CB Education Blog

The Dragon has played an important part in myths and religions since pre-historic times. The history of dragons goes back at least six thousand years, and there are dragon tales and legends from every continent except Antarctica. In almost every culture, and all throughout history, there are stories of these mythical and magical creatures called dragons. Different people have various theories of why so many cultures developed such a long lasting belief in dragons; however, none can actually be proven.

Many believe that dragons were what we now call dinausaurs. It may be that dragon stories partly grew out of people finding dinosaur bones. The thought is that when dragon bones were dug up later, they were given the new classification of dinosaur. Many evolutionists believe that dinosaurs became extinct millions of years before man walked the planet, while others claims dispute this. It is said that dinosaur fossils, which have been discovered along with human footprints and remains, add proof to the ancient people’s history of dragons. Others feel that people forgot that dragons were ever real, and quickly faded into mythology.

In almost every culture and all throughout history there are stories of these magical creatures called dragons. Later, in Europe these dragons in art forms were thought to be real life animals rather than symbols of evil.

Throughout many cultures, dragons may have appeared different, but they have always retained the same basic core elements. When most people think of dragons they generally think of fire breathing monsters, but originally dragons were usually connected with water. To the ancient Chinese, dragons were not creatures of fire, as so many would think, but rather creatures of water. The dragon of the Chinese resided in rivers, lakes, pools and rose in great clouds of mist to promote rainfall. In earlier Mideast stories, the dragons are most often associated with water and wisdom. Historians use this conection with water to distinguish dragons from other mythical animals.

While the east feels that the dragon is a divine, mythical creature that brings good fortune, prosperity and bounty, western dragons are viewed differently. They are connected to the element fire, and they fling their colossal tails about, and viciously create destruction. The contrary views of the east and the west indicate opposing views where humans viewed dragons as a symbols of wisdom and peace, or symbols of chaos and evil. Neither would disagree that dragons were viewed as powerful creatures. This, along with the wide variance in the physical description of dragons, contributes to confusion in the definition of a dragon.

The humans revered the dragons, some clans even calling them gods. Hence, dragons were held in high regard, and their images kept and worn, to win their approval. Originally, it was believed that dragons were the ones who talked directory to the Gods. It was also thought at this time that earthquakes were caused by battles between dragons and gods. In history, many different cultures began to adopt the idea of gods fighting with dragons to restore order.

The dragon may be ancient, but it remains as influential today as it did four thousand years ago. Today, the popularity of fantasy, and such role-playing games as Dungeons and Dragons, means that dragon figurines are a hot commodity.

Online stores promoting dragon items have popped up including .dragon-gifts.com

In Bhrigu Nadi System, the methodology to be followed in analyzing the events are

(i) there is no concept of ascendant;

(ii) the horoscope should be drawn with Aries as No. 1 i.e. the first sign

(iii) Importance is given to the rotation of Jupiter;

(iv) Jupiter stays in each sign for a period of approximately 12 years.

Example: Jupiter in a native’s horoscope is in Aries. Therefore, for all practical purposes, we consider Jupiter to be in Aries for a period of 12 years and its conjunction/opposition etc. with other planets will determine the broad events in the first 12 years for the native. We only take the 7th aspect into consideration and no other aspect, which is again a deviation to be remembered.

Great importance is given to

(a) the sign in which the planet is posited

(b) the conjunction of the planets

(c) the planet which leads in conjunction in terms of its degrees;

(d) planets which are in the 12th house of a particular planet;

(e) planets which are in the next house of the sign in which a particular planet is placed; and

(f) planets which are opposite to the concerned planets. The planet will imbibe the quality of the planets, of which it is Depositor. If Saturn is a dispositor of Jupiter and mercury, it will change it character according and give ascribed results.

Therefore, for each 12 years, the ascendant would be the Sign where Jupiter is placed governing the event of those 12 years, and then for the next 12 years it will be rotated in the next house, which will govern the events for the next 12 years and conforms to the indication of the prime placement. Let us study here, the dispositions of Mercury in detail.

Significations of mercury

Mathematics, hand work, literature, astrology, education, maternal uncles, intelligence, intellect, happiness through children, absolute knowledge, business, deceiving others, proficiency in writing, mathematics, literature, handicrafts, weaving sexual enjoyments, travels over water, vegetable, digestive fire, parrots, colored plays or shows, betel leaves, cages, grass, inciting quarrels , prosperity, ambassadorial functions, diplomacy.

The various effects produced by Mercury, when posited in different houses in a horoscope are as follows:

Mercury in the ascendant

Learned, proficiency in witchcraft and black magic, sweet talk, kind hearted, pilgrimage in the 27th year.

a. If conjunct malefic or staying in malefic houses- excess of bile. If conjunct or aspected by benefic, but staying in a malefic house- Good health, Lustrous body, knowledge of astrology, slight defect in any organ, bitterness with good people, quarrels and misunderstanding with brothers in the 17 th year, deceitful.

b. If exalted or occupying own house, Happiness from brothers.

c.If debilitated or conjunct, aspected by malefic

&ndash Will go to heall after death

d. If conjunct or aspected by saturn

- Trouble in left eye. In this yoga, if conjunct with the lord of the 6th or in debilitation &ndash No such defect, wasteful expenses.

e. If conjunct with a benefic or occupying a favorable house.

&ndash Charities, proficiency in debating and in use of arms, well- built body.

Mercury in the 2nd House

Talkative, good number of children, interest in Sastras, contented, rich, praiseworthy habits. Acquires good education by the 15th year

a. If conjunct with malefic or staying in malefic house or in debilitation

- Poor education, Rheumatic and phlegmatic diseases.

b. If conjunct or aspected by Jupiter

- Proficiency in Mathematics and Astrology, self-confident

Mercury in the 3rd House

Gain of gold in the 15th year, praiseworthy habits, financial prosperity.

a.If disposition is strong

- Brothers will prosper; acquires conveyances.

b.If disposition is weak

- Suffering to brothers, fear,complex

Mercury in the 4rd House

Courageous, broad eyes, happiness from father and mother, Knowledge, acquires money through questionable means in the 16th year.

a.If conjunct venus or Jupiter

- courageous

b.If disposition is strong

- Acquires conveyances.

c.If conjunct Rahu, Ketu or Saturn

- Loss of conveyances, bereft of happiness, bitterness with relatives, uttering lies.

Mercury in the 5th House

Fear of death of uncle, well-being of mother, birth of good children, suspicious nature, intelligence, sweet tongue.

a.If disposition is strong

-Prosperous children

b.If disposition is weak

-loss of children

c.If mercury is debilitated

-the native will be adopting a child proficiency in chanting matras, uncharitable deeds, diplomatic.

Mercury in the 6th House

Respect and benefits from king, obstacles in native’s education, showy and proud, influence in higher circles in the 30th year, literary abilities.

a.If stationed in Aries or Scorpio

-Leprosy of blue color.

b. If conjunct Rahu or Saturn

-Rheumatic shooting pains, quarrels with distant relatives

c. If disposition is strong

-Prosperous nephews

d. If conjunct Ketu

-Acquaintance or intimacy with a widow and monetary gains through her.

Mercury in the 7th House

Happiness and well-being of mother, charitable disposition, broadminded, very good reputation.

a. If conjunct benefices

&ndash Gain of conveyance and horse in the 24th year, good spouse.

b. If disposition is strong

- Only one spouse

c. If disposition is weak or stationed in malefic house, or conjunct Mars, Saturn or Rahu

- In the case of females, this will result in the loss of husband or the native herself suffering from leprosy.

Mercury in the 8th House

Many children, public charity in the 25th year

a. If disposition is strong

- The native will enjoy full span of life.

b. If conjunct will a malefic or debilitated or occupying the enemy’s house.

- Poor longevity

Mercury in the 9th House

Many children, highly learned in Sastras and Veda, proficiency in music, good amount of patience, charitable, professional earning through business, hates the preceptor.

Mercury in the 10th House

Good deeds, highly courageous, reputed, highly prosperous, eye diseases in the 28th year.

a. If placed in exaltation, own house or conjunct Jupiter.

&ndash Religious , charitable or virtuous.

b. If combust, retrograde or conjunct malefic.

&ndash Opposes religious scarifices

Mercury in the 11th House

Kind hearted, financial prosperity and birth of son in the 27th year.

a. If conjunct malefic

- Loss of money through low-class people

b.If exalted or occupying own house or conjunct benefic

&ndashFinancial prosperity

Mercury in the 12th House

Knowledgeable, valorous in battle.

a.If conjunct malefic

- Focused mind, bitterness with highly-placed persons, including the king.

b.If conjunct benefic

- Charitable, meagree education, sickly mother.

What the heck is a teleclass anyway? Teleclasses, also called teleconferences, are an innovative method for bringing information to you without you needing to leave your home or office.

Most teleclasses are promoted by people who do business online. You will find them advertised on websites, in online advertising or perhaps in an email you receive. After speaking with several focus groups, I now understand that many people are unaware of exactly what a teleclass is and are concerned that there is some type of catch or hidden cost.

First of all, teleclasses are simply conference calls, ranging in size from three to thousands of participants. When you sign up for a teleclass, you typically receive an email that will give you the details for calling in. You simply dial the phone number provided at the agreed upon time for the class, enter the access code provided and you are instantly connected to the other participants who registered for the call and the teleclass leader.

You only need a telephone to participate in the calls. If you don’t have a computer to receive the confirmation email, most teleclass leaders will provide an alternative to email for you to get the necessary information, such as a telephone call.

Many people are afraid that there are hidden costs with teleclasses. Many teleclasses are free or list for a nominal cost, such as $19-$49. The only additional cost to you would be whatever your phone company charges for long distance fees. So, if your long distance cost is $.05/minute, then a 60 minute teleclass would cost you only $3.00! Many people will opt to use their cell phone to avail themselves of their free minutes so the call costs nothing!

Teleclasses gained popularity after 9/11, when many people began avoiding larger gatherings, such as seminars or workshops. Teleclasses are the perfect way to gain information without having to travel to a remote location where there are large groups of people. Also, during today’s information age when people need information quickly, teleclasses make the perfect choice.

Most teleclasses are 60-90 minutes in length and are geared toward giving information on a variety of topics. Each teleclass is generally devoted to a specific topic. An expert will disseminate information on the call and participants are generally given the opportunity to ask questions and to interact with the presenter and the other participants either throughout or at the end of the call.

Key points are highlighted but there is not the depth of information most people get from attending an in-person event. Also, there is generally not the same atmosphere or personal touch people get from attending a live, in-person seminar but the advantages are many.

For example, you don’t have to speak if you don’t want to. No one will even know you are on the call. You can maintain your anonymity. You can hang up if the call doesn’t interest you. You can multitask in the comfort of your own home or office. As long as your phone is muted, no one will know what you are doing.

You don’t have to be concerned about what to wear. You can attend a teleclass in your bath robe if you want. (This may not be so easy if you are already at the office!) Also, driving directions are never a problem. Teleclasses don’t tie up any more of your time than the actual call is scheduled for, leaving you free to continue with your active, busy life.

Teleclasses are a new, convenient alternative for people looking to gain information without investing a lot of time. Many times a teleclass is offered by people who also provide in-person workshops. The teleclass is a great way to “test drive” the speaker to determine whether or not you want to invest your time in a full-day seminar.

It is not uncommon for a man to want to have a night out with the boys, maybe play a little poker. It is also not uncommon to have the plans of men thwarted by their wives.

To help with this problem I am telling you the secrets about how to have some harmless fun at home without the wife catching on.

The best way to get rid of the wife so you can have a little “Man Time” is the easiest but most expensive way to do it. For her birthday you get her and one of her friends a trip to a weekend spa place.

Your wife will think you the best hubby ever and will never suspect you are going to throw a poker game in her absence, and the best part of this plan is that when it is over your wife will be so grateful for what you have done she may be more inclined to allow you to go out with the boys more often.

The next way is a little complicated and will only give you 4 or 5 hours of time at best, but it is much less expensive then a trip for 2. It may seem a little childish and yes I also have seen it on TV but a scavenger hunt scam can work.

The trick to the scavenger hunt is that each spot has to mean something. An example would be the first place you ever went on a date as one of the places she needs to go.

The end of the game is the most important make the last stop a restaurant and make sure to be there before she does. A good idea is to try to think of something meaning full in the area of where you live so you do not have far to drive, this will leave you the maximum amount of time to lay poker with your pals.

I have to admit this is not the ideal way to play poker, but getting away with even an hour of poker without her knowing is more excitement than any regular poker game could ever be.

Now that you have a plan to get her out of the house you need to be ready to go. The most important part of this is a large plastic drop cloth. This is so that if anything spills it will be simple to clean up.

Make sure you are ready to go with the table and chairs and make sure they get put back exactly the same as when you took them. You may want to use a digital camera to make sure you remember exactly how everything was before the game, because I promise you that you wife does.

If you send your wife on the trip I do not recommend using a cleaning service right before she comes back. If the house is too clean she will know something funny is going on

The last two tips I have is to make sure that you have a really nice gift around at all times just incase she finds out, and the other is that if your wife and your friends wives are friends do not invite those friends, if one guy gets caught you will all get caught.

Good Luck.

I am a student, a teacher, and a mother (in order of the role’s appearance in my life). Being a teacher and a mother means I am continually learning something new. I learn so I can keep up with my students and son; I learn from my students and my son; and I learn so I can do my best as a teacher and a mother.

However, even if the role of a student wasn’t forced on me by life I think I would be a lifelong learner. I love to learn. The universe is such a large and diverse place and even our small corner of it is so complex and varied that you can find a new challenge in any direction you look. I love learning big things and small things and even trivial things.

I love the investigation and the discovery involved in the process of learning. Sometimes only the process interests me and I don’t worry about the end result.

I’ve always suspected that being a lifelong learner was a good thing and I recently came up with three very good reasons for embracing lifelong learning.

However, resarchers at the University of Toronto have found learning can not only be good for your life but also for your brain. Learning may actually protect the brain from some of the negative impacts of aging such as memory loss, by building alternate neural networks absent in less-educated people. The more years you spend learning, the more prevention against memory loss you have.

Dr. Paul Nussbaum have also done extensive research in this area and he reports that new and complex stimulation promotes a healthy brain. He says: “New learning translates to neurophysiological growth and to mental stimulation in the same way that aerobics translates to cardiovascular health.” Nussbaum encourages people of all ages to continually promote their brain’s health by challenging their brain by learning new information and new skills as well as pursuing activities that may be challenging and difficult to master at first.

Lifelong learning also offers additional ways to keep your brain healthy. Studies show that it is important for human beings to have a role and a sense of purpose. Actively pursuing knowledge and/or skills can help you achieve both as well as the stimulation your brain needs to be healthy.

Finally there is the financial incentive for learning. Studies show a strong correlation between health and finances. Other research shows that the more education and skills (learning) a person acquires, the higher their income. People who know more not only earn more money but know how to use it as a tool to further build their financial resources. No matter what your income or your age, it is never too late to begin learning how to manage your money better.

Three very good reasons for becoming a lifelong learner include promoting your brain’s health; giving your life a sense of purpose; and promoting your financial security. Any one of these reasons should be enough but all three combine to a powerful motivation to learn.

Getting into law school can be a very arduous task for aspiring students. You need to start as early as your freshman year in high school if you decide that being a lawyer is what you really want to do for the rest of your life.

Do not be misled by the rosy portrayal of a lawyer’s life in TV or in the movies. In real life, lawyers would have 12 to 18 working hours, especially for those who are aspiring to be partners in their respective law firms.

In order to achieve your goal, first, you need to have the correct mindset. Here are some tips on how students can realize their lifelong goal of becoming a lawyer:

1. Know what you want, and how to get it.

First, reflect on the reasons why you would like to pursue this career. If you are just looking for the ‘flash’ or recognition of becoming a lawyer, remember that becoming one is sheer hard work. Just like in every profession, you need to give yourself into studying, then working as a lawyer.

You may have this idealistic view as a kid that you want to save the world from the injustices that is why you would like to become a lawyer.

If you find yourself still passionate about this cause, there is no harm in pursuing your dreams.

More importantly, remember that once you decide on taking up law, you need to work very hard as a student.

2. Take off your rose-colored glasses.

You need to understand that not every student who takes up law ends up with a job as a lawyer once they graduate.

You will not necessarily end up as a courtroom hero saving an “innocent criminal” in this field.

You may find yourself dealing with real estate, corporate law, divorce cases, or even drafting up wills.

Prepare yourself for all possibilities because anything could happen.

3. Ask yourself, “Am I competitive enough?”

From the time that you send in your applications, to the time that you take the exam to be a licensed practitioner, there will be competition.

Applications for entry into law schools soar every year. What are your chances of being chosen and accepted as compared to thousands of other applicants?

Check the skills that you have and once you are confident enough that you can get into law school, then you have gone through the first step in achieving your goal.

4. Go to a university which has a record of getting a lot of students into law school.

It is safe to say that if you are a graduate of a school which “produces” a lot of great law students, then this should be a plus factor for you.

There are universities that help the students get into law school by providing mock exams and interviews, and also offer letters of recommendation.

5. Having a good grade-point-average (GPA) is not enough, you need to pass the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) with flying colors.

Maintain your GPA, and make sure that you perform well in the LSAT’s. There are web sites where you can take practice tests at a certain cost. You may also enroll in a course that aims to prepare you for this particular exam.

6. Be an early bird.

Once you have decided on entering law school, make sure that you submit your applications way before the deadline. This should give you ample time to prepare.

Finally, you need to organize your letter of recommendations, transcripts and all the paperworks that you will need to get in.

You may seek the advice of a consultant, undergraduates or lawyers who have already passed the stage that you are now going through as a hopeful law school student.

If you combine hard work with determination and you prepare everything in advance, you will surely gain entrance to the prestigious law school of your choice.

While a great many individuals dream of getting a degree, it is sometimes seemingly impossible to interrupt your career and or family life to go back to school. Many of us, of course, have jobs and find that the traditional schedules offered by community colleges and universities often make it impossible for us to juggle our schedules to attend. Or perhaps we have family members, kids more than likely, that we simply must dedicate our time to. These are the very things that are making online college courses ever so more attractive. And don’t think for a second that the colleges and universities across the country aren’t recognizing this and responding in kind.

A great alternative for the person who desires to attend college classes is to go the route of an online accredited degree. This is a degree from a college or university with accreditation, which means it meets the state’s guidelines and is deemed to be every bit as credible as a brick-and-mortar earned degree.

The programs offered in the form of online degrees very greatly. It is advised that anyone pursuing this avenue of higher learning do their homework and learn as much as they possibly can before making their decision as to which classes to pursue. There is ample information to be had, so by all means request as much as you feel is necessary to obtain the information that you’re after. We must remember that there are so many degrees offered through the online accreditation process that your choices are becoming ever more diversified. Degree levels include Associates, Bachelors, Masters and Doctorates.

The advantages to getting an online degree are virtually endless. You do not have to commute and there is no need to schedule classes and reshuffle your life around someone else’s schedule. The only thing you really have to do is be on yourself to stay disciplined to get your work done.

I will again repeat what I said earlier because of its great importance. It is absolutely paramount that you make sure that the degree that you are pursuing and the classes that you are taking are indeed accredited. There’s nothing worse than wasting your time and money taking classes that you will not get credit for, unless of course you are doing it for your own edification.

If you were ever considering getting a degree to improve your chances of landing a job, or getting paid more, or even to perhaps change careers completely, now is the time to do it. The future is promised to no one and now with the advantages of online accredited degrees, there really is no excuse for not pursuing these wonderful opportunities. Most of these online classes are delivered by way of computer. Don’t be intimidated by this if you are not computer savvy. A simple computer and Internet connection will be more than enough to get you through. So now you know. No excuses, get out there and get it done.

One of our customers recently wrote to me with some

feedback on our bingo games. I thought her comments were so typical and highlighted some misunderstandings and problems with ESL bingo.

Her comments were –

It took a long time for my students to learn how the game is played but once they did they had a lot of fun.

This is a very typical comment and illustrates a

ms-conception. If native speakers were to play the same bingo game, it would be simple because we understand the vocabulary and the rules. And if we had questions about the rules, we could easily consult the rules and clarify our concerns.

However, for a native speaker, the situation is very different. They don’t understand the vocabulary, not the rules, where are in a foreign language. So, it is going to take some time to set up, and probably the first game will be difficult, but after that, our experience is students can’t get enough!

Here are some pointers and suggestions for playing bingo:

* Prepare before you start. Before class, review the vocabulary and make a note of any difficult words. Before actually playing the game, introduce the words. This can be made into a game as well. Instead of simply telling students the definitions, say something like, “If you are going to win, you will need to know these words. Here are some clues for winning.” or “I’m going to tell you 3 clues, are you listening?”

* The first game MAY be difficult, but preparation will help. With proper preparation, you will see a huge change on the second or third game. They are so eager to win they will learn the rest of the vocabulary themselves.

* Students love to help each other, and love to be the one that ‘knows.’ Use this to your advantage by allowing students to work together for the first game. Depending on the group, you may want to allow some helping and working together on the second game as well. After that, students should have a grasp of the game and some of the vocabulary

to play without sharing or helping.

We have found Bingo to be an excellent supplemental activity for ESL students. If played at the end of the class, students leave their English class feeling positive and look forward to coming back.

Since computers entered each and every household, classroom and office, solitaire became the most popular game. It is simple to learn, easy to play, and addictive because of its simplicity. But that was ages ago, and people have begun to grow tired of that same old game. As a result, they turned to new variations and Klondike is the most popular of them.

Ironically, its not a new game. The term Klondike as a game surfaces somewhere in the latter part of the nineteen hundred, and historians suggest that it evolved from miners in the Alaskan and Californian mountains to pass the time.

How Can You Play Klondike?

This is not a difficult game to learn, but what’s good is that though you will get the hang of it quickly, its difficult to beat in an addictive way. Its not frustrating, but fun and invigorating. One of the things you must learn is how to lay the cards out.

1) Start by placing one card on the table in front of you. Place it facing up.

2) Place another six cards to its left, but keep these facing down.

3) Place a card facing up to the card left of the first card you placed down.

4) Add another card facing down to all the remaining cards a bit below them so as to form a column. Likewise, continue by placing one open card and then by adding a closed card to the rest.

If you follow the instructions properly, you should have it so that last column will have seven cards. Check also that you have twenty-four cards in your hand because these are the cards you will play with.

Now What?

What you have to try and do is place all the cards on the four different aces. These will appear whenever they do, and you have to try and create the four suited sequence from the ace to the king. The moment you see and ace, place it on the side and start adding the next card. (eg: After an ace, place a two and then a three.) Note that each suit must be according to colour and type. By this I mean that the ace of diamond gets only diamonds, the ace of spades gets only spade cards and so on. Likewise, you can create card sequences down on the base cards as well by placing the card lower than it of the opposite colour. For instance, under a six of clubs, you can place either a five of diamonds or a five of hearts, but the five of clubs or the five of spades is out of the question.

Opening the Cards Facing Down

When you can use the cards facing up, then you can open the card that appears under it. And like in regular Solitaire, when you manage to open a base card and have only six or less bases, you can open a new base by placing a King there.

Moving Sequences

You can also move card sequences from one base to another and this doesn’t depend on the length of the sequence. All that matters is that the rules of sequence are kept.

To use the cards in your hand, take the top three cards and turn them over. But remember that you can use only the top card. Only if and when you use that card, you can use the next one under it. Continue revealing batches of three. Once done, pick up all the cards and start again.

If you are interested in entering the nursing field, a degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse, or LPN, may be a good option for you. Depending on the state where you live, the degree may also be known as a Licensed Vocational Nurse, or LVN. It is the basic level of nursing, and requires that you pass a state board exam called the NCLEX, or National Council Licensure Examination, exam.

Obtaining the Designation

In order to become an LPN, you will need to complete the appropriate training. One important aspect is that you need to train for a year in a hospital, vocational technical school, or community college. You can also train for an LPN degree online. However, before you choose a program, check with your state to ensure that your education will qualify you to sit for the licensing examination.

The advantages of earning an online LPN nursing degree are many. For one, if you are currently working or have other obligations, you can work on your degree without having to quit your job. Additionally, you may be interested in attending a school that is not in your area, but offers an LPN program.

Working as an LPN

The advantages of earning an online LPN nursing degree include the ability to earn the education you need to begin working as a nurse. Should you choose to later seek an RN (Registered Nurse) or other degree, many programs exist online to allow you to move forward with your career.

What can you do as an LPN? While your responsibilities are more limited than those of nurses with additional education, the advantages of earning an online LPN nursing degree allow you to work in the field without making the same level of commitment as required for an advanced degree&ndashand you can always return to school at a later time if desired.

Career Outlook

Careers in the medical field are expected to remain strong. Starting salaries for LPNs can vary, as with any other field; however, the average salary for LPNs is around $34,000 annually.