5 Ideas for a Productive Summer

by Kat Posted on April 2, 2013

There is no reason to be bored nowadays. There are different gadgets and apps that keep a person occupied . Waiting in line is no longer a difficult chore because you can always play mobile games, listen to music,  watch videos and even pay bills. It can be tempting for parents to let these devices babysit their kids.  There are ways to keep kids occupied this summer without having to touch a computer game. What they can do is use these devices as tools for more productive activities. Adults can learn some new skills, too.  Albert Einstein said, ” One you stop learning, you start dying.”

Here are some productive activities you  and/or  your kids can do:

1. Art. Give a kid paper and crayons and let their imagination develop. For those who want to teach their kids the basics in art, there are many resources in the library and on the internet where you can develop the drawing skills of the kids. Here is a simple instruction on how to draw a lion .

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Those are in for a challenge can sketch something as elaborate as this one.

Source: creativepro.com via kat on Pinterest

 

2. Snail mail. With the advent of email, sending out birthday cards became a novelty. It is nice to surprise a friend by sending a card through the mail.  Homemade cards are easy to make. How about this one for starters?

 

3. Plant something.  You can plant a tree.

 

Those who live in small spaces can start with an herb garden. The herbs can be used for cooking.

 

4. Discover new recipes. Tired of frying food all the time.  You can experiment on new recipes and  involved you kids in the preparation. It does not have to be complicated. How about this?

 

 

5. Summer classes. There are different summer classes available. Some are on crafts and some are of the academics type. A child can enjoy some play time and some advanced lessons or two. It does not hurt to engage them in advance Science or Math lessons. If that is too cerebral, how about learning a new language? A new language expands their world and it can get pretty handy when traveling. The world has become smaller with the advances in telecommunications and transportation. They can learn at their own pace by hiring a tutor. If you live in the United States, you can hire tutors at tutorspree.com where they have a meticulous method of screening their tutors to make sure your child gets the best learning experience possible.

Posted in Creativity | Tagged , , , | 26 Comments

Are You Ready to Embrace Summer?

by Kat Posted on March 27, 2013

 

Summer is here and everyone is ready to experience the most fun summer! Summer is exciting but we need protection from the harmful UV rays especially our eyes. Sunglasses have conventionally been the ideal tool to prevent the fatal and life threatening UV radiation and annoying glare. This summer, there are fashion trends that you might want to watch out. Wraparound sunglasses are not only fashionable but they also give a better protection from UV rays. For the people who have vision problems, a pair of sunglasses is not enough. In this case, prescription sunglasses can provide an excellent defense against the sun.

 

Sunglasses can be expensive but they do not have to be. Where will you get sunglasses? Firmoo is  a great resource for sunglasses  because they are offering sunglasses with high quality but at a wholesale price. They have excellent designs  that are stylish and trendy that will make you stand out in public.

How about a rocker chic and bold sunglasses for summer?  These pair can easily match any type of outfit. Here are more of their stylish sunglasses:

All the photos above are from Firmoo+, the World’s NO.1 Eyewear Styling Community which focuses on the styling of eyewear and clothes, accessories, etc.  All fashionistas are welcomed to join in!

Firmoo is inviting bloggers to review their products for free, go to this link page to apply for Firmoo free eyewear free trial. Last year, I got my prescription sunglasses from them which I use outdoors to protect my eyes from the harsh sun rays. I cannot wear just any sunglasses. I need the ones with corrective lenses because I have astigmatism. All I did is to input my prescription into their system to get the right pair .

I know I do not look like those Firmoo models but can you see how I love my prescription sunglasses?

Posted in Good Finds | Tagged , | 26 Comments

Favorite Forensic Shows on Today’s TV Lineup

by Kat Posted on March 26, 2013

Online criminal justice schools have an odd source to thank for a rise in popularity, television. Several forensic science shows have made what was once a relatively obscure occupation look cool and adventurous. Of course most of what you see depicted on the television is nothing like reality. Despite the extreme and unrealistic circumstances of what the shows depict as forensic science, there are elements of truth, which has helped younger generations see criminal justice in an entirely new light.

Here are some of the most popular forensic shows that have helped to increase the number of potential students who are looking into online criminal justice schools.

CSI
CSI, or Criminal Investigation Service, has been so popular that it has several related shows by similar names, such as CSI: Miami and NCSI. These shows are favorites because they draw you into the lives of a close-knit group of crime fighters. They are seen as humans with real lives who are just doing their jobs. While the shows are very engaging and entertaining, when it started in 2000 you would not have found very many forensic scientists who had lives even remotely similar to these stylish characters.

Law & Order
While the original Law & Order is no longer making new shows, the franchise is very much alive and thriving through shows like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. The shows focus on the legal aspects of crime, relying heavily on what the scientists can determine from the scenes and patterns. There is very little cross over between the different forensic areas. You specialize in a field and you won’t be out pounding the streets looking for answer. Unfortunately, the lab is where you will get most of your work done. Much less glamorous, but far safer.

Criminal Minds
Criminal Minds takes a much closer look at criminal psychology and the forensic field that deals with thinking like a perpetrator. The show is thrilling and often leaves you feeling anxious for the characters. In reality, anyone is this field will be more like a typical psychologist, not an “out on the streets” crime fighter.

Sherlock
Even though it only produces three shows a year, Sherlock has brought modern forensic science into an entirely new light. From the first episode where Sherlock took two minutes to fully analyze a woman and determine nearly all of the important facts needed for the case, you feel absolutely captivated by this remarkably intelligent character. In reality, science takes more than just a quick mind; it takes analysis and testing, scientific requirements that take time and patience.

These shows have helped bring attention to a once obscure field. Thanks to the popularity, more students are considering getting a degree from online criminal justice schools. The shows are very entertaining, but in reality, what you can expect as a forensic scientist will be much tamer and you stand nearly no chance of encountering a life-threatening situation at work, and certainly not one every week.

Posted in TV | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

5 Advantages in Paying Taxes

by Kat Posted on March 20, 2013

April 16 is the deadline for the filing of income taxes for private individuals.  As a saying goes, nothing is certain in this world except death and taxes. I know it is quite painful to part with your hard-earned money only to lose it to corruption. I am going to set aside personal rants on government services and focus more on my perceived benefits in paying taxes (after all this is my blog. hehe!). It is easier for me to understand why I should give it freely to the government when I know I will get something in return. (In some cases, I expect and demand something in return, all within  the bounds of law.)

1.  Accounting knowledge. Little knowledge, they say, is dangerous. I believe zero knowledge is fatal. Ha! I have a lovely mathematics degree tucked under my belt. Ask me about quadratic equations, limits and double integration, I will might be able to explain them (with the help of a textbook because calculus was 18 years ago. hehehe)  Ask me to input an amount on a columnar book and immediately emailed my cousin on how to do it. Ha!

2. Proof of income.  If you need a loan from banks and other financial institutions,  the income tax return is commonly required to show that you are earning something.  For those who apply for visas to travel, embassies require the income tax return to show that you are earning and you will return to the country because you have a lucrative job or business here.  While I do not think I will need a loan anytime soon, I have an itchy feet and I want to travel the world. I am not yet sure with the lucrative income  but I am single with no parents, no siblings and no child (how sad no? ), I can definitely fend for myself and travel a little. I am slowly trying to reach my dream of travel.

3. Budgeting tool. Paying taxes allows me to track how much I earn for the month. Sometimes, I wonder where my money went and realize I used a chunk of it on snacks. (Ha! I know I need to lose weight soon.)  By knowing how much I earn per month, I can anticipate future expenses and plan personal projects.

4. Complaints leverage. Because I pay taxes, I believe it gives me the right to complain about inefficient government services. It is quite tedious for freelancers like me because we pay taxes monthly and file returns quarterly and annually. I slowly become aware of the procedures and learn what works and what does not. Dealing with government bureaucracy is a test in patience. In the US, there are online tools that help taxpayers fill up forms like the tax preparation software here. Different income brackets have different tax rates and there is an income guide available online.

5. Peace of mind.  In the US,  a vice president resigned due to tax evasion chargers. A mafia leader was jailed due to tax evasion. In the Philippines, several prominent personalities are pursued by BIR for tax evasion.  When my aunt asked why I bother to pay taxes, I replied, “Ayokong guluhin nila ako pag Judy Ann Santos level na ako.” (I don’t want them to bother when I am as rich as Judy Ann Santos.) I know it is quite a long shot and quite improbable.  However, the law excuses no one.

Posted in Life | Tagged , | 37 Comments

Hyaluronic Acid Uses and Benefits

by Kat Posted on March 19, 2013

Hyaluronic acid belongs to glycosaminogly family. It can be readily found in the tissues of the body and performs vital roles in the distribution of nutrients around. Primarily, it goes to be the one distributing the nutrients in the areas that are not actually supplied with blood like the cartilaginous parts of the body.

This type of acid works in two vague fields – medicine and cosmetology. In medicine, it works greatly in the prevention and alleviation of arthritis and other joint problems. In cosmetology and dermatology, it works to reveal youthful skin by preventing wrinkles and fine lines from appearing.

It is apparent that as a person ages, some of the bodily functions are reduced. One of the most noted problems especially to aging people is the occurrence of joint problems. This happens as a result of the reduction of the supply of lubrication on the area of the joints leading to problems like bursitis and arthritis. As you might well know, these areas need enough lubrication as it works with friction to facilitate movement. Pain only happens when there is not enough lubricant to maintain its movement. Since hyaluronic acid helps lubricate the areas of the body that are not actually reached by blood supply, it acts to give out lubrication.

Hyaluronic acid fairly helps in the achievement of youthful skin too. It has been noted to fight the signs of aging that are exhibited on face. Problems such as wrinkles, acne and blemishes can be addressed by this kind of acid. In fact, there is an injectable type of HA called the Restylane working to correct skin problems. Injectable HA comes to be expensive though and you will have to spend an amount for maintenance.

For those who are on a tight belt when it comes to budget, there are cheaper choices available. Lotions and creams containing HA can be a substitute to expensive treatments. These are proven effective but you need to be patient and wait for the results to finally take place. Results do not just happen overnight so your patience is requested.

Before trying the use of products with hyaluronic acid, you need to be mindful that there are side effects linked with its use. Though these rarely occur, you have to be knowledgeable about the signs to save you from rattling when it comes. For those applying topical creams, rashes and bruising may come as a side effect. Sometimes, these rashes would also bring pain in the affected area. For those taking it to treat conditions like arthritis, side effects such as sneezing, dizziness and swelling of lips and face may exist. Generally, the effects are more on allergic reactions. To avoid possible problems, check out wikitalks, it may be helpful http://wikitalks.com/2013/02/how-to-choose-the-ideal-face-cream/

When taking hyaluronic acid, you should be mindful that there are drugs and products that should not be taken with it. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and Vitamin E are examples. While on the medication regime, make it a point not to use these drugs together to avoid unpleasant effects like bruising and the development of allergies too.

Hyaluronic acid may sound like not the usual supplement popularized in the market. However, it stands to correct a lot of medical conditions and even conditions related to aging. Surely, it comes with a lot of benefits. But before jumping in the conclusion of using HA, it is a must to check on your physician first. Surely, it serves to be beneficial but not all can enjoy the advantages it brings. There are people who are just allergic with it that it will bring harm rather than good. So to be able to fully enjoy its benefits, check its compatibility with your condition first.

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Posted in Good Finds | Tagged , | 9 Comments