NZD/USD Range Contingent On Dovish RBNZ (Daily FX via Yahoo! Finance)

Today’s bounce from the 200-Day SMA could be a sign that upside potential is increasing, especially considering the level of concern during early trading. Credit rating agency Fitch placed Portugal on a negative watch list which reignited concerns that the credit issues in Greece could develop into a contagion for the region.

9 Mar 2010, 12:36 pm | click here to view more

German Bonds Rise as Stocks Fall, Fitch Raises Portugal Concern (Bloomberg)

March 9 (Bloomberg) -- German bunds rose for the first day in three as disappointing corporate earnings drove stock markets lower and Fitch Ratings said it may clip Portugal’s credit rating, stoking demand for the safest assets.

9 Mar 2010, 12:23 pm | click here to view more

European Stocks Decline for Second Day; EADS, Kazakhmys Slip (Bloomberg)

March 9 (Bloomberg) -- European stocks dropped for a second day as European Aeronautic, Defence & Space Co. reported results that missed estimates and mining companies declined with metals.

9 Mar 2010, 10:56 am | click here to view more

German Bonds Rise on Falling Stocks, Portugal Concern (Correct) (Bloomberg)

(Corrects direction of Greek yield in 10th paragraph.) March 9 (Bloomberg) -- German bunds rose for the first day in three as disappointing corporate earnings drove stock markets lower and Fitch Ratings said it may clip Portugal’s credit rating, stoking demand for the safest assets.

9 Mar 2010, 10:23 am | click here to view more

Resolved Question: so new details coming from the news on galavision about the chava situation. (SQ INSIDE)?

so apperantly theres new footage of the bar where it shows that cabañas and the guy that shot him came in around the same time the only difference is that Cabañas was searched and the other guy wasnt. they have also confirmed that someone had cleaned and changed cabañas shirt before the police had arrived. this is leading me to beleive that this was a set up an ambush, another interesting fact is that the owner of the bar hired a lawyer one day before the shooting, when he had previously had none? i dont know the news confirmed this today this morning but yet again this is the mexican media we are talking about, so has anyone heard this as well? So mexico might play portugal and Corte D'ivoire, what do you think of this, these are our last two matches to fit in the schedule do you like them if they end up happening? when i say fact i mean this according to the news source i got it from. this just furthers the truth of a black hand in mexico, we need to receive rid of every the "dragon heads". wish cabañas gets better.

29 Jan 2010, 10:07 am | click here to view more

Resolved Question: How well-travelled am I?

I was speaking to somebody the other day who has never been outside of Great Britain. He said I was well-travelled because I have been to quite a few countries other than my possess. But I've never ever considered myself well-travelled... there are people who have been to almost every the countries on the globe. I've never once even been out of europe. :/ What do you think? These are the places I've visited: Republic of Ireland x2 France x4 (only driving through though) Spain x 3 Portugal Malta x2 Greece x5 Tenerife Turkey I'm going to Holland and Germany next month. Am I well-travelled? I'd never even considered it before today.

28 Feb 2010, 4:29 pm | click here to view more

Resolved Question: Anyone have tips for traveling solo in Portugal?

I will be part of a professional exchange to Spain in the spring and at the end of our month-long trip we may go our separate ways for up to a week. I've been to Spain before so I wanted to look Portugal. I've been trying to learn Portuguese for awhile and wish to have a pretty good grasp by May (it's coming along nicely as I already talk Spanish). As I have never been to Portugal before and I will be a female traveling alone I was looking for any advice on safest ways to travel, points of interest, etc. I will be entering from the north end of Portugal on the coast and would like to spend 2-4 days in the country.

28 Dec 2009, 12:55 am | click here to view more

Resolved Question: Does anyone know this fact about the gregorian and julian calendar. October 5 1582-October 14 1582 dont exist?

in Italy, Poland, Portugal and Spain. According to wikipedia...(yeah i know...thats why i am asking the quesiton) The last day of the Julian calendar was Thursday, 4 October 1582 and this was followed by the first day of the Gregorian calendar, Friday, 15 October 1582 (the cycle of weekdays was not affected). According to Inter gravissimas the papal bull issued by Pope Gregory XIII on February 24, 1582, these days...POOF...vanished. Gone. This is the first I have ever heard of this...and find it amazing...of course it wont matter to any americans since our country didnt exist...but now when they say today is January 27, 2010....Ummmm....not quite. OUTSTANDING. your thoughts or info PLEASE Yes...because if the vatican came out today and said hey everybody, tomorrow is going to be February 15th, 2012, but its no big deal...there wouldnt be some sort of reaction. The fact that the church...whatever the church is...had the power and authority to just change time, is not that interesting or significant a thing. I find the uninterest in answers thus far quite a bit odd. That and the fact that in the year 2100 it will NOT be a jump year because its not divisbile by 100 and 400...just off.

27 Jan 2010, 11:28 pm | click here to view more

Voting Question: My dad is so mean- what should I do?

Every since I was ten, my parents have been divorced and I am twenty now. In the past ten years, but particularly when I was younger, my dad would vicioiusly attack me about her (please, I am not trying to feel sorry for myself or be to descriptive, but this'll only make sense if I explain it) telling me mom was nothing but a s*** who enjoyed sleeping with every man she worked with, and if he could receive away with it he'd kill her. To this day he still doesn't talk to her, and also when I was younger if he found Mom had gone on a date (they live in a very tiny town and gossip spreads extremely quick) he would take his anger out on me, given the fact my sister worked as a waitress Mom and a couple of her dates had gone to the resturaunt she worked in and would tell my dad- and I would be so terrified of the upcoming words he would bestow upon me I would slightly shake. He's better now, but still hates her. Just a couple of days ago I asked him for a ride to class because of bad weather, and he lanched into this whole lecture on how greedy I am for not going to look his mom, ect, ect, and I forget, but for some reason I brought up how at least one of his kids is getting more than an eighth grade education (my sister dropped out of school when she was younger) and then he exploded saying how I talk like my "Euro-trash arrogant relatives" (Mom and her family are originally from Portugal) and he often puts me down about my dream of one day being a clinical psychologist because "I don't take stress well and freak out too much" and I' won't be good at it. But ironically, he's the person who made me want to be a psychologist as I want to dedicate my life to helping others, particularly kids with learning disabilities and with divorced parents so they won't have to endure what I did with my dad. Thank you every for your time and what should I do about this?

27 Feb 2010, 8:13 pm | click here to view more

Portugal Day 2009

12:00pm – Ferry road closes to vehicular traffic. 2:00pm – Start of the popular feast on Ferry road – “Portugal Avenue” – with lots of music, folkloric performances ...

27 Feb 2010, 3:01 pm | click here to view more

Resolved Question: The Romanis Team of The Year?

Here's my team of the year. Some entrees may not be in every fairness, the best players this year, but they have contributed to their NT teams and clubs. One could put the whole Barcelona line-up and not be far wrong, but to have greater scope, I've chosen this. What's yours? 1. Edwin Van Der Saar (Man Utd) - Valdes, obviously had the better year, but right up until the CL Final, VDS was on the form of his life. His saves were crucial to United winning another League title, reaching the CL Final and Holland's outstanding 100% record in qualifying. 2. Phillip Lahm (Bayern Munich) - Evra or Abidal will be obvious choices for many, but Lahm is one of the truly world class players that Germany and Bayern possess. Ever reliable and possesses a stinging left foot to boot. 3. Carlos Puyol (Barcelona) - Impossible not to rate him. One the world's best defenders over the past few years. A solid rock at the back. 4. John Terry (Chelsea) - Mr Chelsea himself. His desire to play and perform no matter what, are hallmarks of a true leader. He is the bite in defence, for club and country. 5. Dani Alves (Barcelona) - Really difficult to overlook him. Brazil are not known for producing really outstanding defenders, so a player like Alves stands out easily. 6. Xavi (Barcelona) - The unsung hero that makes Barcelona and Spain tick, a worthy successor to Luis Enrique. Consistency is his byword. Can you recall a game where he played poorly? I can't. 7. Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux) - Lique 1's Player of the Year. The primary reason Bordeaux are French Champions and doing so well in the CL. Looks the most likely successor to Zidane in the French NT team. 8. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) - Did not reach last season's level, but nevertheless, played the biggest role in United winning the League and reaching the CL Final. Keeping up the form at Real Madrid and was pivotal to Portugal's tardy run to qualification. 9. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Barcelona) - 29 goals for Inter, ensured they retained the scudetto. 11 goals already in 13 starts for Barcelona this term, erased any doubt on Barcelona's decision to exchange Etoo for him. 10. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - As obvious, as obvious can be. With Messi , the only question is how far or high can he reach? Already looks like the best Argentine player ever bar Maradona, at this early stage of his career. He may even surpass the great one, if he steers clear from serious injury. 11.David Villa (Valencia) - Torres, Drogba, Dzeko etc every have claims to be the best striker in the world, but like Ibrahimovic, Villa is prolific whatever the circumstance. 31 goals (40 games) last season and 15 (19) this term, makes him the most sought after striker in the world. So my list reads: VDS, Lahm, Puyol, Terry, D Alves, Xavi, Ronaldo, Gourcouff, Messi, Villa and Ibrahimovic. Notable exceptions include Kaka, Drogba, Ribery, Gerrard, Torres, Lampard and Fabregas. But I feel the chosen players contributed more to their teams throughout year, whereas some of the over were affected by loss of form, injury and suspension. Samuel Etoo, Luis Fabiono and Iniesta deserve special mention as well, and would form the more likely substitutes for any of my choices. And here's a tune for your entertainment: Destiny Child's 8 Days of Christmas. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikOWQ9YIb-A…

27 Dec 2009, 10:51 am | click here to view more

Resolved Question: McCanns: a thousand laterns for Madeleine ?

We read that Kate and Gerry will light up the skies with a planned launching of 1000 laterns across the globe to celebrate 1000 days since Madeleine went missing. A timely reminder that Madeleine McCann is still missing ? or a token gesture to make the headlines ? Source: http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/news/697090/Laterns-to-be-released-in-UK-Portugal-and-US-to-mark-disappearance.html

24 Jan 2010, 1:06 pm | click here to view more

Resolved Question: Why is there so much denial about the parlous state of Britain's finances ?

It is known fact that Britain is one of 5 or 6 European countries with severe financial problems, the others being Greece, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, and maybe Italy. On the TV you look lots of tut tut about Greece and a lot of complacency about our possess condition. Do we have to wait for the day when no one will lend to us before the government actually does anything to address our financial problems, by which time it will be to tardy Confused Hal........I can look Brown has conned you, as he has many people. Our debt stand at roughly 80% of GDP. What you have forgotten about are the off balance sheet items like PFI....this is tricky stuff. We are now faced with interest payments of £50billion a year and rising on our national debt. We have to pay 4% on our gilts whereas Germany has to pay only 3.5% Does that 0.5% matter ? Yes it does.

24 Feb 2010, 6:51 am | click here to view more

Resolved Question: Why do people say that if women ruled the world it have less wars.?

I read a lot about female rulers from the Ancient days to now. I look no evidence that these females were less likely to wage wars then their male counterparts. In ancient Egypt there was Queens Hatsheput,Twosret, and six out of seven Cleopatras who waged vicious wars. In Imperial China several women as Dowager Empresses who ruthlessly seized power like Empress Wu-Zhetian and the last Empress. The Medieval ages saw an explosion of female rulers and most of them wage wars like male rulers. In Spain Queen Urraca of Castile waged wars for 17 years against her half sister Queen Teresa of Portugal in 1109-1126. Queen Isabella I of Castile with her husband King Ferdinand of Aragon waged wars against the Muslims and the French and they persecuted the Jews. In Italy both Queens Joanna I(ruled 1343-1382) and Queen Joanna II( ruled 1414-1435) saw reigns of not cease wars England had Empress Matilda who fought for power from 1135-1154, Queen Mary Tudor who ruthlessly had protestants executed and waged war on France. Her sister and successor Queen Elizabeth waged war on the Spanish and the Irish. From 1730-1796, Russia was ruled by a series of Empresses (Anna-1730-1742 Elizabeth 1742-1762 and Catherine II 1762-1796) every who waged wars of expansion alongside Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. When I point this fact out to people,they tell me that female rulers lived in male environments and therefore had to please male courtiers. But this ignores the fact that many of these female rulers like Empresses Elizabeth and Catherine were whores which means that they cared little for what male courtiers thought. It doesn't make sense to say that female rulers could successfully ignore male pressure to change their promiscous lifestyle but could not ignore male pressure for war. This claim also ignores the fact that many female rulers seized power when they were not supposed tolike Queen Didda of Kashmir who put her grandsons to death to take the throne or Empress Wu-Zhou of China who killed hundreds of thousands to become Emperor. Clearly what these women did did not receive approval from males of their court yet they did it any way. In this day and age we have our possess female leaders who waged wars like Prime Minister Golda of Israel and Margaret Thatcher.

24 Dec 2009, 7:38 pm | click here to view more

Resolved Question: What ever happened to the old Omar Bravo?

Not so long ago me and my pal had a discussion about him. To be honest, back in the day Omar Bravo was a beast for chivas. He had a sweet left foot, he could finish with it, he could head the ball, and most importantly he was equally efficient when playing on the left wing and as the main striker. Qualities like that in a striker in Mexico are VERY rare, only Kikin and him possesed them at that time. Most either excel as target men or are support strikers in Mexico. Main reason why I think Chicharito is such an amazing player..but a lil bit of that later. Even in 2006 during the world cup, despite missing the penalty against Portugal, I thought Omar Bravo was still a decent striker in Mexico. Nonetheless, if you guys remember and correct me if im wrong, Chivas had just crowned themselves champions in Mexico months before the World Cup. After that, he was just never the same. I dont know if at that point as a player he reached the point where you have just won everything aleady that he just stopped working difficult. My pal argues that Omar Bravo was average every along and he can thank Bofo for part of his 105 goals. This is where i'd like to bring Chicharito in. He clearly looks like a target man but the boy posses so much speed he can play on the left wing just like Bravo used to do. If you dont believe me just tell Tecos defense. I like to think that part of Chivas success so early in the campaign is because Omar Bravo and Chicharito can exchange positions so well in the middle of the game. Chivas might be on a roll but Bravo hasnt been at his best. He has missed tons of sitters. With Medina unmovable in the right wing, its a scary thought for us non chivistas if we would had to look a Chivas team with the old Omar Bravo and the current Chicharito in the same team. So again, what happened to the old Omar Bravo? thank you chivasnano. I wasnt sure haha thats why i said correct me if im wrong

23 Feb 2010, 1:20 am | click here to view more

Resolved Question: Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece in 1 month?

I want to go to -Lisbon -Madrid -Barcelona -Venice -Rome -Pisa (day trip?) -Naples (day trip?) -Athens and I want to spend the last few days relaxing so maybe finish off in the Greek Islands (maybe Santorini/Mykonos) for 5 days or so. Is 1 month enough time to do this? If so any suggestions for the cheapest and least time consuming transport methods and a quick intinary for the amount of days to spend in each city. Thanks!

21 Feb 2010, 6:52 am | click here to view more

Portugal Day - Resources about Portugal Day

Portugal day, officially on the 10th of June, is the Portugal National's day.

2 Mar 2010, 2:43 pm | click here to view more

Resolved Question: Late night sleeping time in Portugal, Spain and Italy? because of siesta?

According to the article in the page below, (which states the result of a survey about sleeping time, conducted in 28 countries interviewing more than 14,100 people): http://www.acnielsen.co.jp/news/20050228_1.shtml Portugal was found to be the most tardy night sleeping country. Spain was 5th and and Italy 10th, and the article says that it is because these countries have the tradition of mid day siestas. But when I search the Internet about "siesta in portugal", I receive many pages which says that there is no tradition of siesta in Portugal. So, can anyone explain to me why Portugal became no 1 and not Spain or Italy which seems to have tradition of siesta? whats the difference between them?

19 Jan 2010, 1:32 am | click here to view more

Resolved Question: What is your thoughts about Lance Cade being back in the WWE?

For an over a year, I am really confused about this situation of Lance McNaught, or better known to every of us as Lance Cade. look, it every started back in October 2008 after No Mercy, when Chris Jericho was done dealing with Shawn Michaels and he let Lance beat the crap out of him, but Shawn got the better end of Lance. Then of course the next week, Lance is released from the WWE. As of course after the WWE 90-day no wrestling tv claws, Lance was in Japan in a wrestling promotional called, HUSTLE WRESTLING. Lance worked in singles and tag team matches against HUSTLE's stars, until he team up with Rene Dupree and accompany by this female HUSTLE star, named Francoise (which by the way she is Japaneses). The three are dubbed as the Texas Napoleons, which by the way is stupid, because Lance resides in Texas with his two daughters(Lance did show two photos of his girls on the WWE universe and believe me on this, they have their dad's natural hair color of black and they have his cheeks and grin), and Rene is I believe is Canadian-French and Francoise is just Japaneses. The team last until Lance was gone from HUSTLE WRESTLING, then went to wrestle for Big Van Vader in Japan, and was last spotted in Lisbon, Portugal, in a wrestling promotional, called, World Stars of Wrestling. He did two matches in two nights. His first one was facing off against his former tag team partner, Trevor Murdoch, in a match to look who would face off their Champion, which had a match later on, which Rob Van Dam won. On the second night, Lance got his butt kicked by Rob Van Dam. The last thing was reported in by many wrestling news websites that Lance resigned with WWE and was sent to Florida Championship Wrestling, the WWE developmental territory. That was the last thing I know and it's have been months and I don't know if he will be put back on WWE TV again. I feel that it's a big mistake, because he would have a chance in TNA. Lance will be wasted in WWE. Also, I am going to be honest, Jeff Jarrett did tried not to drop his name on TNA iMPACT, but he ended up telling off a different way. That was from the episode of iMPACT, after TNA Lockdown 2009.

19 Jan 2010, 1:15 am | click here to view more

Resolved Question: Teen problems... what do you make of it?

I'm gonna try and keep this as simple as I can. So I came out to my mum and sister (parents are separated, dad lives in portugal, never talk to him) when I was twelve because at a friends birthday party one of the parents invited a pal over, who happened to be gay. This man helped me answer some questions I had about life and helped receive through the coming out process, he's nearly four times my age and I adore him for everything he's done for me and helped me achieve in the past 3-4 years (I'll be turning 16 in may) He's just my guide so to say and if I ever really need to I can call him, but I don't want to bother him. I'm on holidays now and every the people I rely on so to say, to help distract me from the reality of this boring stage of life are every unreachable (holidays, or just not picking up the phone.... for days) I've been seeing psychologists since I came out (mum wanted me to...) one even said I showed traces of psychosis... which I wouldn't completely say is ridiculous but at the same time a bit incredible, because I'm a very social person, I receive on with everyone and like myself, or at least seem to, sometimes I don't even know myself. I feel as though life really isn't what I want it to be, at least not at the moment (then again I'd expect most teenagers don't *please don't bring up hormones! *) I just want to move on to going to university and getting to the part of life where I have full control of what I pick to do with my life, though to be honest planning my future in detail at this stage is probably not going to turn out the way I want it to. I also have the annoying habit that I can't control of over analyzing every situation and everyone, Possible out comes of a situation, body language whilst talking to people, trying to look what they're really thinking. I'm always thinking of something or someone and rather than just accepting it, trying to receive to the heart of whatever it is. Which then leads me to insomnia... I snooze maybe 1-4 hours a day, but I don't feel sleepy. Ocassionally going a few days without sleeping because I completely lose myself and my body/mind doesn't say 'bed time' I feel quite ungrateful to be honest. I have a loving, understanding and open minded mom who loves me and a sister who supports me (she's studying in the UK) and my high-school gives me a great looking future. I'm not a stereotype, people only know I'm gay if I tell them. I don't know where I'm going with this to be honest, I feel as though my goal in life right now is to just survive the boredom and unluck when it strikes me, I have one best pal who is practically my soul mate, she's amazing and we share everything, problems etc., she shares the same opinions and is mature. I practically live off other peoples happiness, if you know what I mean... can't really describe it, sharing brief moments of happiness with people, taking in their emotions, I learn new things with every passing moment (The school psychologist says I don't live in the moment and that I don't seem to be quite here... I guess I can't help it if I feel clueless and my instinct is to observe and learn, though not academically) I don't think there's a real answer to anything I've just said, so if you managed to survive this wall of text, let me know what you make of it, or just sigh and wonder why you even bothered reading and press Alt+Left arrow-key. Thanks, Tom xx Haha Hildo, I'll become a pill popper. Believe me that's the last thing I'll try.

19 Feb 2010, 5:53 pm | click here to view more

Resolved Question: someone said that march 19th was exclsuively a christian holiday...but?

i found this list The first day of Quinquatria in ancient Rome, held in honor of Minerva. The swallows return to Mission San Juan Capistrano in California. i guess they were referring to this one Saint Joseph's Day-Roman Catholicism and Church of England Alternative dad's Day in Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Italy Las Fallas in Valencia, Spain. Mojoday (Discordianism) maybe there is just one christian holiday not attributed to pagan origins. if anyone can think of one please let me know. Olga actually. i'm doing just fine. isn't research a wonderful thing. JerryMc palm sunday has pagan origins March was an important month in the Roman year. Originally, it was the first month of the year and was celebrated with almost constant events. March 22 was the ancient Roman Festival of the Entry of the Tree. On this day priests of one of the goddesses, Cybele or Ops or Rhea, carried pine or palm trees through the city, according to the following scourge thanksgiving is pagan as well http://paganismwicca.suite101.com/article.cfm/thanksgiving_pagan_roots lawrence here's your answer "Really? So what pagan festival falls on March 19th? I'm just curious. C'mon, you know so much....tell me. "

19 Dec 2009, 4:20 am | click here to view more

Resolved Question: I need advise about holiday in Albuferia in Portugal in march.im staying in Auramar hotel.?

Im going for holiday in march to Albuferia in Portugal.I need informations about this region, what is worth to look ,where to go in this area and weather in second half of march, can i swim in a ocean is in not to icy? im going for 7 days how much money i shoud have with me,i paid for two meals in hotel but i wanna know what the prices are if im dining in restaurant.

18 Jan 2010, 3:26 pm | click here to view more

Resolved Question: What are the names of these two movies?

I am writing a book on human sexuality and society. There are a few movies that i have watched before but i know not their names nor actors. I need to make references to them so.... The first one was definitely shot somewhere in Europe (Portugal/Italy). It's about a young American who goes to Europe to study or something and he'll be living with a European family of four. mom, dad, Sister and Brother. He finds out that the brother and sister were committing incest and he was disgusted by it. This guy was a virgin and one day the brother and sister forced him to do it with the sister. After that he started falling for her and then the girls brother started getting jealous. When the parents find the three of them sleeping together and realize what their kids were doing, the girl wakes up and lets gas emit into the room they are sleeping in. The other one is French and it should be a sort of comedy about a painter. I really don't remember the story line but i remember this: the painter kept running around his yard butt naked and there was a girl in the home(castle) who always like to stimulate herself with silly objects. There was also another lady who after getting a massage from a big black guy, was fucked for a short time before she ran and jumped into a pool full of her naked friends and relatives. If anyone knows the names of these movies please let me know, and to those who don't, i advice to join me in this quest to find them because they are really nice . PS: It's not pornography, they are real films

18 Dec 2009, 11:26 pm | click here to view more

Resolved Question: How is My Story? (written by a 12-year old)?

SUMMARY:Becca Stanson's life changes in unimaginable ways when she discovers that she is a princess. Her Royal Highness My life isn’t that interesting. Nothing ever really happens to me. actually nothing ever really happens in this tiny I live in. I live on a farm with my dad, Steven Stanson.since my mom isn’t here I guess its my duty to take care of him in a way. “Becca,I’m gonna need you to pick up on a few chores for me today, since I’m gonna be over at Cliff’s this afternoon.” “Okay.” Cliff Rodgers lives a few miles down the road, and is a good pal to us. He is also the dad of my best pal Erin. No secrets were kept between the two of us since we made a vow to be best friends until the end in first grade. Normally on a Friday morning I would be rearranging my books that went into my bag for school. But I had already done that the night before, so I was sitting at the dining room table—just sulking. My cereal was as moist as it could receive, and my dad would be ready to take me to school any minute now. I quickly poured my cereal bowl in the sink, and grabbed my shoes. I made it to school normal time that day. The day passes pretty quickly. My English teacher ms. Evans gave us a pop quiz on the French revolution—a topic which I knew quite well—thanks to every those long, difficult nights of studying, it paid off. Erin greeted me at lunch. “So, are you doing something tomorrow ‘cause I really need help with my science project.” “Erin, are you not finished with that yet?” “Nope.” She gave me a quick grin. “I can’t, I have some chores to do tonight, and I’m sure I’ll have plenty tomorrow, too. “Well, okay.” She said. We both heard the bell ring and it was time to face two more hours of school. When I got home after school my dad was already gone, and had left me a sticky note reminding me of what I had to accomplish. It consisted of folding laundry, getting some eggs out of the chicken coop, and washing dishes. I got started on the laundry first—I started at 3:30 and got finished at some time around 7:00. My dad was too busy occupied with watching a hunting show that he didn’t notice me ask him what was for dinner. He had already eaten some bagel bites which he threw in the microwave oven. I wasn’t that hungry so I said goodnight and headed off to bed. I slept good that night, when I woke the next morning the weather seemed perfect outside. When I came downstairs I noticed that my dad’s face looked…different. It looked as if the warmthness had gone away. “Dad, are you okay?” I saw confusion in his eyes. “No Becca, I’m fine.” I didn’t believe him. “Cause if you need something I can receive it for you.” “Don’t you worry about me, why you’ve got enough going on as it is.” He was a bad liar. After waiting a few minutes to look if he would ‘fess up,I couldn’t wait any longer. “dad, arrive on, really if there’s something you need to tell, go ahead and tell, I can handle it.” The look on his face said “no I couldn’t”. When he finally spoke, he merely answered with “Your Aunt Tonia is coming.” Aunt Tonia? I didn’t know her; she was only mentioned to me a few times by my dad. Probably the only things I knew about her was that she was my mom’s sister, and she lived in Portugal. Why on earth would she be coming here? I don’t know why, but from the looks on my dad’s face I knew it was something big, something my dad would keep from telling me. I guess there was only one way to find out—I would have to hear it from Aunt Tonia herself. Do you like it? would you read more?

17 Jan 2010, 2:35 pm | click here to view more

Resolved Question: Im not allowed to switch host families. Im scared for my life?

Ive been with this host family in portugal for 7 months now & ive felt uncomfortable since day 3. Weve had 5 mediations, ive told them why i dont feel welcome in their home, ive heard their views & worked on everything they told me. Ive tried to improve commucation but its been a mess. We dont cant connect at every, making us every feel tense and awkard, and have opposite interests & dont share the same values, which makes trying to have conversations with them difficult, thus im not learning the language.i dont receive exposure because im not allowed to be out of the home by myself.my program counselor has been difficult on me, saying everything is my fault, im a disappointment, and im the problem so i cant switch families. I want to stay, learn, have a good experience but im not glad in this home. What the hell should i do?

17 Jan 2010, 1:22 pm | click here to view more

Resolved Question: my friends don't get me.. help me?

I live in Portugal, but i'm moving to the US in september, cause I got a scholarship to study there (tennis scholarship). Sometimes I feel soooo unhappy, cause my friends don't really receive me! They think I have the same life they have, LOL? They have to study for high school tests and exams, yes, but so do I (I have better marks that them)! And I still have tennis practice (3 hours a day), and I still have to worry about my SAT and TOEFL exams, as well as talking to colleges that are recruiting me! Most of my girlfriends are just jealous, that i'm going to live and study in america, and they have to stay in this little country studying! And they think that i'm just lucky, yeah right, except it's not luck, it's WORK. Now my best friends, they might not be jealous, but they think i have the same life they have, and i can't go out every friday and saturday night and receive drunk and be with every single guy, like they do! Of course i go out and i drink, but not as often as them. And they are always saying that i don't spend time with them, and i never go out with them. WHY CAN'T THEY UNDERSTAND THAT I DON'T HAVE TIME? And when i do have time, i like to spend that time alone, cause they don't receive me.. I really wanna go to the US and leave this place.. cause the only ones that understand me are my family.. what can i do?? help me out

17 Feb 2010, 9:21 am | click here to view more

Resolved Question: Do you still believe that America's best days are ahead of her?

Or will Obama win and turn us into a bigger version of Portugal?

17 Feb 2010, 1:41 pm | click here to view more

Resolved Question: How is The Beginning of My Story?

hello again, I am the person who wrote the first chapter to Lovingly Yours to read it:http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ahh9lhLfM3C9cuXgEyw6cxDsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20100115185117AADC8pW I have written a new story called Her Royal Highness and it is about 13 year old Becca Stanson who finds out that she is a princess. tell me if you like it,and if I am a good writer since I'm only 12. Her Royal Highness My life isn’t that interesting. Nothing ever really happens to me. actually nothing ever really happens in this tiny I live in. I live on a farm with my dad, Steven Stanson.since my mom isn’t here I guess its my duty to take care of him in a way. “Becca,I’m gonna need you to pick up on a few chores for me today, since I’m gonna be over at Cliff’s this afternoon.” “Okay.” Cliff Rodgers lives a few miles down the road, and is a good pal to us. He is also the dad of my best pal Erin. No secrets were kept between the two of us since we made a vow to be best friends until the end in first grade. Normally on a Friday morning I would be rearranging my books that went into my bag for school. But I had already done that the night before, so I was sitting at the dining room table—just sulking. My cereal was as moist as it could receive, and my dad would be ready to take me to school any minute now. I quickly poured my cereal bowl in the sink, and grabbed my shoes. I made it to school normal time that day. The day passes pretty quickly. My English teacher ms. Evans gave us a pop quiz on the French revolution—a topic which I knew quite well—thanks to every those long, difficult nights of studying, it paid off. Erin greeted me at lunch. “So, are you doing something tomorrow ‘cause I really need help with my science project.” “Erin, are you not finished with that yet?” “Nope.” She gave me a quick grin. “I can’t, I have some chores to do tonight, and I’m sure I’ll have plenty tomorrow, too. “Well, okay.” She said. We both heard the bell ring and it was time to face two more hours of school. When I got home after school my dad was already gone, and had left me a sticky note reminding me of what I had to accomplish. It consisted of folding laundry, getting some eggs out of the chicken coop, and washing dishes. I got started on the laundry first—I started at 3:30 and got finished at some time around 7:00. My dad was too busy occupied with watching a hunting show that he didn’t notice me ask him what was for dinner. He had already eaten some bagel bites which he threw in the microwave oven. I wasn’t that hungry so I said goodnight and headed off to bed. I slept good that night, when I woke the next morning the weather seemed perfect outside. When I came downstairs I noticed that my dad’s face looked…different. It looked as if the warmthness had gone away. “Dad, are you okay?” I saw confusion in his eyes. “No Becca, I’m fine.” I didn’t believe him. “Cause if you need something I can receive it for you.” “Don’t you worry about me, why you’ve got enough going on as it is.” He was a bad liar. After waiting a few minutes to look if he would ‘fess up,I couldn’t wait any longer. “dad, arrive on, really if there’s something you need to tell, go ahead and tell, I can handle it.” The look on his face said “no I couldn’t”. When he finally spoke, he merely answered with “Your Aunt Tonia is coming.” Aunt Tonia? I didn’t know her; she was only mentioned to me a few times by my dad. Probably the only things I knew about her was that she was my mom’s sister, and she lived in Portugal. Why on earth would she be coming here? I don’t know hwy, but from the looks on my dad’s face I knew it was something big, something my dad would keep from telling me. I guess there was only one way to find out—I would have to hear it from Aunt Tonia herself. what do you think? please tell me.

16 Jan 2010, 5:42 pm | click here to view more

Resolved Question: make up brushes...how many do you really need?

so yeah...i have a problem understanding the need of having like 1,000 different eye shadow brushes...especially cause i'm not planning on wear eyeshadow most days but i still feel like i should have some of them, like the crease brush, or the blending brush... the thing is...the few times i try to wear eyeshadow looks, my regular brushes seemed to apply shadow the crease very efficiently and blend just as well... and also...every brush kits in this stupid country of Portugal arrive with two brushes that i think are for eyeshadow....the spongy one (similar to the one that arrive with eyeshadow palettes) and a flat like one...so if you need more, why do they one arrive with that? and why do brush kits not include the foundation brush?

16 Feb 2010, 7:06 am | click here to view more

Resolved Question: My boyfriend went to this party?

Well my boyfriend went to this carnival's party which takes place in one of most knowns discos here in portugal, Kadoc. Im like those girls who just doesnt like going to places like that , but my boyfriend wanted to go and i accepted it, i thought i would feel fine about it ... but now that the day has arrive and that he just went to the party half an hour ago i kinda start wondering if it was a good choice of mine letting him go or not wanting to go... Baaaah oh! i forgot to mention! there will be girls dancing half naked ! like those brazilian girls!

15 Feb 2010, 6:22 pm | click here to view more

Voting Question: Astigmatism -> could it become worse after 4 months?

4 months ago i went to an ophthalmologist and she told me i was starting to develop astigmatism. It was really few, it's like, i have 0.75 in my left eye and my right eye is perfect. She told me if i had no headaches i had nothing to worry about. But 2 months ago i got a job where i have to work 8 to 10 hours per day in front of a computer and i find it difficult to focus my sight whilst working on little details, which is what i do every the time! Surely i have to wear glasses, even if it's only for working. well.. now the other question is: i don't want to spend 70 euros to go to an ophthalmologist again, neither have to wait 1 month to receive an appointment in public health system (it's how things work in Portugal, unfortunately). So, i want to go to a store and make a free sight test, as some places do. The thing is, some people say they aren't such accurate, and my dad was a case who confirms that. i have the examination results, so i can compare. but it was 4 months ago. Could it receive worse after that time? oh and i forgot to mention, my eyes kinda hurt in the end of every day.

15 Dec 2009, 6:11 pm | click here to view more

Resolved Question: Didn't Russia completely win WW2?

Here is a snipit from an un-editable wikipedia page. The source is most likely from American governments and Russian governments. Stalingrad, 1942. The vast majority of the fighting in the World War II took place on the Eastern Front.[17] Nazi Germany suffered 80% to 93% of every casualties there.[18][19] So 83 + 93 / 2 = 88% of every casualties of the Germans if averaged? So America takes every the credit while the Soviets beat Germany down to their knees? For Pete's sake Russia even got into Germany first and there is proof Hitler was killed and buried by Soviets. 7.62 bullet hole through the skull proves it. So... Why do the American's take every the credit. every my Slavic brothers fought to the end while you took every the countries wimpy to this day. Britain is losing more men then America in the war against the Taliban and Al Quida, France & Italy aren't based on war, and basically Spain and Portugal didn't really do anything. The Soviet Union had over 10 million men during WW2 and they could battle in winter... So why can't Germany? Russia is like 20 Degrees colder at most then Germany. Didn't they send 88/100 Germans? 88% of their forces dead in one battle of stalingrad is pretty darn big. I though the U-Boats sunk every the weak American shipping boats. Russians had a bad Airforce but now has the world's best or second best. I think every they would need is a P-39 to accident before they noticed they could use their Y.A.K. fighters.

14 Jan 2010, 5:38 pm | click here to view more

Resolved Question: HELP! : when is valentine's day in ...... *AJUDA POR FAVOR!*?

when is valentine's day in Portugal?? i thought its 16th of October im i right ... ~o.O i live in portugal ..but im not portuguese and english ain't my 1st lango {complicated i know i know} xD

14 Dec 2009, 10:58 am | click here to view more

Resolved Question: Why do people claim the U.S. is the most generous country?

For every of those who claim the US is generous rather than stingy, and who make “convenient” claims that the obvious shortfall in public foreign aid is outweighed by private aid, consider this. When public and private foreign aid are added up, the US ($0.18 per person per day) falls below every but a handful of other countries – Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Australia and New Zealand. Those last two were pretty surprising, and dismaying to me personally as an admirer of both countries. At the top of the list is Norway, whose residents ($1.26/person/day or 7x the US figure despite similar per capita GDP) might be forgiven for perceiving the US as being a bit stingy. -Jeff Darcy

13 Jan 2010, 6:13 pm | click here to view more

Resolved Question: What date and times is the carnival(s) in portugal?

I'm going to algarve on the 16th of february for a week and was just wondering the time, dates and locations. Is it just one day or several??? Thankyou.

12 Jan 2010, 11:32 am | click here to view more

Resolved Question: Ferret is Squeaking While Playing?

Hello everyone! I just adopted an 8 month old ferret who has gotten along GREAT with my pair of 3 year olds. They cuddle every the time and everything. The only thing is when the new one and my male are wrestling, I'll hear dooking and the occasional squeak. Is this normal and someone is being a bit too rough, or is this more serious? Some info: Marley(New ferret) was previously an only ferret(He had an amazng family but had to move to Portugal. The day before they were to leave they were denied bringing him, though he had a ticket and everything.) and spent 2 months at the ferret shelter before he was adopted. He's a BIG boy, nearly as big as my 3 lb male Roo. Roo was found wandering the woods and was taken in by a girl who had a dainty 1.5 female already. The girl became very sick and was in the hospital so much she decided to give them up for adoption. Roo is VERY laid back, so much that I trust him with letting tiny kids pet him and walk him on his leash. I don't know if that will be helpful to anyone, I figured it couldn't hurt.

12 Jan 2010, 11:06 am | click here to view more

Resolved Question: Trains in Portugal....?

I am looking to be using the train service at the end of this month in Portugal and would like some help reguarding which company to use and times ECT. I plan to land in Oporto if possible from England as I will be meeting a pal that lives in Coimbra on the first day and another pal in Lisbao on the next day. The third day I need to travel to Faro in the Algarve in order to catch a flight back 4 days after that (one week holiday in total) I'm in a panic as I dont talk Portuguese yet and don't want to receive lost and stressed out while there! Is there a 'stress free' way of doing this at every because if the service is anything like the trains here in Britain I might as well give up now LOL Any advise and links sent to me will be greatly appreciated. Many thanks :-)

11 Feb 2010, 4:32 pm | click here to view more

Resolved Question: how would you show that you are THE BIGGEST fan of something in only ONE picture?! [a band]?

well i'm about to enter a contest and the deadline is... in 6 days. today's the 10th and it ends on the 16th. the main thing is that i have to email a pic of how big of a -band- fan i am. if it's good enough then i'll win a special PRIZE. then i receive to go to a private concert with a few other -band- fans. in a 'secret location' :O yeah. i can't wait. but i just have NO IDEA WHATSOEVER about how the pic should be! maybe i should wear my -band- shirt and pose in front of my -band- poster? or show me sitting in front of my laptop on the -band- official website?! i don't know!!! ugh. but yeah. i really need some help. i'm suprised that i haven't said a bad word since i started typing this... hmm... so yeah. but if i do win, then i have to jump on a plane in... portugal [?] and go to the 'secret location' in germany. i'm in the united states... i don't even know if my mom will let me. and i need a passport... and i might not be old enough... the for sure concert is on the 20th. omg 10 days until it's actually happening. but the deadline is in 6. so yeah, please help. ohhh and the '-band-' is tokio hotel :P

11 Feb 2010, 12:24 am | click here to view more

Vermeulen doubtful for Portimao (Crash.Net via Yahoo! UK & Ireland Sport)

Chris Vermeulen admits he is facing a race against time in order to be fit for the second round of the World Superbike Championship in Portugal after further examination of his injured knee revealed damage to the ligaments and muscles. Vermeulen underwent an MRI scan in Australia following his accident during the second race of the day, the former MotoGP rider falling at high-speed on the run up ...

10 Mar 2010, 7:50 am | click here to view more

Words With Friends: Like Scrabulous for iPhone!

Remember Scrabulous, the Facebook-powered Scrabble knockoff that was every the rage a couple years back? I was a serious addict, but lost interest after every the name changes, lawsuits, redesigns, etc.

Thanks to my bad pal Denny, my addiction is reborn--and mobile. Words With Friends is a two-player crossword challenge that offers turn-based, Scrabulous-like competition. It's not perfect, but I'm loving it.

So I'm getting creamed. Can I help it if I draw bad letters?

(Credit: Rick Broida)

The game lets you complete online against random players and/or friends. (Built-in Facebook/Twitter links let you post an invitation as a status update.) You can have up to 20 matches going at once, with push notifications letting you know when it's your turn.

There's also an in-game chat option. You can tell when an opponent is online when you look a pair of eyeballs next to the Chat button.

The game itself plays much like Scrabble, though with a slightly different distribution of the bonus squares (double word score, triple letter score, etc.). A double-tap is every it takes to zoom into the board for easier tile placement or back again for a full-board view.

It would be nice if WWF had a few more amenities, like a button for clearing your tiles or a list of legal two-letter words. But my big complaint is that the game doesn't keep a tally of your potential word score as you place your tiles. It's only after you make your play that you find out your total for the turn. (What, I'm supposed to do math in my head?)

WWF also suffers from some performance issues, like seemingly endless lag when attempting to submit your turn. Most of the time, the game worked fine, but it's frustrating when it doesn't.

Developer Newtoy offers a free, ad-supported version of Words With Friends and a $2.99 ad-free version.

The ads receive pretty annoying pretty quickly, so I may just bite the bullet and pay my 3 bucks. On the other hand, Words With Friends is such a distraction (albeit an incredibly enjoyable one), the smarter move would be to delete it altogether.

Eh, I'm probably not that smart. In fact, my username is justrick if you want to challenge me to a game. In the meantime, check out "Five perfect puzzle games for the iPhone."

Originally posted at iPhone Atlas

10 Mar 2010, 7:00 am | click here to view more

A look at global economic developments (San Francisco Chronicle)

A look at economic developments and activity in major stock markets around the world Wednesday: ___ BEIJING _ China's exports surged in February in a new sign of growing global demand that could help persuade officials to let the Chinese currency rise.... China - People's Republic of China - Asia - BEIJING - Export

10 Mar 2010, 1:16 pm | click here to view more

A look at economic developments and activity in major stock markets around the world (Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune)

BEIJING — China's exports surged in February in a new sign of growing global demand that could help persuade officials to let the Chinese currency rise.

10 Mar 2010, 12:58 pm | click here to view more

Bunds Fall After Sale of Two-Year Notes, Portuguese Auction (Bloomberg)

March 10 (Bloomberg) -- German bonds declined after the nation sold 5 billion euros of two-year notes and Portugal’s larger-than-planned securities auction helped reduce the appeal of the safest debt.

10 Mar 2010, 11:37 am | click here to view more

Dollar Gives Ground as Chinese Exports Jump (ABC News)

Dollar gives back some gains as Chinese exports jump, Portugal sells bonds Portugal - Travel and Tourism - China - Arts and Entertainment - Greece

10 Mar 2010, 11:16 am | click here to view more

Dollar gives back some gains as Chinese exports jump, Portugal sells bonds (Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune)

NEW YORK - The dollar gave back some gains Wednesday as a big jump in Chinese exports last month suggested global demand for goods is rising, while Portugal's successful bond sale helped calm some worries over budget problems facing several European countries.

10 Mar 2010, 10:58 am | click here to view more

Resolved Question: How would you feel if..?

For some reason I've been thinking about this a lot, no idea why. When I was around 4 or 5 years old, I was living in Portugal and my sister was 2 or 3 at the time. Both my parents wanted to move to Canada and my dad left first, a few weeks before my mom and sister. One day, when I woke up both my sister and my mom weren't at home.. so I asked my grandmother (who was my next door neighbor at the time) where they were.. and turned out that my mom and my sister moved to Canada without telling me. Obviously I didn't really understand why at the time and I was pretty hurt. I would talk to my mom thorough the phone and I held this against her for a while when I moved with my parents. Whenever I fought with them when I was 9 or 10 I would bring this up, obviously I don't anymore.I stayed living with my grandparents and my aunt for about a year then my aunt took me to stay with my parents in Canada. I have no idea why I keep thinking about it, I was just looking at a few photos from when I was younger for a school project and I noticed that I don't have a signle photo of my dad and I when we were younger while my sister has a like a thousand just from that year that I was away. I know it seems as if I'm blowing this out of proportion but I've always felt as if this is probably why my dad likes my sister likes a lot more. I know this seems pretty childish.

10 Feb 2010, 9:08 am | click here to view more

Day of Portugal and Portuguese Heritage in Rhode Island

Day of Portugal and Portuguese Heritage in Rhode Island. Dia de Portugal, de Camões e das Comunidades Portuguesas em Rhode Island

1 Mar 2010, 8:32 am | click here to view more

Resolved Question: AP World History questions - 10 pts?

Question 1 (Multiple Choice Worth 1 points) People who sought to maintain traditional societal customs were known as socialists. nationalists. liberals. conservatives. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question 2 (Multiple Choice Worth 1 points) Japan's nationalism was fostered by Industrialization & Modernization. Isolationism & Feudalism. Socialism & Isolationism. Convalescence & Crisis. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question 3 (Multiple Choice Worth 1 points) British abolitionists and liberated American slaves founded a settlement named Freetown in Sierra Leona. Ethiopia. Libya. Tripoli. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question 4 (Multiple Choice Worth 1 points) The chief intellectual cause of the French and American Revolutions was the Enlightenment. economic ideas of mercantilism. Renaissance. 1688 Glorious Revolution in England. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question 5 (Multiple Choice Worth 1 points) His speech, "Blood and Iron" inspired German Industrialization and Militarism, and competition with other European Nations. Hitler Bismarck Kaiser Wilhelm Charlemagne -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question 6 (Multiple Choice Worth 1 points) Realpolitik is the concept that negotiation is preferable over war. Germany should be unified into a sovereign nation. every German-speaking peoples should be consolidated in one nation. the ends justify the means. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question 7 (Multiple Choice Worth 1 points) In the eighteenth century, the Philippines were controlled by China. France. Spain. Portugal. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question 8 (Multiple Choice Worth 1 points) Who wrote "The Communist Manifesto"? Marx and Engels Owen and Marx Engels and Owen Marx and Fourier -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question 9 (Multiple Choice Worth 1 points) Nineteenth Century ruling elites in Russia embraced which philosophy and ideas? autocratic government, Orthodox religion, and extreme nationalism liberalism, including the emancipation of serfs and British-style democracy socialism, with land reform for peasants and protections for workers Bolshevism, or a worker-led revolution and abolition of private property -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question 10 (Multiple Choice Worth 1 points) This country's revolution lasted for almost 25 years in the Fever Model. America Mexico Haiti France -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question 11 (Multiple Choice Worth 1 points) The Reform Act of 1867 allowed working class men to vote. established female suffrage. reduced the work week to five days. abolished slavery. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question 12 (Multiple Choice Worth 1 points) Who transformed Egypt's economy and built a powerful military, starting a dynasty that lasted until the 1950s? Mahmud III Sadat Muhammad Ali Ibrahim Pasha -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question 13 (Multiple Choice Worth 1 points) Revocation of the Edict of Nantes and the religious intolerance in France violated the principles of Locke's Social Contract. Socialism. Mercantilism. More's Utopia. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question 14 (Multiple Choice Worth 1 points) What percentage of southern males owned at least one slave? 25% 35% 50% 75% -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question 15 (Multiple Choice Worth 1 points) Which Asian country most closely emulated Western customs and adopted Western practices? Japan China Korea Vietnam -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question 16 (Multiple Choice Worth 1 points) Devotion to the creation of a unified independent state based on a common culture and language is known as socialism. liberalism. conservatism. nationalism. ---------------------------------

1 Mar 2010, 6:27 am | click here to view more

Carnation Revolution - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Carnation Revolution (Portuguese: Revolução dos Cravos), also referred to as the 25 de Abril, was a left-leaning military coup [1] started on 25 April 1974, in Lisbon, Portugal ...

1 Mar 2010, 2:41 am | click here to view more

Portugal Day (holiday) -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia

Britannica online encyclopedia article on Portugal Day (holiday), ... Email " is the e-mail address you used when you registered. " Password" is case sensitive.

1 Mar 2010, 10:05 am | click here to view more