Humans are one of the most hairless creatures on planet Earth. However, most of the hair that we do have is also undesirable to us. With rapid modernization and evolution of everything under the sun, society’s perception of body hair has also undergone lots of changes. Beautiful women need to be hairless below the neck, and men should have intricately patterned beards for their macho-ism to show. Where chest hair was a man’s pride before, now men shave their body hair for their gym gains to be visible. Similarly, if a woman chooses to flaunt her hairy legs, she is considered uncouth, clumsy, and well, ugly.
Now, I could go on and on about body hair and body image and natural beauty and feminism. But in this article, I want to talk about the one thing the world today cannot survive without- hair removal. With increased consciousness about body hair, humans have come up with many creative ways to combat the problem. Shaving, plucking, waxing, laser treatment, electrolysis– these are just some of the best known. And each category of hair removal has ten subcategories based on skin type, skin color, and what not.
But there are certain myths that accompany these hair removal methods that scare the living daylights out of people. And these myths sometimes become so overwhelming that one doesn’t know what to believe and what not to.
Now, if you are one of those overwhelmed people who wear full-sleeved clothes even during summers because of these myths, thank me. Because in this article, I will bust some of the most popular myths associated with hair-removal, so that you too can go hair-free and carefree-
Myth 1: Shaving causes hair to grow denser and coarser
When you shave, you only remove the part of the hair that is above your skin, not the part below. By doing this, you aren’t affecting the hair follicle below the epidermis in any way. Then you think about it, how can you affect the density of hair growth?
The initial coarseness of shaved hair also has a simple explanation. A hair has naturally tapered ends. When you trim it perpendicular to the length of the hair, the cross-section of its end increases. Hence the hair looks thicker and feels coarser (at the end) when it’s actually not. If you let the hair grow for a while, it becomes tapered again and starts looking like how it looked when you first shaved it.
Myth 2: Waxing causes ingrowths
Waxing only increases the risk of getting ingrowths, it doesn’t actually cause ingrowths. And honestly, all kinds of hair removal methods increase the chances of getting ingrowths. When you remove hair right from the surface of the skin (or below) and don’t allow the hair to grow out above the skin, you get an ingrowth. The hair didn’t get any space to grow outside the epidermis, so it grew inside the skin. To prevent ingrowths, avoid tight-fitting clothing for a few days after shaving or waxing. This way the hair will have plenty of space ABOVE the epidermis to grow freely.
Myth 3: Waxing causes the skin to become loose and rough
Nope. On the contrary, waxing can help your skin look younger. When you wax, the upper layer of dead cells come off too. This exfoliates the skin, making it look brighter. In some cases, waxing also helps you get rid of tan on your skin because of this exfoliation. Also, the pulling action of the skin has minimal effect on its elasticity. So you don’t need to worry about your skin becoming saggy because of waxing.
Myth 4: Plucking causes more hair to grow on the site
The two phenomena have nothing to do with each other. Plucking does cause more hair to grow on the site, but it is not the actual reason why it happens. Sometimes when you pluck a hair, the follicle experiences a shock. This shock may change the direction of the hair follicle. If you have dense hair growth and there is a follicle very close to the shocked one, the two follicles may merge. Now when both follicles have a hair come out of it, it seems as if more hair grew back on the same site. Plucking is not at fault, a follicular shock is. If you are so concerned, don’t pluck the hair too abruptly.
Myth 5: Laser treatments expose you to radiation
If that was the case, celebrities would all die of cancer. Also, laser treatments may not be a thing then, because FDA would’ve banned it. Laser treatments use FDA-approved technology that does not emit harmful radiations which will harm your skin. Don’t believe the myth. Look at all those celebrities with flawless and fuzz-free skin who have gotten laser treatments, and go fix an appointment right away!
Myth 6: You should always shave against the hair growth
Shaving against hair growth gives you a closer shave, that’s it. In fact, shaving against hair growth puts you at greater risk of incurring ingrowths. You can shave in just about any direction you want. To give yourself a smooth shave, exfoliate the skin and use good shaving cream. This is especially good for you when your hair grows in all directions, like on your underarms. Shaving in all directions will actually ensure that you get a smooth shave, so don’t believe the above myth.
Myth 7: Shaving causes the skin to darken
When women shave their underarms or bikini line, they often complain of getting darker skin. It isn’t your skin, girls, it is the hair follicles underneath. Look at men’s faces after they shave. Does their skin darken? No. But the next day, if you look closely, you will see little black spots on their skin, which you assume to be hair. It’s the hair follicles. Underarms and bikini lines have dense hair growth. So when you shave those areas, you see the hair follicles located very close to each other. This gives the illusion of darker skin. Don’t be too conscious about it. If it really bothers you, get waxed. Waxing pulls the hair right out of its follicle, so you don’t see any follicles beneath the thin epidermis.
Myth 8: Laser treatment is only for people with fair skin
This is quite a popular myth because melanin absorbs more radiation. That is why earlier it was believed that laser treatments are only effective for people with fair skin and dark hair. But owing to the tremendous technological advancements, this isn’t true anymore. Laser treatments are available for all kinds of hair growth, hair color, and skin color existing. And women with dark skin MAY require more sessions than someone with lighter skin, but they can enjoy the same benefits and end results nevertheless.
So now that these abominable myths have been busted, grab your razor, or book an appointment with your favorite salon, and go hair-free!
Dominos pizza has the widest reach when it comes to serving pizzas throughout the world. And if dominos cannot reach you are probably staying in Mongolia. Well, that’s the only place that dominos does not cover. Dominos marks its presence in 73 countries and has managed to gain many happy customers through the 10, 000 stores that it has set up. Along with their popular pizza’s Domino’s now also offers to its customers chicken wings, tacos, pasta, garlic bread, cheesy bread, potato wedges and a fleet of deserts and drinks.
With just 30 minutes away from your favorite pizza let us take a look at various best-selling pizza variants at the dominos stores so that you can choose the best one for you and enjoy it in just 30 minutes from now.
CREATE YOUR OWN PIZZA
What is in it?
There’s a pizza made for every mouth and every stomach and if we go by this, taste choices cannot be restricted to the pizzas that are fixed with their crusts and ingredients. Create your own pizza is a wonderful option that lets you choose and tailor make what and how you want your pizza.
How to go about?
Once you go on the website and select the menu page you will come across the create your own pizza options.
Crusts you can choose from
cheese rim (M/L), Original mass (M, L, XL), Crispy Thin Crust (L), Pan Pizza (M, L)
The size and the mass are the first things that you choose. You then have to proceed to the cheese and sauce.
Types of cheese you can choose from
Mozzarella Cheese: you can either spread it across the whole pizza of just one half of it. There are various quantities which you can have the Mozzarella in. You can also have half pizza with little cheese and the other one with a lot of it.
Quantities you can choose from
None, Little bit, normal, extra and double.
Sauce: you can have the Tradition Marinara Salsa sauce on your pizza in quantities of the Little bit, normal, and extra.
In the next step, one has to choose between ingredients. There are two options here which choose the vegetarians as well as the non-vegetarians. The options are: vegetables and others and meats.
Quantities: Little bit, normal, extra, double and triple. On either half or the full portion of the pizza.
TIP: Restrict to the number of toppings that you choose to 4 or less as any more toppings lead to overcrowding and also less proportion of your favorite toppings on the pizza.
Know the meats offered:
Ground beef, ham, sausage, salami, pepperoni, bacon, and chicken
Quantities: Little bit, normal, extra, double and triple. On either half or the full portion of the pizza.
Once all of this is chosen one can proceed by adding the ingredients to the order and then choosing the time and date of the delivery. Make use of the Dominos promo code to get special discounts on your special pizza. Make use of the Dominos promo code to get special discounts on your special pizza.
EXTRAVAGANZA PIZZA
What is in it?
The ingredients of the pizza include Onion, Paprika, mushroom, and tomato. The pizza can also be customized as per the needs of the customer interns of the size, vegetables.
The pizza can also be customized according to one’s choice. The pizza is one of those in the traditional category.
HONOLULU PIZZA
What is in it?
Jalapeno, Ham, Bacon, and pineapples.
The pizza comes with cheese that is made with 100 % real mozzarella cheese and also has a provolone that comes on a cheesy Parmesan Asiago crust. This pizza is the one that has earned the number one spot when it comes to being the favorite among the fans from the west. This pizza too is one of the pizzas in the traditional category.
TIP: Use dominos promo code to avail discounts on your favorite pizza.
HAWAIIAN PIZZA
What is in it?
The ingredients of the pizza include Extra queso, ham, and pineapple. The ingredients also can be added and be customized as per the customers choice.
The Fiery Hawaiian pizza is made with 100 % real mozzarella cheese. The Hispanic market was the target on when the pizza was being created but it soon gained popularity in other regions too. The people at Dominos realized that the Latinos usually ordered pizza with ham or pineapple pies and they added a lot of jalapeno peppers. So, the team modified it with some hot sauce and red peppers and gave it a spicy flavor. This has made the pizza really famous and highly preferred.
EXTRAVAGANZA PIZZA
What’s in it?
The pizza contains a huge variety of ingredients like onion, paprika, pepperoni, ham, mushroom, olives, ground beef, chorizo, and extra queso. Like most other pizzas this pizza also can be customized with the toppings, crusts, and ingredients of the customers choice.
True to the name, the extravaganza pizza comes with a lot of ingredients. Each bite gives a wholesome and cheesy taste to the food lovers. No wonder that this pizza is a part of the feast pizzas. A large or an extra-large sized extravaganza pizza is sure to satiate many stomachs and make many hearts happy.
PEPPERONI PARTY PIZZA
What is in it?
The pizza contains Double pepperoni and extra queso. The pizza can be customized as per the choice of the customer.
It is one of the feasting pizzas. It has two levels of pepperoni which are especially sandwiched between the special mozzarella cheese. To make the pizza more cheesy it comes with parmesan cheese. Not just this it also has Asiago and Provolone cheese. Upon this cheesy heaven, the pizza has oregano spread across it. The pizza is “the” pizza which is made for the pepperoni fans out in the town and who doesn’t like pepperoni. This is undoubtedly the pizza that pepperoni lovers should go for.
TIP: What do pepperoni Pizza lovers love apart from Pepperoni pizza? Undoubtedly, discounts. Find on the website the coupons section to grab discounts and offers using the dominos promo code.
Apart from these, the customers can choose from the wide variety of the pizzas as per their personal liking. Not just pizza’s but dominos also offers a great variety of side orders and add-ons like sandwiches. The customers can choose between sandwiches like Italian Sausage and peppers sandwich, the buffalo chicken sandwich, Mediterranean veggie sandwich, pilly cheese steak sandwich, chicken parm sandwich and many more.
ALSO LOOK OUT FOR
A delicious range of pasta that include chicken alfredo pasta, Italian sausage marinara pasta, pasta primavera, chicken carbonara pasta, and a customizable pasta of the customers own choice.
Pair your pizza with side orders of breaks like stuffed cheesy bread, stuffed cheesy bread with spinach and feta, stuffed cheesy bread with bacon and jalapeno, parmesan bread bites and breadsticks.
For the sweet-toothed and dessert, lovers get the Cinna stix or the chocolate lava crunch cake.
With this wide range of options for the food lovers, Domino’s is surely a heavenly treat. And to make this heavenly treat more heavenly use dominos promo codes that will provide you with discounts.
If you have caught yourself asking, “Where am I going wrong as a parent?”, then this article is for you. Let’s face it, being a parent is tough. When you become a parent, you don’t just give birth to a new human. You now become the sole benefactor of this new person. Your child is completely and unconditionally dependent on you for his survival until he becomes an adult. It is easy to take the word “parent” for granted. However, we are human and having someone entirely dependent on us can be overwhelming, not to say exhilarating.
We are human and prone to making mistakes. Our children may think that we are omniscient, but we are not. The biggest mistake that we tend to make as a parent is that we too start thinking that we are omniscient. And when we start thinking and acting that way, that’s where things start going wrong. Just because you are a parent doesn’t mean you are always right. Your children are individuals too, with beliefs and opinions of their own. You may be the one who is responsible for molding them into the adults they’ll become in the future. But you are just the mold, that will only shape the clay. You cannot change the properties of that clay, and you shouldn’t try to either.
Being a parent is hard. If parenting was a subject in school, no one would get full marks in it. But if you feel like you aren’t even getting passing marks, these are some aspects where you may be going wrong-
When you give them whatever they want
If we start making comparisons, we will find that parenting has evolved much faster than technology over the years. As people have started living more fast-paced lives, their parenting methods have evolved and changed tremendously. Where cultural values used to be the most crucial parameter once, now it has become more a matter of convenience. Modern parenting, it is called.
I personally know of some acquaintances who have just recently become parents, and they don’t know what to do about it. Their solution to the problem? Give the children whatever they want. As a result, they have become big tantrum-throwers and extremely obstinate. They know tantrums will get them anything they want.
The role of technology in child-rearing methods
The role of technology comes in when parents use it as a tool to pacify the children. Children won’t eat unless they get to watch their favorite cartoon while eating. Working parents often hand smartphones, tablets, and other electronic gadgets over to children way before they should be getting them. Kids no longer like to go out and play, they are glued to their gadgets and video games. The respect that children of older generations have for their kids is hardly seen in kids nowadays.
By doing this, you are making your children extremely dependent. Your children should know how to earn things by working hard for them, rather than getting all their wishes fulfilled on a whim. Learn to tell them no, and not agree to every wish of theirs. Spoiling your child is not a way of showing love. You can buy them nice things once in a while, but don’t insensibly give them whatever they want. This will only make it harder for them to face the real world, where not every wish of theirs will be fulfilled. Teach your child to work for what they want, instead of throwing tantrums and being obstinate.
When you say, “I trust you, but not your age”
How many times have you told your child this? I’m pretty sure 80% of the parents among my readers will have said, or implied this line at least once with their child. Most parents always hide their insecurities behind the excuse, “I trust you, but not your age”.
Every parent was once an adolescent, so it is funny how they don’t trust an age they have been through. Hormones are never to blame, it’s the person himself who is responsible for his own character. If parents, instead of trying to protect their child from “the world’s filth”, let them learn from their own mistakes, their children will respect them more.
There is a certain “taboo” associated with things about our bodies that parents can’t seem to overcome. Where parents should have a proper talk with their children about hormones and sex education, they shy away from it. They do this so that their child is never exposed to these “bad things”. What they don’t realize is that they are more prone to being rebellious and being exposed to “bad things” if parents don’t talk to them first.
Children, in their transition from a child to an adult, want a certain level of freedom and independence. The excuse “I trust you but not your age” will only make them rebellious. Let your child go, treat him like an equal, like someone who can have his own thought process. Show some trust in them; when you do, they will ensure that they don’t do anything to break it.
When you try to dictate their lives
Every parent is extremely protective and concerned about their child. That’s great unless your concerns start taking the shape of dictation and paranoia. Sometimes, parents forget that they’re only required to make life decisions for their children up until a certain point of time. Once your children are old enough to distinguish between right and wrong, let them be. Give them the freedom to make decisions for themselves. Unless you know something poses immediate danger to their life or is morally unethical, don’t stop them from doing it, even if you think it’s wrong.
What is the definition of “moral” and “ethical”?
But another trouble here is, the definitions of “moral” and “ethical”. The definitions, unfortunately, have become so subjective today that a hundred things that are NOT unethical or immoral get included in the category. Drinking alcohol is NOT unethical or immoral. Having a boyfriend or a girlfriend isn’t unethical or immoral either. Sexual intercourse, if it is consensual, is not unethical or immoral either.
Lying, cheating, stealing, or inflicting physical abuse- these are the things that are IMMORAL and UNETHICAL. So unless your child is doing any of these, there is no reason for you to stop him from doing what he wants.
Don’t dictate your child’s life and make decisions for him. More importantly, don’t make him do something just because you think it is right. Let him have his own opinions, thoughts, choices, likes, and dislikes. Don’t protect him from making mistakes; that is how he will learn the art of living. By letting your child be, you will make him a strong-willed and independent person who will not just trust and respect you but also be a good human being.
When you don’t respect your children
Sometimes, parents are not able to accept the fact that their children may no longer be dependent on them. They still want to coddle them, and well, make life decisions for them.
But when children become adolescents, they want to be taken notice of. They are beginning to mature, and want to be taken seriously. Adolescents look to their parents for guidance and emotional support. But instead of taking their problems seriously, parents treat them like “a passing phase every child goes through”.
Why some children start resenting their parents
If you have read the book, “The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank, you will better understand what goes on in the mind of an adolescent. Anne wanted to be taken seriously, she wanted her opinions and beliefs to be valued and recognized. She grew to resent her parents because they never took her seriously. Instead of valuing her opinions about “grown-up” things, her parents laughed at her, or told her to “stay out of grown-up conversations”. They talked jokingly about her shortcomings with outsiders in front of her, not realizing how much it hurt her. Anne’s parents loved her, but they unknowingly hurt her by doing things like these. Now, if Anne had not been their daughter, but an adult like them, this behavior would’ve been termed “disrespectful”. But because she was just a child, no one thought of it as disrespect. Why?
Respecting your child doesn’t just mean showering them with affection. The first step is to treat them like an individual, who can have beliefs completely different from your own. Value their opinions, instead of ridiculing them just because they are children. You may not realize it, but psychological issues related to self-esteem, trust-building, and even PTSD stem from things like these. So respect your child and his ideas. Don’t ridicule their shortcomings or make fun of their opinions, especially in front of outsiders. Respect your child, so that your child respects you too.
When you compare them with other kids
How would you feel if your child kept telling you that someone else’s parents were better than you? Now think about how most parents compare their children with others almost every day. Every human being is born with certain shortcomings and certain strengths. No one is ever perfect in all aspects, and we shouldn’t force them to be either. Learn to accept your child’s shortcomings and weaknesses, instead of comparing them to others. Your child may not be as good at academics as his peers, but he may have some talent that others don’t. Recognize your own child’s strengths. Tell your child to be his own competition, and never tell him to try being better than everyone else.
In the end, it’s not how much better your child is from his peers. What matters is that your child is happy, and can count on you for positive encouragement. Instead of comparing your child with others, help your child develop the talents that he has. Help him enhance his strengths, and help him overcome his shortcomings. Taunts and admonitions will only take you so far. A child needs his parents’ support at every walk in life. If you won’t help him overcome his weaknesses, then who will?
When you don’t practice what you preach
A child is almost completely dependent on his parents for the first few years of his life. Food, shelter, brain development, character development, personal values- all these a child inherits and acquires from his parents. Everything that you say and do, influences your child and plays a role in his personality development. Telling him not to do something won’t make a difference unless you practice what you preach. Yes, you NEED to practice what you preach.
If you tell your children to respect their elders, but you mock your own in-laws or parents in front of them, your teachings are in vain.
Example
I will give you a real life example from my personal experience. An acquaintance I know has a child who lies about everything. The mother can’t figure out who taught her child how to lie, because she would always stress the importance of honesty. But she didn’t realize that she herself was the guilty party. Many a time, she would tell her daughter to lie for her to someone about not being available whenever she wanted to avoid someone. Also, she had a bad habit of making her child miss school when she didn’t feel like doing her morning chores. Then, she would make her child lie in school about being unwell. The child, as a result, grew up to be dishonest and the mother is struggling the most because of it.
If you want your child to be a certain way, then start being that person yourself. The child won’t learn what you tell him, he will learn by observing you. Children grow up with habits and mannerisms that they see in their parents. And they learn more from your actions than from the words you preach to them. If you are a hypocrite, then they will neither respect you nor learn any good values that you try to teach them. So, learn how to practice what you preach.
When you show them your dark side
Here, I am inferring to violence of any and every kind. Violence, in any form and for any reason, is abominable. Children are extremely sensitive because their brains are still developing and processing new things. When those things are unpleasant, it affects them a hundred times more strongly than it would an adult.
Violence against your child
Personally, I feel like if you have to hit your child to make him listen to you, you have unquestionably failed as a parent. You are your child’s guardian, the person he looks to for protection and affection. If you are hitting your own child for his misdemeanors, you are only creating fear in him for yourself. Regular violence against your child will traumatize him for life, and he will never be able to love you or look to you for help. You need to win your child’s love and trust, not build fear in him. If your child truly loves you for who you are as a person, he will automatically respect you. You will never need to resort to such a petty thing. And if you are mistaking his fear for respect, then you really need to reevaluate your parenting methods.
Domestic Violence
Another abominable thing is, well, domestic violence. When two spouses voice their personal issues in front of their child, it hurts the child as nothing else would. And no matter how hard you try, you can’t heal the trauma of seeing his parents argue or indulge in violence. A simple argument in raised voices can deeply affect your child mentally and emotionally. As for domestic violence, well, go and see the childhood backgrounds of major psychopaths and criminals across the world. That’s the kind of traumatic effect domestic violence causes to your child. If it doesn’t turn them into psychopaths, it definitely turns them into robots who don’t know the meaning of love. Or, it makes them commit suicide. I hope this explanation is sufficient. Domestic violence is an abomination by nature, let alone as something you do in front of a child.
Just don’t subject your child to things of such nature. Your child looks upon his parents as two ideals who will love him, nurture him, and protect him. If you can’t give your child a home where he feels safe, he will never feel safe in any setting in life. Never bring your personal issues in front of your child, and certainly never resort to violence of any kind in the house.
This article isn’t meant to demean anyone’s parenting methods. Everybody has a different set of cultural values. But what a child turns out to be in the future is highly dependent on his parents. Parents lay the foundation of a child’s personality, his character, and his mental and emotional strength. If the foundation is not strong, the child will never be able to survive the harsh realities of the real world. So if you are a parent, know that what YOU do in your life is what your child will copy and be influenced by. Work on yourself, before you teach your child anything. Only then will you be a “good” parent.
Necessity is the mother of invention, they say. But that may not be necessarily true. Accidents happen all the time, and inventions can be their illegitimate children. Many discoveries and inventions were a product of human necessities. But the invention of many of the most ordinary things we use today was completely unintentional.
You may have heard stories about accidental inventions like Penicillin and Dynamite, which were completely revolutionary. But here is a list of 8 things from our everyday life that were invented completely by accident-
Okay, so this product also belongs to the “revolutionary invention” category. But Super Glue is the best example of how something unwanted can also become invaluable. Super Glue was an accidentalinvention by Dr. Harry Coover in 1942. He was working in Kodak Research labs, trying to develop an optically clear plastic for gun sights. In the process, Dr. Coover rejected a chemical called “cyanoacrylate” because it was extremely sticky. But later, he tested the chemical and found it to be incredibly strong. His new discovery could withstand almost a metric ton of pressure applied on a square inch of area. Ever since the super glue that we know today came into existence.
Post-it notes
These extremely handy sticky notes were also a byproduct of rejected commodities. In 1970, a scientist working in 3M research labs named Spencer Silver invented a new adhesive. This adhesive was sticky and stuck to objects, but it didn’t have much strength. Hence everyone thought it was useless and they ignored it, but Spencer didn’t discard it. Later in 1974, another scientist named Arthur Fry was tired of having his markers keep falling from his hymn books in the church. So to solve this problem, he used Spencer’s adhesive to keep his markers in place. He was delighted with how the markers didn’t fall off, yet could be removed easily. Hence Post-it notes came into being.
Cornflakes
The favorite breakfast of most of the world’s populace was an accidental invention by John Harvey Kellogg and his brother Will Keith Kellogg. John Harvey was the superintendent of the Battle Creek Sanitarium in Michigan. He imposed a diet of bland foods made out of wheat, barley, rice, and other whole grains on the patients. One day, when his brother and he were attending a conference, they left some cooked wheat to sit out. By the time they came back, the wheat had become stale but they still used it to make a dough, being on a budget. However, they found that instead of dough, the stale wheat produced flakes. The brothers toasted these flakes and served them to the patients, who really liked it. Then the brothers patented their discovery in 1895, and our favorite cornflakes were born.
Potato chips
The potato chips that we now love were an accidental invention by a cook trying to appease a stubborn customer. George Crum, a cook at Moon’s Lake House in Saratoga Springs is the one accredited with this immensely popular dish. In 1853, a particularly stubborn customer kept sending back his dish of fried potatoes, saying they were too thick and under-salted. Out of spite, Crum cut potatoes into paper thin slices, deep fried them and sprinkled lots of salt on them. But his joke on the customer backfired because the customer loved his new dish and asked for more. This new dish was now called Saratoga chips, and later other restaurants started serving them too. By and by, potato chips started being mass-produced by food companies and the rest is history.
Tea bags
This seemingly innocent variation to our tea brewing methods was also an accidental invention. Tea bags were invented by a New York-based tea importer named Thomas Sullivan in 1908. He once imported the tea leaves in small bags of silk to cut down on transport and other costs. But when the clients received these bags, instead of taking the leaves out, they dipped the entire bags in water. They were impressed by the innovative and hassle-free way of brewing tea, and tea bags came into existence. The tea bags we now use are made of paper or other synthetic materials. Still, kudos to Sullivan for his ingenuity!
Band-aids
If there’s one thing everyone has in their first-aid kit, it’s band-aids. But why would anyone invent them if bandages already existed? Well, this accidental invention was the by-product of a husband’s annoyance with his careless wife. In 1920, an American housewife named Josephine Dickson would keep cutting herself during household chores, and kept needing bandages. Her annoyed husband came up with an idea. He took some tape and gauze, and cut long strips out of the tape. Then he stuck a square of gauze in the middle of each strip. Now everytime Josephine cut herself, she would just have to take a strip and apply it on the wound. Later in 1924 Johnson and Johnson started manufacturing it nationwide, and voila, Band-aids!
Jeans
Who hasn’t heard of Levi Strauss, the founder of our favorite Levi’s jeans? However, his mighty invention was never really intentional. In 1854, Levi arrived at San Francisco with the intention of starting a dry goods business. One day, upon inquiry, Levi showed a miner the canvas he was selling to make tents. The miner, however, insisted that he wanted pants that could withstand wear and tear from the mining work. Levi hit upon an idea and made pants out of the canvas, which the miners loved. Later, Levi substituted the canvas material with a French cloth called “Serge de nims” (now called denim), and the jeans we now wear were born.
Viagra
The little blue pill that has changed so many lives in the past few decades was actually invented by complete fluke. Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, was being tested as a cure for high blood pressure in Pfizer Labs in 1998. The drug didn’t do much for blood pressure. However, while testing for side effects, the scientists found that the male patients were getting firmer and better erections. So, with an open mind, they studied the drug for treatment of erectile dysfunction. The results were excellent, and the now immensely popular Viagra was born.
Coca-Cola
Some of you may be surprised that Coca-Cola was actually an alcoholic beverage used to cure nerves before it became a soft-drink. John Pemberton, an ex-army officer, and druggists invented a beverage French Wine Coca, as a substitute for morphine addiction. It was a beverage made with alcohol and Kola nut. The beverage was a great hit with upper-class socialites and businessmen as an energizing tonic. But after alcohol was prohibited in Europe in 1886, Pemberton substituted alcohol with carbonated water, and Coca-Cola was born. It was Asa Candler who popularised its mass production, but Pemberton is the real mastermind.
The moral of the article is- never discard or disregard anything around you. You never know when something will turn out to be an invaluable discovery!
Feminism is not the only movement that came into vogue in the 21st Century. Another movement is starting- a movement called Individualism. Okay, I just made it up. But although the movement doesn’t really have a name yet, it has started.
What is the “Individualism” movement?
This movement is being brought about by people who don’t want to be restricted by 9-5 jobs. Yes, I am talking about the dreamers, and more specifically, the freelancers. Not many things are taboo in today’s modern society. As a result, more and more people are opting out of desk jobs to follow their passion and do what they love. Where some people become entrepreneurs, own businesses and employ other people, others just go their own way and become Successful Freelancer.
Difference between entrepreneurs and Successful Freelancer
Before I point out some obvious differences, I’ll state one, even more, obvious similarity between the two. That is, both entrepreneurs and successful freelancers work on their own terms.
Imagine a Venn diagram with two circles, one inside another. Let the small circle be entrepreneurs and the big circle freelancers. Okay, so we know that both entrepreneurs and freelancers work on their own terms. However, where an entrepreneur employs other people and doesn’t have any boss, a freelancer does have bosses. The difference between an employee and a freelancer is- an employee cannot choose his boss, or his work timings, or the kind of work he is given. A freelancer, CAN.
Freelancing is pretty much like working for oneself only. If you are not doing work for someone else, but doing your own thing and letting people approach you, you lie in the entrepreneur part. But if you are working for someone, only at your own T&C, then you lie in the outer part of the freelancer circle.
Why become a freelancer?
Well, there are some obvious perks to being a freelancer. Freelancing gives you a great deal of freedom to live your life the way you want to. You get to decide your bosses, the kind of work you want to do and your work hours/days. A freelancer can do multiple jobs requiring completely different skill sets, just because they want to and can. They can earn doing whatever they want. All they need is a good skill set appropriate for the work they are after. And as more and more organizations are outsourcing employees from amongst the freelancer crowd for cost-effectiveness, work is plenty.
I myself am a freelancer, and I am a college student at the same time. Freelancing allows me to do what I love (content writing) and earn extra pocket money without having to compromise on anything. You can wake up whenever you want, go on long vacations, and have a good social life.
Why not be a Successful Freelancer?
Ah, I wish freelancing was one of those things which didn’t have any cons to it. Unfortunately, it isn’t. Freelancing has its own share of disadvantages. For one, there is no certainty about when you will get work and when you won’t. Your living standards are dependent on how much you are earning at the time; freelancing makes this aspect quite a volatile thing. You never know when work (hence money) will be flooding in like water, and when you will find yourself struggling to make ends meet.
This is especially true during times like recession when people with secure jobs also find themselves unemployed. Freelancing works for people who have some backup for situations like these. People whose lives are entirely dependent on their freelance work, well, they will feel the pain of these disadvantages more.
Now coming back to the question of the day-
How to be a successful freelancer?
So, I have curated a list of to-dos based on my personal experience and those of some freelancers who I personally know are doing better than any full-time employee. All successful freelancers have a few things in common, and this list enlists those similarities-
Have a backup plan
Don’t be completely dependent on our freelancing job. It always helps to have a steady backup plan for when you are out of work. Your backup plan could be anything- a savings bank account for emergencies, a part/full-time job, or your parents (only valid for students). Now, you may be wondering why I mentioned a full-time job here. Look, if you can guarantee that there is a place vacant for you somewhere for when you’re in need, take it. Or if you feel that your freelance work doesn’t earn you much money, do a full-time job till you can save up enough to quit.
If you are a student and freelancing, don’t think of your hard-earned money as extra cash you can spend lavishly. Save some money, so that even if you decide not to work after graduating, you won’t have to beg if you’re short of work. Long story short, make sure that you can live comfortably and have a source of income when you aren’t getting work.
Don’t be too choosy
In the initial days of your freelance work, you may be extremely selective about the kind of work you want. This way, you will only volunteer or apply for certain jobs and reject others. Never do that, at least at the beginning of your freelance career. Apply for the smaller, less-paying jobs too. They may seem unsatisfying, but there is always scope for growth everywhere. And you will never know where you will strike gold.
Signing up for all kinds of assignments and jobs will teach you a lot about how the real world works. You will encounter all kinds of people, and learn how to handle pressure. Not just that, this also gives you an opportunity to network, and maybe get people to recommend you for other better jobs.
Learn how to say “no” too
“Take it as it comes” doesn’t mean that you should compromise too much either. Make sure that the compromise is made on both sides. You are freelancing for a reason– to work on your own terms. If a job is way too demanding for very less pay, and you aren’t desperate, say no.
Again, if you are being told to do something that is not in your job description or your skill-set, don’t do it. State your reasons very clearly, and ask them to compromise. If they don’t, pack your skills and your smile up, take your payment, and leave. Never agree to do something that is irrelevant to the work or if you have zero profit in it.
Develop a versatile skill-set
The advantage of being a freelancer is that you can work in just about any field that you want to. When you are working as a full-time employee in a software company, you can’t be a photographer at the same time. With freelancing, you have so much freedom and so much more time on hand. So use it to your advantage, and develop a versatile skill set.
If you are a graphic designer, learn some basic video editing and VFX. Or you could learn a new language alongside whatever it is that you do. This will keep you occupied, make you an all-rounder, and also help you land better assignments and hence more money.
Work on your multitasking skills
Freelancing can sometimes be a pain in the neck if you aren’t a good multitasker. The trouble with having multiple assignments from different sources is that there’s too much hustle involved. You have to balance the deadlines, ensure quality and quantity in all, and not mix up the assignments. All of this without losing your sanity. So do work on your time management and multitasking skills. They are your weapons if you want to be a successful freelancer and not go insane in the process.
Schedule your time and assign a time slot to every assignment. Or if two assignments are similar, be smart and modify one of them for the other. But remember, don’t do this for every assignment that you get. Plagiarism is heavily looked down upon in the world of freelancers.
Learn how to communicate and network
If you want to grow, you need to build connections. You must’ve seen YouTubers collaborating with each other on videos, and attending YouTube fan fests. These are ways to network and build relationships with other people like them. This helps you grow and learn. You will get to know new people, new tips and tricks of the trade, and make new friends too. This will also help you build a rapport in your freelancing community, and get you better jobs and more money.
If you want to be successful, you need to be known. Oblivion and being introverted won’t get you anywhere. You need to get out there, and build connections. Networking is a surefire way to be a successful freelancer fast.
Don’t sit idly
Even if you’re short on work, don’t sit idle. Work on skill building, and keep building your resume. If you’re a writer, write articles, poems, or short stories that you can show clients as work samples. Similarly, if you are a graphic designer, work on new templates or logos to make your resume stronger. You can also use the free time to teach yourself a new skill, and get work related to that new skill. Whatever you do, don’t sit idle.
Use the freedom that freelancing gives you for your own good. Don’t use it to while away time and be a couch potato. That won’t get you anywhere. Successful freelancers never sit still. They are always hustling to reach the heights they want to achieve. So always keep yourself busy. After all, you know what they say, “An idle brain is the devil’s workshop.”
Freelancing gives you the freedom to express yourself. It gives you a way to showcase your talents and live your passion, your dreams. But freedom makes us lazy, and greedy. The road to success is the same for everyone, whether you’re a freelancer or a corporate employee. Give your dreams all that you have got, and you’ll be amazed at what you can do. Don’t be afraid of hustling. If you are passionate about something, give it all that you can. Trust me, no one will be able to stop you from becoming successful.
Bengaluru, the land of opportunities, good weather and start up companies. It is a place which will speak to you in volumes. A place where the traffic will bother you a bit but at the same time, that is what you’ll miss when you leave. The hustle and bustle will fill you with adrenaline and a sense of the life moving about you. There are many great places here but here are some which are a must visit if you ever visit Bengaluru:-
Bangalore palace
The palace is a splendid example of beautiful architecture and the lavish lifestyle of one of the greatest dynasties of South India. It was built in the year 1878. It is spread across 45000 square feet of area which will take you about a day to cover completely. It is said that the insides of the palace is inspired from the Windsor castle at London. There are many splendidly decorated halls with a touch of colorful tiles and furniture and wooden flooring is some places. The chandeliers just add to the elegance of the castle. There are audio guides which are provided to the tourists which helps them explore the magnificent palace that is filled with many exquisite artifacts.
Cubbon park
This park is the best place for anybody with a keen interest for nature, peace and greenery. It is spread across 300 acres of land. It is great for taking long walks or meditate or just sit around and admire the peace and tranquility. It was originally of about 100 acers but then later extended to 300 acres. It was initially called as Meade’s park but later called cubbon park after Lord Cubbon who laid the foundation of this place. It was built in the year 1870 by Sir John Meade (acting commissioner of Mysore). The park also features a concert stage and the Bangalore aquarium is also situated here, which is the 2nd largest aquarium in India. It is currently under the supervision of the horticulture department. There is also a toy train present there named putani express which is a great way for the visitors to explore the park further.
Bannerghatta national park
This wonderful park is situated at about 23 kilometers from the city center. It is spread across many acres of land. There are jungle safaris available here and there is also a zoo. The jungle safaris are a must as they will fill your soul with adventure and when you go back there will be amazing stories to tell. The tourists are taken in a bus into the jungle where they can spot tigers, lions, bears, elephants and deer and crocodiles among many others. All of these animals are separated by different barriers from each others. The bus will move through each and every part of the jungle, giving you the chance to look at each of these majestic creatures closer than ever before. It is also the home to the first butterfly museum in India. The various flora and fauna in this place just add to the beauty and tranquility there. The average temperature of this place varies from 15 to 35 degree Celsius and an annual rainfall of 700mm.
If you have an interest in planes and how they work then this is THE place for you to be. It is situated in the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited premises it showcases about 3 decades of planes, fighter jets and helicopters. Battle tested aircrafts are put here for display and it is a major tourist attraction because of this very reason. It was inaugurated in 2001 and has been an epitome of fantastic display of many different commercial and fighter aircrafts. He enchantment of this place stays days after you have left. There is a souvenir shop in the compound from where you can purchase model aircrafts and various other gifts. Some planes are taken apart and then kept piece by piece for the tourists to see. Be it the afterburner or the engines or the propellers, it is sure to indulge you in ways you would not believe.
After reading this, do you or do you not wanna visit this place? If yes, have a safe trip!
The world has seen an exponential increase in the number of people vouching for physical fitness in the past decade. If you look up the word “fitness” on Google, you will find around 4 billion search results and hundreds of thousands of equipment and gadgets for sale online. And if you ask around verbally, everyone will give you different advice on how to start working out.
If there are a thousand different diet plans, then there are triple the number of workouts. Now for someone who is just starting out, this can be really intimidating. Physical fitness is so hyped nowadays that if one isn’t careful, they will end up doing something completely different from what they intended to.
I am writing this article because I have personally experienced the enormity of the entire fitness trend. And believe me, an overwhelming amount of information as is available on the internet can do you more harm than good. So if you are a novice too, here are a few things to keep in mind before you start working out-
Have a goal in mind
It is important for you to identify the reason why you want to be fit. Be truthful to yourself as to why you want this. Maybe you want your body to look a certain way, or you want to impress someone. Or maybe you just want to be stronger, or more flexible. The reasons can also go beyond just your body. Maybe you just need a way to release the pent-up energy inside you or relieve yourself of stress.
Figure out YOUR personal reason to go down the fitness road. Even if you are just doing it because others are, admit it to yourself. Your goal will help you tailor your fitness regime. It will help you do exactly what is best suited for your needs. So have a clear picture of your end goal in mind.
Clear your schedule
If you’re committing to working out, then make sure to have no obstacles that stop you from doing so. Clear some space in your daily schedule for your workout session. Adjust your daily workout at some time in the day when you know you will be free. When you do this, you can’t make any excuse to yourself for not working out.
Find a time slot as per your daily routine, and dedicate it to your workout. If you have trouble remembering, put it on your calendar or set an alarm. The key is for you to make working out a habit, just like how you brush your teeth every day. When you do something consistently at the same time, it becomes a habit. And once it becomes a habit, you will never look back from your fitness journey.
Get help from the experienced
This is literally the best thing you can do. When in doubt, seek professional help. You can either seek help from a gym trainer, join a fitness class. There are also a lot of apps available on Play store and iTunes, but they may confuse you since you are just beginning. Ask someone who has been working out for a long time to help you out. Tell them about your goal in the minutest detail, and together tailor out a custom fitness plan for yourself.
The more experienced your advisor, the better it is for you. They will also tell you where you are going wrong and help you correct your techniques. You will not just be saved the trouble of doing the requisite research, but also achieve your goals faster.
Start slow
This point is especially important if you aren’t seeking any professional help. It is important to know your fitness level before starting any workout. You shouldn’t assume that you can do 300-pound deadlifts like your favorite powerlifter on the first day. Take it slow and steady. You may feel bored and want to jump right away to the “cool” stuff, but trust me when I say, don’t. If you do, you will only end up injuring yourself.
Give yourself time to adjust to the workout. Once you are comfortable doing what you are, then go for something more challenging. Get the basic postures and techniques right before trying anything more advanced. The cool stuff that you see on Instagram is done by people who have been working out for years. Gauge your fitness level, and tailor your workouts accordingly to prevent injuries.
Don’t try to show-off
This point is kind of an extension of the above point. Don’t lift heavy weights if you have zero experience with the lighter ones. Similarly, don’t do fancy exercises like pistol squats if you haven’t even perfected your basic squats. Fancy exercises are only done by fitness models and people who need a bigger challenge.
If you have been working out long enough, then go ahead and show off the fancy exercises you can do. But if you are a beginner, just don’t try. You will only end up making a fool of yourself. Commit to your goal, practice the basics to perfection, and then show off.
Don’t neglect nutrition
Nutrition is an extremely important part of any fitness regime. You cannot, just CANNOT exercise away a bad diet. In every fitness regime, workouts account for only 30% of the output. Nutrition is what accounts for the remaining 70%. A common misconception that beginners have is that if they work out, they can eat anything they want. That is NOT true. You need to eat within a caloric range according to your height, weight, and activity level.
Unless you are an athlete or insane, you will not burn more than 500 calories in your workout. So if you are working out and then relishing a couple donuts immediately after, you may just have ruined your workout. Again, if you are not getting enough protein to fuel your workouts, and the right amount of every vitamin and mineral, you may not see results fast enough. So just don’t neglect nutrition. At all.
Be patient
The process of changing your body in any way is not an easy process. There are hundreds of internal mechanisms in play. It also depends on the amount of exertion you put on your body and your nutrition. Don’t think that you will start looking like a model after a few weeks of working out.
Body transformations happen over the course of many months or even years. So if you cannot see any visible progress, don’t be disheartened. It does NOT mean that you are doing something wrong. Just stay committed and be consistent. If you are doing the right workouts, you will surely start seeing progress after a month or two.
A beginner cardio workout
Cardio is generally resented by many because of the muscle loss it causes. However, cardio is your best option if you have a lot of weight to lose. So here are some cardio exercises you can do to shed that fat fast-
Walking- When in doubt, walk. You can burn approximately 200 to 350 calories per hour just by walking. Many professional lifters and fitness trainers also walk a lot every day to burn calories and get their cardio of the day done.
Skip rope– This is one of the most calorie-torching cardio exercises. Just 15 minutes of skipping can burn more than 200 calories. So do, DO give it a try.
Running– If you feel like walking isn’t good enough, go for a run. It will burn twice the amount of calories and even strengthen your legs. However, be careful because running directly impacts your joints and can cause injury if you run too hard.
HIIT– High-Intensity Interval Training is an all-time favorite with the fitness freaks of the world. It burns way more calories than regular cardio, and keeps them burning till after you stop working out. HIIT sessions are short but extremely effective, and they don’t cause muscle loss. So do give it a try.
Sports– Take up any sport at a local stadium, club, or your school/college (if you are a student). Sports are fun, and they are a great way to burn calories without feeling bored. It will also boost your social life, so yay!
Dancing– This is another fun way to burn calories. You can take a dance class, or just put some music on in your room and start moving. Make sure to really tire yourself out and really MOVE. The more you move, the more calories you burn.
A beginner workout for muscle tone
There are a few basic exercises that you will find in every body-sculpting and strengthening fitness regime. So if you just do these exercises with perfect form, you will see great results. Here goes the list-
Upper body
Pushups– This is, no question, one of the best exercises for upper body strength and muscle tone. They target your arms, your chest and your shoulders. And they look easy, but even people who have been working out longer than you have, find them difficult to do.
Tricep dips- These are a seemingly easy yet tough to master exercise. Tricep dips, as the name suggests, target your triceps, and if done with the perfect form, your chest muscles. Everyone struggling with baggy arms, tricep dips are for you.
Bicep curls– Want toned and lean arms? Do these. All you need is a pair of dumbbells or just two filled water bottles. Grab one in each hand, do a few sets, and you will be surprised at how effective such a simple exercise is.
Lower body
Hip thrusts– A strong, shapely pair of glutes isn’t just visually appealing but also essential for back health. And what better way to strengthen them than this awkward yet super effective exercise?
Squats– This popular exercise targets your thighs and your glutes. It’s just like sitting in a chair, except well, there is no chair. Squats are great for lower body toning, and should definitely be included in every fitness regime.
Lunges– They are another effective lower body exercise targeting your glutes and thighs. Combine a squat and a lunge, and you have the perfect move for amazingly toned legs.
Abs
Planks– They are an extremely effective exercise for sculpting rock-hard abs. If you can hold a plank for more than a minute, it signifies insane ab strength. They also target your arms to some extent, especially if you introduce certain variations.
Crunches– They are an amazing ab centric exercise if you are looking for a sculpted stomach. Pair them up with a calorie deficit high protein diet and a proper workout regime, and you have the perfect recipe for amazing ab definition.
I could go on and on, but these are the best exercises in the market, sufficient for muscle tone. You can make them more challenging by adding weights for greater resistance or doing some “fancy” variations.
Now that you have enough material, get off your couch and start working out!
Are you a student who’s curious to plan a trip for the long weekend? Or are you a family person who’s planning a peaceful trip for family? If yes, then you’re at the right place.
Kodaikanal comes as one of the most beautiful cities to be visited in South India. It is known to be the “Princess of Hill Stations”, and the most appropriate place to spend a weekend with abundance of peace and low cost. The city is situated in the Dindigul district in the state of Tamil Nadu. Kodaikanal has various sightseeing places, but the best option of stay will be the city of Vattakanal. It is approximately situated at a distance of 5.7 kms.
Tourists can travel from Vattakanal to Kodaikanal for sight seeing and trekking. Restaurants are available which provide 24×7 services both in Kodaikanal and Vattakanal. So for the foodies out there, food isn’t an issue when you’re planning of boosting yourself with meals at regular intervals.
Kodaikanal has a few grand common attractions which are delighted in by its guests and make it a famous sentimental goal for tourists. Numerous youngsters want bicycle treks and recreation. It is likewise well known for it’s home made chocolates and eucalyptus oil.
These are portrayed arranged by separation from the transport stand.
Upper lake see in Kodaikanal:
Kodaikanal Lake is a fake, generally star-molded. It is Kodaikanal’s most prominent geographic milestone and vacation spot. Rowboats and paddle boats can be rented at the Kodaikanal Boat Club. Horses, bicycles and bikes can be rented alongside the lake for brief periods.
Sight seeing places include:
Bryant Park:
Is situated at the east of the lake and 500 meters away from the transport stand. It has 325 different types of trees, bushes, and desert plants, the recreation center is a rainbow of blooms amid the pinnacle season. A huge area is committed to almost 740 types of roses. There are found to be a variety of 1857 eucalyptus trees and a Bodhi tree which adds a religious centrality to the recreation center. Decorative plants are developed in a nursery available to be purchased. The recreation center arranges agricultural displays and blossom demonstrates each late spring, to match with the pinnacle season.
Coaker’s Walk
It is situated 500 meters from the transport stand. On a sunny morning, one can see similar to Dolphin’s Nose in the south, the valley of the Pambar River in the southeast, Periyakulam town and even the city of Madurai. There is an observatory with a telescope most of the way along the walk. The extra charge to the walkway is superficial and it is open all year.
Kudhanthai Velappar Temple
This temple is situated in the Poombarai village which is 15 kilometres from the bus stand. The village is a reserve forest and temple is of Lord Muruga.
Green Valley View
It was earlier known as the suicide point. 5.5 kilometres from the bus-stand and near the golf course, has a panoramic view of the plains and a sheer drop of 1,500 metres overlooking the Vaigai Dam to the south. The stairway is highly commercialised and lined with rows of shops to tempt tourists.
Shembaganur Museum of Natural History
6 kilometers from the transport stand, is available to people in general except for the Tuesdays for surveying an excess of 500 types of creatures, winged animals and bugs and a living gathering of more than 300 fascinating orchid species. The historical center is associated with Loyola College in Chennai and displays antiquities of the antiquated Palaiyar clans individuals whose relatives still live in these slopes.
Dolphin’s Nose
8 kilometres from the bus stand, is a flat rock projecting over a chasm 6,600 feet deep. It is an undisturbed area 1 kilometer down a steep rocky trail beginning soon after Pambar Bridge. The old village of Vellagavi can be reached through a rugged bridle path here. A short paved walkway leads from the road here to Pambar Falls.
Berijam Lake
The lake is found essentially at a separation of around 20 km from Kodaikanal. The passage is limited to the Berijam Lake region between 9.30 a.m. also, 3 p.m. Buffalo, deer, jaguars and snakes are frequently seen here. The fire tower, Silent Valley, Medicine Forest, and Lake View are different attractions around the lake.
Boating in Kodaikanal Lake: To go into the Berijam Lake consent must be acquired from the Forest Department. Generally they give authorization around 8 a.m. consistently with the exception of Tuesdays. They offer consent to around 80 to 100 vehicles for every day and gather a passage expense of around Rs.150 relying on the vehicle.
Kodaikanal Solar Observatory
The Kodaikanal Terrestrial Telescope can see an excellent scene including Sothupparai Dam, Vaigai Dam, Periyakulam and Varaha waterway. There is a stargazing gallery and sky seeing is offered.
Pillar Rocks
8 kilometers from the transport stand, are three mammoth shake columns which stand 122 meters high. Managed by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department. There is a great open garden nearby the perspective.
Guna caves
There are numerous bats hanging in loads between the three massive stones that are the Pillar Rocks. These perilous caves are closed now in order to ensure the safety of the sightseers, and sightseers can see areas of the buckle framework from afar.
Japan is the “Joy of Art that Praises Aspirants Now and then. The abbreviation itself is very interesting. If we move further Japan is one of the principled country. Even though it is called as Land of natural disasters, has a beautiful history about religion, culture and discipline.
We can say Japan is equivalent to India in terms of temples and its culture. Overall we have seven wonders of the world. But if we take only Japan, has eight beautiful wonders which are located in Mount Koya.
Through this, we can understand Japan is also one of the powerful and popular countries in the world. The Japanese are popular for their working style and the principles they adopted.
The countries tales of Japan will of now. It is gifted one by one in this Christmas season.
Mount Koya
Let’s start off with an interesting abbreviation of KOYA “Kick Off Young Aspirants.”
The abbreviation is very interesting. If we consider Koya as a place, A very attractive mountain which is also called as huge temple settlement in Wakayama prefecture to the south of Osaka.
Mount Koya is the center of Shingon Buddhism.
The top attractions at Mount Koya:-
Temple Lodging
Okunoin Temple
Kongobuji Temple
Garan
Reihokan Museum
Pilgrimage Trails
Daishi Kyokai
Tokugawa Mausoleum
Temple Lodging
Temple Lodging is also called as shukubo. Some temples are very popular for its lodging facility for the people who are visiting pilgrims and tourists.
Temple lodgings is a place with a traditional lifestyle where Buddhist monks stay. It is also called the place of simplicity.
The typical cost of lodging will be between 9000 yen and 15000yen which includes dinner and breakfast.
Okunoin Temple
Okunoin Temple is the center for eternal meditation which was started in memory of Shingon Buddhism who is one of the most revered people in the religious history.
This is one of the most beautiful natural places in Japan. It can be also called Unusual Place in Japan. It is an eternal meditation center.
Kongubuji Temple
Kongubuji Temple was originally constructed in the year 1853. It is one of the popular temples in Mount Koya. This place has a very interesting background and many attractive spots like
Ohiroma Temple
William Room
Jodannoma Audience Room
Kongobuji Kitchen
Each and every spot has its own significance like William room, it is a place where Toyotomi Hidetsugu has committed ritual suicide. Kongobuji Kitchen where they can serve around 2000 people. Jodannoma Audience Room which was used for receiving the dignitaries.
Garan
Imagine Garan as a Job Description which explains Gather Actual Requirement, Analyse and Notes it. But unfortunately, It’s a place which Gains Attraction Remains Always New.
Now let’s travel to recreate the joy all around. Garan has two prominent places the Kondo hall and the huge Konpon Daito Pagoda.
The Kondo Hall is a large wooden temple where ceremonies are held. The huge Konpon Daito Pagoda is a 45-meter tall two-tiered tahoto style pagoda.
Reihokan Museum
A museum can make wonders with remembrance and memories with photographs. This museum is like a pilgrimage for religious and cultural treasures of koyasan.
This museum has thousands of religious works which includes paintings and tools. Sometimes it displays a seasonal collection.
Pilgrimage Trails
This is a very popular destination for centuries. Koyasan is connected to the outside world for visitors who prefer the traditional approach. And there is a cable car facility these days to enter the mountain. Pilgrimage Trails might be historic but the tradition is still followed and exists.
The main approach to koyasan begins at kudoyama station. The Koyasan is a place which represents the five elements of Buddhist elements earth, fire, water, air, and void.
The various pilgrim trails are
koyasan
Choishi
Kanji
Kami-kosawa
Daimon gate
Daishi Kyokai
We can consider Japan has the temple country in the world. Daishi Kyokai is one of the temples in Mount Koya, Japan. It is the administrative center of Shingon Buddhism.
This temple complex consists of two buildings:- Henjoden which was dedicated to Kobo Daishi.
Henjoden was built in the year 1915 and an English administrative desk is available in the building.
There are few activities that are conducted in Daishi kyokai. Visitors can also participate in those activities such as receiving the Buddhist precepts, copying Buddhist scriptures and many more.
Receiving Buddhist Percepts is also called as Jukai. This is a formal ceremony where anyone can receive jukai. It takes place in a very dark room adjacent to Henjoden main hall.
Daishi also offers the facility of Sutra Copying. It is also known as copying Buddhist Scriptures. Participants are given a sheet of paper with the popular heart sutra
Tokugawa Mausoleum
This temple was built in the year 1643. It was built by Tokugawa Shogun. It consists of two buildings which enshrine Iemitsu’s grandfather leyasu and father Hidetada, the first two Tokugawa Shogun.
To complete those two buildings it took more than twenty years because it was built in an extravagant style.
Numerous Mausoleums were built by Tokugawa leyasu and his descendants. The most popular among them is Nikko’s Toshagu Shrine.
In the Japanese Language, that period was called as Edo Period.
Haiku Stairs in Oahu, Hawaii
Haiku Stairs as a person says How Am I? Kindly Understand Some Things Attract Instantly and we React Simply. Through this we can understand Haiku Stairs at Oahu is one of the most attractive places which makes people react and make a remembrance.
Haiku Stairs is also known as Stairway to Heaven. Heaven is nothing but the beauty of nature. When two persons visit the place together and spend time.
Haiku Stairs is one of the wonders of the world. An unrevealed fact since long and now this place is also one of the treasures of life. This shows it beauty with mountains, bridge, fog in the mornings and mountains covered with clouds. This place can be considered as the place of natural graphics without any tools.
This place has 3922 stairs and was originally built in the year 1942 that’s before independence by US Navy. These stairs were used as a secret facility for transmitting radio signals to ships that sail in the Pacific Ocean.
Haiku Stairs has a navy background but yet it stands to be one of the wonders of the world. This place can be also called as Place of Thrill but never a Place of Romance for lovers but a great place for photography.
In the past Haiku Stairs is one of the spots for Valentine Weekend but unfortunately, a huge storm swept away all the beauty hence this place named as the stairway for heaven.
“For any place or person, there are two sides one is the brighter side and the darker side. Our world shows beauty with disasters but disasters welcome sorrow in many lives. That’s the bitter truth which a person cannot digest.
Stairway for Heaven means “Maybe gone forever”.
Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki, Japan
Is Hitachi a brand? Is Hitachi a person? Now let us imagine Hitachi as a person if we spilt the word it will be Hit A Chicken yummy right!!
If Hitachi is a brand, then we come across all Electronics like a refrigerator, washing machines and many more.
But now Hitachi is a place, let’s see the complete name “Hitachi Seaside Park”. The name is quite interesting and it is a coastal park. We can say that Japan is popular for its nature and the beauty that is gifted by it.
There are a wide variety of flowers which attracts a huge crowd. This place can be best visited in the mornings and evenings that is when nature gifts a refreshing breeze which blows through flowers and fills the day with a lot of happiness.
This place incorporates a unique natural environment of sand dunes, grasslands, forests, and springs. It is like an amusement park without adventure but with colorful flowers and grasses throughout four seasons. This park is located on the Pacific ocean side. It is a very spacious park.
It has numerous other attractions like an amusement park, surrounding track and an athletic field. There are many cafes and restaurants.
Kochia Carnival is one of the most popular events that happened in the seaside park of Japan. The kochia hill at Hitachi Seaside Park displays 32000 kochia balls making amazing scenery.
Conclusion
The places which are been described are very Spiritual and surrounded by nature. Nature consists of flowers and the beauty of the place. Moments you spend in those places will be of great experience and memories can be in the form of gift. Gift yourself the peace, harmony ,smile,happiness and many more which can be carry forward throughout your life.
These places can be considered as the learning centers for the visitors and the Buddhist monks.
It is very important to know the history of every country. This symbolizes how open-minded a person is to accept and define the importance of every place. How fast he is adopted to the culture of that country. How interactive he is with the people. There are many more learnings and takeaways as we move on.
You don’t need to be rich to look expensive and polished all the time. All that you need, is a little makeover of your wardrobe, and some creativity. The secret to looking good is learning how to pair up your limited outfits in the best possible manner. Once you master this art, you will always look polished, pretty, put together, and expensive.
However, if you need some guidance, here are a few tips as to how you can look Look Posh and Expensive all the time
Correct your posture
How do you feel when you wear an outfit that is expensive and makes you look good? You feel beautiful, confident, and you want to show yourself off. When you feel this way, you stand straight and tall, so that everyone sits up and takes notice of you. You need to feel this way with every outfit that you wear, to make it look expensive and elegant.
Work on your posture. Keep your back straight, shoulders relaxed but erect, chest forward and chin high. Walk with a confident stride and with your head high and don’t ever slouch. Have a confident, approachable body language at all times. When you feel confident and hold yourself confidently, you will look expensive and elegant without having to wear costly clothes.
Take a shower
The first step to looking good is personal hygiene and cleanliness. You cannot expect to look high maintenance if you are sporting a dirty neck all the time. Focus on personal hygiene and staying clean at all times. Take a shower once every day with a mild soap/shower gel and water. Wash your face and neck with a good face wash.
Make sure to use products that are suitable for your skin type. If you have acne prone skin use gel based or herbal products. Similarly, if you have dry skin use products having moisturizing ingredients. After taking a shower, moisturize your skin with a good body lotion to make your skin look fresh and supple. You don’t need to do much, just stay clean and fresh all the time.
Launder and iron your clothes
You can never look high maintenance if your clothes are wrinkled and dirty. Even the most expensive clothes look cheap when dirty or creased. On the other hand, even a shirt bought on clearance sale can look expensive if it’s laundered and wrinkle-free. You need to take care of your clothes to make them look good on you.
A laundering tip- do not wash your woolens with the same detergent as your summer clothes. Invest in detergents specially formulated for woolen clothing. Also, make sure to read the tiny labels on clothes that have information about ironing and laundering the material. Follow the instructions carefully. If a label advises you against washing the garment, do not wash it.
Laundering tip 2- wash your whites separately from your brightly colored clothes. Even if you are convinced that the colors won’t wash off your garment, don’t take the risk.
Get a flattering haircut
Your hair is one of the most prominent features of your body. If your hair is unkempt, dirty, or unstyled, it can ruin the best of outfits. Expensive people give a lot of attention to what their hair looks like. You don’t need to go all out and change the structure of your hair altogether though. Hair styling can damage your hair, and also cost you a great deal. So just oil it on a regular basis, and wash your hair every 2-3 days with a mild enriching shampoo.
Get a new haircut to give your style an extra oomph. Figure out a hairstyle that flatters your face and looks elegant on you. A good hairstyle can go a long way to alter your entire demeanour and make you look expensive. But just make sure, be subtle, and don’t go overboard.
Keep your makeup subtle
Expensive people are never gaudy. They have an understated and subtle style that is elegant without being too flashy or ostentatious. This especially applies to the makeup they wear. Too much makeup can make you come across as cheap or as an attention seeker to people. So put just enough makeup to cover up your flaws and play up your assets. Give preference to subtle, neutral shades over brighter shades of eyeshadow and lipstick. Use the right shade of foundation and face powder for your skin depending on your complexion. Also, use makeup appropriate to the time of the day and the occasion you are using it for.
And if you are too confused about what to do, then just go natural and makeup free. Some moisturizer and a tinted lip balm is a great alternative too.
Have a signature scent
Invest in one good perfume that describes you best. No no, perfumes aren’t manufactured based on human personalities. Just find a perfume that appeals the most to you, and stick to it. Every expensive person has a signature scent that becomes synonymous with their personality. It is important for you to smell good at all times, but to go the extra mile, stick to just one fragrance. Wear this particular fragrance at all times and let it become part of your identity. A signature scent makes it easier for people to remember you. And well, expensive people NEVER die in oblivion.
Wear a classic wristwatch
Yes, one classic wristwatch. You will never see an expensive person without a wristwatch. Expensive people value their time a lot- this is what has made them who they are today. So invest in one good wristwatch. Again, it doesn’t actually have to be expensive. It just needs to look classy and expensive, no matter what the price. Try going for watches with metal straps and plain dials, as they are timeless. (Did I just make a pun there?)
Colors like silver, black, gold and rose gold are your go-tos as these never go out of fashion. They are also the classiest and most elegant colors out there, so please, please try them out. If you are not fond of metal though, you can always go for other kinds of watches. It should just be classy, elegant, and something you will not be ashamed of wearing 10 years from now.
Invest in some timeless pieces
Make sure to have a few wardrobe essentials that will save you at all times. You don’t need to buy a full store out. All you need is to have a few timeless pieces that look good, and which go with everything else in your wardrobe. Invest in a good pair of sunglasses, one good handbag, one good dress and one good pair of shoes. Go for the classics, and trust me, black and white are two colors that will never let you down.
Try to recreate your wardrobe in such a way that most of the clothes can be mix-and-matched according to the occasion. Buy things that never go out of fashion. These clothes will be the pride of your wardrobe, and will always ensure that you look elegant, polished, and expensive.
Basic over Printed
Have you ever seen rich people wear t-shirts with quotes or multicolored print on them? No, because if there’s one (inexplicable) thing about expensive people, that is that they love being basic. All the time. A reason behind this may be that printed clothing isn’t appropriate in all situations. But solid, basic colored clothing is appropriate in all occasions- casual, formal or social.
Basic colored clothing is also easier to mix and match. So all you have to do is discard the prints and go basic. Go for classic colors like black, white, beige and burgundy because these colors are evergreen and will instantly upgrade your entire look. And when in doubt about mix and match- go monochrome. Make everything that you wear the same color- shoes, clothing, accessories, everything. This is another style that many fashion icons are adopting nowadays, so you can’t go wrong with going monochrome.
Avoid gaudy outfits and accessories
I can’t emphasize enough on the importance of subtlety. The key to standing out and looking expensive is to be subtle and let your demeanor speak for itself. It’s not about the clothes that you wear, but what they tell others about who you are. Expensive people are classy and elegant, and they don’t like to kiss and tell. They know that they are amazing so they don’t need attention-grabbing outfits to have others take notice of them.
When you avoid gaudiness, the focus isn’t on your outfit anymore. It’s on you, and your personality. Let your personality speak for itself, and how you can sport simple clothing and make it look expensive.
I’ll say this again what you wear does not define your status or your personality. Its the way you carry yourself that makes people sit up and take notice. So don’t be conscious of yourself just because you aren’t as rich or good-looking as your peers. Take care of yourself, be the best version of yourself, and be comfortable in your own skin. If you are confident about yourself, and if you feel elegant, everyone else will too. So be proud of yourself, because you literally are the best!
