Tennis; The Sport Where Fitness and Fun Meet

           By Vic Odarve

Not only that this game keeps you physically fit and mentally alert, but also gives fun and excitements. Body movements are more than ordinary exercise; burns fat and promotes healthy hearts. It also keeps the players always on alerts; ball anticipation, cat-quick reactions, and explosive power shots. Excitements draw in during individual or double competitions to both players and the tennis enthusiasts as players exhibit their hidden awesome skills. That’s tennis, the sport where fitness and fun meet.

Madonna University, Elele Campus

Tennis promotes general body movements by executing different positions; sprinting, jumping, walking, and quick actions. It develops stronger leg muscles through acceleration and side to side movements in chasing the flying ball. The short and intense burst of activities exercise lungs and actuate breathing; thus improving cardiovascular conditions. A study shows that all over workout a player burns an average of 498 calories an hour…good enough to burn fat, flatten stomach, and achieve physical fitness.

The game also keeps you mentally alert; that is, it requires tactical thinking as the game progresses… trading of forehands and backhands, slicing, top spins, and other techniques to keep your opponents off balance.  Your brain is always working on anticipation, quick reaction time, and finding strategic locations where and how to land the ball in an explosive manner… eluding the opponent’s defense. These mind-bursting activities generate connections between nerves in the brain, according to one of the study. Thus, the game keeps your mind in exercising mode all the time.

Weekend Activity

The game offers an enjoyment and excitement to both players and the spectators.  Some players display different forms of antics to draw the crowd for support and distract opponents focus on the game. Watching the players’ level of finesse and controls, power shots consistency, ball placement and depth, as the game progresses draws excitements. Keeping opponents off-balance by top-spinning, slicing, powering shots or smashing the ball gives a thrill to the fans and players alike. 

Whether you play only in a weekend with your friends, tennis provides an excellent social outlet at the same time keeps you physically and mentally fit. It is a time-efficient outdoor activity, enjoyable sport, and allows you to meet with people in the community irrespective of your age.

There is no doubt that tennis is one of the best sports for us to play. It is the sport where physical and mental fitness and enjoyment meet.

Math-Anxious Parents

By Vic Odarve

“Math is difficult. I could not get along very well with numbers. Just a set of equations and worded problems got me nervous and frightened”, exclaimed one of the parents whose daughter was at university studying engineering course. He is not alone. He may be one of the hundreds of parents following their child's math performance at university. Indeed, math is difficult and providing help our students in math is one of the parental problems.

Math notes-too difficult for parents

Faced with the growing emphasis in Math in all schools from kindergarten to diploma levels, parents must assist math assignments to their children to whatever levels they are in in the education. It is a parental responsibility to see to it that progress has been made on their studies in all the courses. It is a part of parental monitoring process in order to guide them and what part of the study they could be of help.

With the advancing technology, math expands rapidly, such that most parents are left behind. Modern math, from kindergarten to university courses, is becoming complex that most parents no longer understand the whys behind at every step in computations. In the elementary level, it goes beyond the fundamental of addition and subtraction. Algebraic and probability equations in secondary education often grow into combinatorics and number theory, and differential equations and advanced math in tertiary level are coupled with transformations. These issues are out of the parental mathematical worlds. These require deep understanding that most parents are already grasping their breath. That’s why oftentimes they ignored their child's request for assistance. Simply, it is because they do not understand as well. They could not give since they don’t have. Faced with difficulty, math anxious parents just keep their mouth shut and bite their lips in silence.

Parents must train their kids on apps from iPod, etc.

It is a parental woe. Parents look helpless. Hiring a private tutor is an option but most could not afford. They are trying to help the children in math but how. Some researchers suggest that  parents may enroll in math classes; employ learning tools such as math books or apps that may enable them to interact with the children in positive ways; and coordinate closely with the teachers on new teaching techniques and strategies. These may work, at least, to some degree.

Final Exam-Math

Math-anxious parents are common in our modern society. But math is part of our life. Whether we like it or not, we must be in good terms with math. It is time for the parents to stop saying ‘I don’t like math’. There is no day without math. It not only describes our world, but it underpins everything we do. God bless!

Final Exam and Discipline: No Copying, Please!

By Vic Odarve

Without warning, a teacher slapped the student’s face twice after being caught twisting his head to copy another student’s script during the final exam of the course. The student simply did nothing in response after seeing perhaps a million stars twinkling in heaven! In another cheating incident, the lecturer tore the script into pieces before his very eyes in the closing minutes of an exam. Scripts were nothing more than a waste thrown into a garbage can. Surely, this student failed the course! “No copying, please!” the teacher warned.

Final Exam in Engineering Math

The above scenarios are common sight during final exams. Twisting the heads to almost 360 degrees with eyes dangling a mile just to see and copy the scripts of the classmates seems an eyesore inside the exam room. Sometimes invigilators of an exam talk in a stern voice but lose and raise tempers; hence slapping of faces has acted in.  Copying is more prevalent at the last minute of the exams such that teachers can be seen confiscating scripts and tore them into pieces.  “I am not surprised by this cheating. I have seen this for so many years. It is already in our culture and these strong punishments are messages to our students during final examinations”, quoted one native professor. So be it!

Eastern and western countries have different modes of disciplining college students’ misdeeds. Scripts are merely confiscated and advised the students to go out the classroom quietly. Some schools are stricter when it comes to examination time. In China, for instance, lecturers are allowed to slap students in the face and kick out of the class. But in most countries, physical harm is to be avoided or else you will end up in a court battle. Here, we can beat students with a stick, slap their faces, and kneel before you. And they will not bring you to a court!

African University Students

But in no way cheating is pleasing to the eyes of God and mankind. Copying one’s scripts during final examination is synonymous to cheating. Whether these disciplines are an extra mile or just a quite short with the red lines established in the student’s manual, this university is not lifting her hands in defeat. Whether one is cheating or copying scripts or corrupting millions of government funds, one is certain: in the last days, we will face God face to face and be judged according to our deeds.

 "I am coming soon, bringing with me the salary I will pay for each one according to his deeds”. Rev 22:12

Glory to God in the highest. So be it!

Where to Live After Retirement

By Vic Odarve

To find a great place to live after retirement is not an easy task. Environment, climate, and cost of living should be the top priority among the concerns. Environment includes its neighborhood, crime rates, and cultural diversity. Weather, too, considering the extremes, cold and hot, often affects old age health. Living cost, for many, must be sustained. The golden age years is a life altering event; hence a place to live in must provide a great sense of joy and happiness.

Playing with kids

The environment dictates the way on how you live. And it is just a matter of your choice. It could be from rural areas to a bustling city or in the land of your birth. It depends much on your way of life… spending time in sandy beaches to forested scenic beauty or to cities nightlife. Others want to sing hymns and praises in the name of the Lord; thus devoting more in the church activities. It is getting to the part of life where we can just enjoy after retirement.

After getting a good and sound environment, extreme weather conditions must be checked. The place must not be extremely hot or cold. Temperate weather throughout the year is usually the best. Typhoons, hurricane, tsunamis, and other related weather disturbances can be a threatening scenario among older age. Weather conditions must not affect any of your health problems. Excruciating pain from rheumatisms, muscles aches, and heart problems are largely aggravated by an extreme weather.

Relatives and friends are more precious than other resources

Whether you have enough savings or investments, the cost of living could not be taken for granted. Savings and investments sometimes go wrong. Bank closures and investment misfortunes are in the mess. Usually, living in great cities, cost of living is higher than nation’s average; but for those who can afford with the lifestyle, it may set up your mood. It also has all the required amenities and is pleasantly bustling city life. Try to locate one which is the most cost effective and safest cities in the country. Select a quiet, and peaceful cities where the crime rates are impressively low. Living in rural areas, however, are not expensive as in cities and it may help well to sustain your daily needs because you do not know how long you live. Some retirees may live 100 years or more—a centenarian— a rarity, but today it is common. Whatever you have money in banks or investment, it can be sustained further by choosing your lifestyle in retirement.

Davao city,Philippines-one of the top ten safest cities in the world

You ought not to spend your life at home alone in old age! Although money can give conveniences, there are happiness and enjoyments that make your retirement life worth living. Friends, relatives, family, and good health are far more important than your large savings or investment. If by God’s will you have enough resources, learn to share with others and it will transform your life. Being a grandparent, leaving your sons and daughters and their grown up kids successful makes you feel happier.

Indeed, to find a place where to spend the twilight years is a difficult task. Like Elijah on his journey to Mount Horeb, the angel of the Lord reminded him;

"Get up and eat, for the journey is too long for you." 1 Kings 19:7

Indeed, life is a journey, nothing less. A place to live in our twilight years must be prepared.

Easter Sunday With Father Edeh

By Vic Odarve

Like all other Christians across the world, Father Edeh celebrated Easter Sunday with Eucharistic mass and charitable works. As always in the past the homily reminded the faithful, that it is the resurrection that gives life and hope to every Christian believer.

Easter Sunday at Elele, Rivers State

Jesus resurrection, an event around 2000 years ago, gives hope to people around the world  to change for a better and challenging life. They also want to resurrect their lives from the deadly trap of the evil. Some Christians are living dead! Living in the midst of corruptions in our wicked world! They are the modern Pharisees; religious outside, but rotten inside. But Jesus says, "I am the resurrection; whoever believes in me, though he dies, shall live."- John 11:25. With this reminder, Christians rebirth and change for a better. Resurrection is one of the biblical events that shape human history.

Father Edeh distributed foods and drinks

Last Easter Sunday at the Catholic Prayer Ministry, Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria, Africa, an estimated 6000 people, young and old alike, flocked to celebrate the day with a religious man they fondly called Father Edeh by the Nigerian. After a Eucharistic mass, Father Edeh prepared, packed lunch and soft drinks and distributed to everyone who attended the celebration. Thus, all the people were filled with joy.

Father Edeh has done this activity every Easter Sunday celebration of the year.  Like Mother Theresa did in the streets of Mumbai and Calcutta, he lifts and kindles the hearts of our poor brothers and sisters in Nigeria, Africa and in the process strengthens their faiths in our Lord Jesus. It’s a wonderful job. He has done what our Lord has commanded to us. Jesus says” What you have done to the least of your brothers, you have done it unto me.”He has done it.

At the Eucharistic Mass

Father Edeh is the director and Father Founder of the Catholic Prayer Ministry of the Holy Spirit of the Eucharistic Adoration Elele, Nigeria. Like most famous religious leader, he celebrates Easter Sunday on charitable works.

Math Examples that Keep Students Challenge

By Vic Odarve

Working math example and solving it in different methods, but yield the same answer, are itself a challenge. Students learn three or four math techniques with a single example. And it works; keeping students at bay!

Math workbook

This approach allows the students to learn the principles of each method of solving same examples and develop mastery. As they master the different methods, students can readily compare the results with ease and build confidence. As confidence builds up, they challenge math problems by doing themselves; hence math becomes easier and simpler. 

Solving math problems by different methods can surprise many students, even the stupid ones. Math teachers, expert in this field and speak with power of persuasion, keep students’ eyes, glue to the board; ears listen to every discussion, and silence throughout the classroom. For example, in Algebra, find the value of x in a quadratic equation by factoring, by completing the square, and by the use quadratic formula. These three methods of finding the solution work differently, but result to the same answer. This way the students learn three math principles in just one example. Furthermore, they can spot the differences, and mimic the teacher’s steps in arriving to the final answer. Students feel great, satisfied, and enjoyed by learning three different approaches. This develops mastery of the course. Of course, a surprise and challenge!

Math students

Solving single math problem and obtain the same result using different methods also allows students to check and compare the final answer; hence the process builds up their confidence. Students turn this great opportunity to learn more of the methods; increasing their math knowledge. These environments keep them changing, growing, and learning more in math; thus becoming them to be an expert. Since all the methods yield the same results, they are motivated and making great grades… one of the top class math performers. The approach does build their confidence.

Henceforth, as confidence develops, students challenge themselves in solving math exercises and problems. They practice solving math more often. Teachers, too, can apply the same technique in a higher math. For instance, last semester, a lecturer gave an assignment to his students as a follow up in a classroom discussion, shown below;

Solve the Differential Equation    y’ -2y = 0,           y (0) =1.   Find y (0.8)      by

a) Ordinary Differential Equation method

b) Laplace Transform

c) Power series

d)  Euler’s method with n = 4.

One exercise, but to be solved by four different methods!

What were the results? Some students came to the office smiling and showed their solutions confidently; others wanted to discuss how they got their final answer. Sounds great and fulfilling!

Engineering students

The experience teaches lessons that will never be forgotten; the process builds strong math students to prepare for international competitive careers. That’s why some teachers notice that all workbook exercises left for the students to work out as homework have been solved with incredible correct solutions and approaches. Some solved by three or more methods with accuracy. It is a perfect challenge! It all begins with single math examples.

Math is difficult but teacher gives illustrative example that looks like hitting three or four birds with one stone!

Loosen Your Toxic Friends

                    By Vic Odarve

If they amplify problems to your life instead of giving solutions, it is now time to loosen these toxic friends; they are opportunistic, disrespect, and insecure.

Toxic friends are opportunistic; looks so pitiful and sorrowful when asking help. But once your help is over, he abandons your friendship and never looks back. He is on your side when you have something to give, and do opposite when you have nothing to share. He never feels obliged to render help when you need him most.

Loosen your toxic friends

They treat your friends with disrespect. They exploit the mistakes of others, even pointless; often make unsolicited remarks about others shortcomings during group meetings, acquaintances, and associations. They want your friends to become a target of ridicule for a sole purpose of propagating jokes; make them as a source of the enjoyment. It is their pleasure to see their friends committing mistakes or misfortunes. But if somebody will do the same to them, say, joke on their error or mistake, they will confront the person like a wounded tiger. If your friend does this to others chances are he will not respect you too. A good friend will treat everyone with respect.

Friends together

Toxic friends are jealous and insecure. He cannot sleep comfortably if he cannot fit your new iPhone, iPads, I-pods, etc. He feels being left behind. In a society, where bigwigs and famous personalities are adorned, they also want to be the chosen, the beloved, and the esteemed. If they failed, the natural instinct is to tear the friends down. Though act as a good friend in the daily meeting deep down in his heart he feels devastated that you’ve overtaken him in some areas of your life. These friends take the pride in relating how he did successfully in some illegal activities, putting their friends down, and idolize the corrupt and famous personalities.

If these telltale signs are clear to you it may be the time to loosen your partnership with them gradually. If you could not ward off getting rid of the group association for some reasons, the best way is to minimize your acquaintances.

Friends are like sunsets. It has an end.

These demonstrate the dark sides of human nature. Toxic friends may just bring you heartaches, sickness, and endless misery. It may bring you unwanted drama in your life and may end yourself in a disaster. Spend with your friends, which you think are your model whose solid character as true friends brings you a positive outlook in your life. These toxic friends wicked and living in the darkness must be loosened. The Bible tells us so, 2 Corinthians 6:14-15

14 Do not make unsuitable covenants with those who do not believe: can justice walk with wickedness? Or can light coexist with darkness,

15 and can there be harmony between Christ and Satan? What union can there be between one who believes and one who does not believe?

 Get rid of toxic friends. Cut them loose! They are not meant to be a member of your tribe. Toxic friends drag you down.

Copy Blindly and Understand Later

                                        By  Vic  Odarve

Failed to understand and behind in a math discussion? Just copy blindly and understand your notes later.

This is an engineering student’s way of life – abounds of mathematical theorems, formulas, principles, transformations, and a lot more. What a life! So, anybody would like to become an Engineer? And adding to the pain, once students behind in a discussion, teachers just told them boldly,” Just copy blindly and understand it later”. Copying without understanding? That’s it. This is the picture painted inside the classroom. The lecturer did no longer explain the details of the steps on how the previous course of mathematical principles and techniques are done. “These steps are supposed to be learned in your previous course, and the class is running out of time,” lecturer told the students. That’s why students who did poorly in the previous math are frustrated. Sounds hopeless? Not at all; just copy blindly and understand the notes later!

Math lecturer

 Copying blindly simply means noting down whatever the steps the lecturer has done in the classroom, even without complete understanding on what you have copied. This is the common scenarios in an engineering classroom. The lecturer is a lecturer and nothing more. He knows how to weigh things, whether to review or not, otherwise he will be behind or may not complete the topic before the semester ends. So as a result “just copy blindly “. It is the students’ initiative; teaching them that to become an engineer is not a bed of roses. Math professors like Einstein, work and solves worded problems lightning speed that only few can fully understand. Since math is like a ladder and if students had poor performance in their previous courses, this time it takes its toll. As a result, students just copy without understanding. But this is a significant step…first step to develop how the students can catch up the tremendous pressure to pass the course.

Madonna University

However, this scenario is not so horrible. This message” copy blindly and study later” encourages the students to study more. This means that students must revisit their notes and lessons after the class. The phrase “understand later” lingers in their memory urging them to review on what happen to their notes or else next meeting they do the same.... Copy blindly and completed the bachelor’s degree in six to eight years instead of five. Most often students will find that after a little review in a discussion that initially baffled them will all of a sudden make sense. Thus, like a gravitational pull exerted by dark energy in the expanding universe, “copying blindly and understand later” challenges the students.

Copy blindly and study later

Subsequently, the students develop a habit of opening the notes and review everything there on what was discussed by the teacher every after the classroom session. Believe it or not, that slowly and surely, the students develop the habits of doing these practices every after the class session. The turn of events is now clear: students find themselves loving mathematics! The phrase “copy blindly and understand later” becomes the thing of the past.

When the Baby Smiles

When the Baby Smiles

By Vic Odarve

When a baby smiles, it brings more than a smile. It is a smile that develops a feeling of attachment and bonding. Unlike all other smiles, a smile from a child is more powerful and appealing. It is contagious, that is, it has an ability to make others also smiling. Children are gifts from God and their smile captures the tenor of your day.

A smile can change your mood of the day

When a baby smiles we can’t help but smile back at them. There is something strange developed within your heart; a feeling of connection and bonding. This sensation plays an important role in their development. They felt secure and safe. Smiles are their way of communications and relay some important information. Your payback smile, too, helps the babies learn and understand about the world around them. Thus, slowly and surely, connection and bonding develop…a bond more powerful when two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons form a molecule.

Innocent smile

What makes their smiles more powerful and enchanting are their innocent and fascinating faces to look at. Their simple, sincere, and straightforward smile can attract more than admiring looks. Their cheeks rise and the skin around their eyes bunches up…a true feature of a true smile. Their smiles are also bliss for all those seeking happiness of other people. Unlike adults whose smiles are often fakes and superficial, children offer perfect smiles. Going back to our old pictures while we were still young and carefree, and eager to explore the world is itself a source of entertainment. Our smiles, then, were once powerful and fascinating… showing to the world our innocence!

Children have an ability to make others also smiling. Their gestures and smiles are very interesting, especially to observe if they are doing funny things in a crowd. It can make your day smiling and forget the daily toxic stresses. It alters your depressive mood to happier one and sets the tenor of your day. “To see the kids' smile on their face, it brings a smile to my face too," said Hagler, who has been involved with the

Young and carefree

foundation for children for over a decade. Over the long term, smiling can have a positive effect on our well-being; improve our health, perception at work, social life, and feel happier and less stressed. A good smile can help release emotions, especially those emotions that might bottle up inside our heart.

Therefore, children’s smiles are something that connects us together to their world; so unique and interesting that it makes also others smiling. Their smiles are more than a smile! 

Simple Joys That Nature can Offer

By Vic Odarve

Mother Nature has, and always be, offers her inexpensive entertainment. From the forested land and mountains, an orchestra of birds doing choir. In the sky, canopy of clouds is drifting above our heads doing a military drill and at night stars are twinkling in unison like an entertainment in the heavens. Back to our sandy beaches and rivers, beautiful sights will stick in your mind for the rest of your life. Nature has, and forever be, gives pleasures free of charge to everybody!

Dining at Floating restaurant in Loay,Bohol

It is always a joy to visit farms with our family and kids as weekend retreat area. Nearby are mountains, dense forest, and a pristine river. What we do there! Feel the earth. We feel like walking through mist and clouds along the mountain ranges, meet all the fairies and magical creatures, and watch the birds doing orchestra along the canopies. By remembering our good old childhood days, it is sort of feeling that cannot be captured on camera and more than the old pictures hanging on the wall.

Mayana Village, panoramic view - borders Boctol and Bangwalog

During daytime, clouds can be seen drifting above our heads. At nighttime, it is a joy to see the canopy of stars twinkling in all the heavens; stretching like an enormous spider’s web scattered in all directions across the vastness of the cosmic ocean. Feel the presence of our Creator; we owe our lives to these stars. By thus doing, we feel the joy the Nature gives.

Walking alone or with your love ones along the sandy beaches or take a ride on a floating restaurant alongside in a river is a joy by itself; spend some moments watching fireflies at the banks of a river or the thrill of observing trees decorated with bird’s nests or dined with your family seeing the

Tree flowered bird's nests

beautiful panorama underlining the river upstream open our eyes to the outside world. For a moment, we feel the tranquility of our lives from the toxic city life.

As we see it, Natur gives pleasure free of charge to everybody; from forested lands and mountains, clouds and stars, to sandy beaches and rivers. It is all given unconditionally… to the poor, the rich, and the mighty! 

Manny Pacquiao; the Last Frontier for Mayweather

By Vic Odarve

The fight is on! Both fighters have agreed on May 2, 2015!

Pacquiao has been an eyesore for Mayweather; a hindrance to his fame and glory; and his last frontier to cement his 47-win without a single loss to his record. For more than five years, boxing enthusiasts see Pacquiao as the legitimate contender- an eyesore to Mayweather. By all indications, a win in this fight puts Mayweather as the best welterweight boxers on this planet; hence this fight is the last frontier to cement his legacy.

Pacquiao vs Mayweather

Yes, an eyesore! To date Pacquiao keeps on winning after three fights among the best in his division… a picture difficult to ignore by Mayweather who is also on the same division. This megabout for this two pound for pound kings on the division has been a fight the boxing world has been clamoring for the past five years.

A win will catapult Mayweather to the best welterweight fighters of this generation. That is why Pacquiao would be his last frontier in boxing profession before retiring for good. But if Pacquiao wins, history puts him the honor and record as a boxer who beat Mayweather… tainting his zero loss record.

De la Hoya after the fight

Predictions on who will win this blockbuster fight are difficult. Mayweather is the defensive specialist, while Pacquiao is a punching machine with power. Many boxing analysts claimed Mayweather have many advantages; from the heavily built body, defensive boxing prowess, and able to read and adjust his game at early stage and exploit the weaknesses of his opponents. Pacquiao, on other hand, maybe one of the most versatile southpaws; with power punches deliver in uncanny angles, can move in and out, and exhibit faster hand speed.

A few years ago, my prediction for Pacquiao fights against De La Hoya and Margarito was terribly wrong. I believed that both de la Hoya and Margarito, with bigger frame and possess a track record as one of the best punchers won those fights. Instead, both were pulverized by the speed and the power of the smaller Pacquiao. But, that time Pacquiao was in the prime of his career!

Margarito after the fight

Today, it would be difficult to predict the outcome. It would be on May 2 the protagonists will give their best in the ring. This would put an end to a question on who is better among these two boxing superstars.  And who will win! Nobody knows! 

Math Becomes Easy

By Vic Odarve

“Really math becomes easy when the teacher explains well and I follow it up at home”, exclaimed an engineering student.

Competent teacher, conduct a review of the notes every after the class, and practice by reworking the steps, are all needed to understand math. Math professor, like King Solomon, must discuss math in an eloquent and conversationalist way, expert and master on the course topics, and has ability to challenge the students. Students, on the part, they must review the notes after the class to enhance memory retention. Then, actual rework or practice on what was discussed and solved in the classroom. And math becomes an easy prey!

Engineering students-madonna University,Nigeria

The professor  must know very well the intricacies and beauty of the numbers hidden in math; he can explain lucidly the subject matter in a simple way and invite the students who are afraid of numbers to ask and interact during the classroom discussion. The classroom becomes a learning place where students often refer to as their second home. This is the place where they can voice out and share their own opinion with others; and learn from their classmates by asking. Competent teacher is like an environmental designer; keeps classroom atmosphere conducive to learning. He establishes redlines; build up student’s confidence, and keep the math course easy and simple instead of intimidating and frightening.

Conducting a review on the topics discuss in the classroom proves to retain further one’s memory. The study showed that the first in a two- hour lecture is the most effective period for memory retention. Faced with this dilemma, a review after the class is needed to recover part of the time where memory retention was least. Reading the notes for a few minutes after classroom strengthen further your memory. Any lapses and misunderstood notes can be easily corrected by recalling your memory.

Professor in Math

Finally, students must rework the problems and its solution steps. Although simple as it is, this is the most important part of learning math. The practice enables students to understand the whys, how, and when, these steps are done. It keeps their mind working; challenging ideas at will, and keeps them on the state of analyzing and recognizing patterns. Math is like a game of chess; sometimes pondering the board to find the best moves over your opponents; the clearer the picture over the situation, the better your moves and win the games. Reworking the classroom’s lectures makes understanding perfect!

It is not that math is difficult because it is math

Workbooks in Math

and students could not get along with numbers; with competent teachers, coupled with regular patience to open your notes after the class, and constant practice, learning math becomes easy and enjoyable. Students and math, then become the very best of friends.

China and Russia; Equated to Nazi Germany

By Vic Odarve

A glimpse on world history showed that countries which started a huge, bloody conflict and blown out into catastrophic proportions have a common denominator; authoritarian rule, expansionist policy, and bullying small and powerless neighbors. Authoritarian rule is akin to martial law whose leaders often perceive as rulers with unlimited powers; few elite people make decisions and control the economy. In order to grow their influence and economic reasons, they have to expand the territories under the guises of freeing their oppressed people. Through their advanced and better military hardwares, they intimidate and bully small and powerless neighbors. Nazi Germany did it before. Today, China and Russia are equated to Nazi Germany.

President Putin

Both China and Russia are authoritarian countries; that is, only a few manage and control the government, and repress their citizens. Russia, a corrupt country fights its survival to make its place safe for corruption. Since authoritarian rule represses their citizens, many journalists who try to investigate the government’s shadowy activities and transactions die a horrible and excruciating death, leaving neither traces nor investigation. Both countries have a tightly controlled political system that leaves little room for dissent. Confrontation seems futile; people are too scared to form a united opposition. A few weeks ago, China executed prominent business tycoon Liu Han, chairman of the Hanlong Group, and Forbes ranked the 148^th richest person in China in 2012. He was charged of running a crime syndicate and involved in a campaign of intimidation since 1990. In Russia, Khodorkovsky, once Russia's richest man, was put in prison in 2005 on charges of tax evasion and fraud. Some European countries including the United States accused Russia of "selective prosecution" and abuse of the legal system.

China President Xi Jinping with Pres. Obama

One common ambition of these two countries is to expand the present territories, whether by force or by other stealthy moves. Putin wants to restore the old USSR with Russia as the center of its power and powerful army in the heart of its satellites including Ukraine. That is the picture before the collapse of the federation in 1992. Today, slowly and slowly, he is now attempting to reassert Russian leadership over the post-Soviet states, and intervenes economically and militarily in its “near abroad. Russia sent its tanks into Georgia in 2008, invaded and annexed Crimea by stealth last year, and played proxy war in Eastern Ukraine. Its shadowy incursion into Georgia and Ukraine speaks it all.

South China Sea

China, on the other hand,  claimed almost the entire South China Sea - an area defined by the "nine-dash line" which Beijing says its right to the area comes from 2,000 years of history where the Paracel and Spratly island chains were regarded as integral parts of the Chinese nation. Both the Philippines and China lay claim to the Scarborough Shoal which is located 100 miles (160km) from the Philippines and 500 miles from China.

With powerful military at their disposal, both countries tend to intimidate and bully their neighbors by military posturing, invading the sovereignty, and annexing territory. China, on the other hand, turned deaf ears from their neighbors’ complaints; built an airstrip and conducted oil exploration in the contested South China Sea. Russia warned US and NATO and EU to keep out from Ukraine for he has nuclear power that could lead to nuclear Armageddon.

Putin, far more dangerous than politicians, is on the diplomatic table for Ukraine on his proxy war; winning major concession such as restoration of Ukrainian control over the border with Russia in the separatist-controlled areas, and grant wide powers to the eastern regions, including the right to form their own police force and trade freely with Russia. China defies any diplomatic effort on his own; refuses to participate in a United Nations arbitration process. Economic sanctions hit Russia, but it does not deter Putin; cases were filed by Asian countries for China, but China ignores it.

As always shown in history, appeasement or concession to an aggressor does not work as in the case of Hitler; economic sanctions may bite, but does not always sway these leaders to back down; military solution accelerates the fuel burning. Only diplomatic effort may save from these conflicts to a nuclear explosion. These leaders when cornered choose instead to escalate the crisis and risk an all-out confrontation. China and Russia offer their new world order calculus, but, most people say, can be equated to Nazi Germany.