Monday, August 18, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
Happy Father's Day
"A man never stands as tall as when he kneels to help a child."
- Knights of Pythagoras
Whether you're a daddy-to-be or a seasoned granddad, Father's Day is a wonderful opportunity to bask in the glow of your family's affection and appreciation. This year, you can also make Father's Day an opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth. Ask yourself: Are you the father you always wanted to be? Are you the father your children deserve?
The History of Father's Day
- Knights of Pythagoras
Whether you're a daddy-to-be or a seasoned granddad, Father's Day is a wonderful opportunity to bask in the glow of your family's affection and appreciation. This year, you can also make Father's Day an opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth. Ask yourself: Are you the father you always wanted to be? Are you the father your children deserve?
The History of Father's Day
Father's Day, contrary to popular misconception, was not established as a holiday in order to help greeting card manufacturers sell more cards.
In fact when a "father's day" was first proposed there were no Father's Day cards!
Mrs. John B. Dodd, of Washington, first proposed the idea of a "father's day" in 1909. Mrs. Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart. William Smart, a Civil War veteran, was widowed when his wife (Mrs. Dodd's mother) died in childbirth with their sixth child. Mr. Smart was left to raise the newborn and his other five children by himself on a rural farm in eastern Washington state. It was after Mrs. Dodd became an adult that she realized the strength and selflessness her father had shown in raising his children as a single parent.
The first Father's Day was observed on June 19, 1910 in Spokane Washington.
At about the same time in various towns and cities across American other people were beginning to celebrate a "father's day.".
In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father's Day. Finally in 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day.
Father's Day has become a day to not only honor your father, but all men who act as a father figure. Stepfathers, uncles, grandfathers, and adult male friends are all honored on Father's Day.
Taken from: http://www.holidays.net/father/
Jokes about Dad
One evening a little girl and her parents were sitting around the table eating supper. The little girl said, "Daddy, you're the boss, aren't you?" Her Daddy smiled, pleased, and said yes. The little girl continued "That's because Mummy put you in charge, right?"
Knock knock
Who's there?
Canoe
Canoe who?
Canoe help me with my homework please Dad - I'm stuck!
What Makes A Dad
God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it ... Dad
Author is unknown
Taken from: http://www.morning-glow.com/holidays/father/father.html
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
World Environment Day
Environment Day
World Environment Day 2008
http://www.unep.org/wed/2008/english/default.asp
About World Environment Day 2008 World Environment Day, commemorated each year on 5 June, is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. The World Environment Day slogan for 2008 is Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy. Recognising that climate change is becoming the defining issue of our era, UNEP is asking countries, companies and communities to focus on greenhouse gas emissions and how to reduce them.
The World Environment Day will highlight resources and initiatives that promote low carbon economies and life-styles, such as improved energy efficiency, alternative energy sources, forest conservation and eco-friendly consumption. The main international celebrations of World
Environment Day 2008 will be held in New Zealand. UNEP is honoured that the city of Wellington will be hosting this United Nations day (read the press release). The day's agenda is to give a human face to environmental issues; empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development; promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues; and advocate partnership, which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future. When did it all begin? World Environment Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. Another resolution, adopted by the General Assembly the same day, led to the creation of UNEP.
How can you celebrate World Environment Day? The World Environment Day Alphabet - 80 Ways to Celebrate World Environment Day can be celebrated in many ways, including street rallies, bicycles parades, green concerts, essay and poster competitions in schools, tree planting, recycling efforts, clean-up campaigns and much more. In many countries, this annual event is used to enhance political attention and action. Heads of State, Prime Ministers and Ministers of Environment deliver statements and commit themselves to care for the Earth. Serious pledges are made which lead to the establishment of permanent governmental structures dealing with environmental management and economic planning. This observance also provides an opportunity to sign or ratify international environmental conventions. On this World Environment Day, let us examine the state of our environment. Let us consider carefully the actions which each of us must take, and then address ourselves to our common task of preserving all life on earth in a mood of sober resolution and quiet confidence. Twelve Steps to Help You Kick the CO2 Habit
http://www.unep.org/wed/2008/english/Information_Material/factsheet.asp
You can read more about this topic and others at:
WHAT´S NEWS AT Why? On-line
Why? ...It´s our project!
http://whyinglesamerica.blogspot.com
World Environment Day 2008
http://www.unep.org/wed/2008/english/default.asp
About World Environment Day 2008 World Environment Day, commemorated each year on 5 June, is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. The World Environment Day slogan for 2008 is Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy. Recognising that climate change is becoming the defining issue of our era, UNEP is asking countries, companies and communities to focus on greenhouse gas emissions and how to reduce them.
The World Environment Day will highlight resources and initiatives that promote low carbon economies and life-styles, such as improved energy efficiency, alternative energy sources, forest conservation and eco-friendly consumption. The main international celebrations of World
Environment Day 2008 will be held in New Zealand. UNEP is honoured that the city of Wellington will be hosting this United Nations day (read the press release). The day's agenda is to give a human face to environmental issues; empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development; promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues; and advocate partnership, which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future. When did it all begin? World Environment Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. Another resolution, adopted by the General Assembly the same day, led to the creation of UNEP.
How can you celebrate World Environment Day? The World Environment Day Alphabet - 80 Ways to Celebrate World Environment Day can be celebrated in many ways, including street rallies, bicycles parades, green concerts, essay and poster competitions in schools, tree planting, recycling efforts, clean-up campaigns and much more. In many countries, this annual event is used to enhance political attention and action. Heads of State, Prime Ministers and Ministers of Environment deliver statements and commit themselves to care for the Earth. Serious pledges are made which lead to the establishment of permanent governmental structures dealing with environmental management and economic planning. This observance also provides an opportunity to sign or ratify international environmental conventions. On this World Environment Day, let us examine the state of our environment. Let us consider carefully the actions which each of us must take, and then address ourselves to our common task of preserving all life on earth in a mood of sober resolution and quiet confidence. Twelve Steps to Help You Kick the CO2 Habit
http://www.unep.org/wed/2008/english/Information_Material/factsheet.asp
You can read more about this topic and others at:
WHAT´S NEWS AT Why? On-line
Why? ...It´s our project!
http://whyinglesamerica.blogspot.com
Thursday, May 22, 2008
May 23rd. Student's Day in México
Ser estudiante.
Es muy fácil encontrar una definición de lo que es ser estudiante. Todo lo que tenemos que hacer es abrir un diccionario en el lugar apropiado y se nos dará la respuesta. Pero ésa no es la clase de definición que queremos. Deseamos investigar sobre ello, queremos averiguar qué es un verdadero estudiante. Un verdadero estudiante no es aquél que aprueba exámenes, consigue un empleo y después cierra todos los libros. Ser un estudiante significa estudiar la vida, no sólo leer los pocos libros requeridos por el programa de estudios; implica observarlo todo a lo largo de la vida, no sólo unas cuantas cosas en un período determinado. Un estudiante, ciertamente, no es sólo el que lee, sino el que es capaz de observar todos los movimientos de la vida, los externos y los internos, sin decir: "esto es bueno, aquello es malo". Si condenamos algo no lo observamos. Para observarlo tenemos que estudiarlo sin condenar, sin comparar. Si el maestro compara un estudiante con algún otro, no le está estudiando. Si le compara con su hermano menor o su hermana mayor, los importantes son su hermano o su hermana; por lo tanto, no le está estudiando.
Pero toda nuestra educación consiste en comparar. Nos estamos comparando perpetuamente a nosotros mismos o a otros con alguien: con el gurú, con nuestro ideal, con nuestro padre que es tan inteligente, un gran político... Este proceso de comparación y condena nos impide observar, estudiar. De manera que el verdadero estudiante es aquél que lo observa todo en la vida, tanto externa como internamente, sin comparar, aprobar ni condenar. No sólo es capaz de investigar cuestiones científicas, sino que también puede observar las operaciones de su propia mente, de sus propios sentimientos, lo cual es mucho más difícil que observar un hecho científico. Comprender todo el funcionamiento de la propia mente requiere una gran dosis de discernimiento, muchísima investigación exenta de condena.
To be a student
It is easy to find a definition of what it is to be a student. All we have to do is open a dictionary in the right place and it will give us the answer. But that is not the kind of definition we want. We want to investigate it; we want to find out what a real student is. A true student is not one who approves exams, gets a job and then closes all the books. Being a student means to study the life, not just read the few books required by the curriculum; it implies to observe everything along the life, not just a few things in a given period. A student certainly is not only that who reads, but that who is capable of observing all movements of life, the external and internal, without saying: "This is good, that is bad." If we condemn something, then we don’t observe it. To observe it, we have to study it without condemning, without comparing. If the teacher compares a student with any other, he is not studying him. If he compares him with his younger brother or elder sister, his brother or his sister are the important, then he is not studying him.
But all our education consists of comparing. We are perpetually comparing ourselves with someone or other: with the guru, with our ideal, our father who is so smart, a great politician... This process of comparison and condemnation prevents us from observing, studying. So the real student is the one who observes everything in life, both externally and internally, without compare, approve or condemn. Not only is capable of investigating scientific issues, but he can also observe the operations of his own mind, of his own feelings, which is much harder than to observe a scientific fact. To understand all the working of the own mind itself requires a great deal of discernment, a lot of research exempt of condemnation.
Taken from: Pagina de la vida
http://www.proyectopv.org/1-verdad/105marcospdagogia.htm
Es muy fácil encontrar una definición de lo que es ser estudiante. Todo lo que tenemos que hacer es abrir un diccionario en el lugar apropiado y se nos dará la respuesta. Pero ésa no es la clase de definición que queremos. Deseamos investigar sobre ello, queremos averiguar qué es un verdadero estudiante. Un verdadero estudiante no es aquél que aprueba exámenes, consigue un empleo y después cierra todos los libros. Ser un estudiante significa estudiar la vida, no sólo leer los pocos libros requeridos por el programa de estudios; implica observarlo todo a lo largo de la vida, no sólo unas cuantas cosas en un período determinado. Un estudiante, ciertamente, no es sólo el que lee, sino el que es capaz de observar todos los movimientos de la vida, los externos y los internos, sin decir: "esto es bueno, aquello es malo". Si condenamos algo no lo observamos. Para observarlo tenemos que estudiarlo sin condenar, sin comparar. Si el maestro compara un estudiante con algún otro, no le está estudiando. Si le compara con su hermano menor o su hermana mayor, los importantes son su hermano o su hermana; por lo tanto, no le está estudiando.Pero toda nuestra educación consiste en comparar. Nos estamos comparando perpetuamente a nosotros mismos o a otros con alguien: con el gurú, con nuestro ideal, con nuestro padre que es tan inteligente, un gran político... Este proceso de comparación y condena nos impide observar, estudiar. De manera que el verdadero estudiante es aquél que lo observa todo en la vida, tanto externa como internamente, sin comparar, aprobar ni condenar. No sólo es capaz de investigar cuestiones científicas, sino que también puede observar las operaciones de su propia mente, de sus propios sentimientos, lo cual es mucho más difícil que observar un hecho científico. Comprender todo el funcionamiento de la propia mente requiere una gran dosis de discernimiento, muchísima investigación exenta de condena.
To be a student
It is easy to find a definition of what it is to be a student. All we have to do is open a dictionary in the right place and it will give us the answer. But that is not the kind of definition we want. We want to investigate it; we want to find out what a real student is. A true student is not one who approves exams, gets a job and then closes all the books. Being a student means to study the life, not just read the few books required by the curriculum; it implies to observe everything along the life, not just a few things in a given period. A student certainly is not only that who reads, but that who is capable of observing all movements of life, the external and internal, without saying: "This is good, that is bad." If we condemn something, then we don’t observe it. To observe it, we have to study it without condemning, without comparing. If the teacher compares a student with any other, he is not studying him. If he compares him with his younger brother or elder sister, his brother or his sister are the important, then he is not studying him.
But all our education consists of comparing. We are perpetually comparing ourselves with someone or other: with the guru, with our ideal, our father who is so smart, a great politician... This process of comparison and condemnation prevents us from observing, studying. So the real student is the one who observes everything in life, both externally and internally, without compare, approve or condemn. Not only is capable of investigating scientific issues, but he can also observe the operations of his own mind, of his own feelings, which is much harder than to observe a scientific fact. To understand all the working of the own mind itself requires a great deal of discernment, a lot of research exempt of condemnation.
Taken from: Pagina de la vida
http://www.proyectopv.org/1-verdad/105marcospdagogia.htm
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Teacher's Day in the world
World Teacher's Day History
World Teacher's Day history is associated with the adoption of Recommendation concerning the status of teachers. Read on to know more about Happy World Teachers' Day origin.
On 5 October 1966, the world's teachers made a giant step forward. A Special Intergovernmental Conference adopted the UNESCO/ILO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. This Recommendation, for the first time ever, gave teachers, throughout the world, an instrument that defines their responsibilities and asserts their rights.
UNESCO inaugurated World Teacher's Day on 5th October 1994. This day was selected to commemorate the adoption of UNESCO/ILO joint Recommendation. World Teacher's Day also highlights the Recommendation concerning the Status of Higher Education Teaching Personnel. World Teacher's Day is celebrated in almost 100 countries. It lays emphasis on the achievements and contributions of the teachers around the world.
Education International strongly believes that World Teacher's Day should be internationally recognized and celebrated around the world. It also believes that, on this date, the principles of the 1966 and 1997 Recommendations should be considered for implementation in all nations. The efforts of Education International and its 348 member organizations have led to the wide spread recognition of World Teacher's Day. Every year, Education International launches a public awareness campaign to highlight the contributions of the teaching profession.
CONFUCIOUS, A GREAT TEACHER
Much of what is known about Confucius life is legendary. It is hard to separate facts from fiction. Confucius was born in 551 BCE in the city of Qufu, which was located in the Chinese State of Lu (now part of present-day Shandong Province). His original name was K'ung Ch'iu. Confucius was born into a poor family. His father was a commander of a district in Lu. But, Confucius nevertheless received a fine education. He was married at the age of 19 and had one son and two daughters.
Confucius taught in his school for many years. His theories and principles were spread throughout China by his disciples, and soon many people learned from his wise sayings. Some of Confucius quotes, famous around the world are:
• Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have.
• They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.
• It is not possible for one to teach others who cannot teach his own family.
• The superior man is modest in his speech but exceeds in his actions.
• He who merely knows right principles is not equal to him who loves them.
• To be able under all circumstances to practice five things constitutes perfect virtue; these five things are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness and kindness.
• We don't know yet about life, how can we know about death?
• Mankind differs from the animals only by a little, and most people throw that away.
• If you enjoy what you do, you'll never work another day in your life.
Confucius had no opportunity to put his theories to a public test until the age of 52. At 52, he was appointed magistrate of Chung-tu. The next year, he became Minister of crime of the state of Lu. His administration was successful; reforms were introduced, justice was fairly dispensed, and crime was almost eliminated. Lu became very powerful under Confucius. As a result, the ruler of a neighboring state maneuvered to secure the minister's dismissal.
Confucius left his office in 496 BC, traveling about and teaching, vainly hoping that some other prince would allow him to undertake measures of reform. In 484 BC, after a fruitless search for an ideal ruler, he returned for the last time to Lu. Confucius was then abandoned from his province and he wandered about China for 13 years. When Confucius was 69 years old, he returned to Lu, his home state.
Confucius died 3 years after settling in Lu - 479 BC. After Confucius died, he was buried in a grave in the city of Ch'uFu, Shandong. Today the site of his final resting place is the beautiful K'ung Forest.
When Confucius died, many people built temples in every city of China to honor him and his work. Since Confucius teachings and philosophy were so advanced, it became the education for China for 2,000 years. It is called Confucianism.
The word "teacher" in over 50 languages
AFRIKAANS Onderwyser
ALBANIAN Mesuese
ASTURIAN Maestru
AYMARA Yatichiri
AZERI Muelim
BASQUE Irakasle
BRETON Skolaer
CATALAN Mestre
CORSICAN Maestru
CROATIAN Nastavnik
CZECH Ucitel
DANISH Laerer
DUTCH Leraar
ENGLISH Teacher
ESPERANTO Instruisto
ESTONIAN Opetaja
FAEROESE Laerari
FINNISH Opettaja
FRENCH Professeur
FRISIAN Learaar
GALICIAN Mestre
GERMAN Lehrer
GUARANI Mbo’ehara
HUNGARIAN Tanar
ICELANDIC Kennari
INDONESIAN Guru
IRISH Muinteoir
ITALIAN Maestro
JAPANESE Sensei
JUDEO-SPANISH Maestro
KOREAN sun-saeng-nim
LADINO Maester
LATIN Magister
LATVIAN Skolotajs
MALAY Pengajar
MALTESE Lekcerer
MAORI Kaiwhakaako
NORWEGIAN Laerer
OCCITAN Regent
PAPIAMENTO Instruktor
POLISH Nauczyciel
PORTUGUESE Mestre
QUECHUA Yachachijj
ROMANIAN Invatator, Profesor
ROMANSH Magister
SAMOAN Faia’oga
SLOVAK Ucitel
SPANISH Maestro, Profesor
SWAHILI Malimu
TAGALOG Guro
WELSH Athro
YUCATEC Ka’nsah
ZULU Uthisha
World Teacher's Day history is associated with the adoption of Recommendation concerning the status of teachers. Read on to know more about Happy World Teachers' Day origin.
On 5 October 1966, the world's teachers made a giant step forward. A Special Intergovernmental Conference adopted the UNESCO/ILO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. This Recommendation, for the first time ever, gave teachers, throughout the world, an instrument that defines their responsibilities and asserts their rights.
UNESCO inaugurated World Teacher's Day on 5th October 1994. This day was selected to commemorate the adoption of UNESCO/ILO joint Recommendation. World Teacher's Day also highlights the Recommendation concerning the Status of Higher Education Teaching Personnel. World Teacher's Day is celebrated in almost 100 countries. It lays emphasis on the achievements and contributions of the teachers around the world.
Education International strongly believes that World Teacher's Day should be internationally recognized and celebrated around the world. It also believes that, on this date, the principles of the 1966 and 1997 Recommendations should be considered for implementation in all nations. The efforts of Education International and its 348 member organizations have led to the wide spread recognition of World Teacher's Day. Every year, Education International launches a public awareness campaign to highlight the contributions of the teaching profession.
CONFUCIOUS, A GREAT TEACHER
Much of what is known about Confucius life is legendary. It is hard to separate facts from fiction. Confucius was born in 551 BCE in the city of Qufu, which was located in the Chinese State of Lu (now part of present-day Shandong Province). His original name was K'ung Ch'iu. Confucius was born into a poor family. His father was a commander of a district in Lu. But, Confucius nevertheless received a fine education. He was married at the age of 19 and had one son and two daughters.
Confucius taught in his school for many years. His theories and principles were spread throughout China by his disciples, and soon many people learned from his wise sayings. Some of Confucius quotes, famous around the world are:
• Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have.
• They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.
• It is not possible for one to teach others who cannot teach his own family.
• The superior man is modest in his speech but exceeds in his actions.
• He who merely knows right principles is not equal to him who loves them.
• To be able under all circumstances to practice five things constitutes perfect virtue; these five things are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness and kindness.
• We don't know yet about life, how can we know about death?
• Mankind differs from the animals only by a little, and most people throw that away.
• If you enjoy what you do, you'll never work another day in your life.
Confucius had no opportunity to put his theories to a public test until the age of 52. At 52, he was appointed magistrate of Chung-tu. The next year, he became Minister of crime of the state of Lu. His administration was successful; reforms were introduced, justice was fairly dispensed, and crime was almost eliminated. Lu became very powerful under Confucius. As a result, the ruler of a neighboring state maneuvered to secure the minister's dismissal.
Confucius left his office in 496 BC, traveling about and teaching, vainly hoping that some other prince would allow him to undertake measures of reform. In 484 BC, after a fruitless search for an ideal ruler, he returned for the last time to Lu. Confucius was then abandoned from his province and he wandered about China for 13 years. When Confucius was 69 years old, he returned to Lu, his home state.
Confucius died 3 years after settling in Lu - 479 BC. After Confucius died, he was buried in a grave in the city of Ch'uFu, Shandong. Today the site of his final resting place is the beautiful K'ung Forest.
When Confucius died, many people built temples in every city of China to honor him and his work. Since Confucius teachings and philosophy were so advanced, it became the education for China for 2,000 years. It is called Confucianism.
The word "teacher" in over 50 languages
AFRIKAANS Onderwyser
ALBANIAN Mesuese
ASTURIAN Maestru
AYMARA Yatichiri
AZERI Muelim
BASQUE Irakasle
BRETON Skolaer
CATALAN Mestre
CORSICAN Maestru
CROATIAN Nastavnik
CZECH Ucitel
DANISH Laerer
DUTCH Leraar
ENGLISH Teacher
ESPERANTO Instruisto
ESTONIAN Opetaja
FAEROESE Laerari
FINNISH Opettaja
FRENCH Professeur
FRISIAN Learaar
GALICIAN Mestre
GERMAN Lehrer
GUARANI Mbo’ehara
HUNGARIAN Tanar
ICELANDIC Kennari
INDONESIAN Guru
IRISH Muinteoir
ITALIAN Maestro
JAPANESE Sensei
JUDEO-SPANISH Maestro
KOREAN sun-saeng-nim
LADINO Maester
LATIN Magister
LATVIAN Skolotajs
MALAY Pengajar
MALTESE Lekcerer
MAORI Kaiwhakaako
NORWEGIAN Laerer
OCCITAN Regent
PAPIAMENTO Instruktor
POLISH Nauczyciel
PORTUGUESE Mestre
QUECHUA Yachachijj
ROMANIAN Invatator, Profesor
ROMANSH Magister
SAMOAN Faia’oga
SLOVAK Ucitel
SPANISH Maestro, Profesor
SWAHILI Malimu
TAGALOG Guro
WELSH Athro
YUCATEC Ka’nsah
ZULU Uthisha
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)