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Latest Summer Vacations In South America News

Family Fun and Adventure in Lunahuana, Canete, Peru - Associated Content

fresh water crayfish, like chupe , picante de camarones or ceviche . The climate in the area is very pleasant, typically hot in the summer with an average of about 90F and mild in the winter when temperatures ...

At California's four national-monument candidates, the delight is in the details - Los Angeles Times

The Berryessa-Snow Mountain region, an hour north of the Bay Area and two hours west of Sacramento, is a patchwork of BLM, National Forest, Fish and Game, and privately owned land that make up this half-million-acre ...

Why Summer Vacation Won’t Make You Happier - Newsweek

From an informal and highly unscientific survey of friends and colleagues, I can report that the reasons for not feeling happy after returning from vacation include: the flight home (red-eye to New York ...

Hiking Sugarloaf Mountain in Dickerson, Maryland - Associated Content

Following our 4 hr hike, we drove to a place called Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard to have some wine. It was $4 a person, and we tried 7 kinds of wine, red and white Maryland wine, along with cheese and crackers ...

Summer sickness and guns - Examiner

So me and the missus and the kids have been suffering through a bit of a summer cold. Which is a lousy way to spend a summer vacation, let me tell you. And when they weren't watching westerns, they were fashioning 6 ...

Put some history into your summer fun: travel in 3s - Cleveland Plain Dealer

Travel in 3s highlights close-to-home-events, new attractions and special deals. To offer suggestions, please e-mail travel@plaind.com or call 216-999-4240. PONDERING THE PAST Summer vacation doesn't have to be ...

Awesome Infographic: 'The Top 16 Things You Don't Know About 'South Park', all in one chart - Examiner

Much more to follow.... The infographic on this page is huuuge, so big that we're going to have to whack it up into multiple pieces to get it to fit onto the page. The good news is, the chart also speaks for itself, so ...

D.C. hoping for a tourism turnaround in 2011 - Washington Business Journal

D.C. tourism officials are expecting visitation to the city to remain relatively flat during 2011, though convention business is supposed to improve compared to previous years. "It's about putting 2009 and ...

How Congress Spent My Summer Vacation - Index-Journal

(Some call it "global warming." We call it "summer.") August in America. It's hot. But the simple word "hot" doesn't really do justice to this collision of cruelties, this hellish mix of heat, humidity and no ...

Arizona sees drop in legal Mexican visitors - AZCentral.com

NOGALES, Ariz. - Amid speculation about how many illegal immigrants may be leaving Arizona under the pressure of new enforcement laws, a reverse phenomenon has gone largely unnoticed at the Mexican border: The ...

Voting Question: Would my application impresses colleges such as OSU/UIC?

Going into my senior year, I'm 17 years old. 3.0 GPA 21 ACT (but I'm going to retake it in the fall) Taking an AP class this year played 2 seasons of football, 2 seasons of wrestling, 2 seasons of volleyball, and 3 seasons swimming so far. 3 year varsity letterman in swimming and voted senior captain Selected as one of 30 high school student in central ohio for the Explorer's Program of Medicine. Born in South America but moved to the United States when I was 7, the summer before starting 2nd grade. (I am an American Citizen) and one more thing, i'm not sure if they look at your work experience, but i worked with my dad every summer since the 8th grade, as i got to learn more about the business, he trusted me enough to leave me in charge of the entire company while he went on vacation this summer, the fact that a 17 year old guy was in charege of an entire company for three weeks should be a big deal but is that something i should mention? the reason i'm stressed out is because i feel like my grades are low and i haven't done a whole lot of community service except 20 hours required for a class. and i'm retaking the ACT this fall but i know we should be applying for colleges this fall so do you think that it'd look bad if I apply a little late because i was waiting for my ACT results? In the end, how do i look as an applicant to one of these colleges? (OSU/UIC) I want to study medicine so that's why I added the Medicine Program in there. more

Voting Question: would my application impress colleges such as OSU or UIC?

Going into my senior year, I'm 17 years old. 3.0 GPA 21 ACT (but I'm going to retake it in the fall) Taking an AP class this year played 2 seasons of football, 2 seasons of wrestling, 2 seasons of volleyball, and 3 seasons swimming so far. 3 year varsity letterman in swimming and voted senior captain Selected as one of 30 high school student in central ohio for the Explorer's Program of Medicine. Born in South America but moved to the United States when I was 7, the summer before starting 2nd grade. and one more thing, i'm not sure if they look at your work experience, but i worked with my dad every summer since the 8th grade, as i got to learn more about the business, he trusted me enough to leave me in charge of the entire company while he went on vacation this summer, the fact that a 17 year old guy was in charege of an entire company for three weeks should be a big deal but is that something i should mention? the reason i'm stressed out is because i feel like my grades are low and i haven't done a whole lot of community service except 20 hours required for a class. and i'm retaking the ACT this fall but i know we should be applying for colleges this fall so do you think that it'd look bad if I apply a little late because i was waiting for my ACT results? In the end, how do i look as an applicant to one of these colleges? (OSU/UIC) I want to study medicine so that's why I added the Medicine Program in there. more

Resolved Question: how can i convince my parents to let us move?(ramadan)?

i want OUT of this hillbilly hell in which i live in! it doesnt matter WHERE we move,as long as it is NOT in the SOUTH (USA) i've had ENOUGH of living here! i've had ENOUGH of being called an "america-hater" and i would prefer to move before the end of summer vacation,so i don't have to do marching band (yeah,my band director found all sorts of ways around my "religious reasoning",so now i can do marching band...whoopee *heavy sarcasm*) my dad was actually seriously considering that we move back to Palestine...i would SO LOVE THAT! what are some ways i can persuade my parents to move to a nice muslim-filled place (and where are some places in the US like that?) jazak allah khair in advance!well,i live in Georgia,and in MY city,there are absolutely no muslims (my town is so small!i doesnt even have a hospital,or a mall...we have to drive 20 minutes just to get to the nearest one...) more

Resolved Question: vacation spot summer 2010?!?!?

Hi! my family and I have gone to hawaii for the past three summers but this year were looking for somewhere new. We live in Washington DC and we'd like to go to the caribbean, mexico, or central/south america. we want to go somewhere thats beautiful but that isnt too underdeveloped; we'd like a nice selection of stores and restaurants and plenty of activities to keep us occupied! can you help? thanks!! more

Resolved Question: Would you let your child go on this trip?

They would be going to Costa Rica their sophmore/junior summer (15 years old turning 16) with their spanish class. The trip is 3 weeks long and costs $2500. Would you guys go for it? My main concerns are safety, the trip not being worth missing a family vacation this summer, and the fact we'll be in the States and my 15/16 year old daughter will be in Central/South America. Maybe I'm becoming a bit paranoid, though. more

Resolved Question: What to do with strict parents?

Okay so i'll be 16 in 2 months, and my parents treat me like I'm 5. They NEVER let me go anywhere with friends, during my 16 years of breathing I've only been to 4 or my friends houses, I'm not allowed to spend the night at anyones house, normally I can't go anywhere without my mom or dad. Every day I go to school and come striaght home! That's my life! I spend every weekend with my parents. I hate it! They have no reason not to trust me, I never get into trouble at school, I have a good relationship with them and my 2 older sisters but enough is enough!!!! But the biggest problem is that I have a new boyfriend, but my parents don't know that I dumped my old one. My old boyfriend was the kind of guy every dad loves, he was an A student, athletic, very respectful, my new boyfriend is also very respectful, but hes more of the *bad boy* guy, but he's a good person. He never gets into touble, or drinks or smokes. He's a good guy. My New boyfriend calls me on the on the phone, but when he calls my parents think it's my old bf. I want to tell them the truth cause I hate lieing to the. But I don't want them to get mad. If the don't happen to get mad they will ask to meet him but they can't meet him till next summer cause he lives in LA but he's moving to where I so we can go to college together. He even applied already. So I don't know what to do. I hate how they treat me like I'm 5, I'm almost 16 they need to be more understanding. So what should I do about my new bf?? I don't want my dad to get mad. And if you think I live in a sucky enviorment I really don't, I have a really nice house, and vacation houses in south America. So do you think the more well off parent the stricter they are? If that's the case then I'd rather be a homeless person. more

Resolved Question: Passionate travelers, can you give me some advice about planning a trip this summer?

My school year ends on June 15, and around June 20th or so, we plan to go to Europe. Here are the places we're considering: *Germany - some little towns close to the Alps; Dresden *Paris, France *Florence (not 100% sure) We'll probably be commuting from each destination via the Eurostar. Also, any recommendations in this area would be great! Originally, we were planning to visit a few more cities, but my parents shortened it as I need to start prepping up for the SATs! What are your favorite cities in Europe? My summer vacation is 2 months, and I definitely want to spend at least 1/3 of it traveling. In the US, we'll be going to most likely Philly, NYC, DC and Chicago. For anyone that's taken the SATs, can you recommend any "camps" or summer schools that helped prepare you for them? And last but not least, I wanted to do a study abroad / volunteering this summer. I'm fairly open in regards to where, but I probably don't want to stray too far from the path I'm on (although I really want to visit South America / Africa). Any recommendations would be great! Apologies for the disjointed state of this question. It's almost a dozen heaped into one, so I really appreciate your patience! You can pick and choose if you'd like. Thanks in advance! : )A random side note: This is the last summer before two of potentially the most challenging years of my life thus far (being an upperclassman in HS! yikes!) so I really want to make it special. I'm either going to film parts of and make a documentary or write a journal / scrapbook. : )Update: My parents are saving Florence for next year, and have decided to visit Czech instead, considering its proximity to Germany; but I've wanted to visit Croatia ever since I was little. If you've been to both, which one do you recommend? more

Voting Question: Summer jobs with perks.?

I'm a college student and need to find something to do next summer. I was a housekeeping supervisor and occasional concierge at a hotel at Cedar Point last summer, and that was pretty awesome. But now I'd like to go somewhere else. I've been toying with summer jobs in Alaska, South Florida (Naples), Seattle, Boston, California, and Germany (I'm a German major and have relatives in the Heidelberg area). Although I would love just to go to Europe and work on my speaking abilities, I want something in return. Do you know of any summer jobs that offer amazing perks? As far as I know, Holland America Cruise Line offers summer employees a free vacation for the employee and the employee's family after two seasons. Any others? I'd like to share it with my family, if possible. Thank you so much! Blessings Be. more

Resolved Question: its 646 words. i need to shorten it to 500 words. how do i do that? i cut it down from 2000+ words so i cant f?

figure out how to make it any shorter!!! It’s a fact that life without air conditioner would be extremely different from what it is now. Air conditioning has improved our economy, society, and culture, and has changed the way Americans live, walk, and play. Despite the many positive outcomes, Americans have definitely become to reliant on it. Willis Havilland Carrier created air conditioning in 1902 while working at a printing house. The irregularities in the humidity and temperature made the inks misalign. Carrier’s invention lowered the humidity and also held it at a constant level. Air conditioning lowered the humidity of air by “balancing the temperature of the coils, through which cold air passed, with the rate of flow to reach the desired dew-point level”(Willis Carrier, par.4). 20th century social scientists theorized that “hot weather slowed civilization down, made people lazy, and created generations of slow-witted people, justifying slavery and imperialism” (Robbins, Susanna, pg. 2). When first invented, air conditioning was only used in factories for industrial uses and did nothing to improve the comfort of the poor factory workers. As time went on, advertisement began focusing on middle class citizens and rather than being considered an industrial product, it became a social status shaper. At the time, elite, upper class Americans shunned air conditioning and claimed that they were above admitting any discomfort. That perspective of air conditioning is now gone, and over 75% of American homes have air conditioning. Social rituals to deal with summer weather such as sitting with family on porches, and summer vacations became less common. This impact is negative because families began spending less time with each other. Before air conditioning was used for comfort purposes, it was used mainly in America’s industry. Air conditioning wasn’t limited to only printing plants. Tobacco factories and textile mills also used it to improve their products. It also increased productivity in factories and other work places. Studies showed that a cooler temperature and lower humidity lead to an increase in productivity. In fact, “one 1938 study found a 51% increase in productivity during the summer months”. (The coolest America of the century, pg. 2). Not only did factories gain productivity, but places like movie theaters, restaurants, and stores gained a lot more business because customers came in to escape the heat. This impact on America’s economy is definitely positive. Without all the productivity and business gains, our economy wouldn’t have become as strong as it is now. One of the most noticeable impacts air conditioning has had on America is its culture, or more specifically, its architecture. Older homes had porches and verandas. This was where families gathered on hot evenings to escape the heat. These homes use to have thick walls, eaves, attics, breezeways, and cross ventilation; all different methods used to keep houses cool. Once air conditioning became common in houses, those methods were replaced with centrally cooled suburban houses. This impact is negative because the south lost a lot of its unique architecture. Finally, air conditioning definitely has changed the way Americans live, work, and play. Now enclosed spaces are comfortable enough to work in, maximizing productivity and space. AC is also now used for preservation. It was used while preserving the Sistine Chapel in Rome and to preserve a 500-year-old frozen Incan mummy. Air conditioning also led to the invention of the centrifugal chiller. This invention was used to cool large public areas, and used refrigerant fluid instead of ammonia. Out of all other American innovations, air conditioning might have had the greatest impact, changing American society, culture, as well as its economy. Americans have obviously become too dependent on, as they miss it when its not there. Americans now have become accustomed to being comfortable, so now, instead of going outside to enjoy the outside where they would miss the cool AC air, they would rather stay in the comfort of their air conditioned home. more

Resolved Question: Climate questions about Australia...?

Is it warmer in the north and cooler in the south there? The north is closer to the equator and the south is closer to Antarctica, so just wondering. It's the opposite in America....cooler in the north and warmer (a HELL of a lot warmer) in the south. Also, July and August is your winter there, so what is the average temperature in, say, Sydney, in July? Trying to figure out what my travel plans are going to be...our summer is July, and so that's when vacations are normally taken, and i don't wanna go next July if it's too cold. more

Resolved Question: Is south padre fun to go for vacation?

what are some good beached to go on for the summer? is south padre okay? and others in america? more

Resolved Question: Should I stay, Should I go back? Help me please.. and quickkk?

Okay... what do i do?? When i was in 1st grade I came to the USA from South America & now I just finished 6th grade. Every summer I come down to South America for 2 weeks (as I'm doing right now) to see all my friends from the 1st grade..Victoria,Jessica,Luciana,Jorge,Agustin,Rodrigo.We go out, talk, all normal stuff people our age would do. I have 1 half sis that lives here with her mom (she's pregnant) and 2 half brothers&sisters that live with me in the US, So they come down and see friends also) anyway. I want to stay here for a while longer cause this vacation was way too short, I only saw half my friends. If I stay: - Stay with my 84 year old grandmother (shes not like OLD.She can move,She goes out with friends,She's like a teen but she gets irritated easily ha) - I will miss my mom,brother,sister,dad, - I don't want to leave my kitties Tofu and Steak cause no one pets Tofu cause everyone likes steak better, I always make sure I pet her and I don't wanna leave her alone, Cause she'll think i abandoned her lol I don't know - Hang out with friends - See my family (including my teen pregnant sister lol), I only see them like twice a year, When i was little i went every weekend and my grandpa gave me 5 bucks.. lol - Learn more Spanish, cause I forgot most of it. - I guess be healthier, Here every one walks places and we wont have a computer, and the T.V. is like.. bad i hate shows here lol - Get a makeover here lol (my friends are like straightening my hair and all that right now) If I go back: - Whole summer of watching tv, being on computer all day, and nothing more. - I hate my friends there(usa). - Go on 3 planes which I fucking HATE cause on our way we have to be on a plane for 10 hours :( and i throw up and get sick.. and all. - Be with my kitties - See my dad - Be alone all summer OH and I have a concert that I want to go to that I payed for.. but if I stayed here I'm not sure I can go Should I stay or go? What would you do? Thanks yoo... if it's too much to read... then don't comment lol, you're supposed to answer not say something stoopied lolI want a burrito! Give me a burrito! lol. more

Resolved Question: GUYS AND GIRLS...DO YOU THINK I SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT HIM? HOW DO I FIT IN???????????? PLEZ READ!!!!!?

WHAT DO YOU THINK???? met the guy 3 months ago...kissed me on the lips for the first time 2 weeks ago...never went on date but insists that he has lunch with me...asked for my number from the first day we met...he's been asking me to go to lunch w/ him since the first day we met...what's going on? i don't see him often bec. he's not in my classes and we're both busy w/ school... asked me what i'm doing over the summer...he told me his plans...he's gonna be nearby but mentioned that he was going to south america "to see friends he never gets to see" i feel like it's a girl who he's still with secretly and i hop he tells me the truth...nothing officially started w/ us and i'm already upset... who would he travel all that way to see? i'm afraid bec. most of his photos are with her in it (no kissing photos) but i still feel like something's going on that he should tell me about before leading me on further photos w/ her away on vacation over christmas before her profile on facebook went on private i saw she was studying abroad now in south america...should i be concerned???????????????? more

Voting Question: GUYS AND GIRLS...WHAT DO YOU THINK OF A GUYYYYY???????????? PLEZ READ & ANSWERRRRRR!!!!!?

Resolved Question: Are There Any Revivals In America At The Moment?

Im planning on vacationing south of the border this summer and was wondering if the Holy Spirit is moving in power anywhere in the States. A good example of what I mean was the Pensacola Revival In Florida way back in the 90s and early 2000s. more

Resolved Question: How can I lose 20 pounds in 5 weeks, and can I?

I'm not implying crash diets because I can never follow through with them and I always gain the weight back. My family has the tendency to gain weight quickly, but for the summer we're going on vacation to South America. Now, I need to lose approximately 20 poounds in about five weeks healthily, and I was wondering how I can do this healthily? Will eliminating meats help? Do certain foods have the tendency to increase metablistic activity? Tips? Advice? Personal experience? Ten points. Thanks. more

Resolved Question: 14 years old - desperately want to travel -how?

So, I'm 14. I want to travel more than any other person I know. My family, they're kind of meh with the whole thing. We live in MD and they really like traveling to Pennsylvania and Delaware now and then, but I'm more into traveling to other countries. I've been to South America twice and Europe once, but my next big trip I really want to be Australia. I want to go to Melbourne really badly and also Adelaide, Cairns, and Sydney. My dad would want me to go, but my mom doesn't think I should go anywhere until I'm finished with college. I want to go to these places (I also definitely want to go to South Africa, Morocco, Thailand, Malaysia, and many other places too). There are barely any jobs a 14 year old can do. I know that I could babysit, but I'd have to get certified and most parents won't trust a 14 year old boy to babysit their kids because they just want a girl. I also could work at my synagogue in the office on Sunday and help out with the Hebrew school, but what other ways can I get money to travel? I really want to travel to Africa and Asia, as well, but first, I want to go to Australia. I've tried to get my whole family to go on vacation to Australia, but my brother hates traveling, he'd rather just stay home and watch ESPN and my mom has no interest in Australia and my dad probably wouldn't go if it was just us (even though he went to Europe when it was just us). P.S. I can't go to Australia this summer, because I'm doing the show "Les Misérables" at a professional theatre this summer and that takes away my whole summer pretty much. However, I would love to go to Australia this December for winter break or next summer. I just want to get there before I turn 16, that's the main thing. Thanks more

Resolved Question: Single female traveling alone...Contiki Tours or EF College Break?

I am graduating college in May and I really wanted my grad present to be a vacation somewhere. I have already been to many places in Europe and South America, so I am more interested in Asia. None of my college friends, study abroad friends or hometown friends have the money or time to take off their internships/jobs to go anywhere with me this summer, so I am planning on going with one of these two tour groups so I can meet new friends and have travel companions. I went to Italy once by myself for a week and had fun, but I would really prefer to go with a tour group to Asia and always have someone to take pictures of me lol. Anyone out there traveled with either one of these? Are there alot of singles? Did you make good friends? Was the tour worth the money? Are they party tours? more

Resolved Question: Family volunteer vacations?

My family is very interested in going on a family volunteer vacation somewhere in South America or Africa either this coming winter or summer break. We need help finding good programs to travel with (that is teenager friendly), and would like to hear from some people with personal experiences and opinions. Thanks a million! more

Resolved Question: how to get out of this mess?

I am 49 years old and have multiple sclerosis. I got married nine years ago to a man who was was trying to run a small restaurant. Unfortunately, it failed. He was retired military and had retirement to live on, but it wasn't enough. He had a bad car accident and applied for disability. I was doing ok when we got married, but I got sick after a few years, sicker and sicker, and now am also on disability. I have visual problems, so I can't drive, and have several other physical problems. My husband was always a flirt, and had at least one real affair that I know of. We fight and fight about the other women, and he tells me that every single part of my body, from hair to feet, and especially the intimate parts, are the worst he's ever seen, and most important, I am the worst woman he has ever been with in bed. If I wrote some of the things he has said to me, well, one of the printable things I can say was that after comparing me to every other woman he had ever had relations with (believe me, there are many, and I have had to meet a lot of them), he put the icing on the cake and told me that he had a prostitute in South America once, and even she was a better fit for him (in the right department) than I was. He then made me go to a gynecologist to see if there was some way they could "fix" me for him. Of course there was nothing wrong with me that she could find. I was married for 19 years before, and I never heard such things in my life. I don't know how to unhear them. He leaves for a week or so almost every month to go care for his father about 350 miles away. We live in the country, so I have no way to get food or anything while he is gone. He has made sure over the years that the only "friends" we had were his past girlfriends or his present "friends who just happen to be women", which I couldn't handle, so now I know no one at all. My cell phone has doctor's numbers in it and a sister several states away. He used to make a point of telling me how he took other women on vacation, to shows, etc. The whole time I was supporting him, he would tell me it was only temporary, and he would make it all up to me someday. Now, no matter what I want or need, the answer is no. In the last six years I have bought two bras and one pair of pants for myself. Period. My sister figured out what was going on and started sending me clothes last summer. It is going on winter now, and I have one pair of pants to go to the doctor, and a pair of jeans. He told me to get rid of my suits and dresses because "now you don't need them, you don't work anymore". I cried and begged him not to do this to me, it was like taking my identity away from me. But he was adament, and watched as I burned them all. Now I wear old nighties, so of course I am not exactly glamorous, and all the more fuel for his fire when he tells me how ugly I am. I have a book on why people have affairs, and it said you should look at yourself and see what part of the problem you played. So I asked him straight out, what is so wrong with me that you had to have these other women? He said, "You had a great job and I thought you would go up, up, up, but that's not what happened." I slept on this overnight, and remembered that before we were married, he kept saying he was going to find a roommate to help him with the bills. He finally asked me if I would be his roommate. I told him I would not live with a man unless we were married. Soon after that we got married. I supported him for the first two years or so, then he qualified for disability. But of course the money is still tight. The other day our sister in law (his brother's wife) called from the same place his dad lives to tell us she was getting divorced. He put me through hell with this woman, telling me that he always had a thing for her but his brother got her instead. He would compare me to her and I was always the loser. The same night she called, he got on the computer and checked booking reservations for travel, then announced he was going to go up to his dad over Thanksgiving to make him dinner. For ten days. He has five brothers and sisters who live in the same city as his father, but it is his job to go. It is only a coincidence that this woman also lives there and still goes to his father's house. If I really thought he was going for dear old dad, I could handle it. The last time he left, I had four cans of soup and some lunch meat to last me a week. He has a flock of chickens, and he left before a hurricane, and I was in a walking boot from broken foot bones. I have a wheelchair but can't use it in the house, the doorways are too small, and certainly not in a barnyard in six inches of water. But I guess he thinks that when he goes away, I suddenly don't have MS anymore and can do everything. After thinking over the roommate comments, and now the comment that my part in his affair(s) was not going up up up in my career (and therefore l more

Resolved Question: College Help, Please. :)?

Hello there. I am currently a first-semester senior at a small magnet school in the South. Perhaps someone could give me some insight as to how competitive I am regarding scholarship money within the TN State school system (i.e. UTK, MTSU, TTU, etc.), as well as competitiveness for other, more prestigious schools (such as Vanderbilt, Harvard, etc.) Here are a few 'stats:' ACT (30) (29) English (35) (35) Math (25) (26) Reading (32) (26) Science (28) (30) SAT (1980) M (540) V (690) W (750) I am, without a doubt, retaking both of these tests in the near future, in hopes that I will score better. 3.93 GPA (unweighted) with challenging courses in high school (e.g. Honors, 3 AP Courses) VERY involved in extracurriculars...here is a 'copy' of my resume: Extracurricular Activities Varsity Sports ·Cross country oGirls’ Captain, State Qualifier, All-County, and Varsity Letter (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) oAll Mid-State Runner, 2nd place Regional Competition (2006) ·Basketball - Varsity Letters (2005, 2006) ·Track - Varsity Letter (Spring 2007), Upcoming participant (Spring 2009) ·Swimming – Participant (2007-08 Season) School-Sponsored Clubs ·Student Council oClass Vice-President (2005-2006, 2006-2007) oClass President (2008-2009) ·Future Business Leaders of America oMember (2007-2008) & Secretary (2008-2009) oRegional Competition – 1st place Leadership and 2nd place Public Speaking oState Competition – 6th place awards in Ethics, Public Speaking, and Human Resource Management ·National Honor Society Member (2007-2008, 2008-2009) oVolunteer Tutor ·National Forensics League Member (2005-2006, 2006-2007, 2008-2009) o4th Place Forensics District Tournament – Prose (2006-2007), 4th Place Portland Tournament - Storytelling (2008) ·Newspaper Staff (2005-2006) ·Latin Club (2005-2006) ·Homecoming Committee (2008-2009) Accomplishments ·Perfect Attendance – Freshman/Sophomore Years (2005-2007) ·“A” Honor Roll – Freshman/Sophomore/Junior Years (2005-2008) ·National Latin Exam – Honorary Award – Magna Cum Laude (Latin I & Latin II) ·National Spanish Exam – Honorable Mention – Spanish I ·Drama Award - Freshman/Sophomore Years (2005-2007) ·Selected as Girls’ State Alternate (2007-2008) ·“Socrates” Award – Voted on by teachers (2007-2008) ·West Point Summer Leaders Seminar - Law Department Award (Summer 2008) ·United States Air Force Academy Summer Seminar Participant (Summer 2008) ·2-time Country Music Half-Marathon Finisher ·Country Music Marathon Finisher (Pending April 2009) Community Activities ·Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church (OLOL) Church Youth Group (2005-Present) ·OLOL Parish Council – Youth Representative (2007-Present) ·OLOL Masses - Reader & Eucharistic Minister (2007-Present) ·SEARCH for Christian Maturity – Retreat for high school juniors & seniors (Oct. 2007) ·Diocese of Nashville Catholic Youth Council – Elected Representative [Northern Region] (2008-Present) ·Teen Court – Lawyer and Juror (2007-Present) ·Youth Leadership Workshop (July 2008) ·OLOL Youth Leader Core Team (2008-2009) ·OLOL Religious Education Teacher – 5th grade (2008-2009) ·“Teens with Christ” Retreat – Leader (September 2008) Volunteer Activities ·Think Pink! for Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation – Chief Organizer of Fashion Show to raise money (2006) ·Vacation Bible School Volunteer (Summer 2005, Summer 2006) ·“Rock for Relief” Tornado Benefit Concert – One of head organizers for concert after tornado devastated homes in surrounding area; event sponsored by Student Council (2006) ·“Urban Plunge” – 24 hours of Community Service (April 2008) ·Relay for Life (2008) ·Catholic Heart Work Camp – 5-day Mission Trip with OLOL Church Youth Group (Summer 2008) Work Experience ·Tutoring – Dena McCarthy/Tracee Beach (2007-Present) ·Lifeguard/Swim Instructor – YMCA of Middle Tennessee (May 2007-October 2008) Alright, then... What do you think? I am certainly extremely confused about college right now - it basically has taken up the entire capacity of my brain for the past few months, and it likely will do the same until May 1, when at last a decision is made. Any help would be appreciated! Thank you! more

Resolved Question: where is the best vacation spot in winter?

We are planning to go on vacation in winter with the family somewhere where it is summer in winter but I want somewhere that has no insects that bite flies are ok bees too but no spiders or scorpions poisonous bugs or anything no poisonous animals ether like snakes somewhere that has a good ocean spot where you can swim ither in america southern canada mexico or the upper half of south america. thanks.come on answer more

Resolved Question: Buy a car or go visit my family?

I graduate in june and i just recently started working and I don't know if i should save my money to buy a car or go on vacation to visit my family. I was thinking of buying a used car because buying a new one would be to much for me and i'm going to save my money until i graduate to either get one or the other? I want to go on vacation because me whole family lives in south america and i only get to see them every couple of years, i recently saw them this summer but it had been about 5 years since i've seen them and i don't want that to happen again because i miss them very much. Buying a car is necessary, especially when i go to college but with gas being to expensive, it really doesn't excite me to do it. What are your suggestions. best answer gets 10 pts more

Resolved Question: Good midwestern singletrack biking vacation destination?

Hello, A group of us are looking to take a mountain biking vacation next summer and we're just looking for some suggestions. We would like to do a week-long trip, with about 4 days of biking and the rest of the time available for driving. Now, economical times being what they are, we have some restrictions on where we can travel. As much as we would love to go to British Columbia or Moab, we will need to stick closer to our homes, which are in Wisconsin and Minnesota. So, does anyone have any good ideas of places to go biking (again, singletrack mtn. biking, please) in the central North America area? If you have a map of the continent in front of you, please imagine or actually do this: Put your pencil on Buffalo, NY, and draw a circle counter clockwise from Buffalo through Ontario, Manitoba, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, a bit of Oklahoma, northern Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, some of Pennsylvania, and back to Buffalo. It does not need to be a perfect circle. An oval would be acceptable as well. Do you know of any great places to spend 4 days mountain biking anywhere inside that circle/oval? We're looking for some challenging trails that are good for full-suspension bikes. Suggestions for lodging (vacation properties, interesting hostels, or camping preferred, no hotels please) and fun area nightlife or decent brewery tours in the area of the bike trails would also be welcome. Thanks everyone! more

Resolved Question: Good place to go on a vacation?

I have always wanted to go on a really nice vacation and I think i might actually be able to this summer. I am looking to go somewhere along the lines of Mexico, or somewhere in central America/south America or the Caribbean. I have heard that some places in Mexico like Acapulco or Cozumel are good places to visit and I have also heard that Jamaica is a good place to go to... If anyone could tell me a great place to go in the Caribbean/Central America/South America from your own experience that would be great, thanks! more

Resolved Question: Where is a good place to ski/snowboard in south america?

I am planning to take a trip to south america this summer and ski/snowboard. I do not have much experience with south america (but i do speak spanish) Does anyone know of any ski resorts in maybe chile? The vacation will be for 2 people. Would it be winter there in june? more

Resolved Question: The Shield episode?

I was vacationing in South America last summer, and while I was watching some TV in my hotel room I came across a promo for an episode of the Shield. While I don't usually watch the show, this really captivated me. It was a scene in which a detective comes in to a very dark house. He only has a flashlight, and when he turns it on, there are slaughtred bodies everywhere. The walls were covered with blood and everything. I was wondering if any fans of the shield would know which episode this would be. more

Resolved Question: Have you ever taken an ONLINE course while on vacation?

I need to take a class to graduate and its only being offered in the summer term and it happens to be an online class. The thing is I'm going to be vacationing in South America this summer. Do you think it's possible to still take the course, since it's online, or do you think it will require a lot of time and effort that it cannot be done while on vacation? more

Resolved Question: Honduras as a vacation destination?

I'm contemplating a trip to Honduras this summer and I want to know if anyone has experience there, what are good things to see. I'm probably a medium as far as travel toughness goes, I've traveled in (non-resort) Mexico in South America and a four hour hike through the jungle sounds great but I'm not into overnight trekking and I prefer a clean place to stay with a private bathroom. Also any input or advice on safety would be great!!! more

Resolved Question: Should she be over my boyfriend?

My boyfriend and I were best friends before we started dating. About a month and a half before we started dating (September), he broke up with a girl that he had been dating over the summer for a couple months. Over that relationship, they saw each other like four times. For two weeks, she was on vacation, and for the two weeks after that he was on a mission trip in South America. He broke up with her a couple days after he got back. In the meantime, almost 4 months after they broke up, she still puts lyrics in her profile about how much she loves him. She openly admits that she's not over him, and she continually makes things awkward while insisting that she wants to try to be friends with us. I don't know what to do with her anymore. more

Resolved Question: Should my boyfriend's ex-girlfriend be over him?

Resolved Question: Should I attempt to win her heart back?

My now ex-girlfriend and I broke up on friday morning. The problem was that over the summer I was away for a month in south america. Towards the end of that trip we had a fight over my jealousy (yes I know I was wrong) either way i got back and throughout the next month we hadnt talked much due to mini-vacations. So summer ended and we take a break. A week later she breaks up with me. Thing is her feelings died for me over the summer since we were apart. I know that the girl that I love and the girl who cried for hours when I left is still in there. I dont want to give her up ever. And will continue fighting for her heart no matter what. Any ideas or ways to go about it? And yes I will do anything more

Resolved Question: Are there any 'downsides' to the passport for delinquent child support program?

Advanced AP Passport rules snag child support cash By KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press Writer Tue Aug 14, 6:38 PM ET WASHINGTON - The price of a passport: $311,491 in back child support payments for a U.S. businessman now living in China; $46,000 for a musician seeking to perform overseas, and $45,849 for a man planning a Dominican Republic vacation. ADVERTISEMENT The new passport requirements that have complicated travel this summer also have uncovered untold numbers of child support scofflaws and forced them to pay millions. The State Department denies passports to noncustodial parents who owe more than $2,500 in child support. Once the parents make good on their debts, they can reapply for passports. Now that millions of additional travelers need passports to fly back from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and South America, collections under the Passport Denial Program are on pace to about double this year, federal officials told The Associated Press. In all, states have reported collecting at least $22.5 million through the program thus far in 2007. The money is then forwarded to the parent to whom it is owed. Some people never learn. A boxer paid $39,000 in back child support to the state of Nevada last year to get a passport, which he lost. This year, his promoter had to loan him $8,930 so he could pay off his new child support debts and get a new passport to fight overseas. In one case last year, a man got his parents to pay his overdue child support — $50,498 to the state of Illinois. "For us, it's been amazing to see how people who owe back child support seem to be able to come up with good chunks of money when it involves needing their passport," said Adolfo Capestany, spokesman for the state of Washington's Division of Child Support. "Folks will do anything to get that passport, so it is a good collection tool." The $22.5 million reported to have been collected through the program this year is a conservative estimate. Some states voluntarily report the payments to the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement, but other states don't. It took all of 2006 to collect the same amount under the program, which began in 1998. Also contributing to the increased collections was a drop in the threshold for reporting child support debts to the State Department, from $5,000 to $2,500. As a result, 400,000 more cases were submitted to the department. The state of Washington obtained $24,000 for Teresa Markley through the program. The money accrued over a couple of decades. She said she could have really used the money in past years, and at one point in the 1990s went on welfare for a few months to make ends meet. While her children are now grown, she said the payment still meant a great deal to her. "What it means to me now is just to have some validation for the suffering I went through," said Markley, a resident of Tacoma, Wash. Jeannette Dean of Seattle said she had to tap into her retirement savings and her son's savings bond to help pay for basic necessities after Washington state was unable to help her collect delinquent child support payments. But this year, she received about $36,000 through the passport program. She said the money will be used to replenish the lost savings. "It has given back to having a normal life versus struggling to pay dental bills and hospitals bills and things like that," Dean said. The passport denial program is just one of several tools the government has to collect overdue child support. Overall collections totaled about $24 billion last year. The largest share by far — $20.1 billion — came from withholding from a worker's paycheck. Unemployment insurance or state and federal income tax refunds can also be seized. States with lotteries also can deduct delinquent payments from winnings. Some states submit the names of those behind on their payments to credit reporting agencies. Payments generated through the new passport requirements are an important sliver of what states collect each year on behalf of about 17 million children, said Margot Bean, commissioner for the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement. "We often get payments of over $100,000," Bean said. "For whatever reason, this was the only way we could get the money." For some families, the payments can mean the difference between having to rely on the government for assistance or not relying on it, Bean said. In cases where families have needed cash assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program, a portion of the payments received through the passport program is used to reimburse the government. Another jump in collections from the Passport Denial Program can be expected next year or in early 2009. That's when the new passport requirements will likely take effect for land and sea travelers too. ___ On the Net: Passport Denial Program: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/newhire/fop/passport.htm more

Resolved Question: Summer Vacation Ideas: Mix of culture, relaxing outdoors, stimulating environment: Best bang for the buck?

Looking for vacation ideas: want something with a mix of culture (examples: art galleries, outdoor theater), relaxing outdoors (examples: sail boat ride, tour guided horse back trail ride), shopping (unique boutiques), fun dining (example: like bistros, tapas: not chains): Oh and best bang for the buck. Open to U.S. Canada, Europe, South America (if affordable and not hot). (No children with us.) Oh and easy to get around in English. more

Resolved Question: Did I do something wrong?? Was it too much to ask for? PLEASE TELL ME, WAS I TOO NAIVE?

hello! the story goes like this: i went to the US for summer vacations, I go every year, met this guy, we dated 2 months, it was just perfect, then i came back home, to South America, he promised we would stay in touch, as email buddys, i was ok with that, I only wanted to be his friend on the distance because i know long distance relationships are too hard, we talked like once or twice a week, and everything was going great, he sent me a valentine's ecard, and we were good, but since 3 weeks ago, I haven't heard from him... this is so not like him, I am worried, mad, sad. Did I do something wrong, he knew I am moving to the US this year, and he kept saying he would just love that cause he misses me and stuff... Why would he just stop talking to me...??? could there be any other reason besides meeting another girl? more

Resolved Question: I can't breathe, I can't sleep, how to cure this... I'm too scared of the answers, but I really need them plea

short story: met a guy, dated for two months last summer, I really like him, we are still talking, oh and by the way I met him on my vacations, he lives at the US i live in south america, but I'll move to the US on september God willing.... Been talking to him for all this months, every week, twice a week, and I am sad, scared, worried, because i haven't heard from him in 2 weeks. We are more like email buddys... or something like it... But i really really like him, and I wouldn't want him to stop talking to me. What should I do... I feel really bad, what should I think?but, everything was great two weeks ago, why wpould he do this all of a sudeden, besides I'm treating him as a friend and nothing more, I mean there is nothing to brake up, there is nothing out of the ordinary, why would he stop communicating with me now??? more

Resolved Question: Last minute call Debate! Wish me the best!?

My English teacher assigned a class debate. The topic was "Should skul holidays (e.g. summer vacation) be lengthened or shortened?" I know it is strange, but i defend for the shortened side. I have my speech completed. But i maybe havent heard about your opinion yet. How does it affect the society? Personally, i believe that lengthening school days provide increased education that will benefit the nation’s well being in the future. Countries that lag behind with the sufficient education would eventually keep up with the better-developed countries. Thanks for helping me ace the debate! PS. This is last minute call cos it is already almost midnight in Surinam@South America. Peace. more

Resolved Question: I don't know what to think 2?

Ok... I am single and fulfilled the fantasy of the 15 y.o. girl inside me. We shared very good kisses. Ok, could be that he only wants to have sex. He's been on vacation since late june and he's leaving again for Europe this friday. And in that period, from june til now, he has aksed and asked and asked until my cousin finally gave him my cellphone number. (Few people have my number).And he kept asking our friends about me (we have mutual friends.) But I have been so busy working and studying that I've barely had time to breathe let alone meet him some place to catch up. I don't know. Maybe he does like me. But it's too complicated. He lives in Europe, I live in South America... he has a family and I don't want to cause any problems. I do go to Europe almost every summer and we spend time together... but I don't think that that will be a wise thing to do next year. more

Resolved Question: What movies are described?

1.A husband and wife in their 30s decide to quit their jobs, live as free spirits and cruise America in a Winnebago. 2. Take two rival TV reporters: one handsome, one talented, both male. Add one producer, female. Mix well and watch the sparks fly. 3.A neurotic, twice divorced sci-fi writer moves back in with his mom to solve his personal problems. 4.Right before his daughter's wedding, a mild-mannered foot doctor discovers that his new in-laws are international smugglers. 5.A group of college-age buddies struggle with their imminent passage into adulthood in 1959 Baltimore. 6.A group of seven former college friends gather for a weekend reunion at a posh South Carolina winter house after the funeral of one of their friends. 7.When the now famous "star crossed lovers" of two enemy families meet, forbidden love ensues. 8.Three middle-aged wealthy couples take vacations together in Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.Join the fun and check out my other questions! more

Resolved Question: im very lucky, because i get to go anywhere i want for summer vacation, any ideas?

im not going to asia, or south america, or Afrca. but i think i might wanna go to france?? my mom used to live in new zealand i believe more