GeckosRock

There is no doubt that Naruto is one of the biggest anime that hit the US market today, but can Naruto be educational? From its origin from a more Eastern background, animation in general has come a long way since its first inception. Starting back in the old days with the original dragon ball series where it was first created all the way to Naruto today, there have definitely been a lot of changes that have been taken place in the animation world.

The population of kids attracted to Naruto is growing by the day and I believe there is a clear reason why it is the most popular anime or cartoon here in the US today besides its artistic values in comparison with numerous cartoons that are shown in our television screen on a day to day basis. Let’s take a look our cartoon Batman for example. The plot or a single episode usually involves with a villain shown in the story and causes trouble with a certain amount of people through their special techniques. However, their evil deeds are eventually squashed toward the end of the episode as Batman saves the day. In the cartoon itself, there’s nothing wrong with it. The good prevails over evil, and the single episode is ended with a happy ending.

What the problem with these cartoons however is that they are very interpersonal and kids and teens cannot relate themselves to them. Kids nowadays are more intrigued with interactions then ever before. This is shown through the popularity of the internet and social sites such as Myspace, Facebook, Blogger. They have grown tremendously due to its fundamental pitch to allow kids to relate and connect with each another.

What has made Naruto so powerful is as an anime is that they have developed their characters so well that their ability to relate to kids is tremendous. Similar to a soap opera, we are able to see each and every single character develop in their own way. We see that the animation characters often time interact with the kids through numerous contests and promotions related to interact with the kids. This type of close and very personalized interaction, you can think of it similar to the strategy that McDonald uses to make kids feel like at home. It is no wonder that kids love McDonalds and the same way goes with Naruto.

The adult humor aside, Naruto is also very educational in my opinion. The focal point of the animation itself remains between the fight of good and evil. However it becomes educational throughout various episodes when we are provided the background of various characters. For example when we examine the life of just the main character Naruto; not only is he a below average kid, he is always the underdog in terms of his studies beside the fact that he’s also unpopular with others. The crucial point that the animators have it a success is how Naruto reacts to these oppositions. He tries even harder! Similar in our society unlike the baby boomers who in majority have worked with the corporate world for many years and an overwhelmingly amount of them have pensions and benefits to assist them after retirement, the people from Generation X are faced with even greater challenges. Besides massive layoffs and work sent overseas, the problems just keep stacking up. Along with kids that grow up nowadays, the piles of stress have pushed them toward the edge in many ways. That’s why we see kids running into the malls and shooting others all the time in our news today.

Not only does Naruto try hard in his daily training to overcome others that are smarter or have talents, the greatest success that animators have by developing Naruto Episode is by depicting how normal he really is. It implies in many ways that hardships will always come in our way and hard work will always payoff in the end. This is something that is lacking in today’s society where the richer gets richer and the poorer gets poorer. Doesn’t matter if you’re poor or rich, one must always work hard to achieve success. Obviously a little bit of luck would always help too. This is one of the only small lessons that I’ve observed in the anime Naruto, if you haven’t watched Naruto yet, you should definitely eitherwatch Naruto by yourself or with others. Who knows, you might learn something from it as well!

ASVO is a non-profit NGO which places volunteers in Costa Rica’s national parks and protected areas. ASVO’s objective is to improve the conditions and amount of volunteer work performed at a national and international level. ASVO places volunteers in national parks and other areas protected by the Ministry of Environment and Energy all over the country.

Volunteers must be of age 18 or above with minimum education of high school. Volunteers with the following special skills are preferred for the placement:-

Standard First-Aid Forestry Environmental Science Biology Data Collection Renewable Energy Statistics Organic Chemistry Swim Kayaking Wilderness First-Aid Hiking

 Volunteers can assist by doing following tasks:-

 1. Repair and maintenance of the entrance road to the sector Estación Biológica San Miguel. This work is difficult, involving moving rocks to refill the road. Some portions of the road will also use cement. 2. Repair of trails for vistors to the Puesto de Cabuya. Work here is also hard and volunteers must walk 3 kilometers every day. The work indcludes making drainpipes, fixing and building bridges. 3. Maintenance of the bridge at the entrance to the Administration Area. This bridge is located along a sharp bend and every year rocks must be moved so that the water does not harm the bridge. 4. Painting the tourist information post and the employee house. 5. Planting of native plants, maintenance of green areas, and reparation of trails. 6. Construction of the new volunteer house in the Cabuya sector. 7. Assisting at the park entrance.

 Basecamp International welcomes all the interested volunteers from around the world to volunteer and make a difference. If you are interested in this placement then please contact us for the details: Email: info@basecampcenters.com Website: www.basecampcenters.com Mailing Address 298 Bagot Street, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7K 3B4 Phone: 613.541.7862 Toll Free : 866.646.4693 Fax: 613.541.1604

The first timer would describe the astounding Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve as like strolling in an impressive green Cathedral. It truly is a wonder of Costa Rica.

Monteverde, Costa Rica, a Spanish translation for Green Mountain, is a small town in Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Even with its difficult access, it has been considered as a major tourist destination in Costa Rica. The majority of tourists are eco tourists particularly interested in the high biodiversity of the natural reserves. The most popular and frequented is the Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde.

The protected cove Monteverde rainforests feature majestic tall trees of unbelievable sizes. Orchids, ferns, vines, bromeliads, and mosses attaché themselves to these trees. Swamp forests are the sights in other parts of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, with crystal clear streams and waterfalls.

Monteverde forest hiking is a haven for all nature lovers and it even offers distinct 20 kilometer trails and reserves to the also infamous Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. This very long trail offers the chance to bird watch with naturalist guides in tours set out very early in the morning.

The varied climate has assisted the growth of an exceedingly high biodiversity with outstanding fauna including Jaguar, Baird´s Tapir, Ocelot, Bare-necked Umbrella bird, Three-wattled Bellbird, and the well-known Resplendent Quetzal.

Despite the inconvenient access to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, it has still become a major part of the Costa Rican tourist destinations. With the acclaimed rain forests and cloud forests in the greater Monteverde area, thus it was named as one of the “7 Wonders of Costa Rica” by the La Nación, a Costa Rican newspaper.

Hundreds of years ago one could stand on top of the Sneeuberg Mountains looking down over the vast open Plains of Camdeboo and witness a massif dust cloud as millions of springbok migrated to find greener pastures. Many years down the line much of the game had been hunted out and replaced with goat and sheep farming. Due to bad land management overgrazing became rife in this dry semi-desert land. Ten years ago Mark and Sarah Tompkins had a vision to recreate the original wilderness that existed in this dramatically beautiful area. They bought up 11 farms covering an area of 28 000 hectares (70 000 acres) and turned it into a nature reserve reintroducing wildlife species that existed here many years ago. This nature reserve is Samara Private Game Reserve. 

I was lucky to be invited to come and stay at this exclusive game reserve and experience this spectacular part of our country. Samara Private Game Reserve offers a wilderness experience where time stands still, inviting you to pause, breathe and reflect. It offers a charm that washes over you slowly and then steals your heart and before you know it, you’re so comfortably at home that you don’t want to leave. The exceptional service offered by the staff who go the extra mile to ensure your comfort is refreshing. To give you an example of the things they do: after a chilly and wet afternoon game drive we returned to our room to be welcomed by a hot, candle-lit bath immersed in bubbles.

Samara has won many awards over the last couple of years, the latest being “One of The 15 greatest safari experiences in Africa” Voted Harper’s Bazaar, March 2008.

Samara offers 2 superb 5 star luxury lodges. The décor is a tasteful fusion of traditional Karoo style and modern African influences. Surrounded by a natural amphitheatre of mountains, the lodges sit in perfect serenity with the reserve’s pristine wilderness. 

The lodges are booked on a fully inclusive basis, including all meals, selected drinks and the game activities in the reserve, namely: Early morning and late afternoon game drives, with the evening drive ending in a spot lit search for the elusive nocturnal Aardvark. Guided bush walks and visits to sites of historical and paleontological interest are also offered. Professional, local rangers guide all the activities. Guests are welcome to choose not to join an activity and rather relax at the lodge and take advantage of the luxury spa facilities instead.  

Your ranger will take you across vast open plains where you will discover large herds of Eland, Black Wildebeest, Oryx, Zebra and Springbok. Samara’s unique commitment to conservation and the rehabilitation of this land offers guests sightings of some of South Africa’s most endangered and elusive species, including Cheetah, Cape Mountain Zebra, Black Wildebeest, White Rhino, Blue Crane and Aardvark. One of the game drives will include a challenging 4×4 drive to the top of the plateau for that awe-inspiring view over the Camdeboo Plains. A cup of welcoming hot filter coffee prepared by your guide accompanied with a delicious cake of some sort from the Karoo Kitchen, rounds off this wonderful experience.

Back in December 2003 Samara adopted a wild female cheetah that had fallen prey to the hands of hunters. Having been through major surgery and rehabilitation at De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust she and 2 male cheetah were released to begin a new life. Sibella, as the staff at Samara lovingly call her, has now proved herself to be a capable hunter and has successfully raised 18 cubs. She plays a vital role in the rehabilitation of an endangered species. Due to the lack of other predators in the reserve, the cheetah on Samara have been able to thrive.

Some of the cheetah on Samara are collared and constantly monitored. Your guide can therefore offer you a cheetah tracking experience and if successful can allow you the opportunity of a close up sighting of this beautiful animal.

There are a number of quality game reserves in South Africa that offer a superb Big 5 game experience (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino) such as Shamwari Game Reserve or Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Samara is not one of these. It’s important to understand this before you arrive. Samara offers peace and tranquility in a spectacular wilderness environment accompanied by luxurious comfort, delectable cuisine and consummate hospitality.

 

India, the land and her people, a mere mention of the word India takes one to heights of delight and compels people from other countries to pay a visit at least once. However, the fauna is something, which is unique to this land. The source of these exotic varieties is the jungles of India, which are scattered over the geographic landscape. Then there is a wide array of about 80 national parks and countless reserved forest areas. For the people from other countries, who want to savor the very best of the jungle life and yet can’t do without the luxuries, wildlife tour India is the answer. The package provides a unique, though refreshing experience for the people from other countries. Through this package, you can get the accommodation at the wildlife resorts which have been furnished with the modern gadgets.

India is a wildlife paradise for the nature seekers and can offer anybody a chance to take a peep at its fauna. For wildlife lovers, a number of wildlife tour India packages are there to be selected from. These wildlife tours take you to many wildlife parks and sanctuaries in India. Many wildlife safari options are available which include jeep safari in the Indian jungles and elephant safari. Tiger viewing on the back of an elephant is one of the favorite activities for the adventure seekers. During the wildlife tour India, you can experience the flavors of India while putting up at various accommodations in the resorts in the jungles. One of the famous places is the Corbett National Park, which is home to the Indian tiger. Others include Bandhavgarh National park, Kaziranga National Park, Gir wildlife sanctuary and others. For centuries, India has been famous for her flora too and the Indian jungles are a sight to see. It is a treat to see so much greenery which is missing in the concrete jungles of India.

Many wildlife resorts in India have been fitted with the modern gadgets. For the tourists, this type of experience proves to be very exciting as they can now savor the luxuries of life in the midst of a jungle. The resorts have been constructed right in the middle of the reserved sanctuaries, which at times, prove to be very distracting to the animals. Though you can watch them from your window, it amounts to disturbing their space which at times, proves to be fatal. A number of incidents in recent years prove that the conflict between the beast and the man is increasing. Yet everybody knows who is to be blamed for this sorry state of affairs. Provisions should be made to re-locate these luxurious resorts far from the jungle. Wildlife tour India will then serve its purpose if the people visit these resorts and leave the animals in peace.

Wildlife tour India includes much more. Some of the packages include the viewing of tribal dances and their culture. The tribes, which have been living since ages outside these forests possess a lot of local knowledge. This includes the knowledge about the unique medicinal value of the jungle plants. You can enrich yourself with their age-old wisdom in case you want to. One more thing here. Take a good pair of boots with yourself to withstand the rough terrain of the jungle and also the mosquito repellants. At night, these will protect you from the insect bites and the infection, which you might acquire form them.

To see animals in your dream represents your own physical characteristic, primitive desires, and sexual nature, depending on the qualities of the particular animal. Animals symbolize the wild and unsophisticated aspects of you. Thus, to dream that you are fighting with an animal signifies a hidden part of yourself that you are trying to refuse and push back into your subconscious.

To dream talking animal represents superior knowledge. Its message is often some form of wisdom. Alternatively, a talking animal denotes your potential to be all that you can be.

To dream that you are saving the life of an animal, suggests that you are successfully acknowledging certain emotions and characteristics represented by the animal. The dream may also stem from feelings of inadequacy or being overwhelmed.

To see lab animals like frog, earthworm, cockroach in your dream, suggests that an aspect of yourself is being reserved. You feel that you are not able to fully express your needs and emotions. Alternatively, it suggests that you need to test with your fears, choices, and beliefs. Try not to limit yourself.

Apes:

To see apes in your dream indicates dishonesty, naughty, and falsehood. Alternatively, it may refer that you or someone have gone “ape”. You need to calm down. The ape may also refer to you wild inner nature, particularly your sexual nature

Bats:

To see bats in your dream symbolizes uncleanness, demons, and annoyances. Alternatively, bats also represent your need to leave old habits, for your present way of life no longer suits your new growth and outlook. It is symbolic of a new beginning. It may also mean that you are entering blindly into a situation. You need to evaluate the facts more carefully.

To dream of a white bat signifies death of a family member. To dream of a black bat signifies personal disaster.

To see a vampire bat in your dream represents that a person in your life may be draining you of self-confidence and / or your resources.

Bear:

To dream that you are being attacked by a bear denotes violence, overpowering obstacles and competition. You may find yourself in threatening circumstances. Alternatively, bears symbolize the cycle of life and death and rebirth. It may signal of period of introspection and thinking.

To see a polar bear in your dream signifies a new start.

Buffalo:

To see a buffalo in your dream symbolizes survival. The dream may warn that you are to leave your life path.

To see an injured or killed buffalo, warns that you must not accept any new ventures.

To see a herd of buffalo in your dream signifies harmony and plenitude.

Bull:

To see a bull in your dream signifies of a rich, prosperous, and plentiful life. Bulls are seen as immovable animals possessing much power, strong will and command.

Bulls are also symbolic of repressed sexual energies, fruitfulness and virility. To see a wild, powerful bull represents that your passion may be out of control.

Camel:

To see a camel in your dream denotes that you need to be more conservative; you are carrying too many problems on your shoulders. You tend to hold on and adhere on to your emotions instead of expressing and releasing them. You need to learn to excuse and overlook. Alternatively, it represents you potential for handling big problems, responsibilities, and burdens.

Cat:

To see a cat in your dream signifies much hard luck, deceit. However, for the cat lover, cat signifies an independent strength, feminine sexuality, creativity, and power. If the cat is aggressive, then it suggests that you are having problems with the feminine aspect of yourself.

To dream that a cat is biting you symbolizes the devouring female. You may be expressing some fear or frustration especially when something is not going as planned.

To dream that you chase the cat away signifies that you will overcome your obstacles.

To see a white cat in your dream denotes that you are going through difficult times.

To see a black cat in your dream indicates that you are experiencing some fear in using your psychic abilities and believing in your feeling. You may incorrectly associate the black cat with evil, destruction, and bad luck.

Cow:

To see a cow in your dream signifies your compliance to authority without question. It symbolizes your passive and quiet nature. Alternatively, it represents motherly instincts or the wish to be cared for. The cow represents divine qualities of fertility, nourishment and motherliness.

To see a cow with a skeleton face suggests that your mother or motherly figure in your waking life is displaying a lack of emotions. She is being unresponsive to your needs.

To see a herd of cows indicates your need to belong.

Crocodile:

To see a crocodile in your dream forewarns of hidden danger. Someone near you is giving you bad advice and is trying to influence you into poor decisions. The crocodile may be an aspect of yourself and your aggressive and snappy attitude. Or may be it reveals that you have displayed some false emotions and shedding crocodile tears.

To dream that you are chased or bitten by a crocodile denotes disappointments in love and in business.

Deer:

To see a deer in your dream symbolizes elegance, calmness, and natural beauty. It has feminine qualities and may point to the feminine aspect within you. It also represents independence and virility.

If the deer is black, then it means that you are not acknowledging or are rejected the feminine qualities in you. You may not be in tune with your feminine side.

To dream that you kill a dear, suggests that you are trying to suppress those feminine qualities.

Dog:

To see a dog in your dream indicate a skill that you have ignored or forgotten, but needs to be activated. Alternatively, dogs may symbolize intuition, loyalty, kindness and defense. Your own values and intentions will enable you to go forward in the world and succeed. If the dog is vicious and / or growling, then it signifies some inner conflict within you. It may indicate unfaithfulness and unreliability. If the dog is dead or dying, then it indicates a loss of a good friend. Alternatively, it represents a worsening of your instincts.

To dream that a dog bites your on the leg suggests that you have lost your ability to balance aspects of your life. You may be uncertain in approaching a new situation or have no desire to move forward with your goals.

To see a happily barking dog in your dream symbolizes pleasure and much social activity. If the dog is barking violently, then it represents your habit of making demands on people and controlling situations around you. It could also mean unfriendly companions.

To dream that you are buying a dog indicates your tendency to buy your friends or buy compliments / favors. Alternatively, it suggests a need for you to find companionship.

To dream that you are dressing up your dog signifies your attempts to cover up your own character flaws and habits.

Donkey:

To see a donkey in your dream signifies a lack of understanding. It also suggests that you will come upon many irritating situations.

To see a donkey carrying burdens in your dream signifies that after much patience and hard work, you will succeed in business and in love.

Elephant:

To see an elephant in your dream suggests that you either need to be more patient and understanding of others. The elephant is also a symbol of power, strength, and intelligence. Alternatively, as a creature with an shy nature, the elephant may thus be depicting your own personality.

To dream that you are riding an elephant indicates that you are in control of your unconscious and aspects that you once were afraid of.