Most in Demand and High Paid Jobs until 2020

It is now halfway through the school year, I am sure you and your parents have now talked about graduating and excited about getting employed.  You might have second thoughts on the college course you are taking.  Will it give you a better future by getting better pay, the least?  If most unlikely, will you still have the time to change gear?  Well, here's a guide to help you through; just a glimpse of the most in demand and high paid jobs until 2020.

The US Federal Statistics in employment projections to year 2018 has seven job titles categorized as Very High Wages.

Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts   ((Bachelor's degree)

Computer Software Engineers, Applications  (Bachelor's degree)

Management Analysts   (Bachelor's or Advanced and work experience)

Registered Nurses (Associate degree)

Physicians and Surgeons (Professional degree)

Accountants and Auditors  (Bachelor's degree)

Post-secondary (College/University/Training) Teachers with a Doctoral Degree


In London, new jobs are expected to increase by almost 600,000 positions by year 2020.  The London Development Agency provided the following list of highest paying jobs to 2020 in UK.

Managers and Senior Officials of Companies


Professional jobs


Personal Service jobs


Retail Sales


Customer Service Representatives and similar


Entry Level positions in a number of industries



Take note of jobs that are expected to decline, such are:

Administrative jobs and Secretaries


Skilled Trades


Plant and Machine Operations jobs






  

Crochet in Fashion

Another beautiful crochet accented collections by PABLO RAGAY CABAHUG.  

"The Look of Style Awards 2011 presents 2010 Winner Pablo Cabahug"  Photos by Mark Francis Parallag.

If interested, see Contact page.

Miss World wears design by 2010 Look of Style Awards winner

This year’s Miss World pageant was extra special for designer Pablo Cabahug. The reigning Miss World 2010 Alexandria Mills of the United States wore his creation on pageant night Sept. 18 at PICC.

She looked every inch a queen in a nude chiffon gown by Cabahug, who didn’t expect  Mills to wear his gown.

It was serendipity.  Mills had a fashion shoot with Inquirer Lifestyle earlier that week—Cabahug’s gown was one of long evening dresses to be worn. When she did, she fell in love with in and chose it as her pageant-night last-walk dress.

The selection of his design by  Mills was only one of the incredible  highlights of the thriving career of Cabahug.

It started when he won the Look of Style Awards last year over other young designers.

Held by the British Council with Look Magazine and Inquirer Lifestyle, the Awards chooses a young designer to be sent to the famous Central Saint Martins in London for a workshop and short mentorship—all arranged by the British Council.

Early this year Cabahug went to the school that produced Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, John Galliano.

When he came back, he joined the Face-Off fashion show by Inquirer Lifestyle and Samsung. It was up, up from there.

And the latest cap was the Miss World pageant.

Look Magazine, the British Council, with Inquirer Lifestyle and Samsung, stage this year’s Look of Style Awards on Oct. 4 at cocktails at Rockwell Tent.

Shortlisted for the Awards are  Barbie Alvez,  Nino Angeles, Shine Casino, Andy Brian Esplanada, Geof Gonzales, Joshua Guibone,  Noelle Llave, John Mark Magallanes, Pinky Magalona,  Mark Tamayo.

The winner among them will be chosen by a board of judges composed of  Mark Higgins of Slims Fashion and Art School, designer Lulu Tan Gan, FDCP president JC Buendia, Inquirer Lifestyle editor and LOOK editorial director Thelma San Juan, British Council country director Amanda Burrell, and LOOK editor in chief Melanie Cuevas.

The winner will also take two courses of his/her choice from Designer Fashion Workshops at the Asian Institute of Fashion.

The 2011 Look of Style Awards is also sponsored by HSBC, SM, The Grove by Rockwell, Rockwell Club, Manila Catering, Max Factor, Jing Monis Salon, Schwarzkopf, Print Divas, Nice Print Photography, Destileria Limtuaco.

Read this Article from: http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/16113/miss-world-wears-design-by-2010-look-of-style-awards-winner

How to plant Beetroot

As I was working in one of my online jobs, I encountered this article on how to plant Beetroot.  I'd like to share this with you as I find it helpful to those who like to plant their own veggies for salads and for other food needs.

What is Beetroot?

Wisegeek says, also known as the garden beet, the beetroot is a sweet, maroon root vegetable.  Beetroot is a healthy, low-calorie food filled with fiber.  It is known to help improve health conditions such as high blood pressure.  The leaves of the red beet can also be eaten. 

The source further says, beets can be consumed in a variety of ways.  If consumed raw, beets should first be peeled.  The top and bottom of the root should also be removed prior to ingesting.  Beets can also be boiled, sauteed, pickled, fried, juiced, steamed, pureed, grilled, or baked.  When cooking beets, the skin may be left on until it is loose enough to fall off, retaining the vegetable's vivid color.

A common way of serving beetroot is as a side dish or salad component.

Eating beets is often suggested as part of a low-fat diet to help prevent heart disease.  A single serving of beetroot contains only 36 calories.  In addition to fiber, the vegetable provides a good source of folate and potassium.  Its leaves are also considered a good source of nutrients, such as iron and calcium.

Really good vegetable, isn't it?  So get yourself some beetroot seedlings from your local store or buy it online.

You can also inquire from www.awapuni.co.nz.  This website is the source of this gardening tips on how to plant Beetroot.

Below is Tod Palenski's (www.awapuni.co.nz) article:

 

Once you've got your beetroot seedlings, it's simply a matter of working out where to plant. them.  Beetroot like well-drained, friable (breaks apart in your hands) soil. 

They grow well next to brassicas, like broccoli and cauliflower, which take longer to mature and spread out.  This means you can plant beetroot in the spaces in between your brassicas, and harvest them before the brassicas start needing the extra room.





Alternatively, they grow great in pots.  Wherever you plant, simply dig a little 3 cm deep hole, place the seedling in the hole and fill in with soil.

They like moisture as they start to develop, so keep them well watered.

In around 10 to 12 weeks, they should be ready.  The great thing about beetroot is they can be eaten at any size, just dig them up and enjoy.

 

So there you go!  You now know how to plant Beetroot. No more worries running out of beetroot.


Put a smile on your face while gardening, be happy.  It is believed to guarantee good harvest.


Good luck!

Paris Hilton's Diet

I wonder what's keeping Paris Hilton slim. She's always been thin. I hope she's getting enough nutrition.

What's Paris Hilton's diet?

Let's check her ref and kitchen cabinets. What's her favorite food, her daily diet and do's & don'ts.

A glimpse of Paris Hilton's diet in my next post.

Free Online Textbooks

Being subscribed to the Wendy Boswell - About.com Web Search Guide, I am kept informed of techniques in doing google searches and best sites to search from.

Recent email that I received was about finding places on the web where free online textbooks can be found and downloadable.  This could be very helpful to students who have minimal budget for textbooks.

Continue reading: http://inamothersmind.blogspot.com/p/learn-from-here.html

How to Cook Quinoa

I found this high definition video on How to Cook Quinoa.  I thought I should share it here to reinforce what we learned about cooking Quinoa.

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Source: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/6068693/how_to_cook_quinoa/

Health benefits of Quinoa

Science had tagged Quinoa as "superfood" because it is full of phytonutrients, antioxidants and can help balance your blood sugar.  Quinoa is a delicious whole "grain", easy to digest, contains high quality protein and fiber.  Always mistaken as a grain, Quinoa actually is the seed of a herb-like plant from the Goosefoot family.  It is not a new crop; in fact, it was cultivated by the Incas 5000 years ago.  They call it the Mother Grain.  It has been the staple food of the Incas and it thrives even at high altitude and poor soil.





Quinoa, pronounced as KEEN-WAH, is fluffy, a bit crunchy and slightly flavored when cooked.  Its cooks and tastes like grain, the reason Quinoa can be good substitute for grains.

 

The greatest value of Quinoa is its being gluten-free and easy to digest.  Some of the nutrients of Quinoa are:

• Rich in Fiber - eases elimination and cleans colon.

• Magnesium - helps relax your muscles and blood vessels. 

• Manganese and cooper - Act as antioxidants to get rid of cancer and disease-causing substances.

• Complete protein - contains all 9 essential amino acids required by the body as building blocks for muscles.

• Calcium - high-levels of calcium beneficial to our bones, nails and teeth.

Quinoa as a whole grain, may help in preventing and treating artherosclerosis, breast cancer, diabetes and insulin resistance.

Quinoa has a coating called Saponin that is bitter and is mildly toxic. So it is important to rinse and soak the seeds first to remove this before cooking.  To make sure that Saponin is removed, tip your Quinoa into a sieve and hold it under running water for a few minutes.  You will know that the seeds are cooked when they turn translucent with a white edge and center to each seed as seen on the photo below.

There are many uses of Quinoa as food.  It can be used as substitute for rice, potatoes or pasta to go with a meal.  Could also be used in stews, stuffings, and desserts.  Makes great as quinoa porridge for breakfast.

Ideal too in the evening for quinoa is easy to digest, so you don't have to worry about getting a good night's sleep.

Quinoa is best for salads!

Get more about Quinoa recipes from here:  http://www.the-gluten-free-chef.com/quinoa-recipes.html

Gluten free Quinoa Salad Recipe

Another salad recipe worth sharing is a gluten-free Quinoa Salad Recipe that I borrowed from Savvy Vegetarian.  This one is easy to prepare and you are provided with the nutritional content.  Also, you will know what to get out from the main ingredient, quinoa.

The ingredients are:  quinoa, peas, carrots, pepper, tomato, cucumber, and a choice of other mix.

 

This makes 4 main dish servings and total preparation/cook time is 30 minutes.

Each serving (228 g) will give you the following nutritional data:

• 411 calories
• 37 g carbohydrate
• 26 g fat
• 317 mg sodium
• 7g dietary fiber
• 12 g protein
• very low in Cholesterol
• good source of Vitamin C
• very good source of Vit A, Vit K and Manganese
• Estimated Glycemic Load: 18.
• Gluten Free. 

The ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 1/2 cups cold water
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup snow peas, shell peas, celery, or green beans
• 1 - 2 small carrots, peeled and sliced thin
• 1/2 green or red pepper, sliced thin
• 1 medium ripe tomato
• 1 medium cucumber, peeled and diced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, cilantro, or basil
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted sunflower seeds or toasted cashews 

The dressing: 

• 2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil  
• 1/4 tsp salt
• Fresh ground pepper
• Options: Pinch of cayenne, garlic powder or fresh minced garlic, minced fresh or dried ginger

How to prepare:

1. The quinoa can be made ahead of time and refrigerated if you like
2. Soak the quinoa 5 minutes in cold water
3. Rinse thoroughly 2 times, pour off the water and drain through a large fine mesh strainer
4. Place in 2 qt pot with the water and salt
5. Cover the pot, bring to a full boil, turn the heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes
6. Remove from heat and set aside to cool
7. Steam the carrots and green veg for 5 minutes or until tender-crisp, drain, rinse in cold water and drain again
8. Chop the tomatoes, herb and cucumber
9. Blend dressing ingredients with a whisk or shake in a jar
10. Gently combine veggies, walnuts, quinoa and dressing in a large bowl
11. Cover and chill, or serve immediately

Cooking tips:

1. Cook the quinoa ahead, keep in the fridge, and you can make this easy quinoa salad recipe in about 20 minutes.
2. Quinoa may also be cooked in a rice cooker, the same as you'd cook rice, or in a pressure cooker, 6 minutes high pressure, natural pressure release.
3. Optional Additions: Chopped scallions, dried unsweetened cranberries, raisins or apricots, Greek olives, minced jalapeno pepper, fresh mint, feta cheese, baked tofu cubes 
4. Walnuts go well with quinoa, but toasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds are also good. If you like black beans, try our tasty quinoa black bean salad. 
5. Serve with a green power salad for a quick summer meal. 

Helpful tips about Quinoa:

•  Quinoa has high oil content, so should be stored in the fridge or freezer to avoid becoming rancid

• A tight fitting lid is essential for even quinoa cooking

• Raw quinoa is coated with saponin, which will give it a bitter taste unless it has been removed in processing. Just in case, soak it for 5 minutes and rinse a couple of times. Those tiny flaky bits in the rinse water are the saponin

• When quinoa is full cooked, little white spiral "tails" will appear with the grains. That's normal.

• Because of its high protein content, quinoa is a satisfying meal with a few nuts and veggies added (see recipes below).

See more salad recipes from the Savvy Vegetarian website.

Yummy salads

I stumbled on this blog Salad Pride and wow! an array of salads flashed before my eyes. Exactly what I like my blog would be - provide variety of salads that cater for anyone's taste.

As starter, I borrowed from Salad's Pride this yummy "Barley, Pears and Walnuts"

No doubt this salad is healthy. Try it now.

Ingredients for 1:
Barley 50 gr
2 Pears
Crumbled Walnuts 50 gr
Lettuce 50 gr
Mint and Lemon Thyme

Dressing:
Extra virgin Olive oil
Salt
Balsamic Vinegar
Shaved Black Truffle

----------------------------
Orzo, pere e noci

Ingredienti per 1:
Orzo 50 gr
2 pere
Noci Sbriciolate 50 gr
Lattuga 50 gr
Menta e Timo limone

Condimento:
Olio extra vergine di oliva
Sale
Aceto balsamico
Tartufo Nero grattuggiato

See more salads from: http://saladpride.blogspot.com/.  Happy eating!

All about salad

I have been doing a lot of self-brainstorming lately as to how my blog site should progress.  I can't seem to settle what this blog should be, just anything what comes to my mind.  Well, "in a mother's mind" it is.

My online jobs are influencing me in terms of concept and content.  I understand, in order to increase traffic to your blog, you have to focus on one concept.  But I can't seem to follow the rule mainly because there are many things I like to post.  The top two in my list are homemaking and yoga.  I guess, I will just settle on these two.  They relate anyway.

As a start, I like to post anything about salad.  I am a vegan at heart and a passable cook but not a practitioner (well, not yet).  I had the chance to view food blogs (via my online job) and I like what I saw.  It actually gave me an idea what to do with my blog site.

I would like to make this site a good resource about salads.  I hope there will be no mind changing again.

Benefits of Yoga

We've been hearing about yoga and what it does to our health.  To all of us who have been practicing yoga diligently, we know there are positive changes to our bodies and that it makes us feel better.Yoga and the various poses called asanas benefit us by bringing harmonious balance within our system.

Let us discuss the specific health benefits when doing yoga regularly. 


Yoga and Flexibility

Stretching helps our bodies become (and more) flexible.  Yoga asanas (poses) open our bodies to greater range of motion to joints and muscles.  Specifically, the hamstrings, hips, back and shoulders can gain flexibility if yoga is done repeatedly.  Some people are worried about having to stretch because they feel that they are too old or too stiff to do yoga.  But, the truth is, we are never too old to develop flexibility.

Yoga stretches the soft tissues that include the ligaments, tendons, and the fascia sheath surrounding the muscles, of our bodies. Whatever level of yoga we are at, we can see the benefits shortly.  Yoga enthusiasts confirmed that there is improved flexibility after only 2 months.

Yoga and Strength

Ashtanga and power yoga help improve muscle tone because these are the more vigorous than the other styles.  But Iyengar or hatha yoga which has less movement and alignment in poses more precise, can still provide strength and endurance.

Yoga and Posture

Another good thing about yoga is body awareness.  We tend to become conscious when we slouch or slump, therefore we adjust our posture.  With more flexibility and strength, we benefit better posture.  Asanas develop core strength.  This is because each pose needs our deep abdominals for support. And when our core is stronger, we are likely to sit straight and stand tall.

Check some asanas at the yoga page and start following your own routine.

Namaste!

Metrowear Filipiniana

In celebration of the Philippines’ 113th year of Independence, Metro magazine brought together the fashion community in a special tribute called “Metrowear Filipiniana,” held last June 30, 2011. 

One hundred designers presented their interpretations of the terno, the baro’t saya and the barong Tagalog, combining local fabrics with intricate beadwork and Filipino artistry.

Pablo Cabahug and his model

See more of this design from the Fashion page.

More gnomes in the garden

I found them at Garden Gnomes. This site sells garden accents.

Check them from Home & Garden page.

"Why are we here?" - ask the gnomes

The famous gnomes in the garden.  We love to see them around, better if they are yet shiny and colors vibrant.

These fellas started appearing in gardens in the 19th century in Germany, where they were known as Gartenzwerg, meaning garden dwarf. They had become famous that not before long, they spread their popularity to the four corners of the world.

Adding new page: Home and Garden

After awhile, I am back to blogging bringing a new idea.  Actually, I haven't been here because I was thinking of a new and definite concept.  I was advised by a tech savvy friend to focus my blog to one idea only in order to generate more traffic.  Well, being a kindergarten blogger, it took me awhile to figure it out.  There are still a lot more to do, I admit.  But it doesn't stop me in pursuing what I always wanted to do.

What is that new idea?

It all started while I was (and still am) doing an online job for an employer from Netherlands finding websites as possible partners.  The websites should be about fashion, decorating, interior designing, remodeling, home improving, and the like.  I stayed more time than necessary in a website because I was amazed by varied displays on the pages - interior designs, decorations, how to's, DIYs, colors and paints, vintage furniture, wall hangings, table what-nots, etc.  

Now, you already have the idea?

Check my Home and Garden page and you will see what I mean.

Liquidity ratios in accounting

Liquidity ratios test the business firm if it has sufficient cash and assets that can be immediately converted to cash to pay off liabilities within a year. This is particularly helpful to financial institutions that had extended or are intending to extend credit to the business firm. At the same, the business firm will be guided through its financial planners on how they should manage their current assets taking into consideration the over-all financial picture of the firm.

In financial parlance, a ratio of 1.0 would indicate that the firm can pay all its current liabilities at a given period of time by cash and other short-term assets that could be readily sold and converted to cash. A more than 1.0 ratio would mean the firm has ample cash to settle its current obligations. A below 1.0 ratio, on the other hand, is indicative that the firm has negative working capital.

There are many possible scenarios that the firm might be in by analyzing liquidity ratios. The common types of liquidity ratios are:  Current Ratio, Acid-test Ratio and Cash Ratio.

The Current Ratio (or Working Capital Ratio) test is to divide Current Assets by Current Liabilities. Basically, the current assets include cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments, marketable securities, accounts, receivable, inventory, prepaid expenses plus other assets that can be converted to cash in less than a year.  Most financial analysts believe that a ratio between 1.2 to 2.0 is adequate. Meaning, the firm is in the comfort zone.  If the firm has 1.0 or below, the management should start checking their inventories if these can be immediately converted to cash. If not, the firm will soon face serious liquidity issue. Having above 2.0 is not also good. It means the firm is not investing its excess assets, rather being left dormant.

The Acid-test Ratio (or Quick Ratio) is a stringent test that resolves whether the firm has sufficient short term assets to cover immediate obligations at short notice without selling inventory. Hence, this ratio only includes Cash, Cash Equivalents, Short-term Investments, Marketable Securities, Accounts Receivable, Prepaid Expenses divided by Current Liabilities. Example of a business that usually has below 1.0 ratio is a retail store that is highly dependent on inventory.

The third of the liquidity ratios is the Cash Ratio. This ratio further refines both the Current Ratio and the Acid-test Ratio.  The Cash Ratio measures the degree to which a firm could quickly pay its short term liabilities. The creditors are more interested to know the Cash Ratio of the firm they had or are exposing credit to. To get this ratio the sum of Cash, Cash Equivalents + Short Term Investments is divided by the Current Liabilities. This is the most conservative ratio for it only considers the short term current assets minus the assets like the inventory that gives no assurance of being converted to cash at short notice.

Top money market funds

If you are planning to invest your cash in the money market, know first how it works, how much you would earn and what the top money market funds have in store for you.

Money markets are network of banks, credit unions, institutional investors and money dealers who borrow and lend among themselves for a short-term. Money market funds have become popular as cash management tool because of its open-end features.  You earn income in the form of dividends usually on a monthly basis. You can easily get your money back within a short period.  Also, you can keep your money invested that will adjust to the markets while earning rising interest rates.

What you should know.

Be familiar with the different money market funds from the fund’s prospectus. Understand the terms and conditions in their prospectus well.  You may also get these information from the financial institutions. There might be added charges on top of the expense ratio. There are also fees charged to every withdrawal you make. Remember money market funds are investments. As such, it should yield the best from where you put your money.

Money market funds have a value of $1.00 each share. Aim for a money market that protects the full value of your investment at all times. It should earn a dollar for every dollar you invest.

Don’t be deceived by money market funds that are tax free, but give a lower yield for your investment. Some funds give higher yield, however you pay tax for what you gain. Be aware of this feature.

Check on the best rates on money market funds from online listings. There are sites that maintain up-to-date lists of these funds, more particularly considered as the top money market funds.

Be warned too that money market funds are not insured with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). There is a risk that you can no longer get back your money if these money markets go bankrupt. Always check the financial standing of the money market where you invested your money. Even before you make the investment, check their liquidity. It is one basic feature of money market funds, you can anytime get back your money.

You, as owner of the money, need to be your own investment chief.  Never assume that investing your money even to one which is considered as among the top money market funds. They are not always safe and risk-free.

How to make friends at a new school

Getting enrolled at a new school is not easy.  Everything seems different.  You wouldn't know what to do, where everything is, and the least, finding your classroom.  Worse, you cannot avoid being ignored, stared at or ogled?  Making new friends is difficult.  It would take time before finding your new set of friends.  Here are some tips how to make new friends at a new school.

1.  Dress presentably on your first day.  Walk with confidence into your new school.  Keep that chin up, but keep a flashing smile on your face.  Wear your best body cologne, leave a trail of captivating scent behind you.

2. Don't forget to equip yourself with the things needed for the first meeting with your teacher.  You don't want to be humiliated, don't you?  Avoid getting shamed by a terror teacher.

3.  Make an impression, however be yourself.  Don't change who you are just to make an impression.  Be neat and check your breath.

4.  Be a Samaritan to someone.  Offer help.

5.  Don't be ashamed to start a conversation.  Initiate a talk on general topic about a favorite subject perhaps, new trend of learning, or some basic personal details.  But feel the pulse first of the type of person or groups of persons you introduced yourself to.

6.  Some schools already post their extra-curricular activities.  Participate an after-school activity that you have an interest in.  Meet the people that you have a common interest with. This is the fastest way how to make friends at a new school.

7.  Don't isolate yourself in a corner.  Be among the crowd and be friendly.            

Most employable college degrees

It may be too early to decide what course the graduating high school students should take, but it is always an advantage to have a mind set.  To guide them in choosing, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chief Secretary Patricia Licuanan during the PIA press release conducted on May 31, 2011, advised would-be college students to take the hard to fill but otherwise most employable college degrees and avail of the scholarships that CHED is now offering.  She mentioned courses like mining, aeronautics, geology, and software engineering.  CHED is currently providing its Student Financial Assistance Programs (StuFAPs) for these courses.  This program is open to bright Filipino students who got the highest score in the NCAE and must belong to the top ten of the graduating class.  Their parents' combined Annual Income Tax Return must also not to exceed P300,000.00.  More good news is that, scholars under this program can enroll in any government or private college/university Higher Education Institutes (HEIs).  Interested applicants are advised to visit CHED regional offices or go to the agency's official website at http://www.ched.gov.ph.

Let us expand our information further.  A survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers in USA revealed the top ten areas of study from which to hire this year.

10.  Management Information Systems/Business Data Processing

The job involves different ways that technology can propel a business with an average starting salary of $47,407.

9.  Computer Engineering

Companies need people who know how to design and develop software and systems for a computer network. Employers, who on average, were offering a $55,920 starting salary in 2007, range from software engineering to telecommunications firms.

8.  Marketing/Marketing Management

Major in this field study to build a successful image or campaign for a business or product and can be employed by any number of companies in a variety of capacities.  Marketing graduates average a starting salary of $39,269.

7.  Information Sciences & Systems

Students majoring in this area learn the ins and outs of creating computer systems or a web site.  Information Sciences & Systems graduates were offered a starting salary of $49,966.

6.   Economics/Finance

With the state of the economy, who doesn't need an economist to put it all in perspective?  Finance and economics majors are expected to rank sixth on the hiring list.  When it comes to starting salaries, economics majors had a slight edge with an average of $47,782 and $46,442 for finance majors.

5.  Business Administration/Management

Majors in this area, who earned an average starting salary of $47,407, are trained to successfully lead a team and complete a business' plans and goals efficiently.

4.  Computer Science

Computer Science majors graduate knowing how to develop computer programs and how the machines work.  Their skills earned 2007 graduates an average salary of $53,051.

3.  Electrical Engineering

At an average starting salary of $55,333, electrical engineer majors are able to design and oversee the electrical aspects of everything from a car to the electrical wiring in a building.

2.   Mechanical Engineering

Majors in this field can become mechanical engineers where they design and manufacture mechanical devices like an elevator or a generator.  Their first salary out of college averages $54,057.

1.  Accounting

Take out your calculators.  Employers said they expect to hire accounting majors more than any other group from the class of 2008.  Accountants averaged a starting salary of $46,292 in 2007.

Keep checking the internet for any current listing of the most employable college degrees, but I doubt if there is a change of the above list within the next two years.

Help kids get up early for school

One of the hardest part when kids go back to school after the summer vacation is getting up early.  It would probably take awhile for moms to persuade their kids to wake up or if she has started preparing breakfast, to take her a number of times going back to his son's or daughter's room to make them to finally leave the bed.

So, as a mom, after months of extended sleep, how do we help kids get up early for school?  How do we get them used to waking up early without creating "civil war" inside the household every morning?

Here are five ideas to help your kids get ready for school.

1.  Plan ahead.

At least a week before the school schedule begins, start preparing your kids to getting up early.  We, parents sometimes tend to dilly-dally and postpone the practice of leaving bed early for school, until it has become too late.  Plan with your kids; let them have also that responsibility to start earlier wake up time. Explain to them that sleep is likewise important as food. Studies reveal that lack of sleep can hinder physical and mental health.  Common effects are physical pain, depression, and anxiety.  It also affects school performance, inability to pay attention in class lectures. Help the kids to understand that getting enough sleep is only to help them feel good while at school.      

2.  Set bedtime.

In order for kids to go back to sleep on time, have dinner at a set time and most importantly, limit the time for TV, computers and video games.  Expect complaints from them when there is control in the use of computer and cell phones.  Once again, talk about responsibilities.  Parenting tips suggest telling kids that having cell phones, PSP or any handheld games, and any other gadget is a privilege.  But if they keep on using them even after bedtime, it means they can't manage it.  To help them, you have to take the gadget/s away from your kid if he or she can't follow the plan.    

3.  Routine check.

Set alarm clocks during that one week of helping your kids get used to earlier wake up time for school.  Let them retire to bed an hour earlier and wake up an hour earlier as well.  Set an hour earlier than their usual wake up time. Start your wind down routine day after day until they have gone back to their usual sleeping and waking time for school.

4.  A little motivation helps.

Motivate your kids to follow certain sleep schedule.  Tell them a reward of their choice is at stake if they stick to the plan.

5.  Avoid morning rush.

If there is something that can be done the night before to give way for extra time in the morning, do it.  For instance, prepare the school uniform at night in order to free you the hassle of ironing it in the morning.  Check for some neat socks and clean the shoes.  Are all school supplies needed the following morning inside the bag?  Freeing 10 or 15 minutes the least for morning work can help avoid the rush.

Simple and cheap way to cover books

School time is just around the corner.  I bet your children have been demanding to start buying book requirements and some school supplies.  It is a general feeling among kids to get excited every start of the school year.  They are looking forward to making new friends, renewing ties with old pals, having new notebooks, pens, among others and of course, books.  When buying books, you may want to make certain that they don't get damaged.  One thing to maintain the quality of the book is to cover it.  But, covering may become expensive particularly to those that are commercially produced.  Crafting your own book covers using materials within your household is an easy solution, such as glossy cover of old magazines, brown paper grocery bags, shopping paper bags, unused gift wrapping papers (who cares!), and many more.  These are simple and cheap way to cover books.  Here's how to do it.

1.  For instance, you want to use a piece of wide shopping paper bag, cut down the middle and then cut out the bottom.  This will make the bag into a flat sheet.

2.  Place the book (opened from the center), onto the flat sheet.  Use a pencil and trace around the book.

3.  Remove the book.  Using a ruler, add and mark 4 inches on each side (left and right) of the paper sheet.  Cut out the form, using a pair of sharp scissors.

4.  Place the book back to the paper form.  Adjust the book and make sure there are 4 inches extra on each its left and right sides.

5.  Fold the extra paper over the right cover of the book.  Get a transparent tape and seal the top and bottom edges to fix the paper in place.  Do the same on the left side.

Now you know how to do a simple and cheap way to cover books.
  

Website for kids to chat

If TV had been considered bad for kids because they get to watch violent and sexual images, what about computers?  Are they a threat as well?

Undoubtedly, computers are rich source of learning for kids.  It also offers unending supply of entertainment for them such as video games. We are now in an era where computers and electronics have become normal part of life. Children witness how their parents use computers for surfing the net, doing work-related stuff, or enjoying the “in” thing now – chatting. Kids want to do the same. If so, parents want to know how safe and appropriate is a website for kids to chat. 

Below are some websites that are considerably harmless.

 The chat rooms at kidscom.com are checked by adults in actual time. Foul language is deleted from all chats. Parents as well can monitor their kid’s visits and to determine which chat level is fitting to their child’s age.  This site is suitable for kids ages 5 and up. It has several chat rooms to choose from that focus on environment as the main theme.

Chatting at Kidzworld.com is supervised by adults. Chat opens from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET. This site provides kids with readings about games, school, health and entertainment. It promotes interaction among kids by encouraging them to comment on articles and to contribute artistic thoughts. This site is famous among the teens.

A website for kids to chat with their friends and like kids should be constantly monitored for content and appropriate talk and conduct. Kidchatters.com is the site that parents should promote among their peers.  The chat rooms are aimed to children aging 8 to 12. Registration to this site is necessary and the collected fee (nominal of $3.95 per month) is used to pay adult monitors.

Kids-online.com is another website that connects kids of all ages to chat.  It has trivia contests that promote kids helping among themselves in doing homework, school, games and much more.  It has a number of moderators that monitor chats of children.

There are more websites:  Chibi Chat where kids can listen to music while they chat with friends; WB Kids (Wacky Bunch Kids) which is an amusing site that features chat, fun and games for kids of all ages; chat-avenue.com filters and blocks offensive chatters.

However safe a website for kids to chat may be, parents should keep in mind that chat rooms may pose a risk to their kids of becoming victims to online predators.  Parents can help in protecting their kids by being aware of the dangers and to get involved in their kids’ internet activities.