Rise of the Runelords
The Late Unpleasantness is the term coined by the locals of Sandpoint in regards to two terrible events which, though unrelated, occurred in such a close timeframe that they will be forever linked in the town’s history.
Over the course of a month in late 4702 AR (roughly 5 years before the start of the story), 27 grisly murders occurred in Sandpoint by a killer who came to be known as Chopper. Each was found with the same wounds: deep cuts to the neck and torso, hands and feet severed and stacked nearby, and the eyes and tongues missing entirely.
Chopper had an uncanny knack for eluding traps, and pursuit quickly wore on Sheriff Casp Avertin and the town guard. Avertin in particular took to drinking heavily. Eventually, however, Avertin cornered Chopper mutilating his latest victim. In the battle that followed, both sheriff and killer were mortally wounded, Avertin landing a telling blow before falling himself. Chopper escaped, but then-guard member Belor Hemlock found both the victim and the sheriff, rallied the troops, and followed Chopper’s blood trail.
The trail led to the stairs of Stoot’s Rock, the home of eccentric, yet popular, sculptor Jervis Stoot, whose bird carvings adorned most houses, and many other structures, in Sandpoint. At first, the guard assumed Stoot would be yet another victim of Chopper. Yet inside and below the house, guards found a horrific alter to a vile demon lord of winged creatures and temptation whose name they dared not speak aloud. Atop the altar were the tongues and eyes from 25 victims, excluding Avertin and the body laying in what is today known as Choppers Lane.
As well as the body parts, Stoot himself was found dead at the base of the altar, having plucked his own eyes and tongue loose in a final offering. The guards collapsed the entrance to the basement, burned Stoot’s house, and did their best to forget. Stoot himself was burned on the beach in a pyre, his ashes blessed and scattered in an attempted to stave off an unholy return of his evil spirit.
But as fate would have it, Sandpoint would soon have another tragedy to bear, one that almost eclipsed Chopper’s rampage. A month after Stoot’s discovery, a terrible fire struck Sandpoint. The fire started in the Sandpoint Chapel and spread quickly, As the town rallied to save the church, the fire expanded to the North Coast Stables, the White Deer Inn, and three homes. In the end, the church burned to the ground, leaving the town’s beloved priest Ezakien Tobyn and his beautiful adopted daughter Nualia dead.
All that remains of Stoot are ragged scars on buildings and figureheads where owners used hatchets to remove his once-beloved carvings. The homes and businesses ravaged by the fire have been reconstructed, and the Sandpoint Cathedral is ready to be consecrated. With it, Sandpoint hopes to finally put the Late Unpleasantness behind them.
UPDATE: Perhaps the Unpleasantness isn’t as behind Sandpoint residents as they hoped.
Through the journal of Tsuto Kaijitsu, it has been learned that the Sandpoint Cathedral fire was, in fact, started by Nualia Tobyn, who faked her own death in the blaze. Reasons for the fire, as well as Nualia’s plans for the future of Sandpoint, can be found in her character detail.


16th century Italian music to lament a fallen god
Giorgio Ghisi, Venus and Adonis ca.1570
Through centuries of re-telling the myth of Venus and Adonis, the ritualistic Adonia festival held in ancient Athens has remained a part of the story which fascinated a number of literary figures during the Italian Renaissance. The ritual was both a lamentation of love cruelly stolen by the hands of fate, and a feverish “final dance” with all of life's short-lived pleasures and desires. The ensemble Phaedrus partakes in an experimental musical staging of the Venus and Adonis mythos as transmitted during the Italian Renaissance by setting extracts of Marino's 1623 Adone and from Girolamo Parabosco's La favola d’Adone, published in 1545, to early frottole music. Phaedrus surrounds these newly arranged frottole with instrumental music inspired by the tragic life of Adonis. Elevating the voice with traverso consort and lute, Adonia aims to find points of commonality between historical aesthetics and contemporary experiences of love, amorality, and ecstatic bereavement.
Program length: 66 minutes without pause
Miriam Trevisan, Voice
Bor Zuljan, Renaissance lute
Luis Martinez Pueyo
The Italian Madrigal 1530-1600
In this program, Phaedrus journeys through the metamorphoses of style embodied in the performance of the madrigal in 16th century Italy, boldly applied to performances by traverso consort with voice and lute. Phaedrus begins the concert with stylistic pioneers Philippe Verdelot and Jacques Arcadelt, then progresses through the shocking developments in harmony proposed by mid-16th century composers such as Cipriano de Rore and Nicola Vicentino. As a finale, Phaedrus portrays an example of the lighter hybrid style between the madrigal and canzona masterfully utilized by Andrea Gabrieli. From beginning to end, virtuosity abounds throughout this program. Phaedrus elegantly showcases an array of musical treasures from this dynamic time period.
The King's Flutes:
Early Tudor Court Music
Henry VIII's passion for singing, dancing and composing songs was well known during his reign. By the time of the King's death in 1547, he had amassed an enormous collection of instruments, including over 70 transverse flutes. In this program, Phaedrus aims to bring the sound of Henry VIII's flutes back to life, presenting a selection of music which might have been played by his instruments from the most beloved manuscripts which circulated in the English court during the king's lifetime: courtly love songs, instrumental fantasies, and some of the earliest English dance tunes arranged for traverso consort.


Visit the GECDSB Virtua Library to search for books in our library and to find links to help you research.
Helpful Research links
News for Kids: (from Common Sense Media)
Youngzine Parents need to know that Youngzine isn't only a current events magazine for young people -- it's a supportive, interactive learning community. Adult moderators show up all over the place, from registration to original summary articles to responses to comments and achievements. Some kids do use their full names or ages, but their locations aren't revealed. It's a gentle news source for kids and tweens who want to keep up on issues and maybe throw their own opinions into the ring.
NewsELA Parents need to know that Newsela is a website that offers kids the chance to read about current events at the level they're comfortable with. When kids sign up, they'll need to click on an email-verification link to get started. Once registered, you'll receive a start-up code that family members can use to log in. Kids will need to register separately with their own usernames and passwords, enter the code, and view articles you've selected.


|Alphonso Hodge M.D.||Rachel and the Family||Crit and his Children|
These pages consist of two databases containing genealogical information about the extended family of Dr. Alphonso Hodge . We started with a HODGE family database and developed more data than we had anticipated . Now, several families related by marriage are represented in the extended files which were generated from a more extensive GEDCOM file using software to convert to HTML. We have recently revised this study to show the parents of Alphonso Hodge as James and Mary J.W. Campbell Hodge. We are basing this change on an entry in the Livingston County, KY Court Order Book(1), dated May 2, 1842 where James L. Hodge is made the guardian of Alphonso, who is described as "the heir of James Hodge, desceased". Thanks to Donald F. Hodge for contributing this information. You can examine only The Descendants of Alphonso Hodge Or, An index of these Family names is a good place to start. Another revision of the dat is also available by following this New Family link.


Student Engagement Success and Retention Maturity Model (SESR-MM). The following provides an example of the application of the maturity model
Final Report 2014 The final project report submitted to the Office for Teaching and Learning
Project Plan The project plan is was last updated in November 2013.
Assessing capacity overview This document summarises the process followed for assigning capacity scores to institutional student engagement, success and retention practices. It was applied to the Model of Student, Engagement, Success and Retention (SESR) developed in the SESR Project.
Student engagement reference list The literature sources that have provided the theoretical and empirical bases used to generate the conceptualising of student engagement, success and retention.
E-Learning Maturity Model This is a foundational example of a maturity model from which this project has drawn extensively, many thanks to Stephen Mitchell and Geoff Marshal for their advice.


We maintain an extensive collection of photographic material, some of which is presented here in galleries for your interest and enjoyment. Much of the material we have collected is simply reflective of our own personal, indeed enduring interest in the area where we both work and take our leisure. Most images are noted with at least a title, some with captions that explain a scene although others are left entirely untitled, as hopefully they will speak for themselves.
Virtually all of the historic material is necessarily presented in its original Black and White, and regrettably the quality necessary to ensure quick downloading times to you from the web, does not do Edwardian technology justice. Richard Denyer, a locally based professional photographer who has amassed an extensive library of contemporary material of exceptional quality, presents a more up to date view of Broadland Norfolk here.
We will be adding to the list of galleries, with future projects, written articles and more historical material, so please come back and visit the site often.
List of Galleries
"Past Times and Pastimes". A collection of photographs from the late 19th and early 20th century, showing Broadland scenes, with people both at work and play.
"Yacht Racing In The Victorian and Edwardian Era". A selection of racing scenes from around the turn of the last century, showing some of the remarkable racing yachts which fought for supremacy on the Broads a 100 years ago.
"The Denyer Archive". Richard Denyers archive of present day Broadland scenes with many local characters, presented in colour and also Black & White.


ImageMagick and GD Library in Cloud Web Hosting
All the Linux cloud web hosting packages that we supply are set up on our revolutionary cloud platform and since both GD Library and ImageMagick are installed on it, your script applications can use these software suites any time. The libraries can be found with all PHP versions that we offer as we support PHP 4 and a number of versions of PHP 5, PHP 7 and PHP 8. Regardless if you employ a custom-made script, one of the applications which you will be able to install through the Hepsia Control Panel or some third-party application that you find on the web, you will be able to build feature-rich multimedia sites, like image galleries or socially-oriented portals where both you and the users will be able to work with charts and images in real time as long as the script offers such functionality.
ImageMagick and GD Library in Semi-dedicated Hosting
Every single semi-dedicated server package that we supply is provided with ImageMagick and GD Library support as standard. The libraries will be enabled all the time even if you upgrade the PHP version that is being used by your account, so you won't have to re-enable anything manually if you switch from PHP 5, PHP 7, PHP 8 to PHP 4 or vice versa. If the script app which you employ has in-built options to use images and charts, it will function perfectly on our servers, no matter if you've acquired it online, if it is a part of the script library which you can access from the Hepsia web hosting Control Panel or if you wrote it on your own. When you use our services, you will be able to build interactive image galleries, portfolio sites or feature-rich social network portals.


What does it take to elevate your performance to the next level? Who better to ask than Olympic Gold Medalist, Vladimir Grbic?
What is the role of innovation within education? Shawn Kanungo, a globally recognized innovation strategist, shares his insight into how innovation occurs and what it could look like within schools.
Anaiah Downing, Eliana Downing, and Teo Downing had the opportunity to ask some curious questions to Judy Schachner, #1 New York Times author/illustrator. (See episode #29 for the complete conversation with Judy.)
How does an award winning author and illustrator create their books? Judy Schachner, #1 NY Times Best Selling Author/Illustrator, gives us a glimpse into her creation process.
How do we prepare for jobs that don't exist yet? Michelle Weise guides us through this transition with thoughtful insight and tons of examples.
What is the role of technology within our learning? John Couch, Apple's first Vice President of Education, helps us understand the difference between utilizing technology as a mental bicycle and an exercise bike.
Design has a significant impact on the way information is conveyed, and the degree to which learners are able to process and understand content. Oliver Caviglioli breaks down the way the mind works, organizes content, and what we can do to better facilitate understanding.
Noan Fesnoux highlights the importance of experiences within our educational journey. He shares how they have impacted his learning, and also how he views learning for students. Noan shares all of this with clarity and a deep conviction.
Kristen Graham, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, shares some of her experiences while covering education in Philadelphia. She also breaks down important skills needed in journalism and describes events from a recent arrest.
Amelia Nierenberg, New York Times reporter, brings needed and helpful insight into the current state of education. Amelia's observations are not only pertinent to our current situation with her work on the Coronavirus Briefing, but can help move education forward.
Professional rock climber Sierra Blair-Coyle helps us better understand the complex dynamics of rock climbing, and what is needed to succeed. Sierra tells us about her favorite places to climb, how to improve, and the impact of her coaches.
Anaiah Downing, Eliana Downing, and Teo Downing asked some curious questions to previous guests (ep 16-19). The answers were great for listeners of all ages.
Betsy Struxness takes us on a journey from a small town in Italy to the hectic backstage of Broadway performances.
Voltaire shares his early learning experiences like when he recorded Thriller over a precious family VHS tape, and memorized the various movements. Voltaire goes on to share the importance of movement w/ learning, and plenty of insightful Hamilton stories!
What can we learn from musicals like Hamilton? TONS! Join Matthew Downing and Stephanie Klemons as they dive into Hamilton (the musical), choreography, Katie's Art Project, and what makes a beneficial learning experience.
What can great leaders learn from living like a drug addict? Listen in as Matthew Downing chats with Michael Brody-Waite about his journey and the many lessons he has applied to successful leadership.


In 1949, the Cold War escalating across Europe and Asia, the Tibetan Government feared an imminent invasion by China. They decided to invite someone who could take a message back to President Truman, in the hopes that they would gain international support to halt the Chinese occupation. The invitation went out to the best known newsman of the day to tell their story to the world, Lowell Thomas. He was accompanied by his son Lowell Jr. They would visit Lhasa and meet the 15 year old Dalai Lama. The Thomases were among a handful of foreigners to ever brave this journey, others perishing in the attempt.
Traveling by horseback for many weeks from India, through the high Himalayas and on to Lhasa, the Thomases recorded their epic journey on movie film, photographs and in radio broadcasts. On their return, Lowell Sr. fell from his horse and broke his hip in eight places, making the journey almost impossible.
This film and gallery of images documents this adventure of a lifetime and is perhaps the last record of life in Tibet before it fell to the Chinese Army.
Ever since this trip, the Thomas family has maintained ongoing relationship with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, to support his efforts to maintain the cultural and religious freedoms of his country.
Ten years after the Thomas expedition, despite his efforts to negotiate with the Chinese, His Holiness fled to India, where he has lived in exile ever since. Here, Thomas helped set up a school for Tibetan refugees.
Continuing the family tradition, in 2016, the granddaughter of Lowell Thomas Sr., Anne, returned to visit the Dalai Lama to interview him for a biography of her grandfather. The interview is also available on this site.
Also available are a collection of images taken in 1949, as well as photographs taken in 2016 when a team returned to Tibet to retrace the footsteps of the original expedition.


The full volume 2017 (4 issues) of the journal Symmetry: Culture and Science is published online, and more pages are available for free download.
The Symmetry Festival 2019 of the ISA is planned at the ZKM (Center for Art and Media), Karlsruhe, Germany.
Symmetry: Culture and Science has been included in the coverage of the Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI) of the Web of Science. This is the entrance-hall to get included in the coverage by SSCI, A&HCI and SCIE in the Web of Science.
The Issue 2 of the Vol. 28 (2017) of the journal Symmetry: Culture and Science is downloadable free.
Symmetry Festival, the world’s largest multidisciplinary conference and art festival in Symmetry Studies goes to Vienna!
The event will be hosted by the Vienna University of Technology in cooperation with the Bertalanffy Center for the Study of Systems Science.
We look forward to welcoming You!
For more information please visit the website of Symmetry Festival!


Do you think that access to magical powers would help your love life? Who doesn’t?
Which is where good witch Emma Hutch comes in. By day, she’s just your average, stylish girl about town. By night, she puts her witchy ways to the best possible use, casting spells to match Manhattan ladies to the men of their dreams – for a small fee, of course.
In fact, she’s so good at her job that business is booming. The only snag is her own love life, which is distinctly lacking in sparkle. But when Emma is hired to match the city’s most eligible bachelor with an evil scheming socialite, suddenly her supernatural work ethic is put to the test. And just maybe it’s time to break the rules and turn a little magic onto herself…
I bought this book on an impulse, as the book seemed light-hearted and fun. The fact that I had never read a Valerie Frankel book before was no deterrent. So I settled in and began to read.
The book began well, witty, nicely paced. Emma came across as a likeable, modern girl who was just trying to make her way in the world, with a little help from her supportive best friend, Victor. I really enjoyed their friendship and their very funny exchanges – this was, for me, the highlight of the book.
Then more characters were introduced. And things began to get manic. So many different plots fought for space. Ok, the main plot was Emma using her special powers to help women get their men – matching current customer Daphne with William. Then came the embezzlement. Jeff and Susan. Marcie. Victor and his lady. Hoffman and Susan. The guy in the park. Armand. Emma and William. The most irritating plots by far was the hapless Hoffman needing Emma’s rescuing time and again. And Susan who wouldn’t get over the scumbag Jeff. However, everything tied up neatly in the end, with no stones unturned.
I got the feeling that the author was cramping all the ideas that she liked into the story. The result was a manic, action-packed comedy of errors, in which character development was compromised. All the characters were larger than life. Emma’s love interest, William, came across as bland and I didn’t like him too much. Their romance took a backseat to make way for the other plots.
Conclusion: I guess this story would appeal more to someone who enjoys chick-lit. It was witty, fast-paced and good fun…just not something that I would normally read.


I have sold a property at Uplands Nanaimo Vancouver Island/Smaller Islands British Columbia.
Rare opportunity to own this great 2 bedroom 1 bathroom condo in Uplands. Well managed, quiet building. NO age restrictions, rentals allowed, pets allowed. One of the most attractive features this condo has to offer is the oversized 32x10 sundeck with 320 sqft of beautiful sunny outdoor living space. This building also has underground parking, a secured entrance, elevator access & storage units. Located close to all levels of school, the Nanaimo Public Library, Long Lake beach, Country Club Mall & bus connections. Call today!


Deny not My servant should he ask anything from thee for his face is My face; be then abashed before Me.
Hidden Words, From the Arabic #30
Daily “after” dawn devotionals - where we reflect on a passage from the Hidden Words each morning before prayers. #loving the Hamilton Baha’i Community
Ascribe not to any soul that which that thou wouldst not have ascribed to thee, and say not that which thou doest not. This is My command unto thee, do thou observe it.
|—||Hidden Words (from the Arabic#29)|
The Hidden Words was known as the “Hidden Book of Fatimih,” (Sahífiyyih-Maknúniyh-Fatimiyyih) until around the mid-1860s, at which time it came to be referred to simply as the “Hidden Words.” In the Lawh-i-Sultán (Tablet to the King of Persia), from 1867, Bahá’u’lláh quotes four Persian Hidden Words and states that these are from a work which “was” known as “Sahífiyyih-Maknúniyh-Fatimiyyih” but “these days” is called “Kalimát-i-Maknúnih” (Hidden Words).
For many reasons which are beyond the scope of this note, Shiism has long held strong beliefs in two layers of meaning in Sacred Writings, the “exoteric” (zahir) and the “esoteric” or “hidden” (batin). The former are the outer essentials of religion and theological explanations for the masses, and especially the non-Shii Muslims. The “hidden” teachings are those only known to the truest Muslims, the Shiis and especially the Shii Imáms. (Much discussion of this can be found in _The Divine Guide in Early Shi’ism_, by Mohammad Alí Amir-Moezzi, and also in a paper I wrote, “The Shi’i Qur’an,” online at Bahái-library.org/personal/jw/my.papers/.) This, then, is one possible meaning of “hidden,” the fact that Bahá’u’lláh is now revealing teachings which previously had been reserved for the spiritual elite.
The academic consensus, supported even by much Shi’i consensus, is that the Book of Fatimih is mythical; even ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said that it did not really exist. As a myth, however, its history and meaning was clear. The sixth Imám of Shiism, Ja’far al-Sadiq, relates that, when Muhammad’s daughter Fatimih — the wife of the first Imám Alí and mother of Imám Husayn — was grieving Muhammad’s death, an angel visited her with words of comfort. This angel is often said to be Gabriel and, since Gabriel was the bearer of the annunciation to Mary, mother of Jesus, and to Muhammad, he represents divine revelation and the Book of Fatimih would thus have come from God. Fatimih mentioned this to Ali, who advised that she record everything Gabriel told her (or, in some versions, wrote it down himself). The resulting Book of Fatimih is unlike the Qur’an in that it contained more mystical and prophetic teachings, and was said to be 17,000 verses, almost three times the size of the Qur’an. The subsequent Imáms were the only ones who had possession of the book and, by extension, anyone who had the book was the Imám (this is important). In 874, though, the last Imám disappeared and became “occulted,” or “hidden.” Within a short time, Shiis (“Twelver” Shiis only) began to believe that the Hidden Imám would one day return as the “Qa’im,” or “Mahdi,” and bring the Day of Judgment and the end of time. When he came, one of the proofs he would have of his identity would be that he would possess the hidden Book of Fatimih. As well, he would prove his authority by revealing the hidden, secret meanings of all previous religious texts.
re: the Hidden Words of Baha’u’llah
notes by Jonah Winters
Upon the tree of effulgent glory I have hung for thee the choicest fruits, wherefore hast thou turned away and contented thyself with that which is less good? Return then unto that which is better for thee in the realm on high.
|—||Baha’u’llah (Baha’i Writings; Hidden Words - from the Arabic #21)|
|—||'Abdu'l-Baha (Baha'i Writings)|
a distant future, or to dwell upon the promised
glories of a God-impelled and unimaginably potent
Revelation. Ours, rather, the task to cast our
eyes upon, and bend our energies to meet, the
challenging requirements of the present hour.
|—||Shoghi Effendi (Baha’i Writings)|
|—||'Abdu'l-Baha (Baha'i Prayers)|
|—||Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 170. (via littlemissconceptions)|


Spring 2018 Christian Studies Course Guide
In the future, as this program develops, the guide will include listings from other area colleges and universities.
Last updated: 25 October 2017
This list represents courses with substantial content in Christian history, theology, culture, the Bible, and the relationships between Christianity and other religions. By including courses on this list, the PGH Christian Studies project does not endorse them or take responsibility for their content. Unless otherwise indicated, classes do not have prerequisites and do not fulfill general education requirements.
Free books! Take any of these courses and we will pay for your books, up to $100 for each course. See details here.
University of Pittsburgh
ENGLIT 597 Bible as Literature
Prof. Mark Best
Tu 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. / 28260
This course continues Bible as Literature, and students will examine various forms of biblical literature including prophecy, apocalyptic literature, wisdom literature, psalms and poetry, New Testament epistles, and narrative materials not covered in the earlier course. We will consider these works in terms of literary form and style, and in their origin historical and cultural contexts. We will also read non-biblical texts from the ancient world that help us to better understand the Bible as a literary work.
ENGLIT 1797 Bible as Literature 2
Prof. Mark Best
Th 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. / 26914
Sequel to Bible as Literature. No description available.
ENGLIT 1101 Invention of English
Prof. Ryan McDermott
MoWe 4:40 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. / 31347
How did people read and write English literature before “literature” was even a meaningful word in the English language? In this course, we will work with the primary evidence we have to answer questions like this: the manuscripts in which medieval people encountered literature such as Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and Piers Plowman. We will read early English literature not in modern anthologies, but in the compilations that medieval readers and writers made for their own use. Texts will range from world-famous tales to lesser-known romances and lyrics, to the many oddments included in medieval anthologies, including children’s ABCs, charms, spells, and prayers. We will work with modern editions of complete manuscript compilations and with digital and physical facsimiles of manuscripts, but also make our own editions from digital manuscripts, and our own compilations. Along the way, you’ll learn Middle English and how to read medieval handwriting. These practical skills will help us grapple with theories of authorship, performance, editing, and canon that are relevant to literature of all times and places.
ENGLIT 1115 Chaucer
Prof. Ryan McDermott
MoWe 3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. / 31348
English literature does not begin with Chaucer, but in many ways it might as well. So many Anglophone authors have looked to Chaucer as “the father of English poetry” that his work wields outsize sway over later authors. In this course, we will read the large majority of Chaucer’s most mature work, The Canterbury Tales, with a view to its pivotal role in English literary history. By focusing on The Canterbury Tales, we will be led to explore the traditions Chaucer translates and adapts, his innovations, and the use to which later authors put him. Chaucer is also a window onto the later Middle Ages, and we will of necessity consider the political, social, and religious world in which The Canterbury Tales emerged. Perhaps most importantly, this course will immerse you in the dialect of Middle English that forms the linguistic DNA of your life. Middle English is a “foreign language” that you already know (without knowing it) and you will be able to read it on the first day of class without any study of vocabulary or grammar—Chaucer promises all the pleasure of reading poetry in another language at a 75% labor discount!
FP 6 First-Year Seminar: Writing the Spiritual
Prof. Renee Prymus
TuTh 01:00 p.m. - 02:15 p.m. / 26112
In this course, we will examine how the spiritual life--an inner dimension of life that has to do with our relationship with our own selves and/or the divine--is represented in writing. We will explore the following inquiries: How do authors write about what they cannot see? How do they push beyond religious rhetoric to convey their inner lives in language that others can understand? How can you write clearly and creatively about your own faith or skepticism? To investigate these questions and more, we will read critical and personal essays from writers of various religions, visit several religious landmarks in the city of Pittsburgh, and write a series of experimental yet disciplined essays designed to embody spirituality. This course welcomes students who want to use writing to explore their own spiritual lives and learn about the spiritual lives of others. This course includes an introduction to mindfulness and meditation. First-Year Seminar (FP 0006) is offered in the spring term to first-year students. It fulfills the Seminar in Composition requirement in the School of Arts and Sciences. As with First-Year Seminar (FP 0003), this course uses readings, writing assignments, and discussions to explore a focused topic and examine ways in which high school and college-level writing differ.
HPS 620 Science and Religion
Prof. Brock Bahler
TuTh 1:00 pm. – 2:15 p.m. / 27757
This advanced undergraduate course addresses two questions: does the scientific understanding of the world suffer from a kind of incompleteness that can be remedied by the super naturalist religions? Or is there even a clash between contemporary science and such religion?
ITAL 1085 Dante, Petrarch, And Boccaccio
Prof. James K, Coleman
TuTh 11:00 am. – 12:15 p.m. / 29650
Dante’s Divine Comedy is one of the most influential literary works of all time. In this course, which covers the key episodes of Dante’s three-part epic (with particular emphasis on Inferno), we will follow Dante’s journey through the terrifying abysses of Hell to the luminous expanses of Heaven. We will examine works and phenomena inspired by Dante across a range of fields and genres, including film, video games, visual arts, music, television, and graphic novels. Students will thereby gain an understanding of the remarkable cultural impact of Dante’s work from his own time to today, in Italy, the U.S., and across the globe. This course, taught in English, satisfies the Literature General Education Requirement, and counts for the Italian minor and majors.
PHIL 1760 Religion & Rationality
Prof. Brock Bahler
MoWe 3:00 pm. – 4:15 p.m. / 30555
This is a course that is both an introduction to philosophy of religion and a brief introduction to four major philosophers: Moses Maimonides, a 12th-century Jewish thinker, Thomas Aquinas, a 13th-century Catholic theologian, Immanuel Kant, an 18th-century Protestant philosopher, and Søren Kierkegaard, a 19th-century Protestant writer. We study their answers to the following questions: Can we conceive of God at all? Can we say anything truthful about him? If so, what? If not, should we be silent about him? Can we prove that he exists? Are there ways other than reason to achieve knowledge of him (e.g., faith, love, religious experience)? Should the Bible sometimes be taken literally? If so, when? If not, is there a literal sense that underlies its figures of speech? Is happiness possible without knowledge of God? Can a perfect and unchanging God be offended by what we do? Did Jesus accomplish something by his death? What, exactly? Is there life after death? If so, what form does it take?
RELGST 105 Religions of the West
Prof. Paula Kane
TuTh 4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. / 18504
This course is a historical introduction to the religious traditions that developed in ancient Near East and the Mediterranean. Our major emphasis is on the history of the religious traditions that emerged in late antiquity in this area and which continue to be major world religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. We will also touch on Zoroastrianism. We focus on key concepts, historical developments, and contemporary issues. Throughout the course, we also examine interactions among these religious traditions. In the last part of the course we examine the issue of globalization and the spread of these religions around the world as well as the presence of "non-Western" religion in the "West." The course also serves as an introduction to the academic study of religion and provides a foundation for further coursework in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. No prior knowledge of any of the religions studied is expected or assumed
RELGST 1100 Israel in the Biblical Age
Prof. Benjamin Davis Gordon
MoWeFr 11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. / 22190
This course explores the history and development of the people of Israel in ancient times. What do we know about the Israelites and how do we know it? Students will read both biblical and extra-biblical materials and study the remains of key archaeological sites. They will learn about everyday life in ancient Israel, the role of class and gender, life-cycle events, religious festivals, political institutions, systems of belief, and famous personages in history and lore. The trajectory of the course will begin with the near eastern origins of the people, continue through the rise of the Israelite and Judahite monarchies, and end with the post-exilic reestablishment of the second temple commonwealth in the Persian period.
RELGST 1130 Varieties of Early Christianity
Prof. Rebecca Denova
TuTh 4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. / 10554
This course will examine the many different and often competing forms of Christianity that existed during the first five centuries of our common era. We will include an historical survey of Mediterranean culture and society in the historical Roman Empire to help us understand the ways in which Christianity developed in relation to the philosophical, sociological, theological, and political environment of this period. We will also focus on the contribution of the early varieties of Christianity to modern Western views of the relationship between the individual body and society. The literature of this period represents a broad variety of beliefs and practices ranging from philosophical views of god and matter (and the nature of each), to notions of life-long celibacy.
RELGST 1135 Orthodox Christianity
Prof. Joel Brady
MoWe 4:30 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. / 26417
To provide an insight into the history, doctrines and rituals of the orthodox Christian tradition in Eastern Europe from the byzantine through contemporary period. Orthodox rituals will also be reviewed and studied.
RELGST 1545 Mysticism: East And East
Prof. Milica Hayden
TuTh 2:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. / 29607
Mysticism, understood as a living experience of theological doctrines, constitutes an unexpected point of convergence between such different religious traditions as Hinduism and Eastern Orthodox Christianity. In this course we look into how this spiritual kinship is forged from distinct practices in India and in the traditions of eastern Christianity, by examining the selected mystical writings of both religious traditions. The course is structured around three central themes: 1) God as Mystery: negative theology (Hindu and Orthodox ways of unknowing the divine). 2) God as Person: the Hindu notion of avatar and Orthodox understanding of incarnation, and 3) God as Prayer: two selected methods of contemplation (Hindu yoga and Orthodox hesychast prayer). The course is based largely on reading and discussion of primary sources (in English translation) supplemented with selected secondary sources to help enhance students' understanding of the comparative method, on the one hand, and symbolic, often enigmatic and sometimes "upside-down" language of the mystical texts, on the other. The course is based largely on reading and discussion of primary sources (in English translation) supplemented with selected secondary sources to help enhance students' understanding of the comparative method, on the one hand, and symbolic, often enigmatic and sometimes "upside-down" language of the mystical texts, on the other.
ENGL 406W-61 Pilgrimage Narratives
Prof. Sarah Wright
Th 6:00 p.m. – 8:40 p.m.
HIST 171-01 History of Christianity
Prof. Jotham Parsons
MoWeFr 10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. / 26101
This course traces the development of the Christian religion from its obscure origins to its present status as a diverse world religion with hundreds of millions of adherents. Our focus is on the ways in which the thought and organization of the Christian churches have responded to the enormously diverse societies and cultures in which they have existed.
HIST 174-B01 Sacred Places: Faith, History, Geography
TuTh 4:30 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. / 21094
Students will examine how sacred or holy places are identified with and reveal a culture’s search for truth so as to gain insights into those cultures’ unique worlds. As students study how the spiritual and physical coincide, they will also learn of shared themes among diverse cultures, such as how place grounds faith.
THEO 332-01 Jesus of Nazareth: History & Theology
Prof. William Wright
TuTh 9:25 a.m. – 10:40 a.m. / 26287
Jesus of Nazareth is the most historically important and influential person who has ever lived. Over the centuries, billions of people have believed this 1st century Jewish man to be the incarnation (or "enfleshment") of God and to be powerfully alive, present, and active today. Many non-Christians also admire him for his teachings and religious significance. This course will be an extensive study of the life of Jesus of Nazareth as it is given in our best historical sources about his life: the four Gospels in the New Testament. By placing Jesus in the historical setting of 1st century Palestinian Jewish life under Roman rule, we seek to grasp what the words, deeds, and events of his earthly life would have meant in his own day. In doing so, we will also attend to the ways in which the four evangelists receive and interpret the figure of Jesus in their Gospels. Our goal will be to arrive at a better understanding of this most historically important individual, whom Christians believe to be God become human.
THEO 507-01 Sacramentality in Comparative Theology
Prof. Devassikutty Madathummuriyil
We 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. / 25912
This course provides a substantive graduate level exploration of the notion of sacramentality from a comparative-theological perspective. The study includes introducing the method of comparative theology and the exercise of this method in the study of two religious traditions, i.e., Hinduism and Christianity. The study focuses on Ramanja (1017-1137) who developed a sacramental worldview and worship in Sri Vaishnava tradition. The course also presents a detailed examination of sacramentality from the perspective of pneumatology and grace, with specific reference to important theologians such as Karl Rahner, Jürgen Motman and various sacramental world-views in the Orthodox traditions as well as the pan-en-theistic view in contemporary theology.
THEO 524-61 Roman Catholicism in the Long 19th Century
Prof. Kenneth Parker
We 6:00 p.m. – 8:40 p.m. / 26289
When the long nineteenth century (1789-1914) is studied by historians of Christianity, it is commonly examined as a period in which an aggressive secularization marginalized religious practice in society, when the rise of historical consciousness called into question long held assumptions about the Christian past, and when the emergence of scientific positivism displaced appeals to revealed truth. This course explores how Catholics in this period responded to these challenges. Central to the theme of this course is the question: Why did challenges to the Catholic faith result in expanded claims for papal authority, and contribute to the Romanization of the Catholic Church around the world?
WSGS 234-01 Sinners and Saints
Prof. Sarah Miller
TuTh 10:50 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. / 26240
This course examines the complicated relationship between sanctity, sin, and illness in attitudes toward women in the later middle ages. Students will consider how medieval writers conceptualized the mystical experiences, martyrdoms, and illnesses of women in particular, students will grapple with the ways sex and gender shape texts by comparing how men and women wrote about the female soul and body. A range of literary genres will be consulted: hagiography, autobiography, and medical treatises.
HONR 145-01 Honors Theology
Prof. Kevin Mongrain
TuTh 1:40 p.m. – 2:55 p.m. / 26141
HONR 145-02 Honors Theology
Prof. Bogdan Bucur
MoWeFr 2:00 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. / 26142
This is an ambitious course designed specifically for Honors students. It offers an introduction to three distinct area: (1) an introduction to a number of “key” texts of the Bible in their historical, cultural, political and literary contexts; (2) an introduction to biblical theology, focussed on the notions of covenant and theophany, and guided, methodologically, by the study of "reception history of the Bible"—that is, how biblical texts have been received and reinterpreted in later (in our case, Christian) tradition; (3) an introduction to Christian Origins, that is, the the gradual transformation of an obscure Jewish sect into a distinct world religion during the first three centuries CE.
PHIL 315W-01 Thomas Aquinas
Prof. Therese Bonin
MoWeFr 11:00 a.m. –11:50 a.m. / 26015
An introduction to the philosophical thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, focusing on such topics as God, nature, knowledge, language, the problem of evil, and the relation between faith and reason.
Carnegie Mellon University
79-202 Flesh and Spirit: Early Modern Europe
Prof. Allyson Creasman
TuTh 10:30 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.
This course examines European history from the Black Death to the French Revolution, a period known to history as the early modern period. That is, it marks a period in European history that was not quite medieval, and yet not quite modern. Many features of modern society, such as the nation-state, free-trade economies, religious pluralism, scientific rationalism, and secular culture trace their origins to the early modern era, yet the period was also marked by important continuities with the Middle Ages. During this course, we will explore how Europeans re-imagined their world in its transition from the medieval to the modern. Topics to be considered will include the renaissance of the arts, the problems of religious reform, exploration and colonialism, the rise of science, and the expansion of the state. Through these developments, we will focus on Europeans changing notions of the human body, the body politic, and the natural world, as well as their re-interpretations of the proper relation between the human and the divine, the individual and the community, and the present and the past.
57-477 Music of the Spirit
Prof. Paul Johnston
Fr 1:30 p.m. – 3:20 p.m.
This guided listening course is a musical exploration of spirituality, musicological, and ethnomusicological survey organized around comparative religions. While the majority of repertoire will be from the Western Classical tradition, musics of a variety of cultures will be included. The music will be organized by particular religious traditions and by universal themes, such as community, death/afterlife, birth/new birth, martyrs/heroes, transcendence/immanence, meditation/contemplation/trance, etc. Most course materials, including streaming audio, are online, with one meeting per week in the classroom. Will include participatory introductions to numerous forms of chant. Requires oral and written reports. No prerequisites.
80-276 Philosophy of Religion
Prof. Kevin Kelly
TuTh 10:30 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.
While many interesting questions about religion are belief-specific, we will strive in this course to keep a global perspective. We will begin by considering a concept at the center of Western religion -- God -- as it presents itself in various traditions. We will then move to consider major Eastern religions, with a focus on their influence on philosophical thought. In both of these studies, we will emphasize the relationship between language and religion. We will conclude the course by considering commonalities between Eastern and Western religious thought. The student should leave the course with 1) the tools to consider religious text and rhetoric philosophically, and 2) a sharpened idea of what religion is (though this might differ from my own).


Claremont, CA 91711
Welcome to my website! Here you will find information about my research interests and about the classes I teach, as well as some useful links to documents and pages frequently used by my students. Please feel free to get in touch with me if you have any questions about me, the Classics Department, our courses, Latin and Greek literature, or Bad Classics Movie Nite.
Roman Texts in English
GREK 22: Accelerated Introductory Greek
LATN 22: Accelerated Introductory Latin
CLAS 1: Greek and Roman Classics


Pro8mm has a special niche for content creators and archivists working with 8mm, Super 8mm and 16mm film. Resources for filmmakers worldwide continue to vanish with fewer labs, film stocks, reliable camera equipment and technical support for analog filmmaking. Traditional filmmaking programs have long been eliminated from film schools. Yet, there is a thriving community of people wanting to shoot motion picture film stock for new projects. In addition, there is a need for experts handing archival footage of historical content used in documentaries and precious family home movies that hold our legacy. These films require special care and a standard of best practices for how this material should be digitized and how to create a proper archive for the original material. Since 1972, Pro8mm (formerly Super8Sound) has served the need of filmmakers and archivists by building a community and one-stop shop of resources, elevating these traditional formats to their highest possibility in a digital world.
To raise the collective consciousness as to the archival value of shooting and preserving content created on real film while promoting the artistic and creative reasons for doing so. Pro8mm is committed to creating products and services for content creators that exceed client expectations. Services are accessible, sustainable, and educational for our community for filmmakers, families and archivists who work with super 8 and 16mm film.
Pro8mm offers a comprehensive workflow with tiered pricing for production and archival work to accommodate budget and fulfillment schedules. We have a retail store in Burbank, California staffed with highly trained expert project coordinators that can answer all client questions, be it in person, on the phone or via email. Film is sold with processing and scanning at one bundled price. All work is done on site and in house to optimize quality control. Super 8 cameras are available for purchase, rent or repair (some models). Archival material for individuals and industry are scanned on state of the art scanners, offering the client many choices for digital standard, file format, delivery format and framing.
At the heart of our core values are building personal, trusted, long-term relationships with our clients. With great integrity, we embrace the responsibility of preserving the legacy of material captured on film for future generations. With passion and commitment, we strive to encourage the use of real film, the only proven archival medium so that we will have images that are sustainable. Every frame matters, every client matters.


- What do Digital Humanities (DH) approaches and perspectives bring to LCS research and impact?
- How do DH methods engage with the concepts of textuality, fictionality, rhetoricity, and historicity?
- What forms of rhetorical analysis are called for by digital textuality?
- In what ways do digital texts disrupt the intimate links between author and work, voice and self, and what impact does this disruption have on contemporary notions of selfhood, individuation and the humanities?
See: Science Policy Briefing & Conference abstracts


Heart In Diamond Talks with Dr. Patrick O’Malley: Psychotherapist who specializes in grief counseling and author of the book, “Getting Grief Right”
Empty. Alone. Depressed. Hopeless. Emotions experienced by a person following the death of a loved one are intense and often come in waves.
Every single person copes with major life events differently, and death is no exception. While some people grieve alone – for many, the therapeutic benefits of reaching out and talking about their emotions surrounding death is the healthiest way to work through grief.
That is where Dr. Patrick O’Malley steps in and helps. He is a psychotherapist in Fort Worth, Texas who has helped people manage feelings associated with bereavement for 35 years. Over the years, his grief counseling services have helped families, couples, individuals, businesses, and medical practices.
How the Experience of Grief Led to a Career in Grief Counseling
Altruistic are his services that have provided comfort for many over the years, but perhaps even more inspiring is his personal experience that paved the way for his specialization in grief counseling.
Tragically, Dr. O’Malley lost his own son from complications related to prematurity during his second year as a practicing psychotherapist. He explains to us, “I had not set out to have a specialty in grief counseling but when folks in the community, particularly bereaved parents, heard I had suffered a loss the word got out that I was a counselor who had ‘been there’. So my practice grew significantly in the area of grief counseling and continues to be a specialty area of my practice today.”
“Embracing Loss as a Unique Story of Attachment and Love to the One Who Died” – Dr. Patrick O’Malley
Dr. Patrick O’Malley decided to reach a larger audience and share an important perspective on grief by writing a book, “Getting Grief Right: Finding Your Story of Love in the Sorrow of Loss” (Published by Sounds True, 2017).
He explains to us that psychology and culture have treated grief as an illness or something to be cured of, rather than a natural response to the loss of a relationship through death. His publication gives a different perspective and is effectively a “guide on how to connect with your story of love and loss and how then to integrate that story into the rest of your life. Included in the book is a study guide for groups to use to create a community of support for the sharing of stories.”
When asked one piece of advice that he would give to someone that just experienced losing someone very close to them, Dr. Patrick O’Malley replied:
“One piece of advice in the early days of loss for those who grieve is to stay open to whatever feelings occur and to be careful to not be self-critical. Grief can be confusing and disorienting. There is not a right way to grieve. Your unique way of grieving will unfold in the weeks, months, and years to come. Remember, you grieve because you loved so the size of your grief is the size of your love for the one who died.”
Why Rituals of Funerals or Memorial Events Matter
Funerals. Cremations. Memorials. We wanted to know from the doctor if the traditional practices held after someone has died have any effect on how the bereaved grieved the death.
“The rituals of funerals or memorial services are important in the grief process,” explains Dr. Patrick O’Malley. “These events create a moment in time to honor the one who has died. It is also a time for the community to come together to offer love and comfort to the family and to be a part of the family’s story in remembering the one who has died. These rituals are not an ending but help with the beginning of the process of accepting the reality of the loss.”
At Heart In Diamond, we create cremation diamonds from the ashes of loved ones. In our line of work, we have witnessed first hand how cremation diamonds change people’s lives. We agree with Dr. Patrick O’Malley, that the memorial practices surrounding the death of a loved one are important and affect the grieving process.


The sky is falling by Sidney Sheldon Download PDF EPUB FB2
THE SKY IS FALLING is a scintillating thriller set against a world-class background. The elegantly crafted plot builds from curiosity to terror culminating in a conspiracy of enormous proportion.
While fiction has its roots in truth, from the Author's Note at the end, one wonders/5. Oct 09, · The Sky Is Falling [Sidney Sheldon] on okto-atelier.com *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Winthrops are America's royal family, and its Prince Charming is the sexy, charismatic Gary Winthrop.
Now the man on his way to becoming the Senate's brightest new star is found murdered in his home-the latest in a series of incidents that have killed five members of the family in a single year/5().
Feb 08, · Alan J. Roxburgh uses his book The Sky Is Falling to bridge the gap between the denominational structures (the Liminals) and those involved with the emerging/emergent movement (Emergents). He points out that over the last fifty years there has been a huge shift in church dynamics and church preference due to the rise of the postmodern era/5(8).
Jan 08, · PreS-Gr 2—The chickens think the sky is falling, so they begin to do all sorts of dances. The other farm animals know that it's just an acorn falling out of a tree, but they join in the dancing, too. When the hungry fox that caused all the commotion (he hit the acorn with a slingshot) sees the others dancing, Cited by: 1.
The Sky Is Falling: A science fiction, post novel/5. The Sky Is Falling book. Read 2, reviews from the world's largest community for readers. Being a kid with wings--constantly on the run--has never been /5. Henny-Penny: The Sky is Falling. Henny-Penny is a story young children should learn early: trying to incite panic can result in opportunists like Foxy-woxy doing real harm.
The iconic story was published in English Fairy Tales, retold by Flora Annie Steel (), illustrated by Arthur Rackham. Books, eBooks & Audio >> Personal Growth >> Emotional Issues >> Worry Author/Artist Review I'm the author/artist and I want to review When It Feels Like the Sky Is Falling: How to Find Hope in an Uncertain World.5/5(1).
The Sky is Falling book. Read 4 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. Second Library Copy. San Diego Air and Space Museum/5. The Sky is Falling is a young adult novel written by Kit Pearson in It is the first novel in the Guests of War trilogy, which follows the lives of Norah and Gavin Stoakes after they are evacuated from England to Canada during World War okto-atelier.com: Kit Pearson.
Oct 18, · When the Sky is Falling [Eric Sandras] on okto-atelier.com *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Whether via the collapse of the economy, natural disasters, or unexpected personal tragedies, it seems that millions in our culture are having their faith and confidence shaken to the core.
Eric Sandras knows this firsthand. When he lost his dream job and his home thereafter/5(25). In THE SKY IS FALLING ON OUR HEADS, Rob Penn travels the length and breadth of the Celtic fringe (from the wilds of Scotland, via Ireland, Wales, Cornwall and the Isle of Man to the heart of Brittany) on a quest to get to the bottom of his Celtic roots.
The Sky Is Falling tells the story of two such children - ten year old Norah and five year old Gavin, who feel as though they only have each other when they are sent across the ocean to live with Ogilvies, a host family who are willing to take them on/5.
The Guests of War Trilogy: The Sky is Falling / Looking at the Moon / The Lights Go On Again. The Sky Is Falling (Guests of War Trilogy Book 1) The Sky Is Falling: Understanding and Coping with Phobias, Panic, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders. Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
the sky is falling: It is the summer ofin the second year of World War II, and all of England fears an invasion by Hitler's army. Ten-year-old Norah Stoakes is worried that her parents might send her and her little brother Gavin to safety overseas.
Like Chicken Little and the sky falling, she chases clues across the world to unravel an international conspiracy. The inheritance goes to charity, so money is not the motive. Her Sarajevo ward Kemal gets expelled, a prosthetic arm, then often naps afternoons under care of kindly new housekeeper.
A dynamite thriller filled with all the elements that have made his previous works phenomenal bestsellers, The Sky Is Falling is Sidney Sheldon at his sizzling best. “The Sky Is Falling is not only insanely readable, it demonstrates how the way for Trump and all kinds of fundamentalists was paved years ago by apparently apolitical popular culture.
This is a book about the seismic change at the very heart of today’s society, and a book for all those who want to know exactly what a mess we’re in.”. The Sky Is Falling El cielo se está cayendo Le ciel tombe The Sky Is Falling The Sky Is Falling The Sky Is Falling The Sky Is Falling.
Fantasy (fiction), 98 words, Level D (Grade 1), Lexile L. The classic tale of rumor and panic is retold in this hilarious book.
Free download or read online The Sky is Falling pdf (ePUB) book. The first edition of this novel was published inand was written by Sidney Sheldon. The book was published in multiple languages including English language, consists of pages and is available in Paperback format/5.
Chicken Little likes to walk in the woods. She likes to look at the trees. She likes to smell the flowers. She likes to listen to the birds singing. One day while she is walking an acorn falls from a tree, and hits the top of her little head.
- My, oh, my, the sky is falling. The Sky is Falling Sidney Sheldon, Author HarperCollins Publishers $26 (p) ISBN More By and About This Author.
OTHER BOOKS. The Sands of Time Buy this book. Jul 01, · The Paperback of the The Sky Is Falling by Sidney Sheldon at Barnes & Noble. FREE Shipping on $35 or more.
B&N Outlet Membership Educators Gift Cards Stores & Events Help/5. Mar 17, · A dynamite thriller filled with all the elements that have made his previous works phenomenal bestsellers) The Sky Is Falling is Sidney Sheldon at.
The Sky Is Falling is supposed to be about a local news reporter, Dana Evans who's curiosity about a well known philanthropist's murder get's her into more trouble than she bargained for.
Prior to this adventure, Dana was a news correspondent in war torn okto-atelier.coms: 3. In The Sky Is Falling, best-selling cultural journalist Peter Biskind dives headlong into two decades of popular culture—from superhero franchises such as the Dark Knight, X-Men, and the Avengers and series like The Walk.
May 02, · Published on May 2, Chicken Little - The Sky is Falling. is a read along story book, it’s read to you aloud, kids can read along with the story. It’s also Ideal for bedtime stories. Read Aloud. The Sky Is Falling El cielo se está cayendo Le ciel tombe The Sky Is Falling The Sky Is Falling The Sky Is Falling The Sky Is Falling.
Fantasy (fiction), words, Spanish Level D (Grade 1), Lexile L. The classic tale of rumor and panic is retold in this hilarious book. Aug 06, · Published on Aug 6, Jingle Toons brings you the popular "Sky is Falling" story in the form of cartoon animation. The story is in English and it will surely amuse kids.
Enjoy the fun story of. The sky is falling. The sky is falling. -Chicken Little Show me a hero and I will write you a tragedy.-F. Scott Fitzgerald PROLOGUE CONFIDENTIAL MINUTES TO ALL OPERATION PERSONNEL: DESTROY IMMEDIATELY AFTER READING.
LOCATION: CLASSIFIED DATE: CLASSIFIED There were twelve men in the heavily guarded underground. When It Feels Like the Sky Is Falling. How to Find Hope in an Uncertain World. He helps couples bring vibrancy to their relationships through counseling, seminars, and more than 90 books, including Before You Say “I Do” and After You Say “I Do.
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Dear Faithful Readers:
Below is the link to the latest issue of the Mississippi Vaccinium Journal. In this issue we cover new cultivars, diseases, presentations from the Mississippi Blueberry Education Workshop, and more.
Mississippi Vaccinium Journal Volume 5 Issue 1
As always, you can see past issues at this link: http://msucares.com/newsletters/vaccinium/index.html
If you have any questions or comments, please contact me.
The 2016 Mississippi Blueberry Education Workshop was held on January 14 in Hattiesburg. There were 55 attendees that heard the following speakers. To access a PDF copy of each talk (if available), click the linked title.
Speaker Line-Up and Schedule:
1:10-1:40 pm Dr. James Barnes (MSU-ES):
The Economics of Marketing Blueberries Using Facebook: Some Lessons Learned from the Mississippi Bricks to Clicks Extension Program
1:40-2:10 pm Chaille Clements (Mississippi Dept. of Agriculture and Commerce):
Farm to School Presentation (Market Ready)
2:10-2:40 pm Dr. Eric Stafne (MSU-ES):
Update on Harvest-aid Technologies to Improve Harvest Efficiency
2:40-3:00 pm Mechanical Harvest Survey and Break
3:00-3:30 pm Dr. Rebecca Melanson (MSU-ES):
Recognizing and Managing Blueberry Diseases
3:30-4:00 pm Dr. Donna Marshall-Shaw (USDA-ARS, Poplarville):
Blueberry Cultivars for Small and Local Markets
4:00-5:00 pm Questions/Discussion/Evaluation


Improvising is a very personal form of expression. Learning to improvise can be challenging with so much information out there. My goal as a teacher is to guide you through the process and theory and help you to understand the jazz language so that you can eventually discover your own unique voice.
Want to learn some jazz theory? Here’s some of the theory topics I can help you with!
- Jazz Rhythms and Groove
- Scales – Traditional and Non-traditional or Exotic
- Analysis of intervals, chords and melodies
- Modes – Major and Minor
- Chord/Scale relationships
- Ear Training
- Functional Analysis of Tunes
- Score Study
- Chord Substitutions
- Free Improvisation
- Mental Practice
Contact me to schedule a lesson!
Some of my favorite books on jazz improvisation include:
- Greg Fishman’s Books
- Jim Snidero’s Books
- Ready, Aim, Improvise by Hal Crook
- Inside Improvisation Series Vol. 4 Developing a Jazz Language by Jerry Bergonzi
- The Jazz Theory Book by Mark Levine
- Metaphors for the Musician by Randy Halberstadt


Watercolor Society of Indiana
Watercolor Show at the Allen County Public Library now through February 25, 2023.
Join us! View over 70 gorgeous, one-of-a-kind pieces of art. Free and open to the public. Please welcome all 33 watercolor artists to this exhibit:
Opening Reception at the Jeffrey R. Krull Gallery, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, IN 46802. Located inside the West entrance at the Main Library.
This Watercolor Show will be on display until Feb. 25, 2023. If you are interested in purchasing a painting, please Contact Us. Thank you!
CONNECT WITH US


A must-read entrepreneur book for anybody who is starting a business. Garry’s 50 lessons are down-to-earth and easy to understand. I have been involved in startups, and I started my own business — and I wished I had read Garry’s book at the time. Was I ready to ask myself the tough questions, such as ‘Are you ready to fail?’ or ‘How well do you know the market that you are contemplating going into?’
Garry’s list of 50 lessons is very much to the point, such as Lesson #9: Not hearing ‘yes’ from a VC means 'no thank you'. First, Garry lists the lessons and then he embeds them in the life cycle of his venture Yellow Brick Road Entertainment. The lessons are put in context when he hears repeatedly from VCs to ‘come back when you have traction’. How often did I hear those same words when I was out trying to raise money - and I also thought they were words of encouragement, little did I know that they meant ‘No, we are not interested!’
Garry takes us through the life of Yellow Brick Road Entertainment, from inception to failure. He shares life lessons and lessons learned in a very pragmatic, no-nonsense way. A must read for entrepreneurs and those thinking about how to start a business.
This book is honest, pulls no punches, and shows an author who is willing to look in the mirror and take responsibility for costly mistakes. What I like about "Lessons" is the close linkage between what Garry did (or didn't do) with the impact of those actions. His narrative takes you in the back seat of his journey and you see the lessons unfold, as he did. It made him a better, shrewd, and astute businessman and entrepreneur, and will make you a better business person and entrepreneur as well. Jump in!
Although not an entrepreneur, nor a wannabe, I was intrigued by the title. The book is easy to read/comprehend and the author's style lends to a quick read. I became immersed in the author's "adventure" and it became a page-turner, providing an up-close and personal look at the complexity of start-ups. Definitely a good read for anyone interested in becoming their own boss as it details the process and successes/pitfalls that the author experienced in his quest for the big payday.
With the tough love of a caring parent, the urgency of a drill instructor preparing recruits for battle, and the formidable, gale-force energy of a Nor’easter, New Hampshire native Garry Wheeler delivers a must-read for any would-be entrepreneur. Informative, sobering, and entertaining, the author shares his experiences with unabashed honesty, providing a refreshing take on the challenges of turning an attractive idea into a business reality. Above all, the book has heart. As we witness the bearing of his entrepreneurial soul, it is clear Mr. Wheeler genuinely wants to spare us the avoidable pain and heartbreak of an ill-conceived venture, or help us survive (and thrive) trying. You need a keen mind and a thick skin to succeed as an entrepreneur. If you can embrace the fifty insights and withstand the harsh truths presented in this generous tell-all, you may have a chance.
Interesting story with real-life lessons from someone who is willing to share the highs and lows of his entrepreneurial journey. The author's honesty and ability to personalize each lesson makes this book a valuable addition to anyone thinking about starting their own company. I found myself with many "aha" moments and will be keeping this book handy on my bookshelf for future reference. Highly recommend! Customers have questions, you have answers. Display the most frequently asked questions, so everybody benefits.


UFO phenomenon in science. Because the appearance of aliens in terrestrial airspace signaled the beginning of a new age for all of us, the end of our planetary isolation – and was perhaps the most important event in the last two millennia of human history. We may be in the same position as the Aztecs, less than 500 years ago, when the first Spanish ships were sighted off their coasts.
UFO phenomenon as one human race
Whether we suffer the same cultural paralysis, the same culture shock as this powerful Indian culture, whether the confrontation with an extraterrestrial intelligence becomes a curse or a blessing for humanity, depends primarily on how well we are prepared for such an event.
A company like this book would never have been feasible if UFO researchers and experts from all over the world had not stood by my side in this company, making documents, secret files, research reports and images accessible to me. Extensive personal research in three continents helped me to round off the picture.
In particular thank Johannes von Buttlar for the many stimulating conversations and his foreword to this book, my “old friends” Dolman VonKeviczky, Wendelle Stevens and – in memoriam – Anny Baguhn for the excellent images, Erich von Däniken for the photos from his archive, Robert O. Dean, Anthony Dodd, Timothy Good, Antonio Huneeus, Howard & Connie Menger, Detlev Menningmann, Sean Morton, Hans Petersen, Roberto Pinotti, Marina Popovich and Glenn Steckling, Valerii Uvarov, Karl and Anny Veit from the “German UFO Study Society” as well as Mohammad Ramadan and Michael Geoghegan from the United Nations, who have recognized that we can only accept the challenges of the UFO phenomenon as one human race.
Apecial thanks go to publishers, Mr. Huber from SILBERSCHNUR-Verlag, who spared no expense or effort to present this book in the best possible way, and the Toth couple from Edition ETNA in Prague, who make it possible for me to mean it at the same time Made available to friends in the Czech Republic.
SECRET UFO was not only a fascinating but also an extremely labor-intensive project for me. I believe and hope that the effort was worth it and that the book goes its way around the world and does its job. Because the encounter with the extraterrestrials contains the greatest opportunity that mankind has on the threshold of the third millennium.
It has the potential of a new Copernican revolution, a redefinition of our position in the universe. Perhaps we first have to understand that the earth is actually just one of millions of inhabited planets in the vastness of the universe in order to recognize that we are one human race, children of the earth, and can only solve global problems together.
Only when we have shed our tribal thinking and think and act as a whole, are we in a position to face the greatest challenge in our history, the dialogue with the universe.


Creation of requirements and specifications for integration of scientific journals in the database of SCOPUS
SCOPUS is the search service of bibliographic and references (citations) of Elsevier and is supplied through the platform Sci Verse. It is considered the largest in the world database of references and summaries of prestigious international bibliography with smart tools to help the recovery, search, resolution and visualization of sections information per interest field.
It includes over 21,000 titles from 5,000 publishers worldwide, 49 million registrations (78% with abstracts), over 5.5 million documents of conferences and the 100% coverage of Medline.
The role and responsibility of Zita company regards the excellent technical preparation of scientific journals for the submission to the database based on the specifications that have been announced. The preparation concerns either new publications that will be designed with the appropriate technical way, from the beginning or existing publications.
The professional and specialized staff of Zita has the potential, based on its experience and deep study to help and support the Scientific Societies, in the integration bid of their existing magazines in the SCOPUS.
• Scrutiny of the magazine
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• Filling the gaps/shortcomings in order the magazine be complete based technical conditions for the submission to the database
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The main points of the comparative advantage of Zita, are:
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In Pursuit of the Question Mark
Mitchell Library Exhibition Hall, North Street, Glasgow G3 7DN
Known to his friends and family as Ralston, only at age 50 did he become known as George Wyllie, the artist and scul?tor who puts a question at the heart of everything he creates.
This, the artist’s first major retrospective exhibition in his home turf, follows the career of one of Scotland’s best-loved artist. The exhibition is the most comprehensive survey of the internationally renowned Glasgow-born artist’s work and consists of over1000 objects. These range from his earliest drawings made for family when he was serving on HMS Argonaut in The Pacific during the Second World War, to sculptures dating back to the 1960s made from old car bumpers.
The exhibition included works that have never been exhibited before alongside works related to his renowned and memorable projects such as The Straw Locomotive, The Paper Boat and A Day Down a Goldmine.
The First Minister Alex Salmond said:
“He was by any standards an extraordinary man, whose art will be familiar to many generations of Scots, and it is entirely fitting that he is recognised and celebrated with this unique survey of his work right in the heart of the community he held so dear.
All of the major themes he so skilfully dealt with will be represented in this exhibition, be it birds, boats, spires or engines. I hope that many thousands are able to come to the Mitchell and raise a smile at artwork that is at times playful, and yet speaks to a powerful underlying message about the importance of hard work and community.”


Not to give too much away, but in our Byzantine mysteries the murderer is rarely turned over to the authorities. Rather, our detective, John the Lord Chamberlain to Emperor Justinian, usually finds some way to bring justice to the miscreants himself. This isn't merely an artistic decision on the part of the authors. In fact, for much of its history the Roman Empire lacked the criminal justice apparatus we take for granted. There were no official police forces, or prison system, and as for murder...well, there was no general law against it.
That surprising fact is one of many aspects of murder, broadly defined, dealt with in A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Emma Southon discusses assassinations, murder within the family, murder by magic, and murder in the gladiatorial arena among other subjects. Although the book covers only the Republic and early Roman Empire the laws involved are not much different from those of Justinian's time.
And very strange they appear to us. Who in the twenty-first century would inscribe the following on a child's gravestone?
"To the spirits of the dead and to the most unfortunate Julia Restuta, murdered at the age of ten on account of her jewelry. Her parents, Julius Restutus and Statia Pudentilla, [set this up]."
This and other such epitaphs were likely the only "justice" average murder victims were likely to receive. Since murder was for centuries not a crime in the Roman Empire the responsibility for investigating, prosecuting and punishing a murder was entirely on the family and friends of the deceased. Unless a family was wealthy it had no way to pursue a murderer. The poor couldn't even afford a gravestone pointing a finger.
Roman law, at its inception in the Twelve Tables, was largely concerned with property rights. Perhaps because of the Ten Commandments we expect laws to have a moral basis but the Romans didn't think that way. Nor were they interested in interfering in family affairs. As Southon puts it: "The Roman state, at least until the dawn of the Imperial period, did not consider itself to be harmed, threatened or challenged when a man strangled his wife or stabbed a rival. That was their personal business."
Although we tend to think of the fellow on the library floor with the knife stuck in his back as the victim, technically the victim in a murder prosecution is the state. The state is the plaintiff. The state has suffered a challenge to its power to control the behavior of its citizens via the laws it has passed and thus it is the state that brings the case.
The Roman state was more interested in protecting private property than in protecting human life. Thus, while the family of a child killed in a mugging had no recourse, a man whose slave was murdered -- the slave being property and no more a human being than a table -- was at least reimbursed for his loss at market value just as he would have been for the destruction of cattle.
To the extent that Roman law dealt with murder it was through a hodge podge of provisions designed to deal with specific situations without apparent reference to any general concept of morality. For example, the father had absolute control of his family. Therefore infanticide was legal, however there was a law against parricide. This killing of any ancestor must have struck the Romans as particularly heinous -- as opposed to leaving an unwanted baby on a rock -- because the miscreant was put into a sack with a dog, a cockerel, a monkey and a snake. And then the sack was thrown into the sea. Did the phrase cruel and unusual spring to mind? (And where was the ASPCA?)
Many authors like to draw parallels between past events and today based on the supposition that human nature hasn't changed through the ages. And yet, looking at history from a modern perspective it is easy -- too easy -- to interpret the past in light of the present, to assume that people long dead had exactly the same motivations and goals and thought processes we do. Given our prejudices it is sometimes more difficult to see the differences between us and our ancestors than it is to see the similarities. A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is not only a fascinating look at murder in all its forms during the Roman Empire, it is also an excellent antidote to the tendency to describe the past as the present but without cell phones.


Hans Bevers, Chief Economist Degroof Petercam: "The 150th anniversary year of Degroof Petercam presented the ideal opportunity to bring to life the fascinating period of the last century and a half and to look back at the impressive number of economic and financial developments. During this period, financial crises and moments of prosperity alternated. Socio-economic progress has undeniably continued, albeit in a non-linear, uneven and unsustainable manner. Gradually, albeit too slowly, we have come to a general awareness that there are political limits to unbridled globalization and that socio-economic inequalities and the impoverishment of the planet pose fundamental problems. These themes are also addressed in this new book."
Lessons for the future from 150 years of economic development
What macroeconomic lessons can we learn from this crisis? To what extent will the economic recovery take a greener turn? What role can Europe play in the geopolitical showdown between America and China? What returns can investors reasonably expect in a world of very low or even negative interest rates?
Beyond a look at the past, this book also attempts to provide answers to the many questions that arise about the future from an economic and financial point of view, in a context of health crisis. This book, a synthesis of our economic research-teams, is a testimony to the quality of Degroof Petercam's macro-economic and financial expertise. It offers itself to dialectic and criticism with the ambition to contribute to the proliferation of economic thought, always with the ambition to contribute to a better and fairer world.


(Updated April 5, 2021)
Japanese language students are incredibly lucky: There’s so much competition for Japanese learning materials that the quality of Japanese textbooks out there are extremely high compared to some other less-pursued languages (even compared to Korean textbooks for example).
In the 12+ years I’ve been studying Japanese, I have bought piles and piles of Japanese language books, always with the idea of looking for the one to rule them all.
In the end, no textbook is perfect: all have their strengths and weaknesses, but there are clearly some that are exceptionally well thought out, and will help you get you the best ‘bang for your buck’ in your Japanese study.
Without further ado, here are the 12 best Japanese textbooks we’ve found for self-study.
The 12 Best Books to Learn Japanese
Published by the Japan Times, the Genki series is currently in its 3rd edition print run (2020 edition) and has sold more than 2 million copies worldwide.
There are no shortcuts with this textbook — you have to put in the time to learn and absorb the material. If you can work through to the end of this textbook, you’ll the necessary foundations of vocabulary, grammar, hiragana, katakana, and some basic kanji to build on.
The book is divided into 2 sections:
Conversation / Grammar focuses on learning vocabulary, sentence structure and culturally useful expressions via studying dialogues.
Reading / Writing focuses on teaching you kanji and reading comprehension via lessons that correspond to the Conversation part of the book.
Overall, while the Genki series still has some flaws that other textbooks have (for example, it teaches ‘Sayonara’ for ‘goodbye’, which isn’t very commonly used day-to-day in Japan), it’s still the best book out there to start learning Japanese on your own.
- Accompanying CD for practicing pronunciation
- Lots of exercises to practice at the end of each chapter
- If you finish this textbook, you’ll have a fairly large vocabulary (about 50 words per chapter)
- Unusual standard of romanization: ie. kiree instead of kirei
- Doesn’t include the stroke order for kanji
- Sometimes not 100% logical in its presentation (ie. teaching 5 color words, but then skipping the rest)
- If you get Genki, we also recommend you get the workbook too.
There’s a reason why this book is known as the “Yellow Book” or “The Bible” among Japan expats. It is probably the best Japanese learning resource I have ever come across. Clearly and thoroughly written with great example sentences. If you are at a more advanced level, check out the “Blue” and “Red” books by the same authors.
- Comprehensive and thorough
- Grammar points are explained clearly and with helpful examples
- Learn the difference between similar and often confused grammar points
- This book is not a textbook — think of it as a dictionary of grammar (as the title says)
- Mnemonics that really help to remember each character
- Can teach you how to recognize hiragana and katakana in 3 hours each
- If you already know kana, skip this one and jump ahead to Heisig’s Remembering the Kanji book
- If you’ve learned some kana without much difficulty, you may find this book ‘overcomplicates’ the learning
This has to be the best Japanese-English dictionary in print form. Kodansha really gave a lot of thought to the layout and functionality of this dictionary — and it shows. This furigana dictionary is a must-have in the library of any serious Japanese learner, from beginner to N1.
- Great section on how to conjugate regular and irregular Japanese verbs
- Example sentences to show how words are often used
- If anything, it’s not big enough for some more intermediate or advanced users
- No information on intonation
- Organized alphabetically by kana, not the roman alphabet
- No romaji, all furigana
5. Remembering the Kanji, Volume 1: A Complete Course on How Not to Forget the Meaning and Writing of Japanese Characters
My personal anecdote about this book: I struggled terribly with remembering Kanji before I came across this book years ago, and it helped me immensely. Although I’ve forgotten many of the mnemonic ‘stories’ I first learned, I still remember the meanings of most kanji.
- Learn the ‘parts’ that make up a kanji
- Teaches you how to remember the meanings of hundreds of characters
- Some of the keywords chosen in the book are ambiguous or strange (ie. rarely-used English words instead of its regular-use equivalent)
- You’ll only learn the basic ‘meaning’ of the kanji, so without further study you won’t be able to ‘read’ Japanese kanji or compound words
- Some people report not being able to view kanji stroke order on the kindle version. Buyer beware!
- Most people pair this book with Anki flashcard software. I did this and 100% recommend it
- Over 150 lessons that teach kanji within the context of writings
- Might be hard to find or expensive outside of Japan
- Not for beginners — more intermediate to advanced
- A visually appealing, well layed-out dictionary
- The ‘SKIP’ method used to look up kanji is quite ingenious
- Up to date, reliable definitions and examples
- Some people find the lookup method unintuitive (however I think this is rare)
If you’re just starting to learn Japanese, and are aiming to take the N5 test (or even if you’re in need of a refresher), I highly recommend this book. It has an easy to follow layout, great illustrations, and covers each topic at a good pace.
One of the best ways to prepare for the JLPT test is doing actual practice questions, which this book has plenty of. The practice sections include all the different types of questions that you’ll see on the actual test (kanji, grammar, reading and listening), so you’ll know which areas you’re prepared for, and which need more work.
If you’re working towards N5, this is the book for you!
- More than 300 JLPT N5 practice questions included
- 3 printable N5 practice tests
- Accompanying audio for listening comprehension
- Printable flash cards for kana and N5 kanji
- Fun illustrations and dialogues
- Ideal for students wanting to go from zero to N5 in a short amount of time.
This book is aimed at students who already have a good grasp of Japanese and want to be able to sound, well, smarter by building their vocabulary with intelligent sounding words. If you’re looking for words and concepts that would impress a native Japanese with your ability, this is probably the one.
- Good structure and categorization
- Fun learning for advanced students
- Often vocabulary is quite specialized and difficult to use
- Recommended for N3 or above (not lower).
This is a great book for making the tricky jump from intermediate to advanced Japanese. Of course, you can read “real” Japanese anytime nowadays online but it’s sometimes nice to have explanations for unknown expressions and writing styles you come across. The book contains eight varying and interesting essays by famous Japanese authors such as Haruki Murakami, Seiko Ito and Banana Yoshimoto.
I enjoyed studying with this book except for the author’s inexplicable usage of romaji in the vocabulary explanations. Why would an advanced learner still be using romaji? Anyway, it is an interesting read and you should be able to find it used for cheap on Amazon.
- Helpful in making the difficult jump from textbooks to reading “real” Japanese
- Great selection from contemporary writers such as:
- Seiko Ito
- Momoko Sakura
- Ryuichi Sakamoto
- Banana Yoshimoto
- The use of romaji in a book for advanced students is a questionable and unfortunate design choice
- Lack of sentence-by-sentence translation
The follow-up to the original is much improved with an audio CD included and the romaji scrapped! It gets difficult in some places and new kanji readings are only given once so it’s definitely for intermediate learners and up.
- Notes that explain cultural contexts and usage
- Narrated CD comes with the book
- Interesting contemporary essays from popular authors including:
- Murakami Haruki
- Yoshimoto Banana
- Hirano Keiichiro
- For intermediate students (if you’ve finished the Genki series, you could try this out)
- Excellent selection of stories from well-known, established authors:
- Kawakami Hiromi
- Ishii Shinji
- Yoshimoto Banana
- Kitamura Kaoru
- Tawada Yoko
- Helpful notes in the back of the book
- Narrated CD comes with the book
- Doesn’t include complete translations of all sentences
- Furigana next to every new kanji (could be a plus, depending on your level)
- Not organized by level of difficulty (the first story is harder than the second for example)
Honorable Mentions That Didn’t Quite Make the List
A solid offering from the Japan Times for building up your Japanese vocabulary. Each lesson presents a new article with vocabulary and exercises. There’s also two audio CDs included. A lesson a day will quickly improve your reading comprehension.
- Comes with 2 CDs
- Great for building vocabulary to eventually read the newspaper
- Difficult to find outside of Japan — it’s available to buy, but can be quite expensive! Recommended you search second hand.
- For intermediate to advanced
Not strictly a book, but it’s a great audio course for starting out in Japanese. Gets a bit too corporate for my liking towards the end of the 3rd series, but you will remember and be able to use what you learn with Pimsleur. You can sample Pimsleur Japanese for free with a Audible 30 day trial. Download the taster course here.
- A lot of people hate on Pimsleur (Why???), but it’s really good for beginners to get you speaking. Try it out if you’re just starting Japanese!
- Fun and entertaining (and possibly useful, if you end up single in Japan!)
- You might consider the phrases ‘too lame’ to use in real situations
- Contains language not suitable for younger readers
This is not a ‘book’ per say, but flash cards. Kanji study cards that accompany James Heisig’s Remembering the Kanji (above). It is definitely nice having all 2048 kanji with their readings in one set and it saves you the effort of making the cards/notes yourself. If you’re lazy like me it’s a no-brainer!
- Very helpful if you’re using Heisig’s method for learning the kanji
- Expensive and difficult to find (used to be $100 on Amazon, now difficult to find retail)
- Only useful in conjunction with the Remembering the Kanji book
- Cards haven’t been laminated so you can write your own notes on the cards. The downside of this is they can become ‘boro-boro‘ quite easily
So there you have it. There are probably more (I have spent a lot of money on Japanese books over the years) but those are — in my opinion — the best books to learn Japanese. Enjoy!
Michael has lived in Japan on and off for almost 10 years. He loves studying Japanese, and is currently working on going from N2 to N1 on the JLPT.


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Creating templates, adding fields, building rules and logic, and applying approval workflows.
Templates (Page & Form)
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Intro to policyIQ
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Book Title: The Watermelon Shield
Authors: Rose McCallum (she/her) and Finn McCallum (they/them)
For ages: 6-10 years (a good read for all ages)
Topics: bullying, kindness, compassion, empathy, character development, juvenile self-help
Related learning areas: social and emotional learning (SEL), well-being/self-confidence, communication/healthy boundaries
About the book
‘The Watermelon Shield’ is a true story co-authored by Rose and Finn McCallum (both real life characters in the book and a mom and child duo - along with their dog Ginger!).
The story shares how Finn overcomes bullying at school by developing a compassionate understanding of why bullying happens and ways to handle these situations through conversations with Mom.
When Finn continues to struggle, internalizing the unkind words from the bully, Rose comes up with the idea and visual coping tool/symbolism of a watermelon shield for Finn to use to protect their heart. The best part of the story is that it worked and kept unkind words from hurting!
‘The Watermelon Shield’ encourages children to stay happy and confident in themselves, and be kind, empathetic and understanding towards others.
Some of the key learning points in their story:
And to remember:
Why we wrote it
When Rose came up with the idea for Finn to use a ‘Watermelon Shield’ at school, there was no thought that it would turn into a book. It was just a simple visual coping strategy to help with the establishment of healthy boundaries. It was two years later, when Finn was eight years old, they decided to write a book about ‘The Watermelon Shield’.
Finn felt very strongly that the story could help many children who were coping with bullying. Finn wanted to share our strategy so others who feel victimized by bullying could develop a better understanding of bullying behaviors and maintain their self-confidence.
It took us 3 years to develop, write, create the ideas for the illustrations that our illustrator amazingly brought to life, and then self-publish.
What we hope children learn from it
We hope our book will empower and build self-confidence in children who are targeted by bullying behaviors, help children develop a compassionate understanding of why bullying happens, and that it will inspire change in those who carry out bullying behaviors - whether they are children or grown- ups!
We believe that everyone has the ability to be a loving and kind person!
We truly hope that it helps a child you know, as much as it helped Finn grow, and understand!
How we hope parents and teachers use it
We hope that parents & teachers will find ‘The Watermelon Shield’ a great ‘go to’ resource for their children/students who are experiencing bullying, and who also may be exhibiting bullying behaviors. We believe our book will inspire positive changes in feelings, understanding, compassion, kindness, and behavior for everyone while helping children stay true to who they are!


While most people can agree that seeing plays performed live is a wonderful experience, not everyone is as fond of reading them. Whether for class or for fun, reading plays can be wonderful and entertaining- or, conversely, it can be awful. At some point in every student’s academic career, some play reading will probably occur. Here are some tips for making it more entertaining, organized, and an overall better experience:
When reading plays, most people approach the scenario as though they were reading a book. I find that this isn’t the best way to go about reading them, and find it necessary to tweak my thought process and remind myself that the text is written to be performed. With that in mind, I go about it a little differently. It can be helpful to read the dialogue in different character voices, get some friends to read out loud with you, or take a second to visualize the characters. Remember, this is not just a book- the narrative comes from dialogue and stage direction, not omniscient narration, so it can often be even more gripping and exciting than a novel!
Cast it in your head.
I like to come up with a “dream cast” for the characters in a play as I read it. Maybe I’m just a theatre nerd, but I find that assigning a more tangible image to each character makes the play a lot more accessible to me. This gives me a more concrete image to visualize as I’m reading, and makes the play more engaging. This can also help you remember the key tenet that this is not a book!
Highlight, highlight, highlight.
Whenever I’m critically reading anything, I highlight extensively. I like to make note of anything that feels important as I’m reading, as well as keeping a running list of symbols and underlying themes in the back of the text. I also like to make a list of the characters in the front and then highlight any quotes that pertain specifically to these traits. I also find it helpful to color code all of my little highlights and annotations for quick reference. If this seems too labor intensive (which, in fairness, it probably is), try just sticking to one color and highlighting what feels right. Annotate stuff you think is important. The best way to get better at highlighting text is practice, and though it seems tedious, it can be extraordinarily helpful.
Besides the obvious Shakespeare (which is an entire category of its own), some older plays may be written in iterations of English that, for whatever reason, are harder to read. Many older works are written more formally, and can be a little hard to understand if read too quickly. Thus, I find it helpful to stop and “translate” every so often, recalling what’s been said and re-phrasing it into my own words. This makes it more accessible and engaging. I also find it helpful to remember that many plays were written for common audiences of the time- with just a little patience, these texts can be incredibly accessible and fun to read.
Do you have any helpful tips for critical play reading? Let us know in the comments!