Showing posts with label general tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label general tips. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

MOST COMMON INTERVIEW MISTAKES TO AVOID


For many job seekers, the interview is the single most stressful part of the job search process. Any number of things can go wrong, and a big part of being successful is avoiding simple mistakes. Here is list of most common mistakes job seekers make and how to avoid them.
  1. Failure to research the company Recruiters say that they expect candidates to spend at least one hour doing research on their web sites and reading about their companies via other web sites. Do your homework before the interview; know what the company does, and who their competitors are.
  2. Being unclear on which job you are interviewing for Become familiar with the job description so you can explain how your experiences, talents, strengths, and abilities will connect with company needs. Highlight how you're suited to that particular job.
  3. Not Marketing yourself Define yourself. What makes you different from other job candidates? Know your major strengths and accomplishments as they relate to the job you are applying for and the company.
  4. Asking silly questions Have at least three or four intelligent questions to ask the recruiter. It's OK (it actually leaves a positive impression with the recruiter) to have them written down in advance and to reference them at the appropriate time. Interviews are an exchange of information, and arriving without questions shows that you did not prepare for the whole interview.
  5. Dressing inappropriately for the interview Professional attire and attention to detail still count. You can never be too professional. Remember that everything-your appearance, your tone of voice, your conduct-contribute to the impression (positive or negative) that you make. Be presentable. Wear a pressed suit and shirt and polished shoes.
  6. Trying to wing the interview Practice! Get a list of general interview questions, a friend, a tape recorder, and a mirror and conduct an interview rehearsal. Practice until your delivery feels comfortable, not canned.
  1. Not being yourself Be yourself and be honest! Don't pretend to understand a question or train of thought if you don't. If you don't know an answer, say so. Relax and be yourself. Remember you're interviewing the company, too.
  2. Listening poorly Focus on the question that is being asked and don't try to anticipate the next one. It's OK to pause and collect your thoughts before answering a question.
  3. Offering too little detail When answering case questions or technical questions or solving technical problems, take the time to "talk through" your thought processes. Recruiters are interested in seeing how your mind works and how it attacks a problem.
  4. Lacking enthusiasm Maintain eye contact, greet the interviewer with a smile and a firm handshake (not too weak, not too strong), and show common courtesy. Don't be afraid to display your passion for the job/industry and to show confidence.
  5. Do not arrive late for the interview.
  6. Do not indicate you are late because the directions you were given were not good.
  7. Do not slouch in your seat.
  8. Do not maintain eye contact with the wall instead of the interviewer.
  9. Do not answer most questions with simple "yes" and "no" answers.
  10. Do not badmouth your current or former employer.
  11. Do not ask "How am I doing? Are you going to hire me?"
  12. When asked "Do you have any questions?", do not reply "No."

Some GK Questions

1.What is the expansion of YAHOO?
Yet Another Hierarchy of Officious Oracle
2.What is the expansion of ADIDAS?
ADIDAS- All Day I Dream About Sports
3 .Expansion of Star as in Star TV Network?
Satellite Television Asian Region
4.What is expansion of "ICICI ?"
Industrial credit and Investments Corporation of India
5.What does "baker's dozen" signify?
A baker's dozen consists of 13 items - 1 more than the items
in a normal dozen
6. The 1984-85 season. 2nd ODI between India and Pakistan at Sialkot- India 210/3 with Vengsarkar 94*. Match abandoned. Why?
That match was abandoned after ppl heard the news of indira 
gandhi being killed.
7. Who is the only man to have written the National Anthems for two different countries?
Rabindranath Tagore who wrote national anthem for two different countries one is our 's National anthem and another one is for Bangladesh- (Amar Sonar Bangla)
8.From what four word ex-pression does the word 'goodbye' derive?
Goodbye comes from the ex-pression: 'god be with you'.
9.How was Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu better known?
Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu is none other Mother Teresa.
10.Name the only other country to have got independence on Aug 15th?
South Korea .
11.Why was James Bond Associated with the Number 007?
Because 007 is the ISD code for Russia (or the USSR , as it was known during the cold war)
12.Who faced the first ball in the first ever One day match?
Geoffrey Boycott
13. Which cricketer played for South Africa before it was banned from international cricket and later represented Zimbabwe ?
John Traicos
14. The faces of which four Presidents are carved at Mt.Rushmore?
George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln
15. Which is the only country that is surrounded from all sides by only one country(other than Vatican ) ?
Lesotho surrounded from all sides by South Africa .

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Everyday Science Simplified

Everyday Science Simplified

  • Q.   A man with a load jumps from a high building. What will be the load experienced by him?
    A.   Zero, because the acceleration of his fall is equal to the acceleration due to gravity of the earth.
     

  • Q.   A piece of chalk when immersed in water, emits bubbles. Why ?
    A.   Chalk consists of pores forming capillaries. When it is immersed in water, the water begins to rise in the capillaries and air present there is expelled in the form of bubbles.
     

  • Q.   Why does a liquid remain hot or cold for a long time inside a thermos flask?
    A.  The presence of air, a poor conductor of heat, between the double glass wall of a thermos flask, keeps the liquid hot or cold inside a flask for a long time.
     

  • Q.   Why does a ball bounce upon falling?
    A.   When a ball falls, it is temporarily deformed. Because of elasticity, the ball tends to regain its original shape for which it presses the ground and bounces up (Newton's Third Law of Motion).
     

  • Q.   Why is standing in boats or double decker buses not allowed, particularly in the upper deck of buses?
    A.   On tilting the centre of gravity of the boat or bus is lowered and it is likely to overturn.
     

  • Q.   Why is it recommended to add salt to water while boiling dal?
    A.   By addition of salt the boiling point of water gets raised which helps in cooking.
     

  •  Q.   Why is the boiling point of sea water more than that of pure water?
    A.    Sea water contains salt, and other impurities with different boiling points, which jointly raise its boiling point.
     

  • Q.   Why is it easier to spray water to which soap is added?
    A.   Addition of soap decreases the surface tension of water. The energy for spraying is directly proportional to surface tension.
     

  • Q.   Which is more elastic, rubber or steel?
    A.   Steel is more elastic for the same stress produced compared with rubber.
     

  • Q.   Why is the sky blue?
    A.   Violet and blue light have short waves which are scattered more than red light waves. While red light goes almost straight through the atmosphere, blue and violet light are scattered by particles in the atmosphere. Thus, we see a blue sky.
     

  • Q.   Why does ink leak out of partially filled pen when taken to a higher altitude?
    A.   As we go up, the pressure and density of air goes on decreasing. A partially filled pen leaks when taken to a higher altitude because the pressure of air acting on the ink inside the tube of the pen is greater than the pressure of the air outside.
     

  • Q.   On the moon, will the weight of a man be less or more than his weight on the earth?
    A.   The gravity of the moon is one-sixth that of the earth; hence the weight of a person on the surface of the moon will be one-sixth of his actual weight on earth.
     

  • Q.   Why do some liquids burn while others do not?
    A.    A liquid burns if its molecules can combine with oxygen in the air with  the production of heat. Hence, oil burns but water does not.
     

  • Q.   Why can we see ourselves in a mirror? 
    A.    We see objects when light rays from them reach our eyes. As mirrors have a shiny surface, the light rays are reflected back to us and enter our eyes.
     

  • Q.   Why does a solid chunk of iron sink in water but float in mercury? 
    A.    Because the density of iron is more than that of water but less than that of mercury.
     

  • Q.   Why is cooking quicker in a pressure cooker?
    A.    As the pressure inside the cooker increases, the boiling point of water is raised, hence, the cooking process is quicker.
     

  • Q.   When wood burns it crackles. Explain? 
    A.    Wood contains a complex mixture of gases and tar forming vapours trapped under its surface. These gases and tar vapours escape, making a crackling sound.
     

  • Q.   Why do stars twinkle? 
    A.    The light from a star reaches us after refraction as it passes through various layers of air. When the light passes through the earth's atmosphere, it is made to flicker by the hot and cold ripples of air and appears as if the stars are twinkling.
     

  • Q.   Why is it easier to roll a barrel than to pull it?
    A.    Because the rolling force of friction is less than the dynamic force of sliding friction.
     

  • Q.   If a feather, a wooden ball and a steel ball fall simultaneously in a vacuum, which one of these would fall faster?
    A.    All will fall at the same speed in vacuum because there will be no air resistance and the earth's gravity will exert a similar gravitational pull on all.
     

  • Q.   When a man fires a gun, he is pushed back slightly. Why?
    A.    As the bullet leaves the nozzle of the gun's barrel with momentum in a forward direction, as per Newton's Third Law of Motion, the ejection imparts to the gun an equal momentum in a backward direction.
     

  • Q.   Ice wrapped in a blanket or saw dust does not melt quickly. Why? 
    A.    Both wood and wool are bad conductors of heat. They do not permit heat rays to reach the ice easily.
     

  • Q.   Why do we perspire on a hot day?
    A.    When the body temperature rises, the sweat glands are stimulated to secrete perspiration. It is nature's way to keep the body cool. During the process of evaporation of sweat, body heat is taken away, thus, giving a sense of coolness.
     

  • Q.   Why does ice float on water but sink in alcohol?
    A.    Because ice is lighter than water it floats on it. However, ice is heavier than alcohol and therefore it sinks in alcohol.
     

  • Q.   Why do we perspire before rains?A.    Before the rain falls, the atmosphere gets saturated with water vapour, as a result, the process of evaporation of sweat is delayed.
     

  • Q.   Why does a thermometer kept in boiling water show no change in reading after 100°C?A.    The boiling point of water is 100°C. Once water starts boiling at this temperature, thermometer records no change in temperature. The quantity of heat supplied is being utilised as latent heat of evaporation to convert the water at boiling point into vapour.
     

  • Q.   Why do we bring our hands close to the mouth while shouting across to someone far away?
    A.    By keeping hands close to mouth the sound is not allowed to spread (phenomenon of diffraction of sound) in all directions but is directed to a particular direction and becomes louder.
     

  • Q.   Why does a corked bottle filled with water burst if left out on a frosty night?
    A.    Because of low temperature the water inside the bottle freezes. On freezing it expands, thereby its volume increases and pressure is exerted on the walls.
     

  • Q.   Why is a small gap left at the joint between two rails?
    A.    To permit expansion of rails due to heat generated by friction of a moving train. 
     

  • Q.   Why cannot a copper wire be used to make elements in electric heater?
    A.    Copper melts at I08.3°C and forms a black powder on reacting with atmospheric oxygen. For heater elements a metal should have more resistance to produce heat.
     

  • Q.   Why are water or mercury droplets always round .when dropped on a clean glass?
    A.  The surface of a liquid is the seat of a special force as a result of which molecules on the surface are bound together to form something like a stretched membrane. They tend to compress the molecules below to the smallest possible volume which causes the drop to take a round shape as for a given mass the sphere has minimum volume.
     

  • Q.   Why does a balloon filled with hydrogen rise in the air?
    A.    Weight of hydrogen is less than the weight of air displaced by it. In balloons hydrogen is normally filled because it is lighter than air.
     

  • Q.   Why do we lean forward while climbing a hill?
    A.    In order to keep the vertical line passing through our centre of gravity always between our feet, which is essential to attain equilibrium or stability.
     

  • Q.   Why does smoke curl up in the air?
    A.    Smoke contains hot gases which being lighter in weight, follow a curved path because of the eddy currents that are set up in the air.
     

  • Q.   Why does an electric bulb explode when it is broken?
    A.    The bulb encompasses partial vacuum and as it breaks, air rushes in causing a small explosion.
     

  • Q.   Why does a man fall forward when he jumps out of a running train or bus?
    A.    He is in motion while in the train or bus. When he jumps out, his feet comes to rest while touching the ground but his upper portion which is still in motion propels him forward.
     

  • Q.   Why does an ordinary glass tumbler crack when very hot tea or milk is poured in it?A.    When a hot liquid is poured into a tumbler, the inner layer of the tumbler gets heated, it expands before the outer layer and an unequal expansion of both layers causes the tumbler to crack.
     

  • Q.   Why is a compass used as an indicator of direction?A.    The magnetic needles of a compass under the influence of the earth's magnetic field lie in a north-south direction. Hence, we can identify direction.
     

  • Q.   Why is water from a hand pump warm in winter and cold in summer? A.    In winter the outside temperature is lower than that of water flowing out of the pump, and therefore, the water is warm. Whereas in summer, the outside temperature is higher than the water of the pump, and therefore, it feels cold.
     

  • Q.   Why is a rainbow seen after a shower?A.    After a shower the clouds containing water droplets act like a prism through which the white light is dispersed producing a spectrum.
     

  • Q.   Why does a swimming pool appear less deep than it actually is?A.    The rays of light coming from the bottom of the pool pass from a denser medium (water) to a rarer medium (air) and are refracted (bend away from the normal). When the rays return to the surface they form an image of the bottom of the pool at a point which is little above the real position.
     

  • Q.   Why is one's breath visible in winter but not in summer?A.    In winter, water vapour contained in the breath condenses into small droplets which become visible but in summer they are quickly evaporated and not seen.
     

  • Q.   Why doesn't the electric filament in an electric bulb burn up?A.    Firstly, because it is made of tungsten which has a very high melting point (341O°C) whereas the temperature of the filament required to glow is only 2700°C. Secondly, oxygen is absent since the bulb is filled with an inert gas which does not help in burning.
     

  • Q.   Why does blotting paper absorb ink?A.    Blotting paper has fine pores which act like capillaries. When a portion of blotting paper is brought in contact with ink, ink enters the pores due to surface tension (capillary action of liquids) and is absorbed.


  • Q.   Why does a small ball of iron sink in water but a large ship float?A.   The weight of water displaced by an iron ball is less than its own weight, whereas water displaced by the immersed portion of a ship is equal to its weight (Archimedes' Principle).
     

  • Q.   Why does ice float on water?A.   The weight of the ice block is equal to the weight of the liquid displaced by the immersed portion of the ice.
     

  • Q.   Why does moisture gather outside a tumbler containing cold water? A.   The water vapour in the air condenses on cooling and appears as droplets of water.
     

  • Q.   Why does kerosene float on water?A.   Because the density of kerosene is less than that of water. For the same reason cream rises in milk and floats at the top.
     

  • Q.   Why is the water in an open pond cool even on a hot summer day?A.   As the water evaporates from the open surface of a pond, heat is taken away in the process, leaving the surface cool.
     

  • Q.   Why is it less difficult to cook rice or potatoes at higher altitudes?A.   Atmospheric pressure at higher altitudes is low and boils water below 100°C. The boiling point of water is directly proportional to the pressure on its surface.
     

  • Q.   Why is it difficult to breathe at higher altitudes?A.   Because of low air pressure at higher altitudes the quantity of air is less, and so also that of oxygen.
     

  • Q.   Why are winter nights and summer nights warmer during cloudy weather than when the sky is clear?
    A.   Clouds being bad conductors of heat do not permit radiation of heat from land to escape into the sky. As this heat remains in the atmosphere, the cloudy nights are warmer.
     

  • Q.   Why is a metal tyre heated before it is fixed on wooden wheels? A.   On heating, the metal tyre expands by which its circumference also increases. This makes fixing the wheel easier and thereafter cooling down shrinks it; thus fixing the tyre tightly.
     

  • Q.   Why is it easier to swim in the sea than in a river? A.   The density of sea water is higher; hence the upthrust is more than that of river water.
     

  • Q.   Who will possibly learn swimming faster–a fat person or a thin person? A.   The fat person displaces more water which will help him float much more freely compared to a thin person.
     

  • Q.   Why is a flash of lightening seen before thunder? A.   Because light travels faster than sound, it reaches the earth before the sound of thunder.
     

  • Q.   Why cannot a petrol fire be extinguished by water? A.   Water, which is heavier than petrol, slips down permitting the petrol to rise to the surface and continue to burn. Besides, the existing temperature is so high that the water poured on the fire evaporates even before it can extinguish the fire. The latter is true if a small quantity of water is poured.
     

  • Q.   Why does water remain cold in an earthen pot?A.   There are pores in an earthen pot which allow water to percolate to the outer surface. Here evaporation of water takes place thereby producing a cooling effect.
     

  • Q.   Why do we place a wet cloth on the forehead of a patient suffering from high temperature?A.   Because of body's temperature, water evaporating from the wet cloth produces a cooling effect and brings the temperature down.
     

  • Q.   When a needle is placed on a small piece of blotting paper which is placed on the surface of clean water, the blotting paper sinks after a few minutes but the needle floats. However, in a soap solution the needle sinks. Why?
    A.   The surface tension of clean water being higher than that of a soap solution, it can support the weight of a needle due to its surface tension. By addition of soap, the surface tension of water reduces, thereby resulting in the sinking of the needle.
     

  • Q.   To prevent multiplication of mosquitoes, it is recommended to sprinkle oil in the ponds with stagnant water. Why?
    A.   Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. The larvae of mosquitoes keep floating on the surface of water due to surface tension. However, when oil is sprinkled, the surface tension is lowered resulting in drowning and death of the larvae.
     

  • Q.   Why does oil rise on a cloth tape of an oil lamp?A.   The pores in the cloth tape suck oil due to the capillary action of oil.
     

  • Q.   Why are ventilators in a room always made near the roof?A.   The hot air being lighter in weight tends to rise above and escape from the ventilators at the top. This allows the cool air to come in the room to take its place.
     

  • Q.   How does ink get filled in a fountain pen?A.   When the rubber tube of a fountain pen immersed in ink is pressed, the air inside the tube comes out and when the pressure is released the ink rushes in to fill the air space in the tube.
     

  • Q.   Why are air coolers less effective during the rainy season?A.   During the rainy reason the atmospheric air is saturated with moisture. Therefore, the process of evaporation of water from the moist pads of the cooler slows down thereby not cooling the air blown out from the cooler.
     

  • Q.   Why does grass gather more dew in nights than metallic objects such as stones?A.   Grass being a good radiator enables water vapour in the air to condense on it. Moreover, grass gives out water constantly (transpiration) which appears in the form of dew because the air near grass is saturated with water vapour and slows evaporation. Dew is formed on objects which are good radiators and bad conductors.
     

  • Q.   If a lighted paper is introduced in a jar of carbon dioxide, its flame extinguishes. Why?A.   Because carbon dioxide does not help in burning. For burning, oxygen is required.
     

  • Q.   Why does the mass of an iron rod increase on rusting?A.   Because rust is hydrated ferric oxide which adds to the mass of the iron rod. The process of rusting involves addition of hydrogen and oxygen elements to iron.
     

  • Q.   Why does milk curdle?A.   Lactose (milk sugar) content of milk undergoes fermentation and changes into lactic acid which on reacting forms curd.
     

  • Q.   Why does not hard water lather soap profusely?A.   Hard water contains sulphates and chlorides of magnesium and calcium which forms an insoluble compound with soap. Therefore, soap does not lather with hard water.
     

  • Q.   Why is it dangerous to have charcoal fire burning in a closed room? A.   When charcoal bums it produces carbon monoxide which is suffocating and can cause death.
     

  • Q.   Why is it dangerous to sleep under trees at night?A.   Plants respire at night and give out carbon dioxide which reduces the oxygen content of air required for breathing.
     

  • Q.   Why does ENO's salt effervesce on addition of water?A.   It contains tartaric acid and sodium bicarbonate. On adding water, carbon dioxide is produced which when released into water causes effervescence.
     

  • Q.   Why does milk turn sour?A.   The microbes react with milk and grow. They turn lactose into lactic acid which is sour in taste.
     

  • Q.   Why is a new quilt warmer than an old one?A.   In a new quilt the cotton is not compressed and as such it encloses more air which is bad conductor of heat. Therefore, it does not allow heat to pass.
     

  • Q.   Eskimos live in double-walled ice houses. Why?A.   Because the air in between two ice walls does not allow heat to pass.
     

  • Q.   Curved rail tracks or curved roads are banked or raised on one side. Why?A.   Because a fast moving train or vehicle leans inwards while taking turn and the banked or raised track provides required centripetal force to enable it to move round the curve.
     

  • Q.   How do bats fly in dark? A.   When bats fly they produce ultrasonic sound waves which are reflected back to them from the obstacles in their way and hence they can fly without difficulty.
     

  • Q.   Water pipes often burst at hill stations on cold frosty nights. Why? A.   The temperature may fall below 0³C during cold frosty nights which converts the water inside the pipes into ice, resulting in an increase in volume. This exerts great force on the pipes and as a result, they burst.
     

  • Q.   Why are 'white clothes more comfortable in summer than dark or black ones?A.   White clothes are good reflectors and bad absorbers of heat, whereas dark or black clothes are good absorbers of heat. Therefore, white clothes are more comfortable because they do not absorb heat from the sun rays.
     

  • Q.   Why is rose red and grass green in daylight?A.   Rose absorbs all the constituent colours of white light except red which is reflected to us. Similarly, grass absorbs all colours except green which is reflected to us.
     

  • Q.   Why does a ship rise as it enters the sea from a river?A.   The density of sea water is high due to impurities and salts compared to river water. As a result, the upthrust produced by the sea water on the ship is more than that of river water.
     

  • Q.   Why are fuses provided in electric installations?A.   A safety fuse is made of a wire of metal having a very low melting point. When excess current flows in, the wire gets heated, melts and breaks the circuit. By breaking the circuit it saves electric equipment or installations from damage by excessive flow of current.
     

  • Q.   Why is it easier to lift a heavy object under water than in air?A.   Because when a body is immersed in water, it experiences an upward thrust (Archimedes' Principle) and loses weight equal to the weight of the water displaced by its immersed portion, and hence, is easier to lift objects.
     

  • Q.   If a highly pumped up bicycle tyre is left in the hot sunlight, it bursts. Why?A.   The air inside the tube increases in volume when heated up. As sufficient space for the expansion of the air is not available because the tube is already highly pumped, it may result in bursting of the tyre.
     

  • Q.   What will be the colour of green grass in blue light?A.   Grass will appear dark in colour because it absorbs all other colours of the light except its own green colour. The blue light falling on grass will be absorbed by it, and hence, it will appear dark in colour.
     

  • Q.   Why do two eyes give better vision than one?A.   Because two eyes do not form exactly similar images and the fusion of these two dissimilar images in the brain gives three dimensions of the stereoscopic vision.


  • Thursday, December 16, 2010

    Go Green

    • First step in go green process is to turn off the lights of your home or office when not in use to lower monthly electricity bills and to save energy.
    • We should buy only those electricity bulbs or tubes which are more energy efficient.
    • Use recycled paper for printing your documents.
    • Try to use printer capable of double-sided printing though it is very difficult but it will save pape and reduce cost also.

      • Going green by using eco-friendly products is an must these days.
      • Try to get paperless statements(online) from your banks or financial institutions in stead of mailed ones.
      • Use those items which can be recycled easily.
      • Try to avoid use of polythene.
      • After washing your hands use only paper towels needed to dry them. I see people grab four and five towels to dry their hands.
      • Some people are also involved in Green Home Businesses these days to save the enviorment

        Keep the earth as green as possible while keeping more ‘green’ in your pocket.
        Discover ways of having an online green home based business with EcoQuest International, a company that offers air purification products that promote healthy environment. Head over to Ecoquest's profile for more background information.

    Tips For Choosing Trustee For Living Trust

    Living trust means a trust that may be revocable by the trust creator. It is not just for the rich but Living Trusts are one of the most common estate planning tools in use today. A Living Trust is called so because it is created while you're alive.
    Living trusts are often used because without going through the process of probate they may allow assets to be passed to heirs. Probate is the process of paying your debts and distributing your property to the people who inherit it under court supervision.

    The person by whom trust is established is called the Grantor and the Trustee is the person who controls the Trust's assets. And Beneficiaries are the heirs that will benefit from the Trust after grantor's death.
    Choosing the right person as trustee to act on your behalf is very important. You can choose a spouse, adult child, domestic partner, other relative, family friend, business associate, or professional fiduciary to be your trustee. Discuss your choice with a Living Trust Attorney in San Diego, CA
    It is very important to choose someone in which you have full faith and confidence. You can think of a close family friend, close family member, child, or trusted nephew or niece. Otherwise you can hire an outside trustee like your bank, a trust company, your lawyer, or an expert estate planning attorney.

    Heirs who are unhappy with the terms and conditions of the living trust will try to sway your representative to do what they want. But if you know that you have a strong, trustworthy person protecting your property will provide peace of mind.

    Safety With Kitchen Knives

    A cook's best friend and most important utensil is a sharp knife. You may not notice, but through repeated use, knives become dull. Most kitchen accidents are knife-related, and dull knives are often the cause. Keep the following tips in mind when working with your kitchen knives.
                                                   
    • Purchase a good knife. A good knife is heavy and well balanced compared to a flimsy knife that can easily bend or snap. Poorly constructed knives have a difficult time maintaining their edge, and they can warp over time. A good, forged knife with high carbon content and a molded handle will last a long time, if cared for properly.
    • Always use a cutting board. Knives should not be used on kitchen counters, metal, glass or steel surfaces when chopping, slicing or mincing. Using a knife on such a surface can cause slipping and sliding. When setting up a work area, place a damp kitchen towel beneath the cutting board to prevent it from slipping while you work.
    • Select the proper cutting board. Most plastic boards are economical and dishwasher-safe and remain more sanitary than wooden blocks. However, plastic boards do tend to dull knives more quickly. Wooden boards are ideal, yet they require a thorough cleansing to remain sanitary, as the pores of the wood tend to trap bacteria. What ever choice you make, purchase a big board, with ample space for cutting.
    • Know your knife. The tip of the knife is the most delicate part of the utensil - ideal for slicing mushrooms. The mid-section is the most commonly used area and does the majority of the work. And the heel or back 1/3 of the knife is the heavy work area - ideal for cutting off a bunch of celery.
    • Protect your fingers. Curl your fingers under and position them on top of the item to be cut, for example an onion half. With your hand on the item and fingers safely tucked, place the side of the knife next to your knuckles. Maintain a strong grip on the item you are cutting.
    • Sharpen your knife. Many tools, such as steel sharpening rods, whetstones, and hand sharpeners are available to keep your knife sharp. Steel rods, complete with many knife sets, should be used for quick rehoning. If using a sharpening stone or whetstone, place the stone securely on the counter top using both hands to hold the knife gently against the stone. Keep sharpening stones oiled with food-grade mineral oil. Other oils can ruin the stone. When using manual, electrical hand-sharpeners, follow operating instructions carefully.
    • Always store knives in a knife holder. Storing knives loose in a drawer with other tools can damage the knife blade. More importantly, it can lead to severe cuts.
    • Never attempt to catch a falling knife. Step back and let it hit the floor.
    • Never cut anything that is placed in your hand. Instead of "palming" food, place it on the board.
    • Use the knife for its intended purpose. Don't use them to open cans, remove jars and bottle caps, or cut string, bones, metal or paper.
    • Clean knives. Carbon steel knives should be washed and dried immediately after using to prevent rusting. Never soak knives in water. Do not place your knives in the dishwasher - always wash them by hand or the handles will gradually deteriorate and the blades will dull.
    • Select the correct knife for the job.
    • Focus on the job at hand. Keep your mind on your work when holding a knife and cut away from the body.
    • The safest knife is a sharp knife. With a sharp knife you have control and can easily cut through food. When the blade is dull, it forces the knife through the food.

    Causes of Bed Wetting: Eat,Drink, and Wet the Bed

    Well, we are on a roll with causes of bed wetting theories. Here's one that seems to make sense. I'm still pretty much sold on the idea that it's a hereditary issue - but it seems like if there are other causes of bed wetting, they may be more controllable. If it's just heredity, you kind of have to wait it out until your child reaches the pre-set magical age of dryness. By nature not especially patient, the idea of waiting it out doesn't appeal to me. So, here's what I've learned about the food and drink leading to bedwetting theory.
    Chocolate
    Oh no! Say it isn't so! Well, actually it's not necessarily the chocolate; it's the caffeine in chocolate that may cause bed wetting. What does caffeine do? It stimulates the body, including the bladder. So that evening cup of cocoa or slice of chocolate cake may be a problem. (Gosh, now I'm craving chocolate!)

    Soda
    Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles. Carbonation is rumored to do strange things to immature bladders. Actually, for any adults who drink soda, you know first-hand that a can of Coke is a ticket to the restroom. It's an effect that's compounded by caffeine - and the sugar's probably not helping matters either.
    Oranges and Grapefruits
    OK, if you've actually got a child who will eat grapefruit, I'd like to hear about it! But oranges are another story. I get a strange reaction when I eat oranges (and raw cranberries for some reason) - my face gets hot and I feel kind of funky. So, I'm assuming it's possible to be allergic to citrus. The citric acid is the most likely culprit. Try cutting back on the orange juice and citrus in your child's diet to see what happens.
     
    Spicy Stuff
    There are some spices out there that could probably be rated pharmaceutical grade. Think of the effect Chinese mustard has on your nose! No doubt some of these spices have an equivalent effect on the bladder. Salsa, Asian food, and other hot, hot, hot foods may be contributing to the bedwetting problem.

    Food Allergies
    I've heard of people whose children are allergic to everything from eggs to wheat, and have to say that dealing with bedwetting is nothing compared to the trouble they have to go through just to feed their children. Couple a serious food allergy with bedwetting, and it's enough to make you want to retreat to the bath tub for the next ten years! Some allergies cause bladder spasms - which of course, means a bedwetting accident. It's not just food, either. Some people are really sensitive to preservatives, dyes, and other additives. It doesn't seem that the only effect of a food allergy would be bedwetting, though. So don't throw out all your groceries just yet. But if your child has multiple challenges, it's something to consider. You may have to shop around for an allergist - so be prepared.
    So what do you do if you discover your child's bedwetting problem is caused by a food sensitivity? It's not like being allergic to a cat - get some shots or send Fluffy to live with Grandma. You'll have to enroll your child's compliance on this (so what else is new?). Get your child to see the value, the what's-in-it-for-me of staying away from what may be a favorite food. Dry nights are pretty valuable - and your child may come to see the tradeoff as worthwhile. The sensitivity may be temporary, too - and that should help.
    After all, just the thought of never being able to eat chocolate is cruel and unusual punishment.
    Author :-Sue LaPoint

    Life Insurance Quote (Term Or Whole) - How To Ensure The Best Value

    Life insurance is one important area you should pay a lot of attention to, as part of personal financial planning. Lots of folks simply ignore this, but it really should be never be overlooked. Do not ignore this area - for it could mean financial disasters for you.
    This investment is necessary, no matter how your situation looks like. Looking into this investment will give you peace of mind to carry out your daily activities. The information in this article will help you.

    A "term life" plan is one of the most popular, since it is usually the most inexpensive way to obtain life coverage. It does not build cash value and no refund is given if the policy is canceled. It can be renewed annually or for a more common term of 5, 10, 15, 20, or 30 years. If the insured passes away, the benefit is paid to the beneficiaries.
    A whole life policy is quite a popular option as well. It lasts until for the lifetime of the insured or chooses to cash out. There are various options available for this form of insurance and can be quite confusing to the lay person. People who want more flexibility with their policy will find this useful. There are several categories of whole life insurance. In this respect, it may be useful to consult a financial planner.

    A life insurance agent, like anyone else who sells anything, shows you the very best sides of the product or service being sold. It's your responsibility as the buyer to ensure you know the downsides too.Don't buy any life insurance until any doubts are cleared. Know what you stand to gain and what you stand to lose. Take out some time to visit sites by life insurance experts and you'll be able to make more informed choices.You can get the best rate for your preferred life insurance policy by getting and comparing life insurance quotes from up to five or more sites. You can save hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars by doing this. It will take you just a few minutes per site
    It's best to choose a company that has been long in the game of life insurance. Not doing this may prove fatal. Know their standing across different independent research companies. My suggested site is www.advantagetermlife.com because you can Save Money on Insurance with Reduce Premiums. Their Employee Benefit Package and their Corporate Insurance Plans for Employers are the best in market today.

    Customer rights and making a complaint

    A customer has the following rights.
    • To find out information about a product
    • To choose a product
    • To buy a product
    • To get value for money
    • To be satisfied and well looked after once the product has been purchased.
    If as a customer you are dissatisfied here is a simple list of actions you can take.

    Making a complaint
    1. Complain to the supplier of the goods or service as soon as possible. Always give the supplier the opportunity to put the matter right first. Bear in mind that if you leave your complaint for too long you may lose some of your legal rights.
    2. Make sure you take any receipt or proof of purchase with you. Don't part with this - in case you need it later.
    3. If the supplier is some distance away, or if you get no satisfaction after calling in person, then you will need to put your complaint in writing. It's a good idea to ring the organisation and to get the name of their customer services manager so you can send the letter to that specific person.
    4. Keep your letter short and to the point. In the first paragraph state when and where you bought the goods or service. In the second, state what has gone wrong clearly and unemotionally. If you have already visited the firm without any success, say when and where you called, the name of the person to whom you spoke and the outcome. In the last paragraph state what you want done and set a realistic deadline.
    5. Keep copies of all correspondence. If the company telephones you, make a note of what they said and the date. 

    At this stage the problem is usually solved. Remember that you don't have to accept the first offer you receive, if you feel it is a poor one.
    If you are getting nowhere then get expert advice. This could include expert opinion on the problem (e.g. by asking another trader to put their views in writing), by contacting your local trading standards department or another source of help and advice.
    It is worth noting that increasing number of business now publish a customer charter. The purpose of such charters is to:
    • Publish standards of service
    • Continually improve customer service standards
    • Ensure all customers are treated equally and fairly
    • Ensure all customers know how to complain.
    This is a trend you can help encourage by asking businesses you deal with and if they have one. If the answer is no. Ask why not?
    Better customer service is better for all of us.
    By:-Gary Hadler

    Are You A Workaholic?

    Regardless of whether you work from home or not, working long hours is not productive or emotionally fulfilling after awhile. Even though you may be extremely busy, working ten or twelve hours may not help you catch up since there will always be more work for you to accomplish. Learning how not to be a workaholic takes time and discipline but with a little practice, you will be able to find a balance between your work and your life. 

    If people are always commenting on the amount of time you spend working, then you may be a workaholic. If you find yourself constantly thinking about work, then you may need to change the way you approach your work so you can relax and reduce the stress in your life. Being able to strike a balance between work and life is not always easy. Depending on what you do for a living and the demands placed on you by others, you may have to make dramatic changes in order to be happier and more productive in a shorter amount of time. 


    The first step to reducing the amount of time spend working is to limit yourself to an eight hour day. If you work at home, this means creating a work schedule and sticking to it so you can get your work done within a certain amount of time. If you work for someone else, you may need to restructure your time so you can get everything done without having to stay longer than eight hours. If you have a demanding job, consider switching jobs or stop volunteering to complete tasks that are not yours. This should reduce the amount of time spent at the office.

    The second step is to not take work home with you. If you work at home, shutting off your computer, closing your office door, or leaving your home to take a walk or complete chores will help you unwind after a long day. Taking work home is an indication that you could not complete it during regular business hours. While some exceptions can be made as a rule, you should leave all work at the office and forget about it until the next day. 



    The third step is to relax when not working by visiting friends, taking up a hobby or taking a nap. There are plenty of activities you can engage yourself in when not at work. Instead of focusing on what you have to get done, you should focus on the present and enjoy the moment. Being a workaholic is not healthy emotionally, physically and intellectually. You will be more productive when you give yourself a chance to relax each evening and on the weekends.

    ELectricity Do's & Dont's

    • Always, install safety equipments like Earth leakage / overload & short circuit protection (circuit breakers / switches ) near point of supply.
    • Ensure healthy earthing is installed at your premises.
    • Ensure only IS marked cables of proper capacity are used for your installation and get the wiring done through only licensed Electrical Contractors.
     
    • Pay the energy bills regularly at within due date to avoid inconvenience due to disconnection.
     
    • Use electricity only when needed, switch off the supply when not required.

    • Always use proper capacity fuse wire in main switches.
     
    • To got proper voltage, install adequate capacitors for inductive loads.
     
    • Use only ISI marked electrical equipments.
     
    • Ensure safety of energy meter and metering equipments in your premises. Provide weather Proof enclosures to meters and metering equipments.
     
    • For rectification of faults in your installations, call licensed electrical contractors only.
     
    • If energy meter provided is found stopped / faulty, please bring the facts to the notice of authorities immediately.
     
    • Use electricity only for purpose for which the service connection has been given (i.e domestic).
     
    • Get your supply converted from single-phase to three –phase if the total connected load exceeds 4000 watts.

    • Observe safety precautions to avoid electrical accidents.
     
    • Replace promptly defective electrical fittings and appliances.
     
    • Get the internal wiring checked up periodically not only to avoid leakage of electricity but also to safeguard the lives of the inmates in the premises.
     
    Disclaimer : Please check with your electricity provider for terms & conditions of usage of service. Tech Process Solutions Ltd. doesn't claim responsibility for the contents of this article.

    Rights And Responsibilities

    Sometimes we have to re-think about what we have memorized in schools but may have forgotton over the years, such as "your rights are others' resposibilities and vice versa", "Your rights come with your responsibilities" , etc.

    Let me be specific with examples-

    1. We clean inside our houses, but throw the garbage just outside. Now, do you think the bacteria, mosquitos, viruses, etc. would think, "Uhhh, let's us not get inside that clean house and infect their children because they are rich elites" ?

    2. We teach our children, "do not treat the cook or the 'servant' as equal, do not play with their children, do not let them sit on the chair..". Now, do you think your children will grow up to be good humans with self-respect and respect for others? or will they always try to place themselves as "I am inferior to them and superior to those" like wolves do.

    3. We do not let our children wash their own clothes, clean their own rooms, organize their own toys. We say don't worry you just do your homework, and someone will take care of those things". Yes you do have the rights to teach you children as you wish, afterall they are your children. Then you send your kids to a hostel or to USA, and wonder why they are such misfits and clumsy. 


    4. We brag about how we split the income, distribute the property rent-checks in the name of our wives/children/ cousins, to save (essentially cheat) on income taxes. Don't you think we should be the last people to criticize the government being corrupt?

    5. We do not want to stand in line for a ticket, rather bribe someone to buy the same at a higher price. Don't you think your children are becoming dishonest like you? Do you want them to be part of the cheating bribing crooks?

    6. We do not volunteer our time to spread basic education to the unfortunate children in the neighborhood, so that they could grow up to be productive, decent, law-abiding citizens ofIndia. Don't you think you and your children have to live among them for decades? How would you feel if hundred pairs of eyes look at you with resentment or jealousy, do you enjoy it?

    7. We buy flatpanel TV, video games, and electronic toys for our children, and discourage them from playing one hour extra in the fields. Don't you think they would grow up to be unsocial overweight lazy geeks?

    I would say, before you do anything, including producing kids, that you believe is your right, think about the responsibilities, learn about how to do things right without causing damage to yourself and others. Only then act in the right path following your education and concience.



    I tried to put it in simple words, for the very fromal education that has given us the access to this sort of information and rights to it, has stripped us from the ability to think at a basic level. This is why we keep Mahatma Gandhi's picture on the wall and practise exactly opposite of what the great Man taught. It is not too late for all the good Indians to wake up, get together and change direction of a falling society through positive actions.

    And to the ministry of education and the educators, this is what I have to ask - how can you expect the people to obey the basic civil laws if you do not teach them in schools. Isn't that ridiculous? Then what are you teaching? Or do you want the laws to be taught only to the lawyers and hope to catch millions of ignorants who inadvertantly break them to make money off them? How sly of you!


    23 Ways To Keep Things Running Well.

    1. Keep your balance. To stay healthy, we need many different nutrients each day. Balance your diet by eating a variety of foods. These include fruit, vegetables, nuts, legumes (such as dried peas, beans and lentils), wholegrain cereals and breads, low fat dairy products, lean meat, fish and skinless chicken.
    2. Eat regularly. Because staying active is good for health and requires energy, it’s even more important than ever to eat good meals regularly.
    3. Start the day well. At breakfast, sit down to your choice of cereal or porridge. For something different try spreading avocado, ricotta cheese, hummus and sesame or nut paste on a variety of breads, rolls or bagels.
    4. Eat three meals a day. Make sure you eat breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.
    5. Become a grazer. If your appetite is down, try eating smaller portions of healthy foods at regular intervals.
    6. Be strong with dairy products. Choose low fat milks, yoghurts and cheeses daily.
    7. Be lean with meats. Concentrate on lean meats, fish and skinless chicken. Give sausages, bacon and processed meats a rest.
    8. Make the switch from plain white bread. Move to sourdough, wholemeal, multigrain, rye, soy, linseed, herb and corn or fruit bread. Pick up an English muffin, pita bread, bagel, foccacia, crispbread, rice cakes, corn thins, Turkish bread or unleavened flat bread as an alternative to white bread.
    9. Be adventurous with grains. Try barley in soups and casseroles. Use rolled oats to bind rissoles. Try rice or other grains in main meals or incorporated into patties, loafs, casseroles, soups and stews. Alternatively, try couscous, buckwheat or polenta.
    10. Stock up. Have a good supply of food for when the weather turns nasty or you don’t feel like shopping. Tinned fish, baked beans, canned and frozen fruits and vegetables store well. An extra packet of breakfast cereal, long life milk and a frozen meal are always handy.
    11. Get out of food ruts. It’s easy to fall into a routine with your meals but, by changing your diet around, you’re more likely to pick up vitamins and minerals you may have been lacking.
    12. Freshen up morning and afternoon tea. Instead of biscuits, cakes and pastries, choose fruit, yoghurt, cheese and crackers, fruit bread, vegetables and sandwiches.
    13. Consider having your main meal at midday. You may find it easier to prepare your main meal for the middle of the day and have a lighter meal in the evening.
    14. Be fussy with takeaway. Go for barbecue chicken and remove the skin or grilled fish, toasted sandwiches, dips and breads, falafel, curry with steamed rice or noodles and lots of vegetables.
    15. Go ‘low’ as often as you can. Look for ‘reduced salt’ or ‘low salt’ foods when shopping. Fresh or dried herbs and spices are a great substitute and add extra flavour to your favourite dishes.
    16. Eat plenty of fruit and veg. Make that your goal by including some fruits and vegetables in as many meals as possible. They can be fresh, frozen, dried or canned.
    17. Add some zest to meals. Chopped vegies are great in omelettes, stir fries, soups, salads, stews and casseroles. Grated zucchini, carrot, pumpkin, sweet potato and beetroot can be added to patties, rissoles, muffins and pikelets. Vegetable soups can make a main meal with the addition of pulses such as haricot, lima, kidney and soy beans, chick peas, split peas and lentils.
    18. Be creative with fruit. Fruit can be used in a number of ways. Try adding fruit as the base for desserts such as stewed, poached or baked plums, apples, pears, rhubarb, apricots and berries or add to jelly, custard, yoghurt, rice puddings and pancakes.
    19. Think ahead. Prepare a large meal and freeze a portion or two for lazy days ahead, being sure to label and date the food.
    20. Drink plenty of water. Water is vital for good health. Keep a sealed jug in the fridge during the hotter months and have water available at all times. In cooler months, drink water at room temperature or warmed slightly.
    21. Stay focused. It’s great to decide to make some healthy changes in your life. The trick is keeping motivated. It helps to involve family, friends and neighbours in your plans. The more you talk about it, the easier it will be.
    22. Eat in good company. Whenever possible, enjoy food with friends and relatives. Good food is best enjoyed with people you care about and it provides extra incentive to prepare interesting meals.
    23. Get help if you need it. If you need help or have any questions about making changes to your diet, talk to your doctor or health practitioner.

    Steps For Effective Time Management

    The following steps for effective time management can provide a guide for putting your intentions into action, lowering your stress, and helping you achieve your goals.

    1. Identify your personal and work-related priorities.

    This is a key step in the process. Think carefully about outcomes that are important to you. Write them down, being as specific as possible. Specify exactly what you want to accomplish and by when. If you have multiple priorities in the same area (personal or professional) , try to select only one or two initially, or try to rank them as to importance. Trying to work on too many at the same time will increase, rather than lower, your stress level.

    2. Translate your priorities into concrete goals, with component activities.

    Break each goal into its component activities; identify what steps are needed to achieve the goal. Identify the requirements and resources you need related to each activity step. This helps you organise for success and have what you need to move forward towards goal attainment. Pinpointing resources is especially important if accomplishment of your goal requires the co-operation or assistance of other people.

    3. Identify deadlines/intermedi ary time frames related to each activity step and goal attainment.

    These could include deadlines for personal goals (sign up for an exercise class by March 1) or work-related goals such as report deadlines (gather needed data to complete quarterly report by March 30). Write these activities and their individual deadlines on your calendar; scheduling them gives you a direction and affirms your commitment to carry them through, step by step. If you need access to libraries, media/computing centres, or other resources, find out their availability before you need them. Plan time in your own schedule to access these resources in advance; don't wait until the day before a deadline occurs.

    4. Consider your monthly calendar or planning notebook a timesaving device.

    Keep it with you and use it to schedule important activities, due dates, deadlines, and appointments. Consistent use of your calendar will provide you with a visual reminder and help you keep track of your commitments. Periodically review your calendar to assess your progress in accomplishing the steps to your goals. Highlight important dates with a marker; this will keep them visible and can serve as a colorful reminder of your planned steps towards goal attainment.

    5. Learn to say "No" to opportunities and requests that take your time and don't move you forward towards goal attainment.

    To the extent feasible, saying "no" is an important safeguard of your time. Doing so with courtesy and conviction will make it easier to say "yes" at a later date and simultaneously affirm your commitment to yourself to follow through on your scheduled activities.

    6. Identify your own barriers to effective use of time.

    If you find you tend to procrastinate (join the human race!), overbook yourself, or "forget" to use a planner or calendar, do some thinking about why. Discovering the motivation for your resistance to time management may assist in understanding your behaviour, or lack of it. Is the task to be done boring? Do you really want to do it? Do you feel "too controlled" by the use of a calendar or planner? Reflecting on your own thoughts and feelings about using time may help identify areas you may want to explore further, especially if you aren?t satisfied with your achievement of personal or professional goals.

    7. Strive for a balance between "doing" and "being".

    Remember to plan some "fun time" in your schedule. With better time management strategies, you can be more productive, experience improved relationships, and enjoy more "good times" with a minimum of anxiety and stress. Doing "more" is not the ultimate goal of effective time management. More is not necessarily better, and cramming your schedule full of "to do" items doesn?t necessarily lead to higher life satisfaction. Effective time management is a tool to assist you to achieve meaningful life outcomes, not merely "more" outcomes. Use the steps presented here as a guide to your own journey of meaningful accomplishment. Good luck!