Educating Schools, Parents and Kids About the Environment

Summertime is here and kids are out of school, so it is the perfect time for parents and kids to get serious about our environment and keeping it a safe and beautiful place to enjoy for many years to come.

According to a recent article in THE Journal by Chris Riedel entitled, “Green Schools: The Color of Money” school districts have finally discovered that going green can mean financial rewards.

It is not just about turning off lights, changing light bulbs or shutting off idle computers — it is about rethinking the way things are done at every level from companies, to schools, or even at home.

Schools need to analyze everything from natural gas and electricity use to heating and air conditioning systems, along with maintenance and construction procedures. It is important for any organization to develop long-term plans.

The Taunton Public Schools called in a group known as Energy Education, who helps develop energy conservation programs for U.S. school districts with the goal of converting dollars spent on energy to dollars spent on education. Tis group was retained to help find ways to decrease its energy consumption and their bottom line.

One interesting example mentioned in the article; typical school vending machines cost up to $450 a year to run, but by using a motion sensor that shuts down the machine’s compressor when there is no activity, schools can save up to two-thirds with each machine, and most schools districts have from 40 to 50 vending machines.

In just two years, the Energy Education program helped Taunton save more than $660,000 in energy costs, including costs on electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, and water. Everything from disabling vending machine lights to managing irrigation played a role in savingsand our environment.

Students everywhere in schools across the country are also beginning to get the message about taking responsibility for helping to save the planet. To help parerets out, following is a list of environmentally inspired websites for kids to take a look at this summer:

Environmental Education for Kids is an online magazine for grades four to eight created by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, which has short articles and activities about animals, and plants.

- EPA Student Center – This Environmental Protection Agency site includes information on a wide range of environmental issues. Kids can click on “Fun Activities” to play environmental games.

- Be, Live, Buy Different – A project of the World Wildlife Fund and the Center for a New American Dream, the site was created to inform young people about how everything we buy and use affects biodiversity. Take the Buy-O-Diversity Quiz!

- The Green Squad – An NRDC website that’s also available in Spanish shows you how to identify and solve environmental problems. You can can explore a colorful virtual school room by room, and use the mouse to locate potential hazards. Teachers and parents will find the site useful as it offers a wide range of resources.

- The Greens – Izz and Dex are green animated characters that not only have green skin, but they have lots of great ideas about protecting the planet. Visit this site to watch short cartoons about environmental issues Nature Challenge for Kids.

Nature Challenge for Kids – a David Suzuki Foundation website place for all kinds of fun activities starting with ten simple ways you can protect nature.

Remember to join community projects this summer in your town to help pick up garbage at the beach, or simply at a nearby park. Teaching our children about the importance of the environment is a job that both parents and teachers must share — at home and at school.

Fad diets and the truth about health

There’s a tremendous amount of pressure to diet in our moden world, both for women and men.

We’re bombarded with images (airbrushed to flawlessness) of ‘perfect’ people with their perfect bodies, with their flat abs (for women) or rock-hard six-packs (for men), perfect breasts and tight buns. And, although the words are never said, the expectation is we should all be able to look like those stars, models, and celebrities.

In frustration, many of us turn to any number of ‘fad’ diets or supplements. The fact is, you WILL loose weight on almost any diet. It is also a fact, a statistically proven fact, that you will also gain back every pound you’ve lost PLUS more once you stop following the diet. Far too often, the ‘diet’ gets it’s quick gains by forcing the body to eliminate water. Since water is quite heavy, you can see dramatic results on the scale within a week!

Heck, there’s the South Beach, Adkins, the miracle fast, the grapefruit… the list goes on and on. Pick a food, eat it almost exclusively for a week, and I will almost guarantee you loose weight!

Here are a number of diets and their problems:

Weight-loss pills – may speed up your metabolism (name one that HASN’T ended up being linked with major health problems, or they simply reduce your desire to eat. This isn’t healthy, it’s starvation!

Shakes – okay, you’re getting nutrients, but it’s basic health – you can’t get everything you need from one source! Shakes really are just one thing as far as your body is concerned – starvation

Diets – as mentioned above, almost anyone could pick something extreme (I’m only going to eat Avacados!) and probably loose weight over a week. But far too often your body is going into starvation mode, hanging on to the fat it’s got. Frequently you’re withholding too much water from your body as it’s eliminating water as fast as it can to flush toxins out. And finally, and most importantly, diets require Discipline and Determination. Both will waver over time, and no long-term solution can be based on that.

So, what’s the answer?

Balance.

First – MOVE! Get up and get moving. Go for a walk. Are you already in moderate shape? Get back to the gym. Move and exercise for a MINIMUM of 30 minutes.

Second – Eat right. Really, healthy eating isn’t hard – it’s common sense. Did it come out of the ground? Probably healthy. For example – Green beans and salad -good. Pop-tarts have never seen a plant, so they’re probably not that great for you!

Once you learn how to live balanced and eat right, it can become addictive and a natural part of your life – not something you have to force yourself to do!

Questions about Traumatic Brain Injury

What constitutes a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?

Traumatic Brain Injuries are usually the result of a blow or injury to the head. Though any TBI is a serious medical issue, some cases are more severe than others. A “mild” TBI can produce temporary loss of consciousness, change of mental state, or variations in mood or behavior. Severe cases can lead to extended periods of unconsciousness, severe mental health issues, and even death.

What causes TBI?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCICP), the leading causes of TBI are:

Falls (28%); Motor vehicle-traffic crashes (20%); Struck by/against events (19%); and Assaults (11%).

How do I recognize the symptoms of TBI?

The signs and symptoms of TBI may not be immediately apparent because of the complex nature of brain injuries. Symptoms may not appear for days or weeks after the injury. TBI patients may look completely normal, but have subtle or extreme changes in behavior or mental status.

If you or a loved one is experiencing the signs and symptoms listed by the CDC/NCICP, seek medical help immediately. In addition, if the event causing TBI could be the result of someone else’s negligence, schedule a consultation with a qualified injury attorney to see if you are eligible for compensation.

What are the long-term effects and costs of TBI?

Over the long run, TBI can affect any function of the brain, such as language, speech, movement, thinking, and emotions. These conditions may improve or worsen over time and may mean the patient requires assistance with daily tasks and functions.

Long-term medical care and daily assistance can be extremely expensive, especially when the TBI patient can no longer work to support her or himself. Nationwide, the costs for TBI patients total in the tens of billions of dollars. For this reason, it is important to contact a lawyer with experience in brain injury cases to recover damages to help pay for these long-term costs.

The financial pressures of caring for a TBI patient can be extremely difficult for his or her family. In addition, the psychological and behavioral impact of brain injuries can strain even the healthiest, caring relationships.

Are They Kidding About Kids’ Health?

According to a new study, air pollution exposure before birth may cause lower IQ scores in children. In the study 249 women in New York City wore backpack air monitors for 48 hours during the last few months of pregnancy. The women’s lives exposed them to different levels of air pollution – mostly from car, truck and bus exhaust. At age 5, before starting school, the women’s children were given IQ tests. The children exposed to the most air pollution before birth scored an average of 4-5 points lower. Unfortunately, the Bill of Rights doesn’t guarantee the right to breathe clean air.

According to the World Health Organization, mothers should breast-feed babies within 1 hour of birth and continue feeding only breast milk for 6 months. Breast milk provides vital nutrients and strengthens the immune system to fight diseases like diarrhea and pneumonia. However, in 2009 fewer than 40% of mothers worldwide exclusively breast-feed their infants for that long – many because they don’t know how to breast feed or because it’s painful. If 90% of mothers breast-fed for 6 months, it would prevent about 13% of the 10 million under-age-5 deaths annually. This is information pregnant women should stay abreast of.

According to a study published in the “American Journal of Epidemiology”, digging in beach sand raises the risk of diarrhea 44% in children under age 11. Being buried in sand raises the risk 27%. It seems the top 8 inches of beach sand contain high levels of E. coli and Enterococcus bacteria from storm sewer runoff and animal feces. In fact, the levels of germs in sand can be 40 times greater than the levels in the water at the same beaches. When children put sandy hands in their mouth, they ingest the germs in the form of “sandwiches”.

According to clinical studies, sugar-free gum is effective in reducing children’s cavities. Now gum makers are adding xylitol. Besides being a natural sweetener, xylitol is an anti-microbial that acts against bacteria to prevent cavities. For there to be enough xylitol in gum, it has to be the first ingredient listed on the gum package; and for it to be effective, 2 pieces have to be chewed 3 times a day. Children in Finland have been chewing xylitol gum for years as part of a successful public health initiative to reduce cavities – and hopefully one day to “Finnish” with cavities completely.

New Jersey Mom Happy to Report a Tale About Her Joyful Trip to Ireland…

Can you find Ireland on the map of the world? If you can, congratulations because you know your geography.

My name is Linda Shute from New jersey and I’d like to tell you about my trip to Ireland and “The Ring of Kerry”.

The “Ring of Kerry” is not a ring you can wear on your finger, it’s located in the South West of Ireland.

County Kerry has beautiful lakes and mountains, magnificent waterfalls and their coast line is studded with inlets that can take your breath away with their beauty.

The ring is the path I took as I traveled 130 miles in 6 days by horseback through this majestic land.

I have always hungered to travel to far away places and meet the folks who live there.

Being an avid horse enthusiast, and riding since childhood, I like to combine these two pleasures whenever I can.

As I was flipping through the pages of a travel catalog from Equitours, they offer worldwide riding holidays, I found a trip to Ireland I just couldn’t pass up.

Picked up the phone and booked the horseback trip, then I got a bright idea extend the trip to include a week of traveling via rental car and stay at Bed-and-Breakfast homes. This will ensure I would get off the beaten path to meet the local people.

Off to the travel agent I went with checkbook in hand. I paid for the airline tickets and booked the rental car and picked up the Bed-and-Breakfast information.

I arrived at Shannon Airport filled with excitement. I found my driver and was taken to the riding stables. I met the other people who would be sharing this trip with me.

There were elderly women from England, a young woman from Italy, three others from the United States. Our guide, Les Little, was an ex-jockey born and raised in Ireland. Since we arrived in the morning at various times the first day was a short ride so we could get better aquatinted with each other and our assigned mounts.

My horse for the week was a spirited bay mare named Melody. I learned that Melody was an Irish Thoroughbred and she use to race over timber. In other words she was a Steeplechase race horse.

These are the ones that jump over fences which may be either bushes or wood fences and sometimes water. I was ecstatic about this we were well suited for each other.

I quickly lost all fear of being stuck with some slow hack horse I would hate for the duration of the trek.

Early the next morning after a hearty breakfast we were handed our brown bag lunches and set off to mount up.

We rode around the Lakes of Killarney and past Ross Castle.

We climbed the Devils Elbow and wound our way into the mountains. One of the advantages of traveling by horseback is that we can leave the roads to cut through the fields and forest.

You get to see very beautiful places you can’t get to in a car. We visited such places as Glenbeigh, Glencar, Waterville, and Hogshead. We galloped on the beach at Rossbeigh where Melody and I won the races with such ease.

We rode around part of Caragh Lake which offers huge salmon to those who like to fish. We stayed at the Glencar Hotel which caters to the sport enthusiast. Fishermen come here from around the world because it’s so close to Caragh Lake and they will smoke your salmon for you so you can have it shipped home.

The smoked salmon we ate at the Glencar Hotel was fresh from Caragh Lake and smoked at the hotel. It was positively the very best smoked salmon I have ever had!

Our final night we stayed in a small village called Waterville during the day we again raced on the beaches and took in more wonderful sights.

That night we went to a local pub, danced and had a wonderful dinner and exchanged addresses and phone numbers from new found friends. It was the most fabulous vacation!

The next day I was off to the rental car agency to continue on my trip around Ireland via the Bed and Breakfast routes.

My first stop was a place called Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. This is a very old castle built around 1450 by Sioda MacConmara. It was restored and furnished by the late Lord Gort during the 1960s.

This was the first old castle I had ever been in, what a thrill! I was so happy I could afford such a wonderful trip thanks to my secret cash machine.

As I left the castle and I walked about the Folk Park and saw refurbished Thatched Roofs, Blacksmith shops and homes which were shared by both animal and human during the winter months for combined heat.

By animals I don’t mean dogs and cats. I’m talking about large animals like horses, cattle, sheep and such all living under one roof.

The only thing which divided the animal side from the human side was a small amount of dirt floor space. It made me glad to think we don’t have to live like this any longer.

I love my horses and dogs but I don’t really want to share sleeping quarters with them all winter long just for the benefit of heat.

My next stop was Blarney Castle. I was amazed at the very narrow circular stairways in this castle of rock. I have herd many saying about kissing the Blarney Stone and I wanted to actually see what all of this was about so up to the top of the castle I climbed.

While climbing the stairs low and behold don’t I meet and guy from northern New Jersey, my home state. We recognized each others accent and struck up a conversation. It’s such a small world in some ways both of us were on vacation.

Once at the top there was no way in this world I was going to kiss that blarney stone for anyone! You have to lie down, hang over the edge of the castle wall, and kiss the underside on a particular stone. It’s a good idea if you have someone hold your feet and legs so you don’t fall off the edge of the wall. Not for me no way!

My favorite Castle was Kilkenny Castle still in use today and part of it has been turned into a museum for tourist. My next stop was The Irish National Stud Farm and Museum. A fact I found very interesting here was that each of the stallions stalls or boxes as they called them had its own distinctive lantern type roof complete with skylights.

The original owner believed that stars dictated not only our own destiny, but also the destiny of horses. And it was considered very important that the moon and stars should exercise their maximum influence on their subjects thus skylights for each stallion were incorporated into the roofs of all stabling he built.

One item I did not expect to see in The Irish Nation Stud Farm was a Japanese Garden. So I took my first tour of a meticulously well kept garden with all it hedges and finery trimmed into different forms, each with its own story of life. At the end of the garden I came to the Horse Museum where I found the skeleton of Arkle.

He was a famous race horse who fractured his pedal bone in the hoof during his last race in 1966.

At last much to my dismay, my vacation has come to an end and I must return to New Jersey.

Warmly with a smile,

Linda Shute

What Do You Think About Online Dating Scam?

I met a guy from singlesnet.com. He is an engineer from West Germany. His profile said he lives in Long Beach, California. When I talked to him first time he said he has to go to the airport. The next day he said he was in Florida. Two days after he said he went to England to buy a tool so he can go back to Florida to finish his assignment. He asked me for my address so he can send me flowers and chocolate. I was flattered. I told if he wants to give the gifts. He should wait until he comes back to California. He said he would come back before my birthday which is in August. Last night, he told me he has financial problem for buying the tool for the right price. It is very expensive in England and the tax is killing him. He needs to get this item before he go back to Florida. His customer has already paid $115,000 and he has finished the value of the job $55,000. He asked me whether I would buy him an Iphone. He cannot use his credit card before someone has max out his card. It is under investigation. He said the Iphone is only $400 not a big amount. I told him I am very tight with my money, I have a lot of bills and besides I have a reduction 20% on my salary. Then he asked if I could lend him $15000. He wouldn’t mind to give me back the money in double. I told him call his bank for help. If he has a business, he should get credit from his bank. Then he said it took too much time for the bank to fax the paperwork, and plus there are a lot of papers for him to sign. He just need this money for emergency. I told I can only give him advice, I cannot help him financially.
Then he said he might have to go to S. Africa to buy there. It would be a lot cheaper. Somehow I made an excuse, I have to go out.
I am just like to urge people if you are in internet dating site or chat room. Be careful those guys said he is working in S. Africa for a project. Some place out of the United States. I believe they are using the same thing try to rip innocent people money.

COMMENTS ABOUT THE BOOK , D-DAY, BY STEPHEN AMBROSE

[01]     Stephen E. Ambrose was in Whitewater, Wis., on D-Day, and his father in the Pacific. He was 10 years old and collected cans for fun at that time. In 1964, he was a Civil War historian, and got a call from General Eisenhower, who asked him to write his biography, having seen Ambrose has written Civil War books before, and for him, it should be very difficult to do so, without being interested in D-Day 01.

The D-Day book we’ve read is a 754 page-translation, in Portuguese, portraits the essential facts, that took place in Europe, referring to several different perspectives of the great battle of the World War II, written for those who were part of the history, and were born during the false prosperity of the 20’s, raised in the tough reality of depression extended to the 30’s. In the author’s opinion, they were the soldiers of Democracy, men of D-Day, and we owe them our freedom.02 More than facts are presented in this book. The author and also the main important ideological features of Einsenhower’s government provide a sense of reality about war necessity. 03

Ambrose mentions that the book results from a group work, and it follows the ideal of General Eisenhower, having seen he demonstrated how important the conjugation of forces is, whenever looking for a certain aim, as well as failing possibility did not exist (79). The date June 6th, 1944, was the day, occidental democracies, manifested all their anger, and got the triumph (17) So, the keyword was “group”. (76). The strategically formulas chosen by the Americans, included the possibility to make Hitler believe the combat was coming from a different side – Fortitude. (91) He describes people’s impressions in metaphorical language, by saying that we should imagine how a flea could behave on a hot surface. They all felt like living in a high-tension net (104).  The technological forces were used so that the plan of transport was created to impede the passage of German people to

 

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France, as well as religious forces can be observed when Eisenhower said “Amen” (112), as soon as he was informed about his deliberations, writing it down on his diary. They did not want French people to hate England, and the USA. The traffic of information could be observed by the radio transmitter, put in a Campbell soup can which was used to inform England about the war situation, when a little boy, son of a blind person, was given a ride to Bayeux, and got in touch with Andre Heintz, an eighteen-year-old soldier of the Resistance (119).  American soldiers believed in their violent attack, their technological forces, simplicity, and strong personality. (151) Condoms were used to preserve the guns, watches and protect documents. (181) Their clothes smelt very bad. Some men could go to the bars to drink, but others were so depressive that got crazy, eating a sandwich made with tobacco, or shooting the cottages. They also had their hair cut, and that should be an easy way to be recognized in the war. They didn’t see consequences in that attitude. They believed in God and claimed for his mercy. (203) They believed each man was part of the big deal. (225) The author describes many scenes of pain and scenes where God was claimed many times. Tension, fair, and anticipation were the dominant feelings. What Hitler planted should be given back to him. (317) But, German people also claimed for God. “Gott mit uns”, which means “God is with us”. Americans could not trust! (373) Soldier Ryan became famous (442) because his active participation in many situations is described by the author. It explains why it recently became a biographical film. (Gustavson,40-52).

But many other names, and facts are mentioned in the following pages. A conclusion is written: “As much time you wait for a war, as much you imagine that tomorrow can be the last day of your life, and this is terrible.” (572).  Ambrose mentions the participation of several sectors of midia, like the incident with the films, and the few saved pictures, the

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film producers’ groups, and Hemingway’s participation as a correspondent of Collier’s. Hitler was known as the man who built castles in the air – utopia. (585) “The sun bright outside”, said Eisenhower with a smile. (589) It was the D-Day! The day to give freedom to the arrested world by the Nazis! (591) Anne Frank is mentioned as a personage of the moment, who was informed in Amsterdam about the D-day, by the radio. (619). The news was everywhere in the world. After all, a British historian concluded that there was too much pretension on the D-Day (631), but they collected many bad news to make use of them. French people were being put in freedom. (676) Fortitude was brilliant.  We did it! (p.703) A plane was not taken. (710)

Ambrose most polemical conclusion is that most great men are not good. There’s no way in the world Napoleon been a good man, he affirms. But when he mentions Eisenhower he pretty much defends his position that goodness is not part of greatness. 04

[02]     The book starts with the narrative of situation in Caen Channel, 00.16, in June 6th, 1944, involving personages as the lieutenant Den Brotherridge, Sargent Jack, Sargent Romer, when the first facts involving attacks, shoots, could be compared as doors to the dramatic scenes along the narrative. The details of each scene, short term, sometimes get us really involved, so that we only can be really very sorry about what goes on page by page. The successive dramas absorb our attention completely, so that reading is absolutely involving.

We focus Higgins and the tremendous contribution to technological forces, with the industry of boats. They knew the enemy (German Army) was weak. Optimism was constant among Einsenhower’s men. A list of names can be pointed out, along the narrative, and each one, short term, describes what the whole tragedy was. Heroes of resistance! The great charismatic talent of Eisenhower to attract people is demonstrated in the sentence: ” Only his smile is

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necessary, so that you trust him”.(76) All the forces are extensively described, since the behavior of the Generals who left men over 50 very tired. Eisenhower hated Nazism. Rommel was not Nazi, but sometimes he was considered adept to Hitler. (81). The book is a long composition of facts which historical inevitability is shown, step by step. We predict how the end will be, in an extensive review of important situations. Long term, we get convinced that the war permitted people to be challenged considering technological forces, demonstrating the perspective that war does not provide any progress, is very relative. The wonderful maps of plans, lists of strategically localization  (e.g. 145, 251, 352) are real proofs of the necessity to be absolutely very well organized for the war. Sometimes this organization didn’t work.

[03]     The presence of social forces in the text can be observed, because of the involvement of people of different nationalities along the narrative, and the interests of them, depending on the position they had during the mission. Their feelings and strategies in relation with their intention, can be observed along the text, demonstrating religious and technological forces. What they believed, what, and how, they could do so that the battle could be over. And for sure leadership was fundamental. Eisenhower is the most important personage if we consider

power, and how it was exerted. The so many technological new equipment and invents that were developed for the aim of war, are named one by one, at the end of the book, in a glossary. (715-16). ( Gustavson, 138) It sounds that group activity was the greatest strategy as it was mentioned. Though, a group ought to know exactly how to act, so that aims can be really got. This fact involves discipline, self-confidence and determination, which lead to power, and victory. As Gustavson reports, “The life of an individual sees a constant process of adjustment to environment”. 05  The faith each member of this group has, provides a certain responsibility to

 

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what the results would be. Not an easy task to imagine how each one was trained to act in such a context, but the other side, was also ideologically ready, having Hitler, the despotic human who could make people  believe that there was a pure race, whenever making use of foreigners to defend their interests in the command. Which race is this? So powerful and so scarce! What bothers me most, is the fact that he could convince people to act like that, and believe they were all better than the rest of the world, giving them no other choice. People from different nationalities were arrested because of his crazy aims. Each situation is unique for Ambrose. We do have the sensation that nothing more than the war could solve the problem. He establishes trends along the narrative. What we do question is that even if we don’t believe in war as being the only way to solve conflicts, a moment of hesitation comes to our mind. This hesitation is also in consequence of Ambrose’s strong arguments, which make us thinking about the tyranny and cruelty of certain governments, and the consequences of their ambitions and desires. We also question where the church was at that time, and how it faced the problem. We know the state and the church tried to take convergent decisions along the History of the humanity for many years, but it sounds this time, it was not present. If it does not go against Nazism publicly, it sounds there wasn’t any other chance to pronounce their position. War sometimes is admitted as a necessity, uncontrolled even by the church. We’re sure that more than the faith in God, remains the reality of those who don’t believe in it, and claim for him, when they are dying, but not when they are killing. We’re invited to give interpretation to the facts, as far as we get involved with the so many scenes of violence and tension along the narrative, which make us thinking about life, and death, as well as the forces for both cases.(Gustavson 1-24)

 

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[04]     The author deals with the facts, by the same way Einsenhower’s speech could be strong enough to win the war. Ambrose is also a winner, because he presents a clear argumentation, strong fundaments, evidences, facts, and many voices that can be heard along his narrative. Each part of the book is carefully built up, so that the reader can understand the circumstances of each different moment that preceded the D-Day. We march with Ambrose to the war, and when we reach the end of it, we have the sensation that we were captured and involved by the author, in his self-confident presentation of facts, in such a wonderful atmosphere, that permits us to wonder the scenes in details. Time to reflect is needed, after we read each page. There are some anecdotes presented, like the one on page 708 that mentions the following ideas: “A joke of Wehrmacht mentioned that if the plane in the sky was silver, that should be American, if blue, British, and invisible, ours.” He presents his narrative in 32 Chapters, showing the personages, the action of being prepared for that day, the conflicts along the battle, and the conquest. If we look for causation, we do have to present the immediate ones as well as long range. (Gustavson, 53)

From the beginning to the end, the D-Day is being expected in such a way those readers can really wonder the final result, and the suspense is evident when the scenes of the war started to be commented along the narrative. We can’t deny that Ambrose is very analytical, logic and divides the whole content in topics, but we suppose the book can really be read  only by a certain public who can better react to the facts that provoke emotional reactions. It’s not a book we can recommend for any person. There are many examples, pictures and special comments of the author along the narrative, that make us understanding even ethnical problems, such as the supremacy of Arian Race, physically and mentally, and

 

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the contradiction that Jesse Owens got three international records, and was the winner in the Olympics in Berlin (1936). (702)

I did not understand the relations between Japan and Germany, as well as I did not understand how France was neutral all the time. My questions are answered, but when he finishes the book by reporting the opinion of Eisenhower when contemplating Omaha made me thinking about another question.(Gustavson, 123)“That’s a wonderful thought, remembering that the reason those people were fighting and sacrificing themselves, was to conquest our life style. It was not to conquest any land, and personal ambition. But to preserve what Hitler could not destroy, which was the freedom of the world. And finishes his comment by saying that to think about those lives that were given for this principle, paying the terrible price: only in this beach 2000 dead people. But they did, so that the world could be free. This shows exactly what free men will do so that they never fall on slavery.”(714) Die for Freedom? Although this speech is reach and consistent, we do face a different kind of slavery in the world, by the subordination of economical circumstances that permit people to move in the society, in accordance with what they have, much more than the circumstances of his/her own existence. We are now facing an existential slavery, and this is a serious point to be observed in everyday life. Life goes by, and History is dynamic. Perhaps more explanations can be found, as much as we get concerned about the circumstances of the main subject, by listening to several different perspectives of information, about and around the book. We do believe the author has selected much more than words. We are convinced about the sacrifice of the soldiers by looking the pictures (201-486) which illustrate the several different situations of panic and stress they were living. There are very cruel passages along the book

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that sometimes shock us. It shouldn’t be different, but sometimes the cruelty is very sophisticated. (Gustavson, 152) They thought their hearts were young and gay, because they believed they were immortal, and suppose to do something great, and they believed in their crusade. The hope to have the world free of the Nazism. (591)

There’s a critique that Ambrose paraphrased many of the passages in his book incorrectly, and he admits it publically..06 What is really impressive is the style, and his very simple language to speak about so many facts, people, and circumstances, and he’s the

intention to give a space for all the possible voices in certain contexts, where the personages got involved. He does not present his opinions about the facts. Rather than this, he presents evidences of them, and the opinion of the people involved. So, he hardly ever make considerations about what he comments, and justify his facts positively. The construction of his speech joins so many voices together and his clever arguments are enough to give a certain guarantee of what is being said. The author deals with different approaches, but we do

not see conflict in what is being said. Sometimes, different authors are presented with different approaches, like the interpretation of a British historian that the aims of D-Day were

so ambitious (631) The author does not dismiss these, but does not argue with them. He comments that British people were experts in commenting things wrongly. At the end of the book, we can see a big list of participants of the narrative as well as the localization of each one in the text.  The footnotes and bibliography reveal extensive scholarly activity in archives and specialized studies, mainly in English, so that the text can be explained and also secondary sources presented. The author shows preference for the emphasis of the word of participants, including psychological analyses and disquisition. Added material that enhances the book can be easily found in the book, like pictures, maps, charts, but no appendixes or

 

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Chapter sub-headings. A Glossary, Final notes and the bibliography finally complement de book. (Gustavson, 164)

Major King read the unforgettable verses of Henry the V for the soldiers: ” Ahead, ahead, noble English men! This blood comes from war experimented parents…be now examples for those men of less noble ones, and teach them how to make the war. The game marches. Follow your spirits” (672).

                    Some good aspects can be observed after the World War II. For instance, we have the sensation that France was destroyed with the attacks. Anyway, as Jean Jacques Becker affirms, the French society had a great development, because the number of Immigration increased so much, specially Portuguese people, and demonstrated a great recover after Germany was capitulated in May 8th, 1945, ending the war, started in June 6th, 1944. The government of de Gaulle was especially focused on the reconstruction of economical and social structures of the country and provides new institutions for the Republic (BECKER-208)

And the so-called Reichsführer, the only one senior of the German Nazis last castles in the air, was finally destroyed, in the name of freedom and dignity of human rights. After this, so many trades, conventions and agreements were created, so that the humanity could march to a different porpoise, considering respect, and human fundaments, as routes to be taken, besides any resistance. Eisenhower was nominated the supreme commander of the allied forces in Europe in 1944 and the forces of OTAN in December 1950, until 1952, when he decided to be a candidate for the Presidency.(Gustavson, 198). In 1956, he was elected. His main goal was to combat communism. (BECKER-468)

 

                                                                                                                                             10

             By reading Ambrose, we could have a general panoramic perspective of the world our parents lived. It’s easier for us to understand many of the passages they mentioned in their conversations, and our own roots.

              More than a gallery of heroes can be observed along his narrative. A long current of strong rings, in the attempt to rebuild and reconstruct the several facts about the D-Day, is patiently outlined by Ambrose. Documentaries and films can now be observed, but we can affirm that nothing provokes more emotional impact than some passages of his book.

              What we observe is the fact that the philosophy of contemporary world changed, and has gone through a period of pessimism and confusion. As Burns mentions for the majority of philosophers who faced the periods of war, the humanity lost the confidence in human’s capacity to save him/herself without the support of authority or over natural forces. Even Santayana ran away from the materialist America, going to a Monastery in Rome, for the rest of his life. Aldous Huxley wrote about Hindu and Christian mysticism. Sartre was also strong, moments before the war – 1938. (Gustavson, 179) Then, the conclusion: “War is still our most serious problem, but even it is necessarily insolvent. This is a logical monstrosity. Sense did not disappear from the planet. If we can’t solve our problems we should at list do something, so that we could get rid of some of them. Intelligence and expansion of knowledge will help us to get the rest”. 07 (997-1011). As it was demonstrated along the paper, Gustavson provides us general aspects about  the study of History, that for sure are guidelines to better understand the conduction of our approaches to our analysis,  here presented.

            And this is History! All the blood, all the dreams, all the fairs, all the conquests and faults! As Voltaire mentions “History is but pictures of crimes and misfortunes”. 08

                                                                                                                                                   

       Works Cited  

Ambrose, Sthepen E., O Dia D. 6 de junho de 1944,BCD Ed. 1998.

 

Becker, Jean-Jacques, Resumo de História do século XX, Plátano, Portugal,  1999.

 

Burns, Edward McNall, History of the Occidental Civilization, Globo Ed. 1971.

 

Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, New York:

                   Modern Language Association, 1988.

 

Gustavson, Carl G., A preface to History, Copyright. 1955, McGraw HILL.

 

ENDNOTES

01  http://www.booknotes.org/transcript  -2002

02  id.ib.

 03 Ambrose, Sthepen E., O Dia D. 6 de junho de 1944,BCD Ed. 1998. and all the other    

              collocations in parenthesis.

04    www.neh.gov/news/humanities/1997-09ambrose

05    Gustavson, Carl G., A preface to History, Copyright. 1955, McGraw HILL. p. 206

06. http://www.stephenambrose.com/

07.Burns, Edward McNall, History of the Occidental Civilization, Globo Ed. 1971.

08 Giordani, Mario, The Byzantine Empire History, Vozes, 1968, 09.

 

 

 

 

 

 

How Would I End A Personal Essay About Myself? Please Help.?

“Wow”, I’m back to College. I thought after attending Bryman College I was done with school, news’s flash that was the being of nothing. I always said that by the time I was twenty-five I would be done with my Bachelors degree in Business / Accounting, and that I would own a house, with no children. Well I’m twenty-four years old now. I just started going back to college, to peruse my degree in Business / Accounting, which I always have dreamed of having. I am happily currently married and have a beautiful 19-month-old son, who keeps my hands full. My son Michael is the reason why I decided to go back to school. Life right now is not going as planed, but I would not change it for the world.
I graduated from Pioneer High School in 2002. Right after High School I attended Rio Hondo Community College, however that did not go as planed. I was working part time at Home Depot as a cashier and attending Rio Hondo as a full time student. I was not completely focused on school, I knew that I wanted to be there but for some reason or another, school was not for me at that moment. I then attended Bryman College and graduated with a Diploma in Business Administration, which lead me into the career that I want to peruse.
I am majoring in Business Accounting because I like numbers and I find it very interesting when I have to do audit research. My first office job was at Katzkin Leather Interiors Corp, where there I started as an Accounts Receivable Clerk. I really enjoyed my job, but after two years there I found it very boring, doing the same thing over and over. There was no room for advancement I then found a better job at Paragon Schmid Building Products, where there I was the Accounts Receivable and Billing Specialist. I was very happy there as well but after two years there I became pregnant. After maternity leave I did not return back to work because it was too far of a commute for me. I then found a better paying and closer job to home, which was great. I then realized that these jobs, I am getting only require a High School diploma.
In about five years from now, I want to be a Graduate from a Cal State University, with a Bachelors Degree in Business / Accounting. I want to peruse my career in accounting working for the FBI or the IRS. In about ten years from now, my son will be eleven- years old. I would expect to have a house for him. I also see myself financially stable, maybe even having another child. I also see myself growing in the company, which I would be working for. In about twenty- years from now, my son would be twenty-one years old. I would expect him to be attending a University finishing his first two years of college. I would only be in my forty’s so I would still be working. Or maybe I would have my own business, a tax service company. Or maybe I would go back to college to get a Master’s Degree. But in order for all my dreams and goals to become reality I have to first earn a Bachelors Degree.
Currently I’m attending Cerritos Community College, I am working on a Business Administration transfer program, which would transfer me to Cal State Dominguez Hills or Cal State Long Beach, to earn a Bachelors Degree in Business / Accounting. I know by coming back to school, I am going to have to conquer many obstacles, especially now that I have a child. However I see this as a new beginning for me, and it’s for the best. I came back to school for many reasons one being that I need to further my education in order to get the career I want. Second would be family values, I want my son to go to college too, and I would have to set an example for him. Third, I feel that by going to college it will make feel better about my self, in the sense that I have educated my self. Fourth I feel that if I want a better future for family, and myself I must earn my degree.

Everything you Need to Know About Diamonds

Diamonds are measured in Carat Weight. One carat weighs 200 milligrams. If a diamond is referred to as four grains, this also means that it is a one carat diamond. The word Carat comes from the word carob. A carob is a bean that grows on a tree in the Mediterranean. In times past, if a diamond weighed the same as a carob bean, it was one carob, or one carat.

However, in the far east, where Carob trees do not grow, rice was used to measure the weight of a diamond. If a diamond weighed as much as four grains of rice, it was four grains, or one carat as we know it to be now. The majority of diamond purchases are for diamonds that are 1/3 of a carat.

Beware when shopping for diamonds that are already set or mounted. If more than one diamond is used in the piece, the tag on the jewelry will give the CTW or Carat Total Weight, it does not tell you the carat weight of each stone in the piece. You need to ask the jeweler for the total carat weight of the largest diamond in the piece to truly understand what you are buying.

For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

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All About the Clarity of Diamonds

Clarity is an important aspect of a diamond, and it is important to know how to grade the clarity of a diamond before you buy one. It is actually quite easy to learn how to grade the clarity of a diamond. There are basically two things that you must understand: Diamonds with visual inclusions and blemishes, and those that are «eye clean» meaning that there are no inclusions or blemishes that can be seen with the naked eye. From there, the clarity of a diamond is further broken down into subcategories.

Many people mistakenly think that diamond clarity refers to how clear it is. This isnТt so. Clarity actually refers to the internal and external imperfections of the diamond. The best diamonds, of course get a grade of FL or IF, Flawless or Internally Flawless, meaning that it is perfect. A grade of I-1, I-2 or I-3 means that the diamond is imperfect, with a grade of I-3 being the worst.

Other grades are VVS1 and VVS2, which means that the diamond is very, very slightly imperfect; VS1 and VS2, meaning the diamond is very slightly imperfect; SI-1 and SI-2, which means that the diamond is slightly imperfect.

For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

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Are Diamonds Really Rare?

When you walk into a jewelry store and see all the diamonds in all of the various settings that are for sale, it is difficult to realize that diamonds are indeed rare. Most people don’t even stop to consider how that diamond came to be sitting in that jeweler’s case! There is quite a bit of work that is done before a diamond is ready to sell to the general public!

For every one million diamonds that are mined, only one will be found that is a quality one caret diamond. In order to find a two caret diamond, about five million diamonds must be mined. More than two hundred tons of ore must be mined to find one small diamond, and even then, more than 80% of the diamonds that are mined are only good for industrial use, such as diamond drill bits.

So, the next time you visit your local jewelry store, ask to see the one carat diamonds. You should look at this diamond with new Appreciation, knowing that it truly is one in a million!

For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

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Bonded Diamonds

Before you start shopping for diamonds, consider dealing with a bonded jeweler. Bonded jewelers sell bonded diamonds, and there are very few bonded jewelers in the world. In fact, out of all of the jeweler’s in the world, only about 5% of them are bonded. Buying a bonded diamond will cost more than buying a non-bonded diamond, but when you look at what you get with the bonded option, you will see that it is well worth the extra expense.

First, bonded diamonds have a buy back policy for the life of the diamond. No matter how long you have had the diamond, you can take it back to the bonded jeweler and sell it back to him or her, for a 100% refund. If a jeweler does not offer a 100% buy back guarantee, for the life of the diamond, then you should take a closer look at the diamond to see what is wrong with it.

Bonded diamonds also have a breakage policy. If the stone breaks or chips, the bonded jeweler will replace it with a new one, one time. No jeweler would ever offer such a policy on any stone that was not 100% natural, so just the offer of such a policy should give you piece of mind concerning the quality of the diamond. Bonded diamonds are natural and untreated.

Bonded diamonds increase in value, with a fixed appreciation rate that is designed to keep up with inflation. This means that a diamond that is worth a certain amount of money today will be worth more in the future, as the price of diamonds continues to rise. This generally does not apply to buy backs, however. It typically applies to trade-ins.

Alternately, by purchasing a bonded diamond, you are protected against the possibility of a market crash. If a market crash occurs, the value of diamonds will drop. However, the bonded jeweler guarantees to refund you the difference between what the diamond is now worth and what you paid for it before the market crash.

It may be difficult to find a bonded jeweler in your area, but if you can, this is who you want to deal with, as opposed to dealing with an un-bonded jeweler. Specifically tell the jeweler that you are only interested in bonded diamonds. You can find a bonded jeweler in your area by using various online resources, or by calling the local jewelry stores.

For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

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Buying Diamonds Online

With all of the potential for scams concerning diamonds, buying diamonds online almost seems unthinkable! However, you actually can purchase diamonds online, without any problems, as long as you are careful.

First, think about your reasons for wanting to purchase the diamond online, as opposed to making a purchase from a local jewelry store. The most common reason is price. Due to low overhead costs, online jewelers and wholesalers are able to offer lower prices. However, you must be careful, sometimes a price that is too low is a sure indication of a scam.

One of the best things about purchasing online is the unlimited selection. When shopping offline, you are limited to the selection in the stores in your general area. Online, there are no limits. But again, you must use a great deal of care and consideration before handing your money over to someone that you cannot see and have never met!

Before shopping, learn as much as you can about diamonds, especially cut, color, clarity and carat weights. When you are knowledgeable about diamonds, it will be harder for a con artist to rip you off. Once you know more about diamonds, you will be ready to start shopping.

Take your time. Don’t purchase the first diamond that you see that interests you. Instead, look for similar diamonds for sale. Do some comparison shopping to find the lowest prices. Once you have found the lowest price, start doing your investigation. You know about diamonds, youТve found a diamond that you love, and youТve found the lowest price, but you are still quite a ways away from actually purchasing that diamond!

Ask about the seller’s credentials, such as professional jewelry associations that they belong to. View and print the sellerТs return, refund, and upgrade policies. Also inquire about additional services, such as settings and mountings, sizing, and free shipping. Do a search for customer reviews on this particular company around the Internet. Also check with the BBB Online to see if there have been any complaints.

Ask for a diamond grading report from an independent laboratory such as GIA, HRD, EGL or AGS. You should see this before making a purchase. Finally, use a reputable escrow service for high dollar diamonds, preferably one that will have the diamond appraised while it is in their possession. The seller sends the diamond to the escrow service, and you send the money to pay for the diamond to the escrow service. The escrow service has the diamond appraised, sends the diamond to you, and sends the money to the seller. This is the surest way to protect yourself again, make sure that you use a reputable escrow service!

For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

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Choosing The Cut of A Diamond

There are many different cuts of diamonds to choose from. The cut essentially refers to the shape that the diamond is cut into, unless you are in the diamond or jewelry business, but this shape has a great impact on the much the diamond sparkles.

The most popular cuts are heart, marquise, oval, pear, princess, round, trillion, and emerald cuts. The shape has an impact on how much the diamond sparkles, but the actual cutting itself, when the diamond cutter actually cuts the diamond into a particular shape, also matters a great deal. If the diamond is poorly cut, it will lose its sparkle.

However, in the diamond industry, the cut of a diamond doesn’t refer to its shape at all. Instead, this is a reference to the stone’s depth, width, brilliance, durability, clarity, and other aspects of the diamond. Common cutting problems include a missing or off center culet, misalignment, a diamond that is too thick or too thin, cracks, or broken culets.

When shopping for a diamond, you should of course choose the shape that you like the best, but then look at several different diamonds of that shape to find the one with the best cut, the one that sparkles the most, in all types of lighting.

For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

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Colored Diamonds

Fancy colored diamonds are all the rage these days. Gemologists have developed new ways to create versions that are affordable for the average person – by treating less desirable diamonds. These less desirable diamonds are treated with irradiation followed by intense heat. This turns brown and yellowish diamonds into beautifully colored diamonds that you can afford. This produces stunning greens, blues, yellows, reds, purples and other colors. These colors are considered permanent, but there is a possibility they could change during repairs if a high heat is used.

Treatments like irradiation make it possible for more people to own these vividly colored diamonds. Most natural colored diamonds are rare and also extremely expensive. When shopping for colored diamonds you need to assume that any affordable fancy color diamond has been treated. Ask about the stones origin and request to view a lab certificate to verify authenticity.

Synthetic colored diamonds are another option if owning a colored diamond is something you desire but cannot quite afford. They are real diamonds, but they are created in a lab.

Natural fancy color diamonds get their coloring from different trace elements present in the stones, such as nitrogen, which produces a yellow diamond. Diamonds can be colored by exposure to radiation during its creation. An example of a diamond affected by radiation is a Green diamond.

Another way that a natural colored diamond gets color is by its inclusions. Regarded as flaws and undesirable in a colorless diamond, inclusions give unique tones and brilliant flashes of color in a fancy color diamond. Remember that Natural fancy colored diamonds are very expensive, any colored diamond labeled to be sold as natural should be accompanied by a certificate from a respected grading lab.

A “fancy” diamond is a natural diamond that has color. These colors vary from red, green, purple, violet, orange, blue and pink, and most shades between. Fancy color shades vary from faint to intense.

The most famous diamonds in the world are Color diamonds. The Tiffany Diamond, which is yellow and the Hope Diamond which is blue are colored diamonds. Color diamonds have an amazing financial track record. The value has never decreased on wholesale level in more than 30 years. Blue and pink diamonds have doubled every 5 years of a strong economy. In the 1970′s you could have bought a very high quality blue diamond for about 50K and today the very same stone would be worth between 2 and 3 million.

For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

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Diamond Brands and What They Mean

Diamonds are one of the few products that simply cannot be «branded.» Even though there are different cuts, different grades, and different values placed on each and every diamond in existence, no diamond is any specific brand, just as gold is not a specific brand.

Branding is actually based on who owns the diamond. For instance, if DeBeers owns the diamond, it is a DeBeers Diamond, but it is still just a diamond. If the diamond was cut by a specific well known cutter, then it might be branded in that way as well, but it usually isn’t. It is still branded based on who owns it at the time. So basically, when it comes down to it, diamond brands mean absolutely nothing at all.

Do not allow a jeweler to try to talk you into paying an exorbitant price on a diamond because it is a specific brand. This is a bit of trickery used by unscrupulous jewelers when they know that they are dealing with people who don;t know much about diamonds. Remember that diamonds are not actually branded, unless mother nature has her own brand!

For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

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Diamond Certificates

A diamond certificate is also known as a Diamond Grading Report. This report comes from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), and you should require this report when you are purchasing a diamond.

With a diamond certificate, you can verify the color, cut, carat, weight, and clarity of the diamond. You don’t have to worry about a diamond dealer telling you anything less than the truth, because the certificate comes from the GIA, not the dealer. You may be required to pay for the certificate, but the cost is usually low, and in many cases, it will help you negotiate a better price on the diamond, or keep you from purchasing a lower quality diamond altogether.

If you buy a high quality diamond, and then later decide to sell the diamond, you will need to have the certificate, or you will have a hard time selling it to someone else. Furthermore, you can use the Diamond Grading Report to look up the wholesale value of the diamond in question. Use the guide that is used by the diamond cutting industry.

With the Certificate, or Diamond Grading Report, there wonТt be any doubts when you are trying to purchase a diamond. You can easily find out what the diamond is worth. This will prevent you from overpaying, and it can prevent a seller from under-charging as well.

A copy of the Diamond Grading Report should be given to your insurance company as well, when you insure the diamond. This provides absolute, unquestionable proof of the value of the diamond should it be stolen in the future. Insurance companies cannot argue with the report.

Avoid diamond dealers who seem reluctant to provide a certificate! Also avoid sellers who tell you that a certificate diamond will cost you more, the only additional cost should be the cost of the certificate, which is low. If the dealer doesn’t want to provide a certificate, then you don’t want to do business with that dealer.

Don’t accept certificates from Gemological Laboratories other than GIA. There are many fly-by-night Gemological labs these days, but in the end, GIA has been established as the most respectable and trustworthy, not to mention oldest, of the lot. So avoid dealers who don’t want to use GIA for certification purposes as well.

Don’t buy an expensive diamond without paying the extra cost of the certificate. If a dealer tries to convince you to make the purchase without the certificate, or if they want to use a company other than GIA, you can be sure that the dealer has probably greatly inflated the price of the diamond, they have something that they are hiding from you.

For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

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Diamond Grading Reports

You’ve been told that having a certificate or a diamond grading report is important, and as a responsible consumer, you get one, unfortunately, you probably won’t understand a word of what is on that diamond grading report, unless you are a jeweler.

On the color grading scale, D, E, and F mean that the diamond has no color. G, H, and I means that it has very little color. J, K, and L means that the diamond has a slight yellow color. P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, and X means that the diamond is a darker shade of yellow. Z means that the diamond has a fancy color, other than white or yellow.

On the color grading scale, D is the most valuable, and X is the least valuable, however diamonds that get a Z rating are the rarest and most expensive diamonds in the world.

There are many aspects to a grading report. Figuring it all out can be very confusing. You should talk to a jeweler you trust, and have them explain everything on the diamond grading report to you.

For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

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Diamond Scams

When it comes to diamonds, there are numerous scams to avoid. Most scams are minor, but there are some major ones that come up from time to time concerning the buying and selling of diamonds. Scams occur simply because most people who buy diamonds, for whatever reasons, don’t know that much about diamonds. Therefore, they are easily fooled.

A common scam that most jewelry stores participate in is the Carat Total Weight scam. The tag on the piece of jewelry, usually a ring, only states the total carat weight of all diamonds in the piece, instead of listing the total weights separately for each diamond.

This leads consumers to believe that the main diamond in the piece is actually bigger than it is. Ask what the total carat weight of the center stone is. Also beware of fractions. Jewelry stores are allowed to round off diamond weights. This means that if the jeweler tells you that it is a 14 carat diamond, it is probably between 4 and 14 carat, but closer to 14.

Jewelry stores often run «fluorescence» scams to varying degrees. Referring to a diamond as a blue-white diamond is such a scam. A blue-white diamond sounds very unique and special, but in fact, this type of diamond is of lesser quality, even though the jeweler will try to make you think you are getting something special. Jewelry stores also like to show their diamonds in bright lights. Lights make diamonds shine. Ask to see the diamond in a different, darker type of lighting as well.

Some truly unscrupulous jewelers target those who want appraisals on diamonds that were given to them as gifts or that were purchased elsewhere. They will try to tell you that the diamond is worthless, or worth less than it actually is worth, and offer to take it off your hands or trade it for a much better diamond, along with the cash to make up the difference. This is called low balling. Get a second, third, and even a forth opinion before taking any action.

Another common dirty trick is to switch the diamond you have chosen and paid for with one of lesser quality and value when you leave it to be set in a piece of jewelry, or leave a diamond ring to be sized. The only way to avoid this is to do business with one trustworthy jeweler. Avoid jewelers that you have not done business with in the past.

There are many more scams that jewelry stores commonly pull on unsuspecting consumers. Just use your best judgment, and purchase your diamonds with the utmost care and consideration.

For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

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Famous Diamonds

Among the most well known diamonds is the Hope. This 45.52 carat steel blue diamond is currently on display at the Smithsonian. The legends of the ill-fortune and curse bestowed on the possessor of the Hope Diamond are many. This diamond was donated to the Smithsonian in 1958. The Hope was originally a rather flat, blocky110-carat rough.

The Dresden Green stands out among the natural colored diamonds. It is the largest green diamond in the world weighing 40.70 carats. This diamond is historic, large and has a natural green color with a slight blue overtone. These facts make it virtually priceless. The Conde Pink is a pear shaped and weighs 9.01-carats. This pink diamond was once owned by Louis XIII.

The Tiffany Yellow diamond a beautiful canary-yellow octahedron weighing 287.42 in the rough (metric) carats discovered in either 1877 or 1878 in South Africa. The gem after cutting boasts the extraordinary weight of 128.54 carats. And until recently, was the largest golden-yellow in the world.

The Koh-I-Noor ( Mountain of Light ) is now among the British Crown Jewels. This diamond weighs 105.60 carats. First mentioned in 1304, it is believed to have been once set in Shah JehanСs famous peacock throne as one of the peacocks eyes.

The Agra is graded as a naturally colored Fancy Light Pink and weighs 32.34 carats. It was sold for about 6.9 million in 1990. Since this sale, it has been modified to a cushion shape weighing about 28.15 carats.

The Transvaal Blue is pear cut. This blue diamond weighs 25 carats. It was found in the Premier Diamond Mine in Transvaal, South Africa.

The Great Chrysanthemum was discovered in the summer of 1963, in a South African diamond field. This 198.28-carat fancy brown diamond appeared to be a light honey color in its rough state. However, after cutting, it proved to be a rich golden brown, with overtones of sienna and burnt orange.

The Taylor-Burton Diamond is a pear-shaped 69.42 carat diamond. Cartier of New York purchased this diamond at an auction in 1969 and christened it “Cartier.” The next day Richard Burton bought the diamond for Elizabeth Taylor. He renamed it the “Taylor-Burton». In 1978, Elizabeth Taylor put the diamond up for sale.

Prospective buyers had to pay $2,500 each to view the diamond to cover the costs of showing it. Finally, in June of 1979, the diamond was sold for nearly $3 million dollars.

For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

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How Diamonds Are Cut

In their most natural form, diamonds are, well, quite ugly. They have no luster or shine, and in fact, look like nothing more than broken glass. A diamond must be cut, and then polished before it actually becomes a thing of beauty.

Diamonds are cut with saws, into round shapes. From the rounded shape, other shapes may be cut, such as heart shapes, but the shape is less important than the quality of the cutting that is being done. If the diamond is poorly cut, it will lose light, and it will not sparkle and shine very well.

Each facet of the diamond must be carefully cut into the geometrical shapes that allow the diamond to sparkle and shine, then the entire diamond is cut into a specific shape, such as an emerald cut or a princess cut diamond.

Once the cut is done, the diamond is put into a dop, which resembles a cup with another diamond, only a diamond is strong enough to smooth the edges of another diamond. Once the diamond has been cut and shaped, and had the edges smoothed in the dop, it is polished on a scaif or a diamond polishing wheel.

For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

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How Diamonds Are Mined

We seldom think about how the diamonds we wear came to us. Natural diamonds, as opposed to synthetic diamonds or fake diamonds, are mined from the earth. There are currently two methods of mining diamonds: Pipe Mining and Alluvial Mining.

When pipe mining is used, the diamonds are extracted from the earth through volcanic pipes. These are not man-made pipes. These are natural pipes in the ground. Shanks are put into the ground next to the pipes, and tunnels are driven into the deepest parts of the pipe. The diamonds are not sorted out at the mine. Instead, huge rocks that are full of diamonds are brought out of the mine and moved to a screening plant for separation.

The Alluvial mining method is done in riverbeds and on beaches. Walls are built to hold back the water and the sand on the bank or beach is moved with a bulldozer until the level of earth that diamonds can be found in is reached. Again, the diamonds are not sorted here. Instead, the sand that contains the diamonds is bulldozed into trucks, and taken to screening plants.

For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

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How Diamond Prices Are Determined

Pricing most products is quite easy. Determine how much it costs to make the item, how much it costs to market that item, and then mark it up by 15, 30% or more. Simple, right? Well, pricing diamonds isn’t quite that simple. There are many factors that are considered when diamonds are priced.

Diamond prices are determined first by adding the cost of the rough diamond, the cost of cutting the diamond, and all other costs necessary to turn the rough diamond into a marketable diamond. Depending on the importance of the diamond, an independent company may be called in to certify the grade of the diamond based on color, cut, clarity, and weight.

At this point, the diamond becomes more expensive each time it changes hands, until it finally reaches a retailer, where the price is raised a bit more. Before reaching the retailer, however, the diamond must travel from the mine, to the cutter and polisher, to the independent grading company, and then to the Primary market. Once it has reached the primary market, it will be purchased by diamond dealers and wholesalers, and from there it will be sold to retailers.

As you can see, the earlier you can purchase a diamond in the process, the lower the cost of the diamond will be, but not the value. The value is based on what the diamond will sell for in the market place, through a retailer.

If you own a diamond, and you have no idea how much it is worth, you can have it appraised, but the appraisal may not be accurate. You will be better off obtaining a certificate through GIA, Gemological Institute of America. With the information on this certificate, you can use a cutterТs guide to accurately determine what your diamond is worth.

There are also many diamond price calculators available. These can be found on the Internet, and many diamond dealers use these as well. You must realize, however, that before you can accurately price a diamond, without a Diamond Grade Report, you need to know quite a bit about diamonds, such as different cuts, clarity, color, and weight, and how each of those aspects adds to the value of a diamond, or decreases the value of the diamond as the case may be.

Again, you will be better off if you get a Diamond Grading Report on the diamond, and use that information to look up the price in one of the guides that the diamond cutting industry uses. This will give you the most accurate value of the diamond in your possession, or of the diamond you are considering purchasing.

For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

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How to Buy Diamond Engagement Rings

There is much to consider when purchasing a diamond, especially diamond engagement rings! The tradition of presenting a woman with a diamond engagement ring when proposing began in 1477 when Archduke Maximilian presented a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy, and in most cases, the woman you plan to propose to will expect a ring to accompany that proposal!

First, determine how much ring you can afford. Most people use the Сtwo months salary’ rule. This means that the ring should cost the equivalent of two months of your current salary. Because you have other bills to pay, saving up this amount of money may take quite a bit of time. You should consider financing. Simply go to the jeweler of your choice and tell them that you plan to buy an engagement ring, and that financing will be necessary. Go ahead and get the credit check out of the way, find out what your payments will be, and how much of a down payment is required.

Now, have your mother, sister, or your girlfriends best friend take your girlfriend shopping, and make sure that they gaze at the engagement rings to get an idea of what she might like. Make sure that the jewelry store you buy the ring from will allow you to return the ring, if that is required, or allow your girlfriend to exchange it for another if she isn’t happy with it!

For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

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How to Care for Your Diamond

Caring for a diamond takes more than occasional cleanings. Diamonds are forever, but they can be damaged if you are not careful. By learning how to properly care for your diamond, you will ensure that your diamond is indeed forever.

First, you should take your diamond jewelry to a jeweler once a year. Have him check the mountings and prongs that hold your diamond in place. Have him make any needed repairs. This will prevent your diamond from falling out of its setting and becoming lost.

Diamond jewelry that is not being worn, or diamonds that are loose should be stored in a fabric lined jewel case, or in a jewelry box where it can be kept separate from other jewelry. Each piece should have its own compartment. This will keep diamonds from becoming scratched, and it will also keep your diamond from scratching other jewelry as well.

Remove your diamond jewelry when doing physical work. Diamonds can be chipped and scratched easily. Also avoid allowing your diamond to come into contact with bleach or other household cleansers, this can damage or change the color of the settings and mountings, and it may even irreversibly change the color of the diamond!

For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

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How to Clean your Diamonds

Through our day to day movements our diamonds get smudged and soiled. Even when we are not wearing them, they collect dust. Lotions, soaps, our natural skin oils, can cause film and grime on diamonds and inhibit their brilliance.

Want to keep that Brilliance and Shine?

Diamonds require cleaning so that maximum amounts of light can refract fiery brilliance. Remember that all it takes is a few minutes and a little care to keep that diamond as fiery as the day you first saw it.

You can use an small soft brush such as an eyebrow or lip stick brush and soap and water to clean your jewelry. Simply make a bowl of warm sudsy water with a mild detergent and place your pieces in the mixture. Then brush the diamonds with the soft bristles of the brush while they are in the suds. You will need to make certain that you rinse them clear of the suds after cleaning them. You can use a small kitchen strainer such as a tea strainer to contain them while rinsing under warm water. Use a lint free cloth, or a jewelry polish cloth to pat them dry.

If your diamonds are in need of a stronger cleansing, you may want to soak them for 30 minutes in a solution of half and half water and ammonia. Once they have soaked for 30 minutes, remove them and gently brush the mountings with a small brush. Then replace the pieces to the solution and swish them around in the mixture before removing them to rinse and pat dry.

If you find your self too busy to be mixing soaps and ammonias, many department stores sell liquid jewelry cleaners. Most are kits, with everything you need included. You need to read the labels to determine the one that is right for your diamonds and other jewelry. Read the complete directions and follow all the precautions.

And if you find yourself more the «high-tech type», even in your diamond cleaning routine, there are multiple ultrasonic cleansers on the market. These machines use high-frequency to create a cleaning motion. All machines are not the same, so please read the instructions before using.

Only you can choose the cleaning method right for you. But, it is essential to keep your jewelry clean to keep it brilliant and sparkling. Between cleaning, try not to touch your clean diamonds with your fingers or handle your jewelry by its edges. This will help maintain its shine and brilliance for longer periods.

For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

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How to Sell A Diamond

There are many reasons why you may want to sell a diamond that you own. Perhaps you’ve gotten divorced, or you are strapped for cash. The reasons why don’t really matter, getting the best possible price is what counts! The way to obtain the best price for the diamond is to not be in a rush. Slow down, and carefully consider all of your options, there are many.

First, have the diamond appraised. In fact, have it appraised by two or three jewelers to get an accurate idea of the diamonds value. Tell the appraiser that you want the Rapaport Value. This is the wholesale value of the diamond, and it basically tells you the highest price that you can sell your diamond for. If your diamond has no certificate, you should consider getting a certificate from GIA. This may help you get a better price for the diamond as well.

First, try to sell the diamond yourself, to people you know. Friends and family members may be interested. If you don’t have any luck with friends or family members, you should turn to outside sources. Absolutely avoid pawn shops! A pawn shop will only offer you about 10% of what the diamond is worth!

Also avoid offers of selling the ring on consignment. There are many things that can go wrong, and there is no shortage of diamond scams, even in well known jewelry stores.

If the diamond is important, you should strongly consider auctioning it off through one of the famous auction houses, such as Christie’s or Sotheby’s. If it isn’t what is considered an «important» diamond or a high-end diamond, you should try to sell it to an individual using classified ads, or even eBay. However, selling to an individual that you do not know could put you in danger, especially if the diamond is worth a lot of money.

Your final option should be a jewelry store. It is vital that you not let your diamond out of your sight while in the jewelry store, you might find that the diamond you walked in with is not the same diamond that you walk out with! The jeweler will try to tell you that your diamond is of poor quality or low weight. Inevitably, there will be some problem with the diamond. This is where your appraisal and/or certificate will come in handy.

If the jeweler is fair, they will offer you between 60% and 80% of the value of the Rapaport Value. Do not accept anything less than this. Again, do not let the diamond out of your sight until you have been paid for it.

For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

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How to Spot A Fake Diamond

In this world of advanced technology it is almost impossible to simply look at a diamond and determine whether it is real or not, especially if you don’t know much about diamonds. There are some steps that you can take to avoid buying a fake diamond, however.

First, only deal with reputable jewelers, and when you find a reputable jeweler, stick with them. Avoid buying diamonds or other jewelry from jewelers that you have never dealt with before in the past. Ask to see the certificate for the stone. If no certificate exists, walk away.

Look at the setting that the stone is in. Fake diamonds, such as zirconias, are usually set in low quality metals. Take a close look at the stone. Fake diamonds are not durable, natural diamonds, on the other hand, are the most durable stone on the planet. Look for scratches or nicks.

After purchasing a diamond, take it to another jeweler for appraisal. In fact, take it to two or three other jewelers for an appraisal to make sure that the appraisals are all fairly close. If you find that you have purchased a fake diamond, you may be accused of making a switch when you return to the store of your purchase; therefore, it is important to have a certificate for the diamond. No two stones are alike.

For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

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Insuring Your Diamonds

Insuring a diamond takes a bit of thought, planning, and shopping around. Diamond insurance isn’t like purchasing car insurance. It is quite different. Depending on the state that you live in, there are basically three different types of policies that will cover diamonds, and all insurance policies that cover diamonds are considered Marine type policies.

The first type of insurance policies for diamonds is an Actual Cash Value policy. If the diamond is lost or damaged beyond repair, the insurance company will replace the diamond at today’s market value, no matter how much you paid for the diamond to begin with. This type of insurance policy for diamonds actually is not that common.

The most common type of insurance for diamonds is Replacement Value insurance. The insurance company will only pay up to a fixed amount to replace the diamond that was lost or damaged beyond repair. This does not mean that they will pay that amount, it means that they will pay up to that amount. In most cases, the diamond can be replaced at a lower cost.

The third type of coverage offered for diamonds is Agreed Value. This is sometimes called СValued At.Т This type of coverage is very rare. In the event that the diamond is lost or damaged beyond repair, the insurance company simply pays you the amount that you and the company agreed upon. This is the best type of insurance to have, but it is rarely offered. If you can’t get Agreed Value coverage, Actual Cash Value coverage should be your next choice.

Your rates will be determined by the value of the diamond, the type of coverage that you select, and the area that you live in. If you live in an area with a high crime rate, you can expect to pay more for your diamond insurance coverage. It is important to remember that insurance agents are not qualified jewelers, and jewelers are not qualified insurance agents. It is best to get a certificate for your diamond, and to provide the insurance company with a copy of that certificate. This leaves the insurance company less room for arguments over the actual value of the diamond.

Don’t rely on separate coverage to cover your diamond. For instance, if you diamond is stolen from your home, it is probably covered on your home owner’s insurance policy, but the diamond probably won’t always be in your home, and once it leaves your home, there is no coverage.

For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

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Selecting Diamonds

Diamonds are graded for certification by laboratories using grading criteria. Four of these criteria are critical to understand when making a diamond purchase or investment. Known as the «Four CТs» these criteria are: color, cut, clarity and carat.

Color is the result of the composition of a diamond and it does not change. When a jeweler is describing the color of a diamond they are referring to the presence or absence of color in white diamonds. Because a diamond with no color allows maximum light to pass through, colorless diamonds are preferred for their sparkle.

Cut refers to a diamonds reflective quality. Most diamonds are cut with 58 facets. The brilliance of diamonds is heavily dependent on the cut. The different angles and the finish of a diamond determine its ability to reflect light and cause its brilliance and fire.

Remember that the cut of a diamond can have an impact on its durability as well as its beauty. Some cutting faults can make a diamond prone to breakage. A diamond that is cut too thin can also cause light to leak out of the back and the diamond will lose some of the sparkle and appear not to shine. So, as you can see the Cut is probably the most important of the Four C’s.

During the formation process, inner flaws, or inclusions occur in most diamonds. The number and size of these inclusions determine what is referred to as the clarity of a diamond. Diamonds that are clear create more brilliance and therefore are rarer and highly priced. To be considered «flawless», a diamond must have no surface or internal imperfections visible upon being viewed by a skilled diamond grader using10 power magnifications.

Carat is the unit of weight by which diamonds are measured. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams. A carat is divided into 100 segments called points. 150 points would equal one and a half carats.

When you go to the store to make that all important diamond purchase, do not be shy! Ask questions, get the answers needed to make an informed purchase. Shopping for certified diamonds enables you to make an informed selection. Knowing the «four CТs» allows you to comparison shop and purchase the best diamond at a fair price. But, before making a purchase, shop around and decide what shapes and styles really appeal to you. Enjoy your diamond for years to come!

For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

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Synthetic Diamonds

The first synthetic diamonds were produced by General Electric in 1954. A synthetic diamond is basically a rock that has the durability, refractive index and hardness of a natural diamond, but it is made by man. A synthetic diamond should not be confused with stimulant diamonds, such as glass, cubic zirconia, or moissanite.

Although the technology for synthetic diamonds came into play in 1954, no synthetic diamonds were ever seen on the market until the 1990′s. This was due to the fact that it took many years for General Electric to produce a synthetic diamond that could compare with the quality of a natural

Diamond, and when they figured out how to do it, they found that it cost more to produce a synthetic diamond than it did to mine and cut natural diamonds.

Finally, a small company by the name of Gemesis Corporation figured out a way to produce synthetic diamonds that were of the same quality as natural diamonds, at a cheaper price. Today, Gemesis produces synthetic white diamonds, and colored diamonds as well. These diamonds sell for about 1/3 of the cost of a natural diamond, but there is a shortage of them, and they are hard to find. In fact, it seems that synthetic diamonds are rarer than natural diamonds!

For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

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What Are Dirty Diamonds?

A dirty diamond is one of two things: a rough diamond, or a diamond that hasn’t been cleaned in a while. Rough diamonds are uncut and unpolished, hence, they are dirty. But that type of dirty diamond will soon be cut and polished and sitting in a beautiful jewel box in a display case. Then someone will purchase it, and before long, it will become a dirty diamond once again.

Diamonds become dirty. When you wash your hands with a diamond ring on, soap scum clings to it. When you put on hand lotion, it gets grease on it. Shower with your diamond earrings or necklace, and again, you get soap scum. In one short day, your brand new diamond could be dirty!

Purchase an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner the same day that you purchase your diamond jewelry, and use it every single day, without fail. The clarity of the diamond changes when the diamond is dirty, it loses its sparkle. By taking one minute each day to clean your diamond jewelry, you can avoid this, and your diamonds will never be dirty!

For any questions please contact us http://www.amazing-wedding-jewelry.com

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Where Diamonds are Mined

Argye mine located in the Kimberley region in the far north east of Western Australia. Owned by Rio Tinto, this mine is the world’s largest single producer of volume of diamonds. However, due to low proportion of gem quality diamonds it is not the value leader. It does produce 90-95% of the world’s supply of pink diamonds.

Diavik is also owned by Rio Tinto, located in Canada it is a very large mine. It is located north of Yellowknife and south of the Artic Circle on an island. The island is connected by an ice road. It is also an important part of the regions economy employing more than 700 people and producing more than 8 million carats annually.

Ekati diamond mine is owned by BHP Billiton and located south of the artic circle in the Northwest Territories of Canada. The Ekati is CanadaТs first operational diamond mine. Diamonds mined here are sold under the Aurias trade name Authenticity is verified through Canada Mark service. CanadaMark service is also owned by BHP Billiton Diamonds, Inc.

Baken diamond mine is located along the lower Orange River in South Africa. It is owned and operated by Trans Hex. The average size stone for 2004 was 1.29 carats. In 2004, this mine produced a 78.9 carat D color flawless diamond that sold for more than 1.8 million dollars (US)

as well as a 27.67 pink diamond that was sold for over 1 million US dollars.

Merlin is the second of only two diamond mines in Australia. No longer operating it was owned by Rio Tinto and sold to Striker Resources, who has explored the possibilities of reopening the mine.

Orapa is the world’s largest diamond mine. It us located 240 Km west of Francistown. The mine is owned by «debswana» which is a partnership between DeBeers and the government of Botswana. This mine operates 7 days a week. It maintains pre primary and primary schools for its employeeТs children. There is also a 100 bed hospital and game park. This mine began production in 1971 and is the oldest mine owned by the Debswana Company.

The Premier mine located in Cullinan, South Africa produced the largest gem diamond ever in 1905. The Cullinan Diamond weighed 3,106.75 carats. This mine also produced the Golden Jubilee diamond which weighed 545.67 carats. This mine is owned by the De Beers Company and was renamed The Cullinan Diamond Mine in 2003 in celebration of its centennial.

Question About Professors At Long Beach City College!!?

is there any kind of website that lets me read about a professor before registerting in there class? OR like students can rate them? please let me know a.s.a.p. thanks!

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