SchoolNet's Adobe Youth Voices programme sends a team to California

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="132" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div closure_uid_gwx7rf="128"><span style="color: black;"><i><span closure_uid_gwx7rf="122" closure_uid_kzol4l="115" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is really worth participating in SchoolNet’s Adobe Youth Voices programme as Hlengiwe Mfeka discovered. Hlengiwe took part in the programme, and she and 2 of her learners from Mconjwana High School in rural KZN were selected to go to Santa Clara, California on the 2 August 2011 to attend the Adobe Youth Voices Summit where their very thought-provoking and moving movie on Street Children was screened. </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span closure_uid_gwx7rf="124" style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Let me tell you a bit about Hlengwie. She</span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span closure_uid_e3uywh="125" closure_uid_g9a3w6="129" closure_uid_gwx7rf="125" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> is currently working for SchoolNet SA as an ICT Support Specialist who is responsible for mentoring educators taking part in the KZN Midlands SITA project.  She is also responsible for a range of ICT training initiatives of teachers in the province. In 2009 she won a Microsoft Innovative Teacher’s Award in South Africa for her project </span></i><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">entitled My community, My Place, My Pride, and she </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>went on to</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i><i><span closure_uid_g9a3w6="130" closure_uid_gwx7rf="126" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">represent South Africa at the Pan African Finals with her project. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span closure_uid_g9a3w6="131" closure_uid_gwx7rf="127" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Later in the same year Hlengiwe and two other SA educators along with one learner each were invited to participate in a live conferencing event with Nigerian educators which was attended by the Education Ministers of both South Africa and Nigeria in Microsoft’s Offices in Johannesburg. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2010, she was featured in Destiny Magazine February issue as one of the South African women on the move in the Education field.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Here is Hlengiwe’s guest post about her visit to California </span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="132" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><span style="background: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i>  <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">2011 AYV Summit</span></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span closure_uid_g9a3w6="133" style="font-size: small;">Sadness was written on the face of the parents and friends when we left them at the international boarding gate of King Ushaka airport late on the 1^st of August 2011 Monday; of course they were happy for us but anxious. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand both Nontobeko and Mpumelelo were over the moon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="134" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">The duration of our flights from Durban to Dubai was almost 9hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span>We waited for +2hrs to connect the next flight to San Francisco.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We then left Dubai at 9h00am on Tuesday and arrived at San Francisco the following day at 13h30pm; amazingly it was Tuesday there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We discovered that California is behind South African time by 9hrs. </span></span></em></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9eE2RyIXFrkJ2c_JuGSH1nOzD5901xUZq0fon9g0bI1ZnJfNl4u1FQtkXfo6kUzg0vP5hPFfmvd2f11xxAAu8m6LUyLY1_49v8CEEMbxlqODmG4MYsiQXzbk6XCnpLkZkDKeN0Iwb2k/s1600/depart+at+King+Ushaka+airport.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9eE2RyIXFrkJ2c_JuGSH1nOzD5901xUZq0fon9g0bI1ZnJfNl4u1FQtkXfo6kUzg0vP5hPFfmvd2f11xxAAu8m6LUyLY1_49v8CEEMbxlqODmG4MYsiQXzbk6XCnpLkZkDKeN0Iwb2k/s400/depart+at+King+Ushaka+airport.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" closure_uid_g9a3w6="221" style="text-align: center;">Departing from King Ushaka Airport</td></tr> </tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="134" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="134" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tuesday, August 2</span></span></b></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span closure_uid_g9a3w6="222" style="font-size: small;">We met the other team from Nigeria at the airport who were also Summit attendees; we then stick to each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We arrived at Santa Clara University something to 5pm; it is about 45 min away from the airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Kate Goddard who is a Summit Event Manager warm welcomed and assisted us with the registration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We thereafter check in to our rooms; teachers were allocated on the same block while students were allocated on a different block which was away from ours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span>It was dinner time already at 5h30pm to 6h30pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We were instructed to assembly at Benson Center after dinner for Orientation and Welcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>When we arrived we thought we will have time to rest after a long travelling to our surprise there was no such.</span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">We were welcomed by EDC and Adobe staff members where they shared the slogan of the week which was ‘extraordinary’; saying each day of the week will be an extra ordinary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Youth were introduced to their Media Mentors and counsellors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Media Mentors were to facilitate a collaborative project with Youth production crews while counsellors were to take care of each production group (act like boarding masters or matrons).</span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span closure_uid_gwx7rf="133" style="font-size: small;">Youth production groups consisted the following: </span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="132" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-collapse: collapse; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; mso-border-insideh: none; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;"><tbody> <tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: #f0f0f0; border-left: #f0f0f0; border-right: #f0f0f0; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><div closure_uid_gwx7rf="132"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: Symbol; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">         </span></span></span></em><em><span closure_uid_gwx7rf="131" lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Human Rights (which South Africa team belonged to) </span></em></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: Symbol; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">         </span></span></span></em><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Community</span></em></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: Symbol; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">         </span></span></span></em><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Environment</span></em></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: Symbol; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">         </span></span></span></em><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Education</span></em></div></td><td style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: #f0f0f0; border-left: #f0f0f0; border-right: #f0f0f0; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: Symbol; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">         </span></span></span></em><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Identity </span></em></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: Symbol; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">         </span></span></span></em><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Culture</span></em></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: Symbol; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">         </span></span></span></em><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Relationships </span></em></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: Symbol; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">         </span></span></span></em><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Change</span></em></div></td></tr> </tbody></table><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Youth groups had to create a media project that represents the group’s diverse global perspective and inspires audience with a positive vision within two days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span>On the other hand Lead Educators (that is how educators were called) had their programme which included sharing of innovative curriculum ideas and ways to facilitate and encourage high quality Youth produced media.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Our main task was to create a short instructional video on a given topic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We were also divided into eight teams of four members each.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span closure_uid_gwx7rf="134" style="font-size: small;">The teams were given their topics: </span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="132" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="223" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">After the orientation we had an evening activity which aimed at attendees get to know each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Each participant was given a paper with prompts where they had to find people who are able to do what is written on the prompt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>This activity was led by Deidre Searcy, EDC Senior Associate who was also a Lead Educator Instructor or Facilitator for the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>After the activity Youth and Educator met with their collaboration groups to create a motion or animated slogan of their group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>All groups thereafter shared their slogans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="223" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div closure_uid_gwx7rf="148"><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wednesday, August 3</span></span></b></em></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Everyday breakfast starts at 7h30 to 8h30am, Lunch at 12h00 to 1h00pm and Dinner at 5h30 to 6h30.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Those were the only times I will get to see Nontobeko and Mpumelelo. </span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="224" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the morning we all attended an opening session at the Recital Hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We were addressed by Ms Laura Ling; an American journalist who is a correspondent for Current TV which is a political and youth-orientated channel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span>She is also a Vice President of Current TV Vanguard Journalisim Unit, which produces the Vanguard TV series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span>Laura shared her experiences where she was held a prisoner for twelve years hard labor for doing her work as a journalist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>She talked about what sustained her throughout that painful period and how she was able to maintain hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span>She offered advice on how to create projects that are personally meaningful to youth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I was deeply inspired and moved by her talk which motivated everyone to go back to their countries and speak out using media creation as an instrument.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></span></em></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBEMlFaQiy4F0iVHB5PIpTVjAqLv2lnqbpObCpDN2tMv8Pf4StVvNJIwX7wu20YMqGND3HnJu6Be98TVpEmYa-CjS5CGy_Heu3NjIENiKemthhW2m4iSXsIYZTgEV994cH3mQE2PLo64/s1600/Laura+Ling+a+political+journalist%252C++keynote+speaker+at+the+summit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBEMlFaQiy4F0iVHB5PIpTVjAqLv2lnqbpObCpDN2tMv8Pf4StVvNJIwX7wu20YMqGND3HnJu6Be98TVpEmYa-CjS5CGy_Heu3NjIENiKemthhW2m4iSXsIYZTgEV994cH3mQE2PLo64/s400/Laura+Ling+a+political+journalist%252C++keynote+speaker+at+the+summit.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" closure_uid_g9a3w6="292" style="text-align: center;">Laura Ling a political journalist</td></tr> </tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="224" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">There was a breakaway workshop for Youth Media Collaboration (Youth) and Lead Educator Training (Educators).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Groups brainstorming, planning pre-production and taking photo shoots for their videos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">In our Lead Educator Training; educators introduced themselves and I was happy to meet two of my mentors from my AYV online course – Ivo and Svetlana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I also met in person with Lisa from IEARN who was also happy to meet me, she is very humble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Communication was a bit of a problem as some of the educators had difficulties with speaking English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>There were interpreters organized for other teachers and learners to sit next to them e.g. Columbia, Japan etc. </span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my group I had teachers from San Francisco – Jorge Goncalves, New York – Sarah Moore and Argentina – Federico Waisbaum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I felt that our skills complimented as we were working together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>There was a lot to do in a short space of time as we were only given two days to complete our video.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span></span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nontobeko and Mpumelelo seemed to cope well in their groups from the conversations that we had during breaks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>They appreciated their group members whom they say were very welcoming and warm but crazy (very noisy, talk their minds, hyper active etc) out of all the participants. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing Mpumelelo as a shy person; I was surprised to observe him slowly adapting to their craziness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>When their group learned that his second name is Gladman they said he is indeed a glad man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thursday, August 4</span></span></b></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">The morning started with an opening session where participants were given an opportunity to share key learning experiences from the previous day.</span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Youth Collaborative Media Project and Lead Educator Training continued where everyone was working under pressure to finish the video.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Educators groups were to showcase their videos other educators at 14h00pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>As we were chasing time it was not easy to learn new advanced media skills from team mates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Nevertheless I had an opportunity to explore more techniques in premier elements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I enjoyed the showcasing time; videos created by educators were dynamic.</span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="294" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span closure_uid_g9a3w6="293" style="font-size: small;">Late in the evening students were finalizing their projects as they were to be showcased on Saturday morning before Youth Live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Nontobeko told me that together with Mpume were tasked to edit their group video; she mentioned that they were managing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I was relieved but anxious since editing is very challenging stage.</span></span></em></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGm4AqxIDiZavYumibbXgAk2-leqFqfpfe9eFituhSEjLeZQjUUW1iylUyQ_b995K20DPtK-UPbyxituI_TJ-OhqVtFvXDU0Nni5DjXJj71hHVIc7hyphenhyphenuWCnmZQG6oaA3hOQvR_FD2HyQE/s1600/Left-Temitope%2528Nigeria%2529%252C+Tanga+%2528India%2529+%2526+Hlengi+%2528SA%2529+at+the+theatre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGm4AqxIDiZavYumibbXgAk2-leqFqfpfe9eFituhSEjLeZQjUUW1iylUyQ_b995K20DPtK-UPbyxituI_TJ-OhqVtFvXDU0Nni5DjXJj71hHVIc7hyphenhyphenuWCnmZQG6oaA3hOQvR_FD2HyQE/s400/Left-Temitope%2528Nigeria%2529%252C+Tanga+%2528India%2529+%2526+Hlengi+%2528SA%2529+at+the+theatre.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" closure_uid_g9a3w6="361" style="text-align: center;">Temitopi (Nigeria), Tanga (India) and helngiwe (South Africa)</td></tr> </tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="294" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Friday, August 5 </span></span></b></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tour to Adobe Headquarters at San Jose, Carlifornia</span></span></b></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Breakout sessions were planned for educators to take place at Adobe Headquarters as follows:</span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Motion Graphics with After Effects:</span></b></em><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Learn to incorporate motion graphics titles or animations for video projects.</span></em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Photoshop and Design:</span></b></em><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Learn the design, layout and create composite collages that can be incorporated into AYV program.</span></em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Connect, Captivate, and Presenter:</span></b></em><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Learn how to create tutorials to collaborate more easily with youth and educators globally with Adobe Captivate, Connect and Presenter.</span></em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">My first choice was to attend After Effects session but it was already full then I attended Photoshop and Design.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I found the workshop interesting and it refreshed my skills in using Photoshop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We only had two hours session which was not enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I wished we had more workshops of that kind spread over the days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>After the workshop we explored Adobe building, different departments and cool features of the building which includes: gym, laundry, massages room, inside restaurants, diet health advisors, computer labs, tennis ground and lot more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>All these facilities are available to staff for free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Adobe has 2000 staff in total.</span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Youth gathered together at one common venue where they participated on planned activities for them.</span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="362" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></em><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">After lunch we visited San Francisco attractions to name a few; Beach, Golden Gate Famous Bridge, Museum, Botanic Gardens etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>This time educators were united with their youth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We had 2hrs of our own at Pier 39; a very long street in San Francisco. This was a more relaxed day for all of us.</span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div closure_uid_gwx7rf="149"><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Saturday, August 6</span></span></b></em></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="363" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">This day was spent on exhibition of work created by both educators and youth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>All eight videos created by educators were screened for everyone to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Youth videos were specially screened at the main hall where youth had to first present how they created their piece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Nontobeko and Mpumelelo well presented their piece and further answered questions from the audience which were specifically directed to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>They were very confidence on stage such that other teachers commented that they seem to be familiar with public speaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>They made South Africa proud especially that when we came I was uncomfortable with the fact that educators seemed to be highly skilled and most of them teach media in their schools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I felt like I don’t fit in and it was a mistake for us to be there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>That was cleared though on day two of our arrival during discussions and media creation.</span></span></em></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcim926ALNBtPcIAGQJcH5qvFIWoe-4dSEmgIym_aF4QMy2CgllKyW1pn4QhzLOwQTSsrIia6vE2fkhYxcKZzlQTkcmD6HN9q-luKJzse1ihZT5CIyaJ_X-Z46EXHwt1DdvWkEiTqNr8/s1600/Mpume+responding+to+a+question+from+the+audience+as+they+were+presenting+their+collaborative+video.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcim926ALNBtPcIAGQJcH5qvFIWoe-4dSEmgIym_aF4QMy2CgllKyW1pn4QhzLOwQTSsrIia6vE2fkhYxcKZzlQTkcmD6HN9q-luKJzse1ihZT5CIyaJ_X-Z46EXHwt1DdvWkEiTqNr8/s400/Mpume+responding+to+a+question+from+the+audience+as+they+were+presenting+their+collaborative+video.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" closure_uid_g9a3w6="393" style="text-align: center;">Mpumi responding to a question from the audience</td></tr> </tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="363" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Adobe Youth Voices Live </span></span></b></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the afternoon we went to San Jose Theatre to attend Youth Voices Live which was also attended by local residents and other people of high profile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Black Eyed Peas was one of the prestigious guest who both entertained and motivated the audience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Youth Collaborative Videos were to be screened at this event including other selected videos from AYV Media Jam.</span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Highlight </span></span></b></em></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: Symbol; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">         </span></span></span></em><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nontobeko shared a talk with all Summit Attendees about their experiences when creating their own video and the impact that it had on their lives personally and other people who had viewed it.</span></span></em></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: Symbol; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">         </span></span></span></em><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our video, Children’s Rights in South Africa was one of the seven videos selected to be screened at the theatre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We didn’t know about this until we were sat at the theatre browsing the programme.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>That was a WOW moment and great honour for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>After the show we were ‘celebrities’ interviewed by local people and media crew about our video and experience at the Summit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>South Africa was on the spot light again! </span></span></em></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lrry8tFNHjZWK9Ve5_5XPcoBCEejlL1ju9WIv79OpqM6T3SDKg8jcimM77MujRAwObKol6MArybpQ58p8rbXBhuYQeYKtHbA7vFNCTFO_DAC5BDVNvRCjzaBSAnSO2BoJy1H49HDKYs/s1600/Nontobeko+interviewed+by+a+media+crew+after+a+Youth+Live+show+at+San+Francisco+theatre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lrry8tFNHjZWK9Ve5_5XPcoBCEejlL1ju9WIv79OpqM6T3SDKg8jcimM77MujRAwObKol6MArybpQ58p8rbXBhuYQeYKtHbA7vFNCTFO_DAC5BDVNvRCjzaBSAnSO2BoJy1H49HDKYs/s400/Nontobeko+interviewed+by+a+media+crew+after+a+Youth+Live+show+at+San+Francisco+theatre.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nontobeko being interviewed by a media crew</td></tr> </tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="394" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">General</span></span></b></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was a phenomenal week; lots of collaboration, exploring, sharing, Innovation etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>It was indeed an extraordinary week.</span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have learnt that in other countries educators actively work with youth to produce lots of media projects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>They also organize exhibition where educators and youth are invited to share their work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I am inspired to work with teachers in South Africa to create media projects and to also conduct face to face trainings for them when necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The software that is used is challenging and one can easily give up if there is no strong support or assistance on how to use it. </span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="445" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thank you to SchoolNet. </span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="447" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span lang="EN-ZA"><span closure_uid_g9a3w6="446" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Here is the movie on streetchildren called 'Children's Rights in South Africa'.  </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="448" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gQJuBMfYo4Q" width="420"></iframe><br /><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="132" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div></div>

Adobe Youth voices Collaboration Guest post Project-based learning SchoolNet's Adobe Youth Voices programme sends a team to California

It is really worth participating in SchoolNet’s Adobe Youth Voices programme as Hlengiwe Mfeka discovered. Hlengiwe took part in the program...

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Food for thought

<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>SYRIA, the totalitarian regime permits cell phones to document the upraise, Face book and Twitter but no foreign media………</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">See video below:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="266" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4DT0FN6b8Ts?feature=player_embedded" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="320"></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The totalitarian SYRIAN regime that only permitted internet and mobile phones in recent past, (2002) and that under strict censorship, monitors fax transitions (See my article “The Assad Dilemma “, posted on 12 June 2011),  expelled all foreign press at the beginning of the upraise suddenly  permits protesters to use freely  cell phones to shoot videos portraying  anti regime protests  and distributing them via face book and the internet without censorship? </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Certainly the regime has means to block the internet and mobile phone services in order to stop postings? Nevertheless it seems that protesters have unlimited access to these medias. Furthermore one also has to question how it is possible that such a large amount of Syrian citizens are able to own cell phones, given the fact that cell phones and mobile phone services are extremely  expensive in Syria, the purpose of which is intentional, in order to favor the upper and middle class of Syria who so far have refrained from participated in the upraising. Thus one has to question how the poor of the country are able to afford them?</div>

Food for thought

SYRIA, the totalitarian regime permits cell phones to document the upraise, Face book and Twitter but no foreign media……… See video below: T...

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Rockford, IL and Chicago Burbs Opportunity

<span lang="EN"> What we need:<br /><br />Energetic, confident, commission driven sales professionals who want to work for a National Organization that rewards performance and offers unlimited earnings potential of $35 per hour or more! Persistent, independent, persuasive communicators that thrive in environments where you are face-to-face with a potential customer.<br /><br />There is no ceiling on your success - you will get out what you put in!<br /><br />If this is you, bring your:<br /><br />Superior communication skills, an insatiable desire to succeed, creative imagination, solid presentation skills, and comfort to having direct access to a potential sale! Desire to be part of a high energy and fun sales<br />environment, this is your chance!<br /><br />Position Overview:<br /><br />-You must be motivated and able to connect with up to hundreds of customers<br />in major retail locations each day.<br />-Professional demeanor with highly developed skills to sell a high value<br />product for an extremely discounted price.<br />-You need reliable transportation- you will be selling between multiple<br />large retail locations in a close proximity.<br />-You must be persistent and aggressive, unafraid of hearing NO, but great at<br />getting to "Yes".<br />-You will have a flexible work schedule and a diverse selling atmosphere!<br />Requirements:<br />-2-3 years of experience in either outside or inside sales or customer<br />service related field where communication with the public was necessary<br />(telephone/call center). Sales experience a plus, but not a necessity.<br />-Experience working with clients on a daily basis via phone or in person.<br />-Computer/Internet experience required<br />-Self-motivated and disciplined<br />-Excellent communication skills<br />-Outgoing personality and take pleasure in presenting yourself in a<br />professional manner<br />-Strong work ethic and good attendance history<br /><br />To apply, send a resume to Caity at <a href="mailto:PicMeRockford@gmail.com">PicMeRockford@gmail.com</a> </span>

Rockford, IL and Chicago Burbs Opportunity

What we need: Energetic, confident, commission driven sales professionals who want to work for a National Organization that rewards perform...

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Let's Say It All Together Folks..... FRUSTRATION!

<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thank you all for your feedback on the <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-do-you-track.html">How Do You Track post</a> from yesterday.... you gave great options and incite :).</span> </span> <br /><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">One thing I wanted to include in yesterday's post, but forgot, was about a scenario I read in one of Hungry Girl's newsletters.  <a href="http://www.hungry-girl.com/askhg/show/2063">A person wrote to HG</a> about a time when she went to Ruby Tuesday's and had a turkey burger, thinking that was a very smart option.  It turns out, the turkey burger was loaded with calories (700!) and fat (40!).  I understand that this TB could have had mayo on it or a buttered bun or whatever else, but you pick this option thinking you're making a smart choice.  Fortunately, this person was able to acquire the nutrition stats for this after the fact, but what if you can't?  I do realize that you can certainly order it without the mayo or the bun or have it prepared in some other way, but the bottom line is, when you're not preparing something yourself or knowing exactly how the other person is preparing it, just because something "looks healthy" doesn't mean it is, and that is what I struggle with.  You think you've done so well by choosing these better menu options, when, in fact, that turkey burger might have had just as many calories/fat as a chargrilled chicken sandwich from Chick Fil A! </div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB34XTshz6XCFYxIk0-pIYcDkBKV004TnGQ8pLkTZRvvlfJC9TabefmNXmResfKDQKj2ldh5iZnBTwegRl396GtYNGTEIZLf1j0Os5c2XpWi0eejLWmtFp8zo3atF33ZAx0yzIwbk7ttc/s1600/chickfila.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB34XTshz6XCFYxIk0-pIYcDkBKV004TnGQ8pLkTZRvvlfJC9TabefmNXmResfKDQKj2ldh5iZnBTwegRl396GtYNGTEIZLf1j0Os5c2XpWi0eejLWmtFp8zo3atF33ZAx0yzIwbk7ttc/s400/chickfila.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div>And to be perfectly honest with you, if I want a chicken sandwich and I have to nix the bun and any toppings that come with it that I thought were healthy picks but are not, then I'm not going to eat it at all. What is the point of going out for dinner?  To me, going out for dinner is having the opportunity to not only have a meal prepared for you, but to also enjoy a dish that you otherwise would not make at home.  </div><div><br /></div><div>Moving on :)</div><div><br /></div><div>This past week has been one of the best weeks I've had in a long time on Weight Watchers.  Since I started attending meetings again, one thing the leader suggested was to slowly incorporate each of the Good Health Guidelines into your plan rather than just stressing over trying to do everything perfectly all at once (<i>*cough cough* Perfection problem? Nah. :)</i> ).  One of <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/08/august-goals.html">my goals for the month of August</a> was to incorporate 2 servings of fruits/veggies in to my day (ideally 1 fruit and 1 veg... but, baby steps, I'll take what I can get!).  This method has been working really well for me!  Not only that, but I have been tracking diligently all week.  And friends, I'm so proud of myself!</div><div><br /></div><div>Do you know what's coming?  I think you do.</div><div><br /></div><div>I got on the scale yesterday at that meeting.</div><div><br /></div><div>And.</div><div><br />I gained 2 lbs.  </div><div><br /></div><div>ARE. YOU. KIDDING. ME?!  </div><div><br /></div><div>I just don't get it.  Not only did I do all that I stated up above but how can your body not recognize that "Hey, you're not eating erratically like you normally would be - and so now we can start burning off that fat supply you've accumulated instead of adding to it!"  </div><div></div><div>Honestly friends, you can see (on the left) that I've been hovering around 260 for MONTHS.  Granted, this is in large part, no doubt, to my eating habits and living situation I had going on for 8 months.  However, I have still been faithfully exercising since November 2010, on average, of 4 days per week.  And I have what I would consider a STELLAR week, and I gain?!  </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not a cryer. And I certainly don't EVER cry over weight issues.  It is what it is.  I don't cry about it and have pity parties.  But yesterday I definitely teared up when the receptionist told me I had a gain.  </div><div><br /></div><div>And while I was just tested for diabetes and thyroid issues a year ago (all were in the clear), I am definitely going to schedule an appointment for a checkup just to make sure nothing has happened in that year's time.  I'm not a hypochondriac by any means, I really don't feel like something is wrong with me, but I want to be sure.  </div><div><br /></div><div>Other than that, I'm just going to keep on keeping on.  <b>I'm not giving up.</b>  After all, as Joel reminded me: "It was only after 1 week of perfection Hilary.  I'm sure once you have many consecutive weeks like this, then the weight will start coming off. And if not, that is when you can start to consider that something medically might be off."</div><div><br /></div><div>Have you ever experienced this crap?!</div>

Gain Weight Loss Challenges Weight Watchers Let's Say It All Together Folks..... FRUSTRATION!

Thank you all for your feedback on the How Do You Track post from yesterday.... you gave great options and incite :).   One thing I wanted...

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What about getting involved in SchoolNet's Adobe Youth Voices programme?

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div closure_uid_xnwjbj="167"><div closure_uid_e4bohe="576"><span closure_uid_1y7c86="171" closure_uid_e15aav="106" closure_uid_e4bohe="106" closure_uid_xnwjbj="166" style="font-size: 10pt;">Submitted by Warren Sparrow</span><br /><em><span closure_uid_1y7c86="171" closure_uid_e15aav="106" closure_uid_e4bohe="106" closure_uid_xnwjbj="166" style="font-size: 10pt;">SchoolNetSA offers the Adobe Youth Voices programme to interested teachers. This is an exciting way of using video meaningfully with your learners to highlight issues in society. If you are accepted into the programme Adobe (via SchoolNet) sends you Adobe Premier and Adobe Photoshop Essentials with enough licenses for the group of learners you will use. They offer  free online training in a group setting along with educators from around the world, and then require a project in the form of a movie. Warren Sparrow's movie is entitled Super Veggie Man and was selected to represent South Africa at the recent Adobe Youth Media Conference in Taiwan. Warren writes this guest post about his experience in Taiwan. Just to tell you a little more about Warren, he teaches at </span></em><span class="apple-style-span"><i closure_uid_xnwjbj="154"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Rondebosch Prep,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.rondebosch.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">www.rondebosch.com</span></a>,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span closure_uid_e4bohe="575" style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">where he is the</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"> H</span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span closure_uid_e15aav="120" closure_uid_xnwjbj="170" style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">ead of Information Technology. He</span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span closure_uid_e15aav="121" closure_uid_xnwjbj="169" style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"> was a winner of the Microsoft Innovative Teacher competition in 2010 in South Africa and in Pan Africa and participated in the World Finals event in Cape Town with his project "Who wants to be a millionaire” <span closure_uid_e4bohe="108" closure_uid_xnwjbj="165">which can be found at</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i closure_uid_xnwjbj="171"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"><a closure_uid_xnwjbj="157" href="http://www.wsparrow.co.za/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">www.wsparrow.co.za</span></a></span>. <span style="font-size: x-small;">This year</span></i></span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">he won</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span closure_uid_xnwjbj="174" style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">the 21st century classroom project of the year, for the most  innovative use  of technology for enhancing learning in schools in South Africa.  His school has recently been admitted into the Microsoft Innovative Schools programme - the third South African school to receive this distinction.</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span closure_uid_xnwjbj="175" style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">He is currently working on a mathematics outreach program called “Maths is Fun” which can be found at</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.wsparrow.co.za/maths" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">www.wsparrow.co.za/maths</span></a>.</span></i></span></i></span></div></div><div closure_uid_xnwjbj="167">  </div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_xnwjbj="176" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span lang="EN-ZA"><span closure_uid_xnwjbj="177" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">I have written a brief synopsis of the conference below:</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7oLMDptoxywuAvzrDyYmorYq_585mar3vdYTI2NY7QcWW4uQZd9DKoo0s5AkSUjPt-a14Ql4NQEmIre8o-SneIqTD0z1UOrZa3foE50a6hUn6_ANe8iITfj2Xo7J-j4PbxKUtrXY_lc/s1600/The+group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7oLMDptoxywuAvzrDyYmorYq_585mar3vdYTI2NY7QcWW4uQZd9DKoo0s5AkSUjPt-a14Ql4NQEmIre8o-SneIqTD0z1UOrZa3foE50a6hUn6_ANe8iITfj2Xo7J-j4PbxKUtrXY_lc/s400/The+group.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The group</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_xnwjbj="176" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span lang="EN-ZA"><span closure_uid_xnwjbj="178" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">From the Opening ceremony I was immediately impressed with the vision of how important collaboration is between both other teachers, as well as other learners from different countries.   This was one of the underlying themes through the conference.  Although there were many other themes, like peace, etc, I think this is what sets it apart from many of the other conferences that I have attended.</span></span></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4e1qQa4n-FDQKY8iQXXVvy4BuDeJKJwAJRNxIFmyhMaAMRrCqxRhZwCTiZTNM7YdOJ3M2HVMlofyzN3SmNz2lfupItZiLeAuoiJJBddCuLUMsaUEeQFO1M3swo8h7V6yPPI1EdgH0B4/s1600/everyone+at+conference.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="120" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4e1qQa4n-FDQKY8iQXXVvy4BuDeJKJwAJRNxIFmyhMaAMRrCqxRhZwCTiZTNM7YdOJ3M2HVMlofyzN3SmNz2lfupItZiLeAuoiJJBddCuLUMsaUEeQFO1M3swo8h7V6yPPI1EdgH0B4/s400/everyone+at+conference.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone at Conference</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_xnwjbj="176" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div closure_uid_e4bohe="110"><span lang="EN-ZA"><span closure_uid_e4bohe="109" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">I found the workshops most worthwhile.  I was v</span></span><span lang="EN-ZA"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">ery happy to attend the learning – circles workshop that gave me an overview of the entire project approach.  They also explained how each project was divided into 6 categories and went through the phases of each learning circle which would stretch over a period of 16 weeks. </span></span></div><div closure_uid_e4bohe="110"><br /></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_e4bohe="165" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWrW27NlTvVFgnIn5eQm3Lf6PgFpw3BgMITa-XVkPS4LSGdsWMfB1udoPJ4Dt2hyGNOZmKmX3-nQjZxJdXBWZQrXIj-UJU_XfUArap2OGoS-A4rXz9TigniWpPVsU1Jm3zc87GBzuyTI/s1600/opening+cermony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWrW27NlTvVFgnIn5eQm3Lf6PgFpw3BgMITa-XVkPS4LSGdsWMfB1udoPJ4Dt2hyGNOZmKmX3-nQjZxJdXBWZQrXIj-UJU_XfUArap2OGoS-A4rXz9TigniWpPVsU1Jm3zc87GBzuyTI/s400/opening+cermony.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div closure_uid_e4bohe="110"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div closure_uid_e4bohe="166"><span lang="EN-ZA"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">The  talk by Lara Nietzer covered some of the same content, but she gave very good examples of some of the projects have been integrated into their school curriculum.</span></span></div><div closure_uid_e4bohe="166"><br /></div><div closure_uid_e4bohe="166"><span lang="EN-ZA"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">The workshop that Rowena ran was one of my favourite.  Her passion and knowledge of her subject was very evident in her talk and she had very good ideas on how to implement different things that I found very worthwhile.  I was amazed at her knowledge across the different topics that she discussed.  I will be implementing the solar cooking project with the learners at my school and her talk on the vegetable garden was obviously a topic very close to my heart.  She also dazzled us with the UV beads and gave us lesson notes on how we could implement this into our class.</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div closure_uid_e4bohe="253"><div closure_uid_e4bohe="476"><span lang="EN-ZA"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">The talk by Sergi and Ramon from Spain where they linked everything that they have been doing with Web 2.0 tools with the growing and producing of wine was very entertaining.  They emphasised how important it was to have a whole school approach and not just an individual that runs the program.</span></span></div></div><div closure_uid_e4bohe="253"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_e4bohe="540" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigX4ffm4MqbFyWnSjBzpGsUzuYoEPreIM1RC0DxthbIAXszet-kHnL6fxoCtvIplKd5FI1UUBpH6sdFN1kAbxblXWof2Zd5maxpghoJAGHgTuXske7NGD_6U1uQZOxrhRo59pLwOgQpGM/s1600/Some+workshops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigX4ffm4MqbFyWnSjBzpGsUzuYoEPreIM1RC0DxthbIAXszet-kHnL6fxoCtvIplKd5FI1UUBpH6sdFN1kAbxblXWof2Zd5maxpghoJAGHgTuXske7NGD_6U1uQZOxrhRo59pLwOgQpGM/s400/Some+workshops.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the workshops</td></tr></tbody></table><div closure_uid_e4bohe="474"></div><div style="border: currentColor;"><span lang="EN-ZA"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">The My Hero Project that was presented by the facilitator and 2 learners from Iraq was very good and they gave a very detailed presentation of the different videos that the learners had created, which allowed us to see the finished product and how the project was developed.  I was so impressed with this project that I immediately e-mailed a member of staff at my school and asked her to download the manual and go through it and she has agreed to run this project later on during the year.</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div closure_uid_e4bohe="197" style="border: currentColor;"><span lang="EN-ZA"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">I was blown away by Toni Casserrrass’ OpenSims talk.  Although I think that I might be a little way off doing something similar and it is also more suited to high school learners, I would really like for my learners to experience this.</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br /><div style="border: currentColor;"><span lang="EN-ZA"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The  Film festival was another favourite of mine.  It was very enjoyable seeing what other learners had created and what their messages were.    I was amazed at some of the levels of proficiency of  the videos that were created.  </span></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div closure_uid_e4bohe="574" style="border: currentColor;"><div closure_uid_e4bohe="542"><span lang="EN-ZA"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">There was also a very good cultural stand and exhibition which gave us the opportunity to talk to other teachers and talk to them about their project or country.</span></span></div><div closure_uid_e4bohe="542"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWegAOyDQOv4mngjipxyhYkmFM95YunhTZraxcqIlsCrvR4UouUYEeJaCqsQMevBRC3FQjDwoZGb0sYkPxqtiTwC2_9xulR0hKa6_Dc-J8CkRYQcuqmrAMaRXIQglvkJT3keGRqb67PM/s1600/Taiwan+city+life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWegAOyDQOv4mngjipxyhYkmFM95YunhTZraxcqIlsCrvR4UouUYEeJaCqsQMevBRC3FQjDwoZGb0sYkPxqtiTwC2_9xulR0hKa6_Dc-J8CkRYQcuqmrAMaRXIQglvkJT3keGRqb67PM/s400/Taiwan+city+life.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" closure_uid_e4bohe="573" style="text-align: center;">Tapai city life</td></tr></tbody></table><div closure_uid_e4bohe="542"><br /></div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div style="border: currentColor;"><span lang="EN-ZA"><span closure_uid_e4bohe="541" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Our outing to Taipei on the speed train, going to the night markets , seeing the largest Buddist temple in Taiwan, as well as going to a few museums was incredible.  It was a surreal experience and it was amazing seeing the hustle and bustle of the city life.</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br /><div style="border: currentColor;"><div closure_uid_e4bohe="495"><div closure_uid_fon4xb="108"><span lang="EN-ZA"><span closure_uid_fon4xb="109" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">I must admit that I had a great time and I thought it was an incredible experience.  I have come back with so many ideas that I am using in the school and showing other staff members.  It will take me a little while to go through all the projects from website and manuals.  I am starting by giving short feedback sessions over 3 days every week to the staff and hopefully this will continue for the rest of the year!</span></span></div></div></div></div><div closure_uid_1y7c86="158" closure_uid_xnwjbj="167" style="border: currentColor;"></div><div closure_uid_xnwjbj="167" style="border: currentColor;"><div closure_uid_1y7c86="159"><div closure_uid_fon4xb="117">Here is Warren's movie entitled Super Veggie Man</div></div></div><div closure_uid_eqn44c="136"><iframe frameborder="0" height="375" src="http://www.schooltube.com/embed/58be1f70e1973c694fad" width="500"></iframe></div><div closure_uid_eqn44c="125"><div closure_uid_fon4xb="106"><a href="http://got.im/4Lm6">http://got.im/4Lm6</a></div></div></div>

Adobe Youth voices Collaboration Guest post profiles Project-based learning What about getting involved in SchoolNet's Adobe Youth Voices programme?

Submitted by Warren Sparrow SchoolNetSA offers the Adobe Youth Voices programme to interested teachers. This is an exciting way of using vid...

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16 job search errors you're probably making

<div class="ArticleHeadline"><div class="hdr_org_bld"><b><span id="cbArticle_lblByLine">Rachel Farrell, special to CareerBuilder.com</span></b> </div></div><div class="ArticleContent">Over the years, hiring managers have born witness to every hiring, interviewing, résumé, cover letter and negotiation mistake there is.</div><div class="ArticleContent">You know what these blunders are. We've told you several times. Yet you (and hundreds of other job seekers) continue to make common job search mistakes.</div><div class="ArticleContent">From those who see your mistakes over and over, here are 16 common job search mistakes to avoid -- and some of them may surprise you.</div><div class="ArticleContent"><br /></div><div class="ArticleContent"><b>1. You don't keep your options open</b></div><div class="ArticleContent">"Candidates tend to think that if they interview for a job they will get an offer, so they do not apply and interview for multiple positions," says Joanie Spain, director of public relations and career services, School of Advertising Art, a graphic design college.<i> </i>"They wait until one plays out completely, putting their job search on hold until knowing for sure they didn't get the offer." </div><div class="ArticleContent">"By having many more irons in the fire, you diversify the risk and disappointment that is inevitable when any single opportunity disappears," adds Roy Cohen, author of "The Wall Street Professional's Survival Guide: Success Secrets of a Career Coach." </div><div class="ArticleContent">"You also present yourself as a more passionate and energetic candidate. You're in the 'zone' -- a point where you're in the flow of information and ideas -- and that makes you more valuable." </div><div class="ArticleContent"><br /></div><div class="ArticleContent"><b>2. You turn up your nose at job descriptions</b></div><div class="ArticleContent">"Entry-level candidates are reluctant to apply for a position unless the job sounds like their 'dream job' or they have all qualifications listed," Spain says. "Rather than going on an interview to get more information, they base decisions about applying on the job description alone. They fail to see that all interview experience is good experience, or that, until there is an offer on the table, there is no decision to make."</div><div class="ArticleContent"><br /></div><div class="ArticleContent"><b>3. You haven't perfected the thank-you note</b></div><div class="ArticleContent">"Don't be too verbose with a thank-you note after an interview. Sending out a version of "War and Peace" can come across as desperate and needy for a job. However, sending a one or two sentence thank-you note comes across as flippant, not well thought-out and potentially shows indifference regarding the job to the employer," says Mike Barefoot, senior account manager at Red Zone Resources, a recruitment firm. "We encourage candidates to keep them to four to eight sentences." </div><div class="ArticleContent"><br /></div><div class="ArticleContent"><b>4. You don't check your references</b></div><div class="ArticleContent">"Always give out references that you've pre-screened. We sometimes see candidates give out references that were never checked with and the references feedback isn't always kind," Barefoot says. "Also, make sure they're predominantly managers. An occasional colleague is okay, but contemporaries and friends really don't carry that much weight in helping you land a position."</div><div class="ArticleContent"><br /></div><div class="ArticleContent"><b>5. You've got poor business acumen</b></div><div class="ArticleContent">"Managers are becoming more savvy and are taking candidates out to lunch for interviews. They want to see how you treat a restaurant staff and see the 'real' you. If you're rude to them or don't seem appreciative for their hard work to make your meal pleasurable, managers wonder how you'll treat contemporaries you work with," Barefoot says. </div><div class="ArticleContent"><br /></div><div class="ArticleContent"><b>6. You have a messy briefcase</b></div><div class="ArticleContent">"A messy briefcase can imply the person is unorganized, messy and unprepared, and that their work will be less than optimal," says Ronald Kaufman, author of "Anatomy of Success." "Someone who is neat, clean, organized and prepared in all areas conveys they're serious about getting a job and working."</div><div class="ArticleContent"><b><br />7. You discount temporary positions </b></div><div class="ArticleContent">"Many employers coming out of a recession want to hire on a temporary or temp- to perm- basis. We have already seen several contractors be offered permanent positions after they have proven themselves," says Jeffrey Weinstock, Esq. president, Rhodes & Weinstock, a recruiting firm. "Not only will the temporary position pay some bills, think of it as an audition for a potential perm position, or at least a way to get a good reference for another position."</div><div class="ArticleContent"><br /><b>8. You have a bad attitude</b> </div><div class="ArticleContent">"Poor attitudes come through in telephone calls and in interviews. If you are not positive, why would a potential employer want to hire you?" asks Weinstock. "It may take some time, but by being positive, by doing all the right things, by seeing each position as an opportunity, it will happen."</div><div class="ArticleContent"><br /></div><div class="ArticleContent"><b>9. You include too much work history</b></div><div class="ArticleContent">"Many job seekers over 40 think that they have to take their work history back to their first job out of college," says Cheryl E. Palmer, career coach and résumé writer. " All that is needed is the last 10-15 years of your work history."</div><div class="ArticleContent"><br /></div><div class="ArticleContent"><b>10. You use your work email address on your résumé </b></div><div class="ArticleContent">"Some people do not regularly check their personal email, so they use their employers' email instead," Palmer says. "This sends a negative message to potential employers that the job seekers will not hesitate to use their equipment for personal use."</div><div class="ArticleContent"><br /></div><div class="ArticleContent"><b>11. You take "no" as a final answer</b></div><div class="ArticleContent">"No" usually only means "no" for that position, says Bruce Hurwitz, president and CEO, Hurwitz Strategic Staffing, LTD.</div><div class="ArticleContent">"If you are rejected for a job you should send a thank-you note, thank the employer for the opportunity, and wish them well. No one does that. When the next opening comes around, he'll remember you," says Hurwitz.</div><div class="ArticleContent"><br /></div><div class="ArticleContent"><b>12. You lack tact </b></div><div class="ArticleContent">"Be determined without being pushy. Calling or emailing to ask about the status of your résumé or interview can be a double-edged sword," says Rod Hughes, director of communications, Oxford Communications. "A tactful follow up can place you top of mind with the hiring manager, while incessant calling or emailing can push your résumé right off the table."</div><div class="ArticleContent"><br /></div><div class="ArticleContent"><b>13. You don't search for yourself on the Internet </b></div><div class="ArticleContent">"Your would-be employer is probably going to look you up online, so you should know what is out there," says Amanda O'Brien, vice president of marketing, Hall Web Services. "Clean up what you can, check your privacy settings on social networks and if it is something you can't get down off the internet, you may want to consider talking to the company about it."  </div><div class="ArticleContent"><b><br />14. You have a 'death by bullets' résumé </b></div><div class="ArticleContent">"Bullets are great but they need context. Keep them to one line, focused on a result and include a figure like a fact, percentage or number," says Adriana Llames, author of "Career Sudoku: 9 Ways to Win the Job Search Game." "Or, put the information in a short summary of the position."</div><div class="ArticleContent"><b><br />15. You've got a scattered strategy </b></div><div class="ArticleContent">"Looking for a job in any industry and with two or three résumés is going to get the same result as the strategy: scattered," Llames says. "Job seekers with a clearly defined, focused and organized strategic approach to their job search end up with clear results -- and a new job."</div><div class="ArticleContent"><br /></div><div class="ArticleContent"><b>16. You think it's about you</b></div><div class="ArticleContent">It is not about you and your need for a job -- it is about the prospective employer and their need to run a successful business and make money, says Lori B. Rassas, employment attorney and author of "Employment Law: A Guide to Hiring, Managing and Firing for Employers and Employees." <br />"Many applicants mistakenly believe they will be an appealing candidate if they explain they will accept any type of job offer at any because they have been laid off, unemployed for an extended period of time, have children in college, or are having difficulty making the mortgage payments," she says. "Even if all of those circumstances are true, candidates need to craft a different message, focusing on how they can benefit the employer by saving them money, streamlining processes, creating additional sources of revenue and bringing overall value to the company."</div><div class="ArticleContent"><br /><i>Rachel Farrell researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues for CareerBuilder. Follow @Careerbuilder on Twitter.</i> </div>

16 job search errors you're probably making

Rachel Farrell, special to CareerBuilder.com Over the years, hiring managers have born witness to every hiring, interviewing, résumé, cover...

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I really wanted to say something worthwhile, but it takes too many words

Just checking in, me and my one hand.<br /><br />Weight today is 184.6. Woohoo! Much better than the 199.6 I saw at the doctors office 3 weeks ago, Followup visit with her Friday to review my lab work. Got the results in the mail last night. Looks like she had every possible test run on me. I don't even know what a lot of it means. Guess I'll find out Friday.<br /><br />I'm off work for three weeks until the cast comes off. I made the decision last Friday and my doctor agreed. I can't type all day with one hand, with the other one up in the air (above my heart) so it doesn't swell. I tried last week and was miserable. I went home each day with major backaches from how I was sitting. Being home with this cast isn't fun so don't envy me.  I have over 700 hours of sick leave so I'll be getting paid.<br /><br />Although I do have an event to attend today. It's my best friend's 35 years with our company celebration today. An Argosy cruise around Puget Sound. It's catered and I ordered the wild salmon. Pictures tomorrow.<br /><br />That's all for now. Have to get ready and pick up my girlfriend in about an hour and then the company has a chartered bus taking us downtown. Gorgeous weather here so should be fun.<br /><br />

I really wanted to say something worthwhile, but it takes too many words

Just checking in, me and my one hand. Weight today is 184.6. Woohoo! Much better than the 199.6 I saw at the doctors office 3 weeks ago, Fol...

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How Do You Track?

<b>Here's my problem:</b>  I have a hard time tracking indulgences.  An indulgence for me is something that I don't know the Points+ value of definitively - it can be dessert or dinner out or anything for that matter.... something I have not prepared but someone else has prepared and the nutrition stats are not available.<br /><br /><b>Here is why I have this problem:</b> Let's say you go out to dinner and you have a chicken sandwich as part of your entree.  This restaurant doesn't publish their nutrition facts online, so you're left with guesstimating how many Points+ that chicken sandwich was.  <br /><br /><div style="color: #999999;">Let me interrupt this regularly scheduled programming with this announcement: <i>When I'm doing something I <b>truly </b>care about, I am a perfectionist.</i></div><div style="color: #999999;"><br /></div><span style="color: #999999;">And now, back your show.</span><br /><br />So you go on to E-Tools and you try to figure out what this chicken sandwich cost you.  Was it 10 Points+? Was it 14 Points+?  Ok, it was grilled with cheese.  Was it 17 Points+?  I have no idea!  Aaahhh!  I'm getting so overwhelmed and I want this to be <u>exact</u>!  How could I just say: "Yes, I'll go with 17 even though that's the value for a fast food chicken filet sandwich with cheese, so that might not be correct since it was actually grilled.  But E-Tools doesn't show an option where it's grilled with cheese.  And I don't want to estimate on the high end or I will have no Points+ left the rest of today, but I don't want to estimate on the low end because then I'll over eat." Whoa is me.  <br /><br />Once in a while I realize that guesstimating is fine.  "Ok, even if I'm off track at this estimate, it's the only indulgence this week so I should be okay."<br /><br />But what happens when you have several days in a row like this?  You have a work luncheon, then out to dinner with family, then you're going away for the weekend where you'll be eating every meal out.  <br /><br />What ends up happening for me is I have the mentality that if I cannot do this perfectly, then I'm not going to do it.  And so I just say screw it and I'll start over again tomorrow or next week.  <br /><br />What do you do in these situations?  Can any one even relate to this or am I a crazy maniac? <br /><br />Help me!

Weight Loss Challenges Weight Watchers How Do You Track?

Here's my problem:   I have a hard time tracking indulgences.  An indulgence for me is something that I don't know the Points+ value...

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Would you like to get involved in an international peace project?

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><i>Submitted by Fiona Beal</i><br />Last year I participated in a few international projects initiated by Garrett Ferguson, a Grade 4 teacher from Franconia School in the USA, and the class and I made a whole host of new friends around the world. Garrett is now looking for teachers and classes who would like to join in a new project. Here is an excerpt from his email just received. <br /><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Dear Classrooms Around the Globe,<br /><br />This year my fourth grade classroom at Lafayette Regional School in Franconia, NH would like to have a big celebration for International Peace Day on Sept 21, 2011. In honor of this day, I would like my fourth graders to create a multi - cultural vision of peace movie. We would like to collect movies from classrooms around the globe of their MESSAGE OF PEACE. The movies might include poetry, song, dance, or etc. The overall theme of the movie is "A Message of Peace" that answer what peace means to them. The requirement for the video:<br />Length "21 seconds or less"<br />Title: "A Message of Peace"<br />Upload: email your interest to me and I will follow up with instructions for uploading (We will be using Dropbox)<br />Due Date: Sept 16, 2011<br />Language: In your own language<br />Goal: 21 classroom representing all six continents<br /><br />My students will mash all the videos together to create a international message of peace that will premier on Sept 21, 2011. Please forward on this email message to all your classrooms. Thanks for helping our classroom spread a message of peace. <br /><br />-Garret Ferguson<br />P.S. <br />Here are additional resources on International Peace Day:<br />Peace One Day Organization <br /><a href="http://www.peaceoneday.org/en/education/POD-EDUCATION">http://www.peaceoneday.org/en/education/POD-EDUCATION</a><br />Pinwheels for Peace: <a href="http://www.pinwheelsforpeace.com/pinwheelsforpeace/home.html">http://www.pinwheelsforpeace.com/pinwheelsforpeace/home.html</a><br />TED talk on how international peace day was created: <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/jeremy_gilley_one_day_of_peace.html">http://www.ted.com/talks/jeremy_gilley_one_day_of_peace.html</a> <br />- <br />Mr. Ferguson and The Super Fantastic 15<br />Lafayette Regional School - Franconia NH<br />Skype - lafayette41</span></i><br /><br />I see that the Principal of Scottish High International School in India has just replied wishing to get involved. Why not also consider also giving it a try? </div>

Collaboration Project-based learning videos Would you like to get involved in an international peace project?

Submitted by Fiona Beal Last year I participated in a few international projects initiated by Garrett Ferguson, a Grade 4 teacher from Franc...

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SAUDIA ARABIA, USA, TURKEY versus IRAN, RUSSIA and CHINA

<div class="MsoNormal">"PLAYOFF" in Syria<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="266" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JwBjRQA0phs?feature=player_embedded" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="320"></iframe></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">SUNNI - SAUDI ARABIA </span>against SHIITE -  IRAN and SYRIA</b></u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">SYRIA'S regime will never tumble unless Iran allows it to tumble, but that will most probably not occur, for SYRIA and HEZBOLLAH in LEBANON are front proxy of IRAN, and IRAN will not experience a regime change unless CHINA and RUSSIA see a strategic advantage in tumbling the regime in IRAN. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The USA and the SUNNI WAHHABI HOUSE OF SAUD together with TURKEY are pulling on a common string regarding SYRIA and its protege IRAN but are unable to find a sound strategy to proceed with SYRIA without exposing themselves, as well as politically backfire. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Needless to point out that a military intervention would stretch US defense budget to the limit, not to mention that of NATO member states such as ITALY, FRANCE and GERMANY, unless SAUDI ARABIA finances the intervention and uses fellow NATO state TURKEY to lead the operation which would play in the hands of the USA in order to “eliminate” Iran from the chessboard of the region. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><b>SYRIA’S REVOLT BRINGS LEBANESE HISBOLLAH IN TURMOIL</b></u></div><div class="MsoNormal">     </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN">The conflict in SYRIA brings an enormous collateral damage to the LEBANESE HEZBOLLAH itself. The Shiite organization that is backed by TEHRAN and DAMASCUS, is militarily and politically stronger and influential than ever: NAJIB MIKATI LEBANON’S Minister President, is the first head of state which is a HEZBOLLAH protégée, and yet, HEZBOLLAH has hit rock bottom as far as their reputation in LEBANON and SYRIA, but also in the rest of the Arab world, who paid tribute to HEZBOLLAH on their resilience; in particular the 2006 war with ISRAEL in which HEZBOLLAH emerged unbroken.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoY-G6dhRpJJZuWoPjkcxnKTwy5jsM-LqqFX_klboA7Bf5LlonrPuAQ4K59UJaMXJcLTuz_PF41JK0ujLE6eedEetcSZ9AiSBvMNBTBwyOPU5wqnejMtv-kIClRF99oZL4kjOQpUIvlQb1/s1600/Iran_Syria_Locator.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoY-G6dhRpJJZuWoPjkcxnKTwy5jsM-LqqFX_klboA7Bf5LlonrPuAQ4K59UJaMXJcLTuz_PF41JK0ujLE6eedEetcSZ9AiSBvMNBTBwyOPU5wqnejMtv-kIClRF99oZL4kjOQpUIvlQb1/s320/Iran_Syria_Locator.PNG" width="320" /></a><span class="hps"><span lang="EN">HEZBOLLAH’S “</span></span><span lang="EN">double standard", something HEZBOLLAH <span class="hps">usually</span> accuse the <span class="hps">USA</span> of, <span class="hps">in light</span> <span class="hps">of Arab</span> <span class="hps">protest</span> <span class="hps">movements,</span> <span class="hps">is striking. </span> In <span class="hps">EGYPT</span>, TUNISIA, <span class="hps">YEMEN</span> <span class="hps">AND BAHRAIN, HEZBOLLAH, just as IRAN, was</span> <span class="hps">on</span> <span class="hps">the side of the</span> <span class="hps">protesters</span> <span class="hps">against</span> <span class="hps">pro Western</span> Governments. In contrast to <span class="hps">SYRIA’S upraise however, Hezbollah leader</span> <span class="hps">Hassan</span> <span class="hps">Nasrallah,</span> <span class="hps">immediately</span> <span class="hps">favored the “resistance</span> <span class="hps">regime</span>" in Damascus and <span class="hps">Bashar</span> <span class="hps">al</span><span class="atn">-</span>Assad as the<span class="hps"> reformer</span>, whereas <span class="hps">the protesters</span> <span class="hps">acted</span> <span class="hps">in favor</span> <span class="hps">of ISRAEL and the</span> <span class="hps">UNITED STATES.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="hps"><span lang="EN">The</span></span><span lang="EN"> <span class="hps">aspect</span> of which <span class="hps">cannot even</span> <span class="hps">be denied. With the fall of</span> <span class="hps">Assad</span>, Hezbollah’s<span class="hps"> lifeline to IRAN, currently running through</span> <span class="hps">Damascus</span> will be cut and subsequently push Iran out of the region, <span class="hps">one of the attractions</span> <span class="hps">of a </span>“<span class="hps">regime</span> <span class="hps">change"</span> <span class="hps">scenario</span> <span class="hps">- even</span> <span class="hps">for</span> <span class="hps">observers who</span> <span class="hps">strongly believe that with the fall of Assad, civil war</span> <span class="hps">and </span>Fundamentalist <span class="hps">Islamist</span> takeover of <span class="hps">power</span> <span class="hps">in</span> <span class="hps">SYRIA is imminent</span>, <span class="hps">with all the</span> <span class="hps">"non-pleasantries" and</span> <span class="hps">consequences</span> <span class="hps">for</span> <span class="hps">ISRAEL, the</span> immediate neighbor of SYRIA. </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="266" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AOWI0Zv7ORU?feature=player_embedded" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="320"></iframe></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">See related info: </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MD28Ak01.html">http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MD28Ak01.html</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MH17Ak01.html">http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MH17Ak01.html</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MH17Ak02.html">http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MH17Ak02.html</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>

SAUDIA ARABIA, USA, TURKEY versus IRAN, RUSSIA and CHINA

"PLAYOFF" in Syria SUNNI - SAUDI ARABIA against SHIITE -  IRAN and SYRIA SYRIA'S regime will never tumble unless Iran allows i...

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A little bit of inspiration

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><em>Submitted by Fiona Beal</em><br /><div closure_uid_jgvxf0="112">What do you think of the idea of now and again spending a few spare minutes in a lesson showing an inspirational video to your learners, followed by some pertinent questions? This one is just 2:47 minutes - "Born to succeed". If you have any suggestions of inspirational videos for this purpose, please share them with us. </div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/B7r7YY_EO0A" width="480"></iframe></div>

Inspiration videos A little bit of inspiration

Submitted by Fiona Beal What do you think of the idea of now and again spending a few spare minutes in a lesson showing an inspirational vid...

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Ohio in Seasonal Transition

I can't believe it's almost fall! It seems like I say this every year, but where on earth did this summer go?  I had to get a blanket out last night for the first time.  It is a bittersweet feeling.<br /><br />There were subtle reminders of the looming fall that I chose to ignore.  Things like an uptick in the numbers of hummingbirds coming to my feeders.  I know they are getting ready for their big migrations.  So I need to keep on top of my feeders.  By the way, don't believe that old wives tale that if you don't take the feeders down, hummingbirds won't migrate.  It's not true.  Leaving them up can provide valuable nutrition to those slow to migrate.  But nature's migratory urge is much more powerful than any tempting treat we can put in our feeders.  They'll go when they need to.<br /><br />I've also noticed more spiders in the yard, much to my chagrin.  I am not a lover of spiders, to be sure.  But, I do appreciate their role in the food chain.  And, I've even been able to muster up enough nerve to observe a few of these creatures to see what type of web they weave, physical characteristics, etc, before I get the willies and have to walk away. :-)  If you'd like to learn more about Ohio's spiders, the Division of Wildlife has a very nice new <a href="http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/species_a_to_z/AZSpidersInsectsandInvertebrates/tabid/17916/Default.aspx">field guide</a> that you can order by contacting 1-800-WILDLIFE.<br /><br />Another sign of the coming fall is the explosion of blooms seen in my flower beds.  It seems like they are trying one last ditch effort to attract as many pollinators as possible before that first frost.  And they make excellent table bouquets. <br /><br />Then there is the bane of most birders, fall warblers.  As if these little birds aren't hard enough to identify in spring when they are in their full color glory.  In the fall, the males and females are both drab olive brown and you really have to get a good look at them to pick out any distinguishing field marks.  It is quite a challenge if you're up for it.  Shorebirds are migrating through as well.  With some species having to cross two continents in their journey south, they are some of the earliest migrants.  Local lakes and rivers are at their low water points this time of year and their mud flats are exposed.  Scan any of these flat, damp spots and you'll likely find several different species of these long-legged waders.  Sometimes collectively known as sandpipers, some species you might see include sanderlings, dowitchers, plovers, yellowlegs, and, of course, multiple species of sandpipers.  You'll find them actively searching for aquatic invertebrates deep in the mud.  You can find photos and order field guides for both warblers and shorebirds on our website at <a href="http://www.wildohio.com/">http://www.wildohio.com/</a> <br /><br />These transitional times of year are when I think nature is at its most interesting.  Some careful observations around your schoolyard, backyard or local park can yield some wonderfully curious sites, smells and sounds that may not be around in the middle of a season.  Take a moment to discover Ohio in her seasonal transition.

Ohio in Seasonal Transition

I can't believe it's almost fall! It seems like I say this every year, but where on earth did this summer go?  I had to get a blanke...

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Hungry Girl 1-2-3: AM Apple Scramble

Wow! Thank you all for <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/08/friend-making-monday-driving-force.html">stopping by yesterday</a> and for all of your encouraging comments - what a pleasant surprise each time the Google's notified me of a comment :).   <br /><br />Today I bring you a new breakfast recipe! <br /><br />Something I've frequently heard from friends and fellow bloggers is that they eat the same thing for breakfast every day.  That's cool, if that works for you.  I used to be this way too, back when I lost 50 lbs in college.  I would eat the exact same thing every day, every week.  I knew nothing but Lean Cuisines/Smart Ones/Healthy Choice frozen meals and 100 calorie packs.  I cannot stomach the look to either of those food items now.<br /><br />Now, I make a lot of things by hand.<br /><br />Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, and I like to add variety to my life where I can.   Because of this, I try not to eat the same thing twice too close together.  This week's breakfast is <a href="http://www.hungry-girl.com/newsletters/raw/699">Hungry Girl's AM Apple Scramble</a>.  The end result of this dish is something similar to that of oatmeal & Cream of Wheat.  It ends up dry, but not so dry that it tastes bad.  It was kind of hard to tell when it was done, but I just followed along with HG's recommended cooking time of 5 minutes.  When it's done cooking, it starts to firm up and lose some of it's moisture, and the color gets slightly darker.  <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWPduVVxPu1RJysS0tkphPuNr-KgchMfoZNP7ShFau88IZWWUh06GKVvbeV84kGy-LaFqsUA1rlz2VGU9PrwWTkD8QGuLXTWsbi5irmtGF1P2LdbsJSFqtKdrlam5_B1wzEdNLDxFE4o/s1600/apple+scramble.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWPduVVxPu1RJysS0tkphPuNr-KgchMfoZNP7ShFau88IZWWUh06GKVvbeV84kGy-LaFqsUA1rlz2VGU9PrwWTkD8QGuLXTWsbi5irmtGF1P2LdbsJSFqtKdrlam5_B1wzEdNLDxFE4o/s320/apple+scramble.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><blockquote><a href="http://www.hungry-girl.com/newsletters/raw/699"><u><b>Hungry Girl 1-2-3: AM Apple Scramble</b></u></a> - <i>7 Points+ (her version calculates at 6 Points+)</i><br /><br /><i>Ingredients:</i><br /><ul><li>1 cup peeled and finely chopped apple (approx. 1 medium apple) </li><br /> <li>1 slice Wonder Light White Bread - <i>I used Martin's Whole Wheat Potato Bread</i><br />1/2 cup Egg Beaters, Original</li><br /> <li>3 tbsp. regular oats (not quick or instant)</li><br /> <li>1 oz. light vanilla soymilk</li><br /> <li>1/4 tsp. vanilla extract</li><br /> <li>1/2 tsp. cinnamon</li><br /> <li>2 packets SPLENDA </li><br /> <li>pinch salt</li><br /> </ul><br /><i>Directions</i>: <br />Begin by stirring to combine all ingredients except for the bread and apple. Set aside. Toast bread well (but do not burn) and allow it to cool.  Tear bread into pieces and place in a blender or food processor.  Pulse bread until reduced to small pieces.  Add mixture and chopped apple to blender or processor and pulse until mixed (NOT liquefied).  In a pan sprayed with nonstick spray, cook mixture over medium heat.  Prepare as you would scrambled eggs, constantly moving mixture around with a spatula.  Cook for approximately 5 minutes, until solid crumbles form and brown slightly.  Serves 1!</blockquote> I hope you all have a great "On Plan" day!<br />

` Hungry Girl Weight Watcher Recipes Hungry Girl 1-2-3: AM Apple Scramble

Wow! Thank you all for stopping by yesterday and for all of your encouraging comments - what a pleasant surprise each time the Google's...

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