#i am aware the state of texas requires you to do this for at least 6 hours which is what they're going for

[miserye]

this is how we are doing

[bandizoi]

Long post warning.

I’ve put off writing this here for a long time but this was one of my first large social media audiences and you all have been so kind and involved in my journey. I am writing about it here because everyone who is looking at getting a borzoi should be aware of this.

TW: pet death

On April 18th, exactly one year after I brought Selkie home from Texas, I found her dead in my yard, what we call “sudden death”. 13 days prior, her sire passed away from sudden death as well. He was nearing 6 years of age. Selkie was 14 months old. I don’t have it in me to write it all out, all over again, but I did make a blog post about it on my website here.

Sudden death is something that can affect different breeds but looks different from one breed to the next. In borzoi, we are looking at fatal cardiac arrhythmias. One moment they are with us and then, just as the name describes, they are suddenly gone. Because this is an electrical issue in the heart, necropsies often look completely normal. A normal necropsy is the hallmark of borzoi sudden death. Selkie and her sire’s necropsies looked normal.

Unfortunately we don’t have a way to differentiate the arrhythmias that borzoi can survive, from the ones that are fatal. We know this is genetic, but we don’t have a genetic test for it. We can do 24 hour holter monitors to see a snap shot in that moment of whether a dog is having arrhythmias or not. But, a dog can have 0 abnormalities during that 24 hours and then several in the next day, weeks, months, years. There are dogs that have hundreds of arrhythmias in 24 hours and live normal lives. There are dogs that have 1 or 2 and then drop dead the next day. It sucks. It’s horribly traumatic for everyone who loves the dog. The silver lining is that it is a very quick way for them to go. There are anti arrhythmic drugs that can reduce arrhythmias and that’s something that can be discussed with a cardiologist.

Holter tests aren’t part of the required CHIC testing for the breed, but I strongly encourage anyone who is thinking about getting a borzoi to ask every breeder:

How many holters has the breeding pair had (I personally will be doing at least 3 before making breeding decisions).

Ask the breeder to SEE the results. An absolutely ideal holter has zero singles, pairs, runs, complexities. Anything over 10 VPCs makes me squirm. Over 50 is considered abnormal per the large breed guidelines.

Where has sudden death occurred in the pedigree

Prospective borzoi owners asking this of their breeders is likely the best possible way to encourage more breeders to do this.

If you own a borzoi and you want to holter test them, there are a few reduced cost options. Members of the Borzoi Club of America can rent a holter— info here. Any borzoi owner can rent a holter from the Borzoi Health and Welfare Foundation— info here. If you want to purchase your own holter monitor, you can do so through alba medical.

We have 3 cardiac studies in the works to try to somehow get a handle on this thing. The borzoi club of america has a holter study. Texas A&M University has an echocardiogram study. And Dr. Kelly at Penn State is studying the hearts of dogs who had sudden death. Because we now have a direct line from sire to daughter of sudden death submitted to the study, including lung samples for gene sequencing, we may be a bit closer to getting a handle on the genetics behind this.

And as I mentioned in my linked blog post above this is not yet so prevalent that owners should expect their dogs to die of sudden death. Which is why it’s so important for the community to be proactive, now. Before it becomes unavoidable. I’m writing all of this not to scare people out of the breed, and I truly hope I don’t. But I do want everyone to be aware of this if they are considering a borzoi. I would be in a much darker place if I didn’t know what I was looking at when I found Selkie in my yard.

[giftofshewbread]

Walk Circumsectly

By Daymond Duck Published on: February 28, 2021

The title of this article comes from Scripture. “See then that ye walk circumspectly not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15-16).

Here are 7 basic things that people need to know about Bible prophecy:

One, people need to know that God knows the future. Paul said, “Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world” (Acts 15:18). God knows what will happen before it happens.

Two, people need to know that God reveals the future before it happens. God said, “I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done” (Isaiah 46:9-10). There is just one God, and He reveals what He plans to do before He does it.

Three, people need to know that the Bible is full of prophecy. God put 18 books of prophecy in the Bible. He put 5 books called the Major Prophets in the Bible. He put 12 books called the Minor Prophets in the Bible. He put the Book of Revelation in the Bible. He put whole chapters of prophecy in the Bible (Matt. 24-25). Depending upon who we talk to, some say 25-40% of the Bible is prophecy. The Bible is full of prophecy.

Four, people need to know that Bible prophecy is reliable. God said, “The prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die” (Deut. 18:20). God’s prophets had to be right 100% of the time. If what they said is not from God, it is from Satan.

Five, people need to know that there is proof of the accuracy of Bible prophecy. The Old Testament records more than 300 prophecies about the first coming of Jesus. Some prophecies are repeated two or three times. After the repetitions are removed, the Old Testament still records at least 108 specifically different prophecies about the first coming of Jesus that were literally fulfilled.

Many years ago, Peter Stoner, former Professor Emeritus of Science at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California, calculated the probability of one person fulfilling just 48 prophecies to be 1 with 127 zeros (A trillion has just 12 zeros). With the odds being so great for one person to fulfill just 48 prophecies, one must wonder what the odds would be for one person to fulfill all 108 prophecies. Fulfilled prophecy is indisputable proof that Jesus is the Messiah, that God knows the end from the beginning, that God is in control, and that the Bible is the Word of God.

Six, people need to know what Peter said about Bible prophecy. “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (II Peter 1:20-21). Notice these four things: Bible prophecy is sure (it is accurate), people would do well (be wise) to pay attention to Bible prophecy, Bible prophecy is like a light (because it helps people understand other things in the Bible), and Bible prophecy was given by the Holy Ghost (the reason why it is 100% accurate).

Seven, people need to know that Bible prophecy is about Jesus. The Bible says, “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Rev. 19:10b). Why would people, especially pastors and church members, willfully ignore the testimony of Jesus?

Here are recent current events that relate to Bible Prophecy and our need to walk circumspectly (believe, live and act the way God wants us to believe, live and act).

One: on Feb. 19, 2021, it was reported that Pres. Biden took office promising to improve America’s relationship with Europe, work with our allies in Europe, strengthen NATO, etc.

Pres. Macron of France believes it is time for the EU to establish a more powerful military and tell the U.S. to remove her troops.

The Antichrist will rise to power in Europe and go forth conquering and to conquer.

I am receiving e-mails from readers that want to know if I believe Emmanuel Macron is the Antichrist.

The identity of the Antichrist will not be revealed while the Church is here, but since Israel became a nation in 1948, several people have been identified as the Antichrist that are no longer alive.

There is no question that Macron has many traits of the Antichrist, and he could be the Antichrist, but be careful because skeptics will label you as a false prophet, refuse to listen to you, etc., if something happens to Macron.

Two, concerning world government: on Feb. 19, 2021, it was reported that Biden addressed global leaders with two major speeches (one at the G-7 virtual summit and another at the Munich Security Conference) to declare the end of Trump’s “America First” agenda.

As I understand it, the era of “America First” is dead, and it has been replaced by the era of “Globalism First.”

Trump put the needs of America above the needs of the UN and other nations.

Biden is putting the needs of the UN and other nations (the globalist agenda; the New World Order) above the needs of America.

Know that the World Economic Forum (WEF) plans to ask the G-7 nations to approve “The Great Reset” this fall, and Biden (or whoever is in charge at the White House) is letting people know that he supports the globalist agenda.

Be aware that a former Obama Dept. of Homeland Security Official said more than one million immigrants will try to cross the U.S. border with Mexico this year (many with Covid; some getting vaccinated before American citizens that want vaccinations can get them).

Be aware that Biden has prepared a $1.9 Trillion Covid Relief Package and less than 10% of the money is for health-related issues (more than 90% is for museums, family planning, bailing out states and cities, a bridge that Schumer wants in New York, a tunnel that Pelosi wants in San Francisco and more).

Be aware that the bailout of cities and states is based on unemployment rates, meaning that cities and states that use lockdowns to put people out of work will get more money than cities and states that don’t use lockdowns to put people out of work.

Be aware that Biden is warming up to China; that nation is requiring its people to hate God, wants to head up the coming world government, a government that will hate God, etc. (Rev. 13:4-8).

Know that God gave Daniel a vision of the latter time, the rise and fall of the Antichrist, and his world government during the Tribulation Period (Dan. 8:23-27).

“And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days. And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king’s business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.”

The vision of the coming Antichrist and his world government was so evil and destructive that it caused Daniel to faint and be sick for several days.

In a past article, I stated that God may have allowed Trump to be removed from office so the globalist agenda can go forward (and it is).

God is in control, and He can speed it up or slow it down, but I expect the Democrats to lock America into a world government before the next election.

Three, concerning persecution: on Feb. 16, 2021, Worthy News reported that the Center for Family and Human Rights is warning groups and organizations that the UN (wannabe world government) is planning to create lists of those that oppose the LGBT agenda.

Those that oppose the LGBT agenda will be designated as “LGBT hate groups,” and they will be blacklisted and punished.

Four, concerning natural disasters: the state of Texas is known as a major producer of oil and natural gas, but in 2020, Texas used wind turbines to produce 23% of its electricity.

The extreme cold of the Feb. 2021 winter storm froze about half of the wind turbines, and, at one point, more than one and a half million Texans were without electricity.

It has been reported that without rolling blackouts, the entire system was just minutes away from a catastrophic failure that would have taken weeks, or perhaps months, to totally repair.

Stores closed for lack of electricity, others closed because they ran out of food, people moved into their vehicles to stay warm, more than 40 people died, and this is perhaps the costliest weather event in the history of Texas.

Thank God for fossil fuels because without them, the hunger (famine), cold, death and destruction would be much worse than it was this time.

Incidentally, on his first day in office, Biden stopped construction on the Keystone XL Pipeline in the U.S., put thousands of Americans out of work, and hurt Canada, but now he is promoting a pipeline to carry Turkmenistan gas across Afghanistan and Pakistan to India.

Why are pipelines environmentally unsafe in the U.S. but environmentally safe in Muslim and terrorist countries?

If nuclear power plants are unsafe in the U.S., why is Biden signaling his readiness to resume talks with Iran over the resumption of that terrorist nation’s nuclear program?

Since America’s economy is in danger of collapsing and the U.S. has crude oil that could be sold, why is the U.S. cutting production, jobs, etc. and starting to buy oil again?

If pollution of the atmosphere is causing climate change disasters like the one in Texas, why is Biden ignoring the fact that China is one of the worst polluters on earth, and why is Biden’s Climate Change Envoy, John Kerry, still flying around in his private plane?

It has been my opinion for a long time that God uses natural disasters to warn nations to repent and return to Him (II Chron. 7:13-14), but globalists are using the disasters as a scare tactic to bring in their godless world government.

Godless leaders do not think like Christians, and more and more, it is clear that this world is not the Christian’s home (I Cor. 2:14-16).

To be honest, I do not think America will repent, and if Covid and the Texas disaster are birth pains, there is more to come.

By the way, on Feb. 19, 2021, John Kerry was on CBS This Morning, and he was asked, “How much time do we still have left to avert climate catastrophe?”

He replied, “The scientists told us 3 years ago we have 12 years to avert the worst consequences of climate crises; we are now 3 years gone, so we have 9 years left.

This is 2021, and 9 years from now will be 2030, which is the UN agreed-upon goal for having a world government up and running.

Five: on Feb. 19, 2021, William Koenig, author of “Eye to Eye,” noted that Biden has hit the ground running on issues that are worrisome or detrimental to Israel.

Koenig is famous for pointing out that those that bless Israel are blessed, and those that curse Israel are cursed.

We cannot deny that Biden has come out in favor of the Two-State Solution (division of Israel), he opposed Israel’s construction of settlements in Judea and Samaria, he waffled on Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, he announced that the U.S. might be willing to rejoin the Iranian nuclear deal, he revoked Trump’s designation of the Iranian-backed Houthis as a terrorist organization, and more.

Now, the U.S. (especially Texas) has been hit with a record-breaking storm.

Six: on Feb. 17, 2021, it was reported that there is a leaked July 16, 2020, video of Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, expressing concern to his employees about the Covid-19 vaccine.

Zuckerberg said, “We just don’t know the long-term side effects of basically modifying people’s DNA and RNA … whether that causes other mutations or other risks downstream.”

This seems significant because Facebook has announced an expedited effort to remove posts that say the Covid-19 vaccine changes people’s DNA.

If Zuckerberg can warn his employees about future risks, why are others not allowed to warn people about future risks?

The U.S. Constitution gives citizens freedom of speech, and people like Zuckerberg should not be allowed to take it away.

This is another case of the rich and powerful making rules that apply to others but not themselves.

Finally, if you want to go to heaven, you must be born again (John 3:3). God loves you, and if you have not done so, sincerely admit that you are a sinner; believe that Jesus is the virgin-born, sinless Son of God who died for the sins of the world, was buried, and raised from the dead; ask Him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, come into your heart and be your Saviour; then tell someone that you have done this.

[digitalmarketingg9-blog]

5 Cheap Spring Break Trips for US College Students on a Budget

Don’t miss out on an amazing vacation just because you are on a budget.  Check out these amazing places to travel in the US!

Hello travelers!  My name is Julia, and I am an international student studying at UCD for the semester.  I come from United States and am in my third year at the University of Wisconsin.  I decided to study abroad because I love to see new things, meet new people, and explore different cultures.  I chose to study in Europe because I knew I would be able to visit many different countries without paying the expensive price for airplane tickets that I am used to back home.  

Because of my love for travel, I have spent numerous hours finding the cheapest ways to travel back in the United States. Flights are very expensive, therefore driving across the country with a group of people is one of the best, most cost-effective ways to travel around the US.  It is equally important to find a destination that suits the group’s price range. Below I have researched 5 of the top spring break destinations and have found the best things to do to get the ideal inexpensive spring break vacation!

1. Daytona Beach

(photo from https://allevents.in/daytona%20beach/708660045985440)

Daytona Beach is prime spring break destination located on the east side of the state of Florida and is known for its clear Atlantic Ocean water and crazy fun beach parties. Because of its growing popularity with college students, many hotels, restaurants, and night clubs have begun catering to the needs and wants of the young crowd.  While the hotels may not be rated five stars, they are conveniently located on the beach, close to many of the night clubs.  Ocean Breeze Club Hotel and Hawaiian Inn Beach Resort are just two of the cheapest options in the area ranging around $60-$70 per night per room. These hotels offer access to their beachfront pools and mini-golf courses along with many other free perks that are worth taking advantage of.  Daytona is also known for the awesome deals they offer for the night clubs.  There is a pass you can purchase for about $20 that gives you free admission into the most famous clubs in the area. Razzle’s and 509 Lounge are just two of the many popular clubs in the area that this pass gives free admission to. Daytona Beach is known for its fun beach areas, therefore laying in the sun all day on the beach with other spring-breakers is one of the best things to do here, which also happens to be free!

Below are links to the night clubs and hotels to check out!

https://www.oceanbreezeclubhotel.com/

https://www.hawaiianinn.com/

https://razzlesnightclub.com/

2. South Padre Island

(photo from http://elitetours.us/elite-memories/)

South Padre Island, Texas is another famous spring break location, known for its extremely hot weather and great beach party life.  Just like Daytona, South Padre has many hotels that are perfect for college students looking for cheap places to crash, but the use of Airbnb has been on the rise in this area too.  Hotels such as the Padre South hotel and the Ramada by Wyndham & Suites are just two of the many hotel options with prices ranging between $65 - $80 per night per room.  With a larger group, Airbnb’s may be the better option in order to have a more private, nicer place for a cheaper price.  While this destination has a lot of cool night life as well, it has other inexpensive excursions to enjoy during the day, such as boating around the area whether you like to fish, speed boat, or enjoy a dinner cruise.  The island is a beautiful, yet inexpensive destination that many college students enjoy every year.

Check out these links for more information:

https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/ramada/south-padre-island-texas/ramada-south-padre-island/overview

https://www.padresouth.com/

http://www.ospreycruises.com/

3. Myrtle Beach

(photo from https://wpde.com/news/local/myrtle-beach-1-spring-break-destination-on-usa-today)

While Myrtle beach may not be the destination for the warmest weather during spring break, it has grown in popularity for college students due to its fun atmosphere and great deals.  Myrtle beach is located on the east coast in South Carolina and is known for its crazy spring break parties.  It has been nominated as the number one spring break destination in the States and continues to be high on the list of best places to vacation.  Like Daytona beach, Myrtle beach area night clubs offer passes for the entire week, giving college students a package deal that ends up saving them quite a bit of money.  The area is filled with great, cheap places to stay and has many options for crazy night life.  The beaches are filled with college students every day and the clubs are filled at night.

Check out this website that says it all, from best hotels to best night clubs and weekly passes!

http://www.springbreakmyrtlebeach.com/

4. Panama City Beach

(photo from https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g34182-d1063222-i246267271-Crystal_Sands_Beach-Destin_Florida.html)

Panama City Beach is another prime destination for college students looking to have a good time on a budget.  It, too, is located in Florida, but on the west side in what is called the “pan handle.” It’s known for its miles of white, sandy beaches bordered by the calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.  Living outside of Florida, PCB is one of the easier places to travel to because it does not require you to drive far down the peninsula, saving you time and money.  It’s been consistently known for turning into a spring break mecca for all college students in March and April.  Hotels in this area range between $85-$115 per night, but this rate doesn’t seem so bad when students save by buying large spring break packages giving them free access to night clubs, free drinks, a free dinner, and some travel accommodations.  Chateau By the Sea, a two star hotel, is one of the cheapest options for housing, but the use of Airbnb in the area is also becoming more and more apparent.

Here are some links to check out before traveling to PCB!

http://chateau-motel.bestpanamacitybeachhotels.com/en/

https://www.statravel.com/panama-city-beach-spring-break.htm

5. Miami Beach

photo from https://www.beaconcouncil.com/advantage-miami/miami-beach-2/)

Last but certainly not least, Miami Beach ranks near the top for the most exciting places for young adults to travel not only for spring break, but at any time of the year!  Located at the far southern tip of Florida, Miami Beach is another warm sandy beach with beautiful weather and awesome city life. Miami does take a bit of more travel time, but the views and the weather is definitely worth it. There are a few hostels in the area that can be rented for anywhere between $40-$65 per person per night.  The trick to finding a great place to stay while saving money in Miami is to search a few blocks from the shore.  The bikini Hostel and Miami Hostel are just two of the many great options off the coast, but still within walking distance of the beach. Both of these hostels offer many free amenities and services, so be sure to take advantage of free breakfast and dinners!  If you are looking for a cheap but fun night club, be aware of both the good and bad options. According to many reviews on google, Story Nightclub is one place to STAY AWAY from, as there are many reports of stolen phones and very expensive drinks.  Nikki Beach Miami, however, is a nice spot on the beach that not only serves fresh seafood, but also turns into a beach party with a DJ at night.  It often holds happy hours for both drinks and food and has a late-night food menu as well.  

Here are some links to check out if you’re looking for some fun in Miami!

http://bikinihostel.com/

https://www.miamihostel.net/

https://www.nikkibeachmiami.com/

[shiftyarchfey]

You dont have to know about the states? You could just tell the person you province or city in sweden and then it could lead to a conversation if you wanted. Anyone who asks where are you from should be interested in actually finding out where you're from. I tell people where Im from both state and country and if they dont know I like to tell them about it, if you told me when I asked where in sweden you were from I would be interested to know more about where that is.

Ok so. First of all, Sweden =/= Switzerland. I am not from Sweden but that‘s beside the point because it‘s just what I talked about in the tags of my previous answer (these two WHOLE-ASS COUNTRIES getting mistaken for another, even if Switzerland is very small. I can understand missing it on a map, really. But it still is a whole country even if you could stuff it so many times in a state like Texas. Just saying.)

No, what I‘m saying is:

It is Not about which region I am from. It is about the general feeling we as Europeans (and I assume other continents too but I don‘t want to speak for them) get when talking to an US-American person. The feeling that, because of the wide „popularity“ of the USA, we are basically required to know some US-American geography, recognize the shape of states like Texas, California, know where New York is, etc.

Of course I am interested in your region! Your state is your home and as I love to gossip about my Kanton, you propably like that too! Being interested in a person and talking about their origins is fantastic, I agree! However, when talking about origin, I could say „Hey, I‘m Al, I‘m from Argovia!“ but nobody would know what the hell I‘m talking about. If no previous knowledge exists, you propably wouldn‘t directly assume I am from Switzerland.

It is different with America. We as Europeans know of a state called Portland, Michigan, Kansas, Colorado, etc. We have heard of it at least once. Our whole media is tailored to US-America, or at least it feels like that sometimes. We learn about America as a continent and the USA as a country. It does sometimes feel, especially when talking to an US-American person, that the normal person from the USA knows basically nothing about my country of origin, maybe that this country exists but not much more. (And I am Swiss, very well aware that despite being small, it does have it‘s fingers in a lot of pies all over the world. There are many countries who live a more, let‘s say, „quiet“ life.)

This knowledge, this ingrained „education“ WE get from all the media, from school and if you‘re like me and have US-American friends (sorry guys btw, I don‘t want to offend the USA except I totally do), from them? I see the pure ignorance. The will of learning about my home is there but the way Europe is presented to you guys (I do assume you‘re US-American btw, I apologize if that is not the case) is just as this whole, smaller and apparently inferior continent. It‘s not your fault if you come across like this because I assume the fault lies with the education system in US-America (which I have been told is very US-centric so really there is nothing one can do about that). But to us, it sometimes feels like that.

And something irritating, just the plain arrogance, ignorance and assumed superiority of somebody introducing themselves solely with their state as a point of origin and just plainly assuming everybody knows where it is. You say you introduce yourself with both your state and country and good for you! Then you’re not the problem. But there are plenty of other US-Americans who will not even realize to do us this courtesy. And THEY are the problem.

Please don‘t take this as an attack against you because it is not meant to be targeting you. From your ask you seem like a person I‘d like to chat with about countries and states! The whole point of the post I reblogged earlier and this long answer is just us, people from other countries, sympathizing with each other about our mutual experiences with people Like That. I hope you understood my point in all of this and I sincerely apologize in advance if I came across as especially rude and salty.

[digitalmarketingt9-blog]

5 Cheap Spring Break Trips for US College Students on a Budget

Don’t miss out on an amazing vacation just because you are on a budget.  Check out these amazing places to travel in the US!

Hello travelers!  My name is Julia, and I am an international student studying at UCD for the semester.  I come from United States and am in my third year at the University of Wisconsin.  I decided to study abroad because I love to see new things, meet new people, and explore different cultures.  I chose to study in Europe because I knew I would be able to visit many different countries without paying the expensive price for airplane tickets that I am used to back home.  

Because of my love for travel, I have spent numerous hours finding the cheapest ways to travel back in the United States. Flights are very expensive, therefore driving across the country with a group of people is one of the best, most cost-effective ways to travel around the US.  It is equally important to find a destination that suits the group’s price range. Below I have researched 5 of the top spring break destinations and have found the best things to do to get the ideal inexpensive spring break vacation!

1. Daytona Beach 

(photo from https://allevents.in/daytona%20beach/708660045985440)

Daytona Beach is prime spring break destination located on the east side of the state of Florida and is known for its clear Atlantic Ocean water and crazy fun beach parties. Because of its growing popularity with college students, many hotels, restaurants, and night clubs have begun catering to the needs and wants of the young crowd.  While the hotels may not be rated five stars, they are conveniently located on the beach, close to many of the night clubs.  Ocean Breeze Club Hotel and Hawaiian Inn Beach Resort are just two of the cheapest options in the area ranging around $60-$70 per night per room. These hotels offer access to their beachfront pools and mini-golf courses along with many other free perks that are worth taking advantage of.  Daytona is also known for the awesome deals they offer for the night clubs.  There is a pass you can purchase for about $20 that gives you free admission into the most famous clubs in the area. Razzle’s and 509 Lounge are just two of the many popular clubs in the area that this pass gives free admission to. Daytona Beach is known for its fun beach areas, therefore laying in the sun all day on the beach with other spring-breakers is one of the best things to do here, which also happens to be free!

Below are links to the night clubs and hotels to check out!

https://www.oceanbreezeclubhotel.com/

https://www.hawaiianinn.com/

https://razzlesnightclub.com/

2. South Padre Island

(photo from http://elitetours.us/elite-memories/)

South Padre Island, Texas is another famous spring break location, known for its extremely hot weather and great beach party life.  Just like Daytona, South Padre has many hotels that are perfect for college students looking for cheap places to crash, but the use of Airbnb has been on the rise in this area too.  Hotels such as the Padre South hotel and the Ramada by Wyndham & Suites are just two of the many hotel options with prices ranging between $65 - $80 per night per room.  With a larger group, Airbnb’s may be the better option in order to have a more private, nicer place for a cheaper price.  While this destination has a lot of cool night life as well, it has other inexpensive excursions to enjoy during the day, such as boating around the area whether you like to fish, speed boat, or enjoy a dinner cruise.  The island is a beautiful, yet inexpensive destination that many college students enjoy every year.

Check out these links for more information:

https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/ramada/south-padre-island-texas/ramada-south-padre-island/overview

 https://www.padresouth.com/

http://www.ospreycruises.com/

3. Myrtle Beach

(photo from https://wpde.com/news/local/myrtle-beach-1-spring-break-destination-on-usa-today)

While Myrtle beach may not be the destination for the warmest weather during spring break, it has grown in popularity for college students due to its fun atmosphere and great deals.  Myrtle beach is located on the east coast in South Carolina and is known for its crazy spring break parties.  It has been nominated as the number one spring break destination in the States and continues to be high on the list of best places to vacation.  Like Daytona beach, Myrtle beach area night clubs offer passes for the entire week, giving college students a package deal that ends up saving them quite a bit of money.  The area is filled with great, cheap places to stay and has many options for crazy night life.  The beaches are filled with college students every day and the clubs are filled at night.

Check out this website that says it all, from best hotels to best night clubs and weekly passes!

http://www.springbreakmyrtlebeach.com/

4. Panama City Beach

(photo from https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g34182-d1063222-i246267271-Crystal_Sands_Beach-Destin_Florida.html)

Panama City Beach is another prime destination for college students looking to have a good time on a budget.  It, too, is located in Florida, but on the west side in what is called the “pan handle.” It’s known for its miles of white, sandy beaches bordered by the calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.  Living outside of Florida, PCB is one of the easier places to travel to because it does not require you to drive far down the peninsula, saving you time and money.  It’s been consistently known for turning into a spring break mecca for all college students in March and April.  Hotels in this area range between $85-$115 per night, but this rate doesn’t seem so bad when students save by buying large spring break packages giving them free access to night clubs, free drinks, a free dinner, and some travel accommodations.  Chateau By the Sea, a two star hotel, is one of the cheapest options for housing, but the use of Airbnb in the area is also becoming more and more apparent.

Here are some links to check out before traveling to PCB!

http://chateau-motel.bestpanamacitybeachhotels.com/en/

https://www.statravel.com/panama-city-beach-spring-break.htm

5. Miami Beach

(photo from https://www.beaconcouncil.com/advantage-miami/miami-beach-2/)

Last but certainly not least, Miami Beach ranks near the top for the most exciting places for young adults to travel not only for spring break, but at any time of the year!  Located at the far southern tip of Florida, Miami Beach is another warm sandy beach with beautiful weather and awesome city life. Miami does take a bit of more travel time, but the views and the weather is definitely worth it. There are a few hostels in the area that can be rented for anywhere between $40-$65 per person per night.  The trick to finding a great place to stay while saving money in Miami is to search a few blocks from the shore.  The bikini Hostel and Miami Hostel are just two of the many great options off the coast, but still within walking distance of the beach. Both of these hostels offer many free amenities and services, so be sure to take advantage of free breakfast and dinners!  If you are looking for a cheap but fun night club, be aware of both the good and bad options. According to many reviews on google, Story Nightclub is one place to STAY AWAY from, as there are many reports of stolen phones and very expensive drinks.  Nikki Beach Miami, however, is a nice spot on the beach that not only serves fresh seafood, but also turns into a beach party with a DJ at night.  It often holds happy hours for both drinks and food and has a late-night food menu as well.  

Here are some links to check out if you’re looking for some fun in Miami!

http://bikinihostel.com/

https://www.miamihostel.net/

https://www.nikkibeachmiami.com/

[daemonmatthias]

Texas made it so that every single ELA teacher in the state must be ESL certified by the end of the school year.

I am trying SO HARD to study this stupid practice book but, honestly, everything about it just so absurdly unrealistic that it makes me want to barf.

First off 98% of it is about elementary school, and the other 2% is statements like: "Even among ELLs there is enormous diversity- their place of birth, home language, level of proficiency in that language, family's socioeconomic status, prior schooling, previous literacy experiences, and past exposure to to English and U.S. culture. Teachers need to be aware of every student's strengths and academic challenges so that they can modify and adapt literacy instruction to meet each student's individual needs."

Of course, on the surface, that sounds perfectly reasonable. But it's fucking IMPOSSIBLE with the current state of the education department in this country/state. I TEACH EVERY SINGLE ELL IN THE SOPHOMORE CLASS. EVERY SINGLE ONE. ME PERSSONALLY. WITH NO AIDES/PARAS/ANYONE ELSE.

Do they have any idea how much TIME it takes to "modify instruction to meet an individual's needs?" It takes anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour just to create a BASE ASSIGNMENT that is actually meaningful. Then, I'd say a proficient teacher could modify that assignment for one child in 2-5 minutes, depending on the assignment. So go easy and say 2min/ELL.... I teach like 50-60 ELLS, which means 100-120 minutes just to modify ONE ASSIGNMENT.

The state already requires us to meet with colleagues a frankly RIDICULOUS amount. We have to have interventions for the STAAR retesters and that time is already coming out of my planning period, but so is the required PLC time. Which means I'm likely getting less than my state-mandated planning time but I don't have time to add everything up to check. And in that extremely limited and imposed-upon planning time, I'm supposed to-

Write and turn in formal lesson plans

Grade basically every assignment I give

Put those grades into the computer system

Post my objectives every day for both of my preps

Contact parents (by phone at my school, using my personal cell phone!) And document every conversation.

Make copies/prepare powerpoints/set up the classroom

Log the essay grades for EVERY SINGLE CHILD in a separate spreadsheet

Create and maintain a writing folder for every single child

AND you want me to spend anywhere from 120-360 minutes (2-6 hours) just creating EACH assignment?? I already fucking get to school over an hour before 1st period, stay after school at least 20 minutes past my duty time AND take work home with me almost every day... and all of that STILL isn't enough time to get everything done because I haven't written a formal lesson plan since the third fucking week of school.

Point is: I hate reading about all this shit I'm supposed to be doing when the state creates so many tasks that teachers are supposed to do that it's literally physically impossible to do them all and then wants to punish schools and teachers with bad ratings because students can't pass the bullshit test they give that has been research-proven to 1- be written well above grade-level, and 2- not reliably measure anything except socio-economic status.