Solar power is an important energy source as we run out of fossil fuels and other non-renewable energy sources run dry, and as we have to face the reality of global warming. Solar power has only recently gotten much media hype, but it has been around since the 1880s, when Charles Fritts used
selenium cells coated by an extremely thin layer of gold. The first selenium cells only converted about 1% of light into electricity, but in the 1930s Bruno Large created a solar cell using silver selenide. These too, only were able to make use of about 1% of the light energy, but selenium cells led to the development of silicon cells, which had an efficency of approximately 4.5-6%, and (though they are up to 20% efficent today) are currently the industry standard in solar power. https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwGDQlWwqw8laHJzBomLm2ROo5TTJ9OZhaOhMFb9nXHDreI_Z3N8eENLOmjO2LALUGlBjI_VbyXPGISEhWYiqjt5tyB0gYd5FtS9srmaQxah1WJVdEKaV8ZCkKVTm0idEPvxSUdjDUm4/s1600/Solar.jpg
Perlin (1999) p. 147
http://books.google.com/books?id=9CcDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA41&dq=Popular+Science+1931+plane&hl=en&ei=us8FTe-8L4HAnAf-46nlDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CDcQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=Popular%20Science%201931%20plane&f=true
Friday, September 9, 2011
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Fatima
Day 20
As I was waiting for Mik to get out of school, she came running to me just as she was confronted by this cruel girl named Shantelle. She said that I was a Zulu terrorist and that I was nothing. She also mocked Mik for her deafness. One of her friends offered me to help entertain the children at her niece’s birthday party. When Shantelle ordered her not to talk to me, she and all but two of Shantelle’s posse left. The girl whose niece had the birthday party left me her phone number. I am very worried for Mik, however, for Shantelle’s mannerisms at the time and a bulge in her pocket seem to suggest that she was carrying some form of a weapon.
Later, when I went to the VA hospital, I let Mik teach my class. She showed a packed room of fifty people: children, adults, and veterans (one of whom was catatonic), how to make paper figures of each other and of dolls. After an hour, these dolls were strolling along a model of a city street that Mik and I made from scrap materials. Afterward, the man who was in charge of the program seemed to be very downtrodden. It may have been something unrelated to the program, but it seemed as if he was very pessimistic about the program. I sincerely hope and believe that he is wrong.
Day 18
Some ignorant simple-minded people called me a terrorist today while I was on my way back from my failed attempt to visit the Statue of Liberty. Despite this, my opinion of this country is high, as most Americans are wonderful. Thankfully, Mik led me into a store when they came back, possibly to attack me. Mik asked for a job application there, although I got the impression that both she and the manager of the place knew that she would not be hired. I think that if I can obtain a green card, I may wish to work there. Later, when I declined an invitation to her apartment because of the police station directly across the street, Mik called me paranoid. That is very easy for one to say until one is an illegal immigrant themselves. I did, however agree to paint a mural of the Statue of Liberty, and to write Emma Lazarus’s poem which is on a plaque on Liberty’s pedestal. Despite having to paint over gang graffiti, Liberty looked beautiful with her ultraviolet wings I added as she looked upon the cityscape.
Day 8
Today I did volunteer work at the hospital for veterans. I taught students, most of whom were children taking a break from visiting their parents, about how to make paper designs. There was one veteran latecomer to the class, who almost left when one of the girls was shocked when she saw his bandages as he rolled in on his motorized wheelchair. Thankfully, I was able to persuade him to come back, and he even sat next to the shocked girl without incident. I was also very grateful that word had spread about my teaching. Yesterday I had only two students, whereas today I had a full house (which was admittedly only ten people). I hope that soon there are more chairs so that I can spread the artistic beauty that can be made with nothing more than a simple piece of paper. Afterward, I went with Mik to the store to purchase food. They have wonderful varieties of food at the supermarket there, and I was amazed when Mik told me that this store was nowhere near as good as most others. I am so happy to live in such a plentiful nation.
Day 4
I have just gotten directions to a man who is known for helping immigrants with connections to work and housing. I paid him five hundred dollars (which is a small price for what it is worth), and he gave me a job selling newspapers and directions to an inexpensive, but wonderful room. I cannot believe that the woman called such a wonderful place to live bare and dark. Another thing which I absolutely cannot comprehend is how the neighborhood I am in is considered rough here. If this neighborhood is considered rough by American standards, I can only imagine what magnificence the rest of this country has been blessed with. My only complaint is that I must be awake by 3:00 a.m., but again, that is a very small price to pay.
As I was waiting for Mik to get out of school, she came running to me just as she was confronted by this cruel girl named Shantelle. She said that I was a Zulu terrorist and that I was nothing. She also mocked Mik for her deafness. One of her friends offered me to help entertain the children at her niece’s birthday party. When Shantelle ordered her not to talk to me, she and all but two of Shantelle’s posse left. The girl whose niece had the birthday party left me her phone number. I am very worried for Mik, however, for Shantelle’s mannerisms at the time and a bulge in her pocket seem to suggest that she was carrying some form of a weapon.
Later, when I went to the VA hospital, I let Mik teach my class. She showed a packed room of fifty people: children, adults, and veterans (one of whom was catatonic), how to make paper figures of each other and of dolls. After an hour, these dolls were strolling along a model of a city street that Mik and I made from scrap materials. Afterward, the man who was in charge of the program seemed to be very downtrodden. It may have been something unrelated to the program, but it seemed as if he was very pessimistic about the program. I sincerely hope and believe that he is wrong.
Day 18
Some ignorant simple-minded people called me a terrorist today while I was on my way back from my failed attempt to visit the Statue of Liberty. Despite this, my opinion of this country is high, as most Americans are wonderful. Thankfully, Mik led me into a store when they came back, possibly to attack me. Mik asked for a job application there, although I got the impression that both she and the manager of the place knew that she would not be hired. I think that if I can obtain a green card, I may wish to work there. Later, when I declined an invitation to her apartment because of the police station directly across the street, Mik called me paranoid. That is very easy for one to say until one is an illegal immigrant themselves. I did, however agree to paint a mural of the Statue of Liberty, and to write Emma Lazarus’s poem which is on a plaque on Liberty’s pedestal. Despite having to paint over gang graffiti, Liberty looked beautiful with her ultraviolet wings I added as she looked upon the cityscape.
Day 8
Today I did volunteer work at the hospital for veterans. I taught students, most of whom were children taking a break from visiting their parents, about how to make paper designs. There was one veteran latecomer to the class, who almost left when one of the girls was shocked when she saw his bandages as he rolled in on his motorized wheelchair. Thankfully, I was able to persuade him to come back, and he even sat next to the shocked girl without incident. I was also very grateful that word had spread about my teaching. Yesterday I had only two students, whereas today I had a full house (which was admittedly only ten people). I hope that soon there are more chairs so that I can spread the artistic beauty that can be made with nothing more than a simple piece of paper. Afterward, I went with Mik to the store to purchase food. They have wonderful varieties of food at the supermarket there, and I was amazed when Mik told me that this store was nowhere near as good as most others. I am so happy to live in such a plentiful nation.
Day 4
I have just gotten directions to a man who is known for helping immigrants with connections to work and housing. I paid him five hundred dollars (which is a small price for what it is worth), and he gave me a job selling newspapers and directions to an inexpensive, but wonderful room. I cannot believe that the woman called such a wonderful place to live bare and dark. Another thing which I absolutely cannot comprehend is how the neighborhood I am in is considered rough here. If this neighborhood is considered rough by American standards, I can only imagine what magnificence the rest of this country has been blessed with. My only complaint is that I must be awake by 3:00 a.m., but again, that is a very small price to pay.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
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1. Tycho Brahe was born in Skane (which was then under Danish rule) in 1546.
2. Tycho’s father was from the Danish nobility. His mother was from an important, but not noble family. He was the second child of ten and he had one older sister.
3. Tycho Brahe was educated at the University of Wittenburg and University of Rostock.
6. Tycho Brahe was an astronomer.
7. Tycho wrote De Nova Stella, which is still studied today.
8. Tycho was the last astronomer to propose the geocentric model, albeit with minor variations.
9. Tycho had a silver nose. His real one was cut off in a duel.
2. Tycho’s father was from the Danish nobility. His mother was from an important, but not noble family. He was the second child of ten and he had one older sister.
3. Tycho Brahe was educated at the University of Wittenburg and University of Rostock.
6. Tycho Brahe was an astronomer.
7. Tycho wrote De Nova Stella, which is still studied today.
8. Tycho was the last astronomer to propose the geocentric model, albeit with minor variations.
9. Tycho had a silver nose. His real one was cut off in a duel.
Friday, October 2, 2009
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Imagine what helping both humanity and the environment, and getting paid for it would be like. That is what being an environmental engineer is. I love to help the environment, and I love to help people. I also am an auditory learner, but my learning styles were a close call between all three. Adaptability is one of the Work Styles, and it is something that I certainly have in the area of learning styles. My two top work values are Achievement and Recognition. This job shares my work value hierarchy almost exactly. The only thing which is different is that Independence and Relationships are 4th and 5th, respectively, for this job, but they are switched in that order for me. My Holland Code is pretty different, with my code being AIE, and the code for Environmental Engineers is IRC. Considering that I score abhorrently in the “Conventional” section, I may want to think carefully about whether I can get an assignment at a particular job which does not fit the “Conventional” mold.
The education required for this job is a bachelor’s degree or higher. I plan to get at least master’s degree. My Uncle Kevin plans to be an environmental engineer, but he only has bachelor’s degree. In all probability, however, a master’s degree would help me get paid more. Some physical challenges I will face are finger dexterity, hearing sensitivity, manual dexterity, depth perception, trunk strength, spatial orientation, arm-hand steadiness, dynamic strength, and gross body orientation. Some mental challenges I will face are conflict situations, time pressure, and selective attention. A bachelor’s degree is required for this occupation. You are obviously required to pay for it, but there is much financial aid for college to be had. Also, a valid license or registration to practice engineering is required in order to be considered qualified. This license probably has a nominal fee which one pays for out of one’s out pocket.
The risks involved in being an environmental engineer include dealing with unpleasant and angry people, exposure to contaminants, exposure to minor cuts, burns, stings, and exposure to hazardous equipment. It should be very easy to find a job, as the growth rate over 2006-2016 is projected to be much faster than average (21% or higher). One can earn a decent income immediately, as the entry wage is $45,000 a year. The promotion potential is likely to be quite high, with such rapid rates of job growth. A job as an environmental engineer is virtually bound to be secure, as there is a need for more and more of them.
A job as an environmental engineer pays quite well. In fact, the median wage for all of the U.S. was $74,000, and for Delaware it was $65,300. There are numerous health care benefits if one works in the public sector, which many environmental engineers do. If one chooses to work in the private sector, however, the benefits will vary drastically from company to company. Opportunities for advancement are likely to grow along with the number of environmental engineers because the more people you have, the more bosses you need.
I think that being an environmental engineer would be one of the greatest careers out there for me. I would be able to pursue my love of the environment and be able to make a fairly high income out of it. This career, while it does not match my Holland Code very well (with the exception of the investigative trait), does match my work values, and it is a job which I would enjoy. Also, as demonstrated by the lifestyle budget, it might not allow me to live the lifestyle I want to live immediately, but it should after a very short period of time. Also, being an environmental engineer would help me become a better humanitarian and a better citizen of the world because I could work on projects that protected people in impoverished places from various pollutants and other environmental ills. I would be good at it as well, due to my large knowledge of math, science, biology, physics, and chemistry. I would enjoy being an environmental engineer because my altruistic desires for both the environment and the world’s poor would be satisfied as well as my selfish desire to make a good income and have a good education. I could be a very good environmental engineer.
Works Cited
Delaware Department of Labor. Delaware Career Compass. Wilmington: Delaware Career Resource Network, 2009
Environmental Engineers. Web. 30 Sept. 2009..
"How Do I Become Board Certified?" American Academy of Environmental Engineers. Web. 3 Oct. 2009.
"Details Report for: Environmental Engineers." O*Net. Web. 3 Oct. 2009..
"Occupation Profile - America's Career InfoNet." Career Onestop. Web. 4 Oct. 2009..
"OPM-Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan Home Page." OPM-U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Web. 4 Oct. 2009.
The education required for this job is a bachelor’s degree or higher. I plan to get at least master’s degree. My Uncle Kevin plans to be an environmental engineer, but he only has bachelor’s degree. In all probability, however, a master’s degree would help me get paid more. Some physical challenges I will face are finger dexterity, hearing sensitivity, manual dexterity, depth perception, trunk strength, spatial orientation, arm-hand steadiness, dynamic strength, and gross body orientation. Some mental challenges I will face are conflict situations, time pressure, and selective attention. A bachelor’s degree is required for this occupation. You are obviously required to pay for it, but there is much financial aid for college to be had. Also, a valid license or registration to practice engineering is required in order to be considered qualified. This license probably has a nominal fee which one pays for out of one’s out pocket.
The risks involved in being an environmental engineer include dealing with unpleasant and angry people, exposure to contaminants, exposure to minor cuts, burns, stings, and exposure to hazardous equipment. It should be very easy to find a job, as the growth rate over 2006-2016 is projected to be much faster than average (21% or higher). One can earn a decent income immediately, as the entry wage is $45,000 a year. The promotion potential is likely to be quite high, with such rapid rates of job growth. A job as an environmental engineer is virtually bound to be secure, as there is a need for more and more of them.
A job as an environmental engineer pays quite well. In fact, the median wage for all of the U.S. was $74,000, and for Delaware it was $65,300. There are numerous health care benefits if one works in the public sector, which many environmental engineers do. If one chooses to work in the private sector, however, the benefits will vary drastically from company to company. Opportunities for advancement are likely to grow along with the number of environmental engineers because the more people you have, the more bosses you need.
I think that being an environmental engineer would be one of the greatest careers out there for me. I would be able to pursue my love of the environment and be able to make a fairly high income out of it. This career, while it does not match my Holland Code very well (with the exception of the investigative trait), does match my work values, and it is a job which I would enjoy. Also, as demonstrated by the lifestyle budget, it might not allow me to live the lifestyle I want to live immediately, but it should after a very short period of time. Also, being an environmental engineer would help me become a better humanitarian and a better citizen of the world because I could work on projects that protected people in impoverished places from various pollutants and other environmental ills. I would be good at it as well, due to my large knowledge of math, science, biology, physics, and chemistry. I would enjoy being an environmental engineer because my altruistic desires for both the environment and the world’s poor would be satisfied as well as my selfish desire to make a good income and have a good education. I could be a very good environmental engineer.
Works Cited
Delaware Department of Labor. Delaware Career Compass. Wilmington: Delaware Career Resource Network, 2009
Environmental Engineers. Web. 30 Sept. 2009.
"How Do I Become Board Certified?" American Academy of Environmental Engineers. Web. 3 Oct. 2009.
"Details Report for: Environmental Engineers." O*Net. Web. 3 Oct. 2009.
"Occupation Profile - America's Career InfoNet." Career Onestop. Web. 4 Oct. 2009.
"OPM-Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan Home Page." OPM-U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Web. 4 Oct. 2009.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Why I am Qualified
This essay is about why I am qualified to be a piano instructor. I got a Superior-minus in a piano contest at the upper-intermediate level. Also, I have been playing the piano for the totality of six years. My household consists of five people and it is two families living together. I am also very intelligent and get Distinguished Honors (straight A’s).
My responsibilities, aside from the obvious, chiefly consist of doing various household chores. I have to take out the trash, carry the laundry down to the basement, and deliver the laundry to people’s rooms. I have an IQ of 144 and got a 268 on the math MAP test (Despite the fact that these numbers are meaningless and are on occasion inaccurate, I just consider them an “accomplishment” because they reflect my intelligence.) I also made the All-Star team as a pitcher in 4th grade. Recently, I got a third place in a piano contest and second place in a piano contest. In addition, I am in chorus (as a major) and band (as a xylophone minor) at Cab Calloway School of the Arts, which I obviously got into.
My basic skills mainly deal with directions. I can follow directions well if they are given to me clearly. I am also good at giving clear directions (e.g. I wouldn’t say, “Get that over there”.). Also, I am very dependable, even if the task that I am assigned to do obliges awakening at 2:00 a.m. Trustworthiness, however, is my “strongest” basic skill, which I use to build trust with all the people around me.
My technical skills, unlike my basic skills, are very numerous. I am very good with music and I have been playing piano for six years. Also, I am particularly intelligent in the school subjects of social studies, history, math, and geography. In addition, I play the guitar, sing, and play the xylophone. I am also very good with little kids.
In conclusion, I think that I would be a good piano teacher for you to hire. I would be a valuable recruiting tool to the company, as children often feel more comfortable with someone of a similar age. In addition, I would be an industrious worker who is an asset to the company. Please hire me and contact me as soon as you have made a hiring decision.
This essay is about why I am qualified to be a piano instructor. I got a Superior-minus in a piano contest at the upper-intermediate level. Also, I have been playing the piano for the totality of six years. My household consists of five people and it is two families living together. I am also very intelligent and get Distinguished Honors (straight A’s).
My responsibilities, aside from the obvious, chiefly consist of doing various household chores. I have to take out the trash, carry the laundry down to the basement, and deliver the laundry to people’s rooms. I have an IQ of 144 and got a 268 on the math MAP test (Despite the fact that these numbers are meaningless and are on occasion inaccurate, I just consider them an “accomplishment” because they reflect my intelligence.) I also made the All-Star team as a pitcher in 4th grade. Recently, I got a third place in a piano contest and second place in a piano contest. In addition, I am in chorus (as a major) and band (as a xylophone minor) at Cab Calloway School of the Arts, which I obviously got into.
My basic skills mainly deal with directions. I can follow directions well if they are given to me clearly. I am also good at giving clear directions (e.g. I wouldn’t say, “Get that over there”.). Also, I am very dependable, even if the task that I am assigned to do obliges awakening at 2:00 a.m. Trustworthiness, however, is my “strongest” basic skill, which I use to build trust with all the people around me.
My technical skills, unlike my basic skills, are very numerous. I am very good with music and I have been playing piano for six years. Also, I am particularly intelligent in the school subjects of social studies, history, math, and geography. In addition, I play the guitar, sing, and play the xylophone. I am also very good with little kids.
In conclusion, I think that I would be a good piano teacher for you to hire. I would be a valuable recruiting tool to the company, as children often feel more comfortable with someone of a similar age. In addition, I would be an industrious worker who is an asset to the company. Please hire me and contact me as soon as you have made a hiring decision.
Why I am Qualified
This essay is about why I am qualified to be a piano instructor. I got a Superior-minus in a piano contest at the upper-intermediate level. Also, I have been playing the piano for the totality of six years. My household consists of five people and it is two families living together. I am also very intelligent and get Distinguished Honors (straight A’s).
My responsibilities, aside from the obvious, chiefly consist of doing various household chores. I have to take out the trash, carry the laundry down to the basement, and deliver the laundry to people’s rooms. I have an IQ of 144 and got a 268 on the math MAP test (Despite the fact that these numbers are meaningless and are on occasion inaccurate, I just consider them an “accomplishment” because they reflect my intelligence.) I also made the All-Star team as a pitcher in 4th grade. Recently, I got a third place in a piano contest and second place in a piano contest. In addition, I am in chorus (as a major) and band (as a xylophone minor) at Cab Calloway School of the Arts, which I obviously got into.
My basic skills mainly deal with directions. I can follow directions well if they are given to me clearly. I am also good at giving clear directions (e.g. I wouldn’t say, “Get that over there”.). Also, I am very dependable, even if the task that I am assigned to do obliges awakening at 2:00 a.m. Trustworthiness, however, is my “strongest” basic skill, which I use to build trust with all the people around me.
This essay is about why I am qualified to be a piano instructor. I got a Superior-minus in a piano contest at the upper-intermediate level. Also, I have been playing the piano for the totality of six years. My household consists of five people and it is two families living together. I am also very intelligent and get Distinguished Honors (straight A’s).
My responsibilities, aside from the obvious, chiefly consist of doing various household chores. I have to take out the trash, carry the laundry down to the basement, and deliver the laundry to people’s rooms. I have an IQ of 144 and got a 268 on the math MAP test (Despite the fact that these numbers are meaningless and are on occasion inaccurate, I just consider them an “accomplishment” because they reflect my intelligence.) I also made the All-Star team as a pitcher in 4th grade. Recently, I got a third place in a piano contest and second place in a piano contest. In addition, I am in chorus (as a major) and band (as a xylophone minor) at Cab Calloway School of the Arts, which I obviously got into.
My basic skills mainly deal with directions. I can follow directions well if they are given to me clearly. I am also good at giving clear directions (e.g. I wouldn’t say, “Get that over there”.). Also, I am very dependable, even if the task that I am assigned to do obliges awakening at 2:00 a.m. Trustworthiness, however, is my “strongest” basic skill, which I use to build trust with all the people around me.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Why I am Qualified
This essay is about why I am qualified to be a piano instructor. I got a Superior-minus in a piano contest at the upper-intermediate level. Also, I have been playing the piano for the totality of six years. My household consists of five people and it is two families living together. I am also very intelligent and get Distinguished Honors (straight A’s).
My responsibilities, aside from the obvious, chiefly consist of doing various household chores. I have to take out the trash, carry the laundry down to the basement,
This essay is about why I am qualified to be a piano instructor. I got a Superior-minus in a piano contest at the upper-intermediate level. Also, I have been playing the piano for the totality of six years. My household consists of five people and it is two families living together. I am also very intelligent and get Distinguished Honors (straight A’s).
My responsibilities, aside from the obvious, chiefly consist of doing various household chores. I have to take out the trash, carry the laundry down to the basement,
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Socials
Marco Polo (1254-1324) was a trader from Venice, Italy. Some accounts say that he was born in Croatia, but this theory is widely rejected by most scholars. Polo, along with his uncle, Maffeo Polo, and his father, Niccolo Polo visited many civilizations throughout the Far East, most notably China. The Polo party reached China in 1296 and left in 1291, although they did not reach Venice until 1292. He became a confidant of Kublai Khan (1214-1294), and he traveled all of China. It is reported that he tried to leave numerous times, but Khan enjoyed his company so much that he would not permit him to leave.
The Khan requested Maffeo and Niccolo to ask the Pope to send 100 missionaries when he met them in the 1260s (which was before Marco joined the group), perhaps to convert the Mongols to Christianity. The two Polos did not return with the requested missionaries, but because Marco’s mother died, they had to take him along with them. The Polo party left Venice in 1271, but they did not reach China until 1275. The Khan was fond of Marco and conscripted him for service to the empire. While the Khan enjoyed the company of the Polos, he allowed them to leave the empire under the condition that they would escort a Persian princess who was to be married. The Polos, the princess, and over 500 sailors left on from a port in southern China. The armada left in 1292, but they encountered a horrendous storm. Allegedly, only eighteen people out of the original 600 survived, but this is rather unlikely, as all of the Polos and the princess all survived. They arrived in Venice in 1293.
A few years after Marco Polo returned, in 1298, Venice and Genoa went to war with each other. Marco joined the army, but was taken as a prisoner of war (POW). While he was incarcerated for two years, Marco dictated his travels to a fellow prisoner, Rustichello. Rustichello, who was a French writer, subsequently published the book into The Travels of Marco Polo, which is still in print to this day. In this book, Marco describes the politics, agriculture, military power, economy, sexual practices, and religions of each area. The book was also called Il Milione, meaning a million. This nickname has three possible origins. One is that Emilione was the Polo family nickname. Some people were very skeptical of Marco’s travels, and may have nicknamed the book due to it being “a million (which was considered an extremely large number at the time) lies”. The most likely origin, however is that Marco Polo often described things in the hundreds, thousands, or occasionally millions. A typical passage from the book describes the island of Nicobar as approximately 150 miles north of the island of Java, an anarchic community, and a place where men and women run naked. He describes the people as idolaters who decorated their houses with silk (which hung from rods) as ornaments. He also said that their forests were filled with valuable foods, such as coconuts. The exact passage reads as follows:
Concerning the Island of Nicobar
When you leave the island of Java and the kingdom of Lambri, you sail north about one hundred and fifty miles, and then you come to two islands, one of which is called Nicobar. On this island they have no king or chief, but live like beasts. They go all naked, both men and women, and do not use the slightest covering of any kind. They are idolaters. They decorate their houses with long pieces of silk, which they hang from rods as an ornament, regarding it as we would pearls, gems, silver, or gold. The woods are filled with valuable plants and trees, including cloves, brazil, and coconuts.
There is nothing else worth relating so we will go on to the island of Andaman...
References:
The Travels of Marco Polo (primary)
http://geography.about.com/cs/marcopolo/a/marcopolo.htm
http://www.silk-road.com/artl/marcopolo.shtml
The Khan requested Maffeo and Niccolo to ask the Pope to send 100 missionaries when he met them in the 1260s (which was before Marco joined the group), perhaps to convert the Mongols to Christianity. The two Polos did not return with the requested missionaries, but because Marco’s mother died, they had to take him along with them. The Polo party left Venice in 1271, but they did not reach China until 1275. The Khan was fond of Marco and conscripted him for service to the empire. While the Khan enjoyed the company of the Polos, he allowed them to leave the empire under the condition that they would escort a Persian princess who was to be married. The Polos, the princess, and over 500 sailors left on from a port in southern China. The armada left in 1292, but they encountered a horrendous storm. Allegedly, only eighteen people out of the original 600 survived, but this is rather unlikely, as all of the Polos and the princess all survived. They arrived in Venice in 1293.
A few years after Marco Polo returned, in 1298, Venice and Genoa went to war with each other. Marco joined the army, but was taken as a prisoner of war (POW). While he was incarcerated for two years, Marco dictated his travels to a fellow prisoner, Rustichello. Rustichello, who was a French writer, subsequently published the book into The Travels of Marco Polo, which is still in print to this day. In this book, Marco describes the politics, agriculture, military power, economy, sexual practices, and religions of each area. The book was also called Il Milione, meaning a million. This nickname has three possible origins. One is that Emilione was the Polo family nickname. Some people were very skeptical of Marco’s travels, and may have nicknamed the book due to it being “a million (which was considered an extremely large number at the time) lies”. The most likely origin, however is that Marco Polo often described things in the hundreds, thousands, or occasionally millions. A typical passage from the book describes the island of Nicobar as approximately 150 miles north of the island of Java, an anarchic community, and a place where men and women run naked. He describes the people as idolaters who decorated their houses with silk (which hung from rods) as ornaments. He also said that their forests were filled with valuable foods, such as coconuts. The exact passage reads as follows:
Concerning the Island of Nicobar
When you leave the island of Java and the kingdom of Lambri, you sail north about one hundred and fifty miles, and then you come to two islands, one of which is called Nicobar. On this island they have no king or chief, but live like beasts. They go all naked, both men and women, and do not use the slightest covering of any kind. They are idolaters. They decorate their houses with long pieces of silk, which they hang from rods as an ornament, regarding it as we would pearls, gems, silver, or gold. The woods are filled with valuable plants and trees, including cloves, brazil, and coconuts.
There is nothing else worth relating so we will go on to the island of Andaman...
References:
The Travels of Marco Polo (primary)
http://geography.about.com/cs/marcopolo/a/marcopolo.htm
http://www.silk-road.com/artl/marcopolo.shtml
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
asdfsdafsad
February 27, 2009
Ms. Julie Rumschlag
Cab Calloway School of the Arts
100 N. DuPont Road
Wilmington, DE 19807
Dear Dean Rumschlag
RE: Longer lunch period
I believe that we should have a longer lunch period. It is outrageous that we have only half an hour to eat lunch. Sometimes, even when I do not go outside or talk for an extended period of time, I cannot finish my lunch. Also, when I do go outside (which I almost always do), I have to give up eating at least part of my sandwich. I am fully aware that this cafeteria must accommodate the Cab Calloway high school and middle school, as well as the Charter School of Wilmington. However, it seems to me that Cab Calloway is getting the shorter end of the stick. Both the high school and middle school only have a half-hour for lunch, while Charter gets to have lunch for a longer duration.
As I am sure you are aware, a longer lunch would mean a longer time for the students to play in the courtyard. This would allow students to exert more of their energy, which would result in fewer people using their energy in the classroom by not settling down. More time in the courtyard would also allow the students to converse with their friends more. This would deter some of the chatter that occurs in the classroom, which is quite irksome to both teachers and students. While this would inevitably take time away from the educational period of the day, a substantial portion of the amount of time spent on dissuading the classroom chatter would now be used for teaching. This would result in a near equilibrium between the time given that is no longer needed to deter talking and the time taken away from class with the extended lunch period. It seems to me to be a win-win situation to have more time in the courtyard for the students.
More time for a lunch period would also allow students to make up tests during the lunch period, while still allowing both teachers and students to eat their lunch. This has been a serious problem in Mr. Edwards’s class, where many students (those who can) are forced to make up their tests during their arts (or occasionally academics) periods, which could force them to miss important material in those classes. Also, students who are doing poorly in Mr. Beam’s (there may be other teachers who do this as well) class, or just want peace and quiet from the vociferous noise in the cafeteria could go to his class to either make up work or to seek sanctuary from the noise would have more time to do so, and have the ability to do so as well as eat their entire lunch. Of course, students who have not had lunch will probably do poorly for the remainder of the school day, which would bode ill for the student’s grade on any upcoming tests or quizzes.
Having a longer lunch period would be advantageous to the teachers as well. In addition to the reasons that I mentioned above, the teachers who eat lunch would get a longer time to discuss things in the faculty dining room, which would mean that teachers would not get into extensive discussions in between class periods and then be late to class. It would also mean that teachers who do not eat lunch would have more time to get their work done during school hours. That would mean that teachers would probably not do their work during class, which also sucks time from the students’ actual learning time. I think everyone would drink from the well of a longer lunch period.
Overall, I think that there are absolutely no reasons to not have an extended lunch period. As I stated earlier, I think that this is very much of a “Catch 21” idea, meaning that virtually no harm could possibly come out of it. It would be very popular among students and teachers alike, and it would make everyone happier. An extended lunch period would allow students to exert energy and make up work. It would also allow teachers to get things done. Please consider implementing this change during the 2009-2010 school year.
Sincerely
Jonathan Tate
Student
Ms. Julie Rumschlag
Cab Calloway School of the Arts
100 N. DuPont Road
Wilmington, DE 19807
Dear Dean Rumschlag
RE: Longer lunch period
I believe that we should have a longer lunch period. It is outrageous that we have only half an hour to eat lunch. Sometimes, even when I do not go outside or talk for an extended period of time, I cannot finish my lunch. Also, when I do go outside (which I almost always do), I have to give up eating at least part of my sandwich. I am fully aware that this cafeteria must accommodate the Cab Calloway high school and middle school, as well as the Charter School of Wilmington. However, it seems to me that Cab Calloway is getting the shorter end of the stick. Both the high school and middle school only have a half-hour for lunch, while Charter gets to have lunch for a longer duration.
As I am sure you are aware, a longer lunch would mean a longer time for the students to play in the courtyard. This would allow students to exert more of their energy, which would result in fewer people using their energy in the classroom by not settling down. More time in the courtyard would also allow the students to converse with their friends more. This would deter some of the chatter that occurs in the classroom, which is quite irksome to both teachers and students. While this would inevitably take time away from the educational period of the day, a substantial portion of the amount of time spent on dissuading the classroom chatter would now be used for teaching. This would result in a near equilibrium between the time given that is no longer needed to deter talking and the time taken away from class with the extended lunch period. It seems to me to be a win-win situation to have more time in the courtyard for the students.
More time for a lunch period would also allow students to make up tests during the lunch period, while still allowing both teachers and students to eat their lunch. This has been a serious problem in Mr. Edwards’s class, where many students (those who can) are forced to make up their tests during their arts (or occasionally academics) periods, which could force them to miss important material in those classes. Also, students who are doing poorly in Mr. Beam’s (there may be other teachers who do this as well) class, or just want peace and quiet from the vociferous noise in the cafeteria could go to his class to either make up work or to seek sanctuary from the noise would have more time to do so, and have the ability to do so as well as eat their entire lunch. Of course, students who have not had lunch will probably do poorly for the remainder of the school day, which would bode ill for the student’s grade on any upcoming tests or quizzes.
Having a longer lunch period would be advantageous to the teachers as well. In addition to the reasons that I mentioned above, the teachers who eat lunch would get a longer time to discuss things in the faculty dining room, which would mean that teachers would not get into extensive discussions in between class periods and then be late to class. It would also mean that teachers who do not eat lunch would have more time to get their work done during school hours. That would mean that teachers would probably not do their work during class, which also sucks time from the students’ actual learning time. I think everyone would drink from the well of a longer lunch period.
Overall, I think that there are absolutely no reasons to not have an extended lunch period. As I stated earlier, I think that this is very much of a “Catch 21” idea, meaning that virtually no harm could possibly come out of it. It would be very popular among students and teachers alike, and it would make everyone happier. An extended lunch period would allow students to exert energy and make up work. It would also allow teachers to get things done. Please consider implementing this change during the 2009-2010 school year.
Sincerely
Jonathan Tate
Student
Monday, January 12, 2009
igjwrog
The Western Wall
by
Jonathan Tate
The Western Wall was constructed in 19 B.C.E. by Herod the Great. It is in the midst of the Old City of Jerusalem. It has remained completely intact since the destruction of the Second Jewish Temple in 70 C.E. It has become a sacred spot in Jewish religious consciousness, due to the proximity to the Western Wall of the Holy of Holies in the Temple. It has hence been associated with Israel’s exile (and hope for restoration). Because of this, it is known in some European languages as the “Wailing Wall”.
The wall aboveground consists of 24 rows of stones, varying in height and measure, but measuring 18 meters (54 feet and 9 inches) high. In 1867, much archeological excavation revealed that 19 more layers of rock lay beneath the ground.
Since 132 C.E. (the failure of the Bar Kokhba revolt), the prayers of Israel, both in Israel and throughout the Jewish Diaspora, have been directed toward this wall. The wall has been incorporated in Jewish tradition since approximately 1520, probably due to either the immigration of the Spanish exiles or due to the Turkish conquest in 1528. Jewish sources in Jerusalem up to the 16th Century have noted an attachment to the Holy Place, although the Western Wall is almost never specifically mentioned. However, Benjamin from Tudela mentioned the wall in his writing in the 12th Century. Also, the scroll of Ahimaaz in the 11th Century also made reference to a synagogue by the side of the Western Wall. No Muslim sources indicate any Arab interest whatsoever in the Wall. Despite this, the nearby area became Muslim religious property in at the end of the 12th Century. The Muslims often used it as a garbage dump to humiliate the Jews who were visiting there. Jews, however, were later allowed to hold their prayers at the Wall undisturbed.
As the Israeli Jewish population expanded, so did the popularity of the Wall among Jews. During the 19th Century, the Jews attempted to gain control of the wall. Despite their numerous efforts to obtain it by any means (Hakham Abdullah even attempted to buy it), the Jews could not gain control of the Wall. Occasionally, a table for reading the Torah was placed near the Wall, but was forcibly removed by the Waqf (Muslim religious authorities). During the British Mandate, there was much fighting between Jews and Muslims over the wall. After the Balfour declaration, which gave Israel independence, the Wall obtained significance both nationally and religously.
In 1930, during the period of the British Mandate, a committee (consisting of a Swede, a Swiss, and a Dutchman) was set up to resolve the conflict between Jews and Muslims over who had what rights to the Wall. The committee came to the conclusion that while Muslims had absolute ownership of the Wall, Jews had an unlimited right to worship there (but not to blow the shofar there). The Muslims objected, but the Jews agreed, however they objected to the last part, considering it to be an insult.
After May 1948 (the submission of the Jewish Quarter), Jews were forbidden to even look at the Wall from afar. However, Israel seized the Wall on the third day of the Six-Day War when Israeli parachutists broke through the “Bloody Gate”. The Moghrabi Quarter was subsequently demolished. On the first day of Shavuot, 250,000 Jews flocked to the Wall. The entire area in front of the Wall was leveled and converted into a paved open space.
The Western Wall is generally considered to be among the holiest places in the Jewish religion. It has a very extensive history and remains to this day a topic of contention between Jews and Arabs.
by
Jonathan Tate
The Western Wall was constructed in 19 B.C.E. by Herod the Great. It is in the midst of the Old City of Jerusalem. It has remained completely intact since the destruction of the Second Jewish Temple in 70 C.E. It has become a sacred spot in Jewish religious consciousness, due to the proximity to the Western Wall of the Holy of Holies in the Temple. It has hence been associated with Israel’s exile (and hope for restoration). Because of this, it is known in some European languages as the “Wailing Wall”.
The wall aboveground consists of 24 rows of stones, varying in height and measure, but measuring 18 meters (54 feet and 9 inches) high. In 1867, much archeological excavation revealed that 19 more layers of rock lay beneath the ground.
Since 132 C.E. (the failure of the Bar Kokhba revolt), the prayers of Israel, both in Israel and throughout the Jewish Diaspora, have been directed toward this wall. The wall has been incorporated in Jewish tradition since approximately 1520, probably due to either the immigration of the Spanish exiles or due to the Turkish conquest in 1528. Jewish sources in Jerusalem up to the 16th Century have noted an attachment to the Holy Place, although the Western Wall is almost never specifically mentioned. However, Benjamin from Tudela mentioned the wall in his writing in the 12th Century. Also, the scroll of Ahimaaz in the 11th Century also made reference to a synagogue by the side of the Western Wall. No Muslim sources indicate any Arab interest whatsoever in the Wall. Despite this, the nearby area became Muslim religious property in at the end of the 12th Century. The Muslims often used it as a garbage dump to humiliate the Jews who were visiting there. Jews, however, were later allowed to hold their prayers at the Wall undisturbed.
As the Israeli Jewish population expanded, so did the popularity of the Wall among Jews. During the 19th Century, the Jews attempted to gain control of the wall. Despite their numerous efforts to obtain it by any means (Hakham Abdullah even attempted to buy it), the Jews could not gain control of the Wall. Occasionally, a table for reading the Torah was placed near the Wall, but was forcibly removed by the Waqf (Muslim religious authorities). During the British Mandate, there was much fighting between Jews and Muslims over the wall. After the Balfour declaration, which gave Israel independence, the Wall obtained significance both nationally and religously.
In 1930, during the period of the British Mandate, a committee (consisting of a Swede, a Swiss, and a Dutchman) was set up to resolve the conflict between Jews and Muslims over who had what rights to the Wall. The committee came to the conclusion that while Muslims had absolute ownership of the Wall, Jews had an unlimited right to worship there (but not to blow the shofar there). The Muslims objected, but the Jews agreed, however they objected to the last part, considering it to be an insult.
After May 1948 (the submission of the Jewish Quarter), Jews were forbidden to even look at the Wall from afar. However, Israel seized the Wall on the third day of the Six-Day War when Israeli parachutists broke through the “Bloody Gate”. The Moghrabi Quarter was subsequently demolished. On the first day of Shavuot, 250,000 Jews flocked to the Wall. The entire area in front of the Wall was leveled and converted into a paved open space.
The Western Wall is generally considered to be among the holiest places in the Jewish religion. It has a very extensive history and remains to this day a topic of contention between Jews and Arabs.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
My English Paper
The Tornado
When I was seven years old, I was in an F2 tornado. I was at a restaurant called Lulu’s in San Antonio, Texas. It was about 7:00 p.m. on a Saturday night. This was no ordinary vacation.
My mother and I came into the restaurant at about 6:30. It was quite windy, and it was storming very severely. When we got inside, there was a toddler, who was constantly shrieking. I will admit, once the storm got worse, I was so scared that I hid under the table. That was among the most frightening experiences of my life.
Speaking of the wind, it was blowing as fast as the lightning. Sustained winds were at 105 mph, and gusts reached 135 mph. In fact, the wind was so loud that you had to yell right in someone’s ear just to speak to them. That was the “windiest” experience of my life.
At about 7:30, the storm finally let up. The aftermath was horrendous. A few of the windows in Lulu’s were broken. A nearby revolving restaurant toppled over. Overall, the tornado left four dead and seventeen injured.
In conclusion, this was a very “exciting” storm. I felt a wide range of emotions. Fear, excitement, and wonder come to mind. I guess people who live in “Tornado Alley” get used to this. I never will.
When I was seven years old, I was in an F2 tornado. I was at a restaurant called Lulu’s in San Antonio, Texas. It was about 7:00 p.m. on a Saturday night. This was no ordinary vacation.
My mother and I came into the restaurant at about 6:30. It was quite windy, and it was storming very severely. When we got inside, there was a toddler, who was constantly shrieking. I will admit, once the storm got worse, I was so scared that I hid under the table. That was among the most frightening experiences of my life.
Speaking of the wind, it was blowing as fast as the lightning. Sustained winds were at 105 mph, and gusts reached 135 mph. In fact, the wind was so loud that you had to yell right in someone’s ear just to speak to them. That was the “windiest” experience of my life.
At about 7:30, the storm finally let up. The aftermath was horrendous. A few of the windows in Lulu’s were broken. A nearby revolving restaurant toppled over. Overall, the tornado left four dead and seventeen injured.
In conclusion, this was a very “exciting” storm. I felt a wide range of emotions. Fear, excitement, and wonder come to mind. I guess people who live in “Tornado Alley” get used to this. I never will.
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