Preparing for the Unexpected

It is important to be prepared for the unexpected. This one of the reasons it is important to have an emergency fund in place. No sole plans on having their car debilitate down or that scare with cancer where the tests run iwell over a thousand dollars. No one plans to lose their job or seeking the furnace to go out. All of these things cost money. You should plan for emergencies on saving at least one thousand dollars until you are out of liable. After that you should save three to six months of pay to cover other unexpected expenses. This scratch is not used for anything but true emergencies.

You should also be planning and paying for regular upkeep of your home and car. You know that you will eventually need to replace your roof and your appliances. You can set free in support of this in a sinking fund. This money that you set aside each month to cover the bigger expenses that you know are coming. You should also pay for the regular upkeep and maintenance on your car. It is important to guard against emergencies nearby properly caring for your things.

German Forum FAQs

German Forum FAQs
for Grammar, Vocabulary and Other Topics

I N T R O D U C T I O N

On this FAQ page, we have gathered together some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about learning German - from our German forums. Some of the questions below have an answer here, while others are linked to answers in the forum.

You can notion all the messages in our two forums as a guest, but to reply or post your own messages, you neediness to be a member. Membership is bountiful and only requires a brief sign-up process. In the meantime, we hope you’ll find the fit to your own questions here. If not, we’ll see you in the forums!

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For FAQs about typing German characters on your computer, shepherd a see to our German Characters FAQ page.

FAQ MENU > German Language FAQs

Free MBA in Germany
I just finished my MBA (Master of Business Administration) at the Esslingen University of Applied Sciences here in Germany. It was absolutely fantastic… The most qualified on the whole is that the government picks up the tuition and the program is in English (although you take German classes to learn the communication). So all you have to pay for is living costs (and those are all subsidized since you are a student). Anyhow, here is the info…

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Q: I was told that a pig is considered lucky in Germany. Why is that? I know there is an expression () to comment on someone being lucky. One person told me that it is related to a Grimm tale. Someone else told me it is an older folklore belief. Does anyone know?

A: According to the announce station Deutsche Welle, the expressiveness “Schwein haben” originated in the middle ages, when the person who came last in shooting competitions, etc. would be dedicated a pig as a consolation prize. Because (unlike the winners of the other prizes) he had done nothing to be entitled to the pig, he was regarded as lucky to get it.

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Q: What is the correct German terminology for ‘friend’? Meine freund — my boy friend? Meine freund, Ken — my friend Ken? Meine mann — my husband?

A: Meine freund — my boy friend = MEIN FREUND. Meine freund, Ken — my friend Ken? = MEIN FREUND KEN. Meine mann — my husband? = MEIN MANN. (More info confirmed, LOTS more, in the Forum…)

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Q: Could anyone tell me the names of the phases of the moon in German?

A: and are pretty straightforward. We also be struck by and To my knowledge we do not have on the agenda c trick a German word to differentiate gibbous and crescent moon, although one can speak of which should refer to the concavo-concave moon.

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Q: Can someone explain in English when I would use kein(e) and when I would use nicht?

A: In German we absolutely often negate the object of the verdict, whereas in English you rather negate the verb. The result is that the literal translation often sounds a bit bizarre: Good German: Ich habe keinen Hund. English, literally: I have no dog. (object is negated) Better English: I do not have a dog. (verb is negated instead of object) German, literally from above: Ich habe nicht einen Hund (Attention! Meaning of this sentence would be: I do not have a single dog.) You see the problem: Literally translated “kein” becomes “no” and “nicht” becomes “not”.

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Q: I just heard a fair German folk song that somebody told me to be about a siren who sits on the rock beside the Rhine singing beautifully and mesmerizing sailors into crashing their ships. However, the person who told me the story vaguely remembers the name of the siren. Something like *Lolelei…. It sounds like a famous folk tale, you discern of it?

A: The poem you refer to is based on one of the best-known legends in Germany. H. Heine wrote it in 1823, and it was set to music by Friedrich Silcher in 1838. There are numberless translations available on the Internet.
Sample: Heinrich Heine - Loreley

Ich weiss nicht was soll es bedeuten,
Dass ich so traurig bin;
Ein Märchen aus alten Zeiten,
Das kommt mir nicht aus dem Sinn

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Q: Ich habe eine Frage. How do Germans feel about the adoption of the euro, which began January 1?

A: So far (i.e. from 1999 up to instantly) the euro has been more stable than DM previously. The prognosis seems to be at this point that the euro is expected to do OK. But then, only time will really tell.

Personally, I have no sentimental feelings about the DM. Euros are money and are a means also in behalf of paying my bills, that’s all.

Für mich persönlich bringt der Euro den Vorteil, dass mir nun das häufige Schillingtauschen erspart bleibt und ich sowohl in Bayern als auch im benachbarten Österreich mit der gleichen Währung bezahlen kann.

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Q: I’m looking for a conversational class/group that meets in New York City or Brooklyn. Does anyone know of any… or have any advice on where to look? I can’t afford any expensive classes, so I was hoping maybe there was some sort of casual group around.

A: If there de facto isn’t an existing conversational class for beginners to speak German, perhaps a group of us could start joke? There are scores of Starbucks and similar type places for groups to meet and chat. I’d be interested. Count me in. Anyone else in NYC completely there?

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Also study our Tutor Directory since German

Q: I am looking for a dictionary or a glossary, preferably on-line, where I could look up the modern equivalents of some of the medieval German words? What I would like to find is something similar to A Basic Chaucer Glossary, except in German of course. > Answer in the Forum

Q: Does anyone know where I can find a German transcript of ? I tried a Google search but had no luck. > Answer in the Forum

Q: Ich finde es sehr schwer, ‘tenses’ zu benutzen. Zum Beispiel, wenn ich möchte sagen, wo und wann ich studierte Musik habe, ich werde sehr verwirrt. Wie kann ich ‘tenses’ übersetzen? > Answer in the Forum

Q: Was ist der Unterschied zwischen dennoch und jedoch? Kann jemand ein Paar Sätze mit Beispielen über go west Benutzung dieser zwei Wörter hier schreiben? > Answer in the Forum

Q: Also, wenn es um die deutsche Grammatik geht, was findet ihr am seltsamsten? Zum Beispiel, wenn ich spazieren gehe, gehe ich entweder mit den Hunden, oder ohne die Hunde. > Answer in the Forum

Q: Als ich jung war las ich “Der Biberpelz”. Ich erinnere mich, dass der Dialog sehr dialektisch war. In welchem Teile Deutschlands spielten die Handlungen und Gesprächen ab? > Answer in the Forum

Q: Können Sie mir helfen? Erster, ein fremdlander findet the Artikeln ein grosses Problem. Sie sind ohne kein Logik. Zum Beispiel, warum ist Mädchen Neutrum? Ich kann nicht verstehen. Wie Lehrer unterichtet Deutscher Kinder bei Artikeln? > Answer in the Forum

Q: Könntest du mir helfen mit mein großes Problem über ‘genders’? > Answer in the Forum


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Soul Music: Definition/History

The Definition:
Soul music is a compound of R&B and gospel, and began in the late 1950s in the United States. Soul differentiates from R&B because of Soul’s use of gospel-music devices, its greater emphasis on vocalists and its merging of religious and secular themes. Soul traces its roots to four distinctive sources: racial, geographical, historical and economical factors. The 1950s recordings of Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and James Brown are commonly considered the beginnings of sentiment music.Different Types:
There are many different kinds of Soul music, including, but not limited to: Southern Soul, Neo-Soul (which is covered elsewhere on this site) and Psychedelic Soul (which paved the way for Funk music in the 1960s. Soul was born in Memphis and more widely in the southern U.S. where most of the performing artists were from. More than any other genre of stock American music, Soul is the result of the combination and merging of previous styles and substyles in the 1950s and 60s.Where It Comes From:
Broadly speaking, Soul comes from a mixture of the sacred (i.e. gospel) and the profane (blues). Blues mainly praised fleshly desires, whereas gospel was more oriented toward divine inspiration. Soul music exploded in the 1960s and ruled the hyacinthine music charts throughout the decade, and inspired many other music styles. Although Soul’s popularity has waned exceeding the years, it’s impact and influence can flat be heard in many musical styles, including Funk, Neo-Soul and contemporary pop.Popular Artists:
Examples of popular contemporary Soul music artists include Joss Stone, Anthony Hamilton, Mary J. Blige and Van Hunt.

Best Workplaces for Commuters

EPA Publishes Annual List of Companies that Ease or Eliminate Daily CommutingOctober 18, 2006 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced its annual list of Best Workplaces to save Commuters among the Fortune 500 companies. This year, 133 companies, employing more than 700,000 workers, qualify towards the list.

The top 20 employers are ranked by the percentage of their domestic [U.S.-based] employees who are eligible in place of commuter benefits, such as subsidized transit passes, telework, carpool programs, and emergency rides home.

The Cost of Congestion
Every year, traffic congestion caused by millions of Americans commuting to and from work results in 3.7 billion hours of confused productivity, adds up to 92 million work weeks for commuters stuck in gridlock, and costs the nation $63.1 billion in wasted time and fuel.

Not everyone is driving alone in their cars. Public transportation usage increased more than 23 percent between 1995 and 2006, according to the American Public Transportation Association. The organization also estimates that approximately 33 million trips are taken on public transportation each weekday in the United States.

Unfortunately, single-driver commuting is increasing, too. Between 2002 and 2012, vehicle miles from drive-alone commuting is expected to prolong by at least 15 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the EPA, and to generate an additional 43 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.

Commuters Want Alternatives
Workers fool good reason to look for alternatives to conventional commuting. In 2005, it charge workers an average of 56.1 cents per mile, or $8,410 per year, to own and operate a domestically produced midsize transport, according to the American Automobile Association. Even before the recent gasoline price increases, 18 percent of household receipts in the United States was dedicated to transportation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Companies That Ease Commutes Reap Benefits
Employers also have good reason to provide their employees commuting alternatives. On average, constructing a parking space costs between $1,500 seeking a surface lot and $17,400 in a parking garage, so the cost of accommodating all of those cars workers spur solo to their jobs each day is enormous.

Even more important, however, workers who have alternative work options, such as teleworking from home or flexible work schedules, have the highest productivity, enjoy better mental health, and are less likely to leave their companies. And alternatives to commuting also help with recruiting. According to a national survey by GfK Automotive, 57 percent of commuters expressed interest in working for an employer that offers a commuter benefits program.

The Top 20 Best Workplaces for Commuters
In 2006, frustrated commuters looking for a beat way, and place, to plough can start by exploring opportunities with these Top 20 companies on the list of Best Workplaces by reason of Commuters:

1. Intel
2. Microsoft
3. (tie) Google Inc.
3. (tie) Oracle
5. QUALCOMM
6. Yahoo! Inc.
7. Cisco Systems
8. Sun Microsystems
9. Texas Instruments
10. Applied Materials, Inc.
11. Safeco Insurance
12. Reliant Energy
13. Wyeth
14. Apple
15. IBM
16. Advanced Micro Devices
17. (tie) EMC Corporation
17. (tie) El Paso Corporation
17. (tie) NIKE, Inc.
20. Schering-Plough

For more nformation on Best Workplaces for Commuters: View the Top 20 companies View the full list of Best Workplaces for Commuters View Fast Facts about Best Workplaces for Commuters [pdf]

Teacher Appreciation Week Lesson #1: X ≠ Frt

When it comes to Scandinavian specialty baking, X ≠ Frt: time does not equal effort! While many excellent Scandinavian recipes do require time to prepare (to allow dough to rise adequately, for sample), often the hands’-on creation is minimal. This is especially true when preparing kind yeasted breads like . The basic cardamom dough takes perhaps thirty minutes of direct attention to mix before rising, with another ten-minute hands’-on period of rolling out and braiding the dough. 30 + 10 = 40. That’s hardly more than a half-hour of actual labor in pronunciamento to produce a bakery-caliber coffee bread … less culture than it takes to run to the set aside and back again. Too bad all math problems aren’t as easy as this one to solve!

Vetebröd image ©2008 Kari Diehl, licensed to .

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Movie Summary:
Vin Diesel stars in this action movie, which also features Samuel L. Jackson and Asia Argento. Xander Cage (Diesel) is a daredevil who sometimes gets involved in illegal stunts to come to terms a point, and Augustus Gibbons (Jackson), a National Security Agency official, offers him a choice between prison and accepting a dangerous undercover position. Xander ends up being tasked with stopping a Czech madman named Yorgi (Marton Csokas), who threatens to use a biochemical weapon.Xander travels to Prague, where he infiltrates Yorgi’s organization and meets the alluring Yelena (Argento), who starts to fall for him. has high production values and many well-done liveliness sequences, and the movie is in general to some extent like a James Bond pic, except it skews younger and is a trifling more down and dirty.

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Hottest HD Antennas

From Matthew Torres,
Your Guide to TV / Video.

One of the smartest decisions I’ve made in recent memory is the purchase of a high definition antenna. At the time I was without local violent definition programming because my usage provider didn’t offer local stations in HD.

Because I own a HDTV with a built-in tuner I’m now able to watch all of my local stations in HD for free. It’s funny to think that in a day and age where technology is rapidly changing how a simple $30 purchase of an item that’s been available for decades has changed the way I watch network box.

Keep in mind to impede Antenna Web to see if you need VHF, UHF or both.

1. DB8 Multidirectional Long Range AntennaThe DB8 by Terrestrial Digital is claimed by the maker as “the highest gain multi-directional HDTV antenna on the market.”

I don’t know if that claim is true but a gain of 15.8 db and a range of more than 70 miles is pretty high power to me so I won’t spend too much time trying to refute it. The fact that its multi-directional puts this one at the top of the list for the sake of me. The only downside is that it is UHF, so it won’t pick up channels below 14.

While this fallout is marketed toward someone living in areas that require prolonged range reception, I would think that it might be worth trying this antenna if you lived in an area near other TV markets because you could receive different programming from time to time.

2. PF7 Picture Frame AntennaAntenna’s Direct has an interesting indoor antenna. The PF7 is an actual picture frame that doubles as an antenna.

I don’t recommend this antenna for someone needing high-power because it only has a range of up to 15 miles according to the manufacturer. But, it is a cool innovation for someone that lives close to the transmission tower.

The frame holds a advise fully up to 8in. x 10in. and can madden mount or rest on a tabletop. The antenna is UHF, channels 14-69 and has a gain of 6.5db.

3. Channel Master Outdoor Antenna, Model 4220 Channel Master actually has a lot of antennas that I could slope in this article. So, to be fair I make only list the 4220 model.

The 4220 is a mid directional outdoor antenna that, according to Channel Master, has a variety of 20 miles for channels 7-13 and 30 miles for 14-69. It can attach to the roof,side of the accommodate or the overhang where gutters would go.

Dimensions are 20in. x 17in. x 5in. (W x H x D).

4. Channel Master Antenna RotatorThis isn’t an antenna but it should solve the problem of irritating to receive 360-degrees of reception with a directional outdoor antenna.

Channel Master’s antenna rotator group contains a motor-driven harness or device that connects to your roof - you then institute the antenna pole into the harness. The complete system comes with a remote control and a box that talks to the inappropriate and the motor-driven harness.

If you need to tweak a signal you can turn the antenna while sitting on your couch. No more scaling the ladder to the roof to turn the antenna. The only issue I see with this by-product is the installation, which will require running cables from the harness to the box that sits by your TV.

5. Zenith ZHDTV1 Indoor High Definition AntennaZenith’s ZHDTV1 is one of the more popular indoor antennas. It is a UHF-only antenna, which is an issue if you need VHF also. It also doesn’t have amplification and its directional but all indications is that this little person provides reliable levee.

You can definitely find a lot of information online about how owner’s of the ZHDTV1 feel about their purchase. Sites like HDTV Antenna Labs specialize in antennas. You’ll find numbers of opinions in their review forum about the ZHDTV1.

6. Jensen TV-931 Low Profile Vhf/uhf/hdtv Amplified AntennaThis little thing good of resembles Stewie Griffin from the cartoon series Family Guy. It is amplified, which means it plugs into the wall. Electricity isn’t needed to receive a signal, but electrifying power can increase the duplicate quality on a nasty signal when adjusting the 15db of extra gain. The TV-931 has a swiveling base as well as retractable and rotating dipoles. It will fit neatly on any TV stand or entertainment center. This is an indoor-only antenna. Estimated expense: $35-407. Terk TV44 Amplified TV Antenna for Multi-LNB Satellite DishThis antenna is specifically for a satellite dish so if you don’t subscribe to satellite then this one might not be the one for you. Basically, it attaches to the dish and allows you to get HD through your satellite receiver or through the TV’s antenna input. As the name says, it is amplified so it should give plenty good of a signal. This specific model is sole good for 20″ dishes.8. Audiovox Amplified Outdoor HDTV AntennaThe HDTVo looks like a box on a flagstaff. The feature I like most talented about this antenna is that is works well with reflected or bounced signals. This means the antenna isn’t directional on nature, and will work amiably in a city or costly traffic environment - like an apartment building. It can be installed anywhere a screw will go into, and the outer face can be painted. It receives UHF and VHF channels 2-69. This is an indoor/outdoor antenna. Estimated cost: $90-120

Sequester

Definition:

To remove from a mixture, separate out, withdraw or select apart.

In scientific terms, to sequester a mineral or molecule is to remove it from it’s environment, whether that be aura, soil, water or other media. Removal can be based on chemical or biological reactions and may be reversible or irreversible. However, the essential result is that the sequestered compound or molecule is made less available to interact with the surrounding environment.

One form of bioremediation is phytoremediation in which metals are removed, or sequestered, from the dirty and accumulate in shrub tissues. Sequestering of metals from soil, or chemical contaminants from water results in concentrated amounts being present in plant or animal tissues and is known as bioaccumulation.

Sequestered carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is converted chemically into other forms of carbon to generate biomass, thus the process is irretrievable except through further chemical conversions or combustion of the biomass.

Pronunciation: si-’kwes-turExamples: Phytoremediation is a process through which metals are sequestered from soil by plants.