In the desert in Peru, there are lines on the ground called Nazca lines. The Nazca people made them years ago. The Nazca lines form pictures that you can see from the air, and some of them are very complicated. Some people have claimed that the Nazca lines were made as landing strips for alien spaceships, but these lines are not proof of aliens.
Believers ask why the Nazca lines are there, as if the best reason why people would make these lines is for aliens spaceships. But lots of scientists say that people could have used the lines for rituals. Maybe if it didn't rain, the Nazca people walked through the lines to get rain gods to make rain, for example.
Believers also say that the Nazcas couldn't have made the lines, since the pictures can only be seen from the sky. That's not true. You can draw a small picture, and then measure it to enlarge the drawing on the ground.
The simplest explanation for something is usually the best one. Is it simpler that people held rituals or that they knew aliens? Is it simpler that people drew a large picture from a small picture or that they were directed by aliens? Since there are lots of good explanations for the Nazca lines, there's no reason to say they are proof of aliens.
Hi, Curtis. I think this is really good, except the writing seems a little awkward and maybe choppy, too. Maybe you could have some better transitions or combine sentences. Like, it says "In the desert in Peru, there are lines on the ground called Nazca lines. The Nazca people made them years ago." Maybe it could say, "Years ago in the Peruvian desert, the Nazca people made mysterious lines on the ground, called Nazca lines." Do you kinda see what I mean?
Picture a proud, hip man of the streets, walking through his hood. The people stop and look as he walks by. He's wearing a purple hat, fitted close to his head that tells everyone what his pride is: 'serious brainz.' This is a Hoodz hat. Hoodz is a creative, down-to-earth, street-wise clothing business that makes designer hats for a hip young market, and because its products are low-cost and high-demand, Hoodz is a great investment opportunity.
What is so unique about Hoodz hats? Hoodz hats are creative; they can make you laugh, think, and, of course, look fine. Hoodz hats state who you are; they let you express yourself because they give you a choice of designs. Hoodz hats are from the streets; they show real urban life. The creator of Hoodz is Curtis Jackson. His life is the streets, so he is bringing urban style to his hats. A baseball-style cap saying "Serious Brainz Under This Hat" reveals the minds at work beneath inner-city clothes. The Hoodz fedora brings serious style, and the "Mind Control Protection" hat is not just a joke. It shows that the person wearing it has his own mind. As Hoodz grows, we will also be able to create custom Hoodz with your own message about who you are. Hoodz is more than just a hat business. It gives each person an individual flair.
Hoodz is all about the individual, and everyone is an individual. Because Hoodz make a statement about who you are, all kinds of people will want to buy Hoodz hats. The styles are for both men and women, and with the low cost and high style, students and young people will want to buy Hoodz. These are the people who want a new, urban style and who want to express their ideas.
Hoodz founder Curtis Jackson often wears a Hoodz hat with tagger graffiti marks One day a stranger offered him fifty dollars for it. The production cost for Hoodz is $2.00 per hat, and low-end hats in stores surveyed cost around $8.00. The suggested price of Hoodz is $9.50 per hat, a $7.50 profit--and a great value for a hat that one guy thought was worth $50. The low price of Hoodz will make this a hat everyone can afford--and everyone will want one. The profis are high because the hats are cheap to make. How does Hoodz make high style cost less? The designs--colors, words, and images--are creative. Instead of having more shapes of hats, Hoodz makes the most of each shape, lowering costs of making them.
The old fashion was only for a few rich people who could afford French designs. "But underneath French fashion's broad brim was a sinking industry, outmoded and out of touch," says Teri Agins in the book The End of Fashion. Hoodz defines the new fashion--for all kinds of people. Instead of being outmoded, Hoodz is on the cutting edge. Instead of being out of touch, Hoodz is in touch with real life. Like the hat say, Hoodz is about serious brainz--and style. In every sense of the word, Hoodz is smart.
Hoodz represent a new kind of hat. They're smart hats because they bring out your style and because they bring out your brains. Hoodz make a statement for who you are.
The Hoodz Bling hat is shining with gold--to show the world how you shine!
The Hoodz Brainz hat declares to the world: I've got more than just great looks, I've got a great mind!
The Hoodz Graffiti hat takes the symbols of the street and becomes your personal tag--declaring your identity.
The Hoodz Mind Control hat keeps what's yours, yours. What's in your brain is nobody else's business!
The Hoodz Fedora updates the slick fedora hat to an outstanding, bright color--to show that you stand out from the crowd.
Every individual--with an individual style and flair--will want a Hoodz hat! So order Hoodz hats for your store today.
Mark Twain said, "What work I have done, I have done because it has been play." We each spend a lot of time working, and I believe that it's best for everyone--workers and businesses--if a person is enthusiastic about her job. For me, working at your company is an opportunity to have a job that I love. The job of assistant to Mr. Milford sounds like the perfect opportunity for me to use my strong office and people skills, and I believe I'd be a valuable employee for you, meeting your needs for an organized, responsible, and reliable employee.
My current job requires excellent organizational skills. I track the schedules for 10 employees, which shows that I have the necessary skills to keep a calendar and maintain appointment schedules. I also have experience tracking sales and inventory information, since I maintain the store's inventory and sales database.
Good organizational skills require good office skills, like managing an inventory database. I am computer literate in spreadsheet, word processing, and Internet software as well, and I have written letters and memos for work, including a memo to all store managers outlining ways to better meet customer needs. I am willing and able to perform any necessary office duties. Because of this quality, I have picked up new duties over time at my current job by pitching in whenever I'm needed.
Beyond that, I have good people skills. I deal with a lot of people in my current job, including distributors as well as customers and employees. I help solve problems every day. For example, a customer was unhappy because we were out of a sale item. I spoke with her and explained our policy, and I gave her a discount coupon as well as a raincheck. Because I took time to listen to her and talk with her, she was happy with our store when she left.
Treating people well is just one part of being a responsible and reliable employee. I have worked at the same company for many years, and I have taken on additional responsibilities over time, including acting as a temporary manager. Even as my responsibilities have grown, I have grown with them, acquiring new skills and doing everything required of me. I'm looking for an opportunity to do even more.
I'm not writing this letter because I need a new job. Instead, I want a new job--one where I can use new skills and enjoy my work. I believe that the position of assistant to Mr. Milford is the job I am looking for. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to apply to this position, and I hope to meet with you soon.
Elizabeth Strong 1234 Main Street Small Town, IN 12345
April 5, 2007
Ms. Tabitha Jones Happy Chimney Sweeps P.O. Box 54321 Small Town, IN 12345
Dear Ms. Jones:
I was excited to read about the job of chimney sweep in the newspaper. My name is Elizabeth Strong, and I am looking for an opportunity to use my growing skills. Cleaning chimneyssounds like the perfect job for me.
I have always enjoyed cleaning and working outside. Raising two sons and taking care of my house, I learned a lot about properly maintaining a home. I also have experience cleaning at my job, and I can do physical work and move large items. My résumé gives more details of my work experience and shows my reliability and consistency.
I have been working on improving my skills and studying to earn my GED. I am looking for new opportunities to advance higher, and what is higher than the rooftops?
Thank you for considering me for this great job. Please contact me at the phone number on my résumé to set up an interview. I'm looking forward to meeting you and talking more about becoming a chimney sweep.
Much of my life has been about caring for other people. I cared for my husband and my children. Now, I am on my own. I need to care for myself and think about who I am. The GED is my first step toward my goal: finding something meaningful to do with my life.
This goal is not as clear-cut as goals like becoming a nurse or a pharmacist. However, defining what the goal means is part of the goal. The first step I will take is to try to understand what it most meaningful to me. Do I want to work toward a greater social good? Should I concentrate on bringing small pleasures to people?
Once I understand my priorities, I need to look for an activity that will work with my priorities. This may mean finding a new career, or it may mean finding volunteer work to fit into my life. Either way, the skills I've learned while studying for my GED will help me write a resume, apply for positions, and talk with people.
I look forward to using my growing skills in something that I find fulfilling. I am happy to have spent my life caring for my family, and I am equally happy to now have time to pursue new interests. Defining those interests is a journey that is just beginning.
How many aliens does it take to make a lasagna? None! Aliens don't make lasagna because they like pizza! Since alien pizza is the best pizza in the universe, I'm gonna give you two types of recipes, alien head pizza and UFO ship pizza. These two recipes show you how to make pizza meals that are delicious, fun, easy to make, and totally extraterestrial!
Imagine a green alien face... and from it come the delicious smells of garlic and cheese! That's alien head pizza--little green pizza men that are great for a snack or meal.
Alien Head Pizza --6 English muffins --1 cup pesto sauce --1 cup baby spinach leaves --1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese --garlic powder to taste --24 unsalted almonds
1. First, cut the English muffins in half. 2. Cut the sides of the muffins to shape them like alien heads. 3. Put pesto sauce, half the cheese, the spinach, and then the rest of the cheese on the English muffins. 4. Sprinkle the muffins with garlic powder. 5. Bake the pizzas on a cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, until the cheese is gooey! 6. Put almonds on top to be alien eyes.
When you need a full-size pizza; think of flying saucers. UFO ship pizza is the aliens' favorite. Romombulus says, "It's out of this world!" It looks like a real UFO, with extra gooey pizza goodness!
UFO Ship Pizza --1 large round roll, about 5" --3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese --1-1/2 cups pizza sauce --1 cup sliced mushrooms --1 cup sliced olives --1 prebaked pizza crust
1. Cut a round hole in the bottom of the roll and hollow it out. 2. Spoon some sauce into the hollowed-out roll and fill with mushrooms, olives, and cheese. 3. Put the filled roll, round side up, on top of the pizza crust to make a UFO. 4. Spread the rest of the pizza sauce all over the crust and on top of the bread. 5. Spread half of the cheese on top of the pizza sauce. 6. Spread the mushrooms and olives on top of the cheese. 7. Put the rest of the cheese on top! You can never have enough cheese! 8. Bake the UFO at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
For a special alien pizza party, you can serve a UFO ship pizza complete with a batch of alien head pizzas. Even non-believers will like alien pizza as a Halloween treat. Besides, October is national Pizza Month, so in honor of the great food of pizza, try your own alien pizza at home! Just follow the recipes, and you'll have a totally cool pizza any time.
Why haven't you ever met your father? You almost did, once. When you were young, I received a letter from your father after he was released from jail. He said that, after going to jail, he'd changed, and he wanted to meet you. But I was afraid he hadn't changed. Roberto, I stopped you from meeting your father then because, although you are alike in some ways and your father has some very good qualities, you are also different in many ways, and I didn't want your father to be a bad influence or to hurt you. I wrote this letter, though, so when you're older you can understand my motivations.
I remember hearing that your father was in jail. I was holding the phone, talking to a friend, and suddenly it was like I couldn't hear anymore. I was pregnant with you, and I put my hand on my belly and felt you kick. I knew that this would happen, but I still was shocked. Octavio really wasn't going to be there for you--for us. Then, I knew I'd have to be the one you'd rely on for everything. He messed up his life by being in gangs and drugs. He let us down by going to jail--and it wasn't just that one thing. I couldn't count on him even before he went to jail. He thought of himself instead of thinking of me and you. He had bad friends, and he can be a very bad influence on the people around him. I looked up some information about people who go to jail at the Department of Justice website, and almost two thirds of prisoners who get out of jail are arrested again for serious crimes. I can't trust that your father won't be arrested again or go back to jail.
Still, your daddy is a part of you. You have so many of his good qualities--you're smart and funny and strong. That scares me too, sometimes. You got into some fights at school right before I got the letter from your father. It made me think how alike you were--good looking, smooth talkers, with so much potential! You both could make me so happy--and scared, too. Your father went the wrong way, and I didn't want you to follow him.
I can see your father in you, but you're still yourself--your own person. You have so many good qualities that your daddy doesn't have. You will do great things with your life, I know it. You're unselfish, with a good heart. And, though I can't trust your father right now--I know I can always trust you, because you show your love to me every day.
At the beginning of this letter, I asked why you have never met your father. I hope now you understand the reasons. Maybe, now that you're older and can understand better, you can meet with him if you want to. No matter what you decide, I'm sorry you couldn't have a better Daddy growing up. I've always wanted you to have good things, and I will always want you to have the best life possible.
I am sending you a copy of the letter that I plan to give to Roberto when he is older. I hope that it will help you understand why I do not want you in our lives right now. Your letter said you've changed, but I can't take the chance that it's not true, for Roberto's sake. I hope that you can respect my decision. Please write me back, and let me know that you will not call me anymore or try to see Roberto.
What is it I really want? Most of all, I want my son to get a good life. But what does that mean? I want him to be happy--safe--not, oh, I hope not in jail. He is a good boy, and I want lots for him. My problem--my question--is what is best for me to do, now and in the future.
To make a better life, I think we need to move. I don't know how, though, since It's so expensive. Moving is something for the future. It will take a long time, and I need to make a plan.
Before I start to think about moving, I have to think about the problem right now--I mean, what has made me start to worry in the first place. Roberto's teacher told me he was fighting at school. I went to meet with his teacher. I guess some kids have been teasing my son about having no father. This make me worry about all kinds of things. But the real problem is how Roberto can deal with other kids.
The first thing I need to concentrate on is helping Roberto deal with teasing kids without fighting. That leads me to another problem. What can Roberto say to those teasing boys? What can he do? That's my next issue to understand.
