“As the old year retires and a new one is born, we commit into the hands of our Creator the happenings of the past year and ask for direction and guidance in the new one. May He grant us His grace, His tranquility and His wisdom!”
The Le Jetée team wishes all our clients and readers A prosperous and happy new year May Light always surround you; Hope kindle and rebound you. May your Hurts turn to Healing; Your Heart embrace Feeling. May Wounds become Wisdom; Every Kindness a Prism. May Laughter infect you; Your Passion resurrect you. May Goodness inspire your Deepest Desires. Through all that you Reach For, May your arms Never Tire.
BY MARISSA LALIBERTE You’ve heard before how tough it is for non-English speakers to learn the language. There are strange spellings, surprising pronunciations, and random exceptions to nearly every rule. (Why do tough, though, and thought sound so different? The world may never know.) Rules about word order come naturally to native English speakers but are hard to teach those who are learning English. For instance, did you realize you always arrange adjectives the same way? When using multiple words to describe an object, native English speakers naturally list the adjectives in this order: 1. Opinion 2. Size 3. Age 4. Shape 5. Color 6. Origin 7. Material 8. Purpose If more than one adjective falls into the same category, the order for those words doesn’t matter. In The Elements of Eloquence: How to Turn the Perfect English Phrase, author Mark Forsyth gives an example of how the right arrangement plays out. “You can have a lovely little old rectangular green French silver whittling knife,” he writes. “But if you mess with that order in the slightest you’ll sound like a maniac.” Describe a green silver whittling French old little rectangular lovely knife, and you’ll probably lose your listeners. (Related: These grammar rules make you sound smarter.) OK, so you’ll probably rarely describe an item with that many words. But the rule becomes even clearer when you stick with just a few adjectives. For instance, you’d say an “awesome (1), old (3), red (5) convertible” or a “small (2), round (4), wooden (7) bowl” without switching up the words. More than likely, you wouldn’t have been able to come up with that list of adjective order if no one had pointed it out to you—after all, it just comes naturally if English is your first language—but English learners devote entire lesson plans to memorizing the right arrangement. “I think what fascinates people about language is that in one sense it’s so familiar—we use it every day (unless you’re a lighthouse keeper)—but we don’t know that we know so much about it,” Forsyth told BBC Trending. “It’s the odd rules about the order of adjectives or ablaut reduplication, or the bits of etymology that are utterly obvious once you point them out.”
Recipe for a Happy New Year Take twelve fine, full-grown months; see that these are thoroughly free from old memories of bitterness, rancor and hate, cleanse them completely from every clinging spite; pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness; in short, see that these months are freed from all the past—have them fresh and clean as when they first came from the great storehouse of Time. Cut these months into thirty or thirty-one equal parts. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time (so many persons spoil the entire lot this way) but prepare one day at a time. Into each day put equal parts of faith, patience, courage, work (some people omit this ingredient and so spoil the flavor of the rest), hope, fidelity, liberality, kindness, rest (leaving this out is like leaving the oil out of the salad dressing— don’t do it), prayer, meditation, and one well-selected resolution. Put in about one teaspoonful of good spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping cupful of good humor.
Think your nail biting is just an annoying little tic? Think again. BY CHERYL S. GRANT Onychophagia, or nail biting, is a pretty common habit, affecting an estimated 30 percent of adults, 45 percent of teens, and 30 percent of children. Though nail biting— which can be caused by stress, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, or just being bored and fidgety—may seem perfectly harmless, it can invite bacteria or fungi infections to enter into the body and blood stream, increasing your chances of contracting a cold or the flu, according to the Mayo Clinic. Not to mention that it can ruin your smile. HOW NAIL BITING LEADS TO BACTERIAL AND FUNGAL INFECTIONS If you’ve ever had a manicure, you’ve no doubt noticed the gunk that the manicurist removes from under your nails. That’s what you can see with the naked eye—so just imagine all the bacteria you can’t see. The most common pathogens lurking under our nails are Staphylococcus, Strep, and Coryneform bacteria, which can enter the body through breaks in our skin or—you guessed it—from ingesting them after biting your nails. If that isn’t enough of a deterrent, just imagine dermatophytic fungi, also known as ringworm, hanging out in our nail tissue as you open mouth and insert finger. Next time the anxiety kicks in, try taking five deep breaths instead. HOW NAIL BITING LEADS TO COLD AND FLU According to the CDC, there are more than 200 cold viruses floating around at any given time. Even though the risk factors for acquiring one include a weakened immune system and/or exposure to someone sick, you can significantly reduce your chances of catching a virus by keeping your hands away from your mouth. Viruses that cause the flu also flourish on your skin, so wash your hands frequently with soap and water (or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer), and discourage nail biting by chewing gum. HOW NAIL BITING CAN HARM YOUR TEETH Nail biting can also damage the teeth and gums. The Academy of General Dentistry has found that nail biting can crack, chip, or wear down the front teeth, and also potentially lead to sore gums and gum tissue damage. Check with your dentist if having a mouth guard can help you to stop biting your nails—or at least minimize some of the damage it can cause. She may also be able to suggest some other techniques to help you quit the habit for good.
Erin Cross was gravely-ill earlier this year suffering from deadly acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a cancer of the white blood cells A six-year-old leukaemia sufferer who became one of the first in the world to trial a new gene-therapy treatment is smiling again...after her cancer vanished. Erin Cross was gravely-ill earlier this year suffering from deadly acute lymphoblastic leukaemia , a cancer of the white blood cells. But after £100,000 was raised in a public appeal on ITV’s This Morning show in July she flew to Seattle with her parents Sarah and Antony Cross. Experimental, pioneering new AR (Chimaeric Antigen Receptor) T-Cell therapy re-engineers the cells in the lab to attack and kill cancer cells when they are injected back into the patient’s body. Now her family have been told by Seattle Children’s Hospital that blood tests reveal the cancer has completely disappeared. And it means on December 28th at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital she will be well enough to have a bone marrow transplant to make sure the leukaemia does not return. Her delighted mum Sarah said: “We got a call from the hospital who told us the cancer cells have gone. “We couldn’t believe it as she has never come back clear from any treatment before. “She is running around now like any six year old. “I’m so glad I pushed for her to get on the trial at Seattle, if I hadn’t she wouldn’t be here today. “I knew that the T Cell therapy would be the only option with the chemotherapy not working - mother’s instinct was working hard at that point! “We have never had a negative MRD bone marrow test before, it’s so amazing to hear the words ‘no signs of leukaemia’. “I just want to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts.” Her parents from Chester, in Cheshire, said they “cried tears of relief” after being told she was finally in remission from the disease that’s blighted her life for the past four years. Erin had years of traditional cancer treatment but relapsed as the leukaemia came back stronger than ever. Last June Sarah appeared on ITV’s This Morning with Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby to reveal their plans to jet her to America for the treatment. She told of their struggles to conceive Erin, undergoing seven rounds of IVF treatment, and how hard it hit them when Erin relapsed after years of intensive chemotherapy. She said: “We just couldn’t comprehend it when Erin relapsed after sailing through two and a half years of intensive treatment. “She put on such a brave face though, and everyone who met her just fell in love with her.” Now the new treatment has finally beaten her cancer, Sarah said they are struggling to believe their luck in getting on the trial. She said: “I was making the breakfast when I got the phone call from the team at Seattle Children’s Hospital. “They wanted to get the important news to us that her sample was clear of leukaemia. The ‘all-clear’ revelation was explained when Sarah rang the T Cell (white blood cells) team back later to discuss her MRD bone marrow test. MRD (Minimal residual disease) are the small numbers of leukaemia cells that remain in the bone marrow after treatment - which are the major cause of the disease returning again. But when she spoke to the US hospital team Sarah was stunned to be told that the pioneering treatment had been a massive success. They said her MRD test was ‘negative’, her spinal fluid was clear and there was no sign anywhere of even tiny amounts of leukaemia in her body. Sarah added: “It’s just so amazing.”
Fireworks are used to celebrate the new year around the world. Which countries have the best displays? According to Australian musician and songwriter Ash Almond, the Top 10 fireworks displays worldwide are in London, Sydney, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, New York, Berlin, Dubai, Hong Kong and Beijing. In China, fireworks are used to drive away evil, according to the website ChineseNewYears.info. Right after midnight on New Year’s Eve, fireworks are set off. It is believed that the person who launches the first firework of the new year will have good luck.
By Adam Boult
Dubai is hosting an extravagant fireworks display from Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. The event will also be live-streamed on MyDubaiNewYear.com, offering visitors the choice between three camera angles, reports the Khaleej Times. Fireworks by Grucci will feature a spectacular display at Atlantis, the Palm Hotel and Resort in Dubai. The company plans to spell “Atlantis” in the sky with fireworks. It will use the reflections of the fireworks in the water to enhance the display.. “One of their ideas is to create a shimmering red carpet, which will light up the sky as well as reflect in the water below,” wrote the Khaleej Times.
A mobile phone company has installed dispensers for "toilet paper" to be used on smartphones in the conveniences at Japan's Narita International Airport. The dispensers have been put in place in 86 toilet cubicles at the airport's arrival terminal, where they will remain until March 2017. Provided by NTT Docomo, Japan's largest mobile operator, they will be stocked with paper sheets to be used to keep phones clean.
Berlin is celebrating the new year with a festive open-air party at the Brandenburg Gate. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend. There will be an international program of live music, light and laser shows, and plenty of food and drink. Finally, more than a million revelers are expected at Times Square in New York on New Year’s Eve. They will take part in the 109-year-old tradition of watching the iconic ball drop from atop One Times Square. The New York Times reports that the famous ball is about 4 meters in diameter, or 12-feet wide, and weighs close to 5,443 kilograms, or 12,000 pounds. It shimmers because it is covered in 2,688 Waterford crystals. At midnight, revelers will watch the sky above New York City ablaze with fireworks. Some cities will not be celebrating the new year with fireworks. Belgium cancelled its traditional fireworks display in central Brussels due to fears of the continuing terror threat.
The sheets also bear messages welcoming visitors from overseas, and offering information on how to connect to Docomo's WiFi service. The company said the service was a response to findings that smartphone screens have been found to carry more than five times the amount of germs of a toilet seat. Docomo also published a light-hearted video demonstrating how to use the sheets - along with other information to help visitors get to grips with the hi-tech public toilets they are likely to encounter in Japan. According to a 2013 study by Ofcom, 11 per cent of Britons admitted to viewing video content on a phone, tablet or laptop while in the bathroom. The figure was 20 per cent among 18 to 24 year-olds. Which? has conducted a number of swab tests on mobile phones that have revealed "hazardous" levels of germs that can cause vomiting and diarrohea and even infections such as e.coli. The organisation has urged people to keep their devices clean by using antibacterial wipes.
CAPRIVI STRIP
You can see elephants just 1 hour of driving from Windhoek - at Okambara Ranch near Witvlei
The inhabitant of the Namib desert, the fossil plant Welwitschia Mirabilis has a lifespan of up to 2000 years.
The Republic of Namibia has been the first country to include protection of the environment in the Constitution of the country.
The Caprivi Strip is a narrow strip of land between Botswana on the south, Angola and Zambia to the north, and Namibia’s Okavango Region to the west. The Caprivi is the wettest region in Namibia with its high rainfall and a number of major rivers like the Okavango, Kwando and Zambezi. The abundance of water sustains a large variety of animals, including a large population of elephants. The wildlife is being protected in four reserves. There are no fences however, so the animals can roam freely across the borders of the neighboring countries.
Approximately 13.6 percent of the country's surface area is protected, either as a nature reserve, recreation area or game park. On the last Sunday in August every year members of Herero community gather in small town Okahandja to pay respect to their heroes fallen during colonial times and independence struggle.
A crocodile can't stick it's tongue out. A shrimp's heart is in it's head. People say "Bless you" when you sneeze because when you sneeze,your heart stops for a mili-second. In a study of 200,000 ostriches over a period of 80 years, no one reported a single case where an ostrich buried its head in the sand. It is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky.
One-hundred-and-fifty-five Santas safely landed in Australia on Sunday during an official Guinness World Records title attempt for the Most tandem parachute jumps in eight hours. Experience gift retailer RedBalloon organised the challenge in Wollongong, Australia as part of their Christmas marketing campaign. The company had partnered with children’s cancer charity Camp Quality, inviting involved families and volunteers to dress up as Father Christmas and take part in the festive once-in-a -lifetime challenge. The event raised an incredible total of $5,000. Participants with Guinness World Records adjudicator Lucia Sinigagliesi Nick Baker, RedBalloon CEO, was ecstatic about achieving a new world record: “We broke the Guinness World Records title for the world’s largest surf lesson last year and had such a blast that we wanted to do something even more thrilling this year. It’s becoming a bit of a RedBalloon Christmas tradition. “RedBalloon is all about creating moments and that’s something we definitely achieved today. We hope that each and every participant had fun and relished the opportunity to tick skydiving off their bucket list, and leaves today with another great Christmas memory,” he added. Camp Quality Regional Manager - ACT/Illawarra Sonia Cameron said: “We loved being a part of this very special Guinness World Records event and it was great to see the smiles on the faces of our Camp Quality families.” Last year 320 Aussies celebrated their summer Christmas by taking part in the Largest surfing lesson, hosted by RedBalloon.
MATERIALS YOU NEED: Empty plastic beverage bottle (the wider the better) Craft knife Scissors Colored paper (1 sheet orange, 1 sheet blue) Pencil Craft glue Transparent tape Hole punch Paintbrush Ear templates (do it yourself) 4 wood beads Orange acrylic paint INSTRUCTIONS: Peel label off clean, empty bottle. Use craft knife to cut a 1 1/2" x 1/8" wide slot (for inserting coins) in bottle, about midway between top and bottom. Use scissors to cut a strip of orange paper long enough to wrap around bottle and same width as bottle label. Wrap paper around bottle and use a pencil to trace over slot in bottle. Unwrap paper and cut slot with craft knife. Use scissors to cut out ear and inner-ear templates. Place ear template on orange paper and trace around. Repeat for other ear. Cut out. Place inner-ear template on blue paper and trace around. Repeat. Cut out. Fold ears at tab. Position ears along edge of paper band, about 1" to each side of slot. Tape tabs to back of paper band. Wrap band with ears around bottle, aligning slots on bottle and paper. Overlap ends of band and tape seam. Trace around bottle cap on orange paper. Cut out and glue to cap. Use hole punch to make 2 blue circles. Glue to bottle cap. For eyes, use hole punch to make 2 circles of either color. Glue them to bottle. Or, cut 2 dimesize circles out of contrasting paper and glue hole-punch circles to them; glue larger circles to bottle. For legs, paint beads and let dry. Glue to "belly" side of bottle.
NAMPOL TRAFFIC NUMBERS WALVIS BAY SWAKOPMUND HENTIES BAY KARIBIB OMARURU CITY POLICE
081 333 0449 081 202 8391 081 657 0704 081 711 9482 081 657 0703 061—302302
OTHER EMERGENCY NUMBERS LIFELINK NAMIBIA E-MED RESCUE ST GABRIELS COM AMBULANCE EAGLE CHRIST. AMBULANCE WINDHOEK STATE AMBULANCE SWAKOPMUND STATE AMBULANCE WALVIS BAY STATE AMBULANCE
085 900 081 924 085 955 085 933 061-2033282 064-4106000 064-216300