the chapel of the residence of the Count of Flanders, the church houses a venerated relic of the Holy Blood allegedly collected by Joseph of Arimathea and brought from the Holy Land by Thierry of Alsace, Count of Flanders. Built between 1134 and 1157, it was promoted to minor basilica in 1923.
The Markt ("Market Square") of Bruges is located in the heart of the city and covers an area of about 1 hectare. Some historical highlights around the square include the 12th-century belfry and the Provincial Court (originally the Waterhall, which in 1787 was demolished and replaced by a classicist building that from 1850 served as provincial court and after a fire in 1878 was rebuilt in a neo-Gothic style in 1887. In the center of the market stands the statue of Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck.
Groeningemuseum
The Groeningemuseum is a municipal museum in Bruges, Belgium, built on the site of the medieval Eekhout Abbey.
Brugse Vrije
The Brugse Vrije was a castellany in the county of Flanders, often called in English 'the Franc of Bruges'. It included the area around Bruges, and was bordered by the North Sea, the Westerschelde and the Yser river. The city of Bruges was separated from the castellany in 1127. Since then the city and the Vrije were considered as separate customary law areas. The Brugse Vrije was a rich agricultural region. It had its own burgrave, who was seated at the Burg, a square in Bruges, and became part of the Four Members of Flanders at the end of the 14th century, together with the three major cities of Ghent, Brugge and Ypres. The Brugse Vrije sat in the meetings of the States of Flanders.
Places to stay in Knokke-Heist
Soetkin
Residence La Zoute
Pagnaert Apartment
Hotel Du Soleil
Rome2rio makes travelling from Eeklo to Knokke-Heist easy.
Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Find all the transport options for your trip from Eeklo to Knokke-Heist right here. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed decision about which option will suit you best. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward.
Train Eeklo to Knokke Heist Bus Eeklo to Knokke Heist
Trips from Eeklo
Eeklo to Charleroi Airport CRL Eeklo to Oosterhout Eeklo to Westkapelle Netherlands Eeklo to Torremolinos Eeklo to Cologne Eeklo to Sluis Eeklo to Oss Eeklo to Aardenburg Eeklo to Lille Eeklo to Zürich Eeklo to Leisele Eeklo to Nijkerk Eeklo to Adegem Eeklo to Deinze Eeklo to Munich Eeklo to Ypres Eeklo to Breskens Eeklo to Heemstede Julianaplein Eeklo to Valkenburg Limburg Netherlands Eeklo to Sint Niklaas Eeklo to Strasbourg Eeklo to IJzendijke Eeklo to Hasselt Eeklo to Drongen Eeklo to Foix Eeklo to Ursel Belgium
Trips to Knokke-Heist
Bruges to Knokke Heist Amsterdam to Knokke Heist Paris to Knokke Heist Brussels Airport BRU to Knokke Heist Luxembourg to Knokke Heist Ghent to Knokke Heist Dover England to Knokke Heist Ostend to Knokke Heist Lille to Knokke Heist Blankenberge to Knokke Heist Dunkirk to Knokke Heist Maastricht to Knokke Heist Damme Belgium to Knokke Heist Den Haag HS Station to Knokke Heist England to Knokke Heist London Stansted Airport STN to Knokke Heist Prague to Knokke Heist Eurotunnel Calais Terminal to Knokke Heist Sint Niklaas to Knokke Heist Clervaux to Knokke Heist Europoort to Knokke Heist Hulst to Knokke Heist Hook of Holland to Knokke Heist Marseille to Knokke Heist Hotel Central Bruges Belgium to Knokke Heist King s Cross Station to Knokke Heist Earl Shilton to Knokke Heist Passau to Knokke Heist Sofia to Knokke Heist Horsham England to Knokke Heist


What was Henry Lawson like as a young man? Tall, slender and good looking with remarkable eyes – and although he was shy, lacking in self-confidence and very sensitive, he still had considerable powers of attraction.
In 1895 he'd met Bertha Marie Louise Bredt, the daughter of radical feminist and boarding house proprietor Matilda (Bertha) Bredt and step-daughter of W.H. McNamara, owner of a well-known socialist bookshop in Castlereagh Street, as well as the sister-in-law of politician Jack Lang. Their courtship was short and intense, and even though Bertha had been warned about Lawson's drinking habits, they married impulsively on 15 April 1896.
But Lawson's money problems only increased with marriage and, as he continued his carousing ways, he failed to keep publishing commitments and was forced to live on his meagre earnings from selling stories and poems to the Bulletin.
Wedded bliss was short-lived and Bertha tried to get her husband away from his bohemian companions. The couple went to Western Australia and then to New Zealand, where their son, Joseph (Jim), was born on 16 February 1898. The New Zealand move was not a success and the pair returned to Sydney, where Lawson resumed his old ways. Their daughter, Bertha Louisa, was born two years later, on 11 February 1900.
After 12 years of working as a writer in Australia, Lawson claimed he'd only earned £700 in total.
In 'Pursuing Literature in Australia', an article published in the Bulletin in 1899, Lawson blamed the small Australian market, which he felt had denied him the chance of living by his writing alone. Believing London could offer that chance, Lawson sought help to raise the fare from two high-profile public benefactors – Earl Beauchamp, the Governor of NSW, and book collector David Scott Mitchell. On 20 April 1900, he left for England with Bertha and their two children.
He had some literary success – Blackwood & Sons took two books, The Country I Came From and Joe Wilson and his Mates, and Methuen & Company published a book of prose and verse, Children of the Bush.
But it wasn't the dream they'd imagined. Lawson soon began drinking again and Bertha became seriously ill, so the children were placed in temporary foster care while she was hospitalised. Barely able to pay the bills, Lawson was writing under duress.
By the time the family returned to Australia in mid 1902, the marriage was over and, in March 1903, Bertha Lawson obtained a legal separation from her husband.
Lawson started writing his autobiography in 1903, and while his recollections are invaluable, it was a difficult time to be reminiscing. Lawson was only 36, yet his literary failure in London was a setback from which the author never fully recovered.
Lawson's appeals to Earl Beauchamp, Governor of NSW, and book collector David Scott Mitchell for his fare to London were not his only applications to acquaintances and friends for money.
After his return to Sydney in 1903, Lawson spent time in and out of Darlinghurst Gaol over the next several years, applying frequently to others for loans or requesting payment of debts.
Between 1903 and 1908, Henry Lawson wrote parts of his autobiography in a two-volume manuscript, 'A fragment of autobiography', which is now held in the Mitchell Library. The narrative begins with his earliest memories and goes on to discuss his first publishing experience. It's an honest and fascinating insight into the troubled writer's life.


ONLINE REGISTRATION AVAILABLE TO NONMEMBERS ONLY!
TMHC members can download a registration form by clicking here .
Tidewater Builders Association's Tidewater Multifamily Housing Council brings you the annual Virginia Residential Landlord & Tenant Act Review and Update seminar conducted by John G. "Chip" Dicks III of Gentry Locke. Please note that this year's program focuses solely on VRLTA, with a review of the basics and an update on changes made during the 2019 General Assembly session. Fair housing will not be covered.
ONLINE REGISTRATION IS OPEN ONLY TO NONMEMBERS!


BC-17P $500 1935 Face and Back Proofs PMG Superb Gem Unc 67 EPQ; Gem Uncirculated 66 EPQ.
A gorgeous set of $500 denominated uniface proofs from the early 1935 issue. The scarcity of the regular issued notes places pressure on proofs and specimens as the limiting means for acquiring an example of this large denomination. With a printing on 20,900 English text notes, only 9 are registered in private collections. The printing of the French text was even lower with a quantity of 5,000, with none known in private collections. This exceptional pair carries the English text of the "Bank of Canada" and "Five Hundred Dollars." Both are well centered on bright cardstock and have a matching "0797" control number written in pencil on their backs.


text:
Interview: TAUK Bassist Charlie Dolan discusses the band's origin, playing Jam Cruise, and the importance of covers
Published on November 22, 2016 in Interviews/The Latest by Josh White
I first heard TAUK on Sirius Radio's Jam On. I am a big fan of heavy instrumental jams and methodically played grooves, and these guys fit that bill nicely. The guys in the band, Matt Jalbert, Charlie Dolan, A.C. Carter, and Isaac Teel- have been together since 2012, though Matt, Charlie, and A.C. have known each other since…
Whenever I hit the town for New Years Eve, live music is a must. While I certainly understand the argument
Bill Wilson Dials Back the Clock For Incredible Album Release Party
A smiling and thankful, Bill Wilson, to the raucous, sold-out crowd at the end of the night: "YOU MADE MY
Black Joe Lewis Talks New Album – Fusion of Blues, Rock, and Soul
The Charleston Pour House has been on a tear these last couple months with incredible bands rolling through and that


Some of the questions that appear early in each part of the SAT Chemistry Subject Test will ask about the basic properties of matter and how they're measured. In this chapter, we'll review some basic terms: mass, volume, density, pressure, energy, temperature, and specific heat, and we'll show you how to approach the sometimes scary looking questions that cover these topics on the exam.
Think about a sample of any type of matter, whether it's a hunk of solid, a glass of liquid, or a container of gas. The mass of any of these samples refers to the amount of matter in the sample, while matter simply refers to anything that occupies space and has mass.
Mass is measured in grams. One gram is nearly equal to the weight of a paper clip—;for heavier samples it's often more convenient to use kilograms (1 kg = 1,000 grams), while for very small samples, it's convenient to use milligrams (1 mg = 1/1,000 gram). For any particular substance, a sample of greater mass means a sample with more atoms or molecules in it. (For now, think of atoms and molecules as tiny pieces of matter. We'll talk more about them later.) Two different samples of the same substance that have different masses must be made up of different numbers of atoms or molecules; for example, ten water molecules have greater mass than seven water molecules. Eight carbon dioxide molecules have greater mass than four carbon dioxide molecules.
To convert grams to kilograms, just move the decimal point three places to the left. To convert kilograms to grams, move the decimal point 3 places to the right.
To convert grams to milligrams or liters to milliliters, move the decimal three places to the right. To convert milligrams to grams or milliliters to liters, move the decimal point three places to the left.
For the SAT Chemistry Test, there's nothing more you need to know about mass itself. It represents the quantity of matter that makes up a sample. It's usually measured in grams, kilograms, or milligrams.
Again, suppose we're thinking about a sample of matter—;solid, liquid, or gas. When we say volume, we're talking about how much room the sample takes up in space. The SAT Chemistry Test usually measures volume in liters (L) or milliliters (mL; 1 mL = 1/1,000 L—;also keep in mind that 1 mL = 1 cm3, or cubic centimeter).
How a sample is measured depends on what state it's in—;whether it is a solid, liquid, or gas. When the sample is a liquid, we can determine its volume by pouring it into a graduated cylinder or any other measuring flask.
If the sample is a solid, we can immerse it in a liquid and see how much liquid it displaces. In other words, we can compare the original volume of the liquid and the volume of the solid/liquid combination, knowing that the difference will be equal to the volume of the solid.
For samples of gas, the volume of the gas is always equal to the volume of its container, since a gas always expands to fill its container. How do we learn the volume of the container? Well, if the volume isn't marked on the container, we can just treat the container as a solid object and find out its volume by immersing it in a liquid.
The property of density is intrinsic to a substance; substances such as water, lead, carbon dioxide, or ethyl alcohol, for example, all have different densities. Density is a measure of the ratio of an object's mass to its volume.
Generally, if we say "water is heavy," we mean that water has a high density relative to other substances. Ten kilograms of water occupy a relatively small volume—;about 10 L. When we say "feathers are light," we mean that feathers have a low density relative to other substances. Ten kilograms of feathers occupy a relatively large volume.
All this means is that every 1 mL of substance X weighs 4 grams, and every 1 mL of substance Y weighs 3 grams. So, for this example, 5 mL of X weighs 20 grams, and 15 grams of Y occupies a volume of 5 mL.
At a given temperature, a certain mass of a substance that is a solid or a liquid has a fixed volume. This means that for liquids and solids at a given temperature, density does not vary. The same is not true of gases. A sample of any gas will expand to fill its container. We can double the volume of the container without changing the mass of the sample of the gas, and the density will decrease by a factor of two.
When test writers say "pressure," they are usually talking about (1) the force that a sample of gas in a closed container exerts on the container walls, or (2) a solid or liquid standing in an environment and the force that a gas is exerting on the walls of the environment and everything in it—;including the surface of the solid or liquid.
So, what units do we use to express pressure? A few. There are torr, millimeters of mercury (mmHg), and atmospheres (atm): 1 torr and 1 mmHg are equal, and 760 torr (or 760 mmHg) = 1 atm.
What instruments are used to measure pressure? The barometer and the manometer. Both the barometer and manometer involve the use of the liquid metal mercury (Hg) to determine atmospheric pressure.
Any question on the exam that contains any of the above terms will in some way be concerned with pressure. So when you see such a question, think pressure and you'll be on the right track.
You will have to know a few things about energy for the SAT Chemistry Subject Test. First, remember that energy exists in different forms, but is always defined as the ability to do work or transfer heat. Energy can exist as heat, light, kinetic energy, or chemical bond energy. When we say kinetic energy, we're talking about the energy that an object possesses by virtue of the fact that it is moving. A moving bus, train, or car has kinetic energy. When we deal with chemistry, we're usually thinking about molecules that move; moving molecules have kinetic energy. The faster molecules move, the higher their kinetic energy.
What units are used to describe energy?
One calorie (1 cal) is equal to slightly more than 4 J.
What instrument is used to measure energy?
• Kinetic energy is the energy contained in the movement of molecules. The greater the kinetic energy, the faster the movement and the higher the temperature of the molecules.
• Chemical bonds contain energy. Breaking bonds requires energy; forming bonds releases energy.
• Heat is the transfer of kinetic energy from one thing to another.
• A calorimeter measures energy.
What exactly is heat? When you touch something warm, you feel heat, but what is that? Technically, heat is defined as the flow of energy from a body at a higher temperature to one at a lower temperature. If a particular sample of a substance experiences an increase in temperature, then you can say that particular sample has experienced an increase in heat content. So what exactly does temperature measure? Temperature measures the average kinetic energy of molecules in a sample; as the molecules in a sample move more quickly, the temperature of that sample increases.
For certain substances, the addition of a large amount of heat will have only a small effect on their temperature, while for other substances, the addition of a small amount of heat will have a dramatic effect on their temperature. The heat capacity of a substance refers to the amount of heat it must absorb for its temperature to be raised 1°C. Different substances have different heat capacities, and the heat capacity of a substance is described by its specific heat. The specific heat of a substance is the heat capacity of 1 gram of the substance.
Here's an equation that puts together all of the terms we just reviewed.
For example, it takes 1 calorie of heat to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1°C. So we say that the specific heat of water is 1 cal/g • °C. The specific heat of carbon is 0.033 cal/g • °C, so it takes 0.033 calorie to raise the temperature of 1 gram of carbon by 1°C.
Now suppose you take 40 grams of water and 40 grams of carbon and add 200 calories of heat to each sample. Because water has a significantly higher specific heat than carbon, the input of the same amount of heat to both samples will result in a greater increase in temperature in the carbon sample than in the sample of water. See the calculations below.
Carbon increases in temperature by 151.5°C, but water increases in temperature by only 5°C. Why? Because the specific heat of water is roughly 30 times that of carbon.
Similarly, if we have equal masses of water and carbon and we want to raise the temperature of each sample by the same amount, we'll have to put about 30 times more heat into the water than we have to put into the carbon.
We've been talking about temperature in °C, and when we think of specific heat, that's the right unit of temperature to use. But, for this test, you also need to know about another temperature scale: degrees Kelvin (K). The Kelvin scale is also called the "absolute temperature" scale. How do you convert °C to K?
And remember, when it comes to heat content, temperature is a reflection of, but not a direct measure of, heat content. Heat content is not measured in °C. It's measured in calories, joules, or kilojoules.
The SAT Chemistry Test writers sometimes make their questions look more difficult than they are by trying to catch you off guard and steer you off course. They might, for instance, use camouflage and temptation traps. Try the ten subject test–type questions that follow, keeping the techniques from Chapter 2 in mind. You can find the answers to the following questions in the beginning of Part III.
Questions 1–4 refer to the following.
26. Two solid objects are of equal volume, but object A has density = X, and object B has density = (0.5)(X).
Which of the following is true concerning objects A and B?
(A) Objects A and B are of equal density.
(B) Object B has twice the density of object A.
(C) Objects A and B are of equal mass.
(D) Object A has one half the mass of object B.
(E) Object A has twice the mass of object B.
38. Ten grams of oxygen gas are in a rigid 5 L vessel. If 2 g of oxygen gas are added to the vessel and temperature is kept constant, which of the following characteristics of the gas will increase?
· Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in a sample and is measured in grams or kilograms.
· Volume is the amount of space something takes up and is measured in cubic centimeters, milliliters, or liters.
· Pressure is force per unit area and describes how much a sample of gas or liquid pushes on the surfaces the sample is in contact with.
· Standard pressure is 760 mmHg = 760 torr = 1 atm.
· Atmospheric pressure is measured with a barometer. Pressure in the laboratory is measured with a manometer.
· Energy is measured in calories and joules, where 1 calorie = 4.186 joules.
· Chemistry is concerned with two types of energy: Kinetic energy is the energy of motion of molecules, and bond energy is the energy stored in a chemical bond.
· Temperature is measured in degrees Celsius and Kelvin, where K = 273 + °C.
· Specific heat is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of substance 1 degree Celsius.


It's easy to wake up and just start running around the house like a crazy person making breakfast, checking email, putting dishes away, doing push-ups, rummaging through closet hangers for an outfit and getting the kids out of the house. Ambitiously, in the spirit of "getting it all done."
Our days begin to look colorless and feel monotonous, and we can't see the horizon because we've cluttered our view with tasks, obligations, chores and responsibilities. The weight of it all is debilitating.
We have only 24 hours in a day and sometimes that doesn't feel like enough because we're cramming too much in.
So much so that it's confused us, clouded our focus and crippled our peace. Our effort to get it all done is actually counterproductive.
We simplify how we begin.
You've heard it before, I'm sure, that we should have a morning ritual or routine that sets us up for smooth day. That being the wise advice, what does your ritual consist of now?
Don't have one? Or not a consistent one?
If you knew you were going out into the world, likely to be faced with the barrage of clutter (e.g., chatter, confusion, chaos, cloudiness, comparisons, etc., etc.), how would you prepare for the onslaught? That's exactly what's happening. Every day we're faced with these symptoms of clutter, all of which zaps our clarity and depletes our energy.
Start by clearing your mind of overwhelm, overload and overcommitment.
I like to keep it simple. The name of the game is peace and clarity. My aim is to give myself a moment of freedom and reprieve before entering the demands the day.
From that place of surrender and release, I truly awaken.
I'm sharing with you my personal morning routine because it helps me get cool, calm and collected before engaging with other people and tackling my daily agenda. It gives me refueling time before I start giving of myself to others. Take some of these ideas and create your own morning ritual.
Wake up 15 minutes earlier than you normally would and take a few of those minutes (preferably at least five) to sit quietly, with no agenda, no distractions (TV, music, spouse or kids) and focus on your breath. Not your To Do list, not your outfit for the day, not your lunch plans. Just sit still and do and plan nothing. Listen only to the sound of your breath. Those with an active meditation practice can increase this time to 30-45 minutes every morning. But we don't have to call this time "meditation" if you're not into that sort of thing. Instead, rearrange a few letters and call it "me time." Use this time to sit alone, on a hammock, on the grass, in a chair, wherever -- just don't fall asleep. Stay upright and alert, and keep your thoughts coming back to your breath.
Take a big breath of fresh air in the morning, first thing. Walk outside if weather permits. If cold and wet outside, just peek your head out the patio door and inhale the fresh morning air, for at least five big breaths in and out. Don't rush this process, fill your lungs with air slowly and deeply, and then exhale slowly and deeply. Imagine yourself giving in to your breath, oxygenating every inch of your body.
Take a pen and paper (yes, the old-fashioned way) and write about your life, your fears, your desires for five full minutes in a journal. The intention is to clear the mind and make space for presence. Trap your thoughts, worries, concerns and plans for the day right here. The goal is to get it out of your mind and onto paper. Make room in your head to be available for what's to come during the day. When complete, leave the journal at home and move forward in your morning.
Keep a gratitude log. Every morning, close out your journaling session by jotting down five things you're grateful for. Family, home, airplanes, safety, flowers, love, whatever it is, note it on paper. By writing them down, one by one, we allow ourselves to savor that feeling of gratitude for these many things (often overlooked). We begin to see all the beauty that surrounds us already. It sets the day off positively to start gratefully. In the spirit of gratitude, we open up to life, releasing comparison thinking and wishing things were different. When we see all that we have to be grateful for, we invite into our lenses more to be grateful for.
Immediately upon waking, hydrate! Drink one half liter (.5L) of filtered, lukewarm water to get your organs flushed out and joints lubricated. Add nothing to the water, keep it pure. Wait 30 minutes from your last gulp before eating breakfast.
Would you be able to adopt these five things into your morning as part of your morning ritual? Share with us in the comments below what you currently do when you wake up that helps you get going in the morning?
Tips above taken from "The Declutter Code: 10 Simple Steps to Clarity." See the book here.


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Turkey is following footsteps of Russia and China in policing diaspora
Francis Ghiles
Erdogan's purge is a threat to Turks living abroad and, more dangerously, to the rule of law everywhere.
Challenging government policies. Anti-Erdogan protesters demonstrate in Paris, on January 5. (AP)
Transnational repression is increasingly woven into the fabric of the international order. The globalisation of travel and finance and the spread of instantaneous communication, notably through social media, benefit civil society and woven links that encourage broad dialogue across borders.
What is less often commented on is that countries have been handed useful and cheaper ways of pursuing dissidents, exiles and citizens wherever they may be. International law enforcement mechanisms and the collaboration between security services have given countries powerful weapons to monitor citizens.
The activities of Russia and China in this area are well understood but it is less often noticed that Turkey has increasingly sought to monitor and harass its citizens living in Europe, especially when they actively oppose the policies of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Last October, in a speech to his Justice and Development Party (AKP), Erdogan referred to a "traitors' front." This is not just rhetoric and the fallout of such an aggressive stance towards his opponents is becoming clearer with every month that passes.
The speed and aggressive nature of the efforts after the coup attempt in 2016 to rid Turkey's domestic institutions of anyone associated with Fethullah Gulen, the cleric who lives in the United States and is blamed by Erdogan for being behind the attempted coup, was breathtaking. It underlines how transnational repression as practised by Turkey can demolish the hope that globalisation of the liberal order will ever result in democratic consolidation.
Since the 1970s, Gulen had promoted a form of modernising, nationalist Islam that fit the doctrine of "Turkish-Islamic synthesis" that flourished after the 1980 coup. It was used by the military junta and successive Turkish governments to promote the idea of Islamic identity as a major plank of Turkish nationalism and beat back what some saw as the threat of a leftist revolution.
Since 2012, Turkey's — and the AKP's — soft power depended very much on the Gulen movement's capacity to serve as a proxy in the spheres of education and media. The alignment between Gulen and the state during the country's drive to liberalise its economy facilitated Turkey's projection of soft power in the Balkans and Central Asia.
Helped by historical links with both regions, Turkey used investment and cultural and educational ties to open new markets and build a "golden generation" of local elites. Turkish nationalism took a back seat and the Gulen schools spearheaded the educational links and presented Turkey as an adaptable and open-minded country.
The AKP was presented as a big tent that accepted pious conservative businessmen, liberals and minorities tired of nationalistic military interventions. The AKP projected a vision of Turkey as a modern, capitalist and Islamic model for the Middle East at a time when the West was desperate to find and anoint a country that could offer a plausible model of democratic, economically liberal and conservative Islam. In other words, to reconcile Islam and democracy.
The fallout of the alleged role Gulen played in the July 2016 attempted coup destroyed efforts at projecting Turkey's soft power over the previous three decades.
Erdogan's attempts to get Gulen extradited to Turkey have fallen on deaf ears. His vast purge of the military, the judiciary, the police, the media and the universities, which involves many people who hail from the left or are of Kurdish origin, destroyed the image of Turkey as a modern country so painstakingly built up by Gulen.
In the Arab world, Turkey's neo-Ottoman pretentions have made it the butt of ridicule. By backing the Muslim Brotherhood, Erdogan destroyed any credit he might have won in Egypt, Tunisia and the broader Middle East. In Syria, his calls for the ousting of President Bashar Assad and murky relations with the Islamic State (ISIS) brought him into conflict with his Western allies, Russia, Syria and Saudi Arabia.
Turkish intervention in January in northern Syria raised the unnerving prospect of a direct confrontation between two NATO allies. The initial aim of seizing control of the Afrin enclave held by Syrian Kurdish militia the People's Protection Units (YPG), an offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, an entity deemed a terrorist organisation by both Turkey and the United States, has been extended to Manbij and Rojava.
In the former, Russia has influence; in the latter the United States has 2,000 military personnel that equip and train the YPG for the fight against ISIS. Is Turkey ready to challenge the United States militarily in Syria?
How Turkey and the United States read each other's intentions is crucial. One can only note that the traditional institutional ties, not least military, that underpinned the relations between the two countries have weakened, as have traditional foreign policy establishments in Ankara and Washington.
Turkish domestic politics will be affected not just by Erdogan's aggressive military tactics in Syria but by the effects of the global purge he has decreed on Turkish communities abroad, most of which are not made up of exiles.
Given the size of that diaspora and the weakened state of democratic institutions in Turkey, Erdogan's capacity to limit that population's freedom of speech and rights of free association outside the borders of Turkey will determine whether democratic alternatives to authoritarian rule emerge at home.
Turkey is following in the footsteps of China and Russia as its behaviour helps turn the international order into a system of countries mutually committed to policing each other's populations abroad. Erdogan, like his Russian and Chinese counterparts, is initiating a purge that represents a threat to those Turks living abroad and, more dangerously, to the rule of law everywhere.
Written By Francis Ghiles
Francis Ghiles is an associate fellow at the Barcelona Centre for International Affairs.
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Mpls Mayor calls for one concert truce in Mn Orchestra dispute
Euan Kerr January 9, 2013, 5:01 PM Jan 9, 2013
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak likens his invitation to the Christmas Truce portrayed in the Minnesota Opera Production of "Silent Night."
"On one special night, we ask everybody to take the dispute and go into neutral and come together and have one celebration," said Rybak.
He's talking about a concert to be held February 1st at the Minneapolis Convention Center to celebrate the Minnesota Orchestra's Grammy nomination for its recent Sibelius recording. The celebrations of the honor have been muted since it came after Minnesota Orchestra management locked out the musicians October 1st.
Rybak says he knows a lot of people just want the contract dispute settled, but says this will be a chance to take a breather and find some common ground.
"We obviously have a very complicated labor issue, but we also have a moment that should not pass in this community, where a great orchestra, with great musicians and great management is nominated for a Grammy. Let's celebrate that," Rybak said.
Rybak also sees it as an opportunity for the people of Minneapolis to show their support in very practical ways.
"This isn't about signs or messages or anything other than saying we love this institution," the Mayor said. "And I hope also have a call to all of us to say a relatively few people have held up this institution for literally generations, and now if we really care about this, and we do, more people who haven't been buying the tickets, who haven't been part of that, have to support this, because we want greatness and we want financial stability, and the only way for us to make sure that happens is for us all to make sure we support this institution."
Details of the concert are still being worked out.
The musicians accepted the invitation they say on the understanding that Music Director Osmo Vanska has agreed to conduct the event.
In a statement musicians negotiator Doug Wright said "This is a tremendous gesture by the Mayor and Ms. Dayton. It will be the Musicians' distinct honor to accept their invitation and join our Music Director on stage for a performance of these Grammy-nominated works for our community. It should be a concert to remember."
Vanska is currently in Europe and management at the Minnesota Orchestra could not confirm or deny Vanska will take the podium on February 1st. Neither could the Mayors office, although Rybak says he hopes to build the event one element at a time.
The concert proposal comes as negotiations between the two sides recently restarted after months of standoff.
Orchestra President Michael Henson released this statement late in the afternoon:
"We share pride in this Grammy nomination and appreciate that the Mayor understands the importance of this cultural institution and the need for it to be financially sustainable in the future. In last week's negotiations, all parties agreed to a fresh start and we are currently in discussions with the musicians about the parameters of an analysis that will seek to verify the Orchestra's financial position. Following this review, we are hopeful that the musicians will put forward a counterproposal to help us resolve these challenges."
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Jagdish Temple, Udaipur
Best of Rajasthan
Easy Family
With its vivid colours and glittering heritage, Rajasthan is a distillation of all that appeals about India. This trip focuses on the spectacular sights of the state, from the fabulous palaces and temples of Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodhpur, to lesser-known gems such as Bundi and Chittorgarh Fort – the largest fort in India and the grandest in Rajasthan – plus tiger-spotting at Ranthambore.
Stunning heritage sights at Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur
Early morning visit to the magnificent Taj Mahal
Bundi, a charming Indian town with classic havelis and picturesque step-wells.
Spectacular Chittorgarh Fort
The romantic, beautiful town of Pushkar
For a dazzling introduction to Rajasthan, our tour begins with a two-night stay in Jaipur: a comprehensive sightseeing tour taking in the best that the so-called Pink City has to offer, including the magnificent City Palace and Amer Fort.
After a visit to Pushkar, with its serene, beautiful lake and sacred Brahmin temple, we reach another of the state's great centres: Jodhpur. The rich blue colour of the houses here is best appreciated from Merangarh Fort, perched on a rocky outcrop high above the city. En route to romantic Udaipur – many people's favourute Rajasthani city – we'll stop to admire the ornate Jain temple at Ranakpur.
Another amazing fort, Chittorgarh, served as the power base of the Rajputs for almost a thousand years. We'll stop here en route to the delightful town of Bundi, a place where you can encounter the real India, with its animated markets, wonderfully atmospheric old palace and some superb examples of the traditional water storage system, the step-well – an essential resource in the semi-arid climate.
A thrilling opportunity to see the elusive tiger in one of the best reserves in northern India, Ranthambore National Park, adds another dimension to your trip, which concludes with an early morning visit to the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.
DAY 01 - Delhi
Arrive Delhi then transfer to Jaipur; reach there and check-in to the hotel
Arrive at the international airport of Delhi. After a traditional 'Swagat' (Welcome) our KVT's representative would assist you at the airport; then we board the vehicle and drive towards Jaipur (Distance: 280Km approx.). Jaipur is popularly known as the Pink City and is the colorful capital of Rajasthan with its rich cultural heritage and colorful past. It is now one of the most important heritage cities in India. Reach Jaipur and check-in to the hotel; rest of the day is free to relax at the hotel.
Full day sightseeing of Jaipur
After breakfast we drive to the ancient capital of Amber, 11 km away from Jaipur. Famous for its massive Amber Fort, Amber was the ancient capital of Kachhawaha dynasty for 6 centuries. We take an Elephant ride to reach the Fort situated on the hill, an overwhelming experience. Later, we proceed to the City Palace, a perfect blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Further we visit Jantar Mantar (Solar Observatory), an astronomical treasure house, with solar devices that give accurate predictions till date. We also visit Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), a five-storied structure of pink sandstone. It was specially built as a high screen wall so that the women of royal household could observe the street festivities while nobody can see them from outside.
DAY 03 - Pushkar
Drive to Pushkar and proceed for the sightseeing of Pushkar
This morning after breakfast we drive to Pushkar (Distance: 150Km approx.); Pushkar is one of the oldest existing cities of India. It lies on the Shore of Pushkar Lake. Pushkar is a prominent pilgrimage town for the Hindus, which has the only temple of Lord Brahma in the country and one of the few in the world. Lord Brahma is known as the creator of the world as per the Hindu mythology. Reach Pushkar and check-in to the hotel; in the afternoon we visit the Brahma Temple and the Sacred Lake. Evening we visit and explore the local market area.
DAY 04 - Jodhpur
Drive to Jodhpur and afternoon visit Mehrangarh Fort
Today we drive to Jodhpur (Distance: 200Km approx.). Jodhpur is the second largest city in the Indian state of Rajasthan after Jaipur. Jodhpur is also known as 'Sun City' for the bright weather as well as 'Blue City' for its vivid blue-painted houses. Reach Jodhpur and check-in to the hotel; in the afternoon we visit the Mehrangarh Fort (Majestic Fort), one of the most impressive and formidable structures in India. It is an architectural marvel which spreads over an area of around 5km; this imposing structure overlooks the city of Jodhpur.
DAY 05 - Udaipur
Drive to Udaipur en-route visit Ranakpur Jain temple
Morning we drive towards Udaipur (Distance: 270Km approx.); as we start entering into the Aravalli hills, which separate the desert from the cultivated parts of Rajasthan. Udaipur is also often called as 'Venice of the East' and also known as 'Lake City' or 'City of Lakes'. En-route we visit Ranakpur Jain Temple; it is home to a very beautiful and one of the biggest and most important Jain temple complexes of India which is one of the five most important pilgrimage sites of Jainism. We continue our drive and will arrive in the beautiful lakeside town of Udaipur. Evening is free for us to relax at the hotel.
Full day sightseeing of Udaipur
Today we do the sightseeing tour of Udaipur city; we start with the City Palace an intriguing collection of buildings contributed by various Maharanas (Kings) after Udai Singh and built in the year 1725. Later we visit Jagdish Temple, the Indo-Aryan temple built in the year 1651 AD by Maharana Jagat Singh, is the largest and the most beautiful temple of Udaipur with noteworthy sculpted images. In the afternoon, we visit Sahelion ki Bari (Garden of Maids of Honour) is an ornamental garden built by Maharana Sangram Singh for his daughter and the Ladies of the Queen's court.
DAY 07 - Bundi
Drive to Bundi en-route visit Chittorgarh Fort
Today we drive towards Bundi (Distance: 270Km approx.); it is a small city located in Hadoti region of Indian state Rajasthan. Bundi is well known for its medieval forts, temples, havelis and magnificent palaces. En-route we visit Chittorgarh Fort, is the well-known and the largest forts of India. The fort is located on a hill on the banks of a river and is also a World Heritage Site. After the visit we continue our drive to Bundi; reach there and check-in to the hotel.
Morning sightseeing of Bundi and evening is free
This day we proceed for the sightseeing tour of Bundi city; we start with Taragarh Fort built in the year 1354 situated on the hilltop. There are three gateways to the fort which are well known as Lakshmi Pol, Phuta Darwaza and Gagudi ki Phatak; now parts of these gateways are in ruins. Then we visit step-well reservoirs which are also known as 'baoris' and vegetable market; in the evening we have free time to explore the surrounding area on own or can relax at the hotel.
DAY 09 - Ranthambore
Drive to Ranthambore National Park and evening game drive into the park
This morning we drive to Ranthambore National Park (Distance: 130km approx.); Ranthambore National Park is in Sawai Madhopur District of Indian state Rajasthan. Located at the junction of Aravalli and Vindhya hills range, it is one of the biggest and famous national parks in Northern India. Ranthambore National Park was declared one of the Project Tiger reserves in 1973 and it became a national park in 1980. Ranthambore National Park is the site of one of the largest banyan trees in India. We reach there and check-in to the hotel; in the afternoon we have a game drive into the park and explore the wildlife. There are two choices of vehicle for going on the safari, an all-wheel drive jeep called a "Gypsy" (which seat up to 6 visitors) or 16 or 20 seater safari bus called a "Canter – a large open truck" on sharing basis.
DAY 10 - Agra
Morning another game drive in the Park and later drive to Agra en-route visit Fatehpur Sikri
Early morning we proceed for another game drive into the park (either by Jeep or canter) to find the elusive tiger and other wildlife of the park. After breakfast we drive to Agra (Distance: 280km approx.) en-route we visit Fatehpur Sikri, It was formally the capital of the Mughal Empire; this wonderfully preserved 'ghost town' was constructed by Emperor Akbar and it reflects his ideals in art, religion and architecture. The mosque is designed to hold ten thousand worshippers. But this magnificence only lasted 14 years, as in 1585 Akbar left Fatehpur Sikri due to lack of water, leaving this city much as we see it today. Late evening arrive Agra and check-in to the hotel.
Morning visit Taj Mahal and Agra Fort then drive to Delhi
Early morning we wake-up and visit the beautiful white marble Taj Mahal (remains closed on every Friday) during sunrise. Taj Mahal is a symbol of eternal love which stands on the banks of River Yamuna; it was built by the 5th Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. The Taj Mahal is serenely beautiful and never fails to amaze a first time visitor. Then visit imposing Red Fort of Akbar, third of the Mughal Emperors, whose mighty red sandstone walls enclose the beautiful white marble Pearl Mosque and the palaces, halls, courtyards and fountains of his sons and successors, Jahangir and Shah Jahan. After the visit we drive to Delhi (Distance: 240km); reach there and check-in to the hotel.
Departure transfer to international airport
Morning you will be transferred to the Indira Gandhi International airport, Delhi to board the flight for back home.
Change Duration 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 Days (Default) 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 40+
Majestic Rajasthan Tour
Rajasthan Explored
Rajasthan and Gujarat
Rajasthan Multi-Activity Adventure
Golden Triangle and Beyond
North India tigers and temples
Best of Gujarat
Ganga Valley Multi-Activity
Culinary Treats of North India