Are you about to be dumped?

Are you about to be dumped?
So there you are on your third date, struggling to make small talk over a lukewarm cappuccino and a too-small arugula salad, when you begin to hear (somewhere off in the distance) the dim, dolorous, barely perceptible sound of a tolling bell. As the gal you’ve been courting sighs vaguely and avoids your gaze, the tolling grows louder, and it reaches a Hunchback of Notre Dame-style crescendo as she yawns and glances at her watch.


Ask not for whom the bell tolls: It tolls for thee.

Okay, if you still have no idea what I’m talking about — you’re a guy, after all, and guys aren’t very good at picking up clues — here are some surefire signs that your sweetie is about to make you (very recent) history.

1. Her friends aren’t as friendly as they used to be. “Maybe she told her girlfriends she’s going to leave you, and the girlfriends have told their boyfriends and acquaintances,” says relationship expert Py Kim Conant. “All of them pull back somewhat, because they’re afraid you’ll somehow sense from them that something’s rotten in Denmark.”

2. She ups her weekly workouts. “If your significant other starts to increase her visits to the gym or adds a new workout routine, it may mean that she’s thinking of finding greener pastures,” says Tina de Lemp, president of B.Fit. “Often, women become lax with their workout schedules when they’re in a satisfying relationship.”

3. She’s not having as much fun you-know-where. “For guys, physical intimacy without love is not a new idea,” says Patricia from Florida. “But for a woman, it’s a big deal. Distance from physical intimacy means she’s pulling away, as opposed to a guy who can enjoy it passionately with someone he’ll never see again.”

4. She’s increasingly hard to reach. “If you’re playing voicemail volleyball with her too often, the fact is that she’s just not that into you,” according to Liz Kelly, author of Smart Man Hunting. “If a woman really wants to reach you, she will go out of her way to find the right time to call.”

5. She gives you that little pat on the back. “Watch out for this one,” warns Lisa Daily, author of Stop Getting Dumped. “A woman who pats you on the back while giving you a hug is indicating that she’s uncomfortable for some reason. The bigger the pat, the more discomfort she feels.”

6. Her hug is a little bit off. While we’re on the subject, Daily continues, “another important sign that things may not be going well is the amount of contact during her hugs. Full frontal contact is good, but the one-shoulder hug could be a sign that she’s distancing herself in the relationship. She may be pulling away, or getting ready to break things off.”

7. She stops criticizing you. This one may sound counterintuitive, but, as Py Kim Conant says, “if she stops complaining about you leaving the toilet seat up, it may mean that she’s given up on the relationship and has no energy to put into further criticism of you. In fact, she may not even notice the toilet seat any longer, since her focus is no longer on perfecting you.”

8, 9 and 10. She puts you off, she makes you mad, and she won’t let you kiss her. “Recently, I went out with a guy for a second date,” says Melissa from Chicago. “Before this, I tried to give him all the telltale signs that I wasn’t interested, but he persisted: he wouldn’t stop calling, he wouldn’t stop asking me out. So just to get him off my back, I agreed to go out one more time. During the date, to continue to show him I wasn’t interested, I brought up every taboo subject I could think of and tilted my views toward the radical side: feminism, politics, religion, marriage, etc.,” says Melissa.

“When he dropped me off, I very clearly leaned toward the door away from him and hopped out of the car as soon as possible to avoid the terrible ‘goodnight kiss.’ After that, he finally figured it out!” My advice to my fellow single guys? Maybe take a hint and bail before things get that bad.

Bob Strauss is a freelance writer and children’s book author who lives in New York City. He’s also written the Dinosaur guide on About.com, the online information network owned by the New York Times.

The Obstacles in I.T. in Educational Practice

Nowadays, people are getting indulged through technologies. Other countries are getting much grower and richer because of their wide intelligence in accessing a technologies. It revolutionizes many of the ways we receive and use information every day. Millions of blogs, social networking sites, and interactive online games have created new modes for interaction and expression. In short, the advent of digital technology touches almost every aspect of modern life. Digital technology makes informative content easier to find, to access, to manipulate and remix, and to disseminate. All of these steps are central to teaching, scholarship, and study. Together, they constitute a dynamic process of digital learning.

In education now has a widespread in technologies especially at the learning process of the students and teachers. But in some cases, there are so many obstacles or rather hindrances in dealing with the technology in Education. Many people warn of the possible harmful effects of using technology in the classroom. As what I observed in a site that some children lose their ability to relate with others, they become dependent on technology to learn, and other questions that can affect the minds of the teachers or the parents. Yes, it can be useful but in sense that all of them have given humanity unbounded access to information which can be turned into knowledge. It should be used in a good way and have a guidance with the teachers and other elders.

In this modern year, teachers are practicing it to improve students listening, reading, writing and speaking. They search from a web resources in their curriculum and applying it in their teaching process to their learners to be enable to cooperate and be more interesting in their lessons. However, there are certain possibilities of problems in a teaching and learning process that should be solved.
One of this is that, lack of funds and a lack of professional training courses that the teachers directly need to be informed in a developments in computer technology. Example of this is when there is something happen in a software or in a hardware of a computer, the teacher should be aware on what he/she will do on that problem.
Then also, the issue of time and workload must be given an attention as the teachers avoid many important teaching tasks due to this practice.

In cooperation of the learners and the technology, it improves the interactions of the learners to other learners and can strengthens any group problems and any discussions of their certain projects or assignments but it can also be a burden to them, like laziness and cheating if learning tasks are not carefully designed.
Technology can make studying more efficient as learners spend less time commuting for other resources but sometimes students never tend to search more in other sources just like books because in an internet , it is a wide stock of words can be found in just one click.

Furthermore, students can be "plugged into computers" to do drill and practice that is not so different from workbooks. Teachers can use multimedia technology to give more colorful and stimulating lectures. It is difficult to set apart technology as a variable in good instruction, but they are finding that in the right circumstances, technology plays a positive role in enhancing academic achievement.Technology has been a powerful learning tool. With this understanding of the context for success, educational leaders can shape programs that prepare teachers to use these powerful new learning tools effectively.




http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/technology/front_tech.htm

http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/media/files/copyrightandeducation.html#exec_summary

http://www.waset.org/journals/waset/v61/v61-19.pdf

Ed Tech Quiz #1 » online quizzes

Ed Tech Quiz #1 » online quizzes

The Oval Portrait By : Edgar Allan Poe

The chateau into which my valet had ventured to make forcible entrance, rather than permit me, in my desperately wounded condition, to pass a night in the open air, was one of those piles of commingled gloom and grandeur which have so long frowned among the Appennines, not less in fact than in the fancy of Mrs. Radcliffe. To all appearance it had been temporarily and very lately abandoned. We established ourselves in one of the smallest and least sumptuously furnished apartments. It lay in a remote turret of the building. Its decorations were rich, yet tattered and antique. Its walls were hung with tapestry and bedecked with manifold and multiform armorial trophies, together with an unusually great number of very spirited modern paintings in frames of rich golden arabesque. In these paintings, which depended from the walls not only in their main surfaces, but in very many nooks which the bizarre architecture of the chateau rendered necessary- in these paintings my incipient delirium, perhaps, had caused me to take deep interest; so that I bade Pedro to close the heavy shutters of the room- since it was already night- to light the tongues of a tall candelabrum which stood by the head of my bed- and to throw open far and wide the fringed curtains of black velvet which enveloped the bed itself. I wished all this done that I might resign myself, if not to sleep, at least alternately to the contemplation of these pictures, and the perusal of a small volume which had been found upon the pillow, and which purported to criticise and describe them.

Long - long I read - and devoutly, devotedly I gazed. Rapidly and gloriously the hours flew by and the deep midnight came. The position of the candelabrum displeased me, and outreaching my hand with difficulty, rather than disturb my slumbering valet, I placed it so as to throw its rays more fully upon the book.

But the action produced an effect altogether unanticipated. The rays of the numerous candles (for there were many) now fell within a niche of the room which had hitherto been thrown into deep shade by one of the bed-posts. I thus saw in vivid light a picture all unnoticed before. It was the portrait of a young girl just ripening into womanhood. I glanced at the painting hurriedly, and then closed my eyes. Why I did this was not at first apparent even to my own perception. But while my lids remained thus shut, I ran over in my mind my reason for so shutting them. It was an impulsive movement to gain time for thought- to make sure that my vision had not deceived me- to calm and subdue my fancy for a more sober and more certain gaze. In a very few moments I again looked fixedly at the painting.

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That I now saw aright I could not and would not doubt; for the first flashing of the candles upon that canvas had seemed to dissipate the dreamy stupor which was stealing over my senses, and to startle me at once into waking life.

The portrait, I have already said, was that of a young girl. It was a mere head and shoulders, done in what is technically termed a vignette manner; much in the style of the favorite heads of Sully. The arms, the bosom, and even the ends of the radiant hair melted imperceptibly into the vague yet deep shadow which formed the back-ground of the whole. The frame was oval, richly gilded and filigreed in Moresque. As a thing of art nothing could be more admirable than the painting itself. But it could have been neither the execution of the work, nor the immortal beauty of the countenance, which had so suddenly and so vehemently moved me. Least of all, could it have been that my fancy, shaken from its half slumber, had mistaken the head for that of a living person. I saw at once that the peculiarities of the design, of the vignetting, and of the frame, must have instantly dispelled such idea- must have prevented even its momentary entertainment. Thinking earnestly upon these points, I remained, for an hour perhaps, half sitting, half reclining, with my vision riveted upon the portrait. At length, satisfied with the true secret of its effect, I fell back within the bed. I had found the spell of the picture in an absolute life-likeliness of expression, which, at first startling, finally confounded, subdued, and appalled me. With deep and reverent awe I replaced the candelabrum in its former position. The cause of my deep agitation being thus shut from view, I sought eagerly the volume which discussed the paintings and their histories. Turning to the number which designated the oval portrait, I there read the vague and quaint words which follow:

"She was a maiden of rarest beauty, and not more lovely than full of glee. And evil was the hour when she saw, and loved, and wedded the painter. He, passionate, studious, austere, and having already a bride in his Art; she a maiden of rarest beauty, and not more lovely than full of glee; all light and smiles, and frolicsome as the young fawn; loving and cherishing all things; hating only the Art which was her rival; dreading only the pallet and brushes and other untoward instruments which deprived her of the countenance of her lover. It was thus a terrible thing for this lady to hear the painter speak of his desire to pourtray even his young bride. But she was humble and obedient, and sat meekly for many weeks in the dark, high turret-chamber where the light dripped upon the pale canvas only from overhead. But he, the painter, took glory in his work, which went on from hour to hour, and from day to day. And be was a passionate, and wild, and moody man, who became lost in reveries; so that he would not see that the light which fell so ghastly in that lone turret withered the health and the spirits of his bride, who pined visibly to all but him. Yet she smiled on and still on, uncomplainingly, because she saw that the painter (who had high renown) took a fervid and burning pleasure in his task, and wrought day and night to depict her who so loved him, yet who grew daily more dispirited and weak. And in sooth some who beheld the portrait spoke of its resemblance in low words, as of a mighty marvel, and a proof not less of the power of the painter than of his deep love for her whom he depicted so surpassingly well. But at length, as the labor drew nearer to its conclusion, there were admitted none into the turret; for the painter had grown wild with the ardor of his work, and turned his eyes from canvas merely, even to regard the countenance of his wife. And he would not see that the tints which he spread upon the canvas were drawn from the cheeks of her who sate beside him. And when many weeks bad passed, and but little remained to do, save one brush upon the mouth and one tint upon the eye, the spirit of the lady again flickered up as the flame within the socket of the lamp. And then the brush was given, and then the tint was placed; and, for one moment, the painter stood entranced before the work which he had wrought; but in the next, while he yet gazed, he grew tremulous and very pallid, and aghast, and crying with a loud voice, 'This is indeed Life itself!' turned suddenly to regard his beloved:- She was dead!

REACTION ON THE ICT's of the 5 COUNTRIES

ICT provides support to learning, teaching, administrative and management processes within the educational system. Many of the progressive countries all over the world uses ICT, mostly in education.


In Malaysia, they nurture a well-rounded students who are intellectually, mentally, emotionally, and physically fit in any status. Providing ICT to all students so that it can be used as a tool to bridge to divide between Malaysian schools from other schools from different countries, using ICT as a tool to teach and learn by incorporating it in a subject or setting it up as a separate subject, and making use of ICT to enhance the efficiency and productivity of management systems. Hence, the fact that offering training for teachers and school administrators was an hardest part of implementing the ICT project, many of the teachers received training on an ICT, and the majority of teachers were not capable of making educational courseware. Only a few teachers who were able to develop a fun and effective curriculum by incorporating ICT in their classes. In short, although the government in Malaysia strived to boost the use of ICT, it did not have much impact on the course of teaching.


In Australia, it is known for its successful distance education programs to provide education to those who live in remote places in the outback.Improved learning outcomes for students, supported by educational leaders, teachers and administration staff with the skills and motivation to use ICTs effectively.

In Hongkong, they established the 5-year strategy in was launched amid a number of curriculum initiatives, most of which inevitably exerted their influences on one another, to varying degrees though. Many of them believes that it can enhance and extend mathematics learning experience, and encourage active student participation in exploratory and investigative activities and it can lead to a new teaching strategies.

In New Zealand, they implemented it with the cooperation with their government and the education organizations. With that, they want to be recognized, a developing a more learner-centred service culture where education agencies and organizations focus on the outcome rather than the technology, and a learner that is more informed on his/her future on decision making with other people.

In Singapore's Info-Communication Technology (ICT) sector is a key contributor to its economy. Revenues for the ICT industry grew by nearly 9 percent to almost S$38 billion in 2005. The aim for the industry is to use technology to enable the government to serve citizen and business more efficiently and effectively. National plans are form to transform the economy and society using the use of technology.




Education in developing countries takes place in under circumstances that is different also with other countries. As what I read in an article, the Philippines is a developing country in Southeast Asia whose educational system here shares a many lack of problems and limitations as those with the developing nations all over the archipelago. Some schools here especially in the mountain areas or even in the cities, have lack of chairs, tables, blackboards, books and other learning equipment and even their learning environment is not capable in learning. For me, there is a great faith that these technologies especially nowadays that some Filipinos are enriching or much aware of it, I think that ICT can be effective because it can improve the teaching and learning process of the students because really, education is very important. The government have initiated this programs to provide schools wit computers, internet, and a teacher training. But there is a lack of dataon schools use in ICT. So, it can be lead on waste: waste of time, money, and professionals or teachers. And also, there is a need of training of teachers on computers and the familiarization of the ICT curriculum before they can teach it to the students.
These problem can be a result of conflict of the teaching and learning in the Philippine schools, I hope that it can be the same as the other countries.



References:

http://www.ictineducation.org

http://wiki.nus.edu.sg

unescobkk.org/education/ict/

http://www.tutor2u.net/business/ict/intro

The Best Android Phones

What is the best Android phone? There may only be one or two iPhones available at a time -- but there are more than a dozen different Google (NASDAQ: GOOG - News) Android designs that are competing for the title "Best Android Smartphone On The Planet" -- or "Best Android Smartphone So Far."

We rate the best Androids available today and our top picks should be a quick and easy shopping guide for those looking for a great device.

©HTC

1. Sprint EVO 4G

At the moment, the HTC-built Sprint (NYSE: S - News) EVO 4G is the Android phone to beat. A gazillion top-line features including a beautiful 4.3-inch screen, an 8-megapixel camera, 720p HD video output and, of course, access to Sprint's super-fast 4G network (when it comes to your neighborhood). A physically large phone like its Windows Mobile twin (T-Mobile's HD2), the EVO 4G is an absolutely amazing piece of handheld technology.

©HTC

2. HTC Droid Incredible

This is HTC's super smartphone made for Verizon's EV-DO 3G network. The Incredible sports a great 3.7-inch screen and shares a lot with its big brother, the EVO 4G -- like a 1GHz Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM - News) Snapdragon processor, an 8-megapixel camera and HTC's Sense home screen look and feel. A downside is the phone's limited battery life, but there are higher-capacity battery packs available from third-party companies.

3. Google Nexus One

This is the phone that Google decided to lend its corporate name to. The Nexus One was the first phone to be updated to the latest version of the Android OS 2.2 (of course). It boasts a 3.7-inch AMOLED screen and has a 5-megapixel camera. Also manufactured by HTC, the Google Nexus One is only sold on Google's Web site for use on T-Mobile's 3G network. A Sprint version is rumored to be coming soon. Google has suggested that Verizon (NYSE: VZ - News) subscribers should check-out the similar Droid Incredible.

4. Verizon Droid

Made by Motorola (NYSE: MOT - News) for Verizon this phone is a winner. A slide-out QWERTY keyboard, a terrific 3.7-inch screen, 16GB of built-in memory, turn-by-turn GPS travel instructions, loads of video extras and a fast processor make this a desirable option. (Verizon's cellular network doesn't hurt either.) Even though its design is a few months old, the phone comes across as a cutting-edge, thoroughly modern Android device.

5. Garminfone

Garmin (NASDAQ: GRMN - News) has been promising a cutting-edge direction-finder/smartphone for awhile now. This joint effort with the computer gurus at Asus finally hits all the right notes. The Garminfone is a super GPS navigation device built into a state-of-the-art Android smartphone. In our tests we found the Garminfone to be the best smartphone navigation system today -- with the added plus of being able to have someone you know lend his/her voice to the travel commands. Very cool.