Our nation is falling behind in essential math skills. As we enter the brave new world of international commerce, we need a new approach and a different method in order to teach math to children. In this world of heavy distractions, such as television and video games, we are coming up against some heavy competition for our children’s time. To many kids math is, well, boring, and too much like work. How can we possibly make learning math fun?How about the vehicle of a comic book? For starters, comic books have stood the test of time. Long before the digital age of the 24 hour cartoon network, children would be huddled under their blankets, with comic book and flashlight in hand. A very visual learning tool, it is also portable, requiring no electricity or attachments or even, strange as it may sound these days, an internet connection.Math Comic Strips has just released their flagship item! It is an educational math comic called “The Innovative Dr. Knowledge”. Dr. Knowledge is not a classic “Super Hero”…he is not from another planet and has not been bitten by an insect. Having said this, he does have some incredible math skills. He was able to acquire these skills by doing his math homework and studying other subjects over the years. He is able to utilize these skills by solving some incredible crimes and problems, and our hope is that children around the world will follow his adventures and become motivated to study into this world of math.When Bobby was a young boy, he lost his mother. He was bullied at school and had a rather difficult childhood in many respects. His father decided that he would take his son on a trip to try to encourage and motivate him. As fate would have it, Bobby ended up on an island, by himself. He had to learn how to fend for himself, and it was on this island that he found he had a love for math. He needed these math skills to resolve all the problems that the island was going to throw his way.Years later Bobby found himself back in the “civilized world”. It was here that he pursued his love of math, and eventually acquired a PhD in math at a prestigious university. His math skills helped him to acquire great wealth. He also used these skills and abilities to solve some incredible crimes and fantastic problems. Overall, he’s been making the world a better place to live in.We hope that you enjoy “The Innovative Dr. Knowledge”, and will join the bandwagon in promoting math education to our nation’s children. math comic strips will never be the same again.

What will they think of next. I’m sure that you have heard of a wedding cake. In fact, you have probably seen one…they are quite popular. The next incarnation of the wedding tradition is the groom’s cake. Just what is a groom’s cake? We are glad you asked. We will be exploring the world of the groom’s cake in this particular article.The groom’s cake has its origins in the South (South of the US that is). It used to be viewed as somewhat of an added expense at a wedding, but it is making a comeback. It was initially intended to be a gift from the bride to the groom. It is usually a dark cake, and it is often made of chocolate (or liquor-soaked). It tends to be more “masculine” in tone. What does this mean? We mean that there will be no rosettes or flowers on it…get the point?The groom’s cake is a multi-functional cake. It can wear many different hats…such as a dessert at the rehearsal dinner to an alternate bride’s cake at the actual wedding. Its normal place is next to the bride’s cake, but it is later cut into pieces and put into boxes for the guests to take home and enjoy.How about a little “tradition”? Tradition states that a single woman should place a slice of this groom’s cake under her pillow on the same night in which she receives it. Know what will happen then? She will dream of her future husband. Not sure how many single women have actually done this.Interested in wedding favors? Sliced pieces of the groom’s cake can also be wedding favors. Be sure to get creative with the packaging. Packaging will help to reflect the bridal style that you wish to convey to your guests.Currently the creative trend in groom’s cakes is to have the cake reflect the groom’s interests and hobbies. You should do this because you want to, not because you are obligated to. You should also ensure that the theme of the groom’s cake is appropriate for the wedding you want to throw. If you want an elegant wedding, having a groom’s cake that looks like modern art might not fit into the puzzle very well.We hope you liked this little tour of groom’s cakes. If you happen to want to equip one with wedding cake toppers we will be more than delighted to help you choose one. Just follow us over to our blog at Special Wedding Cake Toppers and let the party begin.

For almost 15 years free flash games have been a part of the World Wide Web. In the beginning there were only a few games. The graphics on these games were not very advanced. There was still much more work to do before gamers would take flash seriously. By the year 2001, advancements in technology and graphics led to a lot of Internet users looking to flash games for entertainment. Using popular games from the past also caused a nostalgic reaction and brought even more players to this gaming platform.

Today flash games are becoming a fast growing phenomenal all over the Internet. Everyone knows the days of heading to the local pizza shop to play a favorite pinball game are long over. This once 5 mile drive, has been replaced by turning on the computer and finding free flash games right at the user’s fingertips. Flash games can even be downloaded onto certain cell phones to be played anywhere at anytime.The convenience of smart phone apps is leading to a whole new way to utilize flash games. Traffic jams don’t seem as long, when a game of tennis master sits waiting, right inside one’s phone.

There are all types of free flash games that can be played via the Internet. The games can range from children’s learning games to arcade games, such as Gold Strike, with tons of other subjects in between. Many online gamers can be found playing together at one of many multi-player games. Multi-player games are perfect for people who want to compete and socialize. Playing multi-player games can give two people a chance to play on the same computer or possibly two people playing together from other sides of the world! For the more intense and solo crowd, there are puzzles and mind-benders, to keep the brain sharp. There are also many free flash games for children. Some of the games are designed to teach children skills and academic subjects, others are just for fun. Almost anyone looking for entertainment on the Internet can find what they are looking for just by searching the plethora of flash games.

Getting something brand new is always a great moment. It’s a lot better than buying it second hand or slightly old. You know that you are the first person to use it which is always a special experience. The best thing I have ever bought brand new is my pair of water coolers. I bought two as I thought it may be a good idea to have one both in the gym and in the kitchen areas. For the gym I thought, it is a good idea to keep hydrated and take a nice refreshing drink of water every now and then whilst working out. In my gym at home I have got a tread mill and a couple of bikes, along with several sets of weights and free exercise mats. It is better than paying for a gym membership at a proper club because I can go in it at what ever time I feel like, whether it be midday or midnight! The other place I thought would be a good place to put one of my brand new water coolers was in the kitchen. There are two reasons for this, and the first one is that when people are cooking in there it becomes very hot and so does the person cooking. Now, a nice cold drink of water every now and again could prove very stress relieving for the person cooking and even make them cook a better meal for everyone to eat. The second reason I put one in the kitchen was simply because when people are thirsty they can go into the kitchen and get a filtered drink of water

As teh winter cold comes rolling in, nothing keeps you warmer better than cashmere custom overcoats. Incredibly soft to the touch cashmere is one of the most luxurious fabrics in the world, its often found in the best clothing from suits to sportswear from all over the globe. the greatest thing though about cashmere is not its softness, its actually cashmeres ability to keep you warmer than just about any natural fabric, not to mention that cahsmere is also natuarly water and rain resistant. its no wonder that cashmere is such a wonder fabric!

Before you run out and buy yourself a cashmere overcoat, know that not all cashemre is created equal. Some of the best cashmere comes form outer mongolia from the Kashmir region next to Pakistan. This is where the best weavers and fleecers reside and their goat stock is unmatched. Inferior cashmere is made from reconstituted goods which means that they take the left overs from the fleece and twist them together to make the yarn. this makes a very poor cashmere and you can feel the difference. it will feel coarser and more grainy and over time it will not hold up as well either. A great judge of a storng and high quality cahsmere is its ability to bounce back when balled up. Next thing to look through is who to pair the best cashmere with. Some of the best fabric can turn into waste when it is tailored by an inferior tailor. Putting it together witha  top custom covercoat maker can make all the difference.

Losing contact with someone that you once had a close relationship can happen overtime. People often move for better jobs or a host of other reasons. The phone number changes, address changes and people get married. Looking for someone from you past can seem like a daunting task at first, but fear no more. There are plenty of places to check. You can start with the internet and look them up on social networking sites. If that proves fruitless, it is time to do a People search with an online company. In a matter of minutes you may find that person that you had been searching for. Many people are doing it all over the country and reconnecting as a result. That could be you too.

There are web sites that offer to help you locate someone for a small fee. You will need to type the information into fields. People search sites are popular today because you can often find the person you are looking for along with their current address and phone number. Once you have located that person all you have to do is phone them or send them a letter in the mail. You may not have spoken in twenty years, but now you will have the chance to pick up where you left off. You can catch up with what has been going in each of your lives and share your memories together.

When you decide to enlist the help of a web site company to find someone, make sure that you realize that there is a slight chance you still will not be able to locate that person. If the person has moved out of the United States it will be very difficult to get information. You will also need to know the correct spelling of their name and their approximate age. People search is great, but you will have to be able to come up with the basic information in order to narrow the list down. Once you have that information you will be able to see your results quickly on the internet. The rest is up to you, maybe that person is wondering what ever happened to you. Reconnecting can be a wonderful experience.

The Parmigiano Reggiano holds up well to red wine and is also worth trying with a spumante, which is a wine made using the same technique as champagne. Vintage spumantes are more complex and will match the robust flavor of this cheese. The blue cheeses Gorgonzola and the stronger flavored, more aged Gorgonzola Piccante pair well with wines that have complexity like a good marsala, a wine made from the same process as a sherry. Also, try other blue cheeses with such wines like the Dolcelatte, a creamy blue cheese with a sweet taste and very soft texture that melts in the mouth. The production method for this cheese is similar to how Gorgonzola is made, except the Dolcelatte is made from the curd of only one milking, the Dolceverde and the Torta Gaudenzio. The Mandriano di Zambla from a region of Lombardy goes well with both red and white wines; but, some may prefer it with a white wine like a pino grigio or pino bianco. Along this line of pairing cheese with wine he suggests starting with light flavored cheeses and wines to advance to more robust and complex flavors; and thus, you can follow his guidance as you buy Italian cheeses to savor them as you enhance your gastronomic adventure.Cheeses made from goat milk such as the Caprino that has a pungent texture mates well with a light aromatic white wine with some acidity like a sauvignon blanc made by producers in the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia in the northeast.

How do you stay calm under pressure so intense it makes you want to scream?  Especially if you want to stay away from Valium? Especially if you need to get some things done that require focus.  Read on for five more things you can do that will help you calm yourself down.

First, you might want to review the five basic strategies from the first article of this series:  be prepared, breathe, take time out when you need it, focus on the positive, and do what you can, one thing at a time. But sometimes, you need more help.  Your body may be flooded with stress hormones, and they need to go somewhere.  Some serious intervention may be in order.  Physical intervention.

1. Get a hug

If there is someone nearby whom you have a hugging relationship with, by all means, get a hug.  Make it a nice and long one, if appropriate.  If there’s no one around, maybe cuddle a pet. Hugging or cuddling a pet releases oxytocin, which will counteract your stress hormones.  And it also calms your stress response overall.

2. Take a hot bath

Immersing yourself in hot water, maybe laced with Epsom salt and some soothing aromatherapy essential oils, can be a powerful stress reliever.  If you prefer bubble baths — they’ll work too.  If you think you’re going to explode, run yourself a hot bath.  Once you let yourself sink into the tub, you’ll notice almost instantly how the stress just melts away.  A cup of tea made with soothing herbs is optional.

3. Vigorous exercise

Go to the gym.  A fairly intense workout gets rid of the stress hormones and you will feel a whole lot better afterwards.  In fact, that stressed-out feeling may well have evaporated altogether. If you’re stuck at work, you could also walk or run up and down the stairs a few times.  No stairs?  Walk around the block.

4. Valerian & Co

There are a number of natural supplements that help with calming yourself down.  I have found valerian especially effective, alone or in combination with a variety of other herbs, including passion flower, scullcap, St. John’s wort, kava, and more.  Other supplements, including GABA are also highly effective and can be used alone or in combination with the former.  Careful though, if you’re taking anti-depressants.  If you do, be sure to check with your doctor before self-medicating. Also be careful with those herbs if you have to drive or use heavy machinery.  Make sure you know how they affect you before deciding whether you’re still safe to drive.  Of course, intense stress too affects your ability to drive, so watch out in any event.

5. Pray

If you believe in a higher power, you will find prayer very helpful as well.  Just turn your problem or situation over to God, the Universe, the higher power, and pray for guidance and right outcome.  Then give a prayer of thanks for getting that guidance, maybe even add, Gee, I wonder how you’ll get me out of this one, and then take a deep breath and proceed to step five from the previous article:  Do what you can — one thing at a time. One of my favorite resources is the Unity Prayer Line, which you can reach 24/7 at 1800-NOW-PRAY. it’s free and incredibly helpful.Stress Toys

Wedding cake toppers are those little figurines that sit on top of the wedding cake. You know what I mean? They often depict the bride and groom on the happy day, but many other designs are available as well. The wonderful world of special wedding cake toppers started off from humble beginnings…the more traditional. In this article we will explore their world. Here are four traditional wedding cake toppers that we really like:——————————————————————————————————-Pick #1) One of our favorites, the “Contentment” Calla Lily Porcelain Cake Topper is very traditional. It depicts the bride and groom on the “big day”, and the love that the couple has for each other is clearly depicted by the bride’s hand upon the groom’s face. Note the groom as he holds his new bride’s waist. The bride is elegantly dressed in a strapless wedding gown, and the groom is handsomely dressed in tux and tails. Complimenting the design is a handmade bouquet of calla lillies. The specifications of this traditional piece are:a) Overall Size is: 7″ x 3″b) Hand paintedc) Handcrafted out of fine porcelain.d) Weight: 0.75 lbs.——————————————————————————————————-Pick #2) For a depiction of a beautiful princess who has found her Prince Charming, you need to look no further than the “Ebony Enchantment”. This traditional wedding cake topper depicts an African-American couple, a beautiful addition to any wedding cake. The bride is wearing a flowing white wedding gown, complete with “off-the-shoulder” ruffles, flowing veil, and lace trim. To add a bit of color to the piece they have added a lovely pink bouquet and a few roses in the bride’s hair. The groom is wearing a sharp black tuxedo, bow-tie, and a pink boutonniere. Wouldn’t this fairy-tale couple make a fantastic compliment to a wedding cake? Here are more specifics:a) Dimensions: 6 1/2″ x 3 1/2″b) Hand painted.c) Handcrafted out of porcelain.d) Weighs in at 0.55 lbs.——————————————————————————————————-#3) The “First Kiss” Bride and Groom Cake Topper shows the happy couple sharing their first kiss as man and wife. This kiss can have you dancing on a cloud. Celebrate this emotion with this elegant cake topper that highlights the happy couple. The slender bodies of these faceless figurines are positioned in a graceful embrace. Their hands and lips (along with their hearts) connect with unmistakable joy…ready to dance the night away. The bride is wearing a stylish white strapless gown with shoulder-length veil. The groom is wearing a dapper black tuxedo. They beautifully reflect the contemporary spirit of a couple starting their life of wedded bliss.Here are more features and facts:a) Made of poli-resin.b) Measuring in at 6″ tall.——————————————————————————————————-#4) The “Sweet Embrace” African-American Cake Topper shows the romantic African-American bride and groom in a loving embrace. Celebrating their first kiss as husband and wife, this happy couple is ready to dance the night away. The bride is wearing a stylish white strapless gown with a shoulder-length veil. The groom is wearing a dapper black tuxedo. They are both aptly dressed to reflect the contemporary spirit of the couple they represent. Here are some more facts and figures:a) The contemporary design is made of poly-resin.b) This topper measures 6″ tall.Did you enjoy this little tour of the traditional wedding cake topper. On our web site: wedding cake toppers we highlight a whole range of toppers. We would invite you to visit us…

There is no better time than now to sell gold jewelry. Would you know why? In case you have not heard, you have been hiding under a rock somewhere, or you have been preoccupied with obsessing due to all of the bleak news pertaining to the state of the economy nowadays to pay attention to the good news, the price of gold is ever increasing at the present, valued at well over a grand per ounce. That is correct, you read correctly: You ought to be selling gold jewelry now because it is valued at well over a grand per ounce!Gold has been constantly rising over the last ten years, averaging well above 20 percent each year, the only exception being a 5.6 percent decline in the year 2008. Even in the year 2009, gold managed to rebound from the global economic crisis and climb back up again already, at a 23% increase from its 2008 levels!So what does this mean to you? It means that while the cyclical boom and busts, and the rise and fall of the dot coms, the rise and fall of real estate, the decline of the stock market, and the decline of the US dollar, all have proven to be altogether volatile investments, the only stable investment through this entire time has been gold.So if you have been in possession of gold for some time, now would be a great time to cash it in, if you are hard up for some extra cash due to this economic recession that we have all just been through.So where ought we be selling gold jewelry? To whom should we be selling gold jewelry to? How can one be certain that you get the most lucrative price?These are all very good questions. The answer is two-fold:1. Avoid selling your gold to a retail shop, at a pawn-shop, or jewelry exchange. Basically any type of customer-focused retail operation is a bad idea. Why is this the case? This is because these shops are in in business for flipping gold. They need to buy gold from you for the purpose of of reselling it immediately, while earning money during the process. They are basically gold brokerages and are seeking to earn a commission using the classic buy low to sell high plan. So quite naturally, that they are be up against tight margins of profit and would not be able to offer you as much as you would be happy with.2. You really should be reselling your gold directly to a refinery of gold. Why? Because a refinery of gold is in the business of acquiring gold, melting it, and remanufacturing the raw material to other businesses. There exists no middle man. There is no flipping gold for profit. They can offer you a superior price for your gold because the profit margin in this type of situation is much greater. Therefore it makes for a win-win solution that makes happy both you and the refinery.Gold is a solid investment vehicle, and has remained so all the while that we have seen the rise and fall of the dot coms, the housing bubble and burst, the stock market crash of the year 2008, and the devaluation of the dollar. So now is the best time to be selling gold jewelry