Antique Writing Desks Today

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While many people are designing their homes with a very modernistic or contemporary style, others are stepping back into the past and giving their homes an 18th or 19th century look. Of course it is very expensive to buy only antique furniture for your home and very few people could afford to do so. It is, however, often well within a home owner’s budget to purchase one or two antique pieces of furniture. One such piece of furniture that is actually quite reasonably priced is the antique writing desk.

You can find these in abundance at antique shops as it seems that they were in quite common use. Because they are smaller furniture items they most medium classed families owned at least one or two which, due to the sturdiness of the build, have survived quite well over the years. There is also a fairly brisk trade in antique writing desks online, though you do need to be careful when purchasing antiques online to make sure you buy them from a reputable dealer.

It is not that difficult to spot an antique writing desk as most, even if they have been restored, should show some signs of use. Antique desks frequently had a leather writing insert on top of the desk. This may or may not have lasted over the centuries, but a properly restored desk should have a replacement set on top of the desk. Another feature that older desks have, which modern day writing desks do not, is a spot usually at the back right hand corner of the desk where an inkwell and pen holder is located.

There are also different styles of antique desks. There is the regular flat writing desk with draws across the front of the piece of furniture, and nicely carved legs which often curve out slightly at the bottom. You also have the bureau style desk. With this type the writing section flips down. When not in use writing accessories are stored toward the back and the hinged desk flips up and is secured. The cylinder desk has a round lid that rolls back and forth, covering the entire writing section of the desk when it is pulled down.

If you are not able to purchase a genuine antique writing desk, fortunately there are plenty of replicas available that will still add that old style appeal to your room at a very affordable price.

Part 3 – Train Your Dog With Your Children and Build a Better Relationship Between Them Both

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Keeping children safe around your pet dog is extremely important. One way to achieve this is to involve your children in obedience training. This way the dog will see your child as playing an important role in the pack; a role that needs to be respected.

Obedience training helps a dog to understand where it sits in the pack hierarchy. However, this may take sometime. Dogs do not accept children as being above them easily. They see children as being beneath them and this is why conflicts occur. If your child participates in training, the dog will learn to respect the child as being over it in the hierarchy.

Allow your children to participate in your dog’s training under your supervision. Do not leave a child alone with a dog under any circumstance for any length of time especially if the child has its treats.

Training your dog will always give you an advantage. Obedience training will ensure you have better control in most situations. It is not a guarantee, however, that your dog will not attack. But it means that your dog will look up to you for guidance and will trust that you will make the right decision for its welfare in any given situation more so than if it was left to its own devices.

When I talk of obedience training, I am referring generally to behaviour modification where a dog follows a command such as, sit, drop or stay. However, if you are using Alpha training techniques then you are encouraging aggressive behaviours that will result in your dog attacking a child or another animal.

Larger dogs and puppies can accidentally knock over a child. If the dog is focused on a toy or food it will not see the child. Do not punish or yell at your dog as it will have no idea why it is getting into trouble. It is best not to make a fuss over either: dust them both off and keep training.

When training your dog make sure that sessions are short and lots of fun for you, your dog and especially your children. Make sure that your children understand the rules of training, for example, treats and rewards have to be earned. Children should also be able to give clear verbal signals.

These things will come with practise and patience from you. Training your dog with your children’s assistance may take longer and you might have to do more one on one sessions with the dog to make sure it’s on track. Nonetheless, the results will be well worth the effort as your child develops a special relationship with your dog and as your dog learns to listen to your child, its respect for him or her will increase and may lessen the probability of an attack if your child behaves badly.

School Rolling Backpack

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If you have kids, then you probably know they have to carry many things with them to the school. It is also very likely that all of those school supplies are very heavy for them; that is why you should consider buying a school rolling backpack for them, in order to keep them safe for any injury that the excessive weight might cause.

Even though these types of backpacks are better for carry the excessive weight, you have to know that they are just a little heavier than regular backpacks; obviously this is caused by the wheels and the external frame that is made for support.

This is why you have to consider very well before buying one, because you don’t want hurt your kid, on the contrary, you just want to make things easy for them.

Keep reading so you can know the aspects you have to consider before purchasing school rolling backpacks for your kid.

Size

There are three different sizes for school rolling backpacks; you can find them in small, medium and large size.

This will depend on the height of your kid. It has to be proportional to them because otherwise it will be too heavy and too difficult for them to carry it to the school.

While some of the backpacks come with padded shoulder straps, so the kids can carry it without rolling it, it is advisable to avoid their use.

The reason for this is that it might harm your kid’s back, because of the weight.

Advise your kid to use the straps only when it is totally impossible to roll the backpack, maybe because of water or irregular terrain, but only for a short period of time.

Capacity

Since the school rolling backpacks come in different sizes, it is expected the capacity to change according the size of the backpack.

If your kid has several belongings and things to carry to school, but the most suitable backpack for them is a small one, then we recommend you to purchase one with pockets on the sides, so the quantity of things they can carry is more.

Integrity

Aim to find a backpack with wheels that looks very well built. The ones that are high quality often look more sturdy and solid, but they might be a little more expensive.

The external frame that supports all the weight and the wheels has to be strong for two main reasons, first because kids often don’t take too much care of their school rolling backpacks, and second, because that way it will last longer.

The other thing you want to pay attention is to the handle. This handle can consist in only just one tube, or two tubes joined together by the handgrip. Whether you choose one or another, be sure that the handle doesn’t shake or wobble when it is fully extended.

Color

The color may seem like a minor thing, but when it comes about kids, we all know how messy they can be. And that is perfectly fine if you don’t mind to see the school rolling backpack being dirty, but if you hate watching the stains and dirt on it, then maybe you will prefer to buy a darker color backpack to avoid this problem.

In case you prefer a light color, you can always clean the stains and all the dirt you can use a dish detergent and a sponge, and it will be very clean. Remember to dry it at air temperature; do not use the drying machine.

These are all the aspects you want to consider before buying school rolling backpacks.

Recommend your kid to take a really good care of their backpack, this means specially to not overload it with unnecessary stuffs and not swing it by the handle when it is fully extended, because this can shorten its productive life.

Learn French Online at Your Pace

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Are you one of those people who constantly put off learning another language because you believe you do not have enough time? You have been hankering for some time now to start a language learning course but keep hesitating. You can learn French online – and there is no pain involved at all!

No Stress Allowed

Participating in Lingo Basics French online language course allows users to work at a comfortable pace that places absolutely no stress upon the student. Unlike traditional classroom-based French language courses, using Lingo Basics to learn French online has no set schedule, no mandatory homework and you never have to show your parents a report card.

Keeping it Basic

Also, traditional classroom-based French language courses tend to teach formal applications of the language. Lingo basics concentrate with an emphasis placed upon learning everyday language skills. Therefore, students are not required to learn a lot of academic aspects toward learning French. Students come away from the course acquiring basic everyday speaking skills that can be put to use when visiting a French-speaking destination.

Fast and Fun-Filled

Learning to master the French language is easy using Lingo Basics. The creators have spent an enormous amount of time and energy providing you with the best method to learn French online. Throughout the world, students at second-grade levels begin learning a second language. So, if you’ve already reached second-grade level English, you soon can be bi-lingual. Plus, the entire learning process is fun and easy to use.

Why it is Easy

The easy part is because you can work at your own pace. Traditional French wine which causes require you to be in the classroom at certain times that just may not be convenient for you. Since you probably are like most people in today’s world living hectic schedule usually stealing moments from your daily routine to capture activities that you normally cannot fit in. The lingo basics French language course allows you the convenience and flexibility to gain a basic understanding while studying at your own pace. Since there is no pressure put upon you for adhering to a specific schedule, participants who choose to learn French online have a greater degree of success.

Basic is Beautiful

Also, the Lingo Basics French language courses concentrate, well, on the basics. You want to be capable to communicate confidently with the natives when visiting a French-speaking destination. While traditional approaches to learning a foreign language include a lot of academic requirements learning proper grammar and formal usage, when you learn French online using Lingo Basics you will gain an understanding of everyday fundamental conversational phrases that will help you communicate competently.

Not for the Learned

Keep in mind that Lingo Basics French is just that – a concentration teaching the basic language lingo. You will learn colloquial uses of the French language that will fare you well whenever the need to communicate faces you. This is not a high-brow academic course, nor will it provide you with instruction for advanced language skills.

However, when you Learn French online using Lingo Basics, you will be well prepared to order a meal or ask for directions next trip to the City of Lights.

Advance Your IT Career With Cisco Certification

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If your are currently an IT professional looking to advance your career, you should take a hard look at Cisco Certification. Cisco is the leader in networking and switching technologies. With VOIP and other growing internet technologies the use of networking equipment is only going to grow. There are a wide range of jobs that can be leveraged by obtaining a Cisco certification. Don’t let the opportunity pass you by.

There are three (3) certifications that will surely advance your career. The first is the Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA). This is the entry level networking certification that will get your foot in the door. Many organizations require this certification for you to prove that you understand the basics of Cisco networking and switching technologies. You can’t go wrong by making this your short term goal and achieve this valuable certification. The average salary for a CCNA is between $60,000-$76,000. Not bad for entry level eh!

If you want to be a Mid-level networking engineer you must obtain your Cisco Certified Networking Professional (CCNP) certification. You can start with the CCNA and build on it by taking additional exams to finally obtain your CCNP. Make sure you gets some hands on experience before attempting this exam as they are no walk in the park. Cisco has created an excellent set of exams to make sure that the certification has true “real world” value. If you can pass their exams, you are ready to manage real IT corporate networks and make yourself a valuable career in networking.

If you want to be at the top of the field, you will want to consider the Certified Internetworking Exper (CCIE) certification. This exam has both a written and practical exam. The failure rate of the practical exam is extremely high but is well worth the effort. Most CCIE certified engineers make well over $100,000 per year. For many, this takes several years to achieve after getting some real hands on experience.

My advice would be to start with the CCNA certification, get yourself in a good corporation and use your skills hands on. Many organizations will help you pay for your additional certifications after you have been employed for a year or more, sometimes less. This is a great avenue to advance your career even further while making a great salary as well.

Careers leveraging certification offer many benefits, including:

1) Massive job growth. Networking will continue to grow.

2) Financial security and a high quality of life.

3) Growing Career opportunities in other areas of IT.

4) The possibility to work in a global organization with potential travel opportunities.

5) The ability to create innovative technology solutions.

Considering the many benefits of certification, it is hard to imagine why you wouldn’t want to pursue it further. If you are new to IT, you might want to get a good foundation in computing before trying to obtain your CCNA or other networking certification. This will prove to be very helpful in understanding the core technologies.

For those that are working as an entry level desktop or computer support staff this may be a great career move for you. Get started by searching online for authorized training centers and courses in your area to get started. If you unsure if this is the right move for you, go to your local book store and you will find many books on the exams. Take a look and make sure the topic interests you before you invest significant time and energy in taking the exams.

Best of luck to you in advancing your IT career!

Discover Sicily’s Geographical Gems on an Educational Trip

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When asking a class of students to consider all the world’s wonderful landscapes and land features, there are certain images that are likely to stand out in their minds – coursing rivers, sun-blessed beaches, towering mountains and dramatic volcanoes among them. Italy’s southernmost region, Sicily, has all of these and more, making it perfect for a geography-based educational trip. Home to Europe’s tallest active volcano and some of the Mediterranean’s most striking coastal areas, this is certainly a place to inspire learners and to demonstrate the power of the natural world, as well as the power of mankind to alter that world. Whether exploring coastal ecosystems or investigating the effects of agriculture and deforestation over centuries, there are endless possibilities for learning projects – and here are some of the best places to start.

Volcano Variety

The region’s most famous land feature, and one of the most striking sights students on an educational trip will see in Sicily, is undoubtedly Mount Etna, a 3,329 metre high stratovolcano that towers over the island’s eastern coast. Its eruptions have been famous since ancient times, when Greek storytellers explained its near-constant volcanic activity with tales of Zeus trapping a fearsome monster called Typhon beneath it. The mountain is not purely a source of destruction, however, as its volcanic ash makes the soil highly fertile, thus supporting Sicily’s rich agriculture. This relationship between the volcano and the local population is one interesting possibility for a geographical case study to be made while on an educational trip, although Etna is not the only kind of volcano that can be seen in Sicily. To the north of the island, the Aeolian Islands (themselves a volcanic arc) are home to Stromboli, a volcano nicknamed the ‘Lighthouse of the Mediterranean’ for its bright eruptions, while off the southern coast is an underwater volcano named Ferdinandea.

Human Geography

Lemons, oranges, olives, nuts, grapes and their derivative products are the chief exports of Sicily, as well as fish and non-consumable products such as chemicals, textiles, leather goods and ships. Understanding the land and climate is key to understanding human industry and civilisation in many places, but especially in Sicily, where the pleasant climate and fertile volcanic ash have a significant impact on agriculture. Its status as an island is also important for anyone considering Sicily’s port towns and the industries associated with them. The importance of the island’s roads is another angle that students could consider while on their educational trip, as they play a vital role in all of its industries, and recent road improvement work has had far-reaching implications. These learning opportunities will be all the more immediate and real for being right in front of students’ eyes – and all tempered by Sicilian sun, fascinating culture and great food!

Online FX Trading Courses – Learn to Make Huge Profits Risk Free!

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If you have ever wondered, if you could make money at FX trading and become a successful currency trader from home then, you should try an online FX trading course which can give you proven strategies which allow you to learn risk free. Let’s look at how to find the best FX courses and how, they can help you get on the road to a great second income.

In a market where 95% of trader lose money, you need to get the right education and the best online courses will give you the following:

– Proven tools and currency trading strategies, with all the logic explained which will help you get the odds on your side and trade for big profits.

– You will be able to see how profitable the method is in real time trading via daily updates so you can see how much money the method makes and gain confidence in it.

– You can ask dedicated advisors any questions or queries you have as you learn and get support from experienced traders

– All the best courses will give you a refund of your subscription fee should you not be satisfied with the course or you simply decide currency trading is not for you.

You can use an online FX trading course to cut your learning curve and give you the confidence you need to trade for big profits. At a cost of around a hundred dollars, you can cover the cost in one good trade and of course, you will have an income for life and if you don’t fancy currency trading for any reason, you get your money back.

If you want to learn currency trading, an online course is a great option to help you see if you can make money in the world’s most exciting and lucrative investment medium – global currencies. You have no risk so see for yourself if you can become a successful currency trader from home.

Looking Into College Majors and Beyond: The Top Ten Most Popular College Majors in the US

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Choosing the right college major is essential in obtaining the adequate knowledge and skills to achieve success in future career paths and employment opportunities. In pursuing most college degrees, deciding on a major may be done during a student’s sophomore year to ensure graduating on time, provided that all courses are taken at the designated schedule. It is important for any college student to identify which courses to take and maintain focus on his or her long-term goal and ambition.

Several college majors have earned a certain amount of popularity among students, usually depending on how lucrative the careers ensuing from these majors may be. A report from the National Center for Education of the US Department of Education indicates that the majors that are most in demand are in the categories of business, social sciences, education, and health sciences.

The following is a list of majors that are sought after by a majority of college students and short descriptions of what students may expect in the included courses:

Programs relating to Biology and Biological Sciences include a variation of courses relevant to the fields of genetics, botany, zoology, biochemistry, molecular biology; along with other similar disciplines. A degree in Biology may be pursued by students intending to take up further studies in medicine, advanced medical research, molecular biology, and the like.

Business Administration and Management includes the general study of what a business encompasses, its organizational structure, guidance on its operation and effective supervision of its resources. Courses may also include the discussion of entrepreneurship, economics, applicable laws and ethics in business, corporate communications as well as the utilization of appropriate communication and information systems.

Majors in Communications deal with theories and contexts of both verbal and non-verbal, interpersonal, mass, and organizational communication. Courses in effective public speaking and public relations also contribute to this study. Communication research, both qualitative and quantitative, as well as the employment of applicable research methods are offered by some institutions.

Pursuing a degree in Computer Science may involve delving into the basic principles of computing, programming, software development, networking, system design, architecture, and various computing applications. Graphics generation, web design and programming, algorithm creation, and robotics may also be offered under this major.

Criminal Justice covers the identification and operation of institutions with reference to the justice system which includes corrections, courts, and law enforcement units in either local, state or federal jurisdictions. Courses in criminal law, criminal investigation, security, and forensic science are among those offered by various colleges for this field.

A major in Elementary Education entails the study of theories and methods similar to those of the broader discipline of Education. The courses, however, are tailored distinctly for elementary students and conducting lessons designed for educating at the primary level. Theories on developmental learning and assessment along with techniques in imparting information on various subjects are explored in this program.

Engineering majors are introduced to a wider array of industry-specific courses relating to mechanical, electrical, civil, materials, environmental engineering; among others. Concepts on Linear Algebra, Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, as well as general coursework on technical writing and engineering design are required of all students in this field.

A popular choice in the field of Health Sciences, a major in Nursing will include the fundamentals, laws, and ethics of the nursing profession, familiarization with healthcare systems, identification and care of ailments, and the like. Also taken up under this major are lessons in proper interaction with patients and sensitivity to cultural diversity.

Psychology courses delve in the study of human behavior, its development, surrounding environment, and aspects of mental health. It is toward the understanding and treatment of behavioral and mental disorders that majors in Psychology are geared, undergoing coursework on behavior management, application of theories in providing treatment, as well as conducting research and analyses of psychological issues as may be related to various factors.

Under the field of Social Sciences, a major in Political Science allows a student to study the principles influencing the matters of politics and government; their foundations and the issues surrounding them. Courses on political thinking, human rights, international relations, global politics, and foreign relations are among those that are provided, in addition to the study of the US government and constitution.

It is important to stress that successful careers are not dictated solely by being able to finally identify what course to take and especially not in going with what may be the popular options at the moment. College majors that are in demand may also mean tougher competition and a higher possibility of attaining a mediocre standing should a major be taken up based only on popularity instead of genuine interest and suitability to a student’s skills. What will truly measure a successful career is being able to choose the course of study that a college student will be intent on pursuing and will lead to the most suitable and enticing opportunities after graduating.

Log on http://www.matchcollege.com for further information.

Life Coaches Help Us Overcome Imagined Barriers

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Life is a roller coaster ride sometimes – you must learn to accept both failures and accomplishments with equal grace. However, most people fail to succeed in their lives due to invisible barriers.

Mental blocks, such as fear, tend to get in the way of your success. It takes courage and determination to overcome these fears and move on in your life. You need an altogether different mindset to look at such blocks and hurdles as challenging opportunities. If you lack the confidence to take these challenges in stride, or if life’s problems seem to get the better of you, then you can probably benefit by consulting a life coach.

Often the biggest block to creating your perfect life is – YOU. Your self-created fears and your lack of confidence in your own abilities stop you from aiming high and succeeding in life.

Typically, there are five types of blocks you need to remove from your path to success. They are:

Material Clutter

Material clutter is a hazard to your success; get rid of it! Get organized and the motivation will follow. It is too hard to focus on any sort of task when you are surrounded with clutter at home or in the office.

Emotional Clutter

Just as you would clean your closet and throw out unwanted things, you must also get rid of the emotional clutter. Bad memories, grudges, regret, and sadness are like roadblocks on your success path. Forgive, forget, and move on. Learn to forgive yourself for past mistakes. Most of all, realize that there is nothing about the past that you can change – you simply have to make sure that you have learned from it.

Only when your mind is truly free can you experience true success and joy.

Negative Emotions

Learn to identify negative emotions, as they can impede success in your life. Negative emotions work like slow poison destroying you bit by bit everyday. This is probably the hardest point to master of all. Negative thinking is built up over a lifetime. It takes discipline to reject repetitive negative thoughts as soon as they try to enter your mind.

Negative Beliefs

You may have negative beliefs about yourself and the world around you. A life coach will help you unveil and face these negative beliefs so that you can face the world with an open mind. These beliefs do nothing but limit your potential for success by causing you to lose faith in yourself and your abilities.

Resistance

A life coach will help you recognize if there is resistance of any kind deep within you that prevents you from getting what you want. You may harbor resistance that you don’t even know is there – a resistance to the belief that you deserve to be successful!

A skilled life coach understands how difficult it is to eradicate these blocks at one time and can help you understand that different facets of your life affect one another. It is important to take care of each one of them to ensure that your life is successful. For instance, if you are not happy in your personal life, your professional life will also suffer. Your life coach will teach you some soul-searching techniques that can help you recognize and remove these blocks. Your life coach will set easy goals for you to bring about small but significant changes in the way you think and act. Having a positive attitude is crucial to overcoming these mental blocks. By doing this, you can streamline your actions to reach your goals sooner than you had imagined.

Some people may think that life coaching is for sissies, but the truth of the matter is that many of the most successful people today have found strength through a life coach. Developing a relationship with your life coach is saying you’re committed to success and willing to do what it takes to get there. You would be amazed at the empowerment and unbelievable results a development coach can help you achieve in your life.

Making a Career Change – Where to Now?

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If you are considering a career change you are not alone. There are record numbers of people around the country doing the same thing as the economy and the layoffs have caused many people to search for new ways to make a living. But what do you do next? How do you decide the next move so you do not end up repeating the same cycle all over again? This is not the first down turn our economy has seen and won’t be the last. So learn from the experience of others on how to make a positive change for you and your family.

Let’s start with what not to do. Resist the urge to go to job sites and apply for everything. It’s tempting thinking there is strength in numbers, but that type of approach leads to watered down results. If you do happen to get a call back, chances are you will not be able to remember who they are and which job they are talking about. Worse yet they may offer you a job that pays half of what you need to make, wasting valuable time in your job search. Changing careers can be a major milestone in your life and if at all possible should be treated as such.

There are a few basic steps you can take to make your career change a smooth process with less chance of failure. The first, of course, is looking at your choices. A good place to start is to make a list of your attributes, what you are good at in other words. Next add in any special education you might have. Lastly, what kind of money do you need to make to at least make it in today’s economy with a chance for growth? Let’s start with number one, your choices. Narrow down the options you have to a category of jobs that fit all three criteria. You are looking for positions that fit with your current experience, perhaps with your education, and offer a salary that if you were offered the job would at the very least be enough for you to accept at this position.

It is so tempting to take any job that comes your way, and there are certainly some instances where you have no choice, but it all possible live lean and mean until the right career move comes along. It might be not the perfect answer to your problems but finding something close can be enough to get you started in the right direction. Use your money and your time wisely and you’ll have hope for a positive career change, not just finding a job.