North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam, Netherlands

The wow-power of the prestigious three-day weekend which a legion of world-class artists come together to perform concerts is the North Sea Jazz Festival’s highlight all about.

For more than twenty-five years now, it has been the largest annual gathering of jazz in Europe, spanning the spectrum of blues, fusion, gospel and soul. Legendary names and nascent talents from around the globe perform side by side.  In fact, new talent in Europe in the name of Shirley Horn was discovered because of this festival. It was said that in 2006, the festival was moved from its longtime home in The Hague to Ahoy’ Rotterdam. Despite the change in venue, the festival still promises jazz lovers the same rich experience it always has.

First Aid: Dressing and Bandaging

When situations that calls for immediate care and help, initially giving First Aid is demandingly needed. And when it comes to dressing and bandaging closed or open wounds, the best care is to that you should use a dressing that is large enough to extend at least 1 inch beyond the edges of the wound. If body tissue or organs are exposed, you should cover the wound with a dressing that will not stick, such as plastic wrap or moistened gauze. You should secure the dressing with a bandage or adhesive tapes.  If the bandage is over a joint, splint and make a bulky dressing so the joint remains immobilized. If there is no movement of a wound over the joint, you should beat to give improved healing and to reduce scarring. On the other hand, if a bandage should fit snugly but should not cut off circulation or cause the victim discomfort. If the area beyond the wound changes color, begins the tingle or feel cold, or if the wound starts to swell the bandage is too tight and should be loosened.

Remember that bandaging techniques mainly depend on the size and location of the wound, your first aid skills and of course, the materials at hand.

Giving first aid is applied when the situations call for it but if the wound is deeply serious, then seek the help of a dermatologist or a doctor for the patient’s security.

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Bathing the Newborn Baby

Being a mother, I have many things to share to you about my growth with me and my baby. My David now is 1 year old and in his growing stage of development, I have learned many things which I want to share to you. I will share you how to bathe a newborn baby. This is the way too that I share to my baby David.

Daily bath is desirable if your baby’s condition allows it. First, you need to gather all the equipments before starting to take him to a bath. You need to have large basin or two small basins, mild baby soap, mild baby shampoo (but it is optional), clean cotton balls, soft wash cloth or face towel, bath towel or small cotton blanket and rubber sheet.

You should water in the basin and it should be about 37.7 degree Celsius or 100 degree Fahrenheit. Undress the baby and wash his face with clear water using either the cotton balls or wash cloth. You should wash eyes (closed) and ears.

The baby’s scalp or head may be washed next. You should pick up the baby by sliding your hand under him, grasping his head firmly as you hold it over the basin. Then soap the baby’s body all over by putting him in the basin while still supporting his head and the shoulders. If the baby is enjoying his experience, let him stay in the water for a few minutes. After he is finished, lift him out. Wrap him in a towel or blanket and pat him dry.

After the bath, the labia in baby girls should be cleansed with cotton and clean water. The umbilical cord may be cleaned with 70% alcohol which has  a drying effect and promotes an antiseptic effect. If infection is observed like redness, mal odor, moisture or discharge, the physician must be informed.

Pompeii, Campania, Italy

 Nothing quite prepares you for the striking effect of some of the world’s most famous ruins in Campania, Italy and that is Pompeii. It’s as if the ancient Romans had departed only yesterday, the homes, wine shops public baths, and bordellos they left behind are windows of the life that flourished in this thriving port city at the foot of Vesuvius in the days of the Caesars.  In olden times, one of the most disastrous volcanic eruptions in history recorded by Pliny the Younger, who observed it from a distance, buried the town deep that ash would preserve it. It was not until the mid-18^th century that large-scale excavations were launched, and two-thirds of the city remains buried until now. The evidences of this place can be seen in its intricate mosaic floors and richly frescoed villas, although many of the city’s decorative and art objects were stolen long ago. Pompeii is large enough to be misunderstood without the help of a guide as what others said who have already gone to the place. That is why, you really need a guide when you plan to visit there. On the other hand, the entire areas of the dead city are astonishingly.

 For exploring the ruins in the world, Italy has something that stores just for you!

Amanpulo, Pamalican Island, Philippines

It has been recognized that Pamalican is a very special getaway, a minuscule speck in the Sula Sea on which has been created a sibling of the Aman Resort, the archetypal luxury Asian getaway. Visiting this place is like you roll out of your immense bed, pad across your enormous private casita, and awaken with the day on the Amanpulo’s footprint-free talcum-powder beach. The exquisite casitas are modeled after traditional “bahay kubo” houses which is built of local materials, and decorated with gallery-quality crafts. And if you do make it outside, you can engage in a host of enticing water activities including windsurfing, sailing, fishing and most especially scuba diving in some of the purest water you will ever see. The hillside swimming pool seems to have no edges and it commands spectacular views of the surrounding islands that all framed by the multiple aquamarine, peacock and turquoise blues of the sea.

Don’t and Doesn’t in English

Learning English is like learning its basics. The use of don’t and doesn’t are part of the basic.

The word does and the contraction doesn’t are used with singular nouns and with the pronouns he, she and it. The word do and the contraction don’t are used with plural nouns and with the pronouns I, we, you and they.

Examples: 

Doesn’t

The law doesn’t decide on the case. (The law refers to it. It is a singular noun.)

He doesn’t want to go with his friends.

It doesn’t work.

She doesn’t need to do it.

Don’t

The laws don’t want him to win the case.

They don’t like him.

You don’t understand my point.

We don’t need to hurt each other.

Sample Exercise

Choose the right word from the two given in parentheses.

1. (Where is, Where are) the stack of papers I put on the desk?

2. (Don’t, Doesn’t) the wind sound wild tonight?

3. (Here’s, Here are) the books you lent to Robin.

4. (What’s, What are) the names of the mountain ranges in Hanolulu, Hawaii?

5. It seems that there (was, were) two men named David.

6. Hard work and ambition (is, are) not the answer.

7. Money and power (was, were) Wilson’s goal.

8. The leader of the expedition (don’t, doesn’t) dare to take chances.

9. Sunny days and a beautiful beach (is, are) the town’s claim to fame.

10. Protein and fats (is, are) the great dietary need in India.

The Differences of Lie, Lay, Sit and Set

Lie, Lay, Sit and Set are what we call troublesome verbs. In order to use properly these words in our daily conversation or in making compositions, it is important to learn the meaning of those words.

Lie means to recline or rest (lying). Sit is to occupy a seat (sitting). Lay is to put down or place (Laying). Set is to place (Setting). Lie and sit are generally used to show position. They do not take objects.

Example: Aunt Maye lies in bed all morning, but she sits on the hospital terrace in the afternoon.

Lay and set usually show a person at work. When you use these verbs, you must name the thing that is laid and set.

Example: Before Riane set the cup of coffee at Moms’ place, she laid the morning paper on his plate.

Don’t be confused. The past tense of lie is the same as the present tense of lay. (In the sequence as Present, Past and Past Participle respectively written as…)

lei – lay – lain

sit – sat – sat

lay – laid – laid

set – set –set

I will give you this concrete example for you not to be confused of lay in the form of present and past tense.

Present Tense – Lay those packages on the table and pour yourself a glass of lemonade. (“lay” means place)

Past Tense – Brownie crept under the porch and lay there until dinner-time. (“lay” means recline)

Exercises;

Identify the right verb for each sentence.

1. Even Father (laid, lay) down for a nap.

2. Chris (laid, lay) the first book down and picked up another.

3. Lynn’s bicycle had (laid, lain) in the driveway all night.

4. Paul Reyes (sets, sits) next to me in the assembly.                                                                         

5. Louise (sat, set) the tray of empty pop bottles on the kitchen table.

6. Robert and Wayne had (lain, laid) on the damp ground all night.

7. Randy (laid, lay) in bed and thought about getting ready for school.

8. Debby (laid, lay) the open cookbook on the table and began to cream the shortening.

9. After I had (sat, set) in the reception room for an hour, I was shown into Dr. Jackson’s office.

10. Have you ever (laid, lain) on the deck of a fast-moving boat and watched the sky whiz by?

11. Marvin (sat, set) on the front steps and patiently waited for Dad to come home.

12. (Set, Sit) that pitcher of iced tea on the table near the couch.

13. When Mrs. Welver regained consciousness, she was (laying, lying) at the bottom of the basement stairs.

14. Who (laid, lay) his wet coat on the sofa?

15. Polly has been (setting, sitting) on the jetty ever since the tide went on.

16. Today, our football coach, Mr. Sander, was (lie, lay) down the law to the team.

17. “You fellows (lie, lay) in bed too long in the morning,” he declared.

18. “One of my star players in the NBA didn’t spend most of his time (lie, lay) in bed.

19. Every morning before (sit, set) to breakfast he sprinted to the river.

20. He (lie, lay) his clothes on the bank, and swam the river three times.