Activities @ MindSay

The city of Chicago is regarded a splendid place in the United States which has numerous means of entertainments for its tourists. Tourists from all over the world would like to come to this perfect gateway of entertainment where they spend their time in relaxation and fun filled weekends makes their movements of life memorable.

There are variety of activities including wonderful photographs and picturesque places to visit. In Chicago, tourists would like to enjoy different types of amenities like barbeques, hot tubs bath, movies shows and fire places. Chicago entertainment offers a great deal of recreational activities for the families as there are some amusing places for the enjoyments of the children.

Chicago has distinguished name among the historic cities of the world where tourist can find variety of theaters constructed in world's most beautiful historic style. Chicago Theaters represent histories that trace the path of Chicago's history from the Chicago fire to the present. Different types of programs and shows like political conventions, sporting events, and the Auditorium opera to rock and roll are presented that leave great influence on the minds of visitors.

There are numerous tourists site in Chicago that always attracts the tourists from round the globe. Chicago tourists’ sights are numerous in numbers that is unable to view for the visitors in one trip. Chicago is the place where there are many lakes, beaches and parks that are the main source of Chicago outdoor activities. Tourists enjoy the pleasures of camping and the fishing in great deal with their families.

That's what they have planned as the fun activity today for my son's camping experience. I meant to ask what they had for him to do tomorrow during the pudding slide, but I will have to remember to ask when I go to pick him up later. I had to give him a change of clothes, goggles, and a bandana for his face today. I didn't want him coming home covered from head to toe in flour *ew*. He was saying he didn't want to participate, but I know once he sees everyone else having fun, he will change his mind. I hope he doesn't come back saying he wants to have a flour fight here LOL.

   Autism has always been a primary concern of mine after experiencing what Autism can do to people of all ages during my previous law enforcement career. This is also a very important medical condition that needs immediate attention, exposure and more support from everybody in the world. Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or to play during activities.

   One should keep in mind however, that autism is a spectrum disorder and it affects each individual differently and at varying degrees - this is why early diagnosis is so crucial. By learning the signs, a child can begin benefiting from one of the many specialized intervention programs.

   Autism is one of five disorders that falls under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by "severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development."

The five disorders under PDD are:

• Autistic Disorder
• Asperger's Disorder
• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD)
• Rett's Disorder
• PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)

   Each of these disorders has specific diagnostic criteria which been outlined in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR).

Prevalence of Autism

   Autism is the most common of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders, affecting an estimated 1 in 150 births (Centers for Disease Control Prevention, 2007). Roughly translated, this means as many as 1.5 million Americans today are believed to have some form of autism. And this number is on the rise.

Based on statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and other governmental agencies, autism is growing at a startling rate of 10-17 percent per year. At this rate, the ASA estimates that the prevalence of autism could reach 4 million Americans in the next decade.

   Autism knows no racial, ethnic, social boundaries, family income, lifestyle, or educational levels and can affect any family, and any child. A child or adult will generally act out emotionally when attempting to speak or in watching TV or video programs. Presently there is a world of programs actively working on Autism treatments and cures.

   And although the overall incidence of autism is consistent around the globe, it is four times more prevalent in boys than in girls.

What Parents of Children with Autism have to say ...

http://www.babybumblebee.com/autism.htm?gclid=CLidk-m4xJACFQSOFQoddl0UWQ

 

In recognition of Memorial Day, I'd like to offer you a couple opportunities to demonstrate your support for the troops.   This is not a politicial issue.  It is a human issue.

 

 

 

        

 

 

Armed Services Blood Program 

 

I encourage each of us to do something, to get involved in our local communities, to put our energy, our time, and our finances to work,

Not so much in support of our government as to support ourselves.

Feeling rather better today. Still tired, and a new addition of being freezing all the time, but this may be the best I've felt all week. My thanks to anyone who's been praying for me.

As usual, talking with Knuter helps me see what I could be doing differently and better. As usual, I'm stubborn enough that it doesn't quite sink in for a few days.

I was already planning to be dropping a few activities from my life, but it's becoming clear which ones I'm wasting time on, and I think that's God's doing. I'm reading The Purpose-Driven Life right now, and there was a point made last week that had never occurred to me. It's very likely that I'm doing too much, and that all that I'm doing is actually distracting me from what God wants me to be doing with my life.

This is completely backwards to my way of thinking. I always admired my sister, who skillfully balances a full social life, scads of musical endeavors, a flawless academic performance, her athletics, and occasionally a serious relationship, and wished that I could do all that. But perhaps that isn't the goal. I was thinking that the more things I do, the more things I'll be able to do. Therefore, the more versatile I'll be, and therefore God will be able to use me better.

Wow. Just reading that, realized how arrogant that is. I seem to have this issue with trying to make plans for God to use, instead of the other way around. Somehow, I think he knew exactly what he was doing when he made me, and the fact is that he may have more use for a hairbrush than a Swiss Army Knife. Learning to wait on him is my big challenge right now - I have all these plans I want to put into action. I have to let go of them - past experience has shown that whatever he's got in mind is invariably better than the feeble attempts at grandeur I make.

Anyway, I knew I'd probably be dropping a number of things come fall, but it's becoming clear (and once again, I'm thinking it's God illuminating this - my own bullheadedness likes to take a particular path and refuse to abandon it, even if it goes straight into the ground at the end) how much I'm doing that I really don't need to be doing. FCC's band and choir aren't really helping me grow as either a musician or a person, and I'm not helping them a great deal, either. When they were short for saxes and altos last year it was the right place, but we're different people right now. I don't feel like I belong with this group of musicians - I'm usually frustrated there, and the relationships that were present in the past have faded.

I've come to the conclusion that I will definitely be working while I'm at college. I've come to the conclusion that I'll need to be working not less than ten hours a week, and not more than 15, probably only thirteen. I'm not going to freak about my tuition, I'll just do the best I can with what I've got to work with, and count on God to put the pieces together.

FCC's show choir and Jazz Band are both out, too. Church choir's a difficult one...I don't quite feel like I belong there, but I also feel that there's a reason for me to be there. Not making any decision on that one yet.

None of this would take effect anytime soon - I'm rather committed until the end of the semester on most of them. But it's interesting. I tried this, and realized that it wasn't what I needed or wanted. My sister can have her scheduled insanity, as can Knuter and my other overachieving friends (Knuter isn't quite as nutsy as my sister). Me, I'm still looking for what's right, and I'm counting on God to lead me to it.