Lunes, Agosto 29, 2011

Three Short Life’s Lessons from My Peers

Moments with friends are truly enjoyable ;)

  • We all have flaws, but the best thing there is we do see and appreciate the good side of each of us.                                                                                                           
  • Life is rough, vulnerable in a sense that even the truest and sincerest words you have spoken are subject to different reactions from people of different walks of life, even harsh and unbearable. I was made aware of it. This is the reason why I do not want to open myself to something which will bring me to that situation.
  • I guess, one of the most genuine recognitions one will receive in his/her lifetime would not come in the form of plaques, trophies or certificates but through the simple words of his/her friends which comes from the inner seats of their hearts, brimming the short phrase, “thank you.”

Miyerkules, Agosto 24, 2011

Do YOUR Part to Make Puerto Princesa Underground River one of the Seven Wonders of Nature

Tourists enjoying the majestic view of Puerto Princesa Underground River
(image from http://flickr.com/photos)
     This coming December, my friends and I will be in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. By that time, we hope that the famous Puerto Princesa Underground River will be one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.
   
  Palawan’s Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) is the longest underground estuary in the world. It is located 50 kilometers north of Puerto Princesa City and nestled underneath St. Paul Mountain. PPUR is the only Philippine site to be included in the elite group of 28 worldwide finalists which was trimmed down from 440 natural sites in 2007.

     By estimation, at least a billion votes are needed for PPUR to be included in the New Seven Wonders of Nature (N7WN). Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn appealed to the public to heavily support the campaign to vote PPUR so that by November 11, 2011 (11.11.11) we will be included in the list of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

     In this note, Malacañang warmly responded with Proclamation No. 182 “Declaring a National and International Promotion Campaign for Puerto Princesa UndergroundRiver as one of New Seven Wonders of Nature”

     No less than President Benigno S. Aquino III himself urged and convinced the public, “There are 80 million cell phone users in the Philippines, sending two billion messages a day. If we need a billion votes to win, that’s only half a day.”
     You can do your part to map the Philippines in the tourism world through PPUR by casting your votes in the following means:

1.)visiting www.new7wonders.com (Choose your 7 sites, register, confirm your email link, comfrim your vote, wait for voting confirmation message)
2.) text PPUR and send to 2861 for all the network in the Philippines (Globe, Smart, Sun, Touch Mobile, TnT)
3.) OFWs and Filipinos around the world can also do their share. Here is how to send text votes:
text PPUR and send to 77077 (Canada)
text PPUR and send to 19788555 (Australia)
text PPUR and send to 3888 (United Arab Emirates)
text PPUR and send to 001-1588-7715 (Korea)
text PPUR and send to 3874 (South Africa)
text Puerto and send to 7155 (Poland)
text N7WP-PUR and send to 55123 (Taiwan)

     Let’s pray for success so that when it's our turn to visit the Puerto Princesa Underground River, it is not only UNESCO World Heritage Site but also one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. When that happened, wouldn't it be extra special knowing that you did your part? Urge your family and friends to do the same. Happy Voting! 

Wonderful cave formation in Puerto Princesa Underground River
(image from http://flickr.com/photos)

Martes, Agosto 23, 2011

3 PRACTICAL WAYS TO GET YOUR AMERICAN HEIRLOOM SEEDS

Get your heirloom seeds like this Mexican Dry bean (image from http://flickr.com/photos/)
  Although I got pretty interested about plants and seeds and house gardens, and I didn’t have green thumb at that, it was quite late that I learned about American heirloom seeds.

     Heirloom seeds and plants are those varieties of plants, like tomatoes squash and melon which originated and were grown to countries and places in the world other than the United States. They were brought and later adapted and grown here by the immigrants. Heirloom seeds are historical and full of stories. You may hear from stories about certain heirloom seeds which were saved by a tribe and were grown here as if it were a native plant.

     “Some authorities say heirloom vegetables are those introduced before 1951, when modern plant breeders introduced the first hybrids developed from inbred lines. While there are good reasons to use 1951 as a cut-off, many heirloom gardeners focus on varieties that date from the 1920s and earlier.”

     Heirloom seeds and plants are open pollinated (non-hybrid), untreated, not genetically engineered and usually grown organically. This means that no insecticide nor pesticide was used.
    
     According to growers and those who have tried it, heirloom plants are tastier than commercial plants and vegetables. One website say, "they have it all. They taste wonderful, look beautiful and are easy to grow. "That fact alone got me interested enough. “But where to find heirloom seeds?” you may ask. Seeds for heirloom vegetables were hard to find. Fortunately, that is changing. Several seed companies now specialize in heirloom vegetables

     One farmer says that finding for heirloom seeds is like love. When you find it, it’s everywhere. Here’s where to begin your search:

1. Ask your friends to get one for you. If you have friends from other nation, you may ask them to ship heirloom seeds for you. Or if you have Asian or Mexican friends, you may ask around and chance upon somebody who actually brought an heirloom seed with them like Mexican seeds or heirloom seeds from Cambodia or China.

 2. Seed Catalogues. The two most trusted Seed Catalogues are Fedco and Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds which gets seeds from all over the world. Also many catalogues can double as reliable gardening books.

3. Seed Swap and the Internet. There are a lot of people who takes interest on heirloom seeds and even do seed exchange for another variant so that their collection may grow. Look for them on the social networking sites, videos and the comments left by well-meaning grower.

     One last tip, we heard that heirloom seeds in West Virginia are cheap. You may know somebody from there who’s willing to buy one for you.


You too can have your heirloom seeds. An example is this Pumpkin Australian Butter (image from http://flickr.com/photos/)
     With that, happy growing!

Lunes, Agosto 22, 2011

Yes, You can become a CHEF of class in the USA!


Become a chef of class (image courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos)

In my family, everybody can cook, except for me! My mother and my brother seem to have a natural knack for it. When I say “natural,” I mean that they have the heart for it and the innate desire to cook food with love and much gusto for our family. My father, younger brother and sister seem to just have developed it either through constant exposure to my mother’s excellent cooking style or out of necessity (like when we’re left to fend for ourselves and they take over the kitchen throne.) My older brother didn’t pursue a culinary career although he took one short course and a numerous pantry job experiences. My desire to know how to become a chef was enflamed because my younger brother would want to be one, and I would like to help him discover how to become a CHEF.
     Top chefs, popular or not, admit that becoming a chef is not all glitz and glamour, it’s not that easy. Behind those prepared delectable dishes is a different world, a tough world with a tough job. Here is what they say to help you discern if you have what it take to become a CHEF of high caliber.
Make Sure that it’s really what you wanna do
     If you have passion for it, you knew it. No words are enough how you feel when you are in the kitchen or preparing food for others. If you have further doubts, continue reading on to know if you have what it takes to become a chef.
Do your Research and Know the Trade
Have the Correct Skills
     Upon research and interview, we learned the skills you should have with you on becoming a good chef:
Ø  CHEFS have highly refined and inventive sense of taste. One thing a chef is responsible for is coming up with new and exotic dishes. Sometimes, a chef may make a mistake but in a snap and with his or her inventiveness in the sense of taste, he or she can easily rectify it.
Ø  CHEFS are multitaskers. This is to keep things running smoothly in a hot, crowded and noisy kitchen. The work is fast-paced and a missed to detail can result in time lost and food wasted, not to mention an unhappy customer.
Ø  CHEFS are Creative. A culinary website says, “Creativity is necessary if you want to stand out as a chef. Often a meal is made all the more interesting by the way it is presented on the plate. A great sense of creativity can help with this and also with finding new ways to prepare old dishes.”
“When the average person goes to a fine restaurant, rarely do they consider the amount of work that goes into the preparation of a meal. A good chef is good at making everything look easy and keep things running smoothly. It takes a great deal of creativity to give everything the appearance of being unaffected.”
Ø  CHEFS are fast decision makers. As a chef, you are going to have to monitor everything that's being prepared and still keep up with your various other duties. To do this, you really will need to be a fast decision maker.

Ø  CHEFS have excellent Management Skills. This will be necessary in dealing with the staff’s problems. Not to mention time management and demand as chefs are on their feet for hours at a time, often working evening weekends and holidays.
Know the demanding Responsibilitues
     Chefs create the menu items. And often prices them, too. Chefs are responsible for proper hygiene handling, Purchasing, Accounting, Marketing Strategy, Food Science and much much more.

     Now, if you’re decided, here are the things you should do to become a chef:
Go to School and Get Educated.
     Education is indeed important if you want to become a chef in the United States. Johnson & Wales University and The Culinary Schools of America are two of the premier culinary schools in the country. There is an equivalent huge price to pay though.
     Fret not, you may still settle for lesser known culinary schools. The money you have to shell out may just be a tenth of those premiere schools, but they still manage to produce good chefs in the country. We strongly suggest that you consider programs accredited by the American Culinary Federation. Try to find out more about the nearest affordable vocational-technical schools or regulated community college in your area.
      As an additional information, in the U.S. degrees are essential, but it is not the worldwide norm. For example, In Canada it is very rare for a chef to have a degree - although most have diploma.
      Lastly, cne experienced Chef  says that, “culinary degrees are not required to be a chef as much as common sense and a good work ethic.”
Get a related job
     To help you on your journey to become a chef, you need to get related kitchen jobs to help you familiarize yourself with the trade of the demanding, busy and often-crowded kitchen world. Be a dishwasher, buzzer, helper, a boy. Most of the skills, especially the management skills will be experienced firsthand in getting related jobs.    
Add Value to your career
     As you gain experience as a chef, and you are climbing that kitchen ladder, your skills and responsibilities are adding up to. It is also necessary to add value to your chosen career. Continue to get trade certification.
     One top chef states, “The only real way that you can become a good chef is to put a great deal of effort into improving yourself; not only as a cook, but as a person as well. To do this, you must study the craft.”
     In the end, top chefs have common message, it’s a combination of your culinary skills and hardwork that will make you stand out and become the BEST CHEF that you are.
     I hope that this blog article have helped you decide whether to become a chef of not.
     The next time I write something about being a chef or something about food, I hope that my brother is already a top chef himself. 

Biyernes, Agosto 19, 2011

STARTING YOUR U.S.A. COIN COLLECTING


Try coin collecting! (image from http://flickr.com/photos/)

     I am a beneficiary of the coins collected by my father. His good collection was passed on to me, and I found out that this is actually one of the common ways to get started in coin collecting. My father is a casual collector. I am a just a hobbyist as well, like I deal with it if I have time. I may not have plans to turn it into a serious collection or even profit from it, but for me, the sheer joy and “stress reliever” factor it bring are enough for me to go on with coin collecting.
     I may not be a beginner since I have been into this since high school, but as compared to more intense coin collectors, I’m still a newbie. I would like to share some basic information on how to start your coin collecting and how to get the best enjoyment out of it.
     Coin collecting gives you a different high. In each coin is a bit of history, story, significance and design embedded all together in one circular object. To start with your collection, most serious collectors strongly suggest that you choose which specific coin would you want to collect. Some concentrate on US coins only, some prefer Canadian, European while some go for World coins. Admittedly though, I collect anything that will appeal to me or anything which I read and hear have much value. Devise ways to get coins of other currencies like nudging your friends who will travel abroad to bring you a local coin from that country. Spread the news as well to your inner circle of friends that you are starting coin collecting. In that way, they will have an idea what to give you on special occasions like your birthday!
     To start with, make sure that you have cases for your coins. This will protect your coin from dust and prevent it from being scratched. You may commence your coin collecting hobby with the cheaper cardboard holder. If you have budget, you can invest in a plastic holder which is also air tight. This ensures that you have proper encasing. In this sense, a good display area in your house a also a must.
    Now that you have the protection, the next question is where to get your coins especially if you don’t have one to start with since your parents or grandparents were once upon a time not interested with coin collecting. No problem then, you just have to visit your local post office. The US mint and The Canadian mint are offering sets of collection for sale like the Olympics.  The U.S. Mint is always issuing new commemorative coins and sets. There is a remarkable variety of U.S. coin types in everyday pocket change, with more than 38 different State Quarter types in circulation.

     Some say that you can jumpstart even from your pocket change. You may also buy classic coins or bullions from dealers. You may try online trade but I suggest that as a beginner, delay it until you gain solid information and  until the time that you’re confident with determining if a coin is authentic or not.   It’s hard to do that only in picture which you will sure experience when you trade online. Fake coin dealers are all over the world wide web.

    Since you already have started a collection, make sure that you set aside a time to know more information about your collection. Do a research online or pick up value books. I do this if I have time as well. Find ways to grow both your collection and knowledge. An example is knowing more about “grading coins.” According to experts, grading systems are based on simple concepts that are easy to learn, especially for circulated coins. Furthermore, having a basic understanding of the criteria used by these services will empower you to make better coin buying decisions.

     Lastly, to expand your hobby of coin collecting and your network, check the classified, explore online, visit antique or crafts store, auction and shows. This will also give you the opportunity to mingle with co-minded coin collecting peoples.

     Now that you have successfully started your collection, you may now peek them from time to time especially if it’s your off from work. Somehow, you will experience that relief and stress reducing factor. You can drop a word of two here on how your coin collecting is doing. Happy coin collecting! 

Lunes, Agosto 15, 2011

5 Easy Breezy Tips on How to Choose Ceiling Fans in the USA

Choosing a ceiling fan is a breeze (image from http://www.flickr.com/photos/)


   There are a lot of styles of ceiling fans: Timeless/ Classic (this works to most decorating styles), Modern (this fits for contemporary style), Tropical and Decorative.  Any three to five-blade ceiling fan is functional. Beyond that is more like aesthetical. There are also additional features like button to counter the fan flow and some come with the remote controls.

     Now that times are hard, ceiling fan is a very good alternative to air conditioners especially if you are not using the light bulbs. This will slash your household’s cooling cost.

     The first to consider when you’re choosing which ceiling fan to buy is your needs and your budget. If you want a quiet model, look for fans with plain, smooth blades.

     Furthermore, according to the ShopSmart;) Magazine September 2008 issue, here are valuable tips on how to pick styles, colors and finishes of the Ceiling Fan that complement your room.

1.)    Size it right. Fans with a 52-inch blade span are the most popular and work best in rooms that are 225 to 400 square feet. For smaller rooms, 144 to 225 square feet, a 42- to 48-inch style will be fine.
TIP in very large rooms, combined great rooms, or long, narrow spaces, you might want to install more than one fan.

2.)    Hang it high. Place a ceiling fan in the center of the room at least 7 feet above the floor – 8 to 9 feet is best for optimal air flow. If your ceiling is higher, use a downrod to position the fan at the proper height. The blades should be at least 24 inches from walls and drapes.

3.)    Create a focal point. A ceiling fan should look great, even at rest, says interior designer Laura Harvey of The Elite Design Group in Fountain Hills, Ariz. “The style you choose should add to the room decor, like a piece of furniture, only on the ceiling.”

4.)    Connect with color. Coordinating the fan’s finish with other furnishings helps create unity and balance in a room, says New Orleans interior designer Michelle Verdigets, a spokeswoman for the American Society of Interior Designers. “I like to match the color of the wood fans blade to the floor. This works no matter what the style and color of the rugs and furniture. White washed or pale-toned wood blades are especially nice in rooms with bamboo or light-colored tile floors.” Metal fan finishes can coordinate with door knobs, cabinet hardware, and even kitchen faucets and bathrooms fixtures.

5.)    Blend it in.  Fans are big and kind of clunky to conceal, says Verdigets. If you want to make one less visible, choose a very simple style in a color that blends in with the ceiling. TIP A flush-mounted fan will disappear in to the ceiling a bit more.
     
     Sadly, a majority of the ceiling fans in the USA are either China- or Taiwan-made. We strongly suggest that you make sure that the ceiling fan is USA-made. You can further check this out by going to a specialty store than in Home Centers or Department Store.
     
     You may check the ceiling fans from Hampton Bay, Harbor Breeze, Hunter, Matthew Fans and online through http://www.ceilingfan.com/

(Resource: ShopSmartmag.org (September 2008))

Recommendations:

http://www.modernfan.com/

Miyerkules, Agosto 10, 2011

My Father


Missing my father (image from http://www.flickr.com/photos/)

The Sound of Peace

     It was my first weekly off since I moved to my new work department. After exercising my father’s arms and legs (he cannot do it yet as he is still in deep slumber of coma), I later took the bed sheets and blankets out and hooked it on our neighbor’s rusty red window railings to be bathed generously in the sun.

     I stood there for a split second, and I was greeted with stillness... it was close to peace. The kind of stillness, peace, silence and isolation I never experienced in the past few days, weeks or even months. I was welcomed with stillness.

     I viewed the surrounding squinting the whole place was covered with mid-morning, Christmas-anticipating sun rays. As I recant a step or two...
Missing my father (image from http://www.flickr.com/photos/)

Missing My Father

     I’m missing my Father. Awhile ago, I just texted Larry, a good friend of mine, on how shallowly jubilant I was on making it to the top of the mobile game I was playing for days and weeks. Dixie, my younger sister, is good at this and now she is far second. Few minutes passed and I’m silently weeping in the confine of my bed. My face against Dixie’s (my sister) pillow. Vivid memories rushed back swiftly, steam of tears flow as fast. I’m missing my father. Everything still seems surreal. As events flashed back, they seem to resemble scenes from films, the pacing was undeniably fast. I miss my father. 

ITALIAN FURNITURE IN UK


Great Italian furniture available in UK market (image from http://www.flickr.com/photos)
     Various Italian-designed and made furniture is a hit to the UK market. It generally embodies the European furniture. This is no surprise as Italian furniture is well-thought of, sturdy, and comes in modern, contemporary and classic forms. Designs of Italian furniture range from basic to luxurious. The choices are numerous. Remember to keep you guided, you just have to hold in your mind what your current or immediate “need” in picking up the best Italian furniture. This will save you time and effort.
     
     In addition, you may also want to consider multi-function Italian furniture, which is a sight to behold; they are sofa by day and in just one pull, it transforms to a bed by night OR the luxurious big bed when lifted holds multiple compartments where you can store your things, absolutely lovely!
    
    For Italian furniture in UK, you can visit these websites. They made your lives easier as the several pieces of Italian furniture are already separated according to their respective rooms in your house: bedroom, kitchen, living room, et al. Check them out:


     To cap it off, we will give you one wise tip on how to choose your Italian furniture. The best Italian furniture is the one which  came straight from an Italian manufacturer. In this way, quality is highly assured. We strongly suggest that you do a research on the company to which you’ll be buying the Italian furniture. 

Biyernes, Agosto 5, 2011

6 Budget Travel Tips to lovely Ireland

Enjoy your budget travel to Ireland (image from 


     Ireland is known for its friendly people being warm hosts, traditional music and pub. At the same time, it carries the monicker “Rip-Off Republic” which gives the impression that travelling here is definitely nowhere cheap. Fret not though, being a budget traveler that my friends and I are, we find ways to make  your travel to Ireland a breeze even though you’re on a budget:

  1.  Book Ahead. Good thing my friends are seasoned travellers that their idea of booking ahead was indeed astounding. Being a first-timer, I was just surprise at how huge we have saved. This includes flight, accommodation and rental care. This also saves you from the risk of price increases. Rooms in and around Dublin are usually book in advanced as the demand is high. You’ll save about US $9 as opposed to paying your accommodation when you’re there, not to mention it’s in cold cash. Additionally, don’t forget to confirm ahead specially if you have the discount voucher
  2.   Sniff for legit bargains. The internet is a fertile ground for budget travel bargain hunting. You can get discount pass and vouchers. Funny, you’ll find it lighter to pay with the voucher rather than the credit card or cash. You may want to check www.ireland.com  and www.tandctrade.com which is the website of Town and Country Homes. You can view at the B&B options that you have with the latter. You may also try the tourist offices. A wonderful tip, make sure that your choice of accommodation accepts voucher that you have so that you will save both effort and money.
  3. Avoid high season. This comes along with booking in advanced. Mostly the internet offers great discount during the off-peak season to strategically encourage budget travelers. Bread and Breakfast (B&B) are less crowded as well. Don’t be worried that you might miss the sight at the best time of the year which is usually marketed during high season. The off-peak season will give you a different view, a picture of its own that you will surely appreciate.
  4.  Know what you want. If you know what you want, you will be able to save more while enjoying travel in a budget. Make certain of what you would want to see in this beautiful country. If you are undecided, go to the internet and just check the wonderful sites you can see in Ireland or ask a globetrotter friend who has been to this Irish country on which nice place to spot. Are you the adventure type who enjoys the outdoor or would you be happy gaiting in the museum for the historical whiff? The decision is up to you. You may want to check the itinerary of travel tours. Or if you can do the itinerary yourself, then maybe ask the guidance of a travel tour operators only in a specific spot or landmark. In this way, you will only book the essential and perhaps splurge appropriately if you have to or want to. This will also avoid paying for some extras which are on the package but you may not be actually needing so you can just opt out and keep that portion of the money.
  5. Travel Light. This is a time and tested tip. This will help you avoid excessive baggage; at the same time, moving around will be a breeze. 
    Although those places we’ve been to are comfortable and with just-enough sitting room space, some if not most B&Bs have small space. Many of the rooms have shower but not a tub.
  6. Do not dine out. According to www.about.com, “It is easy to spend € 30 or more for an evening meal in Ireland's restaurants. If you are travelling on a budget, simply avoid evening meals - most restaurants offer cheaper lunchtime menus, some also have an "early bird special" in the late afternoon. Also consider "carveries" in pubs or "family restaurants" (often glorified take-aways with a no-frills interior and a simple menu). Take-out menus are available from many fish and chip shops, Chinese and Indian restaurants or take-aways.”











Huwebes, Agosto 4, 2011

4 Joyful Reasons Why American Single Women are Enjoying their Status

Happy Single American Women (image from  http://www.flickr.com/photos/)

     
     Why are single women across 50 states increasing? There may be a lot of factors behind the recent statistics that there are more American single women now than married: young professionals who are waiting for their careers to take off or be successful before they consider marrying; women who are living without their military men husbands who are deployed somewhere in the country or in other countries; the divorcees who choose to devote their time to taking care of their children; the baby boomer women who stayed single out of free will and not to marry again.
     Although general commercialism is couple-based and relationship-centered as pictured in Hollywood movies, TV commercials, billboard and print advertisements, there seems to be a “single” bug lurking around in which manifestations are enjoyable and the remedy is to get the hang of it and plain enjoy it.  
     According to Karin Anderson, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology at Concordia University Chicago in an article written by Julie Andrews for http://www.yourtango.com, “The message to singles tends to be that they’re doing something wrong (that’s why they don’t have their significant other). ‘You’re too this’ or ‘You’re not enough that.’ Being single is treated as this problem needs to be solved,” says Anderson. “That’s really bogus. We should be telling single women, “You’re fine. There’s nothing wrong. Enjoy your life.”
     And ENJOY is what they exactly did. Why are American women doing so? Here are the very best reasons:

1.)    Single Women have time for themselves, friends and families and in meeting other people. This is one of the things those committed counterpart envy about single women, they have more time for themselves, friends and families. Precious time is what they have when they go out and meet other people, may it be for a personal date or just joining a club, picking up a new hobby or converting your time to money by venturing to a new business. They can meet new guy friends as well without having to worry if somebody will be jealous since she is a single woman.

2.)    Single Women gains wisdom. Being single indulges a person to solitary moments. Whatever they’ve gone through to be single, whether it by choice or a series of bad encounters/ relationships, oftentimes, something will shine through from all of these – it’s Wisdom. That helped them appreciate life more, have an attitude of gratitude and be more mild-mannered in unpleasant life’s moment. It also comes handy when somebody needs such advice at a timely moment, they can be a shoulder to cry on. I guess no amount of relationship can give a person that much life’s enlightenment.

3.)    Single Women are more focused and less distracted from fulfilling goals and performing responsibilities. Being single gives women the opportunity to focus on their studies or to pin their attentions on that promotion she has long been waiting. Unlike the stage when they were in a relationship, this time they give 100% devotion to the things they’d like to achieve most at this time. Nothing can be better than picking herself up and achieving that long-wanted heart’s desire.

4.)    Single Women have freedom of choice and choice of freedom. For me this is the biggest blessing of being a single: F-R-E-E-D-O-M of choice. Married people are green with envy in this precious boon. Single Women, being partner-less at the moment found peace and usually, they meet God who can give them unconditional love. They are empowered. With this power, they can decide if they would want to help somebody or spend their time rather in an early Saturday event for a cause over a so late Friday night social party. They can choose to direct their energy from leisure activities like playing Farmville or going around Cityville in Facebook to a selfless social aid by volunteering their time to Habitat for Humanity or simply visiting a sick cousin. They don’t have to tell their every decision or every move to their respective boos. They can breathe more, they can give more to themselves , and in the process they have the freedom to share a part of their wonderful “them” to others in various forms:  service, monetary, advice or even a warm smile. Life is Beautiful. La Dolce vita.

Lunes, Agosto 1, 2011

7 Easy Ways to Start Stamp Collecting


     Stamp Collecting may have been the most popular hobby in the United States and the rest of the world. There is an estimated 20 million stamp collectors, in the United States alone. Some may think that this is already an old-school leisure activity especially now that we are in an era of superb computer and mobile technology. The truth is a lot of even young Americans are enjoying this hobby.


      More than being just a hobby, stamps have also been a silent time chronicler. Designs are exclusively made and released to the public whenever special national events happen like the Olympics, not just here in the United States but across the globe as well.


     The word "Philately" came from the French word philatélie which originated from the combination of Greek words "phil," which means "loving" and "ateleia" which means "exemption from tax." It was coined by Georges Herpin in 1864. It is the closest word he could find in ancient Greek.

     To start your hobby of stamp collecting, you need some basic tools. You can buy a kit to some crafts store. You can also even find a similar stamp collecting kit even in a Kids' Toy Store. You can actually find some of these tools right in your house. Some creative persons even create their own stamp collecting kit depending on the materials they have. Here are the tools which should come handy in your quest for stamp collecting:

1. stamp tongs (a specialised form of tweezers) to safely handle the stamps.
2. a strong magnifying glass
3. a perforation gauge (odontometre) to measure the perforation gauge of the stamp. Perforation is the  series of holes, bored or punched through between individual postage stamps of a sheet to facilitate separation.
4. watermark fluid. According to Wikipedia.com, "the identification of watermarks is important and may be done with the naked eye by turning the stamp over or holding it up to the light. If this fails then you may use the watermark fluid. It "wets" the stamp to reveal the mark.
5. stamp catalogues
6. stamp stockbooks
7. stamp hinges.  


     Now that you have the basic know-how of the materials,   www.ehow.com  has the information on how to finally commence your Stamp Collection:


1.       Go to the post office and purchase new stamps.
I did this whenever there are commemorative stamps or whenever the new set of stamp designs appeal to me.
2.       Take used stamps off your old mail. Note that it's sometimes more valuable to collect the entire envelope rather than stripping off the stamp because of a unique postmark date.
This suggestion is true. Sometimes, the texture, style and feel of the envelope add to the overall charm as well.
3.       Ask friends and family for their old stamps. Their saved envelopes also can be valuable.
The nice thing about this is that your friends and families are indeed a very good support. Sometimes you just have to tell them once or twice and before you know it, they are already swamping you with gifts from stamps online or stamps they bought themselves or even their very own stamp collection. Such a sweet act.
4.       Purchase stamps from dealers, who are often listed in newspaper classifieds and offer stacks of assorted stamps.
I haven’t done this although I know a prolific stamp collector who does this and even exchange communication with other stamp collectors from other countries to as far as United Kingdom, South Africa and even Asia.
5.       Order stamps through the mail or via Web sites, either by approval or by want list. "Approval" is when a dealer sends you assorted stamps and you choose which ones to keep. A "want list" is when a dealer checks his or her stock and quotes prices for specific stamps you want to collect.
You can take advantage of subscribing to the website and they will give you a free booklet as a token of gratitude. Also, you can always try eBay where you can get old and rare stamps.
 
6.       Bid at stamp auctions or philatelic exhibitions. Take the time to look through the merchandise and make educated deals.
7.       Trade with fellow collectors. Do this by meeting other stamp traders at shows, auctions and stamp clubs.
I have joined a stamp community in an online social networking. Unfortunately, I can’t join them since they are in another state.

    

     Now that  you have started  your stamp collection,  you  can keep them on an empty and dry box. Once your stamp collection grows, you can then put them in an stamp  album .

 

     Later on, you can classify your stamps, and you can then later choose in which category to focus to like  countries, birds, people, rare and old stamps among others.


     Finally, you can find more information about stamp collecting on the American Philatelic Society web site by going to: http://stamps.org/.

     Happy stamp collecting!!!