Water. It is the single most abundant element on the planet. Everything living relies on water in order to survive. You can take a few moments out of your day to teach the preschoolers the importance of water through activities that are fun and exciting for them.

Cotton Ball Clouds: The Water Cycle

Hand out a cotton ball cloud to the children and have them describe how it feels. Now place the clouds into a pan of cold water and explain what is happening as the water evaporates into the cotton balls. Have the preschoolers describe what they are seeing and have them pick up the clouds again and describe what they feel. Explain what is happening (rain) as the clouds drip water back into the pan (forms streams).

Nursery Rhymes and Songs

Teach the children the song “Rain, Rain, Go Away” or the rhyme “April Showers”. Pick from similar songs and rhymes.

Car Wash

Have the children use toy cars or trucks while you have them take their vehicles through a car wash. This will teach them teamwork and sharing.

The Importance and Usage of Water

Bring some photographs into the classroom to teach the preschoolers about all the important things water can do. Points such as: drink to be healthy, wash clothes or bathing, flushing the toilet, cleaning the house, hydroelectricity, and the ocean. Teach the children why each is important to life on the planet or their household.

Melting Ice

How long does it take ice to melt? Put some ice cubes around the classroom or home in paper cups. Have the children observe how fast each cube melts and explain why some melt faster than others.

Freezing Water

Freeze juice into ice cube trays to show the preschoolers how water turns solid. Show them how the solid turns to liquid again. You can alternately make popsicles with them if you wish.

I’m Floating!

Either in a small pool or while your child is bathing add some different items to the water to demonstrate buoyancy. Make the items different weights such as plastic, metal and wooden spoons, toys, blocks, etc. Talk about what you are seeing with the children. Explain how “floaties” and life jackets can keep them afloat.

Fishing

Fill a small wading pool or large pot or bucket with water. Put some play fish inside the water and grab some fishing poles. Have the kids go fishing.

Swimming and Water Parks

Take the preschoolers on a field trip to a swimming pool, lake, ocean or water park for a day of fun in the sun! Heck, why not play with hoses while you’re at it!

Water Based Snacks

Prepare soup by adding fresh ingredients to a water-based broth. Have the kids prepare powered drinks mixed with water. Mix juice and sparking water for a bubble-filled drink.

The theme of water can leave you with limitless ideas on what to do. These are just a few helpful preschooler activities that can be done to teach them the water cycle, the importance of water to life, the fun you can have with the element and different things you can eat or drink that are water based.

Accessible only by boat or seaplane, only about 60,000 visitors get to Dry Tortugas National Park each year. Compare that to the more than 300 million people who visited America's national parks last year. But it's really no surprise when you consider what's involved just getting there. The jumping off point is Key West, Florida, and from there, you can choose between an all-day boat ride, and half- or full-day seaplane trips, assuming you do not have your own vessel.

Pre-Flight

I opted for the seaplane flight and checked in at the Key West Seaplane Adventures office at 7:30 for an 8:00 am flight. Even though it was late March, the sun was just rising, filtered by wisps of pink and orange clouds. When the remaining nine passengers arrived, we received our briefing, were introduced to our pilot, Gary, and then walked out on to the tarmac together to board the DHC-3 DeHavilland Turbine Otter Amphibian. The plane can carry 10 passengers plus the pilot … and when Gary offered up the co-pilot seat, I literally jumped at the opportunity!

Gary has been flying to and from Dry Tortugas for years. He would make five trips to and from Dry Tortugas that day … and his early morning return flight to Key West would be a solo one.

Ready for Takeoff

Once we had our seat belts fastened, and possibly more importantly, our headphones on, Gary began to narrate our early morning adventure as we taxied out on to the runway. I fired up my video camera … and before I knew it we were airborne heading due east into the morning sun, and just as quickly banking south, then west for a bird's eye view of Key West. It was only then that I had the exhilarating realization I would be setting down in a place I'd only been able to conjure in my imagination – turquoise waters, green sea turtles, bright coral, frigatebirds, shipwrecks, and a coastal fortress nearly 170 years old.

The co-pilot's seat offered the perfect view of Key West, its hotels, Duvall Street and Mallory Square, which quickly faded from view. Gary pumped some music into our headphones … though I was not quite sure what to make of his first selection: Tom Petty's "Free Fallin '"!

Flying to Dry Tortugas

Flying at at 130 knots, we were quickly over an area called the "Flats," a body of shallow water just 3-5 feet deep extending almost 20 miles to the west. Flying at just 500 feet above the water, these shallows are teeming with Loggerhead turtles and you could clearly see dozens of them swimming about as we cruised overhead.

25 miles out, we flew directly over Marquesas Islands, a coral atoll … and then over an area called the "Quicksands." Here the water is 30 feet deep with a sea bed of constantly shifting sand dunes. This is where treasure hunter Mel Fisher found the Spanish Galleons Antocha and Margarita – and more than a half a billion dollars of gold and silver strewn across an eight mile area. They continue to work the site, and even today, there are regular finds of huge Spanish Emeralds.

But it was not long from my vantage point in the cockpit before I could begin to make out Fort Jefferson on Garden Key, Bush Key and further west, the lighthouse on Loggerhead Key.

A Little History

Once Florida was acquired from Spain (1819-1821), the United States considered the 75 mile stretch connecting the Gulf Coast and Atlantic Ocean important to protect, since anyone who occupied the area could seize control trade along the Gulf Coast.

Construction of Fort Jefferson began on Garden Key in 1847, and although more than $ 250,000 had been spent by 1860, the fort was never finished. As the largest 19th century American masonry coastal fort, it also served as a remote prison facility during the Civil War. The most famous inmate was Dr. Samuel Mudd, who set the leg of John Wilkes Booth following the assassination of President Lincoln. Mudd was denied of conspiracy and was imprisoned on the Dry Tortugas from 1865 to 1869. The fort continued to serve as a military prison until 1874.

Almost There

Gary banked the De Havilland to the right, providing a spectacular view of the islands and Fort Jefferson, heading the seaplane into the wind for the smoothest landing I've ever experienced – on land or sea – gly skimming the surface and we glided effortlessly across turquoise waters and headed towards shore. One more roar of the engines, a quick turn, and we were up on the beach ready to disembark.

We arrived about 8:30 AM … and away from the 10 passengers on board, a half dozen campers at one end of the Garden Key, and a few National Park Service employees, we had the island to ourselves.

As I watched the seaplane take off, heading back to Key West, it stuck me just how isolated we were in this remote ocean wilderness.

It was still reasonably cool, but the sun – and the temperature – was rising fast. Taking advantage of the early morning light, I headed inside the fort, making my way up the spiral staircase, and stepped out of the old Garden Key lighthouse built in 1825. The lighthouse is no longer in use, since the "new" 167 foot tall lighthouse on Loggerhead Key, completed in 1858, continues to flash its beacon to mariners, warning of the shallow waters.

The view from atop of Fort Jefferson provided a spectacular 360 degree panorama. And along the few spits of land that make up the park, there was nothing but sky and sea in every direction.

About the Park

Dry Tortugas National Park, located at the farthest end of the Florida Keys, is closer to Cuba than to the American mainland. A cluster of seven islands, mostly composed of sand and coral reefs, just 93 of the park's 64,000 acres are above water. The three easternmost keys are simply spits of white coral sand, while 49-acre Loggerhead Key, three miles out, marks the western edge of the island chain. The park's sandy keys are in a constant state of flux – shaped by tides and currents, weather and climate. In fact, four islands completely disappeared between 1875 and 1935, a testament to the fragility of the ecosystem.

Final Approach to Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson

The surrounding coral reefs make up the third-largest barrier reef system outside of Australia and Belize.

The Dry Tortugas are recognized for their near-pristine natural resources including seagrass beds, fisheries, and sea turtle and bird nesting habitat.

Bush Key, just 100 yards or so from Fort Jefferson is home to a vast assortment of birds that frequent the islands and features a mix of mangrove, sea oats, bay cedar, sea grape and prickly pear cactus, reflecting the original character of the islands .

A great wildlife spectacle occurs each year between the months of February and September, as many as 100,000 sooty terns travel from the Caribbean Sea and west-central Atlantic Ocean to nest on the islands of the Dry Tortugas. Brown noddies, roseate terns, double-crested cormorants, brown pelicans and the Magnificent frigatebird, with its 7-foot wingspan, nest here as well. Although Bush Key was closed to visitors, hundreds, if not thousands of birds filled the skies and the sounds of their screeches and calls filled the otherwise tranquil surroundings.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt established Fort Jefferson National Monument under the Antiquities Act on January 4, 1935. Expanded to it's current size in 1983, the monument was re-designated by an act of Congress as Dry Tortugas National Park on October 26, 1992 to protect the island and marine environment, to reserve Fort Jefferson and submerged cultural resources such as shipwrecks.

There is no water, food, bathing facilities, supplies, or public lodging (other than camping on Garden Key) in the park. All visitors, campers, and boaters are required to pack out whatever they pack in, so the National Park Service has created a wi-fi hotspot – only at the dock – where you can scan a QR code and download a variety of PDFs to your phone or tablet. It's an idea that's bound to catch on with so many mobile devices, reducing the need to print (and throw away) paper brochures. Inside Fort Jefferson, a small visitor's center has a few exhibits and shows a short video. I stepped across the entranceway, and found an equally small office that houses the National Park Service employees who maintain and manage the park.

Almost 500 Years Ago …

I imagined the islands did not look much different to Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León, credited for discovering the islands in 1531. He named them Las Tortugas, or "The Turtles," as the islands and surrounding waters were aswarm with loggerhead, hawksbill , leatherback, and green turtles. For nearly three hundred years, pirates raided not only passing ships, but relied on turtles for meat and eggs and also pilfered the nests of roving sooty and noddy terns. Nautical charts began to show that The Tortugas were dry – due to the lack of fresh water – and historically the islands were renamed as The Dry Tortugas.

Shipping, Trade, and Riches from the New World

Explorers sailed through the Dry Tortugas and the route was frequented by Spanish ships returning to the European mainland from the Gulf Coast of Florida, Veracruz and the Caribbean. The Dry Tortugas proved to be an important trade route … and served as a significant marker ships used to navigate the Gulf's coastline. While Florida remained under Spanish rule, merchants used this route transporting coffee, tobacco, cotton, meat, livestock and merchandise across the Atlantic in exchange for silver and gold from the New World.

Some of the best snorkeling in North America

Although I was only on the half-day seaplane trip, I still had enough time for a quick swim and snorkel on the west side of Garden Key.

In the late 1800s, the US Navy built piers and coaling warehouses for refueling, but strong storms destroyed them, leaving only their underpinnings. These pilings, and the deer water of the dredged channel, now offer an excellent opportunity to see larger fish like tarpon, grouper, barracuda … as well as the occasional shark.

I've had my GoPro for years, but had never used it underwater and I was pleasantly surprised when I entered the water. Multi-colored sea fans swayed in the gentle current. Colorful reef fish – with their vivid and boldly patterned reds, yellows, greens and blues – are camouflaged amongst the bright coral and sea grasses. Today, turtle populations have diminished, but you may still be able to see green, loggerhead, hawksbill, and leatherback sea turtles.

As I walked back to the changing rooms at the dock, the seaplane for my return flight was just landing and I realized my time at Dry Tortugas was coming to an end. If I ever have a chance to get back, I would definitely opt for the full day trip.

A week later, after returning home to Colorado and was shoveling snow off of the driveway, a small plane passed overhead and I suddenly thought of my flight to Dry Tortugas – the bright sun, the crystal clear waters, the abundant life – above and below the water's surface – a surreal landscape that seemed much farther away now. So captivating, so remote, that even having seen it with my own eyes, I still somehow could barely imagine it.

To know if an island vacation should be your next holiday dream, please take a look at these qualities of islands for vacation to help you decide where to travel next time.

The catalogues of travel agencies are full of announcements of vacation on islands, near and far away. If you look at books written as travel guides you will also find an overwhelming number of travel guides especially to islands. So what is behind these facts that islands top the travel ideas of many people?

In my experience it is a combination of several properties of islands. I am an owner of a vacation house at a small island so I know the very special feeling of coming back to the island. You get a feeling of being isolated from your normal hectic life and your life at the island feels simpler. Such kinds of feelings are very much sought after for many vacationers because a feeling of relaxation is an important quality of any vacation.

Do you like to go swimming, to go snorkelling, to dive, to surf, to fish or to engage in any other kind of water sports? Well, it is obvious that at an island the coast and the nearness to the ocean is a very important attraction. You need the specific environment to fulfill your expectations of water activities. Different islands have very different kinds of coasts and local waters. You have to be aware of which islands are offering exactly what you need for your water sports.

For many travellers sunbathing is associated with being at a beach, and at best being at a sandy beach. The combination of sunning your body and taking a refreshing swim now and then makes a perfect holiday activity of a lot of people, and a perfect setting for families with children.

The nearness of water is not only an attraction for direct activities but a highly sought after backdrop for relaxed walks along the coast and enjoying the ever changing view of the seascape. The view of the ocean is not only attractive in the red setting sun, but has its attraction all day long and all year round.

As towns and cities are from old time often started as a settlement along water we get a natural concentration of people, culture and activities at the coast offering the needed local atmosphere for many on vacation.

When you investigate your possible island vacation for next time, see if you can fulfil what you want related to:

– A relaxed or a busy atmosphere at the island

– Clean water for swimming or other water activities

– The quality of the beach and is it crowded?

– What is the neighbourhood of your hotel and is it close enough to the activities you want to enjoy?

– Can you get what you need at the island (food, drinks, entertainments, car hire, company or secrecy)

– How is the weather for the season you plan to travel to the island? (Islands can be very windy, and the sea can be very ruff at some seasons).

In the northern California coast, nature has created her own forest of bonsai trees. Instead of pots, she used iron cemented hardpan for containers. Instead of scissors for pruning, she stunted the trees with a highly acid, infertile soil and a layer of hardpan that holds too much water in the winter. Her tools were ocean waves, heavy rainfall, and uplifting caused by the grinding together of continental plates.

The story of the pygmy forest is part of a larger story of an ecological staircase. It's a story best told at the Jug Handle State Reserve, 2 miles south of Fort Bragg on State Route 1 in Mendocino County. Here a 2-1 / 2 mile nature trail leads visitors on a self-guided tour up nature's terraces from the seashore.

From the headlands of the first terrace, you can gaze down upon the ocean as it deposits sand and gravel on a future terrace. The earth has been steadily uplifting this coast. "What's so rare is that the land was uplifted flat, so you have soils that are a million years old," says Teresa Sholars, Professor at the College of the Redwoods in Fort Bragg. During this time, sea level has lowered and risen with advances and retreats of continental glaciers. As the sea lowers, it drops sediments on a level beach. As it rises, the sea pounds away at the now-higher beach that will have formed sea cliffs. Each of the five terraces along Jug Handle Creek is about 100 feet higher and 100,000 to 200,000 years older than the one below it.

On the lowest terrace, grasses and wildflowers like California poppy and coast lupine have enriched the old beach sediments. This coastal prairie is maintained by salt spray from the ocean that keeps trees at bay.

By the second terrace, the soils have nurtured coniferous forests. Then a leaching process called podzolization, common to coniferous rain forests, depletes the soil.

Rainwater draining slowly on the flat terraces picks up acids from falling needles and carries iron and alkaline minerals down through the soil, forming a hardpan.

"The acid soil and the hardpan are really creating the pygmy forest," says Sholars. In fact, this soil is almost as acid is vinegar – the most acidic soil in the world.

By the third terrace, after 300,000 to 600,000 years of leaching, the contrast is startingling. As you walk through a luxuriant forest of towering redwoods and Douglas Firs, you'll see an incredible shrinking act by the trees around you; you've finally arrived at the pygmy forest.

Here the ground is an ill-clad dingy white, with little more than lichens and sparse leaf litter for clothing. Rarely found wild outside the pygmy forest, pygmy cypresses and bolander pines, along with the widespread bishop pine, eke out their livings in this depleted soil. Where the hardpan is less than a foot deep, a 2-foot high, half-inch diameter cypress may be a mature 80 to 100 years old. Other vegetation in the pygmy forest consists mainly of shrubs of the acid-loving heath family, including showy pink rhododendrons and huckleberries.

Another good place nearby to explore pygmy forests – especially with young children – is in Van Damme State Park. Here also a self-guided tour brochure provides interpretation along a short trail.

Perhaps the oddest thing about the pygmy forest is that it is a climax community. On the terraces, the process of ecological succession – the gradual replacement of one plant community by another – proceeds from grassland to pine forest to pygmy forest. But it ends there – with the pygmies. No other plant community will take its place as long as conditions stay as they are, the ecological staircase will bear its forests of bonsai trees through time.

The Park Samui in Thailand is a little jade spot, the best luxury beach resort, miles around in the tourists' haven Thailand. Just a ten-minute drive away from Samui Airport and you can gird yourself up for one of the best beach vacations ever. What is more, you can have the best of both worlds here, the pristine sea and rolling hillsides. Located in the beautiful island of Koh Samui, this top beach resort is an ideal holiday spot with its 24 well-designed and commodious apartments spelling out luxury, ambience, and comfort whichever way you turn, wherever you look.

A verdant piece of land with palms nodding to the rhythm of the wind invites visitors from all over the world. Do explore the island with sufficient time on hand. Drive through the palm fronds over the island's undulating greenery giving way rather suddenly to a sparkling blue ocean glistening with gold as it catches the spark of sunshine. Small wonder visitors come away sighing about one of the best beach vacations they have undergone in Thailand.

Get in touch with the global Reservation Office in the People's Republic of China or contact the Park Samui at to reserve one of the well laid out and lovingly designed apartments of this top beach resorts The apartments, all 24 of them, offer massive space while being beautifully appointed. The accommodation is separated in three categories: superior apartments with a garden view; superior apartments with a poolside view, and deluxe apartments with a poolside view.

You may take your pick if you are well in time. Spaciousness is the hallmark of each apartment irrespective of category. The deluxe apartments, obviously, offer the best views being located on the top floors. All the apartments have terraces and balconies looking out into a pool or garden. Intelligently designed over two-and-a-half levels each apartment has two bedrooms, one living room, and three bathrooms. There are 32-inch flat screen TV sets, DVD players, iron with ironing board and many other facilities.

Do not forget to take advantage of the exclusive beach shuttle service offered by Park Samui to get to some of the loveliest beaches in the north of the island. One place that you should not go away without seeing is the Chong Mon Beach, a ravishing beauty as far as beaches go. The beach shuttle is also used to fetch guests from the airport. The hotel will make arrangements for your departure via the shuttle service should you request it.

If you happen to visit the island of Koh Samui during summer you would love its two swimming pools inside the hotel's typical Thai garden. The upper pool is also called the Infinity Pool as it appears naturally endless being 17 meters in length. The lower pool, which also happens to be a favorite with children and families, is next to the Park Samui Restaurant where you can sample some appetite-whetting Thai dishes after your swim. Later, after taking a walk around the verdant promises you can work out those extra calories at the air-conditioned fitness center. What more could you ask for in the best luxury beach resort?

Barbados may be known for its gorgeous beaches, but before you head out to these sandy patches of paradise, take the time to explore the island nation’s only true city -Bridgetown. This Caribbean city and holds the biggest population in the country, and offers curious visitors a look at Barbados’ rich culture and history.

While the city may have established quite a number of modern structures like office complexes, shopping malls and banks, Bridgetown has still managed to preserve a number of its most precious historic sites and colonial buildings. The city maintains a very energetic atmosphere enhanced by its vibrant streets, regularly occupied by eager vendors of various goods and fresh produce. Here, you will get plenty of opportunities for duty -free shopping especially in areas like the Broad Street. It is also very easy to find local crafts in the city’s street markets.

Most of the important tourist sites in Bridgetown are within easy walking distance from the city center. And fortunately, the city buses serve most of these destinations. Take note that Bridgetown is one of the oldest cities in the Caribbean. While here, don’t miss the chance to walk around its fascinating historical section, which is home to the city’s most precious architectural landmarks, including the Parliament Buildings of Barbados. These buildings exude the exquisite neo-gothic design and were constructed in the late 19th century using coral limestone. One of the impressive features of the buildings is its stained glass windows, which depict the different British monarchs. Its west wing houses the government offices, the clock tower, the Parliament Museum and the National Gallery. And if you walk to the east wing, you will find the Senate and House of Assembly.

The Barbados Garrison is another significant historical landmark in Bridgetown. It fact this garrison is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as it is considered to be the largest of its kind during the 18th and 19th centuries. These days, the garrison houses the Barbados Defense Force, but it has other sections that are worth visiting. Some of these sections include the St. Ann’s Fort, established in 1705; the Georgian style mansion called George Washington House; and the Barbados National Armoury, which maintains a massive collection of iron cannons, made during the 17th century. Another important building found in the garrison is the Barbados Museum, which can give you great insight into the island’s history through its extensive exhibits and galleries. In the exterior portion of the Barbados Garrison lies an oval green space, which is used as a park and venue for sporting events, horse races and parades.

Make your way to the city’s natural harbor called Carlisle Bay, which also plays hosts to regular water sports events. If you walk to the southern side of the bay, you will find the popular Pebbles beach, which is frequently visited due to its soft white sand and perfectly calm water, suitable for swimming. If scuba diving is something you would like to do, arrange an excursion to the Carlisle Bay Marine Park, whose ocean floor is occupied by a couple of old shipwrecks.

If you are content just staying on the beach, comfortably sitting on a sun lounge and protected by an umbrella; then you should seek out the Boatyard Beach Club. This club is conveniently equipped with a restaurant and offers a range of fun water-based activities.

A friend of mine once told me that next to every truth stands a lie, that one person’s ceiling is another’s floor, and that to follow a truth is like walking a razor’s edge-it’s easy to fall off in error. I find defining the difference between evaluation and judgment to be in this fine-line category. As I start to define evaluation, I feel myself moving over into judgment, and as I start to describe judgment, I move into evaluation.

So, what is the difference between judgment and evaluation?

Evaluations are positive. Judgments are negative. Evaluations help you decide what you want more of in your life and create a sense of connection. Judgments can create confusion and separate you from others. Evaluations are expansive in nature; judgments are constrictive. Evaluations give you freedom of choice; judgments limit your behavior and the behavior of others. Evaluations merely state what “is” in a neutral, objective manner. Judgments indicate an opinionated, subjective value. Evaluations can be seen as a mental or a scientific approach,while judgments are emotional in nature and often suggest a moral, self-righteous approach.

I would encourage you to reread that paragraph again. Go slow. Challenge it. Process it. What parts ring true to you? Wat parts stir some deep emotion? Obviously, I am encouraging you to move toward evaluation versus judgment. Challenge that.

“OK, enough comparisons and enough challenges,” you say. “What’s the difference between judgment and evaluation? I still don’t understand. How can I decide if I like something if I don’t have an opinion or a judgment about it? How can I judge whether it’s good for me or not good for me? I am confused.”

This confusion is the razor’s edge that I spoke about earlier. Discerning the difference between judgments and evaluations in some areas is very easy, while in other areas it’s very tricky. It’s something that you just have to play with and watch very closely. Let’s look at some examples.

Here are some statements that are judgmental: He’s ugly. I think she’s stupid. I am such a fool. Can you believe she’s wearing that dress? That guy drives like he’s half-asleep.

In each of the judgmental statements, the speaker is assuming to know something about something s/he does not truly know anything about, and the statement sounds very opinionated. Notice also that the speaker is placing himself/herself in a superior position. The expressions of compassion and understanding are not present. The general tonality is one of scolding or ridicule. The primary position is I know what’s right, and what you’re doing, wearing, or saying is wrong!

Here are some statements that evaluate: He’s six feet tall, and he weighs 95 pounds. Every time I ask her to do this task, I have to show her all the steps. I find I keep repeating the same pattern over and over again. The red dress she was wearing had nine yellow dots the size of basketballs, placed four inches apart. He drove his car down the freeway at 26 mph. I saw him pour a glass of milk into his gas tank.

In the statements above, notice that descriptions are expressed in detail. The adjectives describe very specific traits. An opinion is not stated, and the speaker is not running assumptions. S/he is just describing what is seen. There’s no rightness or wrongness presented. Everything is very factual.

You say, “Well, I don’t like red dresses with yellow dots the size of basketballs.” That’s fine. In fact, it’s good that you know what you like to wear and what you dislike. You enter into a judgment, however, when you state, “That dress is ugly, and anyone wearing it is stupid and obviously has no taste!”

And you might respond, “I know style. That’s my job, and I know that red dresses with yellow dots are disgusting and anyone wearing them or suggesting someone should wear them is crazy and stupid.”

Notice how this position creates separation? Notice the position of self-righteousness? Notice all the assumptions? Who is defining what is ugly and what is stupid? Whose taste of clothing is “right?” The above speaker is assuming s/he knows the “right” answer to all of these questions. Beauty, intelligence, and fashion are all subjective and relative to some arbitrary standard that someone has set. We have all been told that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Judgments indicate a position of self-righteousness. The underlying assumption is that I am right and you are wrong, and that you must do what I do and must think like I think. If you don’t, well, judgment will be directed at you. Evaluations describe what you see, hear, or feel. They reflect an attempt to discover what works for you and what does not work for you. The underlying foundation is the knowledge and acceptance of what works for me might not work for you and what works for you might not work for me.

For the next week, watch how you describe people, places, and events. Ask yourself if you’re evaluating or judging what you’re seeing. How do you feel when you accurately describe what you see? How do you feel when you judge what you see? Be aware of how your body reacts. I would also encourage you to listen to how other people describe people, places, and events and watch how you react to their evaluations and judgments. You then might want to ask yourself which process, evaluating or judging, sets you free and allows you to create more of what you want in your life.

A Process of Getting Free From Judgments

1. What do you judge about yourself or others?

2. What do you tell yourself about the people you judge?

3. What should/shouldn’t the people you judge do?

4. Who taught you these rules?

5. How do your judgments separate you from others?

6. What do you want?

7. What can you do to create what you want?

8. Are you willing to take action? When? How?

9. What can you do the next time you’re aware you’re judging?

10. Is there anything else you can do to feel complete right now?

Harnessing the vast power of the oceans’ waves has recently gained popularity as a form of renewable energy that does not contribute to global warming. Seventy percent of the world’s electricity needs are met by burning fossil fuels such as coal or natural gas, and these methods generate vast quantities of greenhouse gasses. Hydropower has long been considered a renewable alternative, but the current technique for harnessing that power, namely damming rivers, can be extremely damaging to ecosystems, and nearly all of the suitable locations in the world have already been tapped. Now scientists and engineers are learning to harness the unending power of ocean waves, promising electricity generation with minimal environmental effects. None of the current wave power technologies create greenhouse gasses or pollution.

Many different technologies have been developed to convert waves into electricity. Two of the most promising technologies take advantage of the vertical motion of waves. The first of these is a buoy or point-absorber generator. These designs contain a fixed component and a floating component. Waves move the floating component up and down in relation to the fixed component, driving one of several types of systems. An arm protruding from the buoy can be attached to a crank, which then turns a mechanical generator. Similarly, self-contained hydraulic pumps can be driven by the motion of the buoy, then driving a hydraulic motor. Yet another system uses the motion to pump pressurized sea water. This pressurized sea water can then be pumped through a turbine or even pumped onshore to drive osmotic desalination processes. Buoy generators are currently being used in several locations. Finavera has projects in waters off Portugal, Africa, and the North Pacific waters of the US and Canada. Oregon State University has a pilot project off the coast of Reedsport, and CETO, has a project running off Western Australia. The second type of design that takes advantage of vertical motion is called an attenuator, also known as surface-following technology. Pelamis devices have cornered this section of the market, and virtually no other technologies are available. These generators derive their name from Pelamis platuris, a yellow-bellied sea snake, a fitting name considering the generator’s long, narrow design, and its oscillating movements. The machine consists of long, buoyant tubes connected by two arms at movable joints. As the waves change the angle of two tubes with respect to each other, hydraulic pumps are compressed and stretched, driving hydraulic generators. These Pelamis generators are being used in the world’s first commercial wave farm, the Aguçadora Wave Park off Portugal, and also in the 3MW wave farm off the coast of Scotland.

The remaining wave-harnessing technologies, referred to as terminators, take advantage of the horizontal motion of waves. The oscillating water column design uses the motion of a wave-driven piston to drive pressurized air through a turbine, which in turn drives a generator. Overtopping is suggested for use either on or offshore, and involves funneling wave water into elevated reservoirs. Gravity then pulls water back downward, where it is funneled to drive a turbine, much as in hydropower dams. The most famous of this type is the Wave Dragon off the coast of Denmark. The Wave Dragon includes two arms that funnel and amplify the waves before driving the water into the reservoir. Two very innovative designs, the Oyster and the Neptune, have been developed by Aquamarine Power. The oyster is a large plate mounted to the sea floor, whose back-and-forth motion is resisted by hydraulic arms which run a hydraulic generator. The Neptune uses underwater, bi-directional turbines to harness tidal energy.

To learn more about different alternative energy solutions, visit the alternative energy weblog.

Thinking of taking a trip to Vancouver BC with your family? Well this beautiful City located on the west coast of Canada is a perfect choice. There is so much for you and your family to see and do in this year – round playground. It is no wonder this City was the perfect choice for the 2010 Winter Olympics and so many other major global events in years past.

Situated on the shores of the Pacific Ocean with panoramic mountain views, Vancouver is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Vancouver BC is ideal for those wanting to escape harsh winters and visit a more temperate climate, but at the same time, have easy access to the world re- known ski resort (Whistler Village) or just minutes to the city’s very own ‘Grouse Mountain’, located on the spectacular North Shore Mountains.

Want to play a game of golf on Christmas Day? Usually not a problem in Vancouver, where freezing temperatures and snow are a rare occurrence. Rain and comfortable winter temperatures are the reason so many people flock to the city year after year.

If you are wondering about what to do in Vancouver, then don’t worry, there are simply too many attractions to list and unless you plan on staying for an extended period of time, seeing them all would be impossible.

Some of the more popular year – round attractions worth taking in are…

1. Stanley Park… a spectacular city park located in the heart of downtown. Here you can enjoy a stroll or bike around the seawall walkway. Visit the ‘Vancouver Aquarium’ and have tea at the famous Tea House. In the summer months enjoy the parks beautiful outdoor pools situated alongside the Pacific Ocean. Summer or winter, Stanley Park is a ‘must see’ for all visitors.

2. Canada Place… be sure to visit this wonderful complex which presently is British Columbia’s largest tourist attraction. Perfectly located on the waterfront in downtown Vancouver, Canada Place is the home to the magnificent ‘Pan Pacific Hotel ‘, World Trade Center, Vancouver Convention Center, Cruise Ship Port and much more. Explore the many exhibits, shopping, restaurants and so much more, or simply take in the scenery as you watch Cruise Ships come and go!

3. Grouse Mountain … a summer or winter attraction just minutes from downtown. Enjoy a scenic gondola ride up to the top of this majestic mountain and take in the fabulous view of the City of Vancouver, Pacific Ocean and surrounding Islands. Have lunch or dinner at the top, go skiing in winter and hiking or mountain biking in the summer. A perfect spot for the whole family to enjoy!

Just a sample of the some of the attractions for you and your family to enjoy when visiting Vancouver. It is a wonderful city and just perfect for a family vacation! As well, hop on board a BC Ferry and be sure to visit Vancouver Island and the City of Victoria. There is plenty to see and do on the west coast of Canada.

Dubai is quite a brilliant place to invest in property business because of top quality infrastructure and no corporate or income tax. Taking this into consideration, there is hardly a surprise that Dubai offers investors with an all-together different and detailed value added platform, making it ideal for investment.

Commercial Property Investment

It’s a well-known fact that Dubai has a pretty limited commercial investment property. Because of this, investors and various investment experts are now considering commercial property in Dubai as sound investments. And that is where investment in property business is going to pay a rich dividend in years to come.

Capital Bay at Business Bay Dubai

In terms of where to invest in property business, Capital Bay in Dubai is a good place to start. Theoretically speaking, it is quite a brilliant project bound to be a great hit among investors. Capital Bay consists of two 19-storey towers, designed in such a way that they complement each other pretty well. It also features state-of-the-art office spaces in addition to retail and recreational facilities.

Dubai Marina Star

If you want to invest in tried and tested then opt for Dubai Marina Star. No doubt, waterfront properties have always been the favorite hunting ground of the world’s elite and same applies to Dubai Marina Star. If experts are to be believed, Dubai Marina Star is one of the world’s biggest and best planned waterfront developments.

Majestic blend of beauty

The best part about Dubai Marina Star is that it gives a majestic blend of beauty and luxury living. Even better, it is situated in a prime location. Feature wise, Dubai Marina Star is a ground plus 24-storey residential tower equipped with all the modern facilities.

As already mentioned, Dubai Marina Star is planned in such a way that every apartment is guaranteed the mind-blowing views of Ocean, Marina and Park. In addition, each apartment at Dubai Marina Star demonstrates top-notch standards and the ideal use of space. You will definitely cherish the wide array of beaches, bars and number of sports activities in Dubai Marina Star.