Movie Review 'Escape Plan'

The running time is 1 hour 56 minutes.The cast includes Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Caviezel, Vincent D'Onofrio, Vinnie Jones, Amy Ryan, 50 Cent and Matt Gerald. Stallone plays Ray Breslin, a man with a certain set of skills, those being the ability to break out of any prison placed in front of him, a talent that has just awarded him and his team a $5 million contract. Breslin, as it turns out, actually wrote the book -- as in the actual, physical book -- on how to design a maximum security prison, but it seems all his knowledge is about to be used against him as his next assignment gets underway. Almost immediately Breslin's tracking chip is destroyed and his partners (50 Cent as a "techno thug" and Amy Ryan, because she probably had nothing better to do) have lost him. Breslin is on his own and a few flashes later, he's locked away in a plexiglass cage at a privately owned, maximum security prison. The key to this place, however, is that it was designed by a man (James Caviezel) who keeps Breslin's book handy at all times. That's right, Breslin has become his own worst enemy! Imprisoned under the name Portos, an assumed terrorist, Breslin eventually meets fellow inmate Emil Rottmayer (Schwarzenegger) and it isn't long before he realizes not only is this prison damn near impossible to break out of, it seems he may not be supposed to... or is he?

Question

                1.       Who is the person who had an accident so that both his legs had to be an amputated?

a)      Dale

b)      John

c)       Kevin

d)      Smith

e)      Gallina

                2.       How long he spent time at Walter Reed Army Medical Center?

a)      Two years

b)      Three years

c)       A year

d)      Five years

e)      Seven years

                3.       How old Dale Beatty now?

a)      28 years old

b)      34 years old

c)       31 years old

d)      29 years old

e)      35 years old

                 4.       What Dale Beatty previous job?

a)      Police

b)      Veteran

c)       Soldier

d)      Teacher

e)      Carpenter

                5.       What he wants for his wife and his two sons?

a)      Build a house

b)      Travelling

c)       Build a church

d)      Have another child

e)      Have a better life

                6.       Who is Dale Beatty fried?

a)      Jhon

b)      Kevin

c)       Smith

d)      Thomas

e)      Edison

                7.       Where can you see Penitentes?

a)      Argentina

b)      Chile

c)       Uruguay

d)      China

e)      Between Argentina and Chile

                8.       How are Penitentes formed?

a)      From ice towers

b)      Melted ice

c)       Snow

d)      Melted snow

e)      Water

                9.       Who is scientist who has done study in Penitentes area?

a)      Jhon

b)      Edward

c)       Liboutry

d)      James

e)      Thom

                 10.   Does Penitentes make a global warming?

a)      Yes

b)      No

c)       Maybe

d)      Not at all

e)      Maybe yes, maybe no

Making life easier for disabled veterans

Statesville, North Carolina (CNN) -- It was supposed to be a routine patrol for Dale Beatty, a National Guardsman serving in northern Iraq.

But when the Humvee he was in veered slightly off the road, his life changed in an instant.

"I remember seeing all the sand across the dash of the Humvee go up in the air. That was pretty much the last thing I remember," Beatty recalled eight years later. "And there was a big boom, lots of pain."

The vehicle hit an anti-tank land mine, flying nearly 50 feet in the air. When Beatty came to, his legs were pinned under the wreckage. Within days, both were amputated below the knee.

It was a life-altering injury, but from the beginning, Beatty had a positive attitude about it.

"For some reason, I've always been able to see how lucky I am," he reflected, noting that his injuries made it possible to wear prosthetic legs. "It's not like losing a fingernail. But ... it's just the way it has to be. I've met people that have been hurt a lot worse than me that have lived full, fulfilling lives. So there's no excuse for me not to."

Beatty spent a year recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, and he hoped to build a house for his wife and two young sons when he returned home to Statesville, North Carolina. But given his new reality -- two prosthetic legs and, at times, a wheelchair -- he wasn't sure how he'd manage it.

Dale Beatty, right, has organized help for 17 disabled veterans since 2008.

That's when a member of his church, who'd heard about Beatty's situation, took action.

He persuaded the Iredell County Builders Association -- of which he was a member -- to help Beatty build a wheelchair-accessible home with wide doorways and roll-in bathrooms. The land was donated by Beatty's father, and volunteers pitched in to help while Beatty supervised.

"The whole community helping me, and working alongside me, it was such a good feeling," said Beatty, now 34.

Throughout the construction, Beatty consulted his friend John Gallina, a building contractor with whom he'd served in the National Guard and was driving the Humvee when it hit the land mine. Gallina suffered a traumatic brain injury in the blast and was later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. While his wounds were less visible than Beatty's, he also struggled to adjust to post-war life.

When the house was finished, Beatty and Gallina decided to "pay it forward" to help other disabled veterans. In 2008, they pooled their military disability payments and started Purple Heart Homes, a nonprofit that so far has modified or helped provide homes for 30 disabled veterans in several East Coast states.

"There's thousands of veterans right here in our midst," Beatty said. "People don't realize the need that's out there."

Dale Beatty, left, and John Gallina pooled their disability payments to help other veterans in need.

In the past decade, a number of nonprofits have sprung up to help Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with their housing issues. But according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, those two wars account for only a small percent -- less than 15% -- of the entire veteran population.

Beatty's and Gallina's organization will help any disabled service member who was wounded during his or her military service, even if it was decades ago.

"The Gulf War vets have a lot of issues, and we know there are people who got hurt in Bosnia, Kosovo ... Vietnam," Beatty said. "We just wanted to level the playing field."

Dave Morrell, who lives near Beatty in Harrisburg, North Carolina, served three tours with the Special Forces in Vietnam and ultimately lost a leg because of complications from exposure to Agent Orange. When Beatty and Gallina heard that he often had to crawl into his bathroom because his wheelchair wouldn't fit through his home's narrow doorways, they decided to help.

"I'd have been happy if they could've figured a way just to widen the door," Morrell said. "To have them build a complete new addition and a whole new bathroom was unbelievable."

Purple Heart Homes, using donated labor and materials, will help any disabled veteran who is a homeowner, and all repairs are free. Beatty and Gallina know that projects such as adding ramps or renovating bathrooms can make a big difference for veterans and their caregivers.

"We want to make those changes that make their life easier, safer, just better," Beatty said.

To swing a hammer and paint a wall, it says something different than shaking your hand and buying you a drink.John Gallina, co-founder of Purple Heart Homes

Battle buddies on a new mission

Beatty and Gallina also want to help those who can't afford to buy their own home, many from the younger generation. While the organization has built a couple of houses from the ground up, it has also developed a program that moves veterans into foreclosed properties donated by banks and municipalities. The group matches a disabled veteran with each property and then partners with a community organization that can gather volunteers to renovate it.

This local support is an essential part of Purple Heart Homes. Beatty and Gallina believe that working with community members makes a big difference to veterans, who can often feel isolated and socially withdrawn.

"When you have people saying thank you (by coming) to your home to swing a hammer and paint a wall, it says something different than shaking your hand and buying you a drink," said Gallina, 34. "And that support continues once the project is done."

Demond Taylor is an Iraq war veteran who suffers from PTSD, among other things. His future home in South Euclid, Ohio, is still in the process of being renovated, but he's already feeling the benefits of the project.

"Every time I turn around, it's a new person saying hello," Taylor said. "This is the first time since I got home that I actually felt the 'thank you,' the 'wish you well.' "

When the renovation work is finished on these donated homes, the house is appraised and Purple Heart Homes will help the veteran get a mortgage for 50% or less of its value. Beatty and Gallina discovered that many veterans struggle with poor credit, so by making affordable payments on a mortgage, they are able to improve their credit score and build equity.

Beatty believes it's a solution that helps veterans as well as their communities.

The top 10 CNN Heroes of 2013

"We are putting value back into the properties by not making them free, and we are putting value into the veteran," Beatty said. "This is a hand up, not a handout."

With donations and grants, Purple Heart Homes has grown rapidly since it was founded four years ago. The nonprofit has received more than 700 applications, and it gets about four or five new ones a week. More than 100 projects have already been approved and are in the pipeline.

Beatty and Gallina say their new mission is more than just providing veterans with accessible homes; it's about encouraging communities to get involved with those who served their country.

"My great-grandfather was in World War I, grandfather was in World War II, my dad was in Vietnam. I've seen the uniforms hanging in the closets," Beatty said. "Other people have no connection. ... (We want) to just open people's eyes."

Kevin Smith is a Vietnam veteran from Newton, North Carolina, who suffered knee and back injuries in an accident aboard an aircraft carrier. For decades, he endured dozens of operations and gradually became more reclusive -- in part because he was afraid of falling down his front steps, which didn't have a handrail.

"For 35 years, no one cared," Smith said.

But when Purple Heart Homes built a wheelchair ramp in front of his home, it changed his life. The physical improvements made it easier for him to move about safely, and the goodwill gesture deeply touched Smith.

"(They) made me realize that I had value and worth and that I meant something," he said.

Now Smith socializes frequently with his neighbors and other veterans. He says it's all because of Purple Heart Homes.

"They jump-started me back into life ... (and) said welcome home," Smith said, tearfully. "It's great to be home after 40 years."

For Beatty and Gallina, their work is about giving all veterans the same level of respect.

"Regardless of when you served, where you served ... we're all the same," Beatty said. "They just need to know that somebody does care about them.

"We wouldn't leave someone behind on the battlefield. Why would we do it at home?"

Source :

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/02/14/us/cnnheroes-beatty-veterans-homes/index.html

Question :

1. Who is the person who had an accident so that both legs had to be amputated?

a. Dale Beatty       b. John Gallina          c. Kevin Smith

2. What Dale Beatty previous job?

a. Police          b. Veteran         c. Teacher

3. How long he spent time at Walter Reed Army Medical Center?

a. Two years          b. Three years      c. A year

4. What he wants for his wife and his two son?

a. Build a house        b. Travelling        c. Build a church

5. Dale Beatty, has organized help for 17 disabled veterans since 2008. (T/F)

6. Dale Beatty now 28-year-old. (T/F)

7. Dale Beatty and John Gallina collect their disability payments to help other veterans in need. (T/F)

8. In 2007, they pooled their military disability payments and started Purple Heart Homes. (T/F)

9. When Dale Beattydan John Gallina pooled their military disability payments and started Purple Heart Homes? And for what? 

10. What Beatty and Gallina done to Demond Taylor?

11. Who is suffering from knee and back injuries in an accident aboard an aircraft carrier?

12. What Beatty and Gallina done to Kevin Smith?

Last Holiday

By the turn of the year I and my sister were invited by my uncle to vacation in Pangandaran. Actually, I never planned to go to Pangandaran at all. It took almost 8 hours to reach there from our place, Bandung. After my uncle had checked-in we went to the beach. My sister looked very happy because what her dreamed to celebrate the new year at Beach come true. It was nice there my sister play sand and the waves with Azis and Alfa, they are my uncle son. I just sat there on the beach and take some photos. 

During the 3 days  2 night I stayed at the Hotel, there are not so far from the beach. When the sun began to reveal, it was beautiful scenery there. In the morning, I decided to see the sun rise, I rode my bike to get to the beach. 

In the afternoon I just lying in my bed because its very hot. My sister swam in the hotel's swimming pool. My uncle made ​​a swimming race who reached first will be rewarded, they are all still children took part in the race I was unexpected that my sister will win in the race.

As evening approached the turn of the year we all hold fuel shrimp, squid and chicken . Exactly at 12 am we saw the fireworks launch very beautiful. Many people blowing horns and set off fireworks I also participate in the fireworks. Hopefully next year I can feel as vibrant as this year's holiday with my parents. 

Penitentes

Penitentes :

One of the wonderful natural phenomenon occurring in the world

They are snow formations, occurring naturally, at very high altitudes. The snow formations are in the shape of thin and tall blades of hard ice or snow rising upwards towards the sun. Penitentes are usually formed in clusters and can vary in height anywhere from six to ten feet high.

Where can you see Penitentes?

      

Penitentes form all over the ice covered regions in Dry Andes situated above 4,000 m. Penitentes are a common sight in the regions between Argentina and Chile. The first mention of the word Penitentes is found in Darwin’s writings in 1839. He mentions how on 22 March 1835 when he was traveling to the Argentian City, Mendoza, from Santiago de Chile,he witnessed the snowfields filled with Penitentes just near the Piuquenes Pass. The locals believed the Penitentes to be the result of the strong winds prevalent in the Andes Mountains.

            The longest Andes mountain ranges, located at a height of 4000 meters, abound with forests of towering Penitentes. The Andes extends over a length of 7000km along the west of South America and include the Andean countries of Venezuela, Ecuador, Argentina, Peru, Chile, and Bolivia. The Penitentes when small resemble grasslands and when they occur in clusters of towering heights, they resemble white forests of ice. The snow formation is such that they seem to be an assembly of ice monks congregating to pray to the sun with folded hand and lost in devotion.

How are Penitentes formed?

            Scientists have done a lot of research on the formation of this natural phenomenon of ice towers. Liboutry is one of the scientists who has done much study in this area and has concluded that Penitentes are a result of differential ablation. (where snow gets evaporated).On high altitude glaciers due to the dry air, the sun rays do not necessarily melt the ice but instead can change the ice into water vapor directly through what is called theprocess of Sublimation. Some areas may sublimate more speedily than others which may result in random depressions on the smooth surface of the snow. Sunlight gets concentrated on these curved surfaces speeding up the process of sublimation in these areas resulting in the higher spikes of ice formations called the penitents.

 

            Recently scientists have argued that the presence of carbon or any other impurities lead to some absorption of sunlight and the resultant occurrence of Penitentes. If this theory is to be believed, then the glaciers could be saved from the onslaught of global warming. There are counter arguments to this claim that if the Penitentes absorb more sunlight due to the presence of carbon, they may also result in the destruction of the icebergs. Studies are being pursued in this field to discover the effect of global warming on the formation of Penitentes.

Source :

http://www.innovateus.net/content/what-are-penitentes

Gerund

1. I tried to open the lock with a paperclip.

I tried opening the lock with a paperclip.

2. I began to learn Korean.

I began learning Korean.

3. He can’t stand her to smoke in the office.

He can’t stand her smoking in the office.

4. We discussed to work at the company.

We discussed working at the company.

5. California does not permit to smoke in restaurants.

California does not permit smoking in restaurants.

6. He prefers to sit at the back of the movie theater.

He prefers sitting at the back of the movie theater.

7. My sister is out to shop right now.

My sister is out shopping right now.

8. I regret to spend so much money on shoes.

I regret spending so much money on shoes.

9. I started to study harder than before.

I started studying harder than before.

10. I remember to tell her the address yesterday.

I remember telling her the address yesterday.