Crystal’s Bouquet

Books – dying or not?

Posted by: Moallima on: November 7, 2009

A book, an entity that has its own undefined worth. A collection of words when engraved on blank pages and those pages when bound into a pile of knowledge, wisdom, inspiration, style and grace, then, a book takes its form which keeps its reader impatient to cling to its last page.

For centuries, books have been written, read and preserved. The wish of writers and authors to exhibit and preserve their knowledge drives them to write their ideas, concepts and knowledge in a form of a book while a seeker’s hunt for knowledge urges him to explore those bundles of books. Anxious writers and readers in different corners of the world will never let the books fade away.

Thousands of shelves in libraries all over the world are occupied by limitless number of books, of science, fiction, fantasy, humor, horror, suspense, mystery, romance, angst, drama, action and adventure, which attract millions of readers to put down their heads in books in exploring them for hours. But today’s era has been revolutionized by the new culture of media, internet and virtual reading provided on-line. With the arrival of visual and virtual information, people believe that books are not read and sought as they were in previous times. Thus the books are thought to be dying or probably have died already. The same was thought for radio when television was invented. But the trend of radio hasn’t diminished yet and will never lose its worth.

People are greatly occupied by the thought of browsing on-line information. But the readers who actually know the worth of knowledge have not abandoned pursuing the precious treasure of books. The exploration of a book shows us an aisle to a vast land of thoughts, sagacity and enlightenment while an electronic page of information searched on a particular subject keeps us straight to a defined space of information. And so, a book is also a silent teacher- a combination of theory, philosophy and sanity. It is a tutor who answers all unasked questions and who remains along with you always wherever you go, unlike the internet accessibility to the on-line information. As “Books are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most impatient of teachers”, says Charles Eliot.

A reader’s love for learning and the pleasure in holding onto the last page of a book in order to cherish the hidden wisdom till the last word is priceless. This love and pleasure can neither let the books die nor can it be gained by reading the required chapters on an electronic on-line page. Every word of a book deeply involves a person’s all senses, mind and imagination. The mild aroma of pages of a book cannot by replaced by the multiple clicks and jumps on different pages of internet. The sensation of soothing sight of an opened book in hands and lying relaxed on a couch cannot be deserted by sitting uncomfortably in front of a glowing screen of a computer. A book is as loyal and comforting as a true friend who cannot betray in any way, whose company cannot be measured by a scale of virtual information and technology of today.  After all, Paul Sweeney says, “You know you’ve read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend.”

No matter how far the modern mode of visual reading and learning is extended, but the throne of books will never be taken from them. Neither the worth of books can be denied nor can they die out from our reading spheres. And hence, the perception of the death of books is perfectly futile and irrational.

A Loss that Changed My Life in a Positive Way

Posted by: Moallima on: October 22, 2009

Life is not fair; every one of us knows it. Losses and gains are a part of it. Some losses bring adversity; some might bring a huge change, a positive one. I’ve been through different situations of life, some left me with good memories while others still are regretful to recall.

I’m a successful business-woman today. My firmness and will brought me such a triumph of life which I would not have achieved unless I had a loss in my past, a financial loss. It was a time that my father owned a leather mill where different leather products were manufactured. We used to have all possible luxuries where life was a bed of roses to me. By then, I was a youthful girl, unaware of the bitter realities of life. Before I longed for any new thing, it was already bought and placed in my room as a surprise. My family was well-heeled in every manner, by skills, by honour and by status. The business in leather was build up by my father from scratch to this admirable height. But I never understood his stability and hard work. I was a big spender who never knew the real worth of pleasure and treasure.

I always counted my blessings and never learned to take life in a sense of maturity until my tough luck knocked my door. Although it was a blessing in disguise but by that moment, I could not understand how swiftly time changed and every moment appeared so impossible to survive. My father bore a big loss in his business. Our leather mill was burnt to ashes by a minor mistake of our single worker. All contracts taken were turned down. Company went into serious trouble when many workers fled during the recession.

I, being the eldest daughter assisted my father with great responsibility.  I joined my father’s company, and took a hold on all the issues of the company. I took preventive, detective and corrective measures in order to re-establish the rotten shine of our company. Although all our cash was withdrawn from our accounts but still, few of our loyal workers helped the owner, my father and I, to give a sound relief of not taking salary for three months. I worked my fingers to the bone and managed to give their rights later.

This misfortune changed my life absolutely in a positive way . My view on life changed with this unpredictable disaster. I, who was so jolly and non-serious towards life turned into a sensible and realistic woman. I realized how my father faced every obstacle in his path and yet, remain determined. I tasted blood and thus, I’m now an independent, firm individual who knows how to survive with the power of skill and will. I learned the lesson of a balanced life. Life is not merely joy and laughter, it is also sobriety, temperance and diligence.

(This is not a real experience of mine. I just made it up to write an assignment. I hope it becomes of use for others as well.)

Regards,

Moallima

Should the students be required to wear uniform at college?

Posted by: Moallima on: September 16, 2009

Should the students be required to wear uniform at college?

People ought to decide whether students should wear uniform at college or not. Some people think that wearing uniform is a good thought because it allows everybody to feel equal, while others oppose the idea, pursuing the taken freedom of students. As far as I am concerned, I believe, it is more appropriate to wear uniform at college or any level of schooling.

Firstly, if students are given the freedom to wear what they like, they will for sure spend time on thinking about what to wear next, or how to dress to kill, though it’s plainly futile. It is known that teenagers tend to show off and do every possible thing just to look finer than others. In this baffling worry, they forget that the foremost purpose of going to college is education, not dressing smartly. And to be simple enough I must say, by paying less attention on clothing, one can focus harder on studies, rather than being busy in choosing the best to be dressed to the nines.

Another good thing about it, is that students do not bother to buy fashion and expensive clothes, and won’t go for shopping every other day! A positive point for parents I believe! Obsession of fashion in colleges ruins students’ mind-set and grades equally. Students who can allow their selves to wear fashion clothes can upset and discomfit those students who haven’t got enough money to buy them. Thus, uniform can help the poverty-stricken students to avoid uneasiness imparted from the side of their moneyed classmates. And so, similarity in appearances depicts an atmosphere of equality. As Sir Robert Baden Powell says and I quote, “The uniform makes for brotherhood, since when universally adopted it covers up all difference of class and country “.  Although mediocrity in status must not be an issue among students, but every one of us knows how students fail to understand this fact and drown into inferiority complex.

I strongly believe that a defined uniform helps to develop an understanding of self-discipline as well, which will help us in future. Let’s take an example; if going for an interview to get a job, it would be ridiculous to come in jeans with a bright yellow t-shirt and sneakers, isn’t it? No doubt! It will be absurd. We should know the scope between official and unofficial styles, and that is what a uniform teaches us. Being deliberate and organized!

Some people believe that wearing a same dress daily makes the students’ mood dull and takes away their right to express their personality in terms of appearances. And to give it a second thought, it is believed that freedom of students is taken from them by forcing them to wear uniform. But does the expression of personality merely depend upon dressing attractively and fashionably? No. Wearing a tidy, creased uniform equally shows how precise and groomed you are!

I would like to conclude with a wonderful quote of Block Floro, which lets us know how the uniform of any institution makes up a community and makes the members of that community responsible for the respect and name of the institution. Block Floro says and I quote, “We didn’t play as a team. So we got together and decided to wear our uniforms to school today. We wanted to do it together, as a team.”  Therefore, I think we should keep to the uniforms at college level even, so that we raise more responsible and professional citizens of tomorrow.

10 Amazing Coincidences

Posted by: Moallima on: August 26, 2009

We have all come across coincidences in our lives. To some they are amazing and worthy of note, to the skeptics, it is just the law of probability. Check out these 10 examples of coincidence and let me know what you think.

What’s in a Name?

A computer error gave two women in America called Patricia the same social security number. When the two women were brought together in an office to rectify the blunder they discovered that

  • They had both been born with the names Patricia Ann Campbell
  • Both of their fathers were called Robert Campbell
  • Their birthdays were on 13th March 1941
  • They had both married military men in the year 1959 (within eleven days of each other)
  • They each had two children aged 19 and 21
  • They both had an interest in oil painting
  • Both had studied cosmetics
  • Both had worked as book-keepers

Bullet With Your Name on It

In 1893, Henry Ziegland ended a relationship with his girlfriend.

Tragically, his girlfriend took the news very badly, became distraught and took her own life.

Her distressed brother blamed his sister’s death upon Henry, he went round to Henry’s house, saw him out in the garden and tried to shoot him.

Luckily, the bullet only grazed Henry’s face and embedded itself in a nearby tree.

In 1913, twenty years after this incident, Henry decided to use dynamite to uproot a tree in his garden. The explosion propelled the embedded bullet from the tree straight into Henry Ziegland’s head – killing him immediately.

Lucky Hughs?

On December 5th 1660, a ship sank in the straights of Dover – the only survivor was noted to be Hugh Williams.

On 5th December 1767, another ship sank in the same waters – 127 lost their lives, the only survivor was noted to be Hugh Williams

On 8th August 1820, a picnic boat capsized on the Thames – there was one survivor – Hugh Williams.

On 10th July 1940, a British trawler was destroyed by a German mine – only two men survived, one man and his nephew – they were both called Hugh Williams.

With a Quack Quack Here

Mr McDonald was a farmer who lived in Canada – nothing extra-ordinary in that – until you learn that his postcode contained the letter sequence EIEIO.

‘Til Death Did Them Part

In 1996, Paris police set out to investigate a late night, high speed car crash, both drivers had been killed instantly.

Investigations revealed that the deceased were in fact man and wife.

Police initially suspected some kind of murder or suicide pact but it became apparent that the pair had been separated for several months – neither could have known that the other would have been out driving that night – it was just a terrible coincidence.

She’s Behind You!

Michael Dick had been travelling around the UK with his family to track down his daughter, Lisa – who he had lost contact with ten years earlier.

After a long fruitless search, he approached the Suffolk Free Press, who agreed to help him by putting an appeal in their newspaper.

Fortunately, his long lost daughter saw the appeal and the pair were reunited. The odd thing was, his daughter had been right behind him when the free paper took the photograph – shown in the photograph above. What are the chances of that!

Licensed To Thrill

A fifteen year old pupil at Argoed High School in North Wales was to sit his GCSE examinations in 1990.

His name was James Bond – his examination paper reference was 007.

What Goes Around….

In 1965, at the age of four, Roger Lausier was swimming off a beach in Salem – he got into difficulties and was saved from drowning by a woman called Alice Blaise.

In 1974, on the same beach, Roger was out on a raft when he pulled a drowning man from the water – amazingly, the man he saved was Alice Blaise’s husband.

Lightning Never Strikes Twice?

British cavalry officer Major Summerford was fighting in the fields of Flanders in the last year of WW1, a flash of lightning knocked him off his horse and paralysed him from his waist down.

He moved to Vancouver, Canada, six years later, whilst out fishing, Major Summerfield was struck by lightning again and the right side of his body became paralysed.

After two years of recovery, it was a summers day and he was out in a local park, a summer storm blew up and Major Summerfield was struck by lightning again – permanently paralysing him.

He died two years after this incident.

However, four years after his death, his stone tomb was destroyed – it was struck by lightning!

Practice What You Preach

Businessman Danie de Toit made a speech to an audience in South Africa – the topic of his speech was – watch out because death can strike you down at any time.

At the end of his speech, he put a peppermint in his mouth, and choked to death on it!

[Typography]Zaib

Posted by: Moallima on: August 23, 2009

[Typography]Zaib

Hi there.
I wrote this on request by someone and using pencil only.
If you find any flaw then do make me aware of it. Thanks.

Plus, for your information it is a name meaning “Numerous Colours”.
And unfortunately I made it with a single colour, as asked.

Face yourself!

We humans are proved to be greatest escapists, whether it is a matter of personal weaknesses or worldly difficulties. Unless we face our own dark faces, we can neither realize ourselves nor our purpose.

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