Showing posts with label Humanities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Humanities. Show all posts
☆ Serena ☆
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I found this news article quite interesting so I've desided to share this rather than the news of my country — Sudan.
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BY: DUNNO WHO... > <

TIME: APRIL 12, 2009
WHERE: Somalia
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Pirates have gradually attacked ships off Somalia's (a country in Africa) coast. They capture some and damaged some. The pirates would usually force the preys to give them money, then free them.
AHH!!!! HELP PRIATE ATTACKS!!! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES, OR RATHER SWIM FOR YOUR LIVES!!!

The pirates then took the American captain, Richard Phillips and held hostage in at a life boat.
Currently, the American navy is trying to get him out.

Although the American navy tried to save him, they say that 4 pirates fired at them in order to prevent them from coming closer.

They couldn't get Captain Phillip to land safely, but the rest of his crews are. His crews said that the reason they were safe was because their captain had risked his life for all of his crews.

LINK: http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_7990000/newsid_7995700/7995705.stm
Picture LINK: http://www.examiner.com/x-6953-Newark-World-News-Examiner~y2009m4d12-US-Captain-rescued-Somali-pirates-shot-dead
☆ Serena ☆
In humanities class, we studied about a fictional piece of land named Kenbrena.

Here are two questions:
1. What are some possible reasons for some groups in Kenbrena to be friendly to each other while other groups do not get along?

Here's what I think:

Positive:

Maybe the people from each tribes, depend on each other. They trade goods and get the resources they need to survive. People can also make friends due to some similarities they have in common. Therefore, each tribe would form a friendly connection.

Negative:
- Cultures (Religious beliefs & languages)
- Laws
- Land (Geographical features)
- Thinking
- Political views
- Class (levels)
- Population
- Jobs & economy

It's kinda like the "black & white" people issue back then.

2. Is there a social group above that makes you think of yourself or your family?

I think we are kinda like the Social Group 6: Franklos, the get along part... :) But I don't think the rest are "totally" the same. :)

☆ Serena ☆

Bad news! Bad news for those who are into watching music videos on "Youtube"! Sad to say this, the site the Google company had decided to block all of them (the official ones too!). They think that the it would cost a lot of money if they are to stay online. Recently, on Monday at about 6pm, people from UK were complaining about finding themselves unable to watch their favorite videos.

If they do changed their minds, they won't be free anymore. "It has to pay an organization called PRS for Music a fee", said CBBC news. Prices of having music videos online, have been put up and it's too expensive.


PS: I've went to Youtube and searched for a music video... And guess what?!? It's not blocked or banned. Maybe just the people in UK and not Taiwan??? Yeah!!

Link to the original article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_7930000/newsid_7933400/7933441.stm

Picture link, this link also include related article... Check it out!
http://news.uk.msn.com/uk/article.aspx?cp-documentid=14934353
☆ Serena ☆
DEFINITIONS~~

HUMAN CAPITAL
Is the attributes of a person that are productive in some economic context.
Human capital provides human resources that we create. It helps us be productive.

Examples could be telephones. Because they are created by human (by their knowledge). People today use telephones at home and cellphones when they are outside. People rely on it to communicate through businesses, meetings, gatherings, party, and many other usages. As time passes, we will soon create a new type of phone. The newer, people would want to buy and the companies could earn money.


Another example would automobiles. Cars make life more efficient. They protect us from bits of stones that may jump up and attack. They appear to be safe. Cars also keep us warm in cold days and cool in hot days. Families could listen (musci/radios) or watch tv inside the cars.


Telephone picture
Car picture

FINANCIAL CAPITAL

It's the money used for businesses. Those money for the businesses are used to buy their materials that they need. Get it? Ok, maybe you didn't, but...

Like McDonald, for an example... They may use the money they've earn to buy more food products they need, to make more tasty ones. By doing it this way, you would be able to earn more money.

McDonald picture

NATURAL RESOURCES CAPITAL
It includes minerals and resources in the nature...
These are the sources to make us weathly.
They could be sold with high prices. Energy sources count as one too~ As we began to use them a lot for machines... They are becoming fewer and fewer. So then, the prices would go up. Therefore, people that work for the energy resources would rean money... :)
☆ Serena ☆
MY REFLECTIONS OF THE PAST...

Definition

What is geography?
Geography is not just about landscapes, mountains, climate, rivers, people, socializing, economics, environment, plants, animals, and the study of the world around us. If you look deeper and define what geography really is, you can say that it's divided into groups.



Physical Geography
The study of earth science, which includes the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, pedosphere, plants, and animals.

Human Geography
Includes the studies of economics, culture, political perspectives, cities, communities, government, religion, languages, socializing, and human history.

Environment Geography
Basically the study of technological changes and political ecology.

Regional Geography
History, is what regional geography studies about.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————
National Standards and Geographical Skills
There are 18 contents of “National Standards” that are divided into 6 essential elements...

1. The World in Spatial Terms
It involves using maps and other kinds of materials to understand the spatial dimensions of our world.

2. Places and Regions
This is a concept whenever we look at particular places. Combining them into regions, help us understand the complexity of Earth's surface.

3. Physical Systems
This is to understand how physical system work in the natural environment.

4. Human Systems
Population ~ who does people interact with one another.

5. Environment and Society
How society had adapted to different environments and the changes they made.

6. The Uses of Geography
To interpret the past and the plan to predict the future.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————
"Geographical Skills"
Asking geographical questions. The current distribution of religion~
__________________________________________________________________
THEME 1: Location

Where am I right now?? Today has been a tiring homework day and I would like to relax with my family. So, can you guess where I am right now? When you're about to reach this relaxing store, you'll often hear jazz music and the scent of "coffee beans" would swirl into your nose. That's where I am, writing this blog.... "STARBUCKS" is the answer. I've wrote a blog about this before on the location where it is. I'll just kinda summarize where this "STARBUCKS" store is.

(Click on the picture to get a better view)

My house is at Wen-Yi Street, Jubei (the little yellow house symbol). And STARBUCKS is at on Guangming 1st Road. Like about the 3rd block from my house~

You will be able to see constructions of houses, stores (Japanese Restaurant /Steak Houses/Coffee Shops/ Accessories Store / Banks / Parking lots), plants of different kinds, and gardens of weeds and vegetables.

Right at the corner, there would be a STARBUCKS. You could hear music (jazz) and smell the coffee beans. Most of the time, a lot of the people would come and relax. But as it grew darker, they began to leave. There was once when we went there from morning to night. LOL That was long~~
LOCATION:
Latitude: 24°49'51.32"N
Longitude: 121° 0'45.23"E
__________________________________________________________________
THEME 2: Place

When describing a place, we my define it into 3 parts: human, physical, and cultural.

* HUMAN:
With the "human" part, it's often described, like, the political and the structures of somewhere.

* PHYSICAL:
When you describe a place using the "physical" part, you often observe the land and water around a certain place. Kind of like the "physical properties" of a place.

* CULTURAL:
By using the "cultural" way of describing a place, we'll relate to the...
"human & geography interaction and features in a spatial context." — Mr. C

It can also mean by using the maps in our brains to guide someone to the destination.
__________________________________________________________________
THEME 3: Human-Environment Interactions
(Picture from "THIS" link)

The question we are dealing with "human-environment interaction" is:
How do humans adapt to and / or change the environment?

Well, humans adapt to their environment by changing how things are really suppose to be.
We cut down rain forest, build roads & buildings & bridges, use earth's natural resources to make our livings better.

*Cutting down forest — deforestation
- Can destroy animal habitats, extinction may occur, cause land slides, and most importantly,will cause global warming.

* Building & Constructing
- Houses & Shops
∆ For shelter, food, products, and books (knowledge).
- Bridges & roads
∆ For us to travel faster and easier = shortcuts...


We depend on the environment for the resources they produce:
* Natural Resources
We use natural resources that includes: oils, and coal.
- We make daily products out of them.
- We need them to power up our cars and other inventions.
∆ They are starting to get rare...

*Ocean & Deserts & Valleys & Caves & Mountains & Waterfalls & Plains & Rain Forests & etc...

ARE WE HUMANS MAKING OUR WORLD WORSE OR BETTER?
__________________________________________________________________
THEME 4: Movement

Movement affects your daily lives, but how? What items are being moved that you interact with on a regular basis?

Time travels from seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, and century. Although you think, that's a lot of time and you don't even need to quicken your steps to make life more meaningful, you're wrong. Time doesn't wait for us, not even under the Kings' and Queens' commands. Use your time wisely and use the best of it!

As I said, they will run out quickly, we may take shortcuts to the destiny we are heading to. And take faster transportation like the High Speed Railroad (HSR). Transportation in technology helped us all a lot. Transportation made our life easier and faster.

SO, TIME TRAVELS REALLY FAST AND YOU WANTED TO TAKE A "TRANSPORTATION". AND YOU CHOSE "DRIVING A CAR" TO BE THAT TRANSPORTATION.

----When you are running out of battery (energy) for your computer or any other tools you use for daily life, you may get up and find the charger. Or, you'll go to stores to buy some batteries. Also, when your car has no fuel, what do you do? When there's a "almost-no-gas" signal, we will drive to the nearest gas station for some gasoline.

YEAH~ YOU SAW THE SIGNAL AND DECIDED TO GO TO THE NEAREST STATION. THEN YOU MET A PROBLEM...

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THEY ARE PAVING (CONSTRUCTING) THE ROAD YOU'VE ALWAYS PASS THROUGH. YOU DON'T KNOW ANY OTHER PATHS... WHAT DO YOU DO?

Constructions can block your original path. So then you'll have to change your movements.

- Building Constructions

- Road Constructions

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YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS ARGUED THAT MAYBE YOU SHOULD CHANGE ANOTHER DESTINATION. SOME SAID "YEAH! THAT'S A NICE IDEA", WHILE OTHERS INSISTED TO CONTINUE AND TRY OUT DIFFERENT PATHS OR LOOK AT A MAP.

Family members may effect the movement you will make. There may be arguements due to the places each of them wanted to go. There will be agreements and disagreements. They may effect your thinking too.

AS A RESULT, YOU DECIDED TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. BUT WHERE? IS THERE SOMETHING (SOMEWHERE) ENTERTAINING RIGHT NOW? YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE A CLUE...

Ideas and your decisions can change the way you'll go and the movement you'll take.

Your ideas may depend on your surroundings.

You could tell your ideas to someone. Then they may come up with a better one. On and on it'll pass... At last, you'll come up with the best / perfect idea ever.


POSSIBILITY 1: JUST THEN, THE WEATHER STARTED TO GO ALL DARK AND RAINY...

When the weather is "cold & dark", people won't want to go outside. They will rather stay at home. Be warm. Drink coffee / hot chocolate. Watch TV / movies. Sleep. Play board games. Play / work on computers. Have a feast. And do everything that people would be able to do indoors.

RESULT 1: YOU DECIDED TO GO HOME / GO TO SOMEWHERE INDOORS (MUSEUMS)...

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POSSIBILITY 2: JUST THEN, THE WEATHER STARTED TO GO BRIGHT AND HOT...

When the weather is "warm & sunny", people will want to go outside. They will be able to do lots of activities. Climb mountains, do some sports, go on vacations (have fun), take a job / walk / ride bikes, eat ice cream / cold drinks, and any other events that people think of while the weather is good and cozy.

RESULT 2: SINCE YOU ARE AT THE SEA SIDE, YOU PLAN TO HAVE FUN AT THE BEACH OR RIDE BICYCLES WITH YOUR FAMILY... ETC...

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LET'S SAY THAT YOU DIDN'T DO AS THE EXAMPLE ABOVE. IT'S RAINY AND COLD. YOU DECIDED TO GO TO THE "BEACH" TO HAVE FUN... (DOES THAT SOUND SMART?)

SOMEHOW, SOMEBODY GOT A COLD... A REALLY BAD COLD. HE/SHE/THEY STARTED A FEVER. YOU GET VERY NERVOUS AND DROVE TO THE NEAREST CLINIC/HOSPITAL/EMERGENCY ROOM.

Disease may come upon people. When they got sick they will go to the doctor / clinics / hospitals for some medicines. (Disease travel from people, places, and the things we touch).

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THE DOCTOR GAVE YOU MEDICINE AND TOLD YOU THAT HE/SHE/THEY NEEDS NOURISHMENT AS WELL. AND SO, NOW YOU'RE GOING TO A STORE THAT SELLS FRUITS.

Hunger often occur. When you walked to a shop, of the food you crave for, you may stop there and buy food. Sometimes what you feel aren't "real" hungers. When you see certain food, you may appear unable to stop thinking about it.

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AS YOU BOUGHT FRUITS/FOOD AND PAYED THE DOCTOR... MONEY FROM YOUR HANDS MY TRAVEL TO THE OTHERS.

What if you ran out of money??? Where would you go? You may either go to the bank or go home. The movement of money travel from buying products, fees, and other payments. From each person's hand, it traveled. It may also carry diseases...
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NOW, THERE'S NOTHING MUCH YOU CAN DO AND PLUS THE DAY IS ABOUT TO BE OVER. YOU RETURNED HOME AND REST / TAKE CARE OF THE SICK ONES.

**YEAH, I KNOW.... THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF "BAD LUCK DAY"** =P
__________________________________________________________________
THEME 5: Region

What is the differences between a "formal"/ "functional" / "Perceptual" description of a region.

FORMAL REGION
In simple words : like a city or a town.
In more words: It's like a set of related numbers and uniform characteristics.
Involves: Human characteristics & Culture or a common land & Vegetation
(Political) Formal regions = countries, cities, and states or physical regions.

FUNCTIONAL REGION
In simple words: like a suburb or a city.
In more words: Functions and purposes usually with central point with its support.

PERCEPTUAL REGION
In simple words: a place without any boundaries that different people have different memories about and different perceptions.
In more words: Different views and perceptions of the characteristics a region may have.
Involves: Mental maps with different borders that depends on individual perceptions.
__________________________________________________________________

THANKS~ TO MY PAST WORKS AND MR.C'S "5 THEMES OF GEOGRAPHY LEARNING PURSUIT". =]
☆ Serena ☆




This is what my blog post is about...

Look back at your travels to a very distinct region that sticks in your mind. Was it a formal, functional or perceptual region? Describe how it fits into one of these categories. What were economic, cultural, and physical characteristics (land, sea, weather) of the region? Next, go to the Web to find a map that includes this region. Look for man-made and natural borders. Use a paint program to draw in what you see as the borders. Insert this image into your post.
— Mr. Carpenter




The 'Real' Blogging:
The place where I'm choosing is the Romantic Road in Germany... I am not very sure of it's a functional or a formal region. But I think it's a formal region. The Romantic Road contains a lot of towns. And I think there's a little of the perceptual region.

So it's the South West of Germany, like a pathway in the Oberbayern region.
Economic (some): Mineral resources, vehicle manufactire, mechanical engineering, and electrical equipments.
The export it half to Italy, UK, France, and Austria...
Culture:
RELIGION: Catholiscism (southern part)
TRADITIONS: Costumes = Tracht... They weaer in Altbayern Lederhosen for males and Dirndl for females. They have 'Century-old' folk musics.
FOOD & DRINKS: Beer (they are known as 'beer-lovers'), water, barely, and hops.
LANGUAGE: There are 3 kinds. Austro-Bavarian, Swabian German, and East Franconian German.
Geography: There's a lot in geography at this region... So check out this website that I've found..


(This is a bad picture I did, on putting boundaries. The brown part is like the mountains... Hehe~ =P)


(Copied from the Picture of "THIS" link)

(Original 1st picture from "THIS" website)
☆ Serena ☆

Good morning sunshine! It's time to eat breakfast! If you don't wanna make it yourself, you can go to STARBUCKS~~ (This is the route from my house ~ Jubei, Wen-Yi Street)

First you walk out of the apartment (B Building) and past the gold fish pond to where the room, the guardian usually go. The fastest way to go to Starbucks is to go to your right. As you walk, you will see some store, buildings that are still constructing, and houses. Later, you will reach Wun-tian Street. Notice you are still walking on Wen-Yi Street. You keep going and would see some coffee shops (but not STARBUCKS), and other buildings you usually see. Then you will meet another, the Wujhuoliou Road. Along Wen-Yi street, you'll usually see a lot of the same kinds. So just keep walking until you reach Wunlu Street. STOP! Now, walk to your left and down. Right at the corner, there would be a STARBUCKS. You could hear music (jazz) and smell the coffee beans.
To be quick, STARBUCKS is on Guangming 1st Road. Like about the 3rd block from my house~ :)
☆ Serena ☆
Have you ever felt eager to put on dancing shoes and let yourself into dancing?

Now, Darren Bennett & Lilia Kopylova (Strictly star dancers) are convincing kids to take a shot at dancing! Right now, about 2,500 kids in the 29 schools of England, dance to keep fit in sport lessons. Even boys started to join~

This is what Darren Bennett said: "Boys are seeing ballroom and Latin dance in a whole new light - if their sporting heroes can do it, then so can they."

Getting fit?

Ed Balls, the government minister of children and education mentioned that dancing was an excellent way to keep us children fit and healthy.

Ed Balls said: "Making physical activity an attractive option for all young people is especially important if we are to tackle obesity."

Here's my idea:

Since dancing can keep us in fit, why don't we try dancing during our Wellness Class?? Haha! While that make learning even more interesting and fun to do? ( > 0 <>
Picture and link of the story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_7900000/newsid_7907200/7907255.stm

☆ Serena ☆
We watched a video called "Geographic Lens 4: National Standards". Here is a summary about it:
-----------
National Standards and Geographical Skills

There are 18 contents standards that are divided into 6 essential elements:
1. The World in Spatial Terms
2. Places and Regions
3. Physical Systems
4. Human Systems
5. Environment and Society
6. The Uses of Geography
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1. The World in Spatial Terms

This involve using maps and other kinds of materials to understand the spatial dimensions of our world.

2. Places and Regions

This is a concept whenever we look at particular places. Combining them into regions, help us understand the complexity of Earth's surface.

3. Physical Systems

This is to understand how physical system work in the natural environment.

4. Human Systems

Population ~ who does people interact with one another.

5. Environment and Society

How society had adapted to different environments and the changes they made.

6. The Uses of Geography

To interpret the past and the plan to predict the future.

-----------

7. Geographical Skills

- Asking geographical questions.
The current distribution of religion~


-----------
Notice that in the video, it's not just that. There's more. I don't know why but the video stopped at the middle. So, I guess... Let's stop for now, OK? :)
☆ Serena ☆

You probably know what "Geography" is mostly about. It is not just about landscapes, mountains, climate, rivers, people, socializing, economics, environment, plants, animals, and the study of the world around us.

If you look deeper and define what geography really is, you can say that it's divided into groups.

Physical Geography
- Study of earth science (lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, pedosphere, plants, and animals).

Human Geography
- Studies of economics, culture, political perspectives, cities, communities, government, religion, languages, socializing, and human history.

Environment Geography
- Study of technological changes and political ecology.

Regional Geography
- Study of the history of geography.

This is not a complete blog post about what geography is. At least it gives you some more deeper information.

Source 1
Source 2
Source 3

This blog post may change as I add more...
☆ Serena ☆
Christianity / Judaism / Islam

What do they have in common? What are their differences?
Friday (February 6, 2009), we watched Peter's presentation about religion.
We are to write about what we learned about his presentation.
So... Here it is!! Let's find out!!

CHRISTIANITY:
Christianity = monotheistic


(Link)

Christianity define a God into three.
God as Father
God as Jesus the Son
God as the Holy Spirit


(Link)

Baptism-when they pour people with holy water to wash away the sins. After doing that process... The person would now became a reborn Christian.

The wine represents Jesus blood and the bread represents his body. He said that he must die to safe man kind.

JUDAISM:
Judaism = monotheistic



(Link)

People that believe in Judaism, were promised by God that they were the chosen people. Then God would lead and protect them till they reach the Kingdom Of Heaven. There he'd create the universe and continues to govern it.

Shabbat is the sunset on Friday til sunset on Saturday. During that time, people would stop working. It's like they are in a big family.

Succot is a Jewish festival. The duration is eigth or nine days. People would build a hut called the succah. Then they will bring in tables, chairs, and beds.

Kaparot: They will grasp a chicken by the shoulder blades and moving around it.

ISLAM:

Islam = monotheistic


(Link)

Abratamic religion – with teachings of Islamic prophet.
Muslims: there's only 1 god- Arabic
Language: Alah
God had special prophity.
Salah- prayer. Muslims pray 5 times a day.

Zakat: When they look after other people and provided wealth for those that are less fortune... They are being a community contributor and a person of high character!! Yeah!!

Common!!

The are common: Strong members of monotheistic.
☆ Serena ☆
Time had passed and it's time that we reflect on what we did... There was a time, just before vacation, we were to read a book and make a book report for Language Arts.
I chose a book called “NEW MOON” by Stephanie Meyer.
After I had finished the book, I did some reflections...

----------

HIS is all about the 5 student outcomes:
  • Effective Communicator
  • Active Learner
  • Critical Thinker & Problem Solver
  • Community Contributor
  • Person of High Character
---------

How am I like an "Effective Communicator"? = One who listens carefully / Communicates...

Effective communicator Sometimes, I have problems with my homework and I just don't know what to do ~ STUCK!
It was then my heroes: the teachers, friends, and my other classmates, had saved me from the miserable thoughts.
I made it and summarized the story into a presentation to give to the class.

--------

How am I like an "Active Learner"? = One who are ready to learn / enthusiastic...

I read the book in 2 days and I took notes on it, while reading.

--------

How am I like a "Critical Thinker"? = One who thinks carefully...

I worked out the introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and the resolution. I thought about the story that didn't make sense and some ways to make it better.

--------

How am I like a "Person of High Character"? = One who is kind / Helpful...

There was times, when I helped my classmates on giving them advice for their project.

--------

How am I like a "Community Contributor"?? = One who contributes / share...

I contributed my ideas and thoughts on what I think is the best part and what part of the story needs improvements (based on my opinions). That’s called sharing!!!

--------
Content & Skills & Big Ideas

A: Yeah ~ I have the content of the story (summary), I’d used skills to make the power point easy to understand, and I have my ideas on the last few pages.

Q: Did I learn from what I did?
A: Of course, I learned some vocabularies that I didn't know. I learned some ways that may help my own creative writing interesting.

THESE VOCABULARIES MAY HELP ME IN FUTURE USAGES!!
☆ Serena ☆

ELEPHANTS DIE AT ZOOS FASTER???!!?? IS THAT TRUE???

According to the researchers, they found out that animals like the African elephants, "do" often die around the age 19. But those in the wild, can live up to about 56 years old!! Why's that?

These elephants at the zoo, suffer from having bad health (may include of over weighted & stressed). Now that elephants are suffering more and more, scientists are telling zoos to halt taking all kinds of elephants from the wild... And! To solve this problem that's now occurring!!

(Picture from "THIS" website) The zoos got the message and told them that they had already tried their
best to help those elephants.

LINK:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_7770000/newsid_7778800/7778874.stm
☆ Serena ☆
(Picture from the same website as this article)

Do you like to play with toys? How about when they are all brand new, sparkly, and attractive?? All the time???

It's truly GREAT!!! But! Of course "NOT", when they are covered with drools and played by animals first, is it?? It's like having a special gift that's second-handed!!

Julie Bishop, a cat owner, had this cat – Frankie. This weird 2 year old cat, went from homes to homes in Swindon and taking toys. Julie thinks that her cat doesn't know how or why he did this... Now, she's eager to return those toys to their owners.

Julie said that her at will always come home bringing lots of 'presents' for them... Those presents include numbers of soft toy animals.

Frankie is a weird and naughty cat, but he's also cute in some ways!!

LINK:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_7770000/newsid_7775400/7775498.stm
☆ Serena ☆
(Picture from the same link as this article)

Dogs can be jealous too!! Tests were made and carried out in Austria. They experiment with 2 dogs and owners. There are 2 ways and the first one works like this:

Both of the dogs will be rewarded with food if they hold out their paws, allowing their owners to shake them. If 1 dog did, and the other did not, the one with nothing will feel sad.

The second way is that the dogs will be separated they'll do their tasks alone. Then, the dogs will then shake their owner's hand continuously, even though there'll be nothing as a treat...

By doing this experiment, scientists can prove that dogs can sense if they are treated unequally.

Sometimes, it may happen due to the relationship between dogs and their owners.

Dogs get jealous like we do!! We are similar in a lot of ways!!!! :)

LINK:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_7770000/newsid_7772900/7772933.stm

☆ Serena ☆
(Picture from "THIS" website)

A new park was set up in Cameroon, an African country. The purpose of this park was to have an area where people protect a critically endangered Cross River gorillas. Right now, there are about 300 of those species of gorillas left in the world and about 115 are living a another National Park, Takamanda.

Why are they endangered? That's because hunters and those who chop down tress, destroyed their habitats. Animal experts believe that in this way of building national parks, it should help these gorillas.


LINK:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_7750000/newsid_7757200/7757240.stm

☆ Serena ☆
(Picture from "THIS" website)

Eeewww, snotty puppy noses all slimy and slippery!!! Mentioning about "snot"... why do dogs have them? Oh! There's also another question we always wonder about: why do dogs sniff better than us, humans?

Now, we've got the answer to those questions!! :)

The snot that their noses produce, gives them those awesome sense of smell. Their noses also absorbs molecules quicker than others. That's how they smell and identify things out!! Cool isn't it?? Wish I could have a nose like that too... but I don't want a snotty those though... ¬_¬

LINK:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_7750000/newsid_7755800/7755869.stm
☆ Serena ☆

Picture from "THIS" website.

In Mumbai, India, the Indians took control of Taj Mahal Palace & Tower and killed lots of people. Three terrorists were found dead and parts of the hotel were on fire. Soldiers went and searched the whole hotel but it seems that this BIG event have ended. This is what happened...

The Indian terrorists were trained well, one of them carried a backpack filled with rounds of ammunition. It seemed that those attacks indicated high degrees with preparing because they know the layout of the building very well. Some of them were caught arriving by boat and disguising as guests for days.

The soldiers searched in a gunman's backpack and this is what they've found:

- found dried fruits (safe).

-400 rounds of AK-47 ammunition.

- 4 grenades.

- Indian + American money.

- Seven credit cards (from some world's leading banks).

- 1 national identity card (Mauritius, an Island).

MY THOUGHTS:

It's really scary. Just imagine... You just want to have a normal vacation in India. Suddenly, you were caught by some strangers (terrorists) asking you questions and killing the others~ What a terrible sight (and I mean it)!!!!

(I only wrote a little... to find more information about this scary event... go to the link below...)

LINK:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/29/world/asia/29mumbai.html?ref=todayspaper
☆ Serena ☆
(Picture from "THIS" site)

Long-tailed macaque monkeys are kept in cages after they've being caught and they suffer during the long journey to science labs in America and China. The BUAV (people from the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection) called for rules to be set up so these monkeys could be treated better. The monkeys aren't engendered, so why bring them out of there homes in the wild? When they capture these animals, they force them into the river and then seal them inside a container.
In these capturing ways, about eight out of 10 die of the way they are treated. This group also asked Europe and America to halt the capturing business of wild creatures and for nicer environment at monkey breeding centers.

LINK:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_7750000/newsid_7750600/7750650.stm
☆ Serena ☆
The experts tracked the beavers in Norway for about 2 months and then at last, they caught the whole family 1 male, 1 female, including 2 ~ 3 of their baby kits. The experts need to watch the creatures to make sure that not one member of one family are left behind.Now, they're being cared in a quarantine. The quarantine is where animals are kept while experts study them carefully, observing them if there are any diseases that may spread to other animals. In the spring time of 2009 they would be released into the wilderness once again.People used boats and if they want to catch the beavers, they'll need to catch them in the dark (nocturnal)

Beavers could / are :
- Stop fish numbers ~ blocking their routes = Effect fish industries.
- Create wetland environments for other animals (Some people are :) and others are :( about
this idea).
- Trapped by hunters (16th Century) to sell their furs ~ so wiped out.
Link:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_7740000/newsid_7741600/7741684.stm