Articles written by Maria K. - Page 4

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About me - Maria K.

I am a first-generation Russian-Ukrainian immigrant. I was born and raised in Zaporozhye, Ukraine and came to the United States as an impressionable 19-year-old exchange student in 1994. I earned my Bachelors and Masters degrees in Mechanical Engineering

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Style & Beauty > Clothes (Other) The reason why we dress the way we do: 2 of 5
Frederick's of Hollywood sent me a catalog last month. I have no idea why - the last (and only) time I bought something from them was ten years ago. Anyone who knows me well, knows that I am anything but prudish. Frederick's, however, fails to appeal to me. It tries too hard to be sexy and ends up being whory instead. Even s... More..
Style & Beauty > Fashion Trends & Styles Fashion's relevance to today's world: 2 of 5
No white after Labor Day? Pshaw! I like rattling cages - not so far as to cause riots, but in my own small way. So, I wore a white outfit yesterday - just to see how many dirty looks I'd get for wearing white after - gasp! - Labor Day. ...Very pale sand-colored jeans, a white embroidered blouse and sand-colored sandals (this... More..
Food & Drink > Cuisine & Food (Other) Tips for buying food and gourmet gifts: 2 of 5
When all else fails and we are completely stomped as to what to get someone for Christmas or birthday or hose-warming, there is always one tried-and-true venue - food. Obviously, come consideration must be given even to such seemingly straightforward group of gifts. Giving peanut brittle to someone who is allergic to peanuts... More..
Entertainment > Celebrity Biographies Myths about famous people: 2 of 5
With the holiday season pretty much over, some intrepid souls are getting bored and looking for something to do. Apparently, they could find nothing better, then chain-mail the following: "Obama mentioned his church during his appearance with Oprah here in Iowa. It's the Trinity United Church of Christ. Sounds innocent enoug... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Immigration Issues Why Americans fear immigration: 10 of 22
I am an immigrant. Having been a leaf in the winds of the U.S. immigration system for the last fourteen years, I too would like to know why America fears us so. Several authors who have written articles for this category have addressed possibility of terrorism, the strain that illegal immigrants place on the healthcare syste... More..
Food & Drink > Diet, Health & Organic Foods Is it really worth it to buy organic?: 12 of 26
Worth it? You bet! Not only because organic products are grown without all those chemicals that sound like something out of a horror movie with chemical warfare in it. Organic foods are worth it because they make for a better eating experience - and the more you enjoy your food, the better your digestion, the more benefits y... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Social Values & Norms Why we can't just have world peace: 19 of 40
extremism a tendency or disposition to go to extremes or an instance of going to extremes, esp. in political matters: leftist extremism; the extremism of the Nazis Dictionary.com =============== I finally got around to filling out the PETA survey - you know, the one they send you with a request for donations and lots of cute... More..
Business > General Management Keep employees happy and improve business revenue: 3 of 6
Year after year our company runs an associate survey. Year after year the same items score low: relationship between compensation and productivity, retention of the best associates and associate motivation via reward programs. If your company (whether large or small) is struggling with similar issues, here is a bit of analys... More..
Pets & Animals > Rodents How to raise an orphaned squirrel: 3 of 6
A poem by my friend Rob Clark Shallow Grave for a Squirrel (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog .view&friendID=8882561&blogID=177481985&Mytoken=EB D0871F-7690-485D-A6A64BC1D28267CA73242287) made me remember Hermes. Not Hermes - the messenger of Greek gods (also known as Mercury in Roman mythology), but Hermes - o... More..
Style & Beauty > Business & Formal Clothing Summer 2009 Business casual fashion tips: 1 of 2
There are two cardinal rules to business casual dressing. One, casual does not equal sloppy. Two, business casual does not equal boring. These two rules should be observed with particular care during the warm weather months, when heat and humidity constantly tempt us into becoming lazy and careless about everything, includin... More..