Chores are Development of Responsibility & Life Skills

As we are born and become children, majority of our parents/grandparents/guardians have taught us about responsibility, doing chores around the house and to gain experience and knowledge on to keep clean, tidy, and organized. Also teaches kids to obey, and prioritize life to do what is important first, and then make time for fun and play after.

When children wake up in the morning, they teach them on the importance of getting up to make the bed, brush the teeth, groom themselves, wash up and shower for good hygiene, and then they teach them how to eat, and then venture off to school with the grandparents/parents/guardian or with a school bus.

During school, the teachers and other staff of the school teach kids on importance of learning about the world, how to read, write, to learn about many subjects such as sciences, music, gym, dance, language classes, mathematics, chemistry, and the most important thing to teach children to be kind to other classmates, develop group skills during group work, also leadership.

When school is over and the children are on their way home, that skill to teach them about sharing, kindness, respecting others should also be implemented at home, so as they can continue that outside of school. The children come home, and the importance to wash hands, and change out of their clothes, and to start homework if they have homework that day and teach them to do homework first before they play with toys, tablets, colour and all that.

When it is time to make dinner and set the table, it is always a good idea to get your child involved in cooking, helping set the table with plates, cutlery, and then children should start to develop skills on washing dishes, and after dinner to help clean the table with a cloth, taking the dishes to the sink, and make the parents/guardian/grandparents life easier and for the children to help them out. This also teaches them for the future when they have greater responsibility when they get older.

Nowadays, it is so difficult to teach children these life skills because of the screens, video gaming consoles and technology that has taken over. Nowadays children always want to feel that sense of entitlement to do whatever they want, whenever they want without having to listen to their parents/guardians/grandparents. They feel the need to always want to be on their screens and not develop skills that will benefit them in the future. some Kids these days are immune to technology and less hands on skills, not having manners, not respecting and being kind to others, talking back to adults and also rude gestures and mannerisms. Some children are so spoiled and tend to have an answer for everything. We should never allow it for it to get that far.

Children see everything, they are observant, they listen to everything that goes on in the house. start them early, influence them in such a way where it becomes easier to ask them to do chores. Tell them to do things in such a way where they won’t feel threatened. Give them conditions that if they do not help clean, or do simple things like washing hands or whatever, tell them that they will not have a birthday party, tell them that they will not be allowed TV Time or play time if they do not eat, or listen to do things around the house. Also, nowadays children do not have an idea of responsibility and helping out family. They need to learn that.

Nowadays, children are untouchable, and if heaven forbid, you really yell at them and give them discipline, they will use it against you and they may involve teachers and other authorities. These days, showing children how to do chores, and get them off of their bums to help around the house, and develop these important skills is a chore and a very difficult task in itself. These screens, smartphones and devices are like a magnet to them.

As adults teach their children that it is bedtime, that means washing up again, brushing teeth, undoing the bed, getting clothes and everything ready for the next school day or whatever else, making their lunches, and everything.

Then the days that children are at home, it is important to teach them how to vacuum, wipe and mop the floors, dust the furniture, clean doorknobs, clean the kitchen counters and the table, take out the garbage, help wash the car and everything. Of course it is important to give them time to play, and do fun stuff as well. I am not saying that they should always be doing chores and everything, but they need to learn balance, time management and everything. There is a limit and time for it all.

It is the time now, and to be strict with children. strict in such a way that will not intimidate them, but to put them on track. Set rules, guidelines, time limits to screen time, and monitor what they look at and supervise them to make sure they are making good decisions while on the computer and so much more. That is the important thing.

When you see they are trying and everything and doing great work at school, and at home, give them gifts, or surprise them to a movie, take them out to an amusement park, take them to play in the park, when they obey and do good, give them an allowance of whatever amount you wish, teach them the value of a dollar when they do get allowances and teach them about spending accordingly.

One day when I have children of my own, all these things will be taught to them and I will not allow them to do whatever they want all the time. Not going to happen. they need to be taught lessons of life and develop skills.

If you have children and/or take care of them such as being a guardian, babysitter, or grandparents. What skills and what things do you teach them?

My Love for Candy Crush Saga & Soda Saga

Creators by King:

Just over 2-3 years ago, maybe more, I was looking around Facebook and all of a sudden, I see a section of games you can play to pass some time, so curiosity sparked and I decided to click on Candy Crush Saga. You may have heard about this game by now. It was created by King. Now, as I began to play the levels, it kept me highly entertained and more interested in finishing more levels.

Now, Candy Crush Saga consists of many levels where you have to bring down the ingredients such as cherries and some other tree nut, some of the levels you have to clear the jelly, eat the chocolate, remove candy bombs in time, some you have to get so many points within a time limit, and all levels have a certain amount of moves where you have to finish the level in between them before having 0 moves left. With the candies, if you get four beside each other it makes a striped candy. If you get candies that look like a cross or an L shape, you can make a wrapped candy. When you put the strip and the wrapped candy together, it clears a partial section of the board and new candies fall down so you can have a chance to finish the level. when you see that you can put 5 candies together, it makes a sprinkled candy where you can clear the whole board if you put both together or just a colour, and so much more.

So, after the Original Candy Crush Saga, I migrated myself to play Soda Saga, where you can find bears, eat the honey and save the bears, make fish when you match a colour like a square, where you can pop the bottles, and everything in the Saga one, is the same concept, getting the bears in a bubble above the string candy, but I find that you can do a lot more with the Soda Saga. Now, I am quite up there in levels. I tell you, it gets more difficult as you go along. Some levels take one-two times to finish the level, some take quite a lot of lives to finish it, and some take days to do it and finish the level.

Now, with all that, People give these games a bad rep, and some request that they don’t want to receive any game requests. That is fine and I respect some peoples decisions, but Candy Crush Saga and Soda Saga are games that make you think about your next move, strategy, how to make smart moves that gets you to pass a level. It is a lot of mind exercise, it keeps your brain working, it also keeps you motivated, dedicated and gives you the confidence to say “Hey, I can do this level, and I will not give up”. King creators have made this an app as well where you can access and play from your smartphones, tablets, and of course the computer.

There are some people that are so into it, that they purchase more lives, more boosters, so that they can beat levels quicker and advanced to unlocking more episodes and segments of the game. To this day, there have been millions of downloads and millions of people playing this game worldwide. It has also become the talk in social media, creating memes, seeing people obsess over the game, and now there is a chatroom beside the candy crush game where you can interact with other players and offer some insight and share the love of the game and it can sometimes be frustrating as the levels get challenging, but it is all for the fun of the game and that is the beauty of it all.

You see people playing candy crush on public transportation, on a flight, at the airport, at home, office, at the malls, and other public places. It has become very popular in the world and people to this day, continue to play it. I play it all the time now and especially Soda Saga. It is the only game I play on Facebook that I thoroughly enjoy. Thank you to King and the creators of it. I am absolutely in love with the game and I recommend it to anyone and everyone. It is a great game to keep your mind going and working. I truly believe in that. Thank you for getting my mind working more and now the game has become more easier for me since I am above level 455 now and counting.

Trust me, this game is so fun and you can be on it for hours on end if you keep passing levels and you have 5 lives and then you have to wait a certain amount of time to gain more levels back if people do not send you lives right away. You can ask other Candy Crush players for more lives, and you can also send it back to them for being so generous. It is absolutely awesome.

Do you play Candy Crush Soda Saga or the Original or both?

What are your thoughts about it?

If you have not got into the Candy Crush world, and would like to, join in on the fun and level up as you go. 🙂

SodaLicious! Divine! Sweet! Soda Crush! Wonderful! Level Completed 🙂

@CandyCrushSoda on Twitter

You can also find them on Facebook, Apps and more.

Violence and Gun Violence – When Will it Stop?

In recent news, where the unfortunate happened at an Oregon College in US, where gunman Chris Harper took the lives of 9 people, shooting and killing them when after the suspect was also killed. So many senseless and inhumane acts of violence, and gun violence. When is it going to stop? Does the unimaginable have to happen, so that we can see change, take preventative safety and security measures? So many shootings and killings have happened in the last little while.

Columbine, Sandy Hook, African American Church in Charleston S.C, Aurora Colo Movie theatre, TV news Reporter Alison Parker and her partner Adam ward and Alison who was interviewing Vicki Gardner in August, 2015 who survived at Lake Moneta, Malls, Shopping Plaza’s, on the streets, and anywhere else. You are really not safe anywhere in this world anymore.

Not only in US, but around the world. I can’t even imagine how someone can have the thrill of shooting and killing innocent lives or anyone for that matter. It needs to stop. I know it is easy to say that, but to act on it is a different story. I know the solution. Stop with the wars in the world, initiating violence, stopping on influencing killings of anybody at any age, Absolutely 0 Tolerance on bullying physically and emotionally, putting more supervision in schools, workplaces and other places, taking guns off our streets, educate people that violence, barbaric acts and gun violence is not a joke, nor a thrill. It is a dangerous act that can lead to permanent damage and even worse, can kill someone.

People who lead our world, Presidents, Prime Ministers, and those who govern our world, need to really think about what they are doing, the pressures they put on people, initiating wars, sending innocent troops who have loved ones they leave for years and many months, sending war weapons and vehicles, not taking care of their own countries and people to live and let live. They need to be positive influencers in our lives and they need to make great and positive changes, we need leaders to govern our world who will do it because they want to, and they need to be personable, loving, kind, respectful and do great things for our people and in our world, to make it a better place for all of us. That is a leader. Not someone who is greedy and who promotes violence.

Violent video games of guns and violence also influence as well. Some people who play them may think, hey, if they can shoot and kill people in a video game, they say we can try it in reality and see what happens.

Also, some people get bullied so much physically and emotionally that one day they may reach out to guns and officially snap and kill people uncontrollably at the environment that they were bullied and abused. It all starts with the way people are brought up and who influences them to think its okay to bully others, who promote violence, mental and domestic abuse, allowing them to treat others terribly.

So many people go through so many things in life and we must help them. Include people in our circle, respect each other, give a helping hand, an ear to listen, be kind to one another, love each other, smile, give kind gestures and be the change in the world. Many people want change, but it all starts with how our actions, words that need to be positive, to be great role models, to initiate goodness, not talking behind people’s backs, spreading rumors, to stop making fun of others for the way they look, to stop judging and gossiping about people and things we really know nothing about.

I am absolutely heartbroken and devastated for the victims families, friends, colleagues. Senseless deaths and loss of innocence is so terrible. So many lives that could make a difference in our world, who had so much more life to live, who those people were important and loved by others, families and friend circles that will never be the same again, the grief, mourning and the loss is just completely unbearable. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who has lost loved ones due to another person’s disgusting and barbaric acts.

It needs to stop and it needs to stop now.

My Sweet 16 Birthday that Never happened

When I was in high school and about to turn 16, I have heard about the sweet 16’s birthday parties and the fun those people had, and planned their birthdays that it was perfect, the people who had gone to those parties, the decorations, the planning all kicked off perfectly.

Even though I did not have friends back in the day, and those who I thought were somehow, I decided to throw a sweet 16 birthday party for me. As I had invited 20 people from my school. So now when it came toward the last couple of days to my birthday, I assured people to ask if they are going to be attending my birthday and they said yes we will be there. I got so excited. I remember it was April 28, 2001, on a Saturday and Monday is my real birthday on the 30th, and decided to have it 2 days early because of School on the right day.

As I had begun decorating, and had ordered the cake and the food, as well has putting some games so people can play. As the time was nearing for people to come, I got so excited that I stood by the door to wait for them to come, my anticipation was growing deeper. As I looked at the time again and it was 2pm where the time said on the invitations, I look at the clock and it said 2:15. I said ok its ok, they are running late. Then one person came around 2:30, I welcome her into the house and she decided to wait with me. then it became almost 4pm, and it was just her and I was devastated, humiliated, embarrassed, and crying so much.

That one girl who came to my party wiped my tears away and said it will be ok. Don’t worry, I am here. lets enjoy together. Who cares about the rest that stood you up? I said yeah you are right. So we enjoyed the food, and desert and cake and watched a couple of movies until it was time for her to go home. She hugged me and said, Talin, do not worry about anybody else, they are cowards. God is watching them. Then she left as her mom came and picked her up. My heart shattered to pieces. It was a feeling that I never wish on anybody else.

After her leaving, I let out a huge cry. I said, I cannot believe this happened to me and my mom comforted me and told me, don’t worry God will punish them. So Monday came and I was still crying and devastated. I did not enjoy my real 16th birthday, but I did go out to dinner with my family, which made everything better. I actually skipped school for a couple of days and just stood home. I just didn’t feel like seeing anybody. Then I decided to go to school on the Wednesday, and none of them said I am sorry and did not bother to give me an explanation as to why they did that. All the planning, food and everything went to waste, however we kept the food and ate it throughout the week.

From then on, I didn’t care about interacting with anybody and I just went about and studied, did my homework, attended all my classes, and then once school was finished, I’d never waste another second and just go home. I was so disgusted. That one girl changed schools the year after because her family had moved somewhere further, and that really made me even cry more. She was the only one who really cared. It was so nice of her. I still have the give she gave me 14-15 years later.

As I reached another milestone this year. At the end of April on the 30th of 2015, I will be celebrating my champagne birthday turning 30 on 30 and it is coming up so quickly. As I almost say Goodbye to my 20’s, I am truly hoping that I can have a sweet 30th birthday that will make up for the sweet 16th birthday I never had. I know it is not good to expect it, but when you’ve never had a birthday party reaching a milestone, it makes you wonder how and what might have been. I just want to have a great time with my lovely and beautiful loved ones I have in my life which really matter to me more than anything else.

Have you experienced a disappointing turnout at a party or function you have had? I am sure you felt humiliated and distraught. Have you had a similar situation where people didn’t bother to show up and not telling you why and not having the common decency to call and explain? If you have, I am so sorry to hear that. I know exactly how you feel. It is not a good feeling at all.

Hopefully nobody has to go through what I went through. Best wishes to you and may your dreams come true, because everyday is our birthday and celebrate it by the gift of breathing and living through another day. We are blessed and that is what matters the most.

Armenian Heritage Night – Air Canada Centre – An Unforgettable Evening

On Sunday February 23rd, 2014, Almost 1000 Armenians embarked to The Air Canada Centre in Downtown Toronto for an unforgettable and memorable evening to celebrate Armenian Heritage. This was the 2nd Annual event. The doors opened to Air Canada Centre at 5pm, and everyone started going in. At 5:30Pm The Holy Trinity Armenian Church’s, Sassoun Dance Ensemble performed at Centre court of a traditional Armenian Dance for thousands of people who were non-Armenian and for Armenians. A few minutes before the Game started between Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic, A lady came and sang the National Anthems for both USA and Canada. The tip off and game started at 6pm and went well into almost 9pm.

The Armenian Students Association, Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Toronto, Sassoun Dance Ensemble, ARS, and other Armenian Organizations came together to plan this incredible night.  Thank you to everyone who assisted in the planning, and organizing with The Air Canada Centre so that we too Can have a Heritage Night. I was counting the days and hours until I went to the game and to the Armenian Night. It was something I had wanted to go to Last year, but was unable to. I was lucky enough to attend this year.

It was an incredible, memorable night that brought Armenians closer together to a huge Venue to enjoy the Basketball Game, to enjoy seeing Armenian Heritage on the bulletins and the Jumbo Tron at the ACC. The energy of the arena and people were felt, the crowd cheered on, everyone was having a great time, and really enjoyed the whole game from beginning to the end. The Raptors were not doing too well in the beginning, but then stepped up to the game after half time. The 4th Quarter got really exciting. It felt great to see Armenian everywhere, Armenian Flags waving in the audience, Hearing Armenians talking in our Language everywhere. It was pretty cool.

The Toronto Raptors won that night 105-90. If the Raptors Score more than 100 points in a game and win, the crowd at the ACC Gets a Free Pizza slice at Pizza Pizza across Toronto and the GTA locations. For those who printed tickets, had to get their tickets stamped by the officials at ACC, but original tickets did not need to. At the end of the night not only did we celebrate the Raptors win, we got a free pizza, and we Armenians had a blast. I cannot wait until I go to next years Armenian Heritage Night. Thank you Air Canada Centre.

 

Talin’s Avocado Dip

Talin’s Avocado Dip.

– 2 or 3 Avocado’s mashed up with little chunks of avocado left.
– Half teaspoon of sea Salt
– Half teaspoon of black or cracked pepper (Optional)
– 3 or 4 tablespoons of Creamy coleslaw dressing
– 1 teaspoon of lemon

You can also put Lime too instead of the Lemon. depends on your taste.

Optional black pepper or cracked pepper. Some cannot have that in their meals.

Depending and According to how many people you have, make the quantity of ingredients to put in the dip, Play around with it and test it for your liking. Great for parties, gatherings, dinner gatherings, during Game time, at the cottage, at home, with friends, family, co-workers, you can even take it to a potluck.

You can serve it with celery, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, green peppers, red peppers, orange peppers, grape or cherry tomatoes, pita chips, chips, Doritos, crackers, nacho chips, you can make it as a spread in a tomato sandwich, . Bon apetit!

Nothing Beats The Classic Nintendo Gaming System Back in The Day – Mario Bros – Super Mario and More…

In this day in age, some people only know about The XBOX 360, Playstation’s, and WII, and among other gaming consoles now, but in my opinion and in my era, the Classic Nintendo was the best. I know a lot of people who still play classic nintendo. My favourite games were Mario Brothers, Super Mario 1-3, Duck Hunt, Rivercity Ransom, Elevator Action, Dragon Fire, Konami Games, Olympic Games, Dr. Mario, Blades of Steel and among other games that I truly loved to play for hours with my brother and cousins. Since I was the younger sibling and when I used to play with my brother, I used to be Luigi because I was the younger and I would get so mad because I am playing last hahaha. So today I remembered those days and how fun it was with playing classic video games. I don’t know if Nintendo players remember how some games did not work well until you blew into the gaming cartridge. Now that was one of the many happy moments, and I am sure a lot of people can relate. I still see people wearing belt buckles and t-shirts of classic Nintendo and among the Mario, Luigi, and other characters like Goomba, Yoshi, and everything else. I still see them in specialty stores that have t-shirts, key chains, and among other items. Its so funny whenever I see them, I think of the memories I had when I was a child.

Several weeks ago, I was at a restaurant with my friends, just enjoying a night out with each other, and I saw our waiter with a Mario Mushroom belt buckle, and at this time I didn’t really say anything, and then he came back and we talked about his belt buckle, then when he went away to a table across from ours, I said hey, when you eat the mushroom it gets bigger. The guy started to laugh, then I realized why he was laughing, turned red like a tomato and he totally misinterpreted what I was saying. He thought about something else, rather than the game on what happens to Mario after he eat the mushroom. I am sure you can figure out what that is LOL. It was so funny. The guy said I will always remember that when I wear this now. Hes like I had never had anyone tell me that before. The belt buckle was in the center and he thought something different. It was super funny and my friends started laughing so hard and it was hilarious. So I guess everyone misinterpreted what I was trying to say lol about that. We still laugh about it to this day and it will forever be remembered in our group.

Gotta love classic gaming consoles. Now its too much violence and too graphic. I just cannot come to terms to play these new gaming consoles and the games. Its not my cup of tea.

What A Beautiful Opening Of The London 2012 Olympics Ceremony

Yesterday, I was glued to the TV, I had been waiting for the opening ceremony for a few weeks now and it was spectacular, fantastic, and excellent from the beginning to the ending So many beautiful plays, so many people, the arrangements, organization, the hard work put into this beautiful ceremony is incredible. Thanks to all those who worked so hard to make London 2012 happen. The Mr James Bond Act from Daniel Craig was so priceless along with the helicopter ride with the Queen, The parachute landing. I know that was not her on the parachute. No way lol. I kind of suspected and expected a James Bond Theme in the beginning, and I sort of suspected that English talents were going to be introduced.  I just wish Queen Elizabeth showed a little more enthusiasm and smiles when she was introduced and brought to her seat instead of playing with her finger nails which made her look uninterested on what is going on with the whole show and it seemed like she did not want to be there. A lot of people are saying the same thing. So many of my friends too.. A smile would have been great, but I guess her mind was elsewhere and she looked tired.  Prince William and Kate looked so lovely. Kate Duchess of Cambridge has my style in clothing, and she wears clothes so well and she is such a classy lady from inside and out. . I think the oldies music was also a great touch, to have brought up past Olympic Years as well. It is awesome to see all countries and nations gather around for Sports and Fellowship.

I think Olympics are such a nice way to forget about issues against countries for a while and focus on positive things and people being good sports, and being together. It is important for the world to come together as one and enjoy games of sports and just having fun and experiencing something so surreal and fabulous. I wish I was good in sports, but I am not the type of person to play sports. I am a person who watches people play.

Rowan Atkinson who is Mr. Bean stole the show, along with the children’s hospital play, among so many things, after the ceremony the nations started rolling in and the official kick off of 2012 Olympics began. Good luck to all the athletes and all the best. Even if some of you do not win any medals, but glad you got that far and went to the London 2012 Olympics. That is a victory in itself and it is worth more than those medals combined. The true beauty of sports and togetherness and living the dream should matter the most with a great life experience and a great thing of life. Rock on!

I Really Miss The Original Nintendo and Playing The Popular Mario Bros.

Lately, I have been playing wayback playback of the gaming consoles I have played with when I was younger. There was the Original Nintendo, then Sega Genesis with the Sonic & Hedgehog, and so much more, but particularly, I used to play Nintendo Mario Brothers Games from one until three and Dr. Mario. I remember when I had the cold, I used to think just by playing Dr. Mario with the different coloured tablets, I would get better, but no LOL… Since then I haven’t played the new playstations, xbox 360’s… I am all about the Older gaming consoles. Another game I liked to play was Duck hunt, Konami Games, Double Dragon, River City Ransom, and so many games I had. My brother still has them. Its now a classic thing and its probably worth a lot now.

I remember playing these games for countless hours with my cousins, and so many people used to come over and we would have tournaments playing these games. Nothing beats these games now. I remember sometimes when the game didn’t work correctly, we’d blow into the game and then it would work, or in the compartment to play the game we’d blow into and press the start button. LOL it was cool. Its been over 15 years or more I haven’t played it. I really miss it. I think I will play with it this week. Mario Brothers games are so fun. In the 3rd one, I would always get the whistle and skip through all the levels and go to Level 8 and I would always beat the goomba at the end and win the whole game. Sometimes I would play every level, but that would take hours and hours. I miss those days where the going and coming of people being together all the time playing interactive games, now its not so much anymore. Nintendo was a fun thing and I never got bored of it. I think about it from time to time.