I’m a dog owner. I used to own three dogs, one turtle and one rabbit. I used to have a Dalmatian, a pit bull and a Chihuahua. I had a great time with all of them; they were very entertaining and loving. I observed many things about them that can help my future care for other pets. I think personal observation is very effective when it comes to understanding your pet.
All three of my dogs have one thing in common and that is they love for you to love them. They are hungry for love. My first dog Lulu is a Dalmatian female. She was the biggest out of my three dogs. Lulu was a sweetheart. She showed me so much love and she was very protective of me. She would bark very angrily if someone came close to me.
What I observed about Lulu is that she loves to be walked and for me to play with her. She loves to eat my food. She has more interest in my food than her own food. She loves to share everything with me. She even cries if she doesn’t get to sleep next to me. Lulu was very big so she has to sleep in her own area but she didn’t like that.
She would wake up at night and make so much noise because she wants to hang out with me. Whenever she sleeps she would put her face facing me, she would never look the other way. Lulu is so sweet, she would attacks me after a long day not seeing me, and it takes me about 30 minutes to calm her down.
I learned that Lulu needs my love and attention; she wants me to spend any time I have with her. I noticed that Lulu would eat other dogs waste when I walked her and so I would stop her from eating it.
Dog owners should not allow their dogs to eat other dogs’ waste because it will make them sick and you have to spend money at the Vet. Office. Dogs waste has bacteria and viruses that are not good for your dog. However, I saw that most dog owners allowed their dog to eat other dog’s waste; this is how their dog gets sick. It could be the number one reason why dogs get sick is by eating other dog’s waste and dirty things on the street.
You need to take care of your dog like you would of a child. One of the best ways to of that is by looking for more information, and educating yourself on how you should properly take good care of your dog. There are several and helpful information that you can get online. You wouldn’t allow your child to eat waste or dirty things on the street, and therefore you should not allow your dog to do this either. When taking care of your dog, if you take care of them like you would of your child, your dog will be in good health.
Treating your dog as you would with your child also is very important when it comes to behavior and emotional issues.
I observed that a dog has feelings just like a human being; they may even have more feelings than a human being. The worst thing about dogs is that they don’t know how to suppress their feelings like human does. They expressed them very clearly and persistently until they get what they want. Dogs are very needy for love and attention. Their needs can be more than that of a human being. They want to spend every second they can right next to you. A person would want some space but not a dog; they want their space right next to you.
I noticed that dogs get jealous often. They don’t like it when you play with other dogs. They don’t like it if you bring home another dog. They want to be the only one. My dog would smell me to see if I have been playing with other dogs. They would sit at the front door for hours waiting for you to come home. One of my dogs almost killed the second dog that I brought home. He almost killed himself in the process of fighting with the other dog.
When caring for your dog remembers to not allowed them to eat other dog’s waste and dirty things on the street. Remember to give them the care and loving you would for your own child.
The Chihuahua is a small breed of dog; very popular among common households and celebrities. You may recognize the Chihuahua as the little Mexican dog from Taco Bell commercials, or maybe from the squeezing arms of Celebes: Hilary Duff, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Cameron Diaz, and others.
Chihuahua’s are grossly skinny and have extremely short fur; tan Chihuahua’s look naked. This popular breed of dog has thin-long legs, a small-apple-shaped head, huge-pointed ears, and short-sharp muzzle. This dog normally has a medium length tail.
The Chihuahua comes in a couple different colors, but all are around the same size. Many people think that there is more than one type of Chihuahua due to their different fur colors, but they’re all really the same breed. Their fur colors are: black, tan, and brown. It is not uncommon for these colors to blend and make patterns in the Chihuahua’s fur coat.
Height:
Both male and female Chihuahuas’ will stand to be 6-9 inches (15-23cm) tall. It is not common to find a Chihuahua shorter than 6 inches (15cm) tall, but it is rather common to find Chihuahuas taller than 9 inches (23cm).
Weight:
Both male and females weigh in to be about the same weight. The Chihuahua genders will normally weigh somewhere in between 2 and 6 pounds (1 and 3kg). It is VERY important that your Chihuahua does NOT drop below 2 pounds (1kg), and that it does NOT go 4 pounds (2kg) over 6 pounds (3kg).
Temperament:
The Chihuahua will sometimes become so attached to their owners that they will become jealous of other people and animals that may be accompanying the dogs’ owner. This breed is very loyal, extremely active, jumpy, quick to movement, and strong-willed. Though this dog is not stupid, it is hard to train them. Mainly because this breed is also highly independent and don’t like being told what to do.
The Chihuahua does not enjoy annoying children, and will usually snap at them. So, if you have kids and they enjoy pocking and prodding at the doggy you may want to think about a different dog. Chihuahuas’ do not normally enjoy the company of other dog breeds, and could become snappy toward any other dogs of different breeds. This dog normally does well with its own breed.
Average life span:
The Chihuahua will live to be 15 or more years. It is not uncommon for this breed to hit its 20’s.
Living conditions:
Apartment life is perfect for the Chihuahua. They don’t need a yard if you litter train them. Litter training can be quite difficult in this breed, but it is possible.
Before getting a new dog, it is advisable to learn some of the things about the breed of your dog, behavior, things they like and don’t like, the food allowed to them, the do’s and don’ts when taking care of them and among others. For more information, you can click to read more from this website.
Most domesticated cats live indoors and have never known the adventures of outdoor living. However, their instinct gives them a burning desire to want to be outside. Of course, cat owners who decide to keep their fuzzy felines inside need to help them stay satisfied to calm that natural want of becoming the neighborhood prowler.
You’ve Got a Friend
Many people believe cats don’t get lonely. They think all cats are like stone and don’t want to be around people or other animals. This simply isn’t true. Cats are sociable animals that need contact. Yes, cats are more independent than dogs, but they crave attention too. They just may need it in different ways.
Consider adding another cat to your household. Do your homework with this before jumping to get another cat. The established cat usually takes in kittens, but don’t be afraid to get an adult cat. This is where extra care and homework should be done before bringing a new cat home. Go to reputable cat adoption places that may know some of the new cat’s background. Some great places are the Humane Society, the SPCA and Pet’s Mart.
But no matter where or how you get a new friend for your cat, be patient. It takes an adjustment period for the cats to get to know one another, and you have to patient with both cats. Properly executed, both cats will have new best friends!
Playtime
Cats are perceived as not wanting to play. Simply untrue! Cats love to play whether it’s by themselves, with other pets or with their owners. It is important to set aside time to play with your cat. It gives your cat a special connection with you, and it helps your cat take out healthy aggression on a toy instead of your or your belongings. Also, play assists in keeping your indoor cat fit and improves cardiovascular and digestive health.
Each cat is different and likes to play in its own way. Again, be patient and find what works best for you and your feline.
All You Need is Love
Keeping in mind cats aren’t as self-sufficient as you many think, remember to give your little feline lots a love and attention. If your cat meets you at the door at night, give her extra kudos for doing so. If your cat paws and paws at you while you’re busy doing something, stop for a few minutes, and give her some petting time. Your cat needs you to love her just as much as you want to be loved by her. Giving that extra love makes your cat want to stay inside with you.
Indoor cats can be as happy as outdoor cats, and in many cases, are much happier than outdoor cats. Your cat may not agree with this, but remember, your indoor tiger has never had to battle the harshness of outdoor living. Sure he may miss out on exploring new areas, but also, he is spared the cruelties of wild animals and sadistic humans.
It would help them in becoming more domestic in nature and won’t need to worry about the problems of the outside world that many of their counterparts have the misfortune of experiencing which is an excellent way to keep them happy and you can read more about it by looking up articles online and click to read more about it.
So, do whatever it takes to keep your indoor feline prince or princess happy and adjusted, and you’ll both have a long and loving relationship. After all, cats are family too!
Bob Greene, Oprah Winfrey’s personal trainer, the man who will be featured on Oprah on Tuesday March 4, is the creator of the “Best Life Diet.” “The Best Life Diet” emphasizes the importance of routine exercise regimens and making wise food choices. There aren’t many good or bad foods. Instead, the guidelines say eat when hungry and stop when satisfied. Bob Greene encourages people to avoid emotional eating. The program emphasizes the importance of understanding how to make healthy food choices and how to incorporate routine exercise into your daily life. “Best Life Diet” is more of a lifestyle than it is a diet. Its a long term solution to weight issues.
Dieting…This verb has become a proverbial knife in my vocabulary. I have learned to hate diets with a passion I never thought possible. Although Americans, particularly young women, seem to be obsessed with food deprivation techniques, living each and every waking moment crusading for weight loss is not the most enjoyable life. Take my word for it, I know the life of a dieter, for I too used to live from diet to diet, trying a new bizarre claim when the previous one failed. (Lose weight eating paper!) My metabolism used to be able to handle anything I devoured. All night pizza binges and the morning lattes from Starbucks used to have nothing on me. My body simply metabolized the extra calories away. Suddenly, my metabolism slowed, and I was caught off guard. Instead of maintaining a trim, sleek figure, my waistline began to expand, my pants grew tighter, and I could no longer move as well. After a few months of this disturbing trend, I decided I aught to do something about it. Different supplements will be available for the person at the rebel health tribe for the good health. The charges of the supplements will be compared so that there will be availability of the best one. Proper research should be done through the person to get the best medication for the good health.
At first, I tried a simple low-fat diet, but that didn’t work. Ate too many saltwater taffies between meals. After that, I tried to simply eat less at meal times, but I grew so hungry by the end of the day that I gorged right before bedtime. Exasperated, more desperate measures took effect. Weight Watchers fees began to roll in. Unfortunately, that program didn’t work. I simply didn’t have the self discipline to count the points. The Atkins diet followed. Dang, that one was a big mistake. Not only did my chest begin to hurt after a few weeks, the number on the scale began to get bigger too. That diet didn’t work out at all.
Finally, I grew tired of trying a new diet every time I failed. Diets just didn’t seem to work out, and I despised exercise back then. Really, I never gave exercise a chance until the very end. One day I just decided to stop eating altogether. If food was going to have such a negative connotation in my life, I didn’t want a thing to do with it. I somehow managed to overcome the massive hunger pains, and I noticed that the weight I had gained over the years finally began to melt away. Unfortunately, I felt terrible and weak. I was always hungry, but felt very accomplished. I felt as if I had complete control over my body, and that feeling spurred me on to further starvation.
I woke up one morning, got out of bed, and promptly blacked out. I got myself a doctors appointment for that afternoon to see what he would tell me. The doctor asked for a brief history of the last couple of month, a.k.a. what my eating habits were like, sleep habits, exercise habits, etc. I answered honestly. I told him I ate very little throughout the day. He took a urine sample, a blood test, and asked me to return in a couple of days, to which I agreed to do. I still refused to eat, though. Returning two days later, the doctor said that my body was slowing down, and some organs were at risk of failing. He then asked if I suffered from anorexia nervosa. The thought crossed my mind during my refusal to eat, but I never really dwelled on the thought. I broke down a little and said that I think I might.
The doctor set me up with a psychiatrist, who helped work my weight, body, and mind issues out. He set me up with a registered dietitian, too. Together, the dietitian and I worked out an method of eating that was both healthy and satisfying. She also advised me to start exercising, another request to which I complied. I am now happy to say that my eating is normal, and I exercise often and in a healthy manner. Granted, not all diets turn awry like mine did, but diets just don’t work in the long run.
Now, as I look at my exercise and eating habits, they are remarkably similar to Bob Greene’s “Best Life Diet.” I eat when I’m hungry, stop when I’m satisfied, and get a healthy amount of exercise. I let my emotions go when I decide that it is time to eat, and I make a healthy food choice based off of the guidelines the dietitian gave to me. Occasionally, I’ll splurge and eat a piece of cake or a few cookies. That’s allowed. I don’t have to eat fruits, vegetables, and whole grains all the time. Food is there to be enjoyed, and the body needs a little bit of everything, from the basic vitamins to the negatively publicized saturated fats. Although it was never told to me at the time, my diet basically falls right in line with the “Best Life Diet.” I’m here to testify that not only does this program work, it is a happier way to live, as well. You’ll feel better both physically and mentally, and you won’t have to worry about jumping from diet to diet. This lifestyle will benefit a follower for life.
For as long as people have had dogs as companions, few have tried to actually teach them our language to any extent other than a few obedience commands. In the past decade this has changed. Several studies have been done in which Border Collies, known as the most astute breed of canines, have been taught from 500 to over 1,000 words, including verbs and nouns.
Dog trainers often excel at bridging the communication gap by using positive reinforcement shaping techniques, teaching their canine students how to reason and throw out behaviors that might earn them rewards. When a specific behavior does earn rewards it is repeated. A trainer builds on that success by increasing the criteria of the behavior toward a more complex behavior chain. For example a simple sit/stay can turn into a sit/stay holding a ball while the trainer is out of sight.
It has been proven that many species of animals are highly in tune with body language. From hand, arm and foot movements to facial expressions, head movements and even whether or not a person is holding their breath or relaxed. Clever Hans, a German horse in the early 1900s, was taught to read human body language in order to answer math problems. At the time people thought this to be magic, though it was merely very good training.
A few years ago, Dr. John W. Pilley, a Psychologist in South Carolina, purchased a Border Collie pup he named, Chaser. Each day he taught Chaser one or two new words, often working with the dog 4-5 hours per day. As Border Collies were bred to work all day, they have long attentions spans and high motivation, whereas many breeds would simply quit after a half hour of work.
As Chasers’ vocabulary grew, Dr. Pilley would have to write the names of the objects he used so that he could remain consistent. Once Chaser learned the names of over 1000 objects he began to teach the dog grammar and syntax. He taught Chaser how to use different actions with the objects instead of merely fetching them – paw or nose an object.
Dr. Pilley is one of several researchers who aspire to bridge the language gap between humans and animals, using this knowledge to learn more about our own learning concepts and evolution. However, without first understanding how the animals themselves communicate and using their own techniques to bridge the gap, one cannot learn much more than how to effectively give a dog a command. And, little is transferred into understanding human learning better as we learn words using context as well as the names of objects.
How difficult would it be to use our bodies the way dogs do? Impossible, as we don’t have four legs and a tail, or moveable ears. We cannot use our scent to purposefully convey an emotion or mood. And, we do not yet understand the entire spectrum of canine vocalizations as many breeds differ in their deliveries. In addition, for us to effectively and properly train our dogs, it is important to see some reliable tutorials and helpful tips. You can see a lot of online content about training dogs. You can see post by clicking the link.
Though we cannot effectively speak canine 100%, we are slowly making breakthroughs toward this ability. Along the way we are gaining more respect for these sentient creatures who have been our companions for millennia.
Las Vegas is well known for it’s totally unique and out there wedding ceremonies. You can walk down the aisle with Elvis, get married on an 1100 foot high roller coaster and even have an Austin Powers impersonator sing at your wedding! But, Las Vegas also has some very romantic places to propose.
A gorgeous moonlit night is one of the most romantic settings you can have. You can propose to the love of your life surrounded by millions of stars and glowing moonlight on the Top of the World tower at the Stratosphere Hotel. The observation deck is 109 stories high and offers miles and miles of breathtaking views.
Pick a clear night when all the stars will be fully visible and it will be a proposal that will never be forgotten. You can even return to the Stratosphere and have your wedding at the hotel’s Chapel in the Cloud’s or on the observation deck itself!
You might not be able to fly to Paris to propose, but you can have the next best thing. An exact replica of the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas can provide the perfect air of romance for asking that special question! You can pop that special question at the top of the 460 foot tower that has a gorgeous panoramic view of the valley.
There’s not much that could be more romantic than watching the sunset on the water of Lake Las Vegas while gracefully floating along on an Italian gondola. The gondolier will even serenade you and your true love will you sip champagne and revel in delicious chocolates!
Gondola Adventure’s offer several packages geared towards setting the perfect romantic mood. For $25.00 the gondola will be covered in rose petals and you can purchase roses in a variety of colors, either a single rose, half a dozen or a full dozen. For a truly unique proposal you can have your message delivered in a bottle for $35.00!
If your idea of romance is a beautiful waterfall, mimic the look at the famous Bellagio Fountains! The spectacular water show has been made infamous in many movies and the spot of countless proposals. The water dances to choreographed music up to 460 foot in the air with amazing lighting effects that will take your breath away!
Don’t get nervous and just pop the question, wait until the water is dancing to the perfect romantic song. The fountains are running Monday through Friday from 3:00pm until midnight and on weekends they start at noon. They perform their magical dance every half hour until 8:00pm and then perform every 15 minutes until midnight.
When you enter the Tropical Rainforest at the Mirage Hotel, you’re entering a tropical paradise! You can propose beside a cascading waterfall surround by orchids and palm trees or beside a tropical lagoon! The 100 foot dome houses over 100 different kings of plants in a forest like setting of tropical flora.
The Mirage also has several other places that make a great place for that perfect proposal. The White Tiger Habitat can add a wild side to that special moment and The Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat provides other options.
The Volcano at the Mirage Hotel is closed for renovations until late October of 2008. But, if you’re planning on proposing after October it’s the perfect place to add a little taste of danger and excitement to your proposal! While it might not be considered a romantic location by some, it will definitely be an unforgettable one!
A mild mannered fountain by day, the Volcano erupts every 15 minutes nightly from 7:00pm until midnight. The 50 foot high volcano shoots lava 40 foot in the air in an unforgettable display of 3,000 lights. And, audio is used to replicate the power of the eruption in thunderous sound.
Yes, Octuplets’ Mom Nadya Suleman resembles Angelina Jolie, but she’s probably not the only person in the world who does. Americans seem to be divided down the middle when it comes to scrutinizing Nadya Suleman. People are either furious over the fact that Nadya chose to have eight more children despite no income and six previous kids, or they are irritated (or jealous) because she’s a dead ringer for actress Angelina Jolie. The latter is laughable. Let’s talk about looks, shall we?
Back when Angelina Jolie was wildly popular in her Billy Bob Thornton days, about the time Pushing Tin was released, everyone was 100% sure that Angelina had silicon implants or some kind of collagen injection in her now famous lips. People made fun of her because they assumed a plastic surgeon was to blame for lips that seemed to jump off of her face. A couple years later, a high school picture of Jolie surfaced, and to the surprise of many, her lips looked just as full back then as they do today.
Apparently Americans into pop culture have forgotten this little lesson, as more and more people and tabloids are reporting that Nadya Suleman, who resembles Jolie to some extent, has had extensive plastic surgery to look like her idol.
Recently, a high school yearbook picture of Suleman from 1993 has surfaced, and rabble-rousers are saying how different she looks today – fifteen years later. Go figure. Her hair is now longer, and her lips look the same to me. Other than good ol’ aging, I can’t see one single difference between the Nadya circa 1993 and today.
This leads to the question, are Americans so bored with their lives that they want to believe this woman is nothing but a stalker? Hasn’t anyone learned that you can’t trust tabloid reports? Tabloids and blogs are reporting that this woman, a single mother who already has six previous children, no previous job to speak of, and tons of school debt, was able to afford several rounds of plastic surgery just so she could become a clone of Angelina Jolie. I, for one, don’t believe a word of it. I smell jealousy.
As for the buzz that Nadya sounds like Angelina, that’s not true in my opinion either. To me, they sound nothing alike. They are both articulate to some degree, but that’s where the similarity ends. Their voices sound totally different, and to be honest, Nadya does sound educated – something I wasn’t expecting despite her college degree.
The opinion of Americans, especially Californians will probably take a dramatic shift this week as word gets out that California is almost penniless, to the point where the treasury was worried about bounced tax return checks. Californians are already up in arms over having to foot the bill for Nadya’s hospitalization as well as the hospitalization for her right premature babies. Now that the true state of California’s economy has been announced, residents have a more rational reason to be upset at Suleman.
I have been actively gaming at Neopets for over eight years. When the NC Mall opened it was a big event but not everyone was excited. Some items sold there were not a permanent purchase so once the timeframe expired you had to purchase it again. They have changed that and now things remain a permanent purchase however there are items that are one-time-use like food.
The newest item to hit the NC Mall is the Fortune Cookie. What are you going to find inside it? It depends on the type of cookie that you purchase. Some will have items while others will offer special features. Since this is a new part of the site it is something that is going to be expanded and tested to see if there is an appeal for it. I am sure that those with a Lab Ray will spend the 125NC for a chance to get their dream pet.
What is the NC Mall? It is a section of the Neopets website that offers items that are not sold in shops. These items must be purchased with Neocash and are not to be sold for Neopoints however they can be traded. Visit the NC Mall board at the site if you are new to trading to get helpful hints from experienced members.
Where can you find the Fortune Cookies? They are listed in the NC Mall or you can go directly to Noda’s page here: ncmall.neopets.com/mall/fortune
The prices on the Fortune Cookies vary but there is a limited quantity of them so if you want one for a gallery item, you aren’t going to want to drag your feet. Right now where are only two for sale, “Starry NC Cookie” for 250NC and “Lab Ray Cookie” for 125NC. You will also be able to see the number left; it seems like it is updated about once an hour so you are going to want to get the rarer ones before everyone else does.
What are the benefits of buying a Fortune Cookie? Each one has a different perk to it. The Lab Ray Cookie allows you to use the Lab Ray more than once a day but the extra zaps have to be used within one week once you open it. You do need to have the Secret Lab Map and access to the Ray in order to use the extra attempts to change your Neopet.
In order to make a purchase at the NC Mall you need to have Neocash. That is the only currency that is used in the mall. To get Neocash you can purchase Neocash Cards or buy it online at the site. The benefits to getting the Neocash Card is that you get bonus items as well as gift boxes that you can use to send items to Neofriends. Please read the rules about Neocash before you purchase as it is not refundable. The conversation is simple, 1NC is the equivalent to one cent so 100NC is equal to $1.00.
I am satisfied with one zap per day; if they have special cookies for Halloween or Haunted Woods then I will buy them for my gallery. I like that some of the cookies give you an item for yourself as well as one to send to a Neofriend but you are going to have to read all of the details about them as some of them have restrictions.
Looking at the new layout on Pet Society, I am simultaneously interested and afraid. Why? I am a creature of habit like many gamers. While I may harp on and on about wanting change, the truth is, I would rather stay with the tried, true, familiar method than have Playfish, or any other designer, change and possibly remove features I have become comfortable with. It is all well and good for you to change the things that do not work, but do not dare change something that does. So I opened up my game to look at what this new Pet Society layout had to offer. The designers definitely moved some things around, but for the most part, everything is still there. Read on for a quick run through in navigating the new Pet Society layout.
Right-side of the Screen
The first thing I noticed, the three bars on the right-hand side of the screen were gone. In the previous layout, Health (heart), Cleanliness (showerhead), and Happiness (smiley face) were all on the right-hand side of the screen. Now your health bar has moved to the top of the screen, but where did cleanliness and happiness go? They are just gone.
Then how do I tell if my pet needs a wash, you ask. The flies animation is still there. So you will still be able to tell when it is time to run the soap over your pet. Once your pet is all clean, a message will appear on your screen that says: All Clean!
Happiness, it appears, still affects your pet but does not have the same significance attached to it. Your pet will happily wave its arms about when it is completely happy, there is no message for it.
What is now on the right hand side of the screen is your save button, a bright red disk. Below that is a blue square with a cog on it. This is your settings button. This is where you turn your background music, sound, and full screen on or off. You can also control the visual quality of the game from here. I have no idea why anyone would want to make it any lower, but they give you the option. I am sure someone uses it. Finally, you have your language option under settings. There are a number of different languages available. As an English speaker, I stick with English, but it might actually make a decent language learning tool for those who are interested. The old layout was easy enough to find, but in Pet Society’s new layout, the colors are better, the buttons are bigger, and that makes for a better experience.
Your House navigation, to go from room to room, has gone from the top of the right hand of the screen to the bottom in this new layout. It takes a little bit of getting used to. I still automatically gravitate toward the top of the screen when I am trying to get from my garden to another room in my house. You just have to get used to it, I suppose.
Money and Playfish dollars are still across the top of the screen, though now the buttons to add more are bigger. The Experience bar is also still on the top of the screen, though now it shares its space with the Health bar.
Left-side of the Screen
Looking to the left of the screen, you will realize that the Tutorial/Trophy book is gone along with the postage stamp ‘Invite Friends’. Each of these has been moved to the bottom of the screen but in different places.
Bottom of the Screen
At the bottom of the screen, your friends bar is still there with all the pretty pictures of your friends’ pets and their personal avatars. All the way to the right of your friends bar is your ‘Invite Friends’ button. Even more fun, in the new layout, the button suggests a friend to add. The suggestion changes every few minutes. Clicking on the button takes you to the normal ‘Invite’ page.
Now if you look directly above your friends bar, you will notice you have a new tab that looks like a stack of books. Click on that tab to see your Sticker album, Cookbook, and Tutorial/Trophy book. I think Playfish did a good job of consolidating those for us.
The Primary Toolbar
Finally, what did they do to our primary toolbar at the bottom left of the screen? Playfish did us a favor and made the icons both bigger and more colorful. Granted, the old layout had functional icons, but the new Pet Society layout offers funkier icons and that makes for a whole lot more fun. Isn’t that the whole point of game, fun?
As a National Merit Scholarship finalist, paying college tuition and fees never posed a problem, despite not being selected for one of the $2500 National Merit Scholarships. Benefits of the program extend far beyond the scholarships offered by the Program itself, and cover more than college tuition. National Merit Scholarships – both the one-time scholarships from the program and college- and corporate- sponsored awards, benefit about 8,200 out of 15,000 finalists. I strongly urge all high school students to take the National Merit Scholarship Program – and its qualifying test, the PSAT, seriously. Even if not selected for one of the $2500 scholarships, it can pay your college tuition. Literally.
You may be wondering how. Well, the National Merit Scholarship Program is highly respected; some colleges even market the percentage of National Merit Scholarship finalists enrolled as a measure of quality. To attract National Merit Scholarship finalists, scholarship boards set aside a funds as enticements for these students. In short, by placing well on the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test and subsequently advancing to Finalist status, prospective students become eligible for special college tuition assistance from prospective colleges. However, colleges only consider National Merit Scholarship finalists who listed that college as “first choice” on the exam.
In my opinion, the college-sponsored awards shine as the true stars of the National Merit Scholarship Program. Think about it: they range from $500 to $2000 for college tuition assistance. While the National Merit Scholarship amount of $2500 exceeds them, the college-sponsored awards pull ahead when you realize that those awards are renewable for four years. So, while a $2500 towards college tuition is always just $2500, a college-sponsored scholarship for $1000 becomes $4000 if you keep your GPA up to snuff; $2000 becomes $8000. And that’s not including the additional awards a college may offer.
In my case, not only did National Merit Scholarship finalist status secure funds to pay college tuition, the college also cobbled together a variety of scholarships which eventually paid for my books and some of my meals and housing, substantially reducing my costs. Most of the special treatment, I believe, should be laid at the feet of being a National Merit Scholarship finalist. My extracurricular activities from high school were sparse, my volunteer work practically nonexistent; the only thing going for me was that position as Finalist. And did it ever pull through.
So do your best on the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Study beforehand. Choose your “first choice” college carefully. Never forgo preparing with a ‘luck of the draw’ attitude; remember, preparation for the PSAT/NMSQT should carryover and help your scores on subsequent standardized tests, such as the ACT or SAT, even if you don’t become a National Merit Scholarship finalist. Above all, never let the numbers daunt you. Sure, only 8200 prospective college students nationwide receive National Merit Scholarship assistance. That doesn’t mean one of them can’t be you.
