You have decided to take the big step, make the plunge, pop the question and any other analogy you can think of to ask your significant other to marry you. Chances are if you are reading this then you some assistance and/or advice on buying the right diamond.
This will be one of the more emotional purchases you will ever make in your life. I know, I have been there. The key for me was doing my homework, setting a budget and sticking with it.
So the first piece of advice I can give is set a budget. Most diamond sellers, jewelery stores say to use a quarter of a year`s salary...or something along those lines. As a person who has made this purchase, set a price YOU feel comfortable with, not the jewelry stores.
The next thing you need to know are the four C`s. They are cut, clarity, color and carat. The color is a simple one. You want to get to as close to white as possible and as far as you can from yellow. The color scale is as follows, D,E,F are colorless, G,H,I,J are considered near colorless and K-M and N-Z which have noticeable color. Obviously the more white the diamond is the higher the cost will be.
The clarity represents the scale of imperfection a diamond might have. The scale ranges from `FL`,`IF` (flawless,internall flawless) to `I3` (included). The diamond should look clean to the eye, and have as little imperfections under a microscope as possible. The more clear the diamond is the more it will cost. The idea is to pick a diamond that is clear to the naked eye, it might have some imperfections that you need to see under a microscope, but this allows you to move down the clarity scale, reducing the cost, so you can use that money in your budget in either the size or the color.
The cut represents the shape of the diamond, and depending on whethere it is customized or not, it may drive up the cost. However if you go with one of the basic cuts, such as round, princess, oval or round, the cost should not increase by that much, if at all.
Finally, last but certainly not least, but last for a reason, the carat or the size of the diamond. All the four C`s figure into the cost of the diamond, however none figure more than its size. It goes without saying, that the larger the diamond the more it will cost.
You and only you alone can make the determination of where your diamond budget will be spent. If size matters (no jokes here please), then you will need sacrifice some color and clarity if you need to fit it within your budget. If size isn`t important but the clearness and the radiance of the diamond as it shines off the lights is more important, then you can sacrifice the size and look for a diamond higher on the clarity and color scales. Good luck in your purchase, and for your future.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Important international festivals in Poland
Probably thanks to them Poland hotels have so much visitors who are taking Poland tours just to see this beautiful country with its best cultural events (and take a chance to have cheap holiday to Poland). These are the most important three festivals.
One of the oldest is Wratislavia Cantans, an international music and fine arts festival organized in Wroclaw since 1966. It's creator was a conductor, director of Philharmonic and composer Andrzej Markowski. Thanks to this excellent artist Wroclaw might see live performances of numerous masterpieces of oratorio music by Monteverdi, Bach, Händel and others. His successors (Tadeusz Strugala, Lidia Geringer d'Oedenberg and Andrzej Kosendiak) first extended festivals' formula, including chamber concerts, recitals and the visual art presentations ballet, opera in concert or film version and instrumental works, to back once again to vocal music. This festival takes place every Autumn. So if you are a connoisseurs of classical music, reserve yourself time in September, take one of cheap flights to Poland and book one of Wroclaw Hotels to see a new face of classical music.
In that seasson there is also a festival in capital of Poland. It's called 'Autumn Warsaw”. This annual event was founded in 1956 by two composers and dedicated to contemporary music. The aim of this festival, with long history and tradition, was and is to present new Polish and world music. Established in hard times of comunism was an island of creative freedom and art. It's formula was always based on ecltecticism in its positive meaning. You can find there not only musical radicalism, references to tradition, past and culture that it's connected with but also an audio-art or sound instalation. Nowadays there are books and musical records published after each edition.
Also a very important event is happening in Krakow: the Jewish Culture Festival. The First Festival took place in 1988 and it function as a field of dialogue between Jewish and Polish cultures. It was also a good occasion to talk about lost matter of Auschwitz and especially Auschwitz Concentration Camp back then. But next year brought a different adjustment and this festival became a place of meetings Jews and non-Jews from all over the world and sharing the living Jewish tradition. There are films, performances, presentations, and exhibitions to see. Presently there is also a possibility to participate in creating that tradition as there are organized workshops in Hasidic dance and song, Hebrew calligraphy, Jewish paper cutting and cooking. Every year is bringing more guests (Krakow apartments are almost full in June) interested in celebrating life, Jewish culture and trying to build. good relations.
One of the oldest is Wratislavia Cantans, an international music and fine arts festival organized in Wroclaw since 1966. It's creator was a conductor, director of Philharmonic and composer Andrzej Markowski. Thanks to this excellent artist Wroclaw might see live performances of numerous masterpieces of oratorio music by Monteverdi, Bach, Händel and others. His successors (Tadeusz Strugala, Lidia Geringer d'Oedenberg and Andrzej Kosendiak) first extended festivals' formula, including chamber concerts, recitals and the visual art presentations ballet, opera in concert or film version and instrumental works, to back once again to vocal music. This festival takes place every Autumn. So if you are a connoisseurs of classical music, reserve yourself time in September, take one of cheap flights to Poland and book one of Wroclaw Hotels to see a new face of classical music.
In that seasson there is also a festival in capital of Poland. It's called 'Autumn Warsaw”. This annual event was founded in 1956 by two composers and dedicated to contemporary music. The aim of this festival, with long history and tradition, was and is to present new Polish and world music. Established in hard times of comunism was an island of creative freedom and art. It's formula was always based on ecltecticism in its positive meaning. You can find there not only musical radicalism, references to tradition, past and culture that it's connected with but also an audio-art or sound instalation. Nowadays there are books and musical records published after each edition.
Also a very important event is happening in Krakow: the Jewish Culture Festival. The First Festival took place in 1988 and it function as a field of dialogue between Jewish and Polish cultures. It was also a good occasion to talk about lost matter of Auschwitz and especially Auschwitz Concentration Camp back then. But next year brought a different adjustment and this festival became a place of meetings Jews and non-Jews from all over the world and sharing the living Jewish tradition. There are films, performances, presentations, and exhibitions to see. Presently there is also a possibility to participate in creating that tradition as there are organized workshops in Hasidic dance and song, Hebrew calligraphy, Jewish paper cutting and cooking. Every year is bringing more guests (Krakow apartments are almost full in June) interested in celebrating life, Jewish culture and trying to build. good relations.
Knox County Gets Connected To Schools
In the past, some technological breakthroughs have been frowned at by the educational sector. Televisions, computer games, and music players like the iPod are considered distractions for students. But the advent of technology has made possible for parents to check on their children's performance in school making it easier for them to determine how to interact with their children.
In the past, parents are in the dark as to how their children are performing at school. They will only know what is going on at school if a teacher contacts them regarding the behavior of their child. This situation is not ideal since parents can do a lot to change the study habits of their children. By knowing how their kids are faring at school, they will be able to guide their children to study more.
Initially, electronic teachers grade books were made available to its consumers. These grade books though do not have the capability to publish grades on the World Wide Web. New generation of electronic grade books allow teachers to post grades on the Web making them accessible to parents.
In Knox County, Tennessee, parents are discovering the advantages of this technological breakthrough. From the comfort of their homes or offices, they can connect to the Internet and view updates on the grades of their children. The system in place in Knox County is called the Parent Portal and it is designed to cater to the needs of parents to be informed on the school activities of their children. This new technology not only allows parents to check their children's grades instantly but also pay for their children's lunch via PayPal. This will really be appreciated by parents who are always on the go and wants to be on top of their child's studies.
The system in place may be designed to help both parents and teachers but the newly installed technology proves to be something that parents and teachers need to get used to. Zdnet.com's Christopher Dawson underlines the reason why there is a minor hesitation non the part of teachers to use the technology saying that there is an "increased level of accountability and the timeliness required in terms of grading and maintaining a grade book." This though is only a minor setback as more and more school boards are requiring teachers to use this technology. This will make teachers focus more on keeping parents posted on what their children are doing at school and what homework may have been given to their child.
As for the advantages of the use of said technology, Gail Byard of Knox County Schools shared: "At my house, my 8th grader, we've certainly benefited from the information. Because we can go online together and monitor what the assignments have been, what grades he's earned and what's coming up. It's been very valuable."
More and more parents like Byard are discovering the advantages of the modern teachers grade books which replaces traditional paper grade books. Expect this technology to be used widely in the near future as more parents and teachers alike get used to it.
In the past, parents are in the dark as to how their children are performing at school. They will only know what is going on at school if a teacher contacts them regarding the behavior of their child. This situation is not ideal since parents can do a lot to change the study habits of their children. By knowing how their kids are faring at school, they will be able to guide their children to study more.
Initially, electronic teachers grade books were made available to its consumers. These grade books though do not have the capability to publish grades on the World Wide Web. New generation of electronic grade books allow teachers to post grades on the Web making them accessible to parents.
In Knox County, Tennessee, parents are discovering the advantages of this technological breakthrough. From the comfort of their homes or offices, they can connect to the Internet and view updates on the grades of their children. The system in place in Knox County is called the Parent Portal and it is designed to cater to the needs of parents to be informed on the school activities of their children. This new technology not only allows parents to check their children's grades instantly but also pay for their children's lunch via PayPal. This will really be appreciated by parents who are always on the go and wants to be on top of their child's studies.
The system in place may be designed to help both parents and teachers but the newly installed technology proves to be something that parents and teachers need to get used to. Zdnet.com's Christopher Dawson underlines the reason why there is a minor hesitation non the part of teachers to use the technology saying that there is an "increased level of accountability and the timeliness required in terms of grading and maintaining a grade book." This though is only a minor setback as more and more school boards are requiring teachers to use this technology. This will make teachers focus more on keeping parents posted on what their children are doing at school and what homework may have been given to their child.
As for the advantages of the use of said technology, Gail Byard of Knox County Schools shared: "At my house, my 8th grader, we've certainly benefited from the information. Because we can go online together and monitor what the assignments have been, what grades he's earned and what's coming up. It's been very valuable."
More and more parents like Byard are discovering the advantages of the modern teachers grade books which replaces traditional paper grade books. Expect this technology to be used widely in the near future as more parents and teachers alike get used to it.
Sagem Axium HD-L27 - Solid Performer and Good Value for Money
Purchasing a new TV today is an important decision. When you are spending the equivalent of what you used to spend taking the entire family on holiday several years ago it would be wise to ensure any decision made is a wise one.
Given the way technology changes it is essential to try and make sure that your purchase is relatively future-proof.
Television over the years has taken a great number of forms from the old days of analogue Black and White, through the launch of colour television to the latest technologies known as Digital Television (DTT). Other ways have been devised to receive digital television. Among the most familiar to people are digital cable and digital satellite. In some countries where transmissions of TV signals are normally achieved by microwaves, digital MMDS is used.
For the purposes of this article we want to take a look at purchasing a new Flat Screen Television and in this case the television in question is the Sagem Axium HD-L27.
The HD-L27 is a 27in LCD TV and the prices for these are around 1000 pounds sterling or 2000 US dollars. The resolution of the screen is 1280 x 768 and with regards to being HD Ready the answer is yes. The Sagem Axium has 3 (2 RGB) scarts and the type and number of Multimedia interfaces the HD-L27 uses is DVI and 1. The type of Tuner for this TV is Analogue and the Sagem Axium is available from limited outlets only.
All these points being taken into consideration, how would we view the Sagem Axium HD-L27?
The most obvious place to start with as far as TV's are concerned would be the picture quality and our score here would be 8 out of 10, next we would look at the sound quality and our view of this would be 6 out of 10. Taking a look at the number of relevant connections and their availability, our score would be 10 out of 10. With regards to the overall level of features, our view would be 8 out of 10 and for ease of use and overall value for money we would give it, 8 out of 10 and 8 out of 10 respectively.
The overall verdict would be This is a solid enough Flatscreen TV that comes HD ready and is great value for money. With a performance that would put to shame most of the more expensive offerings we get to play with, this TV from perhaps one of the less well known providers around gets our nod in the value for money and performance stakes. Definitely one not to be ashamed to be caught watching when the neighbours call round at Christmas!
With the wide range and variety of makes and models available for you to choose from it is unlikely that you will not find something to suite your taste or satisfy any budgetary constraints that you might have. The choice, as they say, is completely down to you to decide whether to stay at the forefront of what are rapidly changing technologies and fashion or to remain part of the safer but perhaps better developed mainstream. No matter what rout you take we hope that after reading this article you should be more informed as to the correct choice with which to take.
Please be aware that the prices quoted in this article are taken from a number of leading e-commerce websites and as such should be taken as guides and indications of prices rather than absolute quotes.
Given the way technology changes it is essential to try and make sure that your purchase is relatively future-proof.
Television over the years has taken a great number of forms from the old days of analogue Black and White, through the launch of colour television to the latest technologies known as Digital Television (DTT). Other ways have been devised to receive digital television. Among the most familiar to people are digital cable and digital satellite. In some countries where transmissions of TV signals are normally achieved by microwaves, digital MMDS is used.
For the purposes of this article we want to take a look at purchasing a new Flat Screen Television and in this case the television in question is the Sagem Axium HD-L27.
The HD-L27 is a 27in LCD TV and the prices for these are around 1000 pounds sterling or 2000 US dollars. The resolution of the screen is 1280 x 768 and with regards to being HD Ready the answer is yes. The Sagem Axium has 3 (2 RGB) scarts and the type and number of Multimedia interfaces the HD-L27 uses is DVI and 1. The type of Tuner for this TV is Analogue and the Sagem Axium is available from limited outlets only.
All these points being taken into consideration, how would we view the Sagem Axium HD-L27?
The most obvious place to start with as far as TV's are concerned would be the picture quality and our score here would be 8 out of 10, next we would look at the sound quality and our view of this would be 6 out of 10. Taking a look at the number of relevant connections and their availability, our score would be 10 out of 10. With regards to the overall level of features, our view would be 8 out of 10 and for ease of use and overall value for money we would give it, 8 out of 10 and 8 out of 10 respectively.
The overall verdict would be This is a solid enough Flatscreen TV that comes HD ready and is great value for money. With a performance that would put to shame most of the more expensive offerings we get to play with, this TV from perhaps one of the less well known providers around gets our nod in the value for money and performance stakes. Definitely one not to be ashamed to be caught watching when the neighbours call round at Christmas!
With the wide range and variety of makes and models available for you to choose from it is unlikely that you will not find something to suite your taste or satisfy any budgetary constraints that you might have. The choice, as they say, is completely down to you to decide whether to stay at the forefront of what are rapidly changing technologies and fashion or to remain part of the safer but perhaps better developed mainstream. No matter what rout you take we hope that after reading this article you should be more informed as to the correct choice with which to take.
Please be aware that the prices quoted in this article are taken from a number of leading e-commerce websites and as such should be taken as guides and indications of prices rather than absolute quotes.
Write the first letter to your future bride
If you follow our warning tips and instructions, based on many years of experience, you'll achieve success very soon.
Instructions.
• STEP 1: Be friendly and polite. You should use friendly and polite words in your letter because it's very important to show your respect to your Russian bride. You'd better don't use nicknames and phrases like: "Hey baby" or "My hot girl" in your very first introductory letter, it's better to make a pleasant compliment for her instead. Don't worry if you really like using these words you can do it a bit later. Just wait till lady opens up for you.
• STEP 2: Keep your tone upbeat. Your letter should reflect your great mood and optimism. If you tell your future bride about your difficulties, problems and complaints in your very first letter, it will definitely scare her away. Show her how happy and cheerful you are. You should understand that negativity is a major turnoff in your introduction letter. In the contrary, being positive is like a magnet. This is the example how one man began his letter: "To be quite honest, I have been putting this off as long as possible. I have friends who use dating web-sites and have had some terrible dates." This begs to ask, "what are you doing here?" And compare that with this introductory letter: "I've heard online dating is a great way to meet awesome people and that's why I want to meet you." Which one of these letter intros is more attractive? The one who wants to date "losers" or the one that wants to date "winners"? Psychologically everyone wants to be a winner. Consequently in yourvery first letter, avoid everything negative. Be positive.
• STEP 3: Share information about yourself that you think others will find interesting. Check her profile, find out about her hobbies and interests. Just imagine how it will be great if she finds out that you have so much in common.
• STEP 4: Tell the person who you are and what you are about. It will be better if you don't speak about your disadvantages in your introduction letter. In the contrary you could tell her only good things about yourself, but it's utter important to know where to stop, or else your story will look like a boasting and this won't bring positive results. Here are some phrases that will help you to describe you in a best way:
- My best friend describes me as...
- I'm happiest when I'm...
- Here's what you'd find if you looked around my place...
- A great day in my life would include...
- The last great book I read was...
- The last great movie I saw in a cinema was...
- My favorite season is...
- The color I wear most is...
- If you asked me what I'm wearing, I'd say...
- My favorite on-screen love scene is...
- The music that moves me most is...
- This morning in my car I was listening to...
- Last Saturday night I...
- The last vacation I went on was...
- The most adventurous thing I've ever done was...
- I'm happiest when I'm with someone who...
• STEP 5: Include information about your age, education and career. In accordance with statistics these three things are the most important to learn about for 80 % of ladies.
• STEP 6: You can tell about pets, favourite books, hobbies, children or anything else that might reveal a shared interest with in your new friend.
• STEP 7: Don't talk about some debatable topics. Not in a first letter. Debates and argues can be a very interesting thing to share in your letters, but only if you've already become closer to each other.
• STEP 8: Try not to overload the reader with too much information. Revealing a little bit at a time will pique the reader's interest. Remember that there must be a little secret not only in a lady but in a man as well. You'll reach great results if you make your lady wait for the next chapter of your story impatiently.
• STEP 9: Ask your future bride questions so she can respond. If you speak only about yourself in your letter this won't help you at all. Remember that it's so important to have a dialog instead of monologue.
• STEP 10: Let your personality show by your choice of words and the descriptions you use.
Tips & Warnings.
• Remember not to share too much too soon. You should wait until she knows you before you reveal your family secrets and problems.
• Use careful judgment when deciding how much information to share with a stranger. Always be cautious when it comes to revealing personal information.
Instructions.
• STEP 1: Be friendly and polite. You should use friendly and polite words in your letter because it's very important to show your respect to your Russian bride. You'd better don't use nicknames and phrases like: "Hey baby" or "My hot girl" in your very first introductory letter, it's better to make a pleasant compliment for her instead. Don't worry if you really like using these words you can do it a bit later. Just wait till lady opens up for you.
• STEP 2: Keep your tone upbeat. Your letter should reflect your great mood and optimism. If you tell your future bride about your difficulties, problems and complaints in your very first letter, it will definitely scare her away. Show her how happy and cheerful you are. You should understand that negativity is a major turnoff in your introduction letter. In the contrary, being positive is like a magnet. This is the example how one man began his letter: "To be quite honest, I have been putting this off as long as possible. I have friends who use dating web-sites and have had some terrible dates." This begs to ask, "what are you doing here?" And compare that with this introductory letter: "I've heard online dating is a great way to meet awesome people and that's why I want to meet you." Which one of these letter intros is more attractive? The one who wants to date "losers" or the one that wants to date "winners"? Psychologically everyone wants to be a winner. Consequently in yourvery first letter, avoid everything negative. Be positive.
• STEP 3: Share information about yourself that you think others will find interesting. Check her profile, find out about her hobbies and interests. Just imagine how it will be great if she finds out that you have so much in common.
• STEP 4: Tell the person who you are and what you are about. It will be better if you don't speak about your disadvantages in your introduction letter. In the contrary you could tell her only good things about yourself, but it's utter important to know where to stop, or else your story will look like a boasting and this won't bring positive results. Here are some phrases that will help you to describe you in a best way:
- My best friend describes me as...
- I'm happiest when I'm...
- Here's what you'd find if you looked around my place...
- A great day in my life would include...
- The last great book I read was...
- The last great movie I saw in a cinema was...
- My favorite season is...
- The color I wear most is...
- If you asked me what I'm wearing, I'd say...
- My favorite on-screen love scene is...
- The music that moves me most is...
- This morning in my car I was listening to...
- Last Saturday night I...
- The last vacation I went on was...
- The most adventurous thing I've ever done was...
- I'm happiest when I'm with someone who...
• STEP 5: Include information about your age, education and career. In accordance with statistics these three things are the most important to learn about for 80 % of ladies.
• STEP 6: You can tell about pets, favourite books, hobbies, children or anything else that might reveal a shared interest with in your new friend.
• STEP 7: Don't talk about some debatable topics. Not in a first letter. Debates and argues can be a very interesting thing to share in your letters, but only if you've already become closer to each other.
• STEP 8: Try not to overload the reader with too much information. Revealing a little bit at a time will pique the reader's interest. Remember that there must be a little secret not only in a lady but in a man as well. You'll reach great results if you make your lady wait for the next chapter of your story impatiently.
• STEP 9: Ask your future bride questions so she can respond. If you speak only about yourself in your letter this won't help you at all. Remember that it's so important to have a dialog instead of monologue.
• STEP 10: Let your personality show by your choice of words and the descriptions you use.
Tips & Warnings.
• Remember not to share too much too soon. You should wait until she knows you before you reveal your family secrets and problems.
• Use careful judgment when deciding how much information to share with a stranger. Always be cautious when it comes to revealing personal information.
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