The Road To Progress

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As we head on towards greatness and progress, let us not forget to protect and conserve all the things that made it possible. I am talking about the only living planet which has been the greatest provider of our day to day existence. Let us not sacrifice our home for the sake of greatness and progress as that will lead to our destruction. There are means and ways to survive and advance without sacrificing the other. It may not be easy but it is possible. 

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Perhaps you have heard a lot of things concerning global warming and climate change and how we can help this world from its total destruction. It is not too late for all of us to save our only home. Public and private sectors as well as government and non-government agencies are working together to preserve, conserve and protect what is left of this planet. As individual we should also do our share by following and supporting the laws implemented by our government for the conservation of our natural resources. This will not only save this planet but this will also save us all. 

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In line with this manufacturers of consumer electronic appliances and lighting fixtures are encourage to develop a more earth-friendly products especially those products which we use all the time. Among these products are the lighting fixtures such as the gooseneck lights and other commercial outdoor lighting fixtures which are widely used in different residential and business establishments such as shopping malls, warehouses, hotels and restaurants to name a few. Commercial outdoor lighting fixtures are important to promote economic progress. It is also important for the safety of everyone. Just imagine a place without any commercial outdoor lighting fixtures. That would be a scary place to be.

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Going to another planet to start a new civilization sounds interesting yet scary as well. The chance of surviving the space travel is uncertain; the chance of survival in the new planet is even more uncertain. It is okay to aim for something higher such as creating another civilization outside earth. However, let us not forget that we should protect this civilization first.

Earth Hour 2014 Campaign

Saving the only living planet in this entire galaxy is the responsibility of every citizen of this planet.  As stewards of this planet, we should take care of it; we should nurture and propagate it. Although we have heard several reports that there are signs of life in some planets from another galaxy, but these information is still not confirmed. There are no definite data that proves that those other planets are friendly enough to be our next home. Up to this day, Earth is still the only confirmed living planet and the only home to us all.

To save this dying planet, various non-government and government organizations are in fact working hand in hand in protecting Earth. Different campaigns are organized to raise social awareness in propagating, preserving and protecting that is left of our planet. One of these campaigns is the Earth Hour which was spearheaded by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The goal of this campaign is to address the climate change which is hurting all of us. This coming March 29^th, at exactly eight thirty in the evening all of us are encouraged to join in the Earth Hour campaign by turning off all lights if possible especially the architectural lighting fixtures which are used by commercial establishments such as hotels, shopping malls, factories and billboard operators.

 

As we all know these commercial establishments use a lot of energy to operate especially in their architectural lighting fixtures. It is a good thing that government has banned the use of incandescent lights as these type of lighting fixtures are not efficiently providing light. These incandescent lights consumes a lot of energy instead. These type of light bulbs were normally used in the gooseneck lights which are used to light the billboards of commercial establishments and other commercial lighting fixtures which lights various commercial establishments. Some of us also use this kind of light bulbs at home. We were also using this kind of light bulb before it was banned since they are less expensive compared to those energy saving lights.

 
Thankfully, the manufacturers of architectural lighting fixtures such as sign lights, flood lights and spot lights and home lighting fixtures have been using energy saving lights such as LED or light emitting diode or CFL or compact fluorescent lamp in their lighting designs. It could have been better if we could use solar panels for our energy consumption. But for now, the use of LED lamps and CLF in our lighting fixtures and participating in the Earth Hour campaign are enough to help our ailing planet.

Our Own Open Theater

Watching movies is a great bonding activity we do together with our friends, family members and love ones. It is fun and entertaining. However, as much as we all want to watch a movie, we cannot do it all the time. Other than it is costly, we it is hard to squeeze in a date with the important people in our lives because of our busy schedules. In addition, it is hard to go out and watch a movie because of the weather.

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Fortunately, my uncle bought a video projector online a few days ago and asked me to set it up. He said that we could use it watch a movie using our laptops. I could also borrow it once in a while. He said that watching it through a projector can make you feel as if you are watching from a movie theater as well. He is right. Right after, my cousin and I set up the projector and laptop in the garden we all turned off all the lighting fixtures except the round step lights to watch the movie. 

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The step lights specifically the round step light with grill 20 watt 12 volt jc were initially set up to highlight their beautiful garden in the backyard. The round step lights were also set up for the safety of everybody. But I guess the step lights are not only made for these reasons. They are perfect for open theaters as well. Since the round step lights are UL (Underwriters Laboratories Inc.) listed and ETL (Intertek Testing Services) approved it assures us that it is safe to play and have fun in the yard even if the lawn is wet just like watching a good movie in our make shift open theater together with your loveones.

I guess my cousins and I will be spending more bonding moments at my uncle’s place. It is a relief that their house is just across ours. My uncle also promised me that I could borrow the projector once in a while so I could also have a movie-theater like experience at home. But I would rather watch it at their place since it is so much fun watching the movie in their bigger yard together with my cousins.

Protecting Our Planet With LED And CFL Lamps

Earlier today a received a phone call from one of the representatives of Greenpeace-an independent global campaigning organization which promotes environmental awareness and protects our environment-acknowledging me as one of their supporters and asking for financial aide. I did not promise them anything as that would require my full commitment. But as advocate for a clean and green environment, I can help by promoting environmental awareness through the different social media. I can also help by planting trees in my community and by conserving energy at home as well.

In fact we have been using LED (light emitting diode) lamps and CFL (compact florescent) lamps since incandescent light bulbs have been banned by the government as it consumes a lot of electricity to produce light. We use these LED lamps and CFL lamps not only at home but also in our little grocery store. Initially, we were using a 200-watt incandescent lamps in our 12” by 12.5 " vented top warehouse shade wall sconces in the grocery store. But after the decrease in our electric bills at home, we change all the wall sconces to LED lamps. I am also pleased that the online shop where we bought the warehouse shade wall sconces allows us to customize the kind of lamp that we want. So when we ordered additional warehouse lights in the grocery store, we requested for a 57 watt Fresh Green colored lamp. The price of these LED lamps and CFL lamps are much higher compared to the incandescent lamps. But since we started using these energy saving lamps, we have save a lot in our electric bills.

In addition, I have also been looking into using solar panels to operate our home. I have heard a lot of good feedback from my relatives who have been using solar panels to run their home and farm. According to them the best things about using this recyclable energy is that they are not only protecting and conserving the environment, but they are also free from paying their monthly electric bills. That is absolutely a lot of savings. Using solar panels to run our house is quite ideal since we enjoy a lot of sun but as of yet getting the solar panels for my home has to wait.

Landscape Lights For The Safety And Beauty Of Your Lawn

Adding walkway lights and outdoor path lighting in your yard may sound luxurious to some. Perhaps it is, as these types of lighting fixtures are often found in some elegant restaurants, hotels and even in the mansions of the rich and famous. But that is not always the case. My siblings and I agreed to add these lighting fixtures for our elderly parents’ sake. These walkway lights and outdoor path lighting are for their safety as they have difficulty seeing in the dark just like everyone else. It is also for their enjoyment knowing how much they love an evening stroll in the garden.

No words can describe the look on our parents’ faces the first time they have seen these walkway lights and outdoor path lighting brightening up the beautifully designed landscape. We made sure that they will be pleased with it as they love the outdoor so much especially at night. We also love it that we started having our dinner in the garden every night since their wedding anniversary last February 14th. Who wouldn't? The landscape and garden looks magical at night because of these walkway lights specifically the half moon step lights. The landscape and garden is definitely breathtaking. Moreover, we get to enjoy the cool fresh air which is a rarity in the city. It would be a waste if we let this kind of opportunity go.

Looking at our beautiful landscape and garden now gives us a feeling of satisfaction. It is hard to believe that this lawn was once neglected and unkempt. Our parents are too old mow the lawn and are having a hard time finding someone to do it for them. Spending our savings to beautify our unkempt lawn is definitely worth every penny. I only hope that we could find someone soon to help them maintain the beauty of the yard.

Wedding Anniversary On Valentine's Day

Three more days and it is already Valentine’s Day. This day, is probably the dreaded day of most single people who had experience the pain of love. They wish that this day should never come. On the other hand, some people, especially lovers, are looking forward to this day. They wait for this day to come in order to profess their love for each other. Some make this day extra special for their love ones by taking them to some fancy hotels to dine or take them to places which bring them good memories or remind them of the good days they have together. Some are even waiting for this day just to propose.

Some people find it cheesy and overly dramatic especially when you can always do these special things for the person you love anytime of the year. Why wait for Valentine’s Day? Why not February 12, March 14 or any other month and day? Well, it has something to with the martyrdom of Valentinus or St. Valentine in February 14. Saint Valentine was famous for performing marriage rites to Christian couples and helping Christians who were being persecuted at that time. My parents were a devotee of St. Valentine which is why they chose this day to tie the knot.

The preparation for the wedding anniversary is almost ready. For the safety of everyone, aside from the exterior wall lights, we also added several outdoor path lighting fixtures and landscape lights which arrived today. We thought that these lighting fixtures will not arrive on time since we ordered them online three days ago. The effects it did to the landscape and garden was amazing. We were all enthralled when we turned on all the landscape lights. It made the place almost magical. I am sure that my parents, whom we have sent away to my aunt's place while preparing for their wedding anniversary, will be please of this new addition to her garden. It will be a lovely surprise for both of them. We all wish that this day will be extra special to them.

What Hospitals Should Look Like

Hospitals are among my least favorite places. It is maybe a place where sick people are being treated. But for some reason, I feel like it is the opposite. In addition, I find the place scary and I know I should not feel that way. However, several of my friends and colleagues think the same way about hospitals as well.

It would be nice if the architectural designs as well as the interior designs of hospitals look interesting and fun enough which can make the patients forget even just once that they are sick just like the hospital where my cousin had her fourth baby. Aside from the good nurses, doctors and other staffs, I like that place because looks more like a home rather than a hospital. The wall colors are also immaculate white but they added some wall art or graffiti which can make you stop and look around. They have added some indoor plants which has interesting planters. They also have these fancy ceramic wall lights which you can find in the rich peoples house, hotels, cafes and other commercial places. But what really caught my attention is the landscape and garden. It looks pretty in the morning but it is prettier in the evening. I can say it looks enchanting. I was mesmerized the first time I saw that part of the hospital. That is all because of the step lights which were artfully arrange to highlight the lovely and landscape and garden as well as provide lighting for the pathways. The step lights were also beautifully designed. It has a moon shape design which complements the landscape and garden in the morning.

I wish all hospitals will look less like a typical hospital. It should be a place which does not only heal you physically but spiritually as well. Adding wall arts or graffiti, a beautiful landscape and garden, and good lighting fixtures can help a lot in improving the atmosphere in the hospitals. Perhaps if all hospitals will look less like a hospital, more people might be willing to undergo treatment and that includes me.