Food Science Technology

Food Science Technology What You Need to Know About Food Science Technology ChaptersWhat Is a Food TechnologistHow Can You Become a Food TechnologistWhere Can You Train to Become a Food Technologist?What Subjects Are Covered in the Food Technology Curriculum?Have you ever wandered down a supermarket aisle, wondering why there are ‘best by’ dates stamped on virtually every food product in the store and how those dates are established?What about when you see a label â€" on a tin, bag or ready-to-eat product that proclaims it to have a new recipe? Do you wonder what was so wrong with the old recipe and why it is was changed?Maybe you’ve read about the mad cow tragedy in the last part of last century.At the time, it was common practice to feed young cows and dairy herds a mash containing meat and bone of other animals that had died.Unfortunately, some of those animals that were fed to those calves were afflicted with a disease caused by a misfolded protein that turned their brains into pockmarked, sponge-like organs, leaving them unable to function.And the n, when humans consumed the animals that had eaten the meat-and-bone mash, they too got sick and died.To date, more than 200 people have died of mad cow disease, a terrible affliction that started here, in the UK.What do a terrifying disease, new food recipes and ‘sell by’ date recommendations have in common?You might have already guessed: they all fall under the umbrella of food science.Today, much of our food supply is processed and shipped to stores from a manufacturing plant; even our meats, vegetables and bread were processed before they hit any store’s shelves.Naturally, the more a food is handled, the more risk there is for contamination. Some argue that is the best reason to eat only organic foods but that simple solution is not practical for our world’s growing population.Besides, organic foods are processed too, albeit to a lesser degree than ordinary foods. So, how can we know our food supply is safe?Generally, our first line of defence against contamination, impr oper production or outdated food is food scientists; specifically food technologists.The food scientist is the unsung hero of the food industry; a shadow operator poised at every point along the food chain, from our nation’s farms to the factory production lines, making sure our food is both nutritious and safe to eat.Are you currently contemplating your future? Pondering where the best career opportunities lie?Your Superprof now presents a sure-fire path to job security, a career where the best and brightest minds are in always in high demand.Minds like yours, we dare say… As a food technologist, you may work in food service, testing restaurant food for harmful microorganisma Image by RitaE from PixabayThink about this: let’s say you work in the quality assurance department of a major food processing plant. You are monitoring food on a production line, maybe tinned beef, and you notice the colour is a bit off.Naturally, you would stop production, take a few samples, head back to your lab and test them… all because the beef didn’t look quite right to you.You may well have averted a public health crisis!Besides being meticulous about noticing the smallest details, food technologists firmly believe that everyone who comes in contact with food, be it the farmer, the production line worker or the supermarket employee, should maintain sound hygiene.If you worked in a food production plant, a part of your job would be overseeing the cleanliness of the plant and equipment. You would also ensure that anyone who comes in contact with food wears proper atti re, including hairnets and gloves.What would you do if you saw someone on the production line, sneezing and sniffling and blowing their nose while they were handling food?Here, another characteristic of food technologists comes into play: leadership qualities. You would have to wield the authority to remove that person from the production line and maybe even send them home.Naturally, not every food technologist works in food manufacturing. The need for food technologists in government, in laboratories and even in the corner shop is great and demand is growing.You can read about the entire range of jobs that a food technologist may do in our full-length article on the subject.How Can You Become a Food TechnologistWe mentioned earlier that an interest in science is vital to succeeding as a food technologist but we didn’t way what kind of science.The science of food is extensive, ranging from microbiology to organic chemistry. So, if you’ve set your sights on becoming a food techno logist, rest assured your undergraduate program will include a lot of science. The study of food sciences demands equal parts of academic and practical learning Image by StockSnap from PixabayWhy not get started studying science now?If you’re still in secondary school, you could add chemistry to your GCSEs; if you’re getting ready for A-Levels, including one or more of the life sciences is a sure way to gain entrance to the university of your choice.Leaving aside all of the studying you will have to do, the path to becoming a food technologist is fairly straightforward:Get your university education â€" several fine schools around the UK have food science degree programsGet some experience: the field of food science and technology is unique in that it requires entrants to the field to undergo an internship before being hired outrightJoin a professional organisation: membership in the Institute of Food Technologists will prove to be vital to your continuing developmentNetwork: establishing a network of colleagues that you might collaborate with is essential.I t sounds simple, doesn’t it?Naturally, each step is more involved than a lone sentence could accurately describe; that is why there is a whole article devoted to the subject.Where Can You Train to Become a Food Technologist?Here, again we pose a trick question!Do we mean where you can get an education in food science and nutrition or how you can gain experience in the field while you work toward your undergraduate and graduate degree?As noted above, in spite of the time spent in school absorbing scientific knowledge, you have to have some sort of practical experience in the food industry before being hired as a food technologist.Luckily, that experience doesn’t have to be gained under the watchful eye of a mentor in a biochemistry lab or even shadowing a food safety specialist as s/he makes their rounds.Holding down a job in some food-related venture is enough to start; you may work in a restaurant as a food handler or kitchen porter. If you live in the countryside, you might co nsider putting in a few hours in at one of your neighbours’ farms.Once you start your degree program at university, you may ask your advisor for help finding part-time work anywhere along the food system.There are many ways you can train to be a food technologist; some of them might even surprise you! Chemistry plays a large role in food analysis Image by MasterTux from PixabayWhat Subjects Are Covered in the Food Technology Curriculum?As we mentioned before, the field of food science and technology is so vast, it takes more than one area of study to cover them all.For instance, if you wanted to be a nutritionist, you wouldn’t need to study microbiology; on the other hand, if you are intent on being a food scientist, you should prepare yourself for a rigorous syllabus.Whether you are interested in food engineering (you will study life sciences, physical sciences and engineering), food science with industrial training (to work in a food processing plant) or food technology with bioprocessing, you can count on studying these core subjects:food microbiologyfood processing and engineeringmicrobiology and the living cellhuman physiology and nutritioncomposition and properties of foodsfood product developmentfood safety and qualitysensory evaluation of fooddevelopment of food products Besides these intriguing subjects, you will have a wealth of electives to choose from and you will most likely be expected to complete an original research project before you graduate.While researching the topic of food technology, we found 10 great schools scattered all over the UK and Northern Ireland that have a food science program, each with a slightly different curriculum and a slightly different elective selection.Whether you’re interested in food and nutrition or food packaging â€" the hot topic today because how food is packaged has a direct impact on the environment, there is a course list waiting for you at the school of your choice.If you are still deciding whether you are more interested in human nutrition or food preservation so that you can select the right course for you, you might appreciate our expanded overview of the food technologist curriculum.Naturally, once you make up your mind and establish yourself at your new school, your Superprof will be there to chee r you on and lend a helping hand if you need a tutor in food chemistry or for your biotechnology course.Good luck! Let us know how you get on, won’t you?

Dividing with Exponents

Dividing with Exponents Dividing with exponents involves simplification of exponents using the rule of exponents. Most of problems in mathematics deal with exponents. Simplification of exponents leads to solution easily. The most important rule on dividing the exponent is that while dividing the exponent with the same base we have to subtract the powers. The division of exponents is opposite to multiplication because we add the powers when we multiply the exponents with same base. The following examples clearly illustrate the division of expression with exponents. Example 1: Divide 7x^5 / x^-3 Solution: 7x^5 / x^-3 To simplify this use rule of exponents Divide the exponent having like bases; subtract the exponent of variable x in the denominator from the exponent of variable x in the numerator X^5 / x^-3 = x^5-(-3) = x^5+3 = x^8 And 7/1= 7 Therefore, 7x^5 / x^-3 = 7x^8 Example 2: Divide : 4x^3y^2z^-5 / 2x^7yz Solution: Use law of exponent to divide the like terms 4/2 = 2 x^3 / x^7 = x^3-7 = x^-4 y^2 / y = y^2-1 = y^1=y (note that y = y^1 ) Then z^-5 / z = z^-5-1 = z^ -6 Combine all the terms together, we get 2x^-4yz^-6 This is the required solution. Example 3: Divide 15a^3b^4a^2 / 3a^-1b^2 Solution: Notice that, numerator has 2 exponents with same base a^3 and a^2 Multiply the exponent first and then divide by the denominator So, a^3.a^2 / a^-1 = a^3+2 (-1) = a^6 15/3 = 5 b^4 / b^2 = b^4-2 = b^2 15a^3b^4a^2 / 3a^-1b^2 = 5 a^6 b^2.

Five Colleges with Enhanced ADHD Services

Five Colleges with Enhanced ADHD Services Heading off to college represents an exciting time for students with ADHD. Most are excited for the opportunity to break away from the structure of high school and the routines of family life, and forge their own path. Its also an anxiety-provoking time, since the success of students with ADHD up to this point has often been dependent on the structure that their school and family have provided. All students with ADHD need some level of additional support during college to reach their full potential. Some need fairly minimal support, like access to a psychiatrist on campus who can prescribe ADHD medication, a handful of academic accommodations, or a reduced course-load. Others need more substantial support, like access to ADHD-specific counseling or coaching programs, individualized instruction, or executive functioning classes. College campuses vary greatly in the services offered and the costs associated with these services. Working together with your teen to figure out which colleg e is the right fit for their unique needs is a complex and lengthy process. To get you started, heres a list of five colleges that offer enhanced support services for students with ADHD. University of Arizona The University of Arizona offers a highly acclaimed program just for students with ADHD and other learning differences through its Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques (SALT) Center. The SALT Center offers individual weekly meetings with a Strategic Learning Specialist who assists with educational planning, goal-setting, time management, organization, and learning strategies. Also provided are access to assistive technology, psychological counseling, tutoring, and the option to receive additional life coaching or ADHD-specific coaching. The SALT Center charges semester-based fees ranging from $1,200 $2,800. Landmark College Landmark College (Vermont) is a unique college exclusively for students with ADHD or learning disorders and offers one of the most comprehensive specialized learning programs available. At Landmark College, support services are integrated into the curriculum, and all students have access to them. These supports include small class sizes (with a student to faculty ratio of 6:1), individualized instruction designed to make classes engaging for students with ADHD, executive function coaching, tutoring, and social supports that facilitate the process of establishing a new friend group and living on a college campus. University of Maryland College Park The University of Maryland College Park, like most colleges, offers typical academic accommodations for students with ADHD. Through the Psychology Department on campus, students can also access the SUCCEEDS program, which is designed specifically for students with ADHD. Through the SUCCEEDS program, students receive a comprehensive assessment that identifies their areas of strengths and weaknesses, participate in weekly group meetings led by graduate students in the psychology department, and are assigned a personal coach to help them with time management, social challenges, and organizational challenges. There is a separate fee for the SUCCEEDS program ranging from $1,500 $2,000 per semester. Appalachian State University Appalachian State University (North Carolina) offers a unique program for students with executive functioning challenges (including students with ADHD) through their As-U-R program. Like many of the programs on this list, they offer specialized tutoring and mentoring, specific training to address executive functioning challenges (like time management and organization), transition and adjustment assistance for incoming students, and access to assistive technology. Where this university program really raises the bar is with their commitment to accountability all students participating in the As-U-R program are required to spend study hours in the Study Center each week, where they have a quiet study space and direct access to assistance from support staff. What could be better for blocking out distractions and helping students with ADHD follow-through on meeting their academic goals? Students must apply to be admitted into the As-U-R program; however, the re are no additional fees for AS-U-R services. Curry College For students looking for a smaller college campus experience, Curry College (Massachusetts) can be an excellent option. Curry College offers the Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL), which provides credit-bearing courses to teach students with ADHD the learning strategies they need to succeed in college lecture courses. Throughout the school year, students meet with a PAL faculty member 2-3 times per week in a combination of individual and group settings to develop a better understanding of their learning styles and develop key executive functioning skills. PALs fees range from $1,800 - $3,500 per semester. This list represents just a few of the many colleges that offer enhanced services for students with ADHD. For additional resources, check out the 20 Best Value Colleges for Students with ADHD or lists focused on colleges with services for students with learning differences, like College Choices 50 Best Disability Friendly Colleges and Universities. For teens with ADHD college acceptance represents a major milestone, and one that they worked very hard to achieve. Once the admissions offer has been accepted and the celebration has died down, its time to start thinking about how your teens needs will be met once college life begins. College students with ADHD need more support than their peers without ADHD in many areas. The start of college is an exciting time for incoming students, and most are eager to break away from the structure of their high school existence and start something new. Its a time when independence is celebrated, and teens finally have a chance to really stand on their own two feet. For incoming students with ADHD, this exciting time can also be anxiety provoking, and with good reason. Teens with ADHD are more dependent than most on the structure provided by their high school and their families and breaking away from that structure while keeping ADHD symptoms in check can be a real challenge. Difficulties with organization, time management, prioritizing academic assignments and attending classes, regulating sleep schedules, etc. all become exacerbated when school structure and parental oversight are pulled away. In addition, symptoms of ADHD make attending and learning from longer lectures and dense reading assignments without individual support more challenging. Academic accommodations in college are one tool that may help students with ADHD manage some of the ADHD-related impairments that come up during classes for students with ADHD. Its important for students and their parents to understand in advance what types of accommodations are available to students with ADHD, how to qualify for these accommodations, and who to meet with to ensure that these accommodations are put into place. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions as they relate to college academic accommodations and ADHD. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

Volunteering at Paddington Academy - Robs story

Volunteering at Paddington Academy - Rob's story Robert H has recently completed his volunteer placement  at Paddington academy .    Robert supported  the students and staff of the English department, delivering 12 hours of free in-class support throughout  January and February 2016. Below are a few words from  Robert about his experience volunteering for Tutorfair. Having recently completed a voluntary placement at Paddington Academy, I’d just like to say how much  I’ve enjoyed the experience. All the staff have been very supportive and a great pleasure to work with, and in turn have really appreciated the extra hand in the classroom. It’s also been very rewarding  working with students with a variety of personalities and educational needs and this has made for a  great opportunity to extend my range of experience. While volunteering, I worked with two teachers, supporting each class  on alternate weeks.    I benefitted from this arrangement as  I got to teach 3  different modules and texts and was able to observe two different teaching styles. This kind of  assignment really highlights the  value of volunteering in education: as a Tutorfair volunteer  you  get some great hands-on experience whilst actively supporting pupils  in the attainment of their  educational goals. Robert  H If you'd like to help the students at any one of our partner schools. Click here to get involved today!

How to Set Up Professional Voicemail Inboxes

How to Set Up Professional Voicemail Inboxes image via Blitz Just like the importance of conducting yourself professionally in person and over email, you want to make sure that if an employer is trying to contact you, that they receive a professional greeting, even if you aren’t able to answer the phone right away. Here are some tips for creating that perfectly professional greeting. Short, sweet, and simple: When someone is trying to reach you and they can’t get you on the line, they want to leave a message right away and get on with their day. If your voicemail greeting goes on for minutes on end, chances are they aren’t going to stick around until they hear the beep. You don’t need to have your whole life story in your voicemail greeting, you just basically need them to know that they reached the right person and that you will be getting back to them as soon as you can. This is the part where people like to get funny, maybe by saying, “hey, Im out and definitely avoiding you,” which is funny if your friends are calling, but not if someone you want to work for is trying to reach you. You don’t need to say why you cant answer or where you might be, you simply need to say your full name, that you are sorry you can’t come to the phone, and that you will get back to them as soon as you can. Practice: Before you officially pick a greeting, why not practice on making your voice even and understandable? I know that my voice rises when I speak on the phone, and I tend to speak faster, so I practice in the mirror to slow down my voice and make sure that I am speaking as naturally as I can. It may sound silly, but the tone in which you say something can either play the professional status up, or it can bring it down. You can’t change what your voice naturally sounds like, but you can work on controlling it to make sure you sound calm and collected when recording your message. If you aren’t sure, have a friend listen to it and give you pointers. It’s always disorienting listening to your own voice, so you might not be able to catch if you sound weird because you’re hearing your voice or because you are actually speaking in a strange manner, but someone who knows you well will be able to clear it right up. Be inviting: Your message should sound inviting and happy, so the person leaving the message doesn’t get scared off. Don’t be unnaturally over the top happy that they are leaving you a message, but definitely try and get a happy tone into your message, and show them that you value their time and the fact that they are leaving you a message. A good way to do this is to maybe add, “Have a wonderful day” at the end of the greeting. It’s short, so it won’t contradict the first point, and it makes the message more personal. Another form of contact: This is optional, but you can also leave another form of contact on your voicemail, like an email, that the employer who is calling can utilize. This will show that you want to get back to them as quickly as possible, and you are giving them multiple ways to do so. This isn’t necessary, but can be a good step if you want to squeeze a little more into the voicemail without going overboard. Okay, so what does it look like when you put all the steps together?: Example: “Hello, you have reached Megan N. Turner. I’m sorry that I can’t get to the phone at the moment. If you would please leave your name, best way to reach you, and your message after the tone, I will get back to you as soon as possible. Feel free to also shoot me an email at mturner@gmail.com. I look forward to speaking with you. Thank you and have a wonderful day!” Let’s look at another one: “Hello, you have reached Mark Hannel, content writer at Uloop News. My apologies for missing your call. I will be happy to get back to you as soon as I am able. Please leave me your name, number, and a brief message, and you’ll be hearing back from me shortly. Thanks and have a great day!” These of course are very basic templates. Feel free to make your voicemail fit you just keep it professional. Good luck!

Following your dreams Meet 10-year-old author, Roohi

Following your dreams Meet 10-year-old author, Roohi Following your dreams: Meet 10-year-old author, Roohi “Sometimes there really is a whole other world out there, waiting to be discovered.” Escaping the Clouds by Roohi Sanka The most serendipitous moments can sometimes open possibilities beyond our imagination. When Roohi was six years old, an author visited her school and Roohi made up her mind to become a writer. As many parents know, aspirations are as fleeting as each new experience enters a child’s life. Roohi stayed true to her dream and at age nine, her first book, Escaping the Clouds was published. Her parents enrolled her in the Kumon Math and Reading Program to enrich her academic studies. “My Kumon Instructor made sure I was doing my work at a good pace for me and she made sure that I understood my (Kumon) homework,” says Roohi.   Now at age 10 and three years into Kumon, she’s two years above her grade level in both math and reading. “Kumon definitely contributed towards developing her time management and study skills,” said Anu Ganith, her Kumon Instructor. Publishing a book wasn’t her only landmark accomplishment. Roohi performed in a Bollywood troupe and danced at the NBA Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons game in 2015. Also in 2015, she and her team won second place in the Purdue University Indiana Academic Spell Bowl and fourth place in the Indiana State Spell Bowl. She also enjoys playing the piano, swimming, devotional singing, and foreign language classes, all while getting straight A’s in every subject at school. Roohi, a budding philanthropist, plans to donate a portion of her book sales to the Indianapolis Soup Kitchen, where she volunteers each month to prepare and serve food to those in need. Additionally, along with a group of school students, she makes origami, mini portfolios and dry erase games boards. The sales proceeds go to the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation. Roohi has her sights set on becoming a doctor. With a curious mind and great grades as a bonus, Roohi is well on her way to achieving all of her dreams. You might also be interested in: Meet Michael, a 12-year-old Studying Advanced Algebra after One Year in Kumon Meet Etash, a Kumon Program Completer Who is Using his Technology Skills to Teach Kids to Code Meet Tiffany, at 14-years-old, She Speaks Four Languages Meet Oliver, an Aquarist with Aspirations of Becoming a Marine Biologist Following your dreams Meet 10-year-old author, Roohi Following your dreams: Meet 10-year-old author, Roohi “Sometimes there really is a whole other world out there, waiting to be discovered.” Escaping the Clouds by Roohi Sanka The most serendipitous moments can sometimes open possibilities beyond our imagination. When Roohi was six years old, an author visited her school and Roohi made up her mind to become a writer. As many parents know, aspirations are as fleeting as each new experience enters a child’s life. Roohi stayed true to her dream and at age nine, her first book, Escaping the Clouds was published. Her parents enrolled her in the Kumon Math and Reading Program to enrich her academic studies. “My Kumon Instructor made sure I was doing my work at a good pace for me and she made sure that I understood my (Kumon) homework,” says Roohi.   Now at age 10 and three years into Kumon, she’s two years above her grade level in both math and reading. “Kumon definitely contributed towards developing her time management and study skills,” said Anu Ganith, her Kumon Instructor. Publishing a book wasn’t her only landmark accomplishment. Roohi performed in a Bollywood troupe and danced at the NBA Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons game in 2015. Also in 2015, she and her team won second place in the Purdue University Indiana Academic Spell Bowl and fourth place in the Indiana State Spell Bowl. She also enjoys playing the piano, swimming, devotional singing, and foreign language classes, all while getting straight A’s in every subject at school. Roohi, a budding philanthropist, plans to donate a portion of her book sales to the Indianapolis Soup Kitchen, where she volunteers each month to prepare and serve food to those in need. Additionally, along with a group of school students, she makes origami, mini portfolios and dry erase games boards. The sales proceeds go to the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation. Roohi has her sights set on becoming a doctor. With a curious mind and great grades as a bonus, Roohi is well on her way to achieving all of her dreams. You might also be interested in: Meet Michael, a 12-year-old Studying Advanced Algebra after One Year in Kumon Meet Etash, a Kumon Program Completer Who is Using his Technology Skills to Teach Kids to Code Meet Tiffany, at 14-years-old, She Speaks Four Languages Meet Oliver, an Aquarist with Aspirations of Becoming a Marine Biologist

Valentine`s Day vs. President`s Day

Valentine`s Day vs. President`s Day Well, now that the two holidays are over, let me ask; which one would you prefer? I had to ask myself this question when someone at work noticed that I had not one single comment to make about Valentines Day. What’s the matter, don’t you like Valentines Day? Well as a matter of fact… let’s look at the record here; President’s day which honors two of the greatest leaders in American history, the very essence of freedom? George Washington was the first president of our country. He led the revolution against the English, among others. Abraham Lincoln held a broken nation together as we tore each other apart in the civil war. And, oh yea, he ended slavery! These were two of the most influential men in our country’s history. Here’s another thing about President’s day; it’s a national holiday. And congress stuck the two birthdays together and put them on the third Monday of the month so we could all have another three day weekend with our family and friends. One more day of rest for the workers of America to enjoy. Let’s hear it for George and Abe! Now Valentine’s Day; as my coworker and friend Dariya mentioned, Valentine’s Day is the second most celebrated holiday in the country to Christmas, in regards to how many holiday cards are sold. Hallmark cards, flowers (usually roses), candy, and an out pouring of love and affection for the ones we love. My lovely wife and I, and I mean Lovely; refuse to celebrate Valentine’s Day. We both bristle at the idea that some stupid marketing ploy media machine tells us all to run out like a bunch of lemmings and pick up the appropriate item that society and corporate America tells us we must buy to show our true love our true love. Please. I had to listen to the horror stories of friends taking their loved ones out to insanely crowded restaurants’ where the love seemed to be getting lost along with everyone’s patience. And let’s not forget all the people, who for varied reasons are not involved in a relationship right now. They get to walk around and watch all the couples expressing their hallmark love and know in their hearts they are very alone, suicide anyone? Love should be expressed every day. Life is short; life is uncertain, do not wait until February 14th to tell somebody how important they are to you. Tell them NOW! And tell then again tomorrow! Now which holiday would you prefer, shopping for well marketed, overpriced gifts on the way home from work or a three day weekend of relaxation to really express your love? You make the call. Happy holidays! Valentine`s Day vs. President`s Day Well, now that the two holidays are over, let me ask; which one would you prefer? I had to ask myself this question when someone at work noticed that I had not one single comment to make about Valentines Day. What’s the matter, don’t you like Valentines Day? Well as a matter of fact… let’s look at the record here; President’s day which honors two of the greatest leaders in American history, the very essence of freedom? George Washington was the first president of our country. He led the revolution against the English, among others. Abraham Lincoln held a broken nation together as we tore each other apart in the civil war. And, oh yea, he ended slavery! These were two of the most influential men in our country’s history. Here’s another thing about President’s day; it’s a national holiday. And congress stuck the two birthdays together and put them on the third Monday of the month so we could all have another three day weekend with our family and friends. One more day of rest for the workers of America to enjoy. Let’s hear it for George and Abe! Now Valentine’s Day; as my coworker and friend Dariya mentioned, Valentine’s Day is the second most celebrated holiday in the country to Christmas, in regards to how many holiday cards are sold. Hallmark cards, flowers (usually roses), candy, and an out pouring of love and affection for the ones we love. My lovely wife and I, and I mean Lovely; refuse to celebrate Valentine’s Day. We both bristle at the idea that some stupid marketing ploy media machine tells us all to run out like a bunch of lemmings and pick up the appropriate item that society and corporate America tells us we must buy to show our true love our true love. Please. I had to listen to the horror stories of friends taking their loved ones out to insanely crowded restaurants’ where the love seemed to be getting lost along with everyone’s patience. And let’s not forget all the people, who for varied reasons are not involved in a relationship right now. They get to walk around and watch all the couples expressing their hallmark love and know in their hearts they are very alone, suicide anyone? Love should be expressed every day. Life is short; life is uncertain, do not wait until February 14th to tell somebody how important they are to you. Tell them NOW! And tell then again tomorrow! Now which holiday would you prefer, shopping for well marketed, overpriced gifts on the way home from work or a three day weekend of relaxation to really express your love? You make the call. Happy holidays!