Reaching For The Sky

Biografi over den fra 2. verdenskrig kendte RAF-jagerpilot Douglas Bader.

Transforming the Lives of Impoverished Girls in Patriarchal Societies Since 2003 a privately funded high school in India has provided desperately needed education for girls from impoverished families in Lucknow, the capital and largest city in Uttar Pradesh. Urvashi Sahni, the founder of Prerna Girls School, has written a compelling narrative of how this modest school in northeast India has changed the lives of more than 5,000 girls and their families. Most important, it is through the perspectives of the girls themselves, rather than through a remote academic viewpoint, that Prerna’s success unfolds. The book focuses on the importance of education in bringing about gender equality in a patriarchal society. It shows how girls learn to be equal and autonomous persons in school as part of their official curriculum and how they use this learning to transform their lives and those of their families. The book’s central argument is that education can be truly transformative if it addresses the everyday reality of girls’ lives and responds to their special needs and challenges with respect and care. The example of just one relatively small school in one corner of India, the message and the stories it tells will inspire anyone concerned about the necessity of girls’ education, especially in developing countries. The lives of the girls at Prerna Girls School are largely representative of those of millions living in poor regions in countries where patriarchal structures and norms prevail.

Marina Bay Sands, a $5 billion, high-density, mixed-use integrated resort that brings together a 2560 room hotel, convention center, shopping and dining, theaters, museum, and a casino across the water from Singapore's Central Business District, opened to the public on June 23, 2010. Designed by Boston-based, internationally renowned architect Moshe Safdie for the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, the 929,000 meter (10 million square-foot) urban district anchors the Singapore waterfront, creates a gateway to Singapore, and provides a dynamic setting for a vibrant public life. This new urban place integrates the waterfront promenade, a 74,000 square meter (800,000 square-foot), multi level arcade, and the iconic Museum of Art Science on the promontory. Located along the network of Public paths are also two theaters with a combined 4000 seats, a casino, a 9000 square meter (96,000 square-foot) convention center, and a hydraulically adjustable public event plaza of 5000 square meters (54,000 square-foot). Combining indoor and outdoor spaces and providing a platform for a wide array of activities, this vibrant, 21rst century cardo maximus, or grand arcade, also connects to the subway and other transportation.

The serene life of the irrepressibly optimistic little girl was disturbed. Child-play and fantasies gave way to fear and anguish. Wild thoughts were going through her mind while the German bombs were falling nearby her picturesque retreat: How dare they disturb my peaceful space? Who are these people who want to conquer the world? Why aren't they satisfied with their own terra firma, their own hideaways and retreats, their own Camelot? Why would they bother my magical surroundings and the environment of all the other children of other lands? Don't they have dreams, other than destroy other people's dreams? Weren't they ever children themselves, or better yet, don't they have children of their own? Don't they know that, above all, children need to feel safe and secure, warm and loved? Only three chapters were completed with the anticipation that the conclusion of this book would be optimistic and cheerful, along with the fervent wish that never again would children have live through the horrors of war and its dreadful consequences. The dreadful morning of September 11, 2001, however, changed the mood of us all. The devastation of the horrific events in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania will haunt us forever.

In Reaching for the Sky Rod Grant continues his search through the medium of his verse for meaning and beauty in the world around him and from his long personal experience. In Old he accepts the fact of his age and the choices he now faces. In the poem Reaching for the Sky from which the title of his book was taken he celebrates mankind’s great achievements in space while noting the ultimate limits to his dream of reaching the stars. Included are selections from Rod’s previous books that show the broad sweep of his poetic vision.

It’s Jarvis’s turn to find his shield, and he almost wishes it weren’t. He and Raleigh knew each other as children and had been together a long time when Raleigh was taken from him, and he doesn’t know if he can keep his distance while Raleigh deals with his new life. Marlow has no idea who he was in the past, but he knows who he is in the present, or at least, he thinks he does, until he and his son are attacked and freaking mages appear from out of nowhere. It’s a whirlwind as he and Jason are taken to a castle in the middle of nowhere and he’s told that he’s supposed to be the protector of one of the mages. And that they were in love before he was Marlow. Jarvis gives Marlow everything he can ever remember wanting—a family, someone to love, and a place to call home. He and the mages and shields are in danger, though, and Marlow is ready to fight to keep his new life and the love of his life safe. Even though he can’t remember him.

“Sangeeta and I have climbed many peaks together, her indomitable spirit combined with her love of the mountains provides an uplifting perspective for fellow climbers when confronted with the daunting challenges of high altitude mountaineering expeditions. She has shown an unstoppable will , determination and grit to succeed against all odds. I know she is truly one of a kind.” Garret Madison Veteran Mountaineer 10X Everest Summiteer, Owner Madison Mountaineering “When I think of Sangeeta one of my favorite quotes comes to mind: by Samuel Johnson “Few things are impossible to diligence and skill… Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance.” Sangeeta has shown that nothing is impossible when one perseveres including the summit of Everest. I have known Sangeeta for many years and have been incredibly impressed at how dedicated she has been to mountaineering and attaining big goals. And she does it all with a smile on her face and a warm welcome to all she meets.” Mike Hamill, Owner Climbing the Seven Summits, 6 X Everest summiteer and 7 Summiteer

Reach For The Sky is a motivational autobiography that takes the reader on a real-life roller coaster ride revealing how to achieve success. The author tells stories of his childhood while seamlessly comparing those experiences with that of any child or young adult - regardless of social stature, location, monetary income or color of skin. The book begins with childhood experiences and smoothly transitions to adulthood revealing how everyday lessons in life can be used to your advantage while reaching for your dreams. The book tells of an average child growing up in small town Iowa who dreamed of someday flying fighter aircraft. That day arrived so the question is, "How can you achieve your childhood dreams?" Reach For The Sky will have you believing that regardless of your age, you too can achieve success in life. We live in a world full of excuses, full of deniability by which we use as a defense mechanism to avoid failure and rejection. Because of that, many view successful people as "lucky" or "rich to begin with". Defining success is the first subject that will be covered in Reach For The Sky. Success hinges on setting goals for yourself, attaining those goals, and living your life the way YOU want - to work with happiness defines "success". Reach For The Sky will provide real-life examples of obstacles encountered throughout childhood and how to turn each into a positive vector towards success. Additionally, this book will provide insight to just how similar our childhood experiences are - regardless of which town you may live. Finally, the reader will enjoy an honest look at the hard work and dedication it will take to achieve success.