10 Best Kids Website for Aussies

Kid friendly websites (image from http://www.flickr.com/photos)

     Ill-made websites with malicious and non-sense contents thrive the internet. More than any time in the modern history, now is a momentous; if not a critical moment for parents to always have their guards up to ensure that their kids are not just having fun but are spending their quality time online. According to Google, Australian parents are the most vigilant parents in finding the Best Kids Websites.  

   To help parents with this cumbersome task, here are the websites for kids we have already checked which are worthy of kids’ time and attention. They have the right ingredients which parents can smile about and children enjoy: fun websites, kid friendly and free games for kids:

1.       National Geographic (http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/)

      No doubt that National Geographic will come up with this website for kids as beautiful and loaded with knowledge as the its parent website. We highly recommend to parents to bookmark this site and rest assured that your children will be sent to kid friendly fun, travel and discovery.

2.       Time for Kids (www.Timeforkids.com)

This is an information-packed website of people, events, help for the kids’ assignments and videos. You may specially want to try www.timeforkids/goplaces where you’ll be given a list of countries in the world and you’ll get an instant fact file and more. Of course, games are present.

3.       Webkinz  (http://www.webkinz.com/)

This is a colourful kids website which has pretty basic layout that children will not get lost. Here, you can answer trivia and fun games for kids, which is said to be one of the best on the net. With your unique secret code, you can enter the Webkinz world and earn KinzCash.      

4.       Club Penquin (http://www.clubpenguin.com/)

The main selling point of this site is to pretend that you are a penguin. Kids of all ages can play free games and furnish an igloo. For parents, check out the Membership section to have an idea of their benefits.

5.       Mathletics (http://www.mathletics.com.au/)

As compared to other websites for kids, you’ll know that this has scholastic vibes since it tackles mainly about math. Kids can pit mathematical ability with other kids in the community from kindergarten to Year 12. There will be an annual subscription fee for parents to pay if your school isn't already a member.

6.       Family Fun (www.Familyfun.com)

Powered by Disney, this site will give parents valuable tips for family fun which includes crafts, kids for games and activities.

7.       Safe Kids (www.Safekids.com)

This is actually a site for parents to guide their kids to be safe online. Like what their tagline says, “Online safety and civility.” We highly recommend this as the site feature no-nonsense articles, tips and tools to on internet security.

8.       Bubble Struggle & Bubble Struggle II: Rebubbled (http://www.rebubbled.com/)

This is more adult-looking than the rest of the pack. It is loaded with an array of cool and fun kids games. Adults may find some games for kids addicting as well.

9.       Scholastic I Spy (http://www.scholastic.com/ispy/games/index.htm)

Alongside with all the Scholastic books, you can enjoy their website for kids taking off from the idea that you are a spy while playing those fun games which ranges from easy to difficulty.

10.   Barbie (http://icanbe.barbie.com/games.html)

Barbie is the world’s most popular dolls for girls, and on her website there is a section called “I Can Be” where the professional Barbie dolls are featured like teacher, movie star and computer engineer. Games related to professional careers are shown. Although options are not as many as the other sites, girls will sure find this site fun.http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/

A Couple of Sensible Random Thoughts for You

Life is a cycle

Life is a cycle... you sniff at the fresh rain-showered grass (image from http://www.flickr.com/photos/)

Life is a cycle... you were bathed in angled sun rays (image from www.flicr.com/photos)

Life is a cycle.

Tonight you sniff at the fresh rain-showered grass aroma.

Yesterday afternoon you were bathed with the angled sun rays.

Both carrying strokes, creating a painting of yesteryear memories.

All of a sudden, I heard a song, which our decade-old radio used to religiously serenade me, when I was a high school sophomore.

Life is a Cycle...heard a song  from the decade-old radio (image  from www.flickr.com/photos/)

Trash Talk

Ignore Trash Talk (image from www.flickr.com/photos/)

“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it springs the issues of life.”

                                                                                                          Proverbs 4:23

     Sometimes we hear a lot of trash talk we pick up from engaging to people we meet everyday, sometimes in regular basis.  That’s when your weaknesses bid a looming presence which in time (which by the way is just actually a fraction of time) may eat you up ...in whole. It’s important to guard yourself during this moment. Never listen to the little voices of negativity. Fight back by picturing the beauty of life... your own life...your own life experiences. Never wallow in to self pity. Remember – all your life, you’re doing this. You’re hearing and even absorbing a lot of trash talk. It’s time to break free. It’s about time to realize how FANTASTIC life is just to be messed up by unworthy people and circumstances.

Ignore trash talk, it's about time to realize how FANTASTIC life is just to be messed up by unworthy people and circumstances (image from www.flickr.com/photos/)

“I do not believe the gods would create so potent a being as myself for so prosaic an ending.”

                                                                                                         -Winston Churchill

FOR AMERICANS, IT’S HIGH TIME TO EXPERIENCE CLAY ART ENJOYMENT

It's such a fun creating a clay art! (image from http://www.flickr.com/photos/)

    I never actually thought that playing with clay when I was a child was actually called Clay Art or even Clay Sculpture. Since then, I never actually take interest to Clay Art. Why? Maybe because it’s childish? But one day, I just saw my older brother transforming a clay of drab color into something with dazzling form—a human torso. “That was great,” I thought. “Hmm, may one day I would like to pick up that clay and form something pleasant, but not now, It can actually wait,” I concluded. Knowing myself, for sure I would have to find a step-by-step instruction on how to do that. I saw one in a local bookstore but its price is quite hefty so I let it pass and forgot all about it. After all, I might have something to busy myself with when I grow old.

     Then again, who would have thought that a measly, cheap children’s book would convince me to finally put that plan in to a reality? This book was colourful, the objects to make are everyday stuffs – foods, cellphones, shoes; steps are in photos and not words. Everything was pretty easy and brilliant. After I actually created two objects – a bag and a professional camera – I gave them to two of my friends and they thought that I was doing this for a long time and they were impressed with my clay are creation. I was like, “oh I just got that from a children’s book.” They thought I was just being humble and pursued  more questions to fish out some information on how I was able to get in to clay art or clay sculpture. They couldn’t actually squeeze that much story out of me because I’m a clear neophyte to this; I just happen to enjoy it!!! This somehow inspired me to add clay art and clay sculpture in one of the things I can do to share to my friends during their special occasions.

     Knowing the immense joy, if not the humble accomplishment, it gave to me, I guess it’s high time to share this to Americans who are the busiest people on earth who ought to take quality breaks from time to time and dirty their hands with something productive and fun.

     “A simple piece of clay is possibly the most useful and intuitive art material known to man."

                                                                                                                 -from a Clay Art website-

     According to an eHow article, “CLAY as a medium has a long history: It has been used for thousands of years to build homes with mud bricks and to make pots, utensils, ornaments and religious figurines. These figurines are still created to this day. Bricks, of course, are also still created and widely used. But today, it's not all about practical or religious purposes. Shaping clay is also considered an art form.”

     “Clay has been used so widely for so long for many reasons. First, it's plentiful. Clay particles can be found in riverbeds around the world. They are fine particles that drifted to the bottom of a river and stuck against other particles of dirt like it. Clay is malleable when wet, can be shaped into any form, and dries hard. Most important, if the clay is dried or "fired" with high heat, it won't become mushy again. This means that a clay pot, ornament or figurine won't wash away, even if it endures a long downpour.”

 

     “Clay art that is made today is much different from that of ancient China or Rome. Plates, cups, bowls, salt shakers, platters and other such objects are often intricately designed and painted. Some sculptors have taken a modern and architectural route, while others work in more traditional formats.”

     Meanwhile, “Clay sculpture also has a long history. Some sculptures are religious, in the form of a god or goddess, and some are erected in honor of someone or something. Other sculptures are created simply to beautify, and many are regarded as art.
    

     “People use clay for sculpture for the same reasons they chose to make pottery out of it: It is malleable and durable, can be fixed easily, doesn't need a mold and is less expensive than other materials.”

     “Clay sculpture can be used in the initial steps of sculpting with a different material, such as bronze. Often, a small version of the sculpture is made out of clay, and then a bigger sculpture of metal is based on the small one. Clay is not as strong as bronze. Whereas a large sculpture would hold up, a clay sculpture of the same size and shape might not.”

                                                                                 

     “Today there are multiple classes, online message boards, workshops, summer camps, exhibitions and events devoted to clay art. Some clay artists have websites listing their information, exhibition or event dates, and maybe an online catalog.”

     For a starter, of course you need the basic: a CLAY! You can buy a cheap one in small amounts of different elementary colors. Then go to a bookstore and see if you can chance a cheap children’s clay art or clay sculpture. If you find none, don’t worry, you just have to settle with the simplest objects you can find in your house like cups, tables, plates, pizza and burgers. The options are endless.

     As you make one simple thing after another, you can then level up by learning more about the craft. From here, you can scour the internet for good resources. They present a lot of pictures as well which is appetizing enough for your creative hunger. After shaping your works of art, you are now ready to learn more about sculpture techniques, styles, lessons and tutorials.

      With this, I’m already glad to help you start that new activity – clay art! Now get up and start working on your masterpiece J

Finding the Personalized Stationery of your suit, the American style

Dainty Personalized Stationery (image from www.flickr.com/photos/)

    I grew up with a loving mother who is not exactly creative. Well she knew how to draw a stickman, but I remembered how she loved me by placing notes on a page in my notebooks during my young school days. Of course I will notice the “message” but no fail would I notice the cute and fine stationery. I especially liked the small stationery tucked in equally tiny envelope and the finer personalized stationery.

     This was when I started my penchant for stationeries. I developed the eye for stationery design but what’s endearing to me is the unique design of each personalized stationery I will see. Maybe because it is personalized! The combination of the style sense or design preference of that person and the aura her named instigates is one of a kind. My mother’s name is Marcia,which means proud and warlike, which is the opposite of her gentle and caring character. I must admit though, I like her choices of specialized stationeries, even those she got as gifts.  

     Whatever the events are: wedding or birthdays or anniversaries, I will sure keep whatever personalized stationery a friend will give to me, may that be either blank or with a grand purpose like invitation or bearing significant message like an expression of gratitude.

     As I grow up, I learned that in each significant and even in everyday life, despite of the dawn and dominion of electronic stationeries, there will still be a need for one to write a message or two to co-workers, friends and families. Through the internet, I found out as well that Americans spend most of the time searching for the personalized stationeries there is on the web to save time, money and effort.

     I’ve found the best Personalized American Stationeries, and I would like to share it to you:

·         http://www.americanstationery.com/ 

    With 92 years of experience in this kind of business, it seems that American Stationery was able to keep up with the technology of customer service as they venture in this techno-crazy world by dealing online. The website is pretty easy to navigate. Their best selling stationery and Paper Products are easily presented on their home page so you can have an idea of their works.

             

·         http://www.thestationerystudio.com/

     This website has more gifts to offer for all occasions than the stationery. You’ll just have to click on the Stationery icon and it will bring you to a wide array of choices. It will be helpful  if you already have some specifics on your mind to narrow your search time.

·         http://www.confettistationery.com/

     Somehow this site gives you an air of more personalized products because of the drawings/ sketches drawn by hand found on their website. They have good summary of what their company is all about and what they could offer.

·         www.finestationery.com

      The thing that I noticed on this site is that aside from the stationery designs at all occasions, they also have branded papers. By this we mean, the caliber of Vera Wang and Kate Spade among others, living up to their name of “fine stationery”. If that is not impressive, then I don’t know what is.                                   

Digging in to the Art of Jewelry Making for the Americans

Jewelry Making is worthwhile and fun (image is from http://www.flickr.com/photos/)

     Jewelries are part of the girls’, ladies’ and women’s everyday lives. It’s a very effective way to enhance the asset of a person or jazz a rather drab outfit, like twitching the look of basic white blouse and jeans into a dazzling style.

      Jewelry Making dates back to around 40,000 years ago when the earliest artifacts of jewelry were found in Cro-Magnon dwelling according to www.theoriginof.com. These forms of jewelry were crudely made and were crafted from shells, bones, sinew, mammoth tusks and mother of pearl.

     To some, it symbolizes not just fashion sense but also the status of a woman in a society.  In Egypt for example, jewelry became a symbol of power, worn only by the pharaohs, the nobility and the rich.

     Some professional models, stylists and image consultants later in their careers venture to jewelry making as they have already built a rich stylish experience, not to mention clients to buy their creations, to express it in the jewels they will make. Their idols, ultra popular celebrity friends, lush nature they grew up on (leaves, flowers, fields), life’s highlights, special events, world landmarks, and even exotic travels are the usual suspects from where inspiration thrive and creation thru jewelry making bloom. You don’t need to live such a high life though for you to make your own Jewelry. You can start one right at your home just with what you have in your room cabinet, your attic or even your surrounding (see those dried twigs?).

      Jewelry making is as diverse as your imagination. There is no boundaries. As they say, sky is the limit. With the aid of your raw materials (beads, sequins, hemps, Swarovski crystals, shells, copper, brass, polymer clay, bead crochet, wire, string, old jewelries and pricey gems) and your whip of inspiration and strike of creativity, you can sure make an obra you’ll be proud of. Fret not if you don’t know the terms or the right materials yet. Your imagination can do wonders with what you have. The next thing you know, you have already fashioned your own earrings, ordained bracelets and wear  your pendants.

     The benefits of Jewelry Making are tremendous. Whether a hobby or a business, you will find out as you go on that it is more of a therapy, like shopping. It will take away your mind from thinking of the everyday stress. The enjoyment is priceless. Aside from your own jewel you can wear, (later on it will be like a silent bragging right) you can also share them to your friends. They’ll be doubly happy since they are both flattered and the fact that you take time to make it.

     Now, if you already have the inspiration, further information will help you boost your new-found worthy activity, Jewelry Making. You can get it usually in a section of a Women’s magazines, more can be seen in specialty magazines and lastly there is the vast resource called the World Wide Web.

     To help you with that burden, we have checked the websites you can explore. Have an eye for a lot of free stuffs like how-to-do projects, patterns, creative techniques, e-books and booklets. You can also get a lot of significant pointers from interviews, forum posts and the community of like-minded people. Lastly, you can also subscribe to their newsletters or online community and some will even give you more free stuffs just by doing that!

     Being a pennypincher that I am, I guess all these free stuffs are already enough. You can also check You Tube or any video hosting sites for cool demonstrations. But if you are willing to shell out a few pennies, then you can grab and put in to your electronic cart some DVDs which these sites offer. Lastly, you may visit your local bookstore for a dirtcheap price of bargained specialty magazine or book. I did this once and don’t have the intention of buying one but I happen to dig one and boy was it a treasure!

Here are the websites we have found out:

·        http://www.allcrafts.net/jewelry.htm = they have such huge resource of free projects and endless possibility of jewelry crafts and beadworks.

·         http://jewelry making.about.com = this website will give you practical projects to work on. Their instructions are pretty simple to follow. For starters, we do recommend to take a longer look at this site.

·         http://www.how-to-make-jewelry.com/= the site caters for both the beginners and the more seasoned jewelry artists. We find the pictures of the creations inspiring enough to probably create your next project. Links are less crowded which means better understanding navigation of the site for you.

6 Sensible Tips on How to Settle Debt in the United States

Let's erase and settle your debt (image from http://www.flickr.com/photos/11121568@N06/4105722502)

     Millions of Americans each day have this thought in mind, “how to settle debt?”

     Debt is a condition that exists when there is a loan agreement. Debt Settlement is more than a one-time job. It involves strong WILL and having to accept to deal with it for a substantial amount of time depending on the amount of your debt and how many debts you have, may it be on a local bank, a financial institution or from a friend’s friend.

     Congratulations my friend if you already have that willingness to settle your debt. You’ve already won half the battle.

  

   Aside from yourself, no other than the Supreme Being, God Himself would want you to settle your debt. According to Larry Burkett, author of the book, “Dollars and Sense, what the Bible says about you and your Money,” “God’s words tells us that His plan for us is to be debt free.  The blessings of  becoming debt free go far beyond the financial area; they extend to the spiritual and marital realms.”

    

     This is clearly supported by the Bible, “The Lord will open for you His good storehouse...to bless all the work of your hand; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow” – Deuteronomy 28:12

     On this note, we would like to serve no-nonsense tips for the Americans on how to settle debts:

1.)    Talk to your Debtor. When you do, the first and foremost your debtor would have in mind is that you’re head on in covering your full debt. The very main reason why you are doing this is if your Debtor can still cut down the interest rate or all those surcharges. In effect, this will be a win-win situation. It’s less of a burden as your chance to fully pay the debt increases and your debtor will of course get his side of the bargain.

2.)    Set a fix amount to pay the debt on the same day every month. The key to this is “willingness” and discipline. There are obvious two ways to do this: first set aside that specific amount from your regular income. Or if your regular income can’t sustain it, you can do the second thing which is to moonlight for a job where you   can consistently get the payment. You may also suggest the day convenient to you like the day after your pay day.  

A sound tip, spending less and saving more is a surefire way to escort you in your journey to debt settlement.

3.)    Increase your Financial I.Q. As what was mentioned earlier, Debt Settlement is a “will” thing. To further light your journey to Debt Settlement, it is best to strongly couple it by increasing your Financial Knowledge which also covers the topic, “how to pay your debt.” There are lots of ways to do this: self study through books, audiobooks, cds, the internet or enrol yourself to basic personal finance courses.

4.)    Tell this to your closest friend. Sharing this to your closest friend will help you in a way that they will remind you of your goal. Most of the times, if they hear, read or know of a thing or two that will help you in your successful journey to Debt Settlement, be assured that they will even tell you about it with a glow in their eyes.

5.)    Never borrow again. Once you’re out of debt, we strongly suggest that you do not fall to the same trap again. Unless that is a rare case of good debt in which case you will use the money to put an active income to your pocket. If there is no reason other than that, we strongly advise that you shelf the idea of acquiring loan once Debt Settlement is over.

6.)    Save for your Emergency and Future Fund. This is already beyond the Debt Settlement Tips, but once it’s over and you’re already used to saving that specific amount monthly, then use that amount to start creating your emergency fund (this specific of fund will be your resource just in case unexpected situations come up, as the name suggests) which is at least three to six months of your monthly income or add it up to your Future Fund or your savings.

HOW TO FIND A LAWYER in the U.S.

We'll help you answer your "how to find a lawyer" query (image from http://www.flickr.com/photos/)

     Before I worked in a law office, I was wondering why people who have had legal encounters and experiences say that you need to find a good lawyer to win a case, after all lawyers should be good if not great to start with before they earn their title. My question was answered when I delved into their world.

    Attorneys are the bridge between the sublimity of all those legal terms, options and scenarios, and the simplicity of everyday people who needs enlightenment. Their number one asset is their cognitive ability from which they weave the words and logic to effectively defend their clients or prosecute the opposing party. The expertise of a lawyer is indeed important for if they know the twists and turns, nooks and crannies of their field, they know how to use this to their client’s advantage, not to right a wrong or conceal what has truly happened but to bring the judge and the jury to the best angle, opening where to attack the matter and see the right viewpoint repleting it with supporting evidences and, perhaps citing similar decided cases.

     With this experience at hand, I would like to dispense a no-nonsense tips for the readers on how to find a good lawyer:

1.)   Ask your closest friend.  In looking for a lawyer, you may not just easily jump to any lawyer’s directory or even to the internet. If “how to find a lawyer” is a major issue and we are assuming the despite of the many factors to consider (in which state you are in, is it civil or criminal, your budget and the exact set up you’ll be needing), you don’t know where to start, then you run to whom you usually run in desperate times – your closest friend or your bestfriend. At that point, she may think more logically than you do less all the emotional stress you’re going through. Once you vent out the facts, she may personally know a lawyer which may match with your legal needs or she may know somebody who can refer you to an excellent lawyer.

2.)  Consider group or business referrals. To help you narrow the search for a lawyer you need, you may want to seek for the assistance of a group or business referrals. For example, if your case is sexual harassment, you may want to check out the nearest Women Advocacy Group in your area and, chances are, you will be given a reliable name for he/she surely have a good reputation not to mention strong track record for handling a case of such type. If you need a lawyer for entrepreneurial endeavour or for the problem you’re having in acquiring a business permit, then business peoples or partners would be a great ground to ask on who they think would measure up with the lawyer you’re looking for.

3.)  Local, phone and internet directories. The first two tips should already give you more than enough leads for you to find a lawyer. But in rare case that it didn’t or that you just want to know what other options you have aside from what you already have on hand, then you may consider local, phone or internet directories. You can check on your local state through phone directories various lawyers who are willing to share their expertise. Meanwhile, internet directories offer “lawyer search” where you need to fill up the basic information like from which state are you in, what kind of legal problem  you’re encountering (Tax, Business, Family) and they will give you the contact information of the lawyers whom they think can match your need.

     Now that you finally have the name of specific lawyer/s handy but you’re not sure yet if he or she is the one you’re looking for, we keep you further guided:

1.)  Meet up with the lawyer. Meeting up with the lawyer does not mean you’ll get the service. On the other hand, to the lucky ones, this is already the start of a good lawyer-client relationship. In this stage, you should have your guard up. Great personality is only one factor. Track record is another significant thing to consider. To help you judge if he/ she is the right one, you may want to tag a friend or somebody who already knows the subject matter with you. Good lawyers does not take advantage, they may even grant you a meet-up session at no cost. Make sure you have the straight facts ready because great lawyers will already tell you what will happen, what your options are and how things will go.

2.)   Consider an Expert. You’ve gone this far. Please take note that an expert on that legal field you are looking for, may charge higher than the normal. A good lawyer will discuss this to you down to the last details. Take notice of the time frame they will quote to you. As one internet directory claims, “Almost nothing is more aggravating to a client than to leave a legal project in a lawyer's hands and then have weeks or even months go by without anything happening. You want a lawyer who will work hard on your behalf and follow through promptly on all assignments.

     If you follow these sensible tips on how to find a good lawyer, you are on your definite way to get a fine attorney guide you and battle on your behalf. 

You are an Epitome of Perfection

Each is an epitome of perfection (image from fttp://www.flickr.com/photos/)

Was there ever a time, when you were just doing your stuff you regularly do, say eating lunch or just chatting, and somebody, a friend or officemate, just popped out a strong compliment like, “You have such a nice skin!” You were caught off guard, that what you’re doing was shortly interrupted and your mind was hanging up there in the air perplexed, “wa-wait, what did I exactly do wrong or right there? I was just eating”.

     Another situation: Had you ever been in an event with your friends and you gleefully had a group picture. When you and your friends saw the outcome, you noticed how beautiful your friend’s face was, who was seated next to you that you actually feel inferior but before you vocally burst out the “unfairness” of life, you heard the same friend broadcasting, “I am so big, and I am right beside you”. And your bubble thought went, “hmm, I don’t think she’s that fat.”

          You know those situations are perfect examples of how other people notices their flaws first and compare them with their “better neighbors”. As the saying goes, the “grass is greener on the other side of the fence”. Seeing things in that viewpoint, then all of us, as in EACH of us is an epitome of perfection. Really! You don’t believe me?

     Let’s take some good practical activity here. Look back from, say your high school years, and think of the good comments you got back then, like you had such a knock-out smile or you had pearl-white teeth or you’re a black beauty. Or when your crush guy/gal quipped, “you have the most beauteous eyes”. I mean, c’mon you know what a sincere message is to not.

     My point is there are times, if not most of the times, that we lost confidence in ourselves which causes us to have low self-esteem. We didn’t see the “goodness”, in this case physical, there is in us. That if we try to put ourselves into the shoes of your neighbors, only then you’ll realize the goodness in you. In effect, you’ll be less harsh to yourself and actually appreciate what you have in a magnified way. 

     C’mon, try to collect all those positive comments you got, may it be in your physique or your character, throughout your lifetime and pile them up. Just try to bask in them for quite a few seconds. I bet you’ll find yourself smiling. And you’ll thank me for coming up with this theory that “each of us, is an epitome of perfection”.  After all, we’re all God’s children and no two persons are the same. You’re only you in this one heck of vast universe.