Category: Views & Opinions

People say that “if you love someone, you just want to see them happy.” Showing love and affection has many forms. According to Dr. Chapman, author of the popular relationship book The Five Love Languages, there are five universal ways that all people express and interpret love: words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service, and physical touch, and gift-giving.

In this post, we will discuss and focus on showing love and happiness by giving thoughtful presents to make loved ones them feel appreciated. Below is a list of the common gift ideas for every occasion.

 3 Most Common Gift Ideas for Every Occasion

1. A greeting card with a bunch of flowers

In today’s modern world where people can easily chit-chat with instant messaging and video call applications, offering a greeting card to someone seems an old way of gifting. But, that’s not true at all!

A beautiful greeting card has its own special place and still acts as a great messenger of your emotions. This gift never goes out of the style. Your words written on the greeting card can spell your heartfelt feelings for your dear one. So, take a pen and write down what you feel for them. Note down your best wishes and greetings and present the card and flowers as online Diwali gifts, anniversary gifts, or get well soon gifts.

Don’t forget to buy a beautiful bouquet or a bunch of elegant flowers to go with your message. A sleek flower bouquet will be a perfect add-on as its lovely fragrance, and adorable beauty will be the excellent way to remember the day with happiness.

2. Gift hampers

Please the mind and soul of your dear one by presenting a basket of happiness. This amazing gift can serve as a box of joy filled with some fantastic delights that can bring a sweet smile to everyone’s face and cherish the beautiful memories you have spent with your close friends and family members.

The range of items can be from sweet delicacies like chocolates, cookies, candies to some fun gift items such as a bunch of flowers, photo frame, personalized mugs and other fantastic products. Gift hampers are usually crafted during festive season like Christmas, but you can prepare it on your own. Just select the items and wrap them with beautiful, attractive and colorful packing.

3. A delicious theme cake

A celebration is incomplete without a delicious cake. We all are familiar with the fact that cake is one of the best delights in both taste and charm. If your dear one’s birthday is near and you are looking for the perfect gift, nothing could be better than this extra delicious cake. The good news is that that are more and more online cake delivery services offered by many companies that market their products through Instagram and other online sites apart from those cake suppliers that traditionally serve cakes in bakeshops.

Wrap Up

During the walks of life, numerous events and festivals are marked with the exchange of gifts in different sizes, shapes, and values to show love and happiness. But searching and buying the perfect gift for a loved one can be daunting. If you’re uncertain about how he or she will feel about it, sending these gifts with a thoughtful message is safe enough and wonderful to be treasured for a lifetime. Yes, sometimes the simplest things mean the most!

Being a godparent is perceived as an honor for Christian people. When parents ask you to be a godparent, it means they recognize you as a good role model. The parents trust you enough that they perceive you as person worthy to share the responsibility of guiding, nourishing and cherishing their most precious child.

Bear in mind that you have a unique position to influence your godchild. Someday, when they grow old enough to recognize you, they will surely look up to you and model their behavior after yours. As a responsible godparent we take the role as serious as possible. The journey can be exciting and nerve-racking; I mean, how do we really know we are having a positive impact as a godparent? What makes a great godparent? I happen to have three godchildren, so let me share to you my guide to be the best godparent anyone can have.

Your Guide to Being The Best Godparent You Can Be

Time

Remember that one of the godparent’s main functions is to guide the children to the right path in life. How can you build rapport and influence if you are rarely seen, and your presence is hardly felt? Spend time with your godchild and be consistent with your presence. Attend special occasions for your godchild including religious celebrations like birthdays and Christmas, or even school and sports activities.

Offer Spiritual Guidance

Be a role model on how to live a Christian life. Set an example and show your godchild the proper way to conduct oneself base on your faith. Display moral values that will set him up for good in the future.

Be a Life Coach

A child needs more than the influence of their parents and relatives to shape their character; outside factors like a godparent can greatly help mold the child. More than just a spiritual guide, godparents can be their godchild’s life coach. You are in a good position to give a different perspective and provide solid advice in their life with a different outlook. Actively taking part in their life events will create great opportunities that are perfect for passing on wisdom.

Give Them Gifts

The giving of gifts has been a proven way to build affection, and express devotion, since mankind’s early days. Remember those special occasions, events, and milestones in your godchild’s life because these are the best times to give those gifts. I remember as a child, I regarded my godparents as real-life Santa Clauses. Every gift I received from them were extra special, and they made simple events into special occasions that I always looked forward to.

Godparents should actively participate in gift-giving holidays and occasions like birthdays and Christmas. Usually, godchildren expect a whole lot more from godparents, so make an effort to buy presents that are of great value, quality, and something personal to them, such as a perfect new shirt or pair of pants for their wardrobe. We are in a position to make things more special.

Support the Parents

In a way, as a godparent, you were hired by the parents to help them raise their child. Some stages of life can be tricky, especially those rebellious teenage years. This is a time in life where your godchild needs direction more than ever, and for them, listening to their parents is an annoying obligation.

As a godparent, you are in a spot where you can influence them, but without the pressure. As a result, they will listen to and heed your advice. But don’t forget: your primary obligation is to support the parents as they raise their child, and reinforce their decisions with your godchild.

It is a spectacle to see your godchild grow and mature before your eyes, so keep in touch with them throughout their lives. View your position more than just a commitment until they reach independent age. Yes, they can fend for themselves, but the reality of life is harsh and it can be easy to lose direction. You are their guiding light. You are their godparent.

Life is a like a book, filled with beautiful memories. Some are good, some are bad but some are extra special which we don’t want to forget in our whole life. Those fantastic memories are spent with those people we love the most. It can be your boyfriend, too. Falling in love with someone special is a beautiful feeling! Love is necessary to have a happy life. So, it is also a necessity to relive those moments which you have spent with your love and make your beautiful bond stronger.

Today we have discussed some of the thoughts that can really heighten up your relation with new joy and happiness. We can agree on the fact that sweet delights always bring its sweetness in your relationship too. Then why don’t you try this out with a tasty cake?

This idea always works. It’s like a dream come true for all those with a sweet tooth. A slice of cake with a glass of wine is perfect for a date. It also gives you a chance to relive those memories when you have proposed to a special someone. That is why we bring you the list of awesome cakes.

Black Forest Gateau

The black forest gateau is a chocolate cherry layered cream cake. It is a classic cake with the layers of soft chocolate sponges with a hint of rum and cinnamon in it. One of the best cake shops in Bangalore, actually, all over the world, is Winni. Enjoy an extra moist and a perfect rich lip-smacking flavor of chocolate and amazing cherry toppings giving it both a magnificent look and taste. This classic delight will never fail to impress your love and definitely make her feel special.

Pineapple cake

Nothing could be more fantastic than a fruity treat. A pineapple cake is a moist golden cake soaked with a layer of whipped cream, giving a nice texture to it. The topping with the juiced pineapple slices makes this delight ready to gorge. This cake is incredibly moist and loaded with real pineapple flavor. The immense sweetness of this cake will really put a lovely effect on your relationship. A slice of this cake is an ideal bite for your date and even for celebrating happy moments.

Oreo cheesecake

Recall those happy and romantic moments you have spent with your special one with this Oreo cheesecake. It has a good balance of the crunchiness of Oreo biscuits and the smooth creamy flavor of cheesecake. Really, this cake is a perfect blend of happiness and creativity. It is such a classic and one of the easiest recipes you can also trying making at home.

Fudgy chocolate cake

A rich fudgy chocolate cake is an awesome treat for the chocolate lover. Yes! This cake scores an A+ for ardent chocolate devotees. This cake is recommended for all occasions and momentous events. It can be a gift which can be ordered or sourced from Karwa Chauth gifts online. The cake is topped with a thick chocolate ganache and a layer of chocolate fudge frosting on it which not only gives it a chocolaty look but also a nice taste. Here you got another cake that will surely fill your life with some unforgettable and nice memories.

Once only the favorite of start-ups and SMEs, the coworking space in the Philippines appears to be evolving to welcome larger businesses. The coworking scene in Manila, more specifically, really has something for everyone. In addition to your standard basic plans, the amenities run the gamut between coffee in the morning to ones that offer their tenants legal services and employment assistance.

Because of the rise in popularity related to this particular work format, professionals looking for a coworking space in Manila are faced with many choices, in some cases, too many. Furthermore, looking for a coworking community in the city is not like looking for regular office space. The community, at its best, provides your business with the type of support that can translate into business growth, so looking for a space takes on a different importance.

Keep reading to learn more about coworking spaces in the city and how they can help your business succeed.

A Guide To Coworking Space In Manila

Types Of Coworking Spaces

Like in other cities, coworking spaces come in all varieties. You have the large, corporate spaces that can offer concierge services, and you have the smaller, quainter ones that focus on providing a comfy, cozy atmosphere for its tenants. However, coworking spaces usually can be classified in three ways – niche, industry-specific, and general.

The niche space caters to businesses with a particular mission, as in start-ups for example. Industry-specific coworking spaces place emphasis on catering to particular industries, for example, the tech industry has a number of coworking spaces that cater to the needs of the profession. Finally, general coworking spaces cater to all businesses.

While the advantages of each space vary, the benefit of renting the industry-specific and niche space is that you get to be in an environment where the needs of your business are directly addressed. Alternatively, professionals do not get the benefit of being exposed to as much professional diversity as you would when working in a general coworking space. The general coworking space, however, can provide your business with a wide range of services.

The Space’s Versatility

Coworking professionals can use their coworking space in Manila for a variety of functions. The first is as a workspace that can be used at your convenience. The second function is the one that can help catapult your business, and that is its networking function.

The way the coworking spaces are organised professionals can find themselves engaged in all types of conversation. Savvy professionals can use the space to network and form partnerships, some temporary and others more permanent. These collaborations help raise your business’s profile in the community.

Finally, use the space to promote your venture through public relations activities. These PR activities can help build your brand in the community and can help you make connections with other businesses. Activities related to hosting your own events to talk up your products and services, volunteering to manage the space’s social media site, or even putting together a monthly newsletter for the space can help boost your visibility in the space.

The Space’s Benefits

Coworking has a variety of benefits, but the more immediate one is that it can be a great way to save money on overhead. For cash-strapped businesses, coworking spaces typically place you in an office that is in or near the central business district and other centrally-located areas in the city, so you benefit from its premium location. Another benefit is the coworking space can aid in creating the foundation for finding mentors and building business relationships. Finally, many have pretty interesting perks.

Working in A Coworking Space in Manila

Coworking in Manila has made seeking and finding office space for entrepreneurs and professionals at all stages of the game simple. Whether you need affordable office space or you want to work while you hang out in some of the coolest working communities, consider any number of the coworking spaces that make up the city. Your coworking space can accompany your standard morning routine or can be as fluid as your business day dictates.

According to a report by the US Department of Commerce, the media and entertainment market have reached a revenue of around USD $1.9 trillion in 2016. The United States is its largest market at around USD $712 billion, followed by China at USD $190 billion. This lucrative and risky industry is composed of film, print, radio, and television. The industry significantly helps the US economy with an annual contribution of around USD $41 billion yearly and generates 2 million employment.

The Future of Media and the Entertainment Industry

Following the advent of digitalization, the industry has its fair share of disruption and significant changes. For one, digital spending triggered a 10 percent increase in spending. Meaning many consumers choose to purchase internet-based entertainment and media products and services. Streaming, may it be video or music, is the main driving force for this sensation.

The music industry reported a 17% increase in revenue in 2017, due to an overwhelming contribution of around 100 million consumers subscribing to streaming services. This is an amazing development for the industry, but the future still looks promising. Let’s take a look at the future of the media and entertainment industry.

Streaming Services

Streaming services have rapidly replaced the now old fashioned digital music download. In 2017, streaming services took an incredible increase in demand and experts forecast the same thing to happen in 2018. In fact, Ericsson predicted that only 10% of people will watch and use traditional TV entertainment.

Video streaming also gets to hold a stunning growth rate after reaching USD $30.29 billion in revenue in 2016. TV and OTT (Over-The-Top) subscriptions like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video are so welcomed by consumers that it is forecast to drive the market to gain USD $70.05 billion in 2021. In addition, many connected TV devices has been made available in the market like Fire Stick TV from Amazon, Chromecast, and Roku TV. These devices are made to make streaming services to be effectively convenient, marketable, and enjoyable. In the end, it made consumers develop a habit of reliance on streaming services.

A New Ecosystem of Services

According to PwC, the media and entertainment industry will experience a form of merging in the next few years. This is due to the overlapping related services provided by different companies in the industry. The industry will develop a kind of hybrid company that can provide unified and conducted services and products.

TV networks, Telecommunications, social media, studios, and streaming service companies all strive and compete on providing quality visual content. To minimize intersecting with one another, there will be a lot of merging and acquisitioning to consolidate and create a healthier kind of industry competition.

Many Data Hungry Services

PricewaterhouseCoopers forecasted that over the next five years, data traffic will reach 397.9 trillion megabytes in 2022.  Data consumption will increase significantly over the next years, driven by consumers’ appetite for video content and other streaming services.

5G

Not everyone in the world has experienced 4G or LTE yet, but 5G wireless networks are already peaking in the horizon. 5G is the fifth generation of wireless communications that will follow the current 4G network and promises intensified capacity, lower latency and faster speed. According to a test conducted by Verizon, 5g networks are capable of delivering an astounding internet speed of 3.77 Gbps. With this potential speed, one can only imagine the possible advancements it can provide to the existing services. Furthermore, this kind of internet speed can open up new media and entertainment products and services.

We cannot deny that the industry reached this point because it is made up of fierce competition, enticing profit, and amazing ideas. To strive in the media and entertainment industry, companies need to provide quality products and services that is sensitive to the available technology and consumer demands.

Accounting for Factor X

Say you leave your home for a month to vacation somewhere, or to pursue a training program, or a job opportunity that tends to be approached in strategic intervals. You did everything in your power to ensure that the home is properly taken care of, but that year the woodpeckers, termites, and rats don’t care. You come home to some form of infestation!

Securing Emergency Services for Your Home

Well, in such a situation, you would probably want to use the auspices of an emergency pest control solution. It would be better to have the contact information on-hand, than to panic and choose a sub-par solution which ends up costing more than it’s worth.

With that in mind, it’s also worth considering that even though pest control is a pretty considerable issue, it doesn’t hold a candle to other things of an emergency nature which may impact your home unexpectedly. Consider plumbing, for example. Pipes buried underground may burst and flood your basement unexpectedly. After you get the leak fixed, you’ll have to overcome the associated water damage.

At restorationelite.com, you can find a service that: “…will make the process of servicing your damages easy as possible. Our team is committed to amazing customer service as well as amazing results. Our process will ensure an effective and permanent solution.”

Killing Two Birds with One Stone 

Sometimes, after you’ve had some kind of accident and you’re refurbishing the area affected, it becomes apparent that a remodel is going to be necessary anyway. In these situations, part of accounting for X-factors involves installation of new fixtures that maximize value.

At Lanternandscroll.com, you can find a: “…core collection of copper and brass lanterns featur[ing] period reproductions of lighting manufactured in the Carolina and Charleston lantern style, available in gas or electric. At the urging of our designer customers, we also offer many contemporary interior and exterior lighting options as well.” Such quality fixtures repair the problem and provide expanded property value.

Generally, it’s a good idea to make a list of possible emergency scenarios, then go about filling that list with contact information pertaining to contracting agencies and other groups who can help you in a pinch. You’ll want to have the number to your homeowner’s insurance, you’ll want plumbing, HVAC, roofing, window specialists, electricians, pest control, construction contractors and varying experts like those who install lighting fixtures.

The value of making such a list in advance will collaterally result in terms of savings. If you’ve got ten agencies you’ve vetted in terms of price and quality, then it’s conceivable that you’ll save as much as $100 per group. Either the savings will come in property value hikes, better products and services, or directly in terms of costs. That’s $1,000 in savings for an afternoon’s digital footwork using Google and your smartphone.

Potential Asset Preservation 

You could save tens of thousands of dollars in this way. Consider IoT, or the Internet of Things. Now consider the first scenario in this writing which had to do with a month’s absence from your property. You could install monitoring apps controllable from your phone which alert you when something of a possibly X-factor nature is impacting your property, and thus allowing you to immediately notify emergency personnel.

If a video monitor system in the basement registers motion and alerts you immediately, you could stop thousands of dollars’ worth of water damage by calling a neighbor to unlock the door, and having them supervise a water restoration crew as they limit the impact.

In home ownership, unexpected costs are the norm rather than the exception. When you can get ahead of them, you can maintain both your own assets and your property value with greater success.

Whenever we travel, we always ask our travel guide and some locals about the cost of living, rent index, salary rates, and consumer prices of common goods in the city. We find it interesting to compare the living expenses of locals in one city and how they usually maintain their lifestyle versus ours and another city in a far different area of the world.

Per the mid-2017 United Nations Population Division, “the United States is home to by far the largest number of Filipinos abroad.” Today, most Filipinos in the U.S. obtain lawful permanent residence through family reunification channels, either as immediate relatives of U.S. citizens or through other family-sponsored channels. Many also get green cards through employment preferences.

From 2012 to 2016, the top four counties by Filipino concentration were Los Angeles and San Diego counties in California, Honolulu County in Hawaii, and Clark County in Nevada. All in all, these counties accounted for 26% of Filipinos in the U.S.

Thinking of moving to a new city with your family?

If you’re planning to relocate to a new city, for instance migrating to Los Angeles in the U.S. or the surrounding area, things can get complicated. That complication compounds nigh-exponentially. You’ll need to plan in advance, and understand exactly what is necessary to provide the best living environment for your family. Asking questions and knowing about the cost of living like we usually do isn’t going to be enough.

If you’ve got the resources and the wherewithal, you may spend a little more money to live in a community that is designed around “green” living principles. This can give your children a good example pertaining to environmental conscientiousness.

One well-regarded Los Angeles community can be explored at this address. According to the site, “Our Greenpoint-rated building offers sustainable design paired with conscientious living. Whether it’s reducing your carbon footprint with our Walk Score of 98, or helping save water with our eco-friendly luxury showers, making a positive influence on your environment has never been so enjoyable.”

That said, you may want to get luxury without the green spin. As a contrast, luxury apartments in San Pedro, CA provide units where: “Luxury, comfort, and impeccable style come together to make The Vue…the perfect place to call home. Our gorgeous community of upscale residences for rent in San Pedro, CO feature thoughtful design and a whole host of exciting extras that make for the perfect living experience.”

Contingencies to Consider

In order to determine which choice truly meets your needs—and in a comprehensive manner—you’ll want to take into account more factors than just the cost or location of your new residence. You also want to take into account trends within the city itself. Sometimes a community is trending up, sometimes it’s not.

There’s always the chance some future community betterment program may sweep in and make a dilapidated urban community into a chic new shopping district where all the property values compound. With a family, banking on such a chance isn’t wise. Also, you want to consider living somewhere the streets can be trusted.

Certainly, your kids can remain within your apartment building whenever they’re at “home,” but they’re going to want to explore, and exploration is good for them. If you’re in an urban environment where opiate-addicted indigents surround your building at the street level, there are some lessons your children may learn earlier than they should.

A better option would be a living in a community where such indigency hasn’t begun to define life at the street level. Sometimes taking a spike in luxury or location is better because of the increased safety your children enjoy.

Education and Planning

Additionally, for reasons of convenience, scheduling, cost-effectiveness, and safety, you want to live somewhere that is relatively near your children’s place of education. Also, that educational facility should—ideally—be one where inner-city difficulties won’t increase the gradient on the uphill relocation climb that’s already ahead of your family.

Ideally, you want your children in a private institution; and there are many fine luxury apartments adjacent to just these types of schools. A quick Google search can help you map out the best possible areas to live in.

Health and Safety

If you or your family have health needs that may require being close to medical facilities or hospitals with specialized care, choose a home that will be most convenient. Accessibility is key; find better options to sustain a good and healthy lifestyle. It will also help to research about the crime rate of the city and the neighborhoods of your prospect home.

Source of Income and Job Opportunities

If possible, it will be best to start applying and look for job opportunities before you move. Know the city’s largest industries and the particular skills that are most needed. Find out about job openings online and make a concrete job hunt plan. List the companies you want to target, start making professional connections (probably through LinkedIn), and pay attention to location as well.

Whether you’re an entry-level, in middle management, or in an executive position, think about long-term options within the industry you’re proficient in and what the city offers in terms of future employment. Most people no longer stay at one job for their entire careers, so you’ll want to consider how your future city stacks up for future job options.

Don’t Forget to Say Goodbye

Finally, before deciding to relocate, it’s best to throw a goodbye party, have a get-together with friends and relatives, or just make sure you say a proper goodbye to the important people in your life. Not only will it help you leave your old city on good terms, but it might unexpectedly reveal connections and opportunities in your new one!

Summer is still here however not entirely in full swing anymore. The rainy season is around the corner, and it takes more than looking for any signs of roof leaks and repairing clogged home gutters to prepare your home for the other half of the year. Preparation now can help prevent or at least lessen the possible problems of the stormy days ahead.

You may find that you need a group of deck remodelers to fix up your outdoor spaces, or even the professional touch of a landscaping company. Consider these essential services that can save you time, money, and stress. Here are some essential services to check to prepare your home.

Essential Services You Need to Prepare Your Home for the Rainy Season

1. Clean your home’s surrounding. 

Make sure to keep your yard clear from possible trash, scraps, and debris that may clog your drainage. There are plenty of cleaning activities you can do yourself, but the help of a professional can give your home the deep cleansing it needs. Professional cleaners have the tools needed to repair home gutters. Clogged ones can cause rainwater to back up and damage your roof and house. Tiny details like that are what professional cleaners focus on, ensuring that your home surrounding will be as clean as a whistle for the rainy season.

There are also tough to clean spots such as the roof. Ask help and look for loose or damaged shingles. Any water damage could be an indication of roof leaks. Having someone take care of the hard work for you makes the idea of cleaning a lot less tedious. Companies like Plumbing Fix can take care of any emergencies you may have, fixing a potential nightmare in no time.

2. Monitor spots around the house. 

Work on the doors and windows and make sure they are secure so water cannot easily enter. Install weather-stripping as necessary. Look for spots where the ground meets your house. Make any repairs or improvements to any damage to window sills, doors and exterior siding as necessary. Several companies will do the deed for you and have your doors and windows sealed in no time.

Do check out as well for water collecting. Dig a trench and redirect the water if needed. In the case of flood or if you live in a flood-prone area, stockpile the sand bags. These will help divert water, debris or mud. Have them filled and ready to go before flooding happens.

3. Keep your AC in tip-top shape. 

Chances are, you had your air conditioner unit on most of the time during summer. Calling for repairs during the monsoon season can pose as a challenge. There can be damages or burnout and these may escalate especially when water gets into the electrical components when it rains. Also, if debris is being blown around in the air and the system is running, there is a chance that some can get caught up inside the unit, damaging the fan blade inside by preventing it from spinning. This leads to damages throughout the entire AC system.

Before starting yours up, it’s highly recommended to have a professional perform annual maintenance on the machine. A simple fine tuning can help save you hundreds.

4. Protect yourself and loved ones from bugs.

Finally, you might want to have your home sprayed for insects depending on the area you live in. The rainy season need not be a season for pests as well. The bad news is: If air can pass through your doors, bugs can get in, too. Not everyone has the same pest problems, but insects can turn a happy day into a nightmare before you know it. Companies like Orkin have specialized repellents designed to ward off pests in specific areas, keeping your home safe all year-round.