Author: Igor

  • 8 Fun Things You Can Do In Lockdown

    The recent COVID-19 pandemic had a considerable impact on the world’s economy. This deadly virus is associated with some vices, but it also came along with a few virtues. For instance, no matter how bad the lockdown idea may seem, it has made some people venture into beneficial engagements.

    Ever since the onset of lockdown in various countries, some visionary entrepreneurs that have been affected by the pandemic share various inspirational projects. Through these projects, some independent creators and enterprises received visibility and support. 

    If you are wondering what you should do during lockdown to keep yourself engaged, here are a few fun things to add on your To-do list.

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    Opt for Freelance Qualitative Research

    Since movement outdoors is restricted during a lockdown, one of the best things you could do is working from home. For instance, as a freelance writer, you can easily detect how to become more agile while remaining cost-efficient. 

    Since physical interviews and field research are on hold because of restricted movement, you could opt for emails and desk-based research interviews. You can also draft an updated methodology that blends contributions from maestros, consumers, and online academia for a desirable perspective for future projection.

    Create an Online Store

    Did you ever imagine that you can make a living while in your bedroom, living room, or patio? Because of restricted movement during this pandemic, how about you create an online store that focuses on the community.

    With that said, you know that masks are like an ID nowadays. It won’t hurt if you created a downloadable plan that guides people on making their masks. You will even be surprised because people may ask you to make some masks for them, and just like that, you can start connecting with people.

    Once you share the tips on making a mask, you can make some masks yourself and sell them at a cost price or even donate them to the hotspot areas. By doing this, you could have saved a lot of people’s lives and made a living. Well, that’s not hard to do. Is it?

    Ever Thought of Making a Family Tree?

    Have you ever gone through your family album and come across some faces you have never seen before? Well, in this case, take some time while in lockdown and construct that family tree. This will help you significantly if you want to know about your family history. 

    Through research, the family tree will play a vital role in ensuring that you know more about your family members whom you’ve never met before. Through that, you can increase your bond with distant bloodline members. A family tree is one thing that can help you understand various bonds that are necessary for you. Feel free to plan for an online family photography session and keep those memories.

    Novel Writing

    How about you reduce consumption and start creating?

    Assuming that you have always wanted to write a novel, but time has always been a constraint, don’t let go of this opportunity. It could help if you knew that Shakespeare did some of his writings in isolation. An excellent example of a piece he did in isolation was King Lear. Let this be a motivating factor for you to write your opus.

    However, you can have some challenges on where to start with your writing. Fear not. There are many free online courses that will closely guide you on how to begin fiction writing. These courses will help you get on the right track.

    Write That Song Today

    Music is one thing that hits right when you are in an isolated environment. The company you could receive by listening to a song or writing one is incomparable to none. Are you the type of person with musical persuasion? Then channel your current feelings into a poem. You can also create a whole album about them.

    Starting may be a challenge, but there are many songwriting courses online that could get you in the correct mind frame. Who knows you could do this well and make some Spotify playlists while you get inspired?

    Conduct A Games Night

    Are you tired of another pub quiz? That’s normal. Plan on having a games night because this is a sure-fire way that keeps your friendship group or the entire family entertained during the lockdown. 

    Tips on Hosting a Games Night

    • Make one of your loved ones a happy hour host and request them to perform a live cocktail master class
    • Orchestrate some drinking games
    • Play charades
    • Get one person to mime phrases and identify who is best in lip reading
    • Play Bingo

    Learn Knitting

    Many fashionable and sustainable knitting brands run free tutorials on Instagram. They have a specific tune in hours and days. Through these meetings, you can learn knitting with help from their influencers. 

    These tutorials provide opportunities to all age brackets by getting them involved in something crafty while at home. It is also one of the best ways of passing the time by becoming a little bit creative in the afternoons. Don’t stop at anything. Take advantage of such tutorials and make your lockdown less boring.

    Learn a Language

    You must have planned on learning a new language at one point in life, but the time factor became an issue. Take this chance now. There are many YouTube video selections and other online tutorials that you can easily access. Maximize these channels and learn that language today.

    There are also various language applications with immense features. These apps have several video clips recorded by great speakers across the world. Use this opportunity and keep immersing yourself in different cultures.

    Have Some Fun During Lockdown!

    If Netflix becomes a little bit boring and the thought of spending some hours on your bed or couch perusing some memes is too much, it is about time you changed your routine by getting those creative juices moving. Don’t be stuck on what you should do at the moment. The tips discussed above will keep you engaged like never before.

  • You Should Take A Year Abroad When Studying! Here’s Why!

    If you are fortunate enough to have the option to go abroad when you are studying your degree, that’s a chance that you should take at least once. There are more than 5 million students who go abroad for their study every year and the reasons for this vary from student to student. Gaining a higher education is no easy feat, not when there are so many things that you can get with it that equal more than your degree.

    An international education offers you experience, and more than that, it offers you the chance to decide your next steps away from your home country. You may think about the requirements for a visa abroad, but you really need to think about what you want to study, too. Your study abroad is going to set you up for life and there are plenty of reasons you should be going abroad. Let’s take a look at all of the reasons you should study abroad this year.

    Image Source: Pexels

    1. Meeting new people. When you go abroad to study, you can meet a range of people from many different backgrounds. Studying abroad puts you in an environment that enables you to meet a range of different people from countries all around the world, which gives you an opening to meet more than one type of person. You can broaden your mind and speak to people you wouldn’t have had the chance to meet in life. You’ll be exposed to a range of backgrounds and personalities, and you’ll develop better as a person, too. 

    2. A better education. There are some countries in the world that offer you the chance to have a better education than the one in which you’re living. There are places that offer a better chance of an education and these are countries that are home to leading universities. They attract more students for their prestigious facilities and the fact that most home countries don’t offer the same educational opportunities as the new places abroad. Understanding where the top universities are will help you to get a foothold in a place you may not have had a chance to travel to in life.

    3. Personal development. You will be able to develop yourself as a person, and it takes guts to leave your home comforts, family and friends to go somewhere else. Homesickness is normal for students abroad, and yet you’ll adapt to your new routines in a new place quickly. You’ll improve your self-development and ensure that you are taking in experiences that will last you a lifetime. Your study experience is going to be the best thing that you do, so if your university course offers you the chance to transfer abroad, take it!

    4. Boosting employment. Taking the chance to study abroad will demonstrate to employers that you are more than able to adapt to your surroundings and you can embrace a range of cultures with ease. You are dedicated to your education and your ability to learn abroad is going to put you in the best position for a job when you do finish your degree. This experience of yours will really appeal to employers whether you apply for work at home or abroad. 

    5. A bigger community. Studying abroad allows you to join a bigger international community of students and networking contacts. You will find that most universities have groups of students that come from a range of places, and you will be able to meet a range of other students from other countries than your own!

    Image source: Pexels

    6. Making connections. When you study abroad, you build so many opportunities to network with others and this will come in handy when you are looking for work and research opportunities. These are contacts that will be useful later when you are looking for internships, too!

    7. Learning a new language. If you end up abroad in Europe you’re going to have the chance to learn a new language. If you know a range of languages already, travelling to study in a country where you can chat to others will be easier! You can fine tune your skills and improve your CV as a result.

    8. The chance to travel. Gaining an excellent mark on your degree is one thing but you can gain so much more than that. The chance to travel isn’t often one that you have a chance with in life, but studying abroad gives you more scope to explore the world. You can hit new towns, do new activities and study in new environments, too. During term breaks and reading weeks, you can hire a car and explore!  When else will you get a chance to do that? You have the chance to travel when you go abroad and this will improve your prospects and make you feel good. 

    9. New traditions, new foods, new everything. Going abroad to study is going to open the door for you to get to know new cultural traditions and new foods. It’s only when you live abroad that you finally realise just how open the world can be. You can try new things and do it with new people who can tell you all about the best dishes. You’ll be able to taste new things and experience new restaurants and if you’re lucky, you can even learn to cook a new dish or two with the help of the locals!

    10. Gaining some perspective. When you live and study in a country other than the one that you grew up in, you can learn to better understand the world around you. You can use your skills learned through living abroad to learn new things and improve your prospects for after graduation, too. You never know where this can take you and what perspective that it can give you. Take the time to learn about all the places in which you can study abroad and you will gain a whole new perspective on life. You can enrich your life and do more for your future this way!

  • Working as a carer: what is it like?

    As the number of unpaid carers skyrockets to over seven million, the Government’s stated goal of providing a plan for social care reform is in the media spotlight. Any need for new carers is likely to be stymied though, as the number of paid carers is likely to outstrip supply, leading to a labour shortage.
    If you are considering a new career, caring could be an excellent avenue for you to explore, but what is it like? What are the benefits and challenges, and how do you best become a carer?

    Image via Unsplash

    The benefits

    Caring for others involves helping them with daily tasks, ensuring they can live comfortable, dignified lives even in the face of health issues, ageing, or otherwise.

    In doing so, you will be making a difference to the life of the person you care for, and in many cases, their family too. This sort of altruistic role is sure to bring you job satisfaction, especially if you are coming from a more boring or ethically uncertain role. Looking at an advert for a direct care worker job in Philadelphia or other areas will show you what sort of skills you need and can be a good first step into this career.

    Care work can also be very flexible, which can be beneficial for those with children or who don’t want to work the traditional nine to five. Training is also often provided on the job, alongside all the perks you would typically find in any other role, and if you are a people person, working with a range of clients, many of which will have an interesting story to tell, can be a fantastic extra.

    The challenges

    As with any job, there are some drawbacks though. With a labour shortage looming, there may be a lack of staff working for your company, and given that the role is very people-focused and not without its emotional challenges, you may find colleague turnover is high.
    These emotional challenges can include getting attached to terminally ill clients and witnessing their own struggles of ill health. Due to this, it’s important that you capable of effectively detaching yourself from what happens at work.
    You may need to take out care insurance too, particularly if you do not work for a company or agency. This is a must, as it will protect you from any legal issues or costs that might arise while you are caring for others.

    What do you need to become a carer?

    There are a number of key skills and qualities carers need to be successful in any care worker role. First and foremost, they must be compassionate, listing to the concerns of the family and patient, and helping them with patience, kindness, and dignity. Part of this is having good communication skills to understand what is required, as well as calmness under pressure.
    A good level of English is required if it is not your first language, and you may find it is easier to find work and to perform the varied tasks asked of you if you have a qualification in caring too. A clean Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) test is required too.

    Have you recently transitioned to a career in care? Let us know how you made your career come true in the comments.

  • Top Tips for Eating Healthy When Living Abroad

    When moving to a different country, it can throw you off your usual routines and make you question whether moving abroad is good for your health. While there are many advantages and disadvantages to moving abroad, there are also many things that you can stay in control of, for example, your nutrition. With the right knowledge, you can equip yourself with good food and stay on top of your health while living abroad. As you navigate the challenges of moving abroad and maintaining your health, don’t let concerns about your smile be overlooked; consider the options for teeth whitening Staten Island NY. Ensuring a radiant and confident smile can be a simple yet impactful aspect of self-care, providing a familiar comfort even in the midst of the changes that come with relocating to a different country.

    When moving away, it is easy and convenient to want to grab some quick meals or eat out to try the local cuisine. Not only can this become an expensive habit, but it can also start to impact your life.

    Nutrition is vital in supporting your mental and physical wellbeing. It plays an important role in preventing illnesses and diseases and provides you with the energy you need to get through the day and be happy. 

    If you feel you are struggling with your health, and specifically your nutrition since moving away, here are some top tips to help you get back on track and improve your life. 

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    #1 See what is available 

    If you are in a new country, there are likely going to be different foods and brands available in the local stores. Take some time to look around and see what food is available. 

    #2 Conduct research 

    Once you are aware of what food is available, you should go home and research what you can make with the food. This is a great way to find recipes and ideas that you love or have always wanted to try. 

    #3 Experiment with food 

    Take some time to experiment with different recipes. You never know what you will like or dislike until you try it for yourself. Experimenting with food is an excellent way to immerse yourself in the culture of your new country, and have some fun. 

    #4 Create a plan 

    Now you have a better idea of what food is available and what you enjoy eating, you should create a plan. This can be a weekly, fortnightly or monthly plan, that details the meals that you are going to make for yourself. This is a great way to ensure your days are filled with nutritious food and limits the need to eat out or purchase convenient junk food. You know what you are going to cook and when, and it will make your life so much easier.

    #5 Learn how to store your food 

    Storing your food correctly plays an important role in keeping your food’s nutritious value high and safe for you to eat. Make sure you have sufficient storage space in your accommodation, including a pantry or cupboards, a fridge and a freezer. As a rule of thumb, you should keep root vegetables in a cupboard or pantry, and fresh meats, fruits and dairy in the fridge. Many of your vegetables can also be prepared and put in the freezer, which can obtain the nutritious value for much longer. Make sure you keep an eye on the temperature of your apartment and ensure it doesn’t get too hot and spoil items that are left out. You should also make sure your fridge works properly as some are set to the wrong settings and can make your food go off which can make you unwell. If you suspect anything is wrong, you may need to source parts for your fridge. 

    Eating good food while you are away will ensure you stay in top health and can enjoy your new country.

     

  • Insecta Shoes

    Insecta Shoes

    Pamela Magpali and Barbara Mattivy are the founders of Insecta Shoes, a Brazilian shoe label transforming fabrics and prints from vintage clothing into vegan footwear.

    Insecta Shoes‘ Oxford shoes and Chelsea boots are made in Brazil, handcrafted in limited numbers and every single model is unique.

    To find out more about this innovative enterprise, we asked its founders about their background, the manufacturing process and the future of Insecta Shoes.

    Photos by Miguel Soll

    What made you start your own shoe label? What was your background before Insecta?

    I worked in fashion and digital marketing for years, and also ran an online vintage store. Pamela is a shoe designer and she had her own shoe label for one year. One day we met and we both loved each other products, so we talked about creating a collaboration between both brands. I had some really over sized vintage shorts and blazers that had amazing prints but I never had the time to adjust the sizes, so she suggested we could make shoes out of these clothes. I absolutely loved the idea, and that is how our 1st collaboration was born. Everything sold very well, and we did a second one, that was even a bigger hit.

    I was moving to Canada and needed someone to help me manage my business in Brazil, so we partnered and created Insecta Shoes. We launched in January 2014 and everything is going super well. We’re growing organically but pretty fast, which is great but scary at the same time.

    We’re interested in knowing a little more about the process you follow to design and manufacture your shoes. could you tell us about it?

    Sure! The video below illustrates how everything is done. First, we design the shoe and create a real sample from it. We test it, tweak and adjust, and them approve it. This is what Pamela does while I’m sourcing and hand picking all the clothes from vintage suppliers. Then we deconstruct the clothes by hand and back them with a thicker fabric. All the raw materials go to our little atelier and they produce the shoes according to our combination of design, prints and colors of soles and lining.

    Insecta Shoes by Volt Project from Insecta Shoes on Vimeo.

    How do you source the clothes you use to manufacture your shoes? 

    They’re all handpicked at vintage suppliers or vintage/thrift stores in North America. It’s cool because sometimes we find really great prints in clothes that have a terrible fitting and probably no one else would wear them – we give a new use for that piece of clothing. We love this part of the production process because we have so much fun hunting for prints, it’s also very nostalgic. Once we found a cook/chef pair of trousers with an amazing vegetables print, we went nuts! Eggplants, cabbage, tomatoes, all over!

    All your shoes are unique. Have you worked with a print/fabric that you wish you could have used for more shoes?

    Yes, definitely! It’s a pro and a con to have such exclusive shoes. There are fabrics that we were able to produce 3 pairs with and that’s it. We wish we had the best ones for each of us and for our customers, but it’s impossible. But the great part of it it’s that no one else in the world will have the same shoes as you, not even the slightest chance for this to happen!

    Have you thought about expanding Insecta shoes to other type of products?

    Yes, absolutely. We have tons of ideas coming up in the next months, for the shoes and for other products. We can’t tell much right now, but there are amazing things on the way 😉