Shopping: Mihye Lee(Ann)

Nowadays, customers have a variety of ways to purchase goods such as online and in store. The style of shopping depends on individual preferences. Most people think that shopping online is better than going to shopping centers. However, others think that going to stores enhances the shopping experience and is more enjoyable. There are several advantages of shopping online and in stores.

There are two advantages of shopping online. First of all, it is more convenient than shopping in stores. People do not have to walk around malls all day to find what they are looking for. In addition, they do not have to wait in long lines to pay for their purchases and have the items delivered directly. Therefore, people are able to save time and energy. Secondly, it helps shoppers shop around for the best deals on many items. People can compare the prices of products and buy cheaper ones by shopping online. Moreover, it offers a wide variety of choices to purchaser. As a result, people are able to research for desired items anywhere and can choose the best one.

On the other hand, there are two advantages of shopping in stores. Firstly, customers are likely to receive good customer service. If a product has any problem after shopping in stores, customers can exchange them immediately for another one with taking the receipt and the item back to the store. For instance, when shoppers who buy a cosmetic item have any skin trouble after using it, they can receive full refund or store credit back easily. Secondly, customers in stores tend to be more satisfied than shopping online. They can choose a better quality item by touching and viewing it closely when they buy home furniture, kitchen gadgets, bedding among others. In addition, they are able to purchase clothes which are up-to-date design while they see the fashionable showroom in stores. Therefore, they feel comfortable by shopping in stores.

In conclusion, there are certain advantages of shopping online and in stores. The advantages of shopping online are more convenience and shopping around. On the other hand, the advantages of shopping in stores are good customer service and more satisfaction. In my opinion, shopping online not only is more convenient but also saves time and money. Therefore, the more people shop online, the more comfortable they will be.

Cindy Liu: Shopping Online Vs. In- store

Shopping is a very important part of our daily lives. Everyone has to do shopping almost everyday to keep life going normally. However, different people have different shopping habits. Some people prefer shopping online while others would like to shop in store. Both shopping online and shopping in store have certain advantages.

Some people think that shopping online provides many benefits for them. For one thing, online shopping gives people a lot of convenience. People can do shopping without going out, and they can buy things at home or in office only with a computer, a web and a credit card; furthermore, online stores are convenient, for they are open for 24 hours, and online shoppers can place orders anytime. In addition, people can get lower prices when they shop online. Usually, the costs of online business are low, so the sellers can offer some special online promotions to attract customers. For example, last week I bought a baby stroller online for half price. Finally, people can find a lot of information about online sales products. For example, there are some reviews of products written by people who have bought or used them; moreover, many products are accompanied with introduction videos. It is a good way to share information and show online shoppers how to use those products.

In-store shopping has certain advantages. Firstly, it is easy for buyer to make a decision to buy a product or not; people can touch the product and they can know the quality very well; also they select the right size easily after having a try. Secondly, people can receive the products that they want to buy immediately because in-store shopping has no delivery time. Finally, shopping in store is a form of entertainment. For example, I often ask my friends to go out for shopping on the weekend. It is a very good relaxing activity for us. We walk in the mall, talk a lot and share newest products information; when we feel tired, we go to a café and enjoy some drinks and desserts.

In conclusion, people can get benefits from both of those two different shopping styles. Therefore, I often comparison shop before I make up my mind, especially for some big items. However, I prefer shopping in store because it is easier for me to purchase products; I can know the quality, select the right size and receive directly.

Feng Shui: Daria

Feng shui is a Chineese philosophy about the relationship between humans and their environment. It is the way the environment and people connect.Based on laws of nature,its theories offer a way to understand environment. Feng shui theories came frome logical assumptions about natural causes and effects that endured through time. The idea of Feng shui offers some of the basic concepts that explain its principles.Feng shui has changed from superstitions to a knowledge in a new century and has caused many effects on different aspects of our lives.

Firstly,it has effects on structure of new buildings. For example,good feng shui in the kitchen is very important for obvious reasons. According to good Feng shui, it is the best not to have the kithen close to the front door or to the back door because the feng shui energy can easily escape. Also feng shui concerns staircases.The worst feng shui location of a staircase inside a home is when it is facing the front door for the feng shui energy rushes up quickly, thus leaving the main floor whithout feng shui energy nourishment.

The second effect of feng shui is on how we decorate the furniture. For instance, the biggest and more common feng shui challenge in a modern bedroom is placement of the mirror. According to feng shui , people should not put the mirror facing the bed, for it reflects their picture and causes a sense of panic during the night. Also people should not put the bed in line with any of the doorsin the bedroom. When one's feet are in line with the door, he/she loses their energy at night and their enrgy becomes weaker.

In conclusion,feng shui is a new science that helps people to improve their comfort.

 

The educational system in Canada offers to parents different kinds of education. They have the right to choose the most appropriate education for their children. There are public, private, religious and international schools. Homeschooling is allowed as well, but the regulations vary from province to province. The education of children is one of the responsibilities of parents, and they must think very carefully before they make a decision to withdraw their children from the social learning environment in public school and place them in a homeschool. 

Homeschooling has as many advantages as disadvantages. Speaking of homeschooling, there are certain odds for children and parents. One of the advantages is individual schedule that parents create for needs of their own child. A flexible schedule allows to put an emphasis on certain courses which children are more interested and most successful in. It also allows adding some courses in the home school curriculum. It means that children might study at different levels of the different types of subject. In addition, parents can create a weekly schedule that fits their needs and allows them to do things without the force of a traditional classroom schedule. Finally, many parents know the time of the day when their children may work and learn better. Some children learn best in the morning; some of them in the noon or evening. This fact gives possibility to parents to make the best individual schedule for their homeschooled children. Another advantage of homeschooling is ability to study any time. It helps homeschool families to continue their children’s education at any time. Homeschoolers can learn at home in a relaxed atmosphere, and even vacations might be educational for them. Furthermore, children who are homeschooled may learn out in their community resources such as museums, libraries, business, marines and other resources in order to acquire new skills and knowledge.

At the same time some disadvantages can be crucial for parents who decide to choose homeschooling education for their children. One of the disadvantages of homeschooling is huge amount of work. Firstly, if they want to give a child perfect education, they have to prepare each lesson very accurately and be able to explain new information very clearly and in a understandable manner, especially if the parent is not skilled in some subjects. Secondly, parents still have household duties and chores that usually take a lot of time. They should remember that homeschooling is a full time job. Thirdly, there is no time for parents’ job besides home. Parents have to devote all of their time for home education of their kids if they want to give them quality education. The second disadvantage is social communication of homeschooled children. All kids need to have friends and be around other children or classmates. Some homeschoolers can feel cut off from their peers, especially during the teen years when friendship is very important for children. Besides, children miss the opportunity to learn how to communicate with adults who are not the members of their families and how to build respectful relationship with them.

Parents who decide to teach their children at home have numerous reasons as motivations. They include religious reasons, family reasons, poor learning environment at the school, child’s disability or special needs. If you decided that homeschooling is the best option for your children, you need to do research by internet to know more advantages and disadvantages of that kind of education.

The Computer, Blessing or Curse? By Valentina Volynkina

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Nowadays, it is not possible to imagine our life without computers. People use them all the time and all places. Since the first computer was invented, our life has changed so much. The first computer could occupy whole room or a building and was very slow. Modern computers might perform many complex operations instantly. Anyway, it was a real digital revolution. In my opinion, the computers give people a number of benefits; at the same time, the users can have some health problems if they overuse the computers.

Since we had the opportunity to use the personal computer, we have obtained huge amount of benefits. Above all, the Internet is the best invention, which people can use through the computers. Needless to say, how many possibilities this amazing thing gives us. For instance, the users might search any necessary information by the Internet; they can connect with their relatives, friends or business partners by the Voice services and Social networks; people may share any information with each others: receive and send letters, photos, audio and video, books, documents and one another; besides, the students have capabilities to gain on-line education by using electronic media and information and communication technologies (ICT); shopping and many types of entertainments for different  kinds of customers  are available as well. If the computer users don’t have the Internet for some reasons, they still have other capabilities to do not use the personal computers. There are many useful programs including programs that were installed in the computer initially, and programs that we can install independently. In addition, there is big amount of devices, such as scanner and printer, digital and video cameras, microphone, projector and TV screen and other devices, which connect with the computer and help to perform various tasks and works.

At the same time, the usage of the computer can create some health problems. People who overuse the computer might have the most common challenges with their health that are met among the computer’s users. Firstly, people can develop very serious problems with their vision because the eyes become dry and they are pressured when we work with the computer for a long time. Secondly, the users of the computers may have issues with the muscles and joints. It happens due to inactive work. Most often, it presents in the back and shoulders pain and the stiff neck. What’s more, the electromagnetic radiation, which is created by the computer, can harm human heath, too. One can experience very severe diseases under the influence of electromagnetic radiation such as the bleeding disorders, hypotension and cancer. Not to mention, that the radiation has the greatest influence on the immune, nervous, endocrine and reproductive systems of human body.

No doubt, the computer and the Internet have more advantages than disadvantages. We can enumerate them infinitely. They facilitated our life greatly. Of course, there are some disadvantages and challenges, but if people use this intelligent equipment reasonably, it is not harmful to human health. 

Valentina Volynkina: Finding Employment in Canada

Newcomers to Canada have to deal with some challenges before they can find their niche in the new society. These challenges can have serious psychological and physical influence on new Canadians and their families. In my opinion there are two main obstacles in the way of finding employment in Canada.

The lack work experience in Canada is one of the most serious obstacles for newcomers. In spite of the huge experience which newcomers had gained in their home countries, it is practically impossible to find a job because they don’t have Canadian work references. It can be acquaintance reference when a person who held a good position and knows your skills, your behavior and character can give you good reference. Also, it might be friendly reference when a person, who can give you reference, has friendship or relationship with the employer. Furthermore, statistic show that 85% job market in Canada is hidden. Therefore jobs offer without advertisement, and only employers, managers or supervisors have information about them; it is big problem to find a job for newcomers without networking in this country.

 

Language is the second great challenge that newcomers face in Canada. Knowing the language is key for social integration. It is very important to communicate with other people: neighbors, classmates, club members and etc. in order to feel themselves part of the community and society of Canada for rapid adaptation. On the other hand, newcomers can have problems to use available services and education system without English or French. Furthermore, they need to build new relationship and friendship because many newcomers don’t have friends or even family in Canada and it is not always possible to contact with people from their own ethnic background. Moreover, not knowing English or French in Canada can be obstacles for economic integration. Newcomers need to get attached to the labor market and to become work ready by Canadian standards. For instance, they have to learn how to write resume or be successful in an employment interview.

In conclusion, majority of newcomers who try to get a job in Canada, have difficulties with finding employment. Firstly, they have to solve problems related to obtaining Canadian work experience by volunteering, bridging programs, internship and etc. And secondly, they need to improve their language’s skills in order to integrate into Canadian society as soon as possible.

 

Valentina Volynkina: Food

Food has huge influence on people's lives. Our health depends on what, when and how we eat. As health generally as mood, performance, and even the ability to be creative, and our inner life depend on food. Food plays two main roles in our lives.

Firstly, food plays physiological role in the lives of people. Food provides the development and updating of the cells of the organisms. It is the source of energy for our vital activity - height, weight, normal hematopoiesis, vision, skin, performance and longevity. Also, food has an effect on the mental development of the organism. For example, there are products like alcohol, sweets, fast food, red meat, fat food that can cause depression. Not tasty and monotonous food can contribute to nervous diseases and mental disorders, as tasteless food reduces the emotionality, causes the apathy and promotes the fatigue. On the other hand, people eat vegetables, fruits, and fish less likely to suffer from the depression. There are necessary nutrition for human lives - water, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, and vitamins. They protect our organisms and vital organs, regulate systems, build genetic material and help to keep our skin, organs and hair in good shape. We get them by food that we eat.

Secondly, the social role of food in our lives is important, too. Food helps us to communicate with the family members, friends, colleagues and partners. There are the good traditions to meet with the family and friends to celebrate the holidays or the memorials at the same table. Family meals, where family members can discuss the current occasions and events of their lives, or to discuss plans for the future are very important for all generations. It helps the family members to get close, and friends to meet again in our busy time. A good opportunity to get close to the colleagues is a meeting with them in informal conditions at the holiday table. The discussions of the important issues with business partners are also not complete without a cup of coffee, lunch or dinner in the restaurant, which dispose to make the right decisions in business. Now we have a great opportunity to get acquainted with the cuisine of the other nations. People can do it by visiting the national restaurants. They can learn about cooking of the certain dishes from their foreign friends and acquaintances. With new dishes, we can increase our rations and enter the new dishes and food. And also we can introduce the cuisine of our own country to people from the different cultures. This is one of the ways to explore cultures of the other countries which is very important for understanding people of different cultures.

 

In conclusion I would like to remind that nutrition plays very important social and physiological roles in human lives, so it should be: balanced in the quality and quantity compositions, regular - 4-5 times a day in small portions, sterling with a ratio of the proteins, fats and carbohydrates 1:1:4 in the day, variety - vegetables, meat, fish, nuts, berries and herbs. This will contribute to the maintenance of health, physical and mental health and active longevity

Grace Tao: Food

Food is the most important factor in people’s lives. Since the beginning of human being’s history, people have gathered, hunted and planted all kinds of food. Why is food so important? In my opinion, food plays different roles such as material support and spiritual satisfaction in our lives.

 

Firstly, food provides material support to people. Food is our basic sustenance. It is ingested by an organism and assimilated by the organism's cells in an effort to produce energy, maintain life, or stimulate growth. Besides the need to survive, we also need food to provide energy in our daily activities such as study and work. What is more, food contains many nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals. These substances are essential to our health. In some areas, people also use food therapies to cure some liinesses. For example, Chinese people are used to eating pork liver to treat anemia.

 

Secondly, food is also very important for people’s spiritual satisfaction. We enjoy the processes, both in preparing the food and in eating them. Spouses spend several hours preparing food for the ones they love. Those who eat them enjoy not only the delicious food but also love. Both food and the ways we eat have artistic expressions. We can find many beautiful books that teach us how to prepare food and eat food. In addition, food is a very useful method of communication. After a whole day of working and studying, dinner time becomes the warm and relaxing moment for family members. Parents and children eat, talk, listen and laugh. If we have dinner with friends, we can share our happiness and sadness. Furthermore, we often make agreements of business at dinner tables.

 

Therefore, food not only provides material support to people but also bring us spiritual satisfaction. We cannot live without food. We also need food to seek a high-quality life style. All of us appreciate the gift from nature: food.

 

                                            Grace