A Loner's Game?

Tweet

They say solitaire is a loner's game. I wonder why... Maybe because it is a game one can play by oneself. I refer to it as the card game and I would usually play this to while away the time. I really enjoy playing this game and even learned some variations along the way. Some people call the card game as "Patience". It involves placing the cards in a layout and sorting them according to some set of of rules. I am unable to explain the rules clearly though because I just learned it. It is quite easy though and once you get the hang of it, you can play on and on and on.

There's even so many variations to the game already and there are many free solitaire games available on the internet. It is amazing how the simple solitaire game has evolved: from the simple solitaire card game to other variations like the mahjong solitaire and even the peg solitaire, which seem more like a puzzle since once it is solved, it is repeatable. There's one interesting free pyramid solitaire game that I found on the net, whose aim is to remove all the cards from the pyramid. The rules are simple but it is quite difficult to remove all the cards from the pyramid. One can only remove two cards at a time, and they should add up to 13. If they don't add up, you can draw another one from the deck of cards. The King can be removed as it is by clicking on it with a mouse. It is indeed a challenging game. I have been playing it for a while now although I haven't had any luck in removing all the cards yet. I guess I just have to have more patience and pray for some luck.

Try it and see if you can win! It may be a loner's game but there is still some fun to it. :)

A Good Way to Learn

Tweet

Learning the natural sciences can either be very difficult or very interesting depending on the way it is taught and on the different learning materials available to the student. Biology, Chemistry and Physics are three of these natural sciences that I consider to be very interesting when taught the right way.

These days, the modern student likes it more when certain topics are presented in a creative, interactive way.  The teacher has the responsibility of seeing to it that the subject matter is taught in an effective manner. Gone are the days when writing equations on the board and talking in monologues are the measure of good teaching. Although they are essential, the lectures and the calculations, it is a good idea to spice it up some more. Adding some video documentaries, experiments, practical examples, and even games and short excursion trips all add up to making the subject matter more interesting. It keeps the students alert and active while learning how things work without getting bored.

And as for students, they should also learn how to be creative and be resourceful when learning. It is also important that the student has interest in the subject manner, otherwise it will really be difficult for him to learn. And should studying bore him to death, there will always be free online games on the internet like the  happy wheels game that will help him break the monotony. But of course, he shouldn't spend the entire time playing. One should be disciplined enough to know their limit.

Super Mario

Tweet

I don't know anybody who doesn't know Super Mario. He is a very popular character way back in the 80's and I guess he still is to this day. I consider Super Mario a classic computer game. It has been in existence for three decades now and it is still popular among children, teenagers and adults alike. I remember playing with it with my cousins on our Family computer when I was still a kid. That was still in the 80's and technology has evolved a lot since then.

Yet, Super Mario, the Italian guy in the signature blue jumpers, red shirt and cap, and black moustache and his sidekick and bestfriend Luigi, the one in the green jumpers, didn't  seem to grow old. He still looks the same, maybe even better. The games have become better too - more interactive, more alive, more colorful.

Have you ever tried playing mario games? My daughter even enjoyed playing it when she was allowed to play with a friend's Nintendo.

One can even play the good old classic mario and even luigi games using only a computer and an internet connection. Yes, no need to buy additional gadgets. I tried playing it online and it brought back those childhood memories. The graphics and the audio are very similar to the one I was used to playing as a kid, it made me smile just listening to the background audio. Hehe!

Because the game is free, you can play with it for hours on end and never get bored. There's different games for different age groups and gender. The classic Super Mario Brothers game is available for just about anyone. Interesting games like Mario pacman can be played by big children, and Mario memory game and Mario tetris would be a fun game to be played by smaller children.

Pearls Never Go Out of Style

Tweet

Freshwater pearls are the gems that have always and will forever be in style. All the latest trends and fashionista’s around the world incorporate them into every day wear. They are simply the easiest to work with because they not only complete all the outfits that seem nearly impossible, they also can be the beginning of a new family tradition. Thousands of women pass down their gems to younger generations, where pearls are the main gem that is passed down. 

As for pearl anklets those are unique. You may not see them as much, but they are sure out there. I know that everyone that has one loves them because they complete the outfit without being overbearing and pompous. Unlike bracelets, anklets are perfect for the summer; bracelets get in the way and are sometimes too much for an almost perfect outfit. They are subtle enough but give enough spice to an outfit that tops everything off.

Summer Closing Sale

Tweet

Summer is almost over. I can already see shops displaying their Autumn and Winter collections. More importantly, end of summer sales abound. Are you planning on going on vacation to a tropical country to escape the cold, winter days? Then now is the perfect time to buy those trendy and chic summer outfits. Although the SSV is over, there are still some shops offering summer collections on sale for late shoppers. 

A shop's window enticing shoppers with their promotion... up to 50% off !

Here in Germany, the summer closing sale or Sommerschlussverkauf (SSV) takes place for 2 weeks, for a total of 12 days since shops are closed on Sundays. It would be very wise to save up your allowance and hit the shopping malls starting from the last week of July until the first week of August. Retail shops are offering up to 50-70% discount on summer collections. This is done to sell a huge part of the summer collections and to make room for the new winter collection.

According to German law, on sale goods during the SSV should only be seasonal items like textile, clothing items, footwear, leather goods and sports articles. Included in the textiles are not only clothing items, but also furniture coverings, carpets and mattresses which are manufactured using textile. Suitcases and handbags could also be included in the end-of-summer-season sale if they are made of leather or textiles. Not included in the assortment are glasswares, china and ceramics, electrical appliances, writing materials, etc.

I know I am too late for the SSV this year but there will always be other SSV in the years to come. I still have more summers ahead of me. It pays to do some research first.

 

iPhone 5: To Be Launched on August 7?

Tweet

©istockphoto.com/gianlucabartoli

According to a website, an Apple source revealed that Apple will launch the new iPhone in exactly three weeks, on the 7th of August to be exact, during a keynote speech. 

Previously, there has been speculations that the release date will be earlier: from October to August. That said, one can say that Apple wants to react to the success of the Samsung Galaxy S3, which I think has received a good response from techies the world over.

What of its new features? Until now, everything remains a speculation. There are still no details about the specs, design or availability. There are rumors though about the new iPhone 5 having a larger 4-inch Retina display, NFC support and possess a Quad-Core processor. It is said that it will be the debut device for the next version of Apple's Operating System, the iOS6. 

I can't wait to learn the official specs but I guess I will have to wait until the 7th of August for it. I also have always wanted to get myself a smartphone. Maybe, if I wait long enough, I will get the one meant for me. As they always say, "good things come to those who wait...."

Tempting Offers from O2

Tweet

Hear ye, all gadget fans of Germany. O2 has a very tempting offer for Smartphones. There is an ongoing special promotion for smartphones. You can now own the latest Smartphone of your choice without having to pay the entire smartphone price. O2 I think is the first to offer Ratenzahlung, making smartphones now more affordable to ordinary people like me.

You can own an Apple iPhone 4S 16GB for instance at €27.50 monthly for 24-month installment or €55.00 monthly for 12-month installment. You only need to pay downpayment of €19 to get the unit.

Or the new Samsung Galaxy Note (which I have been eyeing for quite sometime now, thanks to the latest Korean Drama, Rooftop Prince) at €22.50 monthly for 24-month installment or €45.00 for 12-month installment, with a downpayment of only €1.00.

There is also the HTC One S at €25.00 monthly for 24-month installment of €50.00 for 12-month installment, with a downpayment of only €1.00.

You can find other smartphones on offer at the O2 website. These prices are without contracts. You can also choose from a variety of 24-month Postpaid plans. And for a limited time only, O2 is offering a 10% discount on the monthly tarif rates for the first 12 months of a 24-month contract and a free connection fee worth €29.99 for purchases made only until 27 June 2012.  Ain't it just great? I am even tempted to avail of this offer. So, should I still wait for my old cellphone to retire or should I go and get a new phone, a smartphone at that?

Light Luggage

Tweet

Yippeee!!! It's almost official. We are coming home to the Philippines in December. After five years of yearning to spend Christmas in our home country, we are finally spending it there this year. Almost official because we haven't booked our return flights yet but the husband's flight reservations are good to go.

Now all I need to do is make some preparations. I even have my own notebook for that list. The contents? That's a SECRET. But I really do need a light luggage, one that will not take a major fraction of our limited baggage allowance of 30 kilos (we are flying Economy after all).

I was at the luggage department of Galeria Kaufhof yesterday, albeit for a few minutes to have a quick look and found some really light luggage from Samsonite and Rimowa to name a few. There are even some items on sale. I guess I will have to start saving up for luggage since our old ones are quite heavy. I fear that since we will be going home in time for Christmas, I will need to pack up gifts for everyone!

Anyway, here are some of my finds:

Samsonite B-Lite Fresh Trolley: A softside luggage weighs 3.68 kilos and measures 47.5 x 30.5 x 79.0 cm. Comes in very trendy colors (electric blue, charcoal, lime green, raspberry and emerald green), is expandable, has 4 multidirectional wheels that allows for 360° rolling in multiple directions, for easy manoeuvrability. It also has a comfortable, push button wheel handle, an integrated top carry handle and side carry handle that combine extreme lightness with strength, a combi padlock with TSA function to keep your belongings secure and worry-free. The zippers, with discreet Samsonite logo, are angled for easier grip and can be locked using a separate padlock. There is also a large front zipped pocket to store personal belongings and accessories. The interior divider pad is of mesh material for easy and organised packing in the top compartment. Ribbons are also provided in the bottom compartment, to secure packed items and reduce wrinkling. Price: €199.00 for a 111L B-Lite Fresh (from samsonite.de)

There is also the Cosmolite, Samsonite's lightest and strongest hardside luggage, thanks to the latest CURV technology but for double the price of the B-Lite Fresh.

Rimowa Salsa Air combines the casualness of soft luggage with the durability of hardsided cases and is 26% lighter than the Rimowa Salsa. It comes in four sizes and weighs between 1.9 - 3.7 kilos depending on the size. It is available in both two-wheel and multi-wheel cases. The cases are made from high-tech polycarbonate plastic, and available in fivecolors: Aquamarin, Ultra Violett, Inka Gold, Marineblau. It has durable aluminum telescopic handles. The interior cloth lining has securing straps. Also has a combination Rimowa TSA locks and comes with a 5 year guarantee. Price: €359.00 for a 92L Salsa Air (from kofferpoint.de)

 

Tungsten Rings For All Occasions

Tweet

Tungsten rings can be for an occasion. They used to only be used for a wedding or anniversary gift. Now these rings are being worn as promise rings, engagement rings, just about everything. There are a lot of people that love the fact that they can work with their hands all day without worrying about scratching their ring. So now there are more designs coming out for every occasion. There are even cufflinks, pendants and watches made out of tungsten. It is a great metal that is used for more than industrial tools.

If you can afford a precious metal you can look at the great selection of gold rings. Gold has been used for a very long time. There are many different types of gold. The three types most commonly used in jewelry is 10 karat, 14 karat, and 18 karat. 10 karat is the least pure and 18 karat is the most. 14 karat gold is 100 percent pure gold. The problem with 24 karat is that it is very soft. So it doesn’t hold up or wear very well.