New "100,000 Strong Initiative" Hopes To Build U.S.-China Golden Bridges

(ASIATODAY) - U.S. President Obama's "100,000 Strong Initiative" has received a new boost this week as a Chinese delegation headed by President Hu Jintao visits America.

First Lady Michelle Obama announced more than USD2.25 million in private sector pledges in support of the initiative's goal of dramatically increasing the number and diversity of American students studying in China.

President Obama unveiled the "100,000 Strong Initiative" during his November 2009 visit to Shanghai. The initiative aims to increase significantly the number of Americans who have the opportunity to study in China. The initiative is also designed to help educational institutions establish or expand China study programs. U.S. Secretary Clinton officially launched the effort in May 2010.

The First Lady also highlighted several new efforts launched under the 100,000 Strong Initiative. In one of those efforts, the U.S.-based Ford Foundation is providing seed money to the non-profit organization Golden Bridges for the creation of a robust alumni network to bring together students who have traveled to China as part of the 100,000 Strong cohort and previously.

The Chinese government has also offered 10,000 scholarships for Americans studying in China. These "bridge" scholarships will cover all in-country costs and target high school and college students and teachers.

Lighting every room:

• Foyers, halls and stairways: size the decorative fixture to the space. If the fixture can be viewed from another room, be sure to select a fixture which look attractive. Stairways and halls must have good general lighting for safety.
• Bedroom area: gently filtered and flattering light in a bedroom creates a sense of calm and repose. The placement and intensity of lighting affects a space's atmosphere, making it cozy or cool, dramatic or cheerful. The right level of light in a bedroom is entirely personal, it should be flexible enough to let you read, work and relax comfortably. Consider first the ambient lighting or general lighting, it is the light cast by overhead fixtures, whether recessed and largely invisible (as in most modern houses) or pendant and decorative (as in older homes).
• Living area: recessed lighting is one of the best ways to light a general area because the light source is concealed. One of the most immediate ways to bring graciousness to a room is by implementing a well-designed lighting plan. By providing multiple sources, both an inviting wash of ambient light and a variety of task and accent lights, you establish the living room a place where all will feel at home. Individual lamps create an intimate feeling. Commonly used as sources for task-specific lighting, floor, table, and wall lamps and their shades can transform the mood of the room. Think of lamp shades as fashion accessories. translucent shades, such as those made of natural parchment, silk, handmade paper, or linen, softly diffuse light; opaque and semi-opaque shades alter the direction of light and focus the beam up or down. Candles are infinitely useful for adding drama, warmth, and sparkle to a space. Aromatic candles infuse a space with long-lasting scent.
• Dining area: a chandelier or pendant can be a general lighting element, as well as a focal point of your home. A chandelier should be 6" to 12" smaller than the narrowest side of the table and the bottom of a pendant or chandelier should be approximately 30" above a table. Recessed wall washers can provide additional light while helping to create an illusion of a larger room space.
• Kitchen area: decorative fluorescent fixture mounted in the center of a work space is a common choice but as energy efficient as they are, fluorescent bulbs cast a cold white light that makes people look ghostly. Cooking and food preparation require good lighting, you'll make the kitchen a much more attractive place to be by replacing fluorescent lights with incandescent or halogen lighting. Down lights mounted 18'' off the edge of the cabinets, and spaced 3'' or 4'' on centers is an excellent way to create additional general lighting.
• Bathroom area and vanity lighting: a good lighting plan begins at the vanity, and proceed from there. Use both side and top lighting, surround the mirror with clear, soft light to avoid shadows and glare on your face. For a nice, ambient radiance, think about indirect lighting, which usually recesses the light source in an over-head cove. Areas over 100 square feet require several recessed down lights or decorative surface mounted fixtures. It's important to understand what qualities of light will work best, both with your skin tone and the materials in the bath. The goal is to provide the room with a background of flattering, even light. To change the mood of installed lighting or to add flourish, use accent lighting, floor lamps, table lamps or chandeliers can all function as accent lights. Bring in pillars, votives, and scented candles to create a true sense of private refuge.
• Outdoor lighting: Select a design and size to complement your house while providing sufficient lighting for safety. When installing a wall lantern, size the fixture to the door and surrounding space. Wall lanterns should be mounted slightly above eye level from the center of the fixture to the floor. Post top lanterns are an excellent way to light a walkway, while complimenting wall lanterns. Large post top lanterns make a better impression when used in large open spaces..