Reasons to Visit Las Vegas
The largest and most prominent city of the state of Nevada, Las Vegas goes by many monikers, such as 'Sin City" and the "Entertainment Capital of the World." Although it was only established in 1905, the city has experienced a series of economic booms brought about by the legalization of gambling. Today, Las Vegas has become the place to go if you want to enjoy yourself. Here are a few reasons why you should visit Las Vegas, Nevada.
Las Vegas is an ideal tourist destination all year-round, with an average of 300 days of sunshine annually. While temperatures may exceed 100°F during the dry summer months, temperatures are manageable with the help of proper hydration and air-conditioning. The mild winter weather has also made Las Vegas a popular destination for New Year's Eve celebrations.
Las Vegas is not exclusive to the rich and famous. Most domestic tourists visit the city during the weekend, so budget conscious travellers should consider booking weekday dates for reduced room rates and best available seating on flights.
Las Vegas is also a good place to visit if you want to get married in a hurry. Couples looking to reduce wedding expenses can drop by Las Vegas for a quick and simple ceremony at one of the city's many wedding chapels.
No trip to Vegas would be complete without a visit to The Strip, a 4-mile stretch that houses some of the best gambling, shopping, fine dining and entertainment hotspots in the world. Lavishly decorated with a meticulous eye for detail, The Strip's many establishments evoke an atmosphere of glamour, passion, and excitement. Mass transit is readily available, though some casinos provide free shuttle rides for guests.
Visitors in the mood for a quieter evening can take a leisurely evening stroll and enjoy the landmark sights and sounds of Vegas such as the Fountains at the Bellagio, the Sirens of Treasure Island or The Mirage volcano.
Vegas is also a great location for gambling, and those visitors who are in the mood to test their luck can visit one of the city's many casinos. Besides trying their luck at the tables, guests have a variety of entertainment choices. Cirque du Soleil productions are perennial favourites, as are illusionist acts and headliner concerts. Celebrity followers can also hang out at Pure, TAO and other happening nightspots for a night of partying and "stargazing."
Another interesting attraction is the Jubilee All Access Walking Tour, which gives an insider's view of a classic showgirl revue. The city also nurtures a thriving arts community, with institutions like the Guggenheim Hermitage Museum and the Smithsonian-affiliated Las Vegas Art Museum. For some hometown flair, head on to the Downtown Arts District for the monthly First Friday festivals showcasing local artists and musicians.
By:Paul Symonds
Exploring the Most Interesting Sites of Australia
From the animals exclusive only to this area of the world to the history offered, the many places to visit in Australia will delight you and enhance your knowledge of this beautiful country.
Kakadu National Park
Come along for the first stop, which is the Kakadu National Park. This is an area of Australia that does not matter what season in which you visit, there will always be plenty on the agenda. The range of wildlife in this area is one of the thrilling sights that will include some you may have never even heard of much less have seen. For instance, this is the natural habitat for the black wallaroo, magpie geese and chestnut-quilled rock pigeon.
Because this area of Australia is protected, the extinction of the animals has been very little, if there has been any, for over 200 years. Bandicoots, lizards, dingoes and snakes may be seen as well as many types of birds and you should always be on the lookout for the crocodile. Camping, nature trails, cruises and flights are all available here for your enjoyment of this area.
Sydney
Of course, you cannot miss Sydney on your tour of places to visit in Australia. This lively city was home to the 2000 Olympic Games and underwent a major renovation in preparation for the event. Take a cruise aboard a luxurious Catamaran. You will feel like royalty when you are pampered and provided with all the amenities the cruises afford. With entertainment and dining included, this Sydney Harbour cruise is one that is offered or you could board one of the three glass ballroom cruisers and enjoy the sights from this unique viewpoint.
Make sure and include the Chinese Garden of Friendship, the IMAX Theatre and the Sydney Aquarium on your list of places to visit in Australia. The Harbourside Shopping Centre is a shopping experience you will not soon forget with 150 shops for the dedicated shopper. An international food court has 40 shops for everybody's tastes and you can find all the souvenirs you want to take home.
Red Centre
Sacred to the Aboriginal people in Australia, the red rock pillar is especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset when the colors change. While basking in the culture of this area, you can enjoy sleeping under the starry skies, take a ride on a camel and gain an understanding of the aspects of the Aboriginal art as it relates to the spirit.
The Green Cauldron
The vast crater created by a volcano will be another of the most interesting sights in Australia. The rainforests that are sheltered by this huge crater are almost mystical to view. The vegetation is plentiful here and there are many rare flowers and animals that are indigenous to this area. Enjoy  yourself as you have found one of the most beautiful places to visit in Australia when you enter the Green Cauldron area.
All around the crater rim you will have the pleasure of visiting the fishing villages, seeing the breath-taking waterfalls, visiting organic market gardens and meeting some of the local characters. You and your family will for sure want to guarantee you bring your camera for this unforgettable exploration.
By:David Dutton
Informal Contractions on American Music
Informal contractions are short forms of other words that people use when speaking casually. They are not exactly slang, but they are a little like slang.
For example, "gonna" is a short form of "going to". If you say "going to" very fast, without carefully pronouncing each word, it can sound like "gonna".
Please remember that these are informal contractions. That means that we do not use them in "correct" speech, and we almost never use them in writing. (If you see them in writing, for example in a comic strip, that is because the written words represent the spoken words or dialogue.) We normally use them only when speaking fast and casually, for example with friends. Some people never use them, even in informal speech.
It is probably true to say that informal contractions are more common in American English. Even in music, we can often here informal contractions. Here are few excerpts from American song lyrics that has slang words/informal contractions:
NOTHING'S GONNA CHANGE MY LOVE FOR YOU
Glenn Medeiros
Nothing's gonna change my love for you.
You oughtta know by now how much I love you
One thing you can be sure of
I'll never ask for more than your love
Nothing's gonna change my love for you
You oughtta know by now how much I love you
You'll only change my whole life through
Nothing's gonna change my love for you
WANNA BE
Spice Girls
If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends,
Make it last forever friendship never ends,
If you wanna be my lover, you have got to give,
Taking is too easy, but that's the way it is.
GIMME, GIMME, GIMME
Abba
Gimme gimme gimme a man after midnight
Won't somebody help me chase the shadows away
Gimme gimme gimme a man after midnight
Take me through the darkness to the break of the day
TELEPHONE
Lady Gaga
Just a second,
it’s my favorite song they’re gonna play
And I cannot text you with
a drink in my hand, eh
You shoulda made some plans with me,
you knew that I was free.
And now you won’t stop calling me;
I’m kinda busy.
Stop callin’, stop callin’,
I don’t wanna think anymore!
I left my hand and my heart on the dance floor.
Stop callin’, stop callin’,
I don’t wanna talk anymore!
I left my hand and my heart on the dance floor.
BOOM BOOM POW
Black-Eyed Peas
I like that boom boom pow
Them chicken jackin' my style
They try copy my swagger
I'm on that next shit now
I'm so 3008
You so 2000 late
I got that boom boom boom
That future boom boom boom
Lemme get it now
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Teacher Albert