Live for Today!

Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow a mystery.
Today is a gift.
That's why it's called the present!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Right Now -

-somebody is very proud of you.
-somebody is thinking of you.
-somebody is caring about you.
-somebody misses you.
-somebody wants to talk to you.
-somebody wants to be with you.
-somebody hopes you aren't in trouble.
-somebody is thankful for the support you have provided.
-somebody wants to hold your hand.
-somebody hopes everything turns out all right.
-somebody wants you to be happy.
-somebody wants you to find him/her.
-somebody is celebrating your successes.
-somebody wants to give you a gift.
-somebody thinks that you ARE a gift.
-somebody hopes you're not too cold, or too hot
-somebody wants to hug you
-somebody loves you.
-somebody admires your strength.
-somebody is thinking of you and smiling.
-somebody wants to be your shoulder to cry on.
-somebody wants to go out with you and have a lot of fun.
-somebody thinks the world of you.
-somebody wants to protect you
-somebody would do anything for you.
-somebody wants to be forgiven.
-somebody is grateful for your forgiveness.
-somebody wants to laugh with you.
-somebody remembers you and wishes that you were there.
-somebody is praising God for you.
-somebody needs to know that your love is unconditional.
-somebody values your advice.
-somebody wants to tell you how much they care.
-somebody wants to share their dreams with you.
-somebody wants to hold you in their arms.
-somebody wants YOU to hold them in your arms.
-somebody treasures your spirit.
-somebody wishes they could STOP time because of you.
-somebody praises God for your friendship and love.
-somebody can't wait to see you.
-somebody loves you for who you are.
-somebody loves the way you make them feel.
-somebody wants to be with you.
-somebody wants you to know they are there for you.
-somebody's glad that you're his/her friend.
-somebody wants to be your friend.
-somebody stayed up all night thinking about you.
-somebody is alive because of you.
-somebody is wishing that you noticed him/her.
-somebody wants to get to know you better.
-somebody wants to be near you.
-somebody misses your advice/guidance.
-somebody has faith in you.
-somebody trusts you.
-somebody needs you to send them this letter
-somebody needs your support.
-somebody needs you to have faith in them.
-somebody will cry when they read this.
-somebody needs you to let them be your friend.
-somebody hears a song that reminds them of you.

And I am happy to know there are people who truly worth my time. THANK YOU!

'Til my next stop..

Which will you choose? The Coffee of the Cup?

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. 

Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some 

expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee. 

When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: 

"If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. 

Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. 

What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups. 

Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of Life we live. 

Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us." 

God brews the coffee, not the cups.......... Enjoy your coffee! 

"The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything." 

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

"Til my next stop..

Tea with Milk? Amazing!

Last Monday, I went to the previous company where I worked at for some important matter and after, I have decided to drop by Tea and Symphony near University of Cebu-Banilad, a new establishment that will give us a very informative innovation that tea (Camellia sinensis) is more than just the leaf-flavored or perhaps bitter drink that our grandmothers are quite fond of using this as a water. I, too have been drinking tea for a while and for a change from ubiquitous coffee breaks, perhaps it’s time to give tea a chance and let yourself become accustomed to its taste that soothes, even though some have caffeine, like coffee does. And all of us are not new to it's new combined taste - MILK. I love the taste and of course, the ambiance of the place. It's soothing, refreshing and good for this season - SUMMER. And because summer is coming to an end, try the new flavors of an old-imaged tea which is good for teens, young adults and old age.

Here are the photos of this flavorful HAVEN in the heart of the city.

Try the new taste of the town and get a refreshing feeling from just a simple TEA-mple.

'Til my next stop..

Romantic Relationship Versus Friend With Benefits

We've all watched, or at least heard of, the movie that was released in September last year, 

which popularised the idea of a friend with benefits, a relationship that Wikipedia describes as both physical and emotional, yet without the demands or extra commitment of a more formal romance. It's an interesting concept, most men will admit, especially in an age when even the middle class is contemplating a prenuptial agreement before finalising the wedding date. But when it comes to the real world, how do you decide whether a friend with benefits arrangements is better than a real relationship?

Since there's no 'one size fits all' solution possible in this case, I outline various criteria that will help you decide whether old-fashioned romance or a casual sexual partnership is best for you:

Criterion 1: Do you place greater value on sexual fulfillment or cuddling?

Romantic relationships demand that you cuddle your partner before, during, and after sex. Remember that old saying that women give sex to get love, and that men give love to get sex? It still holds true. Many women have an unwritten 'no cuddles, no sex next time' policy.

A friend with benefits doesn't claim to love you or expect anything from you. They're in it for the sex alone. Yes, there are women who think this is a sensible equation, but these women are more likely than not in their late twenties or thirties...how do you feel about this?

Criterion 2: How do you define intimacy?

A romantic relationship involves cosy evenings under the stars, (expensive) candlelight dinners, hand-holding in parks and cinema halls. How does this go down with you?

A friend with benefits defines intimacy as stellar performances between the sheets. This calls for a robust stamina, among other things, and a healthy self-assurance. How do you rank on these two prerequisites?

Criterion 3: What ranks higher with you, sexual gratification or love and affection?

A romantic relationship demands that you place your partner's needs above or at least at par with your own. Women think that real love is making sacrifices, even though they might not make too many that really benefit you.

A friend with benefits is purely concerned with satisfying her own sexual needs, and she knows that you too must derive enough pleasure from each encounter for the arrangement to continue. But the overt need for self gratification in a woman might take on a certain crudeness...aren't women supposed to be all coy and feminine?

Criterion 4: How important is communication for you?

A romance feeds and thrives on communication, both in the form of platitudes like frequent declarations of undying love, and in detailing your every thought and deed to your partner. If you're not comfortable with sharing, you will be branded as emotionless and unfeeling.

A friend with benefits doesn't need to recount the details of boring meetings with her boss or inane conversations with her mother. She won't have time to listen to you grumble about work pressure or your long commute either. Call her up when you have good news; bad news must be dealt with yourself. If you need to express yourself to someone, a friend with benefits isn't the first person you should think of calling.

Despite the faint contempt that society views casual sexual relationships with, an increasing number of urban men and women are resorting to friends with benefits option today. On the other hand, a reputation around town as a 'player' might forever sully your name in the marriage market, and come mid-thirties, everyone (you too) would want to settle into the comfort of a good marriage.

It's the age old face-off between love and sex, and nobody but you can make the trade-off!

So, given the choice, would you opt for old-fashioned romance or a friendship with benefits?

 BY YAHOO SHE NEWS PHILIPPINES

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IELTS Writing: Frequently Asked Questions

By idpphilippines

What is the difference between the General Training Writing module and the Academic Writing module?
In the General Training version of IELTS, Task 1 requires you write a letter. In the Academic version of IELTS, Task 1 requires you to write a report on a diagram. In both versions of the test, Task 2 is the same: a discursive essay.

What should I write in the introduction to Task 1 of IELTS Academic?
The introduction should describe the diagram or data overall. This usually means paraphrasing the question, i.e. restating the question in other words. Try to include all important information such as time periods, countries and other important divisions in the data. If there is a clear main feature, you can point this out in the introduction too. Otherwise, save your descriptions of these features for the body paragraphs.

Why is it so important to paraphrase the question?
If you repeat the question word-for-word in your introduction, these words will not be counted as your own and your word count will be lower as a result. You should always change at least a few words in the questions or rewrite it completely.

Should I give my opinion in the introduction of Task 2?
Read the question carefully first. If the questions asks you simply to agree or disagree, then you should state your position clearly in the introduction. If the questions asks you to discuss both sides of an argument, you should save your own opinion for the end. If the question includes to an expression such as To what extent or How far, you may decide yourself whether to begin with a strong opinion or take a more balanced approach to begin with and state your final opinion later.

How many words and paragraphs should I write?
For Task 1, three or four paragraphs a total of 150 words is sufficient, In Task 2, you should write four to six paragraphs (depending on the number of ideas you have) and at least 250 words.

Do I need to write a conclusion in Task 1?
It is certainly very helpful to add a one- or two-sentence conclusion that restates the overall topic and main features of the data. This is especially important if there is more than one set of data as you will gain extra marks if you make a direct comparison of the two. However, a conclusion is not an absolute requirement and it may be better to skip it and move quickly on to Task 2 if you have already written 150 words.

Do I need to write a conclusion in Task 2?
Absolutely, yes. Your conclusion should restate the overall topic and your main idea, briefly summarise the main point of each body paragraph, and end with a comment of some kind. Without a conclusion, your essay may lack coherence and this will bring down your score.

What will happen if I don’t write 150 or 250 words?
You will be given a penalty for this and your overall score in IELTS Writing will be at least half a band lower as a result.

Should I try to write more than 150 or 250 words?
In IELTS Writing, there is no maximum number of words. However, you will not get a higher score if you write more words than required. For that reason, you should stop writing when you have reached the limit AND written a satisfactory conclusion.

Should I count the number of words I have written?
No. This is not your responsibility and would be a waste of your time. Before taking the test, you should practice the Writing module enough times to be able to know when you have written a long enough answer without actually counting the words. In Task 1, this would be a short introduction plus two substantial body paragraphs and perhaps a short conclusion. In Task 2, you should aim to write an introduction of several sentences, two to four substantial body paragraphs, and a conclusion of several sentences.

How are IELTS Writing scores calculated?
The examiner will pay attention to four main areas: (1) How fully you answer the question overall; (2) How well you link ideas within the text; (3) The range and accuracy of vocabulary you use; (4) The range and accuracy of grammatical forms you use.

What IELTS Writing score is required for university entry?
It varies by university and many do not specify a requirement for each module. However, you should be aiming to achieve a score of at least 6 in IELTS Writing if you intend to study at an English-speaking university. A band score of 5 may be sufficient for some foundation and professional English courses.

How can I raise my IELTS Writing score?
Check out other posts on IELTS Academic for advice on writing techniques, useful language and understanding the scoring criteria.

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IELTS Speaking: Frequently Asked Questions by idpphilippines

The questions below are among those most frequently asked about the Speaking module of IELTS.

How many questions will I be asked?
In Parts 1 and 3, the examiner will have a set of questions but you will not be asked all of them. The number of questions will depend on the length of your answers. The longer your answers, the fewer questions you will be asked. In Part 2, the question is given to you on a card. You will also be asked one or two simple questions at the end of Part 2.

How long should I speak for in Part 1?
There is no limit, but the question usually asks for only one piece of information. It is therefore best to give this information and add an extra sentence or two.

In Part 2, do I need to keep talking for two minutes?
No. It may be better to finish within two minutes for several reasons. First, you do not really want to be interrupted by the examiner. Second, your response will be more coherent if you end with a firm concluding sentence such as So, that’s why (restate question topic). Third, you are more likely to make mistakes if you keep talking beyond what you planned to say. A candidate who answers the question fully in 90 seconds can easily receive a higher score than one who speaks for the full two minutes and has to be stopped.

What should I do if I don’t understand the question?
It depends which part you are answering. In Part 1, the examiner is able to repeat the question but will not offer you much help beyond that. In Part 2, you can ask for clarification during your one minute of preparation time if you need to. It’s not a good idea to ask questions during the two minutes of speaking time as this will disturb the fluency of your response. In Part 3, the examiner is able to offer much more help and can paraphrase the question for you. You should try to ask checking questions such as Do you mean…? rather than simply say Sorry, I don’t understand.

Why does the examiner ask questions at the end of Part 2?
These follow-up questions are just a way for the examiner to show interest in what you have said and to move the discussion on to Part 3. You do not need to give lengthy answers to these questions. Just a few words should be sufficient.

How much thinking time do I have in Part 3?
None! You should begin speaking immediately. Since you will not be able to come up with ideas right away, it’s important to be able to use filler expressions such as That’s an interesting question. Well, I suppose…. ‘Playing for time’ is not cheating – native speakers do it all the time!

How long should I speak for in Part 3?
There is no limit, but you should certainly give longer answers than in Part 1. If possible, try to give more than one reason to support your opinion. Even better, compare and contrast different ideas to expand your answer further. However, be careful! The longer you speak, the less coherent your response may become. That’s why it’s so important to return to your original idea at the end.

What should I do if I can’t come up with any ideas in Part 3?
The important thing to remember is that you are being tested on your ability to communicate ideas, not the quality of those ideas. Even if your ideas sound basic or predictable, you will still get a high score if the language you use to express them is appropriate to academic discussion. Another thing to remember is that it is possible to use other people’s ideas as well as your own. If you don’t have any views on a topic, try imagining what other people would say on this issue and talk about that instead. Finally, it is always a good idea to learn a few useful expressions to use when you just can’t come up with anything to say. Even if you aren’t able to give a satisfactory answer to the question, the examiner may still judge that you have spoken fluently and accurately. A good example is: I’m afraid I’ve never really thought about this issue before. 

Will the examiner give his or her own opinion in Part 3?
No. The examiner wants to hear your opinions, so there’s nothing to be gained by asking What do you think?!

How are IELTS Speaking scores calculated?
The examiner will pay attention to four main areas: (1) How fluent and understandable your answer is; (2) The range and accuracy of vocabulary you use; (3) The range and accuracy of grammatical forms you use; (4) Your pronunciation.

What IELTS Speaking score is required for university entry?
It varies by university and many do not specify a requirement for each module. However, you should be aiming to achieve a score of at least 6 in IELTS Speaking if you intend to study at an English-speaking university. A band score of 5 may be sufficient for some foundation and professional English courses.

How can I raise my IELTS Speaking score?
Check out other posts on IELTS Academic for advice on speaking techniques, useful language and understanding the scoring criteria.

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IELTS Listening: Frequently Asked Questions by idpphilippines

What kinds of recordings will be played?
There are four listening passages, or sections, and these always follow the same order: Section 1 is a general conversation; Section 2 is a general monologue; Section 3 is an academic conversation; Section 4 is an academic monologue. You might hear, for example, a telephone interview, followed by a radio programme, followed by a seminar discussion and finally an academic lecture.

How much time is there to read the questions?
Before each section begins, you will have a short time of up to 30 seconds to preview questions. There will usually be one more short break in the recording to preview further questions. That is why you should listen carefully to the instruction which tells you exactly which questions will be covered in the next part of the recording. For example: You now have some time to look at questions one to five.

How many times will each listening passage be played?
Once only. If you miss the answer to a question, you should quickly have a guess and then focus your attention entirely on the next question.

Which English accents will I hear in IELTS Listening?
Since IELTS is accepted by institutions in all major English-speaking countries, you should expect to hear any standard variety of English, including British English, American English and Australian English. This may also include different regional forms within each variety. The UK, for example, has a large number of accents including Scots, Northern Irish, Welsh, Scouse, Yorkshire, Mancunian, Geordie, Cockney, Brummie and West Country.

What question types are there in IELTS Listening?
Unlike TOEFL, IELTS includes more than just multiple-choice questions. You may have to answer short questions, complete sentences or a summary, or label a diagram. A very common question type involves completing a set of notes based on the passage. There are ten questions in each section and these will generally be of one to five different types.

Can I write on the question paper?
Yes, you can write freely on the question paper in both English and your own language if you prefer. After the recordings have been played, you will then have ten minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.

Will I lose marks if don’t spell an answer correctly?
IELTS examiners can overlook very minor errors in spelling or grammar in the Listening module if they judge you have clearly heard the correct answer. But in other modules of IELTS, accuracy in spelling is very important.

Should I use British or American spelling?
Just as you will hear different varieties of English, you can also use different varieties of spelling in IELTS, so both centre and center are acceptable. As a general rule, it is better to decide which spelling variety you want to use and stick to it. That’s true not only in the Listening module but also in the Writing module of IELTS.

How are IELTS Listening scores calculated?
You will be given a score out of 40 and this will be converted into an IELTS band score of 0 to 9 according to the IELTS band score calculator.

What IELTS Listening score is required for university entry?
It varies by university and many do not specify a requirement for each module. However, you should be aiming to achieve a score of at least 6 in IELTS Listening (23-29 correct answers) if you intend to study at an English-speaking university. A band score of 5 (16-22 correct answers) may be sufficient for some foundation and presessional English courses.

How can I raise my IELTS Listening score?
Check out other posts on IELTS Academic for advice on listening techniques, ways you can practice, and explanations of the different question types.

Top 10 Most Frequently Searched Words on Merriam-Webster.com by idpphilippines

#10: Affect/Effect

Definition: It's not that people don't know what these words mean; it's that they have trouble remembering which one does what. The simplest distinction here is that affect is almost always a verb, and effect is usually a noun.

#9: Integrity

Definition: firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : incorruptibility Example: ""What they're trying to say – 'We're protecting theintegrity' – no, you're not," Bears cornerback Charles Tillman said. "It's ruining the integrity. It's not even football anymore. We should just go out there and play two-hand touch Sunday if we can't make [helmet-to-helmet] contact."" – Barry Wilner, Associated Press, October 20, 2010

#8: Ambiguous

Definition: capable of being understood in two or more possible senses or ways Example: "Trying to help a table select a wine, a waiter offered two ambiguousadjectives: 'fleshy' and 'funky.'" – Andrea Thompson, The New Yorker, April 12, 2010

#7: Albeit

Definition: conceding the fact that : even though : although Example: "Poppy seeds contain minute traces of opiates. Both opium and codeine occur in poppy seeds,albeit in tiny quantities. You cannot get high on poppy seeds." – Chris Kilham, FoxNews.com, October 19, 2010

#6: Conundrum

Definition: an intricate and difficult problem Example: "The basic conundrum is that harassment via Facebook, text messaging, and e-mail usually involves off-campus student speech, which is more protected by the First Amendment than what happens on school grounds." – Emily Bazelon, Slate.com, February 8, 2010

#5: Apathetic

Definition: having little or no interest or concern : indifferent Example: "Strategists are considering pushing for similar [marijuana legalization] initiatives in 2012 for battleground states ... in an effort to motivate a typically apathetic but largely liberal population of marijuana supporters." – Dave Thier, AOLNews, October 6, 2010

#4: Cynical

Definition: 1 : contemptuously distrustful of human nature and motives 2 : based on or reflecting a belief that human conduct is motivated primarily by self-interest Example: "The rap on ... [the] musical Chicago has been that it was a show ahead of its time, with its cynical take on the idea of celebrity, crime, and the regular folks who would do nearly anything for a moment in the spotlight." – Thom Geier, EntertainmentWeekly.com, August 24, 2010

#3: Love

Definition: 1 : strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties love for a child> 2 : attraction based on sexual desire Example: "Scholars, poets, and just plain folks have pondered the meaning and mystery of love for thousands of years, but every definition seems lacking." – Lee Dye, ABC News, October 27, 2010

#2: Ubiquitous

Definition: existing or being everywhere at the same time : constantly encountered : widespread Example: "High-fructose corn syrup is often singled out as Food Enemy No. 1 because it has become ubiquitous in processed foods over about the last 30 years – a period that coincides with a steep rise in obesity." – Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times, October 26, 2010

#1: Pretentious

Although certain definitions spike in our search results based on current events, this list presents the eternally vexing words that remain among the most looked up over time.

Definition:

expressive of affected, unwarranted, or exaggerated importance, worth, or stature

Example:

"You spent 10.5 hours composing your profile and changed the movie choices twice because it was skewing too self-consciously pretentious. You changed the picture three times; now it's both quirky and unstudied." – Sadie Stein,Jezebel.com, August 19, 2010

The Vow

Last Saturday after I've visited Logos Hope, we watched The Vow starred Rachel MacAdams and Channing Tatum. It is based from the real story of the characters portrayed by the 2 main characters in the movie. It is a story of the wife who lost her memory after a car accident and his husband tries to help her bring back her memory. Though a lot of things happened in their relationship, it didn't brought them separation because in the end, they still realize they still love each other. And at last, they got married and have 2 children. the wife (played by Rachel MacAdams) hasn't brought back her memory.

Valentine's Day Facts

Looking for Love

141 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine's Day the second-most popular greeting-card-giving occasion. (This total excludes packaged kids valentines for classroom exchanges.) (Source: Hallmark research)

Over 50 percent of all Valentine's Day cards are purchased in the six days prior to the observance, making Valentine's Day a procrastinator's delight. (Source: Hallmark research)

Research reveals that more than half of the U.S. population celebrates Valentine's Day by purchasing a greeting card. (Source: Hallmark research)

There are 119 single men (i.e., never married, widowed or divorced) who are in their 20s for every 100 single women of the same ages. Corresponding numbers for the following race and ethnic groups are:

• Hispanics: 153 men per 100 women
• Asians (single race): 132 men per 100 women (This ratio is not significantly different from that for Hispanics or non-Hispanic whites.)
• Non-Hispanic whites (single race): 120 men per 100 women
• Blacks (single race): 92 men per 100 women (The numbers of black men and women in this age group are not significantly different from one another.

There are 34 single men (i.e., never married, widowed or divorced) age 65 or older for every 100 single women of the same ages. Corresponding numbers for the following race and ethnic groups are:

• Hispanics: 38 men per 100 women
• Non-Hispanic whites (single race): 33 men per 100 women
• Blacks (single race): 33 men per 100 women
• Asians (single race): 28 men per 100 women

(Note: None of the ratios for the individual groups differ significantly from one another nor from the ratio for all people age 65 or older.)

904: The number of dating service establishments nationwide as of 2002. These establishments, which include Internet dating services, employed nearly 4,300 people and pulled in $489 million in revenues.

Be Mine

2.2 million marriages take place in the United States annually. That breaks down to more than 6,000 a day.

112,185 marriages were performed in Nevada during 2008. So many couples "tie the knot" in the Silver State that it ranked fourth nationally in marriages, even though it's total population that year among states was 35th.

The estimated U.S. median ages at first marriage for women and men are 25.9 and 27.6 respectively, in 2008. The age for women rose 4.2 years in the last three decades. The age for men at first marriage is up 3.6 years.

Men and women in northeastern states generally have a higher median age at first marriage than the national average. In Massachusetts, for example, women were a median of 27.4 years old and men 29.1 years of age at first marriage. States where people typically marry young include Utah, where women were a median of 21.9 years and men, 23.9 years.

57% and 60% of American women and men, respectively, are 15 or older and currently married (includes those who are separated).

70%: The percentage of men and women ages 30 to 34 in 2008 who had been married at some point in their lives - either currently or formerly.

4.9 million opposite-sex cohabitating couples maintained households in 2005. These couples comprised 4.3 percent of all households.

Candy is Dandy

1,241: The number of locations producing chocolate and cocoa products in 2004. These establishments employed 43,322 people. California led the nation in the number of such establishments with 136, followed by Pennsylvania with 122.

515 locations produced nonchocolate confectionary products in 2004. These establishments employed 22,234 people.

The total value of shipments in 2004 for firms producing chocolate and cocoa products was $13.9 billion. Nonchocolate confectionery product manufacturing, meanwhile, was a $5.7 billion industry.

3,467 Number of confectionery and nut stores in the United States in 2004. Often referred to as candy stores, they are among the best sources of sweets for Valentine's Day.

The per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2005 was 25.7 pounds. Candy consumption has actually declined over the last few years; in 1997, each American gobbled or savored more than 27 pounds of candy a year.

Flowers

The combined wholesale value of domestically produced cut flowers in 2005 for all flower-producing operations with $100,000 or more in sales was $397 million. Among states, California was the leading producer, alone accounting for nearly three-quarters of this amount ($289 million).

The combined wholesale value of domestically produced cut roses in 2005 for all operations with $100,000 or more in sales was $39 million. Among all types of cut flowers, roses were third in receipts ($39 million)to lilies ($76.9 million) and tulips ($39.1 million).

There were 21,667 florists nationwide in 2004. These businesses employed 109,915 people.

Jewelry

There were 28,772 jewelry stores in the United States in 2004. Jewelry stores offer engagement, wedding and other rings to lovers of all ages. In February 2006, these stores sold $2.6 billion worth of merchandise. (This figure has not been adjusted for seasonal variation, holiday or trading day differences or price changes). The merchandise at these locations could well have been produced at one of the nation's 1,864 jewelry manufacturing establishments. The manufacture of jewelry was an $9 billion industry in 2004.

Data courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau 

Valentine's Day..Akward Day

The history of Valentine's Day--and the story of its patron saint--is shrouded in mystery. We do know that February has long been celebrated as a month of romance, and that St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. But who was Saint Valentine, and how did he become associated with this ancient rite?

The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured. According to one legend, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first "valentine" greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl--possibly his jailor's daughter--who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter signed "From your Valentine," an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories all emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and--most importantly--romantic figure. By the Middle Ages, perhaps thanks to this reputation, Valentine would become one of the most popular saints in England and France.

Origins of Valentine's Day: A Pagan Festival in February

While some believe that Valentine's Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine's death or burial--which probably occurred around A.D. 270--others claim that the Christian church may have decided to place St. Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to "Christianize" the pagan celebration of Lupercalia. Celebrated at the ides of February, or February 15, Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.

To begin the festival, members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at a sacred cave where the infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been cared for by a she-wolf or lupa. The priests would sacrifice a goat, for fertility, and a dog, for purification. They would then strip the goat's hide into strips, dip them into the sacrificial blood and take to the streets, gently slapping both women and crop fields with the goat hide. Far from being fearful, Roman women welcomed the touch of the hides because it was believed to make them more fertile in the coming year. Later in the day, according to legend, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn. The city's bachelors would each choose a name and become paired for the year with his chosen woman. These matches often ended in marriage.

Valentine's Day: A Day of Romance

Lupercalia survived the initial rise of Christianity and but was outlawed—as it was deemed “un-Christian”--at the end of the 5th century, when Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine's Day. It was not until much later, however, that the day became definitively associated with love. During the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of birds' mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of Valentine's Day should be a day for romance.

Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages, though written Valentine's didn't begin to appear until after 1400. The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. (The greeting is now part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England.) Several years later, it is believed that King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a valentine note to Catherine of Valois.

Typical Valentine's Day Greetings

In addition to the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France and Australia. In Great Britain, Valentine's Day began to be popularly celebrated around the 17th century. By the middle of the 18th, it was common for friends and lovers of all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes, and by 1900 printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to express their emotions in a time when direct expression of one's feelings was discouraged. Cheaper postage rates also contributed to an increase in the popularity of sending Valentine's Day greetings.

Americans probably began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s. In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began selling the first mass-produced valentines in America. Howland, known as the “Mother of the Valentine,” made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as "scrap." Today, according to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.) Women purchase approximately 85 percent of all valentines.

7 Things You Didn’t Know About Joan of Arc

Today marks the 600th anniversary of Joan of Arc’s birth—maybe. No official records of the date exist, and Joan herself could only guess she was 19 during her trial for heresy in 1431. (Her friends and relatives provided the same estimate for her birth year—1412—during the posthumous hearings that nullified her conviction two decades later.) In the years following the execution of the iconic French heroine and Roman Catholic saint, her birthday came to be celebrated on January 6, the day of the Epiphany in the Christian religion. To commemorate the occasion, here are a few facts about the legendary “Maid of Orléans” that might come as a surprise.

 

1. Joan’s real name was Jehanne d’Arc, Jehanne Tarc, Jehanne Romée or possibly Jehanne de Vouthon—but she didn’t go by any of these.
Joan didn’t hail from a place called Arc, as the typical Anglicization of her father’s surname, d’Arc (sometimes rendered as Darc or Tarc), might imply. Instead, Jehanne—or Jehanette, as she was known—grew up in Domrémy, a village in northeastern France, the daughter of a farmer and his devoutly Catholic wife. During her trial before an ecclesiastical court in 1431, Joan referred to herself only as “Jehanne la Pucelle” (“Joan the Maid”) and initially testified that she didn’t know her last name. She later explained that her father was called Jacques d’Arc and her mother Isabelle Romée, adding that in her hometown daughters often took their mothers’ surnames. In medieval France, where family names were neither fixed nor widely used, “Romée” simply designated a person who had made a pilgrimage to Rome or another religiously significant destination; other sources suggest that Joan’s mother went by Isabelle de Vouthon.

2. In modern times, some doctors and scholars have “diagnosed” Joan of Arc with disorders ranging from epilepsy to schizophrenia.
Around the age of 12 or 13, Joan of Arc apparently began hearing voices and experiencing visions, which she interpreted as signs from God. During her trial, she testified that angels and saints first told her merely to attend church and live piously; later, they began instructing her to deliver France from the invading English and establish Charles VII, the uncrowned heir to the French throne, as the country’s rightful king. The Maid asserted that a bright light often accompanied the visions and that she heard the voices more distinctly when bells sounded. Based on these details, some experts have suggested that Joan suffered from one of numerous neurological and psychiatric condition that trigger hallucinations or delusions, including migraines, bipolar disorder and brain lesions, to name just a few. Yet another theory holds that she contracted bovine tuberculosis, which can cause seizures and dementia, from drinking unpasteurized milk and tending cattle as a young girl.

3. While commander of the French army, Joan of Arc didn’t participate in active combat.
Though remembered as a fearless warrior and considered a heroine of the Hundred Years’ War between France and England, Joan never actually fought in battle or killed an opponent. Instead, she would accompany her men as a sort of inspirational mascot, brandishing her banner in place of a weapon. She was also responsible for outlining military strategies, directing troops and proposing diplomatic solutions to the English (all of which they rejected). Despite her distance from the front lines, Joan was wounded at least twice, taking an arrow to the shoulder during her famed Orléans campaign and a crossbow bolt to the thigh during her failed bid to liberate Paris.

4. Joan of Arc had a famously volatile temper.
Once placed in control of the French army, the teenage peasant didn’t hesitate to chew out prestigious knights for swearing, behaving indecently, skipping Mass or dismissing her battle plans; she even accused her noble patrons of spinelessness in their dealings with the English. According to a witnesses at her retrial, Joan once tried to slap a Scottish soldier—the Scots teamed up with France during the Hundred Years’ War—who had eaten stolen meat. She also supposedly drove away the mistresses and prostitutes who traveled with her army at swordpoint, hitting one or two in the process. And personal attacks by the English, who called her rude names and joked that she should return home to her cows, reportedly made Joan’s blood boil. The Maid’s short fuse is evident in transcripts of her court hearings; when a clergyman with a thick regional accent asked what language her voices spoke, for instance, she retorted that they spoke French far better than he did.

5. Contrary to popular belief, Joan of Arc wasn’t burned at the stake for witchcraft—at least not technically.
After falling into enemy hands in 1430, Joan of Arc was tried in the English stronghold of Rouen by an ecclesiastical court. The 70 charges against her ranged from sorcery to horse theft, but by May 1431 they had been whittled down to just 12, most related to her wearing of men’s clothing and claims that God had directly contacted her. Offered life imprisonment in exchange for an admission of guilt, Joan signed a document confessing her alleged sins and promising to change her ways. (It has been speculated that the illiterate Joan never knew what she’d put her name—or, more accurately, her mark of a cross—to.) Several days later, possibly due to threats of violence or rape from her guards, Joan put her male attire back on; she then told the angry judges who visited her cell that her voices had reappeared. It was these two acts that earned Joan a conviction as a “relapsed heretic” and sent her to the stake.

6. From 1434 to 1440, Joan’s brothers passed an imposter off as their sister, claiming she’d escaped execution.
One of several women who posed as Joan in the years following her death, Claude des Armoises resembled the well-known heretic and had supposedly participated in military campaigns while dressed in men’s clothing. She and two of Joan’s brothers, Jean and Pierre, crafted a scheme in which Claude presented herself to the people of Orléans, pretending to have fled her captors and married a knight while living in obscurity. The trio received lavish gifts and traveled from one festive reception to the next until Claude finally admitted their subterfuge to Charles VII, whose ascension Joan had engineered in 1429. Despite their involvement in the deception, Jean and Pierre played key roles in successfully petitioning Pope Callixtus III for Joan’s retrial, having presumably given up the charade of her survival by the 1450s.

7. Joan of Arc inspired the ever-popular bob haircut, which originated in Paris in 1909.
The voices that commanded the teenage Joan to don men’s clothing and expel the English from France also told her to crop her long hair. She wore it in the pageboy style common among knights of her era until guards shaved her head shortly before her execution. In 1909, the Polish-born hairdresser known as Monsieur Antoine—one of Paris’ most sought-after stylists—began cutting his fashionable clients’ tresses in a short “bob,” citing Joan of Arc as his inspiration. The look really caught on in the 1920s, popularized by silent film stars and embraced by the flapper set. While women continue to request bob cuts to this day, another of Antoine’s legendary experiments—dyeing his dog’s hair blue—hasn’t stood the test of time.

The cult of the cupcake

An affair to remember?

They're the ubiquitous pick-me-up we turn to in times of celebration and gloom...

But is our frenzied love affair with the cupcake fading, or - like that timeless designer handbag that claims pride of place in our wardrobe - is it here to stay for good?

A recent report in the Washington Post says the cupcake craze shows no sign of abating in the US, with around 700 million sold in the past year alone.

New York’s Magnolia Bakery, which achieved iconic status after a cameo appearance in Sex and the City in 2000, credits its $20 million annual turnover with sales of the bite-sized delights.

The bakery's starring role may go some way to explain why we still retain a voracious appetite for cupcakes across the pond.

Amy Grier, Stylist's features writer and resident food guru, believes our affection for miniature cakes is not to be taken lightly - like any true love affair, it runs deep.

"Ever since Carrie and Marinda sat on a bench outside the Magnolia bakery in Sex and the City – women in particular have equated the cupcake with something that goes beyond cake," she said. "They might signal friendship, sharing (but in an individual sense) and even seduction – depending on how you eat your icing. Or it could just be that we like being able to scoff an entire cake in one go and not feel guilty about it. It’s miniature, after all. They remind us of our childhood, particularly for anyone who grew up (like me) making and eating dry fairy cakes."

It's this psychological pull that means cupcakes will always retain a special place on the British foodie landscape - however over-exposed we become to them.

"A few things have tried to usurp the cupcakes crown: brownies, macaroons, doughnuts and the unmitigated disaster that was the ‘whoopie pie’ but nothing has really come close," Amy said. "I’m not saying we’re not fed up with them - I think we probably are. But it’s a bit like being fed up with your favourite takeaway or bored of your best little black dress: you might complain and sigh but ultimately, you know you’ll end up eating them. The cupcakes of course, not your dress."

It may even be that our love for cupcakes is now so entrenched, it's more of a culture than a passing trend.

Amy points to the indomitable rise of institutions such as Lola's, the Hummingbird Bakery, The Primrose Bakery and Sweet Couture - all of which have taken the British food scene by storm with their boutique interpretation of sweet treats, notably cupcakes.

Then there's the new, cooler establishments like Cox, Cookies & Cakes and Lily Vanilli’s achingly chic Sunday sessions that continue to evolve the cupcake movement.

"It used to be that bringing cupcakes to a party would prove you were ‘in’ with the latest food fad – now you have to have bought them from the right place," Amy said.

Natalie Griggs, a bakery buyer for Fortnum & Mason who recently joined us for a lunchtime masterclass, agrees that the cupcake craze is far from over.

"Cupcakes have been the 'next big thing' for years now and show non signs of dying out," she said during the chat. "They seem indestructable! Nothing touches them, whoopie pies were no match."

How to Curb Your Envy (To all my FRIENDS)

Excerpt from: YAHOO NEWS

Do you catch yourself lusting after the designer bag your officemate just bought with her bonus? Or wishing your friend would show up to a dinner looking less than perfect—for once? Why is it that you can’t shake these negative feelings? You like these girls and you get along with them, but deep down, you can’t help resenting their seemingly good fortune while you suffer from just plain bad luck.    

But have you ever considered that, instead of bad luck, you could be suffering from envy? Former guidance counselor Nympha Banzon says, “Envy stems from a dissatisfaction or discontent of what one has and who one is.”  Why not ask yourself: Why do you begrudge your officemate her bag? Is it just because she can afford it while you can’t? Or is it because she works harder and puts in more hours, thus deserving her bonus, while you feel you can’t be bothered? It’s time to stop the envy. Here’s how to do that:

1.    Get to the bottom of the problem.
And believe me, it’s not your friend’s perfectly put together look or your officemate’s designer handbag. It’s something in yourself. Are you unhappy about something greater than not having what your friends have? Is there a bigger problem gnawing at your insides? Identify it and you’re on your way to fixing it.

2.    Know yourself.
Banzon suggests listing down your strengths and weaknesses. Once you’ve made your list, take a good look at the items and accept each and every one. Then, focus on your strengths and how you can enhance them.

Preacher and bestselling author Bo Sanchez, in his book Don’t Worry, Be Happy, suggests forgetting about what you aren’t good at and making your talents grow instead. If you aren’t good at baking, don’t waste your time trying to perfect a soufflé. If you channel that time into improving your already pretty awesome singing skills, who knows what recording label you might land next year?

However, weaknesses that are detrimental to your growth must be worked on as well. If you’re always late or perennially procrastinating, overcoming these flaws will surely up your productivity and potential for success! 

3.    Know that you are unique, and embrace that.
It’s easy to envy people we want to be like. Sometimes, you can put a positive spin on it by taking the qualities you admire in someone else and making them your own. But things will go downhill if you fixate on the fact that you aren’t like the person you envy—and even hate her for it. Because this really just means the person you hate is yourself. For not being like her.

Once you realize that everyone is unique, you’ll start to see that there’s no reason for envying someone else. One trick you can use is to think about your goals in life. It’s possible that you and your friends may act the same and even look the same, but do you want the same things out of life? Probably not. Keeping this in mind will help you remember that life is not a competition. At the same time, it will be easier to celebrate what’s special and unique about you. 

4.    Be thankful.
Oprah was right when she encouraged the world to keep a gratitude journal. She even suggested starting with your breath if you feel there is nothing to be grateful for. Slowly, you’ll be looking at life through a totally different perspective, wanting to find reasons to be grateful rather than focusing on what’s lacking.

5.    Distract yourself.
If you can’t seem to get all the negativity off your mind, get out of there! If you’re holed up in the office, at home in front of your computer, or at a suffocating family gathering, make an excuse and take a breather. Then find something to take your mind off it. A yoga class, an art class, or even a movie! You’ll need something to remind you that there is so much more to life than the envy eating you up inside.

6.    Do something for someone else.
The best way to battle a lack of something in yourself is to focus your energies outward. Doing something for a person who needs your help will direct your attention away from yourself. You’ll be more concerned about someone else, making you forget about your imperfections and even feel good about yourself. In addition to this, “There is blessing in giving.”