Becoming a Better English Student

Last year my ability to write was above the average of my English class. At the time I thought that reading and writing were the only things to English. This year I was handed a light to show me that reading and writing are only the outlines of English. When handed this light I started seeing the interior: the texture, the color, and a lot more about the high lights of English.

The texture of English is the thought evolved with it. This past year I have learned how to look at things in different perspectives, and then how to change that into words. We used this “different perspective” when we wrote observational writings. In observational writings we had to write about something that we had observed, but we weren’t allowed say that we were there in any way. This type of writing enhanced our ability to keep our thoughts and ourselves completely out of our writings.

When people write English they can’t only write in the observational writing type. So they use the other types, or colors of English. When colors are thought of, people usually think of something such as the rainbow. But when I think of colors, I think of them as something that gives character, and difference. At the beginning of this year I didn’t have a clue about the colors of English, but now I have used my light to see more that just black and white. This year I have come to see that a few of the colors of English are analogies, sonnets, memoirs, and problem solution papers. I have also been able to learn the difference between certain colors. Last year I not only didn’t see that memoirs and biographies are colors, but I also didn’t know the difference that I know now.

The textures and the colors of English create a picture, but it’s not a perfect picture until you add some highlights. These highlights would be the depth of English. In the ninth grade I thought that any piece of English that had depth, or meaning, had to be this drawn out one hundred-page article. But after reading some of the most simple sentences, such as this one from the memoir Night by Elie Wiesel, “From the depths of the mirror, a corpse gazed back at me.” I have been able to realize that there are the small sentences that hold so much, so little meaning that makes the perfect picture.

This past school year I walked into another world of English. In the ninth grade world of English I was taught how English looked in the shadows. I wasn’t able to touch it, feel it, or understand it completely. But this year, in the tenth grade world of English, I was allowed the opportunity to gain an understanding of English. I was able to become a better English student by learning the thought, the characteristics, and the depth of English. Maybe my punctuation or spelling didn’t achieve a higher height than last year, but my understanding of English did. Because of that I feel that I am a better English student than I have ever been.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes are the shaking, rolling or sudden shock of the earth’s surface. Earthquakes happen along "fault lines" in the earth’s crust. Earthquakes can be felt over large areas although they usually last less than one minute. Earthquakes cannot be predicted -- although scientists are working on it!
Most of the time, you will notice an earthquake by the gentle shaking of the ground. You may notice hanging plants swaying or objects wobbling on shelves. Sometimes you may hear a low rumbling noise or feel a sharp jolt. A survivor of the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco said the sensation was like riding a bicycle down a long flight of stairs.

The intensity of an earthquake can be measured. One measurement is called the Richter scale. Earthquakes below 4.0 on the Richter scale usually do not cause damage, and earthquakes below 2.0 usually can’t be felt. Earthquakes over 5.0 on the scale can cause damage. A magnitude 6.0 earthquake is considered strong and a magnitude 7.0 is a major earthquake. The Northridge Earthquake, which hit Southern California in 1994, was magnitude 6.7.

Earthquakes are sometimes called temblors, quakes, shakers or seismic activity. The most important thing to remember during an earthquake is to DROP, COVER and HOLD ON. So remember to DROP to the floor and get under something for COVER and HOLD ON during the shaking.

Manslaughter - Guilty by Definition

By: Adam Shaw

After over 13 years working a nurse I had witnessed some weird and wonderful things. Occasionally, one of them stands out as significant. Back in '97-'98 I went to Australia with a one year working visa. During this time I worked for nurse agencies in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. The experience was a good one as I was able to see how another health care system worked.

During this period a stack of interesting experiences occurred for me, though the most significant happened in Sydney. What happened here would alter my perception of life and what nursing was all about.

Working as an Agency nurse in a city usually means working at several different hospitals, in several different wards. This had been my experience after 11 months in Australia.

For some reason I'd been allocated several consecutive night shifts on a rehabilitation ward, in a private hospital. Since this ward was generally quiet for most of the night I usually brought a book along with me to pass the time.

To find my next book I went into a second-hand bookshop, went to the New Age section, stood back and waited for a book to grab my attention. One soon did - The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. I picked it up and started to read it that night.

The opening chapters explain, amongst other things, that the main difference towards death in the East and the West is that in the East people are generally prepared for death from a very young age. The West has a general theme that we don't usually face up to death until it's staring us in the face.

This resonated with me. How true. I had seen it on numerous occasions - scared patients and hysterical families attempting to make sense of the impending demise of a loved one after being given a death sentence by a doctor.

I thought about this a lot during the next couple of nights.

During my time on this rehabilitation ward I got to know the patients quite well. Each night I would stop in and have a chat with each of them, handing out the assorted pharmaceutical delights, which they had become accustomed to.

One of my patients was a lady called Dorothy. She had fallen over at home several months ago. She had no medical history, just a case of bad luck. She had a lovely smile and a most pleasant demeanour.

After about eight shifts on this ward I went in one night to be informed that Dorothy would be going home the next day. I entered her room last that night so that I could have a longer chat with her, beyond the cursory 5 minutes that we usually spent together.

'Congratulations. You must be delighted,' I told Dorothy, as I walked into the room.
'Huh! Delighted? What possible reason would I have to be delighted?' Dorothy was unusually curt in her response.
'I don't understand. Are you not happy to be going home?' I asked.
'What have I got to be happy about. I live on my own and I can barely make it from the bed to the toilet. I'm dependant on someone else to do my washing, cleaning, shopping and cooking. I can't ask my daughter to look after me - she has enough on her plate. She has two young children and a very demanding job. I have absolutely nothing to look forward to.'

Upon hearing this from this sweet, usually smiling, old lady I found myself momentarily speechless. I had not expected that from her. My mind went blank.

After a prolonged pause I asked her, 'Do you believe in life after death?'
Then it was Dorothy who paused, before looking me in the eye and saying, 'Well, I'd like to but I just don't know.'

This prompted a discussion about life after death and some various perspectives that I'd come across at that stage. We talked for well over an hour and a half. I mentioned the Dalai Lama being reincarnated several times and that this was fact according to millions of Buddhists across the world. I'd also heard about a Native American Indian ritual whereby people knew they were about to die and sat around a fire and gave all of their worldly belongings away. This was their way of cutting the ties with this world and moving on to the next.

I had not thought about death too much before - but given the choice between life after death and no life after death - I knew which one I preferred the sound of. Despite this, I wasn't sure either way.

At the end of our chat Dorothy grabbed my arm and her face lit up. 'Thank you Adam, this has been the most useful conversation that I've ever had.'

Her words touched me, though I thought little of it at the time. She had been experiencing anxiety and I had said something to alleviate it. I'd done this numerous times before. I wasn't really sure about what I'd told her but she seemed happy enough, so my job was done.

I looked in her room before leaving the next morning but Dorothy was sound asleep, so I left the ward and went home.

That night I went back into the same ward. As I arrived, there were doctors running down the ward and into the room that Dorothy had been in. I wondered what was going on, as she should have been discharged. I slowly made my way to the room and Dorothy was flat on the floor and the crash team were attempting to resuscitate her.

I went numb at the door as I witnessed the futile attempts of the crash team to resuscitate her and the subsequent disbelief of the entire ward staff. Dorothy had no medical history - this was out of the blue. I'd been responsible for the death of Dorothy and I was the only one that knew it.

After I had watched the resuscitation team in action and gone numb, I felt a resounding peacefulness permeate my body. Had Dorothy waited for my return to die?

I'll never know this for sure. What I do know is that any doubts about whether there is life after death were eradicated for me that day. For all of the books that I had ever read on or around the subject, nothing had ever, or indeed has ever, come close to what happened on that ward during those two nights.

I dedicate this article to Dorothy and thank her for the gift of hope beyond doubt that she has given me.

Bulu Perindu - The Enchanted Grass

By: Leonard Lee

Nature produces the most intriguing life-forms. We are normally aware of the animal, insect, and plant kingdoms--these we come across and interact with in our every day life and are perceptible to the senses; other creatures are too microscopically small for us to perceive with our naked eyes, these are the bacteria, germs, etc. Other life-forms not too commonly found are the transitions between the plant and animal kingdoms: "plant-like" animals and "animal-like" plants. Zoologically, they exist as microbes and also are to be found in abundance on a larger scale in the oceans and seas such as the polyps, sea-anemones, star-fishes, etc.

Hidden in the tropical jungles of South America and Asia are many plant species with unusual animal characteristics and mobile powers not possessed by the lesser evolved plants. We know of some of the more cultivated types such as the "Venus fly-trap" and the Mimosa.

In the recesses of the tropical jungles and rain-forests of Kalimantan (Borneo) of the Indonesian archipelago, exists a strange type of grass that the local Dayak natives of the Kubu and Kaharingan tribes call "Bulu Perindu," or "hair that causes longing." It is not known whether this grass has been classified and given a Latin name by botanists even in the face of its popularity among the occultists of Indonesia. Sometimes in the hollow of bamboo stems are found strands of bamboo fibre connected to the base and top and this is called "Bamboo Perindu"--not to be confused with the Bulu Perindu. In appearance the Bulu Perindu grass resembles a black strand or string. It has a broad base and tapers-off at its other end which may be golden-brown in color.

The Bulu Perindu grass possesses strange qualities--for one, they wriggle and move when placed on the palm of the hand or when warm ashes are strewn all over them. They are evidently heat sensitive; however, cold water is also able to vivify them. Immerse them in water for a few seconds and then put them on a clean, flat surface and watch them wriggle like a bunch of worms!

The Bulu Perindu grass are used by the Kalimantan shamans as an essential ingredient in their love philters and rituals. They would immerse a grass or two into their love oils and empower them with certain occult charging techniques and mantras. Dabs of the oil, here and there, on one's person is sufficient to cause fascination to whosoever looks at one. A drop of the oil on one's fingertips before handshakes could cause a strong subliminal impression on others, potently attracting them to us. The opposite sex are especially drawn to the user of the Bulu Perindu oil. If the liquid comes into contact with someone through one's touch, someone whom we deeply wish to attract, and if this is done in conjunction with the appropriate ritual backing it up, it could cause them to constantly have us in their thoughts and to make them terribly miss or long for us when we are absent from their presence--hence the name "Bulu Perindu"--the hair that causes longing. The grass when carried as an amulet, or the oil applied to one's body also has the virtue of increasing one's charisma and attracting luck. Some occultist affirm that it also has the power to ward off psychic attacks and disturbances from malicious spirits.

One of the rituals of attracting someone specific with the use of the Bulu Perindu grass is as follows:
Immerse the grass in a glass of water for a few seconds and then place it on clean sheet of paper. When it stops moving keep the grass in your wallet or purse. While the grass is being immersed in the water recite the Al-Fateha verse 1x:

"Bismillaahir-rohmaanir-rohiim. "Al-hamdulillahi rabbil 'aalamiin, ar-rahmaani ar-rahiim Maaliki yaumid diin, Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaaka nasta 'iin. Ihdinash Shiraathal Mustaqiim. Shiraathal Ladziina an'amta alaihim. Ghairil Maghduubi Alaihim Walaadh Dhaaliin. Amin."

Then continue with the following affirmation while visualizing the person you wish to attract:

"My soul is one with yours N . . . We are united on spiritual levels and so shall we be in the physical. So be it!" 33x

Close the ritual with the Al-Fateha verse once again.

Why does the occult virtues of the grass produce such arousals and reactions in others? We know that the power of scent works on both the conscious and subconscious levels. It is possible that the Bulu Perindu contains pheromones--one reason why the grass produces such strange instinctive reactions in people. Pheromones are described as an exotic group of hormones triggering sexual responses in animals.

We once carried out an experiment: two bottles of aromatic oil were prepared. One plain, the other with the Bulu Perindu grass immersed. After a period of about a month we put a few drops of the oil with the grass in a vessel of water and the oil in the water reacted with a ceaseless motion. The oil without the grass showed little movement on the water's surface. Many questions arose from this, but without sufficient experimentation and the qualified training we refrained from arriving at a satisfactory conclusion. On the more pragmatic and commercial side of the question, what if the molecule compounds of the chemicals in the grass were isolated and applied in cosmetics? Would this not cause a revolution in the industry because of the magnetic effects that it provides?

The tales surrounding the Bulu Perindu are mystifying. The grass is said to come from a certain haunted mountain called Mt. Bondang in the region of "Puruk Cahu" in the upper recesses of the Barito river, Central Kalimantan (the grass has also been discovered in East Kalimantan). According to one myth, whosoever goes to this region are reluctant or even forget to return to civilization. The reason is because of the joy and happiness that the region instills in one. Being too overly-focused on their ecstatic state, many are said to have died because of the forgetfulness to eat and drink. It is probable that the region is a power spot, one of the points of a ley-line that produces disorientation in the mind as a side-effect. This is supported by the locals who consider the area as filled with extraordinary magickal power. The power according to them, induces hallucinations and a strong uncontrollable attraction for the area. Those that are fortunate enough to escape its grasp find themselves a strong longing to return. Many daring explorers among the native Dayaks have found themselves being possessed by the spirits of the area.
The natural objects such as grass, pieces of bamboo, soil, etc., to be found in the area are believed to be imbued with the same power and qualities as the region itself and are utilized by occult practitioners in their "ilmu pelet," or "magical art of attraction."

Mt.Bondang is believed to be haunted with powerful elementals, nature spirits, and other unseen beings of the forests. It is said that if one were to chop off a piece of bamboo from this area, screams of pain may be heard coming from the dryad of the tree (bamboos are actually the tallest grass in the world), like the screams said to be heard from the mandragore while harvesting the root.. The existence of spirit dwellers in plants and trees throws new light on the experimentation of certain horticulturists on the sentiency of plants.

The acquisition of these natural objects such as the Bulu Perindu grass is not an easy task (attempts to cultivate the Bulu Perindu grass outside of its home territory has presently proven to be a failure), as the mountain is rather inaccessible, steep and high. Most of the natives will not go there because of the risks mentioned above. One of the creatures capable of travelling to and fro from the mountain are the hawks, and if we were to come across a hawk's nest observed to have been built in the same location (a short flying distance from the magickal territory) for seven consecutive years, we can be sure that its home is made up of the Bulu Perindu grass. To verify this the nest is submerged in the Barito river, and if any grass of the nest would float upstream in the direction of the mountain, this would be the Bulu Perindu grass from Mt. Bondang seeking to return to its place of origin, as though a magnetic or etheric attraction existed between the two.

Getting the Bulu Perindu grass out of the Kalimantan/Borneo island is another problem in itself as it is believed that taking anything sacred out of the territory of spirit beings brings about catastrophes in some form during the returning journey. Occult practitioners have found ways of overcoming this, though. One of their methods is to place the grass in a white pouch which in turn is placed inside of a fruit. The fruit itself is placed in a larger fruit, like a Chinese puzzle, and this, it is believed to be sufficient enough to keep any disgruntled spirit off the scent.

The local Dayaks of Kalimantan consider the acquisition of the Bulu Perindu as a blessing, even if it is just a grass or two. To them, while the grass may be insignificant looking, the power that they possess are immense and it is this power that they praise and tap to improve their lives in some way.

Background Checking : Becoming More and More Popular

By: Bercle George

The long term troubles that an office can potentially incur due to a trivial thing such as negligence (in determining the true history of an employee) is truly alarming. To begin with, the current function being carried out could be a major issue but more importantly, the firm's reputation could be so damaged that it would take years to repair it, this in turn could have the impact of severely affecting the revenue generation capabilities of the organization.

All of the problems incurred could have been prevented only if a simple background check had been carried out before staff with questionable histories were hired in the first place.

There are various processes that can be included in the various background checks which are carried out but in summary : During a background check, employment and character references are checked. Other forms of background checking processes go into education verification and related areas.

There are other types of checking which are used by some firms and that leads them on to being very thorough in the level of detail that they go into. Everything really all depends on the sensitivity of the job and how much responsibility will be on the shoulders of the new employee. When all the checks come back positively, then the candidate is truly considered, otherwise they are not considered for further interviews and others are sought after.

You might think that the process of having to check people to learn about their history is not so critical a matter for the company. But you'd be surprised what good it could do you. Sure, there are those who are very sensitive about their privacy, but that is only unfortunate. The law calls for it, common sense calls for it; you need to investigate the people you employ. It's all about playing safe and being on the right side of the law.

Banks and big businesses aren't the only ones who need to do background checks. Even small businesses, two-man partnerships and sole proprietorship in particular have to make sure that they are not bringing in someone who will bring down the whole enterprise. A little research on each applicant for a job position can settle all that.

Online background checking is one form of investigation that is fast becoming popular. It is as good as the traditional means of investigation. In fact, it is better because one can access information without much waste of time.

It is ideal and sometimes makes sense to run background checks on oneself occasionally. This is to avoid taking chances as our personal details may have changed without our knowing. Presently, employers use it as a measure to employing applicants. The sectors that are most concerned are banking, health, children, education and security.

The process where mothers carry out investigation on an intended nanny they intend hiring uses a similar process to the one used by the larger companies. The basic thing mothers seek to know about nannies is their criminal history. This is to save their children from any form of assault.

Free websites most times do not offer in-depth information when conducting background check. The premium services are better. This is because they are more detailed and accurate.

IS DIVORCE THE ANSWER?

By: James Walsh

Yet another reason for the fact that 40% of the marriages in the UK end in divorce is the Divorce Reform Act of 1969, which has made the process easier.

A survey conducted by The Grant Thornton Forensic Practice, shows that adultery is the prime cause for divorce, followed by ‘unreasonable behaviour'.

‘Unreasonable Behaviour’

The Divorce Reform Act of 1969, regards ‘Unreasonable Behaviour’ as grounds for divorce. The law is rather fuzzy on this, and almost anything may be cited as unreasonable – be it snoring, unattended dirty laundry, or a tube of toothpaste squeezed the wrong way. No wonder divorce has become so easy to procure.

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

It is up to you to stop and think. Is your spouse guilty of ‘unreasonable behaviour’, or are you just being petty because you need a break? Marriage experts say that taking a break once a year from each other can rejuvenate your marriage. The distance will help you see things objectively, value each other, and recall the things you loved about one another in the beginning.

Teach your Children Well

If you have children, remember that it is they who will suffer most. They learn by your example, and you will be teaching them that love between adults does not last, and therefore, neither will your love for them.

Marriage Counselling

Whatever the cause for the problems in your relationship, marriage counselling is your first option. A good marriage counsellor can help you pinpoint the underlying reasons for your conflict and help you deal with them, but it requires time, and effort from both of you. In the end, you will know whether the marriage is worth saving or not.

Separation Agreements

If you are not living together, but would like to set mutually agreed upon terms regarding finances, property, children, or a divorce in the future, this is an option. This is a commonly taken route, and the agreement is binding, but because it does not involve the court, agreements may prove difficult. For example, a spouse may refuse to disclose his financial status, or disagree about visiting rights if there are children. However, this gives you two years to think it over.

Judicial Separation

This is best if you cannot reconcile your differences, especially if there are pension or religious or ethical objections to divorce. Or if the marriage is less than a year old, in which case, a divorce decree is not applicable. This separation can only be granted on grounds of:

1 Adultery
2 Unreasonable behaviour
3 Desertion by the other partner after two years
4 Separation with consent after two years
5 Separation without consent after five years.

This will enable the court to make decisions about money and property matters. However, the court will ensure that arrangements made for children, if any, are acceptable.

Soulmates

There is destiny involved in marriage. That is why marriage is a sacrament, blessed by God in all cultures. My 84-year-old English friend says that had he and his wife divorced during the many bleak years of their marriage, they could never have recovered their original love and improved on it immeasurably. The Buddhist way of thinking, so popular in the UK (consider the ever- increasing Buddhist community) views marriage as a serious karmic bond necessary for the spiritual growth of the couple that have come together. Each person has something to learn from the other, and if he or she fails to do so, and escapes from the situation, the situation will recur in some other form till it has been resolved. For example, if ego is the prime cause of the conflict, it must be dissolved, or the individual will constantly face similar confrontational situations.

As J.R.R. Tokkein says in a letter to Michael Tolkein in 1941 -

‘Nearly all marriages, even happy ones, are mistakes: in the sense that almost certainly (in a more perfect world, or even with a little more care in this very imperfect one) both partners might be found more suitable mates. But the real soul-mate is the one you are actually married to.‘

Novelists And Cigars: A Long-Running Romance

By:

Like coffee, alcohol and other, somewhat more illicit pleasures, cigars have a longtime fascination for certain kinds of creative folks. Perhaps this is especially true of novelists, whose work compels them to sit staring at a page for hours a day, typing, looking for any small pleasure to momentarily enliven their bored senses. One of Philip Roth's characters nails it: "I turn sentences around. That's my life. I write a sentence and then I turn it around. Then I look at it and I turn it around again. Then I have lunch." No wonder so many writers are also passionate smokers' and no wonder that devotees of a medium that requires and repays careful, disciplined attention often opt for the most refined and subtle-tasting form of tobacco: the cigar.

Writer Sally Feldman names just a few examples: "The novelist Kurt Vonnegut, former president of the American Humanist Association, was a fanatical chain-smoker until his death earlier this year. Karl Marx sported cigars; Vaclav Havel, reforming literary president of the Czech Republic, is never seen without a cigarette; Jean Cocteau, Mary McCarthy, Dennis Potter and Martin Amis are just a few of an endless litany of freethinkers who have adopted smoking as their prop and their identity."

Here are a few more who made cigar-smoking, specifically, part of their lives:

Gertrude Stein & Ernest Hemingway

If anyone was ever a "writer's writer," that writer was Gertrude Stein; and if anyone ever managed to personify literary glory while connecting with a broad audience, it was her disciple Ernest Hemingway. Stein's gristly, repetitive, surreal prose has defeated as many intelligent readers as it has influenced, those influencees include Sherwood Anderson, Ezra Pound, Mina Loy, Paul Bowles, Richard Wright and, of course, Hemingway, her friend during his own Paris years in the 1920s, whose mannered ultra-simplicity represents a break with earlier ideas of style so extreme that it's hard to imagine without Stein's example. Both were passionate cigar smokers' so much so that a brand of cigar named itself in honor of the latter.

G.K. Chesterton

G.K. Chesterton wrote eloquently about the taste of a good cigar - and about nearly everything else under the sun, including politics, Christianity, logic, fairytales, music, science, and losing one's hat. His apologetic works made a convert out of C.S. Lewis, among many others, and his mystery stories and fantasy novels left him such literary disciples as Hemingway (surprisingly), Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Jorge Luis Borges, and Neil Gaiman, among many others. (He also got props from Orson Welles, Franz Kafka, Dorothy Day, Ingmar Bergman, Gary Wills, Hugh Kenner, Gandhi, and Michael Collins, not to mention his personal friends George Bernard Shaw and H.G. Wells.)

His comment on wine describes his attitude toward tobacco as well: "Let us praise God for beer and wine by not drinking too much of them."

John Irving

Writer Jerry Janicki describes the author of The Cider House Rules and Until I Find You as a young man: "At Iowa in the early 1970s John Irving would have been in his early 30s. He was partial to long thin cigars. He used to come into class, light up, set his cigar on the edge of the table and then talk about Charles Dickens much as though they were contemporaries, as though they'd had Christmas dinner together, which, in a sense I guess, they did."

Indeed, if any living American writer deserves to be compared to Dickens, it's Irving, with his roomy, entertaining, emotionally direct novels, which bypass the metafictional gamesmanship that distinguishes so many of his contemporaries. A former wrestler, Irving attended the Iowa Writers' Worskshop (where he later taught) and published a handful of well-regarded novels before his The World According to Garp'a long, funny-serious chronicle of a writer's lunatic life, full of Irving's acerbic reflections on contemporary feminism, and best described perhaps by one of its own lines: "Life is an X-Rated soap opera." His next novels continued this tradition, but leavened the X-rated soap operatics with serious reflections on contemporary issues: Abortion (The Cider House Rules), faith (A Prayer For Owen Meany), sexual abuse (Until I Find You). He has continued to sell better than most writers of equal seriousness, often landing on magazine covers' with cigar in mouth.

How to Write Your Own Hollywood Blockbuster

By: Ron Subs

Have you ever thought to yourself after seeing the latest Hollywood blockbuster that you could write something better than that? Do you have an idea that you are sure will make a great movie? Writing a movie script isn't that hard once you have an idea that is sure to be a winner.

There are a few basic steps to follow to get your idea onto paper and, lucky for us, there is now a lot of help available online to help you get your script critiqued and seen by Hollywood professionals.

Developing an idea for a movie is the hard part, that's why most people aren't screen writers. Coming up with a fresh new story idea that people will want to pay to see is hard, that's why most of the films out of Hollywood today are remakes of past hits. Once you have the idea, all you need to do is build a plot up around it.

All plots consist of three simple things, a beginning, middle and end. The beginning is the expository part of the plot, it serves to introduce the major characters, to set the time and place of the film and define the problem which is the heart of any drama or love story.

In a movie script there is usually one main hero, the man or woman who the story will revolve around. The hero serves to be the focal point of the film and the audience should find this character interesting and be able to sympathize with his problem, be it finding love or saving the world from ruthless invaders.

The time and place where a movie takes place sets the mood and tempo of the film. A modern urban setting means that if it's an action film, the pace will be fast and the technology will be modern. In a love story, the time and place of a film can be a long-ago romantic drama or an upbeat urban comedy.

For scriptwriters, description can be left to a minimum because once the film goes into production; the descriptive elements will be fleshed out by the director and art director.

The middle of the script is where the drama happens, this is where the problem faced by the hero climaxes and becomes seemingly insurmountable. A scriptwriter wants to take the characters he has created and be cruel to them, make their dreams and goals seem impossible. The audience will have connected with the characters by them and this will serve to draw them into the story and pull for the hero to win.

The end of the story is where the hero either wins or loses; usually wins because audiences like happy endings. This is where the hero proves himself to the world and saves the day and wins the love of the girl of his dreams. In this portion of the script, the writer must tie up all the loose ends to create a satisfactory ending which answers all the questions and solves all the problems that have been brought up in the plot.

Once you have a rough draft plotted out that contains the three main story plot sections, it's now a good time to have your work looked over by fresh eyes, this is where the internet can come in handy.

There are websites that let you post your rough draft online, with all rights protected, to allow other writers, producers and agents look over your work and give you feedback based on their firsthand experience in film production.

Once you have the feedback, it's time to go back and fine tune your script. Remember that writing works in stages, nobody sits down and writes a full length film from start to finish. Get your original idea on paper, set up the basic plot, submit your work for critique, and go back and finish it. It takes a whole crew to film a picture and it takes more than one person to write the script.

Lies People May Tell You In Internet Dating

Gone are the days when love-seekers rely on the romantic thought of letting destiny find them or of letting other people find matches for you. These days are gone with the sudden development in technology. And the contemporary times now offer a different method of finding that significant other, internet dating that is.

Internet dating is surely the hype now. With a single click in the computer, millions of men and women seeking for a so-called love appear in front of you. The thing is you can find a variety of matches for you. Single, separated or divorced, skinny or fat, black or white - name it and these dating sites have it. It's like going to a restaurant and being served the menu. You can have your choice of cuisine and eat it the way you want it.

That's the problem with internet dating, you are free to say, do, or pretend to please the other party. There are no regulations for it. As long as you can keep up with the profile you placed in these sites. However, if you get caught up in the web of lies and deceit, you may be gone forever. The other party may never converse or believe you anymore.

So, how do you protect your sincere interest in finding true love from these dating sites? Below are some of the lies that these bogus individuals will often tell you.

Present Relationship Status. Some married men or women, happy or not in their married life, may likely tell you that they are single. The happily married individual may just be looking for the excitement in extramarital affairs. But for the unhappily married, they want a new relationship with a single person and think that this is the best way to attract them. Either way is intended to target the same person someone who is single and unattached.

Real Age. For some people, they think age still matters. So, perhaps to attract a younger person than they are, they pretend younger than what they truly are. Or, they may even pretend that they are older to attract the even older party.

Physical Appearance. People who are unhappy or unsatisfied with how they look take this opportunity to attract the type of person that they want to get involved with. They change their weight, height or even the picture in their profile. The fat becomes slim or skinny. The short becomes tall. The not-so-attractive face becomes the face that launched a thousand dating sites. And the love-seekers who prefer a certain detail on physical appearance are lured into these traps.

Financial Status. Money speaks for the good life. There are some people who are really particular about the financial status of the other party. Aside from the promise of love, they need to know that person is someone to rely on to. Especially for women seeking men, they need security in case things work out for them in the internet. Plus, the thought of having a great financial status in your profile attracts every single beautiful woman online.

Be careful with whom you deal with. Be smart to recognize the lies that they tell you about. However, you should not get frustrated by these dishonest people. Soon enough, you will find one or two who will be completely honest and who truly deserves you.

5 Reasons For Adultery - And Their Antidotes

By: Trevor Emdon

Adultery is assumed to belong to a realm of casual contact. Adultery is devastating to any marriage, regardless of the circumstances. Adultery is a reaction to abuse, and it is a tool of abuse.

Recent surveys have revealed that 45% of women and 55% of men have been guilty of committing adultery. Of course these are just the ones who have admitted to it or have been caught so the real numbers must be considerably higher.

There are different areas in their marriages that those surveyed found lacking. 65% of those who admitted to committing adultery said that they lacked sexual intimacy so they chose to look for it elsewhere. 20% claimed that the emotional side of their relationship was lacking, whilst the rest cited physiological needs as the reasons for their dishonesty.

So with these staggering adultery statistics don't you think it's in your best interests to know what the main reasons for it are? You should never be complacent in your own marriage because these figures demonstrate that adultery is not just something that happens to someone else.

Whether it's one night stands or long term affairs it's quite clear from these alarming figures that everyone has the capability to cheat on their partner.

Research reveals that there are 5 main reasons for adultery. These are:

1. Loneliness.

Yes, lonely and in a relationship. It's not a contradiction in terms. Do you spend a lot of time away from home? Do you concentrate more on your career than on your loved one? Perhaps you simply prefer to spend more time with your friends than with your partner.

If these are symptomatic of your behaviour, then perhaps you owe it to yourself to ask what's wrong with your relationship. The problem with committing adultery is that it can make you both feel bad. And it doesn't solve the relationship problems. It adds another. A huge one!

The truth is, if that's happening, you're probably both lonely.

Here's the way out of this.

Imagine how your partner would be if he or she were perfect for you. Write it down.

Now tell him or her what you're doing, and ask her/him to do the same.

Here's the game: over the next week you're both to secretly pick a day when you'll behave as if you were perfect for the other - but you're going to be subtle about it. Neither of you is to discuss the game for seven days.

But you are going to secretly note down when you thought your partner was trying to please you.

Exactly seven days later - to the hour - you are to compare notes.

What you'll discover is that you noticed lots of times when you thought it might be happening because you forced each other to focus on positives again!

2. Communication barriers.

Poor communication invariably causes problems in a marriage or relationship. Problems and arguments left unresolved can compound and fester when partners are either unwilling or unable to discuss these with each other.
The antidote? Well, of course, talk to each other, but that's not going to help if you're both certain that you're right and all you want to do is prove it. You'll just build up even more resentment!

If you really want to save your relationship - and steer clear of adultery - you need to let go of the idea of being right. No one has the final say on how anything should be done. Check out the world's politicians and religious leaders if you're not sure about that!

The goal is to be kind. Be allowing. Get interested in the notion that there's always another way to do something, to think about something and simply to be.

If you can do that, your partner becomes an object of fascination - a joy and a wonder, not an obstacle.

3. Lack of love and affection.

Lack of affection or love is one of the most common reasons for adultery. People will look to others when these needs are not being met by their spouse or partner.

Find out what constitutes affection - even simple acknowledgement - by your partner. I recall hearing a story where a wife was hugely insulted because her dripping wet husband did not thank her for handing him a towel in the shower.

He was actually very grateful, but he just didn't say the words out loud.

Again, communication is at the root of this.

4. A poor sexual relationship

Boredom in the bedroom will often lead to one or even both partners going off and seeking excitement and variety elsewhere.

This means quality and actually - equality. Take turns to call the shots, and get clear about what your likes and limits are - for both of you.

5. Lack of intimacy

Marriages need intimacy to survive. Without this in your marriage you may well feel unloved, rejected and unwanted.

Intimacy is of course physical, but there are many other ways to be intimate. Share laughter. Share private code words and signals like a hand gesture or an eyebrow flash that just have meaning to the two of you. Cook together. (Give up the takeaways!) Get a joint project - like growing your own vegetables. One couple I know built a car - a real one - from a kit.

Whatever turns you on!

If you are aware of any of these issues in your own marriage read through my antidotes and address them before it's too late!

The Legend of the Dewadaru Tree

By: Leonard Lee

The Dewadaru tree is mostly found to the north of the island of Java, among the Sunda islands of Karimunjava, in the Java Sea, bearing the coordinates of Latitude 5° 52' S, and Longitude 110° 26' E. It has a human population of approximately 20,000 people. The Dewadaru tree had been sanctified by the local inhabitants of the island for countless generations as a result of a myth perpetuated by the elders of the society. In one of the local dialects, "daru" means "blessing from heaven," while "dewa," (derived from Sanskrit) is the Indonesian term for "god." "Dewadaru" is thus interpreted as the "gift of the gods," implying that this tree genus is a tangible symbolic gift from the gods/esses to the islanders. To the local inhabitants, the Dewadaru represents the wisdom of the gods in maintaining the harmony, stability, and peacefulness of Nature. The Dewadaru is believed to be the protective guardian of the living souls on the Karimunjava islands.

According to the legend, there was once a man living on the island of Java who was furious with his son for constant disobedience. The man, although he loved his son dearly, strove to inculcate in him a certain hard lesson. So one day he drove his son away from home with the warning that he was not to set foot on Java again.

Not willing to disobey his father again, he prepared himself for the journey. In sadness, the son left Mt. Muria where they dwelt and moved on to the open seas to the north. He sailed on a boat for many days through stormy weather and amidst huge waves, not really knowing his destination and perhaps with little will to survive. Then one day, his boat landed on the shores of a small, uninhabited island.

Meanwhile, from the peak of Mt. Muria in Java, the boy's father was secretly watching over his son clairvoyantly. But for some reason his vision was vague and unclear, and thus lost track of the whereabouts of the boy on that island. In the old Javanese language, the word "vague" is translated as kerimun. Thus the island became known as "Karimun-java."

The boy continued his journey inland bearing two wooden staffs as walking sticks to assist his journey. He retrieved these from the shore. These two short poles wounded him while his boat was capsized to shore by the sheer power of the waves. In the middle of the forest he poked the two staffs to the ground and started to rest from the tiresome journey. Miraculously, in that very instant the two staffs grew into magnificent trees. In awe of the incident, he named them "Dewadaru." In the present day, the place where he rested now stands the village of Nyamplungan.

Nowadays, although not too numerous, there is a substantial amount of Dewadaru trees growing on the islands-the descendants of the very first two. The remains of the original, fabulous Dewadaru trees may still be seen. The humps are there as if to substantiate the truth of the legend. The descendants of the magickal trees grow in hill-slopes of the islands and are not easily accessible.

In proximity to the once glorious trees is a grave that until now is still being sanctified by the locals. On certain nights-such as Jumat Kliwon (a Thursday night occurring once in 35 days) of the Javanese calendar, the grave would be visited by pilgrims desiring the blessings of the spiritual adept to whom the grave belongs. The adept was known as Sunan Nyamplungan from whence the village received its name.

For centuries, the Dewadaru tree or wood is believed by the inhabitants of Karimunjava to possess magickal powers. Tested through time, the wood is said to heal poisonous bites, and aches or illnesses in the abdominal region. Dewadaru wood is often carried as an amulet for personal protection against evil persons as well as a weapon against evil spirits. It is said that unlike other types of wood, the Dewadaru, even a small piece of it, sinks when placed in water.

Seventy-five kilometers away, as the crow flies, from the town of Jepara in Java, the Karimunjava islands has a scary myth related to the Dewadaru. There is supposed to be a warning by the regional spirits that the sacred Dewadaru wood or tree is not to be taken out of the islands without the concession of the spiritual guardians of the area. Whosoever violates this, even by taking a small piece of the wood, incurs the wrath of Nature and calamity befalls him or her not long after. The usual mishap is the sinking or the immobility of the vessel that the person travels on to journey back to the mainland. Sometimes it could be a fatal illness after the trip. Often the person dies a tragic death in a freak "accident." At first this myth was regarded as a superstition, but several instances of this have been recorded.

In regards to the sinking of unfortunate vessels transporting the wood, some observers have noted of unusual events beforehand. Signs and warnings are given from the invisible world. Tales of these spirit communications and unheeded warnings abound. One story in particular relates of an old woman appearing to the captain of a vessel warning that the boat or ship was carrying the sacred wood and that this was taken from the region without permission and the required ceremony. Before disappearing, she warned the captain to unload the illicitly gained item. The captain did not heed her request and as a result, the vessel that he commanded en route to the Java mainland sank to the watery depths. Before the ship sailed even the villagers of the island were given omens that the vessel was doomed. Many of them heard blasting sounds on the nearby Nyamplungan hill. Careful investigations revealed nothing that could have produced those noises. It is said that to this day these sounds still occur whenever a ship or a boat is destined to plunge into Davy Jones' locker. In 1981 a mishap was prevented from occurring. There was a ship on its way to Java from the Karimunjava islands. Somewhere in the middle of the sea its engine stalled and it became immobile. Moments later everyone on board, passengers and crew, panicked. Out of the calm sea, huge waves suddenly appeared, threatening to capsize the vessel. The captain realizing what was wrong in haste called upon the passengers to throw into the sea any Dewadaru wood that they were carrying. One person confessed that he had some of the wood in his possession. This was quickly cast into the sea with apologies to the spirit guardians of Karimunjava. Amazingly, minutes later the waves subsided.

There are always two sides to a coin. The above myth also has a different aspect: if by any chance the Dewadaru wood finds its way outside of the Karimunjava islands, the wood would double its potency and act as a powerful catalyst to awaken the dormant occult faculties within its possessor or user. The energy of the wood itself is a potent amulet against all forms of black magick and it also wards off negative entities, as mentioned previously. Dewadaru is also worn as protective amulets against the jettatore, the evil eye. From the metaphysical viewpoint, the dryads or spirits of the trees are especially empowered and their power or virtues are occultly inherent within the wood. The energy of the Dewadaru wood has a beneficent influence upon the psychosomatic system of man. The village shamans say that the Dewadaru is an exclusive gift to the people on the island, one reason why the spiritual guardians of the region do not permit the wood to be exported unless with special concession.

There are numerous strange stories related to the magickal Dewadaru tree or its wood. To the local inhabitants these are no longer a matter of belief but knowledge and conviction gained from day to day experience. Being sacred, the Dewadaru is used only for devotional and protective purposes. One hardly finds the villagers using this wood for the fashioning of furniture or as a building material; and only the courageous would use it in their spiritual activities. The trees are not too numerous on the islands nowadays and therefore they are forcefully preserved. The Dewadaru is esteemed highly for their traditional and cultural value, and regarded as the totem guardians of the island. Because the occult power of the Dewadaru is well known, many disrespectful outsiders plunder the wood seeking to possess and misuse the power within it for egoic purposes. But it is also believed that Sunan Nyamplungan, the guardian of the island, or his proxy, plays a role in protecting the place from pilferers. Some say that the Adept sometimes appear as a gigantic bat to those who carry-out their negative intentions.

In 1992, the faculty of biology of the University of Gajah Mada conducted some research on the Dewadaru and the report of their analysis states that this tree is quite rare and not easily propagated. There are two strains to be found in the Karimunjava islands: the first strain is Dewadaru Baccaurea Sumatrana from the Euphorbiaceae family. The second, Fagraea Elliptica from the Loganiaceae family.

The Dewadaru is supposed to be found solely in the Karimunjava islands. Although almost unheard of, there is at least one Dewadaru tree to be found in Java in the area of Mt. Kawi in the region of Malang, East Java. Strangely enough, those living in this area sanctify the leaves rather than the wood.

Mt. Kawi is well-known for its pilgrimage site for those seeking wealth. The tree grows nearby a grave of someone who was known as Eyang Jugo, a metaphysical practitioner of royal descent. It is said that those sitting underneath the Dewadaru tree and is fortunate enough to have a leave or two fall on their heads out of their own accord, then this is a sign that great financial blessings or wealth will be bestowed upon them. It is thus not surprising to find people sitting or even spending the night 'neath the shade of the tree hoping to catch a leaf-fall. People come from all over Java hoping to transform their fate with a simple sitting. However, even with strong winds, seldom does a leaf detach itself from the branches with the hope and expectation of the sitters. Many return to their normal lives in disappointment. At times those standing quite a distance from the tree are often blessed with a falling leaf, often blown by a non-existing wind. There are tales of those who disbelieved in the sacredness of the tree and mockingly place a leaf upon their own heads. The result was that on their way home from the mountain they encountered tragic mishaps.

The origin of the Dewadaru tree at this particular site of pilgrimage has a similar tale as the one of Karimunjava. Both were the result of the insertions of walking staffs into the grounds. According to the legend, Eyang Jugo once journeyed with a companion to his close friend R.M. Imam Soejono, who lived on Mt. Kawi. Along the way he rested in a shady area. It was there that he received intuitively from the spirit planes that his life was drawing to a close. He advised his travel companion that where he died, it was there that he was to be buried. Further along the way Eyang Jugo suddenly stabbed the ground with his staff and expired. The staff filled with the power of Eyang Jugo, suddenly grew into a tree. The Chinese people living in the precincts of Eyang Jugo's gravesite called the tree "Shian Toho," and this was translated into Javanese as "Dewadaru."

As mentioned above, the Dewadaru wood is often carried as an amulet. Those able to acquire a rosary fashioned from it for spiritual or devotional purposes is indeed fortunate, for it is rare that anyone is given the permission to secure this wood from the islands and to tap into its inherent magickal virtues.

Tips On Wedding Speech

At the end of the wedding ceremony, the wedding speech gains importance. Not all present in the wedding can give a speech. The father of the bride should start the wedding speech. This speech will be generally emotional as the father expresses his love on his daughter and also showers his blessings on the newly wedded couple. Next is the groom speech where the groom will talk how he felt on his wedding and will also thank the guests for making the wedding ceremony more joyful. The last and the most expected one is the best man speech in which he will talk about the bride and the groom. Sometimes the bride may also be given a chance to share her feelings about her wedding.

The first thing you need to do is make sure that you know the wedding guests that are there. If you know less than half the people there, then you need to go ahead and start by introducing yourself to the guests. Next, you will have to talk a little bit about how you know the groom and the family of the groom.

Next, you should not be winging your speech. The speech should be written and practiced ahead of time so that you will not be as nervous as if you just get up there and give a speech. There should be some research done so that you know about the couple. Find out how the met, what they have in common, and how the feel for each other. You can even find out some small story about both of them to use in your speech if you want.

There should be some humor to your speech. This could be a story about the couple or a joke that fits in with the couple. Just make sure it is actually funny and not just an eye roller that is going to get you no response from the guests. Also, make sure it is not something that is going to humiliate anybody that will be there because that would be a disaster.

Make sure you do not get drunk before giving the speech because this could be a very bad thing. We all tend to say things that we do not mean to say when we are drunk. Wait until after the speech to get drunk if you plan to and make sure you are in control of yourself while giving your speech.

The last thing you need to do is end in a happy and hopeful way that wishes the couple a happy and healthy marriage. You need to have a champagne glass in your hand while giving the speech and make sure to toast the couple at the end. The bride and the groom should both close your speech with a cheers.

Wedding speeches can be very stressful and if you do not like getting up in front of groups, then you will probably be nervous. You can write your speech ahead of time and make sure to rehearse it over and over to help your nerves. Regardless if you follow these tips you will be able to give a great wedding speech.

How Magical Pearls are Acquired Part 2

One interesting myth related to cobra-pearls is that these cobras employ the light of the pearl that they carry in their hoods to hunt at night, as a means of brightening their pathway--this would certainly indicate a property of the pearl itself or in accord with the argument above that a symbiotic relationship is being alluded to here between the cobra and the spirit-elemental of the pearl that the snake hosts. In cases where a pearl is said to have glowing properties it is difficult to validate and affirm its authenticity or to determine whether some form of a gimmick is employed to working its magic because owners of such pearls invariably refuse testers closer inspection. In regards to fakes, we know that there are synthetic "stones" selling in Indonesia with an electronic component, the Light-Emitting Diode embedded within them; this is coupled to a tiny battery and a switch that closes the circuit and gives off light whenever the stones are immersed in water or when pressure is applied to them--this novelty item could probably be found in various countries as well--this stone is often appropriated for deception. What confuses the glowing-pearl issue of the above is that in ancient Vedic literature such as the Garuda Purana, the nature of the pearls that are said to be "brilliant" are described in terms that are open to interpretation and debate.

But to return to the subject of shamanic pearl-retrieval, there are times when the ritual fails for one reason or another or it may require extra effort to be channeled into it in which situation more ritual-sessions are repeated for consecutive days and this entails the shaman spending more days/nights in the mosquito-infested region. At times such prolonged struggles also fail and the shaman has to return empty-handed for his efforts. Generally speaking, the more difficult it is for the shaman to retrieve a pearl, the greater is its inherent powers/magickal virtues. It is a rare occurrence, but shamans do occasionally pay for their lives during psychic-struggles.

Shamans are often called to attention of unusual phenomena occurring in villages such as strange hauntings, poltergeists, possessions, etc.--subsequent psychic detection by these shamans may reveal that the haunting entities are guardians of magickal pearls who often desire for these to be given to certain individuals--rituals are then conducted to facilitate the transfer of these treasures. In other cases, haunting spirits are not predisposed of giving away pearls in their possessions but haunt as a result of the desecration or disturbances of their territory by humans. When shamans detect that these nature-spirits are protectors of pearls and wishes to acquire them, a psychic "battle" would ensue with the shaman engaging in an inner-struggle for victory over the spirit beings.

Haunting spirits such as the above are often the "siluman" class-types--the sort of jinns (genies) that manifest themselves as etheric creatures and sometimes even as physical animals that can be killed as ordinary beings. Beasts such as tigers, crocodiles and wild-boars menacing villages and killing humans are often regarded as siluman--they carry certain traits or have features that indicate that they are no ordinary animals--there is always something strange about them. To protect the community, the elders of a troubled village would typically decide to set a trap for the beast somewhere in their compound or to hunt them down. During the actual confrontation, these creatures often display extraordinary qualities of invulnerability, strength, fearlessness, and stamina; ordinary blades and weapons have almost no effect upon them--when they are finally vanquished with the assistance of shamans who casts an appropriate spell, they are found to contain pearls or stones in their bodies and these are discovered to possess the same properties displayed by their dead hosts. Normally the tribal chieftain or an elder would claim these pearls as their own. Not only pearls but every part of these unusual beasts such as their claws, fangs, teeth, horns, skin, etc., are likewise regarded as having magickal properties.

The power of invulnerability against the blade is often displayed by domestic life-stock as well, most of the time fowls--roosters, in particular; and even after the prayers conducted by the butcher which results in a successful slaughter, the decapitated chicken would still have the strength and the nerve-energy within it to run amuck albeit headless for several minutes. These roosters when later dressed and cut-open often reveal bezoar stones in their organs--Albertus Magnus and other naturalists of past centuries refer to these stones as Alectoria. At times, silumans are benevolent and they would mysteriously appear in a village as an animal, most of the time as large snakes; they find themselves an agreeable person to reach out to and who eventually adopts them as pets. After being with their new keeper and family for several months or years, these benign creatures would suddenly vanish as mysteriously as they came but not before leaving behind a pearl or two. Sometimes the keeper would notice a bulge on their pet's serpentine-head developing; this would grow and develop into a snake-crown and is the object given to their keeper during the creature's departure.

One interesting manner in which Nature offer pearls to individuals is through dreams. Villagers living adjacent to forests and jungles often have lucid-dreams in which a mysterious personage would visit them--most of the time such encounters is of an elderly person that would make contact and explain to the dreamer that a gift is being offered and that it may be found at a certain place; the nature of the gift is not always described, though, neither is the site where it is located in which case the dreamer would simply wake up before sunrise and resume his or her normal daily-routine until later in the day the gift is found unexpectedly. If the site is indicated in the dream, the dreamer in his waking-state would investigate and conduct a search which almost always yields the expected results. Sometimes dreams such as these precedes the mysterious arrival of a creature wishing to be adopted as a pet as described above.

Pawangs that sojourn in the wilds are close to Nature and are observant of the creatures that live in their natural habitat. The behavioral patterns of these animals, their place in the food-chain, their defence mechanisms, etc. are all duly noted by the studious pawangs--the latter are the non-academic "natural" naturalists who also observe the occult side of the flora and fauna in a given region. As these pawangs specialize in animal and plant pearl-acquisition it is understandable that they would mentally record the characteristics of animals and plant-life harboring pearls. From the reports that we have gathered creatures with pearls in them often have the following characteristics and traits: an advanced age, invulnerability, unusual gait/movements, immunity to venomous bites, human behaviour, etc. Serpents that often have stones within them, for instance, are observed to swim and undulate their bodies not horizontally but vertically--we can theorize that such a movement is caused by the excess weight dragging their bodies downwards and the effort of the creatures to keeping themselves afloat. In regards to tree-pearls, it is noted that trees with crystallized sap or petrified pieces are often the type that have holes in their trunk where rot has set in and where these pearls are found.

As mentioned before animals are not hunted for pearls; nonetheless, these stones on occasion do show-up in the carcasses of wild-animals slaughtered by villagers for food; pearls are thus acquired incidentally in such situations. Shamans do not employ the methods of hunting or killing animals as not only is this a fruitless effort and a waste of time but it also severs their attunement with Nature and the values and goals that they hold dearly. There is one rumour circulating that animals are triggered to developing stones by the Dayaks of Kalimantan (Borneo). The author of the online article "Bizarre Tales About Bezoar Stones" (webguru.com) states that,

"The Dayaks of Borneo have a method for producing bezoars which they call guligas. This is to shoot an animal with an unpoisoned arrow. When the wound heals, there is often a hardening of the skin, which finally results in the formation of a guliga. In some of these concretions the point of the arrow still remains. The guligas of natural formation are frequently found between the flesh and the skin of apes and porcupines."

However, the author does not mention how injured animals are supposed to have survived such shots--do the Dayaks help them to recover? Arrow-shot wounds are often fatal--especially to small animals--there would not be any opportunity for injured creatures to recover and have their wounds healed--this rumour, based on the accounts of travellers of past centuries has yet to be verified; nevertheless, contemporary unwritten information regarding the retrieval of bezoar stones, mustika, or guligas do not mention Dayaks forming pearls in such a manner. After all, there are no stories of humans forming pearls after being shot by arrows and recovering thereafter--it might be redundant to say that shamans of our acquaintances and associates do not kill or acquire pearls in such a manner.

Some mustika-pearls have the power to assist their keeper to acquire other pearls that are equally exquisite and rare--this may result in varied ways. The keeper may easily find suppliers or sources for these pearls or they would approach him without much effort on his part of seeking them out. The magickal-pearl owned would also enrich the keeper building up his finances so that other pearls may be secured if desired. Another method which is not too common is for the pearl(s) to be appropriated in magickal rites especially designed for the manifestation of mustika-pearls--most of the pawangs that conduct pearl-retrieval operations have their own special pearl to facilitate such work. By possessing a good quality magickal pearl, especially a serpentine/dragon pearl it is said that the keeper would eventually find the acquisition of other pearls and gem stones much easier. The Garuda Purana states thusly,

"Only meritorious persons will have access to the cobra-pearl. Then they can get other gems of great brilliance, wealth, kingdom and grow brilliant."

Certain spirit-communications convey the idea that mustika-pearls when placed in certain geometric-formations send out signals in the etheric realms which attract the attention of the guardian-spirits of pearls making it possible for further gifting to take place--we will not elaborate on this principle or methodology here, suffice to say that it is a tried and tested method.

We have already described how ordinary individuals are gifted mustika-pearls through lucid-dreams. Another possible manner whereby these pearls are entrusted to fortunate individuals is within the frame-work of paranormal incidents that would leave the individuals concerned dazed and amazed. Such phenomena would normally transpire amidst natural surroundings, such as in forests, sacred grounds, power-spots, etc. The external character of these incidents may vary and have outward differences but they are essentially similar in specifics in which the recipient of the pearl is approached by a mysterious person who offers a gift or points to where it may be found. While still reflecting about the matter and perhaps gazing elsewhere for a second or two, the recipient would turn once again to the stranger who is found to be no longer there nor anywhere else. The recipient would find in place of where the person was standing or in the vicinity mustika-pearls or some other object as indicated by the bestower.

It is well-known that in the ocean lives a creature called the oyster that produces pearls of various shades of color and sizes. It is not recognized, however, that the sea offer more jewels than just oyster-pearls. There are other pearls formed by the interacting forces of the elements or sea-creatures and they can be just as exquisite and unusual as the pearls produced by the mollusk. For a lack of a better word, we refer to them collectively as "sea-pearls"--they are any natural jewel found in the sea and can be of any size, shape and color. Sea-pearls are mostly in a spherical-form and may have any sort of texture. Their mineral composition are not quite known to us as there are many types to consider, though the common ones are composed of silica or of a glass-material. How such sea-pearls are developed in the sea is a mystery, though the fulgurite (Lat. Fulgur--"thunderbolt") formed out of an environmental event may probably offer us a clue as to their origin. The fulgurite, also called "petrified lightning" is a fused-quartz (Si02, melting-point 2950°F) formed as a result of a lightning-strike upon sand or rock. As a thunder-bolt hits the ground, it melts and fuses the material that it comes into contact with and normally form a root-like structure buried beneath the surface; this glass-like object is formed as the lightning traces its path in the ground and it can have a length of several feet and several centimeters in diameter. They are normally hollow and have rough outer surfaces; their inner surfaces, though, are glassy and smooth; fine globules may be found within fulgurites and the color of these objects vary in color with a greenish, grayish, whitish, blackish, or brownish tinge--they might come in other colors too depending on the composition of the material where they are formed. Sea-pearls may be fragments of these fulgurites re-shaped and re-formed by the forces of the sea.

Sea-pearls, generically, belong to the class of Lechatelierite, or naturally-fused silica; one other possibility as to their origin is that they are the matter ejected out of underwater volcanic craters; they may be crater glass (Impactite)--created out of meteorite impact events in which case they are related to tektites; these pearls are not shards or fragments of colored-bottles fallen into the sea as believed by some theorists as the form in which they appear make it quite improbable. Underwater volcanic craters are found in the seas of the Indonesian archipelago and it is not illogical to assume that the pearls may have their origin within the fiery-furnace existing deep within their bowels. These colored sea-pearls are occasionally found lying on the ocean-bed by divers and by those whose living depend very much on the sea; shamans acquire them through their unique methods along the lines that we have explained previously. After spending hundreds and thousands of years in the sea in a natural environment, sea-pearls absorb a good deal of occult energies and elemental-beings are attracted to them.

Pawangs have an uncanny knowledge related to mustika-pearls of plant-life such as those found in coconuts and in bamboos; not only do they detect the stones metaphysically, they are also familiar with the physical characteristics that indicate whether or not a coconut or a segment of a bamboo-trunk has a pearl--generally speaking, the knowledge that they possess afford them to detect the presence of pearls in almost every-type of flora. Most coconuts that have pearls within them are the "one-eyed" and "blind" coconuts--knowledgeable pawangs prior to removing the husk of a coconut can state with certainty whether it is one-eyed or the regular three-eyed types. With such specialized knowledge it is a simple matter for pawangs to extract and collect coconut or bamboo pearls without the unnecessary work of opening thousands of coconuts just for their acquisition. Coconut plantation-workers and those involved with the processing of coconuts would have lots of the pearls in their possession as a result of handling them by the hundreds and thousands on a daily basis. Probably none would admit of having them though, to avoid confiscation by their superiors or employers.

We would like to conclude this article by saying that the methods of pearl-acquisition explained herein only represent the "tip of an ice-berg"--that there are probably more ways that mustika-pearls are acquired that we have inadvertently overlooked or that we may be ignorant of. Nature cannot be constrained in any way--if she decides to offer a gift to someone she will find a way to do it--no one can prevent the giving from taking place nor should anyone try to do so as this could have catastrophic consequences. Forcing Nature to part with something which is not meant to be also has its negative effects. It is fortunate to possess a magickal mustika-pearl as one then has an object that connects oneself to Nature and her hidden spiritual forces--this has inestimable value that cannot be described with words.

Magical Oils of Indonesian Shamanisme Part 1

Introduction

Almost every shamanic and pagan culture has its own collection of oils used for occult and magical purposes. In this article we will describe a few of these "minyak" (as oils are called in the Indonesian/Malayan tongue) to be found in the Indonesian archipelago. This is an on-going project and we may update this article whenever we possess additional information regarding the subject.

There are many oils used for occult purposes; we may divide them into two categories: the ordinary ones, and the extraordinary ones. For instance, Zafarron, Misik, and Gaharu oils as used for anointing and writing sigils, seals, kameas, wefeqs, etc., are the "ordinary" ones. Below we will describe the more extraordinary and unusual types of magical oils. We are not able to personally vouch for the truth of the virtues of any of these oils, or in some cases disinclined to. Their descriptions and use are given merely for the sake of information purposes. It should also be noted that most of these oils are rare and difficult to acquire.

Contents :

Minyak Hadangan Minyak Bintang Minyak Kawiyang Minyak Istanbul Minyak Sinyong-Nyong Minyak Air-Mata Duyung Minyak Bulus Minyak Apel Jin Minyak Lintah Minyak Kesambi and Minyak Banyu Urip Minyak Cimande Minyak Ponibasawa

Minyak Hadangan

For centuries this potent minyak is considered as the king of love oils. Not only is it used for romantic affairs by men and women, it is also often utilized as an occult media for improving one's business, warding-off black magic and protection against negative energies.

This oil is said to be derived from a rare buffalo-species only to be found in the depths of the southern and eastern Kalimantan (Borneo) forest, especially in the locale of Muara Payang, Muara Kumam, in the regency area of Grogot. In the tribal language of the natives, the Pasir people, Hadangan means "buffalo."

These Hadangan buffaloes are wild and aggressive, and exists not in great amounts in the jungles and forests. The oil is acquired when the animal is already dead and in a state of decomposition. For occult reasons it is forbidden to kill this mammal for their fluid extracts. While the dead body of this animal is decaying, it oozes a certain liquid which is the Hadangan oil. Because of the scarcity of this buffalo, the oil extract is a rare curio. Only certain brave villagers of the Pasir tribe who are daring enough to make the trip to the forest and willing to spend days there are able to acquire this oil.

The Pasir tribes are well-known for their black magic. Visitors abusing privileges and acting arrogantly often find themselves subsequently suffering from maladies, and in extreme cases even death. The Pasir people normally apply the Hadangan oil to capture, tame and domesticate the wild buffaloes. Their method of calling forth these animals is to add a few drops of the oil to their tracks, and not long after, as though by magic, the bellowing creatures would appear. The buffaloes are then tamed and enchanted by dabbing extra oil onto their hides. Under the influence of the magical fluid, the buffaloes follow the hunters willingly. During the trip back to the village, the eyes and ears of the buffaloes are purposefully covered by mud and cloths by the enchanter so that the creatures do not feel threatened by the presence of other human beings. Seeing humans and hearing their voices prematurely would infuriate them and they would start attacking all bystanders. The buffaloes only feel safe with their captors.

During the early days of the discovery of the oil, when used solely to fascinate buffaloes, teenagers began wondering of the possibility of its application in other matters considered important--such as in amorous affairs! They reasoned that if buffaloes were to follow its enchanter with the help of the oil, the opposite sex would surely have a similar reaction when applied on them. After a period of experimentation they discovered that their assumption was indeed true.

Above we stated that this oil was taken from the corpse of the Hadangan buffalo and that they are not permitted to be slaughtered for occult reasons. This could be an excuse, however, made by the Pasir people for their own veiled motives. Certain other sources inform us that these animals are killed for this very purpose and that it is possible to extract the oil by boiling the body parts and organs of the buffalo for several hours in an earthen pot until the oil is released. It is said this should be done in the forest with no one around and aware of the operation. Before boiling, a mantra has to be recited in the tribal language of the Pasir people:

"Lakung bikat lalu laut pisang sulu

Sisi rampung uyat bikat

Ina tinggang puluk ulu"

The method of use of the Hadangan oil in love spells is to dab a little of it to any part of the body of the unsuspecting subject that one wishes to attract using only the right ring-finger. Before dabbing, the above mantra has to be silently chanted and then the oil on the finger is to be blown upon with the breath that has been magically influenced by the mantra. After being smeared with this oil the subject would have the user constantly in her thoughts and would strive as much as possible to be near the magical operator even if prior to its use the subject was aloof and inattentive. Most love oils are applied in a similar manner.

Minyak Bintang

This oil is one of the most mysterious. It originates with the Dayak Benuaq and Tujung tribes of Kalimantan. In their dialect they call it Olaau Bintaakng, "Minyak Bintang," or "Star-oil." This fluid can properly be said to be the "elixir of life" as it possesses rejuvenating properties that not only quickens sickly or sluggish bodies, but also has the power, as it is claimed, to revive the dead. Star-oil works in conjunction with certain inner-strength training and powers, which in Indonesian occult circles are called Ilmu Kedigdayaan or Tenaga Dalam. In China these are referred to as Chi Kung. Individuals who have mastered the use of the Star-oil and unfolded their inner strength are believed to be able to quicken their bodies with a new vital life force and awaken themselves from the death-state.

In bygone days, while war was still common among the tribes in Kalimantan and even in other parts of Indonesia, there was this competitive search among the warrior caste for occult objects and psycho-physical training that would confer upon their possessors and practitioners invulnerability against weapons and supernormal strength, so as to provide an extra advantage over enemies. The ancient tribes believed that war should be won at any cost and if it could be done cheaply and swiftly with magick, it would be adopted. This line of reasoning seems to have their supporters in contemporary governments doing research into PSI-War technology.

To return from our digression, however, certain tribes of the Dayaks eventually came up with a most powerful creation that gave them a virtue beyond their wildest dream: Olaau Bintaakng. This was the pinnacle of their ilmu, or occult knowledge and only a few people were able to master it. Those who had this oil and its power were usually uninterested in acquiring other forms of Ilmu Kedigdayaan. The oil would also have certain psychological effects on their minds and alchemically transmuting personal characteristics such as cowardice into bravery. The fear of death is here mitigated by the power of the oil.

The Star-oil is manufactured by the shamans of the tribe and because of the difficulty in its production it is sold at a steep price; it is for this reason that most clients and consumers of this oil are rich members of the community. Its origin and formula is not known as the Dayak shamans are secretive in this matter. Very little outsiders know about the existence of this oil and most that do know consider it as "old wives' tales."

This oil can be said to offer some sort of physical immortality--but on a temporary basis if the weakness and limitation of this ilmu or power is known by one's enemies. The method of defeating someone who is a Star-Oil Master is to vanquish him and them immediately separate his body parts and bury them in different locations. Only in this manner will he be permanently immobilized; otherwise, he would just revive in the middle of the night when the stars are out and resume his physical life. No matter how badly injured, bruised, wounded, and killed in an accident or war, when the stars start shining the corpse would hear the "trumpet-call" and respond with vigor--this is the Dayak's version of the resurrection. This process is dissimilar to zombies, the supposedly living-dead. The corpse of the Star-oil master would actually be reanimated and regenerated with vital-force giving it new life. It does not matter if the blood has been congealed and the body in a rigor mortis condition. When nightfall comes, the body would gradually awaken. The effects of the Star-Oil has some resemblance to the Javanese occult powers such as "Ilmu Rawa Rontek," and "Aji Pancasona."

We believe that scientific research on this oil would be greatly beneficial to humanity although the latter as a whole may not be prepared for it yet. Additionally, acquiring a sample of this oil from the Dayaks for analysis would be quite a problem as they are very wary of strangers visiting their communities or giving their magickal items or secrets away.

The Star-oil itself has a greenish or yellowish hue and is very simply applied. All that one has to do is to consume a few drops on a Thursday night, together with the application of other essential instructions from the shaman and this would be enough to provide one with the life-long power. This occult virtue cannot be magically transferred to others unless they likewise consume the elixir. Dying persons when given this oil-potion would be "guaranteed" to recover even if they were to subsequently show signs of death. The Star-oil would have its effect when the stars are out.

Minyak Kawiyang

Another rare Dayak specialty is Minyak Kawiyang, or "Kawiyang Oil." Some also call it Minyak Sumbulik. According to sources this oil originates in the Kinibalu mountains. There is a romantic legend related to this minyak.

In the olden days there lived at the foot of the Kinibalu mountains a beautiful widow who for some unknown reason year after year grew more and more beautiful. It was not surprising that she had many suitors who sought her hand in marriage. For some reason, though, the matrimonial-state did not last long for her and every marriage ended in divorce.

While on her death-bed, all of her ex-99 husbands came to visit, weeping and regretting their past immature behavior towards her. Minutes after her transition, and in the midst of the gathering, a voice from nowhere was suddenly heard. It said to the men that their wife having loved her husbands dearly left for them a chalice filled with oil. They were instructed by this voice to share the oil among them and to always cherish it as a souvenir and reminder of the woman's love, and that they were not to forget her. This oil later became known as Kawiyang.

Putting legends aside, Kawiyang-oil comes in five different types and colors: black, red, green, yellow and white. Each of these is said to have its own special virtues. The black Kawiyang confers invisibility, charisma, authority, and invulnerability to hand weapons; while the red Kawiyang gives an anti-gravity field to the body making it possible to undergo journeys in the quickest time possible. Wide rivers and mountain crevasses are easily crossed with single leaps. The red Kawiyang also gives the ability to command the Jin spirits to assist in physical combat. Green Kawiyang oil has its use in the santet and teluh forms of black magic. This oil may also be used for gaining or maintaining a youthful appearance. It is believed that this is acquired through vampiric activities. Just a dab of the oil on the neck and the head is supposed to sever itself from the body and fly-off somewhere to look for victims in order to suck their blood. Some of the green oils have bluish tints and this is supposed to be another excellent source for the working of black magic. It has the power to de-materialize objects and materializing it again as malicious implants in the bodies of victims. The unfortunate person subjected to such implants pass away not long after.

Yellow Kawiyang oil is used for love, attraction, and fascination. No spells and mantras are needed for this. All that is required is to acquire a drop or two with the fingertips and to apply them in the palms. The two palms are then rubbed together. After this all that one has to do is to touch with one's hands and fingers the subject that we wish to fascinate--perhaps as in a handshake.

Riches and wealth may be acquired with the utilization of the white Kawiyang oil. This is one of the magical oils mostly pursued--for it has the power to instantly manifest money from the invisible worlds. Those possessing this oil are given financial security. Nothing much has to be done--money materializes supernaturally on one's lap almost without supervision or direction to the familiar spirit associated with the oil. Shipwrecks, destroyed houses and buildings, and buried money are some of the sources of this wealth.

White Kawiyang oil may also be used to magically transport money spent in shopping back to us. In other words, money spent are occultly deported back to the spender.

Each of the oils has its familiar belonging to the genie or jinn type of spirits. The etheric guardian of the white Kawiyang oil has the form of the woman who had 99 husbands. The familiars of the other minyaks are said to be sisters of the above Jinn. They are called Camariah, Dandaniah, Tambuniah and Uraniah.

According to certain native psychics who are well versed with Dayak lore and occultism, in order to function, every year these oils have to be given sesajen, or food-offerings, which are not always fit for human consumption. The black oil should be given the blood of a black chicken together with black glutinous rice. The red and green oil requires blood from one's ring-finger and the water of red sugar-cane, while the yellow and white oils need to be nourished with gold dust.

Although they look fluid, these oils have the consistency of agar or jelly and for reasons not quite known they pulsate visibly as though alive. Although we have not personally seen this ourselves, reliable friends have assured us that this is indeed true as they have seen these oils with their own eyes. When poured out of its vessel it shows its elastic nature like rubber glue.

The oils are kept in little ceramic vessels designed for oils called cupu (pronounced choopoo), but not just any cupu, because inappropriate vessels would crack. They should be in their proper colors too. There should not be any mirrors in the room where they are kept, and enough ventilation is required for their proper preservation.

The cupu containing the Kawiyang oil should be placed upon pieces of cloths assembled in layers, one on top of another. The bottom cloth is white, symbolizing "death." The middle-layered cloth is yellow representing "protection." The uppermost cloth, black in color, signify sanctity.

Atop of the cloths should be placed a plate made out of no other material but white porcelain. A mixture of ordinary rice and the glutinous sort should fill about half the plate. This rice mixture is where the cupu with the Kawiyang oil is placed and maintained.

Should the oils be kept indiscriminately without following the above instruction they would soon lose their power. If this occurs, a certain purification ritual must be conducted every Friday and Sunday nights, including full moons to revive the weakening oil. The method is to set up the oil with the lay-out above and then have 3 pieces of red incenses burning together with a lit candle. The incense should be half-consumed before proceeding to the next step. When ready, raise the oil with the plate, together with the cloths above the incense to be purified by the smoke. Have them encircle clockwise around the incense three to seven times. Put the objects down, and then raise just the plate and the oil and repeat the process. This purification should be done for the third time with only the cupu. Encircle the oil vessel 3 to 7 times clockwise around the smoke. While sanctifying the objects with smoke recite the following mantra:

"Jinak ulah raja benila putih nur putih sinar urang gaib"

Once the purification process has been completed the candle may be extinguished but allow the incense be totally consumed.

There is this belief that Kawiyang oil should be taken out of one's dwelling place when a member of one's household passes away. Only after the deceased has been buried is it permissible to return the cupu with the oil to its original place within the home.

It is also said that the possessor of the Kawiyang oil should not quarrel with one's wife or commit adultery for this would cause ill fortune. If violated one should rectify the situation by pouring the blood of a black chicken onto the oil vessel and the plate of rice. This cleansing should be repeated with red sugar cane juice.

This oil should not be passed on to others indiscriminately. It should only be given to others after having possessed it for at least three years, and not during the night for it is considered dangerous to do so. Those requesting this oil should prepare a cupu and a golden scissors beforehand--the cupu to receive the oil and the scissors to cut the rubbery strands. The one receiving the oil should make a promise to obey the injunctions and to properly care for it. The Kawiyang oil should not be defiled by filthy water, otherwise, it would lose its power.

Learn Combodian - Khmer Language

As in other South-east Asian countries, it's not really necessary to speak the local language to get by in Cambodia. You will, however, undoubtedly have an easier and more enjoyable experience if you spend some time learning the Cambodian language - Khmer. Most Cambodians don't expect a foreigner to be able to speak any of their language and will surely appreciate if you make a little effort and can string a few sentences together in Khmer.

This web site is created mainly as a personal learning aid, but hopefully it can also be of some use for others trying to learn the Khmer language...

Khmer is a member of the Mon-Khmer group of Austroasiatic languages and is the official language of Cambodia. It is spoken by approximately 8 million people within the country, but speakers also live in the bordering countries Viêt Nam and Thailand. Smaller communities are found in the USA, Australia, France and Laos.

Although separate and distinct from its Thai, Lao, and Burmese neighbours, Khmer shares with them the common roots of Sanskrit and Pali. As a result of centuries of linguistic and cultural interaction and their shared faith in Theravada Buddhism, the Cambodian language shares many features and much vocabulary with Thai. Khmer is also related to Vietnamese. During French colonial hegemony, many French loanwords also entered the language. Furthermore, the rapid growth of international trade and tourism over the last few years has lead to an increasing number of English words being used.

Unlike the languages of its bordering countries, Khmer is not a tonal language, which means that there are no special intonations of words in order to alter their meanings. However, the lack of tones is compensated by numerous letters and the complexity of the Khmer pronounciation.

Khmer shares many common grammatical features with it's South-east Asian neighbours. As in English, the word order follows a familiar SVO (subject + verb + object) pattern. Some notable features of the Khmer language are the lack of verb conjugations, gender inflections, different endings for single and plural and no different endings for masculine and feminine. With neither complicated verb tenses nor singular and plural forms to memorise, Khmer grammar can be absorbed relatively painlessly.

The Khmer alphabet is descended from the Brahmi script of ancient India (which was originally developed to write Sanksrit) by way of the Pallava script, which was used in southern India and South-east Asia during the 5th and 6th Centuries AD. The oldest dated inscription in Khmer dates from 611 AD. The Khmer alphabet closely resembles the Thai and Lao alphabets, which were developed from it.

Buying A Diamond Ring As Anniversary Gift

Anniversaries are festive occasions especially for couples who have been together for such a long time. With the divorce rates skyrocketing in the country, it is a blessing to be able to hold on to a marriage for more than 10 years.

What more fitting gift for such a special event as a brilliantly cut diamond ring. This is the perfect symbol of a love and commitment that lasts a lifetime.

But with hundreds of designs to choose from, how do you buy the perfect anniversary diamond ring for your special someone? Here are some tips that hopefully will help you cut the chase.

1. Determine how much you can spend

Let’s face it. A diamond ring for an anniversary gift is not exactly cheap. Compared to the usual romantic anniversary gifts like flowers, chocolates and even a candle-lit dinner, a diamond ring is way above most people’s league. Even if you combine the budget for all three, you will still not come close to the price of a diamond anniversary ring.

While in search of a diamond anniversary ring, it is important that you have your budget with you to help your narrow down the choices.

If you don’t have the budget, better save up for the next anniversary year. This is better than buying something that you cannot afford. You will only end up knee-deep in debt or giving your loved one a cheap-looking ring.

2. Determine the design that you want

Although there are literally millions of designs out there, there are groups of designs that will appeal to your spouse. For instance, antique and Victorian rings will appeal to people who are into the romantic periods or those who love old things. There are also more modern designs that make use of a variety of new cuts not only in the diamond but also in the gold.

3. Determine the metal

Remember that you are not only buying the diamond. You will also be buying the setting. Decide what you want to buy, whether it is yellow gold, white gold, silver or platinum. In choosing one, refer to the kind of metal that your spouse usually wears. If majority of his or her jewelry is in white gold, it is good to buy a white gold diamond anniversary ring to better fit the rest of his collection.

4. Determine the size

Unless you want to ruin the surprise and have your spouse select his or her gift with you, you’d better research on the ring size. It would be really unfortunate to buy a ring that would not fit.