Rio De Janeiro’s 2016 Olympic Games
Part II
Becky Kospanova

This year, thousands of people watched the Summer Olympic Games being held in London, Great Britain – one of the most renowned cities of the world. However, in four years, the Olympiad of 2016 will come to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – a spectacular city with rich history, fascinating culture, and beautiful people. It will be the first time a South American city will host such an event, which understandably brings a lot of pride and excitement to the people of Rio and Brazil.

How did the election process occur? In 2009, members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) met in Denmark to discuss the candidate cities and, after three rounds of voting, selected Rio to hold the 2016 Games. Initially, seven cities (Chicago, Madrid, Tokyo, Prague, Baku, Doha, and Rio) were proposed by their National Olympic Committees to hold the Olympics. After the voting in 2008, the IOC chose four candidate cities – Chicago, Tokyo, Madrid, and Rio- to be considered as a future host of the Games. After three rounds of voting in 2009, Rio received 66 votes as opposed to 32 votes for Madrid and was given an honor to hold the Olympiad. The judges were very impressed by the proposed plans for building an excellent Olympic village and sporting venues located at four zones and connected by a highway ring, which will allow the athletes to arrive at their destinations quickly.

Rio’s history and architecture were influenced by Portuguese, French, English, and its native cultures. There are many spectacular churches, museums, palaces, universities, and old homes which will certainly impress everybody. In fact, Rio is the most visited city in South America with almost 2.5 million tourists arriving annually. There are many historical landmarks in Rio such as National Library, the seventh largest library in the world, National Museum of Fine Arts, National Museum of Natural Science, Botanical Garden, and the Imperial Square. On July 1, 2012, UNESCO granted Rio de Janeiro a title of World Heritage Site in the category of Cultural Landscapes.

All these factors will indisputably greatly enhance the experience of Olympic Games of 2016 for all involved!

Margarita Tartakovsky

Some of us have shorter fuses than others. But all of us have those little aggravations that build up — and before we know it — burst. Whether you stew and simmer on the inside or find yourself breathlessly yelling at a complete stranger (or loved one), your impatience can lead to a whole lot of stress. Learning to be more patient has a slew of benefits, including helping to reduce stress and anxiety. Patience also helps you be more present in the moment. And patience prevents you from pummeling your boss or loved ones with unpleasant remarks. Fortunately, patience isn’t some innate virtue. It’s a skill you can practice and master. Here are four common patience pitfalls and pointers to help.

Being Stuck in Traffic
Getting stuck in traffic can easily make you feel harried and helpless. You have places to go, and things to do! But the reality is that you’re wedged between cars and not going anywhere any time soon. While this very thought feels frustrating, it’s also a great opportunity. Our days are typically crammed with tasks and technology. How often do you get a few minutes to yourself (not counting watching TV, being on the computer or listening to your iPod)? Just a few minutes to actually sit in silence and gather your thoughts can help. If that doesn’t sound appealing, use the time to call and catch up with a loved one or to listen to calming music or a new audio book. The key is to accept that at this very moment, there’s nothing you can do about all the congestion. Many of us sprint through our days. Traffic – though upsetting — gives us the opportunity to slow down and do something more pleasant than stew in our seats.

Waiting in Line
A funny thing happens when you’re waiting in line: You start thinking about all the tasks you could be doing instead of waiting in line. Suddenly your to-do list swells, and your patience shrinks. And who could blame you? Today, we’re desperately out of touch with waiting. Thanks to drive-thru meals, high-speed Internet and email, we’re used to getting what we want fast. So in these moments, it can feel like you have very little control over your emotions and anxious thoughts.

In his book Urban Mindfulness: Cultivating Peace, Presence & Purpose in the Middle of It All, clinical psychologist Jonathan S. Kaplan, Ph.D., encourages readers to slow down precisely when you’re feeling pressured to speed up. He suggests being still and taking several deep breaths. As you try to be still, you might notice that you’re still pacing or taking shallow breaths. Instead, observe the tapes that are playing in your head, thoughts that might sound familiar and reject your efforts to slow down. Ask yourself if there’s anything you can do to expedite the process. If not, “Practice acceptance.”
He also suggests readers “Explore ways to appreciate things that move slowly or take time,” such as making a meal from scratch or even getting a cactus and watching it grow. This helps you get more accustomed to decelerating.

Another tip: As you feel the rage for a slow employee rise, try to muster up some empathy. No doubt at some point in your life you were slow at a new job (or in another situation). Rather than getting angry put you in their shoes. Anger ignites impatience. But empathy can ease irritation, and help patience prosper.

Dealing with Rude People
Some days, doesn’t it feel like the people you come into contact with think you’re invisible? They cut you in line, cut you off on the road or slam into you without even saying they’re sorry. And, of course, it’s not just strangers who can be rude. It might be your boss, your neighbor, a good friend or even your spouse. Dealing with rude people can easily heighten your own impatience and possibly even escalate into an altercation. The best way to deal with rudeness is to adjust your reaction. You’ve probably heard this advice from your elders, but it’s true. The only things you can control are your own feelings and actions.

What also helps is brushing up on your communication skills. When communicating assertively, use “I” statements; be direct; and express your needs without getting emotional, aggressive or defensive. If you do find your anger amplifying, take several deep breaths, and if possible, take a break to cool off.

Coping with Your Own triggers
We all have unique stressors that push our patience. Maybe it’s your mother-in-law who can’t help but tell you how to make dinner, clean your house, raise the kids and live your life. Maybe it’s your co-workers who think gossiping is really their job or your kids who haven’t yet learned the splendor of silence. Take a few minutes to consider the top three things that seem to pillage your patience, and how you might approach them. Before coping with any potential pitfall, take a few long, deep breaths and remember that your mother-in-law probably has good intentions, your co-workers might be insecure themselves and your kids are just being kids.

Even if these explanations aren’t exactly accurate, don’t forget that you decide how others make you feel. When dealing with your own triggers, it also helps to cultivate gratitude. For instance, you might be thankful that your mother-in-law is a great grandma. You might be thankful that you have a job and a co-worker or two who help you out once in a while. And you might be thankful that your kids are healthy and full of energy. And when all else fails, take a break and get your nails done!

Seek patience
and passion
In equal amounts.

Patience alone
Will not build the temple.

Passion alone
Will destroy its walls.

~ Maya Angelou ~

He ordered his eldest son, his nephew, and his second wife put to death. He tortured, murdered and imprisoned anyone, including cousins and former friends, known or suspected of being political rivals. He issued an edict on religious freedom for all in his dominions yet dismantled temples and looted their treasuries. He proclaimed himself a follower of the Prince of Peace, yet his path to undisputed power was littered with battles, great and small.

He was called Constantine the Great, and for centuries historians and church leaders have been divided as to the motives for his embrace and eventual conversion to Christianity. Theories on why Constantine abandoned the Roman pantheon of gods have ranged from conspiracy with bishops inside the nascent Christian community to guilt over the murder of his son. But there is agreement that this ruthless empire builder of late antiquity was the single most influential force in the spread of the faith. Through a twist of fate, this ruler who warred and willed the Roman Empire back together, laid the groundwork for the rise of Christendom.

A Vision and A Bridge

Though the story handed down has been deemed truth by some and legend by others, there is general agreement that Constantine attributed the defeat of Maxentius, ruler of Rome, to an experience directed by the Christian God. The legend goes that on the eve of a battle near the Miluvian Bridge on the Tiber River near Rome, Constantine saw a cross of light in the sky above the sun. Around the cross appeared the words, ‘In hoc signo vinces,’ which means, “By this, conquer.” That night, Christ appeared to him in a dream and urged him to make a copy of what he’d seen. The next morning Constantine summoned a goldsmith and had a large cross-fashioned to carry into the fight against Maxentius.

Despite his troops being outnumbered, Constantine prevailed that day. While retreating across the bridge, Maxentius and hundreds of his troops were plunged into the swirling currents of the Tiber when the structure collapsed. They swiftly sank to the bottom dragged down by the weight of their armor. Thus began Constantine’s alliance with Christianity though he would not formally convert until he was on his deathbed 25 years later.

A Savvy Strategy

Considered a minor religion, Christians comprised less than ten percent of the population subject to Constantine’s rule. Realizing that forced conversion would be impractical, the strategy employed by the sovereign to promote the marginal practice included such ploys as exempting clergy from taxes, stripping pagan temples of their costly furnishings, and ornaments, banning blood sacrifices and statues of the emperor, and incorporating Christian symbols into the public spaces and architecture of his new capital city, Constantinople. He wrote an open letter to the people of Palestine, and embedded the sign of the cross in the equipment and arms used by his troops. Constantine made it clear that Christianity was his religion of choice.

Lasting Impact

By the time of his death in 337 A.D., Constantine the Great had bishops as a trusted part of the imperial entourage and Christian language, symbols and rituals became part of the vocabulary of imperial power. A mere forty years earlier, Roman authorities had launched a systematic assault to suppress Christianity. It was a time referred to by members of that community as the “Great Persecution.”

There is little dispute among modern historians and religious scholars that without the financial subsidies and generous support of Constantine, Christianity would have remained a minor faith practice on the fringes of the Mediterranean world. It was the Emperor’s assistance that marked a fundamental turning point in the destiny of the Christian church and the European state. The world would never be the same.

Perhaps Leonardo Da Vinci said it best, “Once you have flown, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you long to return.” Certainly that lyrical sentiment was true for the two men who celebrate a record setting, 25th anniversary this July.

In 1987, Richard Branson and Per Lindstrand became the first men to cross the Atlantic in a hot air balloon. Their historic flight covered a distance of 3,075 miles, from Maine to Ireland, in just 31 hours and 41 minutes. The crossing was only slightly marred with a less than elegant ending. Both men had to be pulled from the North Channel, that body of water separating Northern Ireland from Scotland, by the Royal Navy.

Underway

Named the Virgin Atlantic Flyer, the balloon, or “envelope” as it’s known in the business, was a silver and black behemoth that billowed to the height of a 22-story building when fully inflated. Lindstrand, a Swedish-born aviator, aeronautical engineer, and owner of Lindstrand Technologies, designed and built the Flyer at his factory in Oswestry, England.

Lindstrand’s concept of the flight was simple–go high and fast by maneuvering the balloon into the jet stream. He and Branson along with their requisite gear would be housed in a pressurized aluminum capsule surrounded by propane fuel tanks to feed the burners. During the day the balloon would be kept aloft by the sun’s heat at night, the burners would take over.

Early on the morning of July 2nd, the balloon lifted off from its “Sugar Loaf” launch site in Maine. Rising at a speed of 137 knots per hour, the conveyance soon rose to its cruising altitude of 27,000 feet. Flying at an average speed of 97m.p.h., the passage was swift and smooth. On July 3rd, they descended toward their final destination.

Bumpy Landing

Due to weather conditions, the landing site had been altered from the British Isles to the Ireland coast. Technically, they touched down briefly on the targeted beach but a mechanism that releases the balloon from the capsule failed to work. Soon, they were on a bumpy, bouncing ride across the channel. Rough, contentious seas seeped into the capsule. Though there was some discussion on coaxing the limping conveyance to shore, both men concluded it was wiser to hazard a helicopter rescue from the water after a 60-foot leap off the capsule roof. Despite their soggy touchdown, the trip was an undeniable success.

The Men In The Flying Machine

Neither Branson nor Lindstrand were strangers to daredevil feats. Both men had a longstanding love affair with taking on challenges. Branson, a high school dropout, had a flair for entrepreneurial ventures. His megabrand, Virgin, is home to more than 200 companies from gyms to intergalactic space travel.

The 4th of July is probably one of the most well-known and beloved holidays in the United States of America. Everybody looks forward to firing up some barbecue, inviting friends and family to share their meal, watch the fireworks, and enjoy all things American. However, there is considerably more behind this holiday than the usual things, which came to be associated with it. While most people connect the 4th of July with such words as Concord, Lexington, Bunker Hill, and the “British Are Coming,”- there is more to the history of the Independence War. Most people associate the white Protestants as a major force behind the Independence War. However, it was not exactly the case. There were other segments of American population, which provided invaluable input toward the ultimate goal of achieving independence from the British Empire.

At the start of the war, about fifth of the population of the original thirteen colonies were people of African descent (an estimated forty thousand people). While some of them were free, the majority were slaves in the South. As such, many people of African-Americans tried to improve their chances of getting freedom or at least some monetary compensation by enrolling into the army. Some of them sought their freedom by aligning with the British forces, while others chose to put their fates into American dream. Many African-Americans were enlisted as Minutemen, such as Crispus Attucks and Peter Salem who fought along the Patriots against the British forces in Massachusetts.

However, some people became apprehensive about arming black people in the fear that they would turn their arms against their enslavers. Thus, the rulings were issued which prohibited the enlisting of black people into the army. In 1775, George Washington decreed, “Neither Negroes, boys unable to bear neither arms nor old men unfit to endure the fatigues of the campaign, are to be enlisted.” However, the blacks that were already serving in the Army were allowed to continue to do so. Still, when the Patriots were in a tight corner, they turned to enlisting black soldiers to support their cause. Thus, a Rhode Island Regiment was formed in 1778 to fight the British forces and became the only regiment of the Continental Army to have segregated companies of black soldiers.

At the same time Lord Dunmore, the staunch supporter of British Crown and the governor of Virginia, formed the Ethiopian Regiment, which employed the black soldiers against the Patriots with the promise of freedom and money for their service. Still, the fate was not on their side. Most black people who fought along with the Patriots or Loyalists were sent to such places as Jamaica, St. Augustine, and West Africa after the war. While some managed to get their freedom, majority of African-Americans did not get what they were hoping for during the Independence War.

Another segment of population that did not get much attention regarding their involvement into the Independence War were American Indians. Undoubtedly, their position was a difficult one. On the one hand, the British promised the Indian tribes their land and freedom in return for their loyalty to British Crown, while the Americans promised the same things for their allegiance to American cause. Thus, some Indian tribes sided with the British (Mohawks, Cayugas, Onondagas, and Senecas) while others such as Oneidas and Tuscaroras fought with the Americans. This dichotomy dissolved the Confederacy, which tried to keep the tribes as a strong presence in the North. Other native tribes in the South also took sides.

As always, wars bring up the worst in people. While the Independence War was a big step in obtaining freedom from the British Empire for the newly formed country of the United States of America, there were people who were deceived in their expectations and those who got exactly what they wanted. It is always the case with wars.