Professional Practice for Writing a Business Plan

In this plan the subject to describe is a business prospectus. This information provides the relevant external and internal elements required in starting a new business. The business plan is a personal expression of what he or she believes the firm is about and how they hope it will grow. Remember it is not a guarantee of success, but it forces the business owner to think the process through.

In the business plan the individual will need the following:

#1 Mission Statement: 20 word goal for the individual to follow.

#2 Business Summary: Type of business, location, and expertise in running the business. Fictitious Business Name/DBA (Doing Business As)
· Find in the local community what is required to open a Fictitious Business name.
· List requirements that the business owner must meet to obtain the fictitious business name
· List how to obtain a Domain name for the business and the website
· Include forms required

#3 Market Research: Where did you obtain your information regarding the business, knowledge about the competition, existing sales for this kind of business in the community, the industry and local trends that may affect the success of the projected business.
· Contact the banking institution of your choice and obtain the requirement needed to open a business account
· Contact your local government offices and enquire about a business license in that community.
Include forms required

#4 Marketing Plan: What portions of the market will the business plan address, a month-to-month marketing calendar, and how will services and products be priced?
Include forms required

#5 Operational Plan: Provide the organizational structure of the Business, analyze hiring of personnel and job descriptions, how will records be kept, employee benefits, project dealings with suppliers, delivery people and subcontractors, project personnel needs.
· Application for a resale license (State of California)
· What requirements will the business owner need to obtain a Resale license?
· How does it Work?
Include forms required

#6 Financial Information: Initial Capital and first year estimates for keeping the business operating, detail how monies will be spent, accounting practices used for the business, an annual income statement, explain how the projections were executed, any additional information required of a corporation.
Include forms required 

#7 Business Plan Binder: Include the six categories in your binder Design a cover letter for your Business Plan Binder. Design your business card, company name/Logo and letterhead.

Present the Business Plan on plain 8 1/2" x 11" pages. Each of the written pages should be typewritten. A cover sheet should contain your name, address, telephone number, and the date. Place this work in a binder for protection and presentation purposes.

The purpose of this Business Plan is to make any entrepreneur aware of the type of business he or she will be entering. Establish certain criteria through which to make these choices. The objectives of this business plan are to demonstrate and engage the individual in the development of the thought process by which choices made will create a successful business.

Patrick Tremblay

Virtues of the Samurai Code

Virtues of the Samurai Code

There are 10 virtues of the samurai that make up a code of behavior. This code was called the Bushido Code of the samurai and was influenced by the religion of Zen Buddhism and the works from Confucius.

The code of the Japanese Samurai stems from a 1,000-year-old belief called the bushido code. Passed down through generations of noblemen, this code is practiced today in modern times. The nobles of the samurai class would view the bushido code as a mixture of fierce behavior with a lace of spiritual serenity through teachings of Zen Buddhism and Confucianism.  The bushido code would combine martial arts mastery with loyalty, honor, frugality, and the fundamental, or distinctive character of a social complexity. This stressed from an expressed attitude of habits and beliefs. This cherished culture of the bushido code is in today’s Japanese society.

The humble beginning of the bushido code goes farther back in history than the time they were written down by Yamagei Yoko, a 1685 scholar in Japan.  Before the codes became a codified collection of laws, the bushido codes were dictums handed down traditionally to families of well-known warriors and to others of the warrior class.  When Yamagei Yoko created the way of the samurai, he offered the 10 virtues as principles used as a guide for people to use them in his or her daily lives. 

The 10 Principles of Bushido

1. Loyalty or Chugi in the Japanese language is the foundation of the samurai. Samurai are loyal to their Daimyo or overload only and swear loyalty to no other person.  Samurai never had to explain their actions to anyone except his overlord and lived by a different set of rules than other populace in Japan. 
2. Honor translated to Meiyo is the way of samurai’s word. When a samurai was dishonored, he was expected to gain his honor back by committing seppuku, which is a way of suicide. This ritual suicide is achieved by having a public viewing of the samurai slicing his midsection open and letting his innards drain from his body. This is the ultimate illustration of devotion to the bushido code.
3. Bravery or Yu is the absence of fear in the line of battle. In history, self-sacrifice was not unheard of for the samurai. The samurai put his personal needs last and would consider the group before individual gain. This act was not unheard of for the samurai to sacrifice himself if he thought it would make a difference for his clan or the success of the battle.
4. The respect or Rei is gained by bravery and the intense respect for tradition is established by the order of things. One leniency was the right to execute whoever did not show respect to the samurai class. Anyone failing to show respect was executed on the spot even if it were because the commoner didn’t bow to the samurai in their presence.
5. Compassion, the jin of the samurai is the combination of spirituality and bushido. The spirituality of the Zen teachings by Confucius dictates that no individual is perceived more important than another.  The compassion exhibited to others in ancient history was expected of everyone even the strongest samurai.
6. Makoto or honesty comes from the samurai’s word. This verbal bond was never artificial and if it were a dishonest act the samurai would be stripped of his status as a warrior or worse removed from service to his lord.  This disgrace was too serious of a risk to gamble. Dishonesty could end in possible death by seppuku or the cast-out individual would wander with no status and rank.
7. Gi was the samurai’s morality and goodness.  A samurai would sooner die a gruesome death than to be immoral. Humility is still highly ranked as a samurai trait in the Asian culture. This strong moral character would be portrayed in actions as well as words in judgment.
8. Self-awareness or Chi is the wisdom to see the ability of one’s-self and to understand solutions to the samurai’s personal dilemmas.  Chi is a clear perception of insight.
9. Reverence is the Ko the samurai had toward his parents. The love and respect of the samurai’s parents and ancestors was unwavering. Many times the samurai would support his parents by providing a residence in his home for them.
10. Caring for the elderly did not stop at the samurai’s parents. The tei or caring for the elderly was believed to be an honor.  The samurai believed that this act of respect and caring was the ultimate reward in life, and this virtue of the bushido code was just as important as the other nine virtues.

The way of the warrior has been followed for generations and is still followed today.  This bushido code is the way of the samurai and is an act of character through chivalry.  Life lessons can be either black and white, but this simple code can be followed where the balance will prevail.  As mentioned earlier, the samurai’s codes of virtues stress loyalty, frugality, honor, mastery of the martial arts, and humility until death. These influences are tempered by wisdom and can create a harmonious existence in today’s society.  Learning this philosophy can assist one in gaining principles of the samurai by using this unwritten and unuttered behavior in an everyday routine.  Only by routine will the individual find peace and tranquility in life.

Patrick Tremblay

Daily Exercise Program

This “Old School” exercise program was developed years ago in High School to help with flexibility and strength training. When I developed this, I didn’t have access to the internet or any other type of search engine other than the library. I still use these techniques today as I am older and need more flexibility than I did 30 years ago. I feel better and I have more energy throughout the day.  I hope this program helps the reader as much as it does for me.

Ÿ  Standing straight, roll your head front and back side to side 20 times each

Ÿ  Lift and roll your shoulders frontward and backward 30 times

Ÿ  Standing, lift each leg to your chest 20 times

Ÿ  One arm on wall; place your other hand on your waist, lean with your waist to wall both sides 30 times

Ÿ  One arm on wall; lift your other arm over your head both sides 30 times

Ÿ  Reach down and touch your toes holding it for one minute, relaxing your legs and back

Ÿ  20 horse stance twists; both arms extended or lead with your elbows

Ÿ  On the floor, do 30 leg lifts both sides; leaning your weight slightly forward with your legs straight, lift as high as you can for burn.

Ÿ  On the floor, do 30 leg lifts both sides; leaning your weight slightly backwards

(With Bottom leg bent and your head resting on your hand)

Ÿ  Lay on your stomach and do 50 leg lifts both sides, lift as high as you can

Ÿ  Roll over on your back (hands under your bottom) and do a scissor kick 20 times each side

Ÿ  On your back, place both hands under your bottom; lift both legs together 40 times. Exhale slowly as you lower your legs

Ÿ  Cross your hands on your chest and do 50 sit-ups or crunches. I will wrap my arms around my knees and roll back and forth to naturally align my spine; plus it feels good

Ÿ  Put your hands on your ears and do cross sit-ups (DON’T PULL ON YOUR NECK). Each time you do a crunch, cross your elbow over to the opposite knee

Ÿ  Roll over to your stomach and get into push up position. With your arms, stretch your stomach by lifting your weight up through your shoulders and arms while looking up for 30 seconds

Ÿ  Do 50 push-ups shoulder width (work on this until you can get up to 100)

Ÿ  Do 50 push-ups wide width (work on this until you can get up to 100)

Ÿ  Stand up and flex your chest. Breathe in and out filling up your lungs several times to oxygenate your blood.

Ÿ  Take a walk or run at least 3 times a week.

Ÿ  Eat five small portions and drink lots of fluids throughout the day

I am not a trainer or workout expert in any way, and if you choose to do these, you might want to consult your physician before you begin. I like this program because it works for me.

Enjoy a healthy and happy life

Example of a GREAT Golf Swing (Hayden Tremblay)

Amazing Chocolate Almond Biscotti

The most delicious part of drinking a nice cup of coffee is something to nibble on. What better to nibble on than a delectable treat like Biscotti.

A Chocolate Almond Biscotti sets off any cup of coffee whether it is an espresso, a Cappuccino, or a plain cup of rich flavored coffee like an Americano. The crunchy cookie with a nutty surprise teaming with soft chocolate just makes it a “feel-good” snack in the afternoon or anytime. Following this sweet indulgence can only seem better by eating another. The goodness of the sweet chocolate can set off this twice baked cookie by turning a mild delicacy into a mouthwatering treat. This Traditional Italian Cookie is available on the web, in various cookbooks, and in all the major grocery stores.

For those that want to try their hand on making a delightful treat, this simple recipe is easy to follow with clear directions, fresh ingredients, and a memorable product. With any cookie recipe, it takes time to construct until the cook has mastered the process. Then it will become easier with time to assemble this delicious cookie. With this traditional dessert the cook will want to make this cookie as a snack for family and friends. The cook can serve this cookie with a variety of accompanying hot drinks, but the very best drinks to enjoy with biscotti are freshly brewed coffee or an icy cold glass of milk.

Chocolate Almond Biscotti Recipe

Ingredients for Preparation

1 ¼ cup sugar
1 cup shortening, butter flavored
2 large eggs, slightly beaten
¼ cup light corn syrup*
1 tablespoon almond extract
3 cups All-purpose flour
¾ teaspoons baking powder
¾ baking soda
½ teaspoon sea salt
1 cup sliced almonds
8 oz. White baking chips*

Easy to Follow Directions

Combine the sugar and shortening into a large bowl, and then beat at a medium speed of an electric mixer until blended. The cook can add the eggs, light corn syrup, and almond extract. Beat until blended thoroughly to a fluffy consistency.

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. The cook will then add this dry mix gradually to the shortening mixture at a low speed until well blended. Then stir in the almonds until incorporated into the dough.

Divide the dough in half, and on a lightly floured surface, shape each half of the dough into a log approximately 2 1/2 inches wide, 1-inch high and 8-inches long.

Place on ungreased baking sheets, and chill for 30 minutes.
In the interim heat the oven to 350º

Bake the logs for 22 minutes, and then remove baking sheets from the oven. Cool for 10 minutes on the baking sheets. With a serrated bread knife, cut diagonally into 1-inch wide slices. Carefully place the cookies on their sides 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Bake the cookies an additional 10 minutes, and then cool 2 minutes on the baking sheet. Remove the cookies to racks to allow a complete cooling of the biscotti.

Place white baking chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on Medium (50% power) for 45-60 seconds. Stir and repeat at 30 second intervals until melted. Place biscotti on sheets of parchment paper
Scoop the melted white baking chips into a piping bag and tighten the bag properly. Drizzle in sweeping motions over the biscotti. The cook can also dip a fork into the melted baking chips, and with the same sweeping motion, drizzle across the biscotti. Let stand on the parchment paper until drizzle has completely set

*Tips for the Cook

The cook can substitute a maple syrup or natural agave nectar syrup in place of the light corn syrup if the cook is looking for a healthier version.

White baking chips are usually almond bark. The cook can substitute the almond bark for chocolate bark. For a healthier choice the cook can use vegan chocolate chips for the biscotti topping. The cook may have better luck with a double-boiler if they are more familiar with this process of melting chocolate.

This cookie recipe takes approximately 20 minutes of time to prepare. The cooking time will fluctuate because of various oven types, but the average cook time is 32-34 minutes. This recipe will yield 25 cookies but can stretch to 30. This is an easy and delicious treat to have for snack but also it can fit in as a delightful dessert for after dinner. This cookie is a nice tradition for cookie lovers and everyone should experience the fun it takes to make such an authentic and scrumptious cookie.

Patrick Tremblay

Visiting the City of Luquillo

Luquillo is the forgotten city that still offers many attractions to cherish, from beaches to a historical site of one of the world's largest rain forests.

Luquillo is one of the most historical locations in Puerto Rico. "La Capital del Sol" (sun capital) is the name Luquillo has known since 1797 when Luquillo was founded by Cristóbal Guzmán. With a small population, approximately 19,573, the people in this vibrant center of history and culture are very friendly and offer a real presence. Luquillo has amazing beaches right off of the coastal highway 93. The beautiful Luquillo Beach is brimming with magnificent coconut palms for shade and more than a mile in fine sand of shimmering white. The visitors can enjoy Luquillo Beach with it's warm and clear blue water lapping on the shores rhythmically. Luquillo, Puerto Rico is the ideal location for getting away by surfing, hiking, and fishing off of the coast for some authentic meals and culture.

History in Luquillo

At certain times of the year in the evenings Leather Backed Turtles can be found migrating off of the shores where they make an appearance in various times of the season. If lucky, the “luquillenses” or local residents, along with the tourist population, can enjoy this majestic creature known as the Leather backed turtles. The local wildlife societies will post or advertise when there will be a seasonal migration for viewing.

One well known luquillenses is sculptor Tomas Batista who is famous for his many sculptures of local farmers and historical Puerto Rican monuments. Tomas Batista unveiled the monument of the Cacique Loquilla, one of the famous Taíno chiefs of the island, which is located in his hometown of Luquillo. There are many cities in Puerto Rico that tourists can visit where they will find these beautiful Tomas Bastista renditions from agricultural and historical times.

Historical Attractions and Locations

There is a quaint square in the center of Luquillo a walking distance from the beach and the main highway. The square has every amenity to offer such as a small market, bakery, post office, fishmonger, city hall, police station, and a beautiful church. The church has an English and Spanish service, but what is amazing is the entire church is filled with hand-carved woodwork, furniture, and sculpted statues. The carved artwork and furniture tell a story of the culture and history of the city of Luquillo. The many pieces of work are ornately covered with seascapes and creatures indigenous to the waters, pelicans and tropical scenes of the forest with many coconut and palm trees as well as the surrounding beaches.

Luquillo is too far away to take a bus from the airport so the tourist will need to rent a vehicle for ease of travel. City bus-lines are available in some areas, but it is better to have a vehicle as it is beneficial to travel freely from the different locations available to tour. If the tourist drives East on the Coastal Highway from the San Juan Airport, they will soon reach El Yunque National Forest. This Caribbean National Forest has a total area of 28,000 acres with multiple types of trees such as Coconut Palms, Bamboo, Giant Ferns, Trumpet Trees, and Wild Orchids. The forest offers hiking trails and delectable treats from many food vendors located conveniently along the road. El Portal Tropical Forest Visitor’s center has historical exhibits and films to display interactive and cultural events.

Luquillo, Puerto Rico is one of the hidden treasures of the island. The city is a perfect location for visitors who are interested in visiting the beach and historical areas without the high cost of the popular cities. It is very easy to research Vacation Rentals that can accommodate the visitors needs in Luquillo. Luquillo is one hour away from El Morro Fortress in San Juan, two hours away from Porta Coeli in San German, and three hours away from the famous Plazas and Parque de Bombas or Painted Firehouse in Ponce. Whatever the attraction is for the visitor, they cannot go wrong by visiting Luquillo, Puerto Rico’s secluded vacation spot.

The tourist can visit the Hacienda Carabalí, a 600 acre ranch located at the foothills of El Yungue, by mounting a Paso Fino Horse and ride into the rainforest in this two-hour scenic tour. The elegant Fino horses are well trained and know the road, but a guide will always join the tour. The tourist can ask for an English or Spanish tour, and the tour will end in a refreshing swim in the Mameyes River. The hacienda offers different kinds of tours to enjoy, including an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) or a Mountain bike tour for those that enjoy the Caribbean sunshine and the peaceful scenery of the lush rain forest.

One such attraction is the history of the Amazona Vittata, the Puerto Rican Green Parrot. The Puerto Rican Green Parrot is a species in danger of extinction as they number less than 100 in population because of Hurricanes Hugo in 1989 and Luis in 1995. The species, which is common to Puerto Rico, was at one time widely distributed geographically throughout Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rican Green Parrot is limited to El Yungue National Forest and there are honoring sculptures of these beautiful parrots throughout the city of Luquillo.

Patrick Tremblay

The History of Hungarian and Polish Ethnic Fashions

Fashions have meaning for children of Hungarian and Polish descent. Studying history, the art of textiles and understanding political views provide answers

Looking into the history of ethnic fashions particularly of Hungarian and Polish tradition, one must look into the purpose of their ancestor’s fashion statements. When determining Hungarian fashions, historians have interest in knowing why the women folk expressed their political sentiments in clothing and home textiles. The suppression of the Hungarians began in the sixteenth century by the Austrian Habsburgs. The Habsburg was a member of a Royal German family, famous between the thirteenth and twentieth centuries in Europe. This included rulers of Austrian-Hungary, the Roman Empire, and Spain. Austria’s dominance in an armed rebellion was not well accepted and the Hungarian upper-classes had little in ways to display its discontent without repercussion.

Because the ruling faction had malcontent for Hungary, the king’s anti-Hungarian stance inspired a cultural revival. This revival became a form of Hungarian opposition to appear at patrician social gatherings wearing “Hungarian” dress. This campaign against the Austrian fashion did not sit well with the ruler of Austria, Joseph II. Instead of the traditional uniform of the Austrian regime, the Hungarian fashion was a more common style. This style consisted of a close-fitting, often laced to the top bodice worn over a delicately made cotton shirt, a laced apron, and a skirt embellished with decorative embroidery. To top the fashion statement the women-folk had a headdress of humble Hungarian design.

Passion for Reform in King Joseph II

Joseph II had fanaticism to change everything by force. His reform for a new lifestyle on his subjects was met with a bitter resistance in Hungary and the Austrian Netherlands. These countries were strong in tradition and the Austrian Government was preventing the country of Hungary from developing its own industry. This act was meant to keep the Hungarians in a base economy of agriculture alone.

Around the year 1840, there were attempts in producing an industry in Hungarian textiles. This allowed women of the Hungarian aristocracy and middle-class to wear dresses of domestic textiles. These fabrics were typically blue and adorned with white dots. Many European noblewomen wore dresses to charity balls made from this fabric. To embellish this style the countesses added a lapel pin decorated with a rosette made from the nations colors.

Eight years later, the Hungarians revolted against the Habsburg, forcing the emperor to accept some of Hungary’s demands. To honor their triumph, the Hungarian soldiers and women wore the Hungarian tri-color emblem on their hats and bonnets of red, white, and green. Another celebrated style was the unmarried young ladies would wear an embroidery-beaded headdress. Sadly, the victory had a short life as the revolt ended because of a Russian Czar's aid to Austria. After the collapse of the Hungarian Government, the women began to wear kerchiefs with the domestic blue and white or black textile, a specific design, to show they mourned their lost leader, Louis Kossuth.

Some inert or passive resistance was in forms of sewn mementoes of the 1848 revolution into clothes. This memento would have been a piece of the flag or a badge that could be worn by the women. The women wore minted coins from the year of the revolution made into necklaces and bracelets. Many times the fashions and colors would embody the tri-colors of Hungary.

The revival of colorful and regional costumes, were observed in the mid-nineteenth century. The costume’s popularity was established by the social and economic factors. With this Polish women wore intricately embroidered shirts. These shirts were fastened at the neck with ribbons of many colors. The women wore flower-patterned skirts in layers. Sometimes skirts were worn in two or three layers to give them a plump figure. They wore linen or tulle aprons with cloth, or velvet corsets. These corsets were decorated with embroidery or sequins. On the shoulders of a woman she wore kerchiefs checkered or patterned in an Oriental theme.

At the turn the nineteenth century, Poland's ally was Napoleon's France. The Polish legions were set up in Italy to support Napoleon in his war on Austria. Napoleon defeated Austria, Prussia, and Russia in the battle. With the Napoleonic Code in place, a Polish government was formed and the peasants were given personal freedoms. With these freedoms came the rights to wear what they pleased, even with prevailingly paltry means.

The Polish men would wear jerkins or kaftans, a wide trouser of white cloth with red or blue stripes. They would wear auburn coats handsomely adorned with trimmings and fringes or chwasty (a form of weed). They would wear broad leather belts to look imposing, usually studded with nails and decorative pouches adorned with beading. Another part of the dress was a rogatywka, which is a cloth cap adorned with a peacock's feather. If not, the Polish man would wear a magierka, which is a woolen cap. This was by far the most popular head gear used by Polish men.

With an understanding of the nineteenth century’s Hungarian and Polish ethnic attire, the reasoning behind the styles and designs are easier to define. Now that the political views clearly answer the questions of a country’s culture, descendants can now see these trends of fashion as a birth of Hungarian and Polish history of textile design and fashion.

Patrick Tremblay

Reading With Phonics

Teaching phonics can be easy if the reader follows these basic methods of teaching names and sounds of letters and how words are created systematically.

Without the practice of phonics, readers would never learn how to spell words or read books. Phonics is a system of teaching children how to learn to spell and “sound out” words by patterns of letters. Looking back at how the reader learned their phonics, one may remember being in pre-school or kindergarten and learning phonics from a parent or a teacher. Readers should remember that some of the first exercises in learning phonics is spelling out their name and small first-time-reader words.

These exercises include consonant letter sounds, short vowel sounds, and blending methods. As the exercises increase in difficulty, the youth starts to learn families of letter digraph sounds, which help the child, learn to spell larger words and read more advanced books. Next are double vowel sounds, the "silent e," and "R" controlled vowel sounds. These methods are in order as they should be taught in a preschool or kindergarten setting.

Phonetic Guidelines to Follow

Students are taught how to "sound out" new words by learning the following items:

This series of phonics are what children should memorize and apply in reading. The rules of the "silent e" for instance, are taught to children, and then they can apply these rules in reading word sentences with the "silent e." The child can practice this rule by doing skill worksheets highlighting the "silent e" rule. At this point, children are learning letter sounds at a routine level. When children see these letters, they should be able to see and say the "silent e" sound instantly.

consonant letters sounds: b, c, d, f, g, h, j, k, l, m, n, p, q, r, s, t, v, w, x, y, z

short vowel sounds: a, e, i, o, u

teach short vowel sounds first: a – alligator, e – envelope, i – iguana, o – octopus, u – umbrella

blending sounds: br, cr, dr, fr, gr, pr, tr, wr, bl, cl, fl, gl, pl, sl, scr, str, sm, sn, sp, sc, sk

digraph sounds: sh, ch, th, and wh. Two combined letters making a completely different sound.

double vowel sounds: ai, ea, ee, oa. The first vowel says its name.

extra double vowel sounds: oi, oo, ou, ow

"silent e" is dominant; it doesn't say anything but makes the vowel before the "e" say its own name. An example of that rule is cake.

r-controlled vowel sounds: ar, er, ir, and ur. Notice that er, ir,and ur make the same sound.

Reading materials keep evolving since the days of Dick and Jane books because children keep evolving through the inundation of cultural advancements from games, television, and brand advertising. The phonics rule does not have to be an artificial environment to help the student learn his or her phonics. New learning resources have made a difference in helping the population in fooling the phonetic rule.

Educators Learn New Methods

Educators are learning to apply two new methods in teaching the phonetic rule. The two rules are teaching the basic rules only and introduce phonics in a more updated branding.

Phonics should be taught in a way that allows the student to relate more easily with the material. Children should practice phonetic information in genuine stories of current culture and social settings. In a way, children should learn the same way that was introduced many years ago from the science research associates (SRA) reading system but in a more current way. Every time a child is taught a phonetic rule, he or she should review a short reading selection that stresses the new phonetic rule. Completing a worksheet or finding a learning game, that shows illustrations of the rules, is best in helping the child to practice applying the phonetic skill.

When students struggle in reading, the most important phonetic rules should be taught in the simplest way. An example of this new rule is teaching the vowel sounds; it is better to teach the short vowels first, before introducing the long vowels. It would be easier for the instructor to explain to the students that the long vowel says its own name when it comes up in writing later. If students run into the long vowel on their own, they will better remember the difference between the long and the short vowel when the rules have been taught separately.

Children cannot learn to read without the knowledge of phonics. The phonetic base is a foundation for successful reading. As an educator, and as a parent, finding the proper learning tools, that seem fun, will assist the child in becoming a successful reader. The phonics the child knows will help him or her grow in confidence and educational knowledge. By making phonetic learning fun, children will advance freely as he or she shows more interest in the materials provided through new formats.

Patrick Tremblay

10 Steps to Staging Your Home Successfully

Staging successfully is a process of using a detailed checklist on ways that the homeowner can prepare their home before placing it on the market to sell.

When home staging is being done by the homeowner or a professional stager, there are 10 steps that can yield a timely and profitable sale. Dividing the steps into four stages: making a good first impression, presenting each room well, removing clutter and cleaning, and attending to details during the home is being shown. These steps are the key issues that real estate agents have observed from various buyers as they look for their new home.

How to Make a Good First Impression with Home Staging

• Create a good first impression by cleaning the entry and making sure the front of the home is appealing to the eye. The homeowner should change or brighten the address numbers, manage any unwanted webs or debris, pay close attention to the front door's appearance, and make sure to mow and trim the front yard to enhance the curb appeal.
• The homeowner should make the entry and living room welcoming by removing any shoes and toys strewn on the floor. The homeowner should add a nice bouquet of flowers and make sure the lights are on to welcome the guests. Vacuum the floors and sweep. Fluff up any pillows and make sure the area is clean and clutter-free.

Presenting Rooms When Selling a Home

• Kitchen: Create a spotless kitchen by clearing off any appliances and making sure the counters are clean; washing the dishes and making sure they are put away. The homeowner can wipe off fingerprints and water spots from stainless steel and have a nice bowl of citrus to accent the room.
• The master bedroom and bathroom: Turn the master suite into a sanctuary or a place of peace and tranquility. The homeowner should make sure it is clutter-free, painted if need be, and with a nice set of bedding and pillows to show off the bed, which is usually the focal point of the room. By making the bedroom shine, the seller makes the buyer feel more comfortable about the potential space. Because the master bath is an attachment to the master bedroom, by adding a nice set of towels in the master bath along with some specialty salts, with this the homeowner can impress the buyer. The homeowner may want to clean up the closet and reduce the contents to show the storage space better.
• Present an exceptionally clean and fresh bathroom, by washing everything with a nice disinfectant cleaner, check and repair the shower stall for spots or mold. Clean the areas well and again change the towels, repair or replace the towel rods, replace the bar of soap or fill the soap bottle and have all of the toiletries put away and out of sight.

Maintain The Home During Home Staging.

• Tidy all closets by clearing out the closet and pack away excess belongings. The homeowner can enlarge the closet by leaving 10% of the contents in the space. The homeowner should allow the closet floor to be empty as well as clean, and they should consider freshly painted walls and scuff marks repaired. This way the buyer or client remembers a large and clean closet space.
• Brighten the walls if need be, add a nice neutral color to the walls and make sure that any wild colors are minimal. The homeowner must make sure any unsightly areas are clean and freshly painted to show off the home in a pristine manner. The homeowner ought to use the appropriate sheens for every space, and try to eliminate any outdated and worn-out wallpaper.
• Reduce clutter to a minimum, the most important aspect of staging the home is by reducing any clutter that may be unsightly. The homeowner should make sure to pack everything up not being used and store it cleanly in the garage. Buyers want to envision their own items in the home. This is the key to a faster sell.

Attend to Details During the Market

• Thoroughly prepare the garage, backyard and pet kennel by making sure that if the garage is full, pack up the belongings in boxes and make sure the space is organized. The homeowner is moving, after all, and they want to look as if they are ready to vacate the space. The homeowner should clean up the backyard, and hose it down to make the area fresh and clean. Mow the lawn and add some flowers to various areas to show character. The homeowner must make sure the kennel is clean and the animals are secure. The homeowner can leave a note for the real-estate agent and buyer if there are special instructions for felines or little dogs that like to wander off.
• Create an attractive environment. Many home buyers have very personal tastes; when a homeowner shows their home; they should remove any personal aspects of the family, and any religious or collecting habits. If the buyer has a clean slate to look at, they can perceive themselves in the home and not feel that they are taking something away from the homeowner.

Home stagers apply this 10-step staging strategy, and understand by experience that their clients can effectively prepare their homes and promote a quick and successful sale. In today's tough market, the homeowner can use this process to partner with home stagers and real-estate agents to prepare the home and guarantee the sale of the home for the best price.

Patrick Tremblay

History of Faux Finishes

The art of faux finishing is creating a manipulation of different painting techniques over a colored base of color to create a desired finish in design.

These painting techniques have been centuries-old in all kinds of decorating effects, and many of these techniques have been a large variety of finishes adopted by different social and economic classes. European aristocrats to merchants aspired to share these splendors of decorating. Throughout history, members of society that could not afford the genuine article or because of the scarcity of an item of particular substance, like wood or marble, resulted in people trying to re-create a product inexpensively.

As a result of this dilemma, the illusion, or transformation was the underlying principle in creating a painted faux finish. The term faux finish (meaning false) refers to a surface of any kind that has a paint coating on it to look like a natural resource like marble, stone, or wood graining. The process of faux finishing can include other finishes like metal, iron, copper, patina, granite, malachite, and Trompe l’Oeil which is a form of faux scenery. The two basic techniques for faux finishing are the positive manipulation of applying paint and the negative manipulation approach of removing paint.

Positive Faux Finish Technique

The method of a positive technique is applying a paint coat to the surface of an undercoat. This application leaves a hint of color as an impression of the tool the painter used as an applicator. For example, if the painter applied the finish with a lint-free rag that was in the form of a cabbage, the impression would resemble a spiral cabbage or rose. In applying other positive technique a painter can perform sponging, ragging, tri-color rolling, and stamping.

Other uses for a positive technique are:

• Applying more than one color 
• applying a washable faux finish 
• hiding flaws in a wall like cracks, poor repair spots, and coverage for lack of wall texture 
• applying finish over most existing surfaces 
• applying multiple paints instead of finishing glaze 

When applying a positive technique on the walls or flat surface, the painter can use the following tools to apply paint:

• rags 
• sea sponge
• feather dusters
• chamois
• cheesecloth
• butcher paper
• terry cloth 

Rags will often give a softer edge than plastic. Different types of fabric will also give the painter a different effect as they paint a positive technique for a faux finish.

Negative Faux Finish Technique

A negative technique requires a faux finishing glaze that can dry more translucent than regular paint. This technique is used to remove layers of glaze to create a more semi-transparent finish over a base coat. The task of this technique is that painters can still see the base coat with hints of layered colors characterizing the effect. Unlike the positive techniques, by using various tools and manipulating the top coat glaze, the painter can create different depths of the base coat more dramatically.

The process of a negative technique is simple when the painter uses a satin base coat for easy manipulation. This technique is more fragile than a positive finish so it is important to seal the final top coat for maximum durability. Because this process of layering can take time, it is beneficial to add a dry time extender to allow a longer working period. A supply of various dry time extenders are available on the market, and it is important to use the appropriate solvent base for each paint finish. Water base paint and glaze calls for a water base extender. An oil base extender is only used with an oil base paint or glaze.

The tools used for this technique are similar to the positive techniques but are for removing color instead of adding color. The negative finishes include sponging and ragging off, combing, stippling, marbling, and wood graining. These negative techniques are very time-consuming and the difficulty may change to some degree. A painter should always practice various methods before tackling any large projects. This will ensure the painter has more successes than failures in faux finishing.

Faux Finishing Glaze Formulas

Preparing these formulas was for creating the best design finish that the painter will need to complete any of the faux finishes mentioned in this history. Standard Paint Glaze is made by using one quart of paint, and a ¼ quart of water. Mix well and use as a positive top coat faux finish. The painter should mix this standard paint formula each time a top coat is in need to paint a positive technique.

Latex Glazing Liquid is made by adding one quart glazing liquid, a ¼ quart of a desired paint color, and a ¼ quart of latex polyurethane clear coat. Mix well and use sparingly as a positive technique, and as a negative technique. This glazing liquid will become darker as it dries to the surface of the project. This glazing liquid dries quickly, so the painter may want to add ½ cup of latex extender. This glazing liquid cannot be shaken; it will work best if stirred before applying to surface.

 
Oil Base Glazing Liquid is made of a quart of oil-based glazing liquid; a ¼ cup of oil-based paint color, and a ½ cup of oil-based polyurethane finishing coat. Oil Base Glaze is a more difficult product to use in a faux finish. This glaze will flatten to the surface so the painter will apply this thinly onto the wall surface. If the oil base glaze is applied too heavy, the finish can sag and create multiple runs downthe wall. An oil base extender is only used when a glazing liquid is the consistency of a gel.

Painters should use these techniques as a basic guideline in applying faux finishes as a decorative design. Many faux finishing techniques and products are offered through hardware stores and paint supply stores. Paint supply stores have periodical weekend classes to introduce faux finishing techniques and glazes for the novice as well as the professional, and these classes will cover faux finishing techniques that will use specialty tools and applications. The techniques may change through time but the history of faux finishing will last forever.

Patrick Tremblay

How to Present a Lecture

The process of a good lecture is an art of communication that should be something studied and mastered. This guide will assist in the learning process.

Many educators have a procedure for presenting their lectures. These educators have been lecturing for years and have certain steps they follow to give a successful presentation. Either the educator was taught in college how to lecture or else he or she read about the process in a publication like many others have done. Whatever the method is for the presenter to become a good lecturer worked for them, as they are comfortable giving a presentation. A good lecture is a successful presentation for the listener to enjoy and take something from the conclusion.

At times, a listening recipient will attend a lecture and it is extremely difficult for the listener to finish the entire presentation before they leave. This is a sign of an unprepared lecturer and maybe they should not present in a lecturers capacity. Usually the presentation is a flop because the lecturer didn’t know how to lecture in the first place. An education is too important to sit through bad lectures, and as an educator, one should know how to lecture appropriately. Good lectures have guidelines and this article will go through the lecturing process from the beginning to the end. This method should help any beginner on the road to becoming an effective presenter.

Prepare Before the Lecture

Before presenting the lecture, the presenter should choose several points of interest out of the source of the information. This source could be a book or experience that the lecturer may have. These several points are questions and answers that the presenter should cover to communicate the focus of the material, and the lecture should fit within the allotted time of the class or presentation time.

The presenter should mark these key points with a numbered post-it-note or any chosen method that will reference easily by the lecturer. According to Daria Przybyla, a freelance academic writer, this process is working with a lecture plan. This planning process should make it easier for the lecturer to move through the lecture without too much effort in finding the material in the book needed to present the point of study. By numbering the post-it-notes the presenter can sequence the way he or she would want to present the information.

Present a Summary of the Lecture Material

At the beginning of the lecture the presenter should introduce themselves and give a brief summary of the lecture they are about to present. An example of this would be welcoming the listeners and offering a name and brief history or experience of the presenter. The presenter should then say they will offer basic information about the material specified. The presenter should describe the subject as an increasingly popular method or product. Then the presenter should give a brief statistic of the material to support the topic. One way is to describe the source such as the book.

The presenter should hold up the book and give a visual of the cover by describing the title and the author for the material. Then the presenter should offer the content of the book as a guide on the subject the presenter will lecture about. If the presenter has copies for the audience, the presenter should mention that shortly the audience will receive their own copy of the book for reference during the lecture. The presenter should mention that the book is the audiences but to refer to the material as the lecture progresses and to follow along.

The presenter should then tell the audience to turn to the page that coincides with the first section of the lecture. As the lecture commences and the audience reads along, it creates a powerful message to the listeners. The presenter should then follow the same procedure until all of the sections that have post-it-notes are complete.The presenter should continue to ask the audience to follow along as the presentation concludes. This method will make certain that the lecture has the attention of the audience.

Ask for Questions at the Conclusion

The presenter should remember to account for time so the audience can ask questions. At the end of the lecture, the presenter should ask for questions and understanding of the covered material. When the questions have concluded, the presenter should suggest the audience read the entire book at their earliest convenience whereas the material is new in memory. This can cement the material to memory and help the audience member retain the information better.

This method of presenting a lecture is easy to follow as long as the presenter prepares before the lecture takes place. According to Barbara Gross Davis', "Tools for Teaching" a good way of preparation is lecturing on materials the presenter has become comfortable with. After following these key points and practicing the speech, the presenter can successfully present a great lecture with confidence.

Patrick Tremblay