Passover is coming and as usual, I’m both excited and nervous about it. Excited because Passover is one of my favorite holidays of the year. Nervous because it falls on me to set the overall message and presentation of the celebration.

When is Passover 2009? Dates of Jewish Holidays – Pesach Date

In 2009 Passover begins at sundown on Wednesday April 8 and ends at nightfall on Thursday April 16 in the Diaspora (Wednesday April 15 in Israel).

Because we are not Jewish, we weren’t raised with any concept of Passover. Nor do we have years of family tradition surrounding it to adhere to. Instead, we’ve kind of made it up as we went along. You could maybe identify “seasons” to our Passover celebration.

For instance when the kids were small, it definitely took on a character of being geared around them specifically. Then there were several years where we celebrated it with our whole Sunday School/youth group class. (Those were more like an exercise in controlled chaos.)

Last year I pretty much threw out most of what we’d done in the past and drew upon elements and traditions that I’d only just learned about. So this year I’ve yet to decide whether this year too is to be an upheaval, whether to return to past traditions, or whether to build on what was started last year.

Each year I try to take stock of where the family is at in every facet and then go to God with it to determine what needs to be emphasized that year. Its an awesome and humbling responsibility to undertake. Particularly if you try ti get real honest with where the family is at at that specific point in time.

For me Passover is as much about the preparation as it is about the celebration itself. But maybe that’s exactly how it should be. I nervously await where this year’s might go.

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First, there’s absolutely no need to freak out if you’re not the valedictorian or salutatorian of your high school.

Did you know that the majority of students admitted to Harvard and Stanford aren’t valedictorian, either?

Here’s what you need to know about your high school GPA and class rank to get into any Ivy League school:

1) It’s ok to have a poor freshman year GPA. What’s important is to show an UPWARD TREND – improvement over time

2) As important as your GPA is your transcript and the classes you take. Be sure to take the HARDEST CLASSES AVAILABLE – APs, IB, etc

3) Make your junior year count. It’s the one that Admissions Committees focus the most on – you want your best grades in this year

4) Don’t forget about your SAT score. It counts as much (and sometimes even more) than your high school grades

5) As long as you’re in the top 5% of your high school class, you’ll be fine – this varies by school so if you’re at an easy school, the bar will be higher

By no means am I recommending you do just the BARE MINIMUM. You should always aim to be valedictorian.

I went through this process awhile back and was accepted to 6 Ivy League schools and Stanford, so I speak from experience about this process. I wrote a book on college admissions tips called Hopeless to Harvard.

Follow my 5 critical steps above, and you’ll be a strong candidate. Focus your energies on your passions – whether that’s sports, science, or social studies.

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Mortal Skulls Motorcycle Club a Run for Awareness

Do you remember the Story of 11-year-old Carlie Brucia? Carlie was the little girl from LI NY who while staying with her mother down in FL was kidnapped and murdered on Super Bowl Sunday, 2004. Her abduction was captured on video in front of the car wash where she was Kidnapped by Joseph P. Smith, who has since been found Guilty of first-degree murder, sexual battery and kidnapping.

The story was carried nationwide and was heartbreaking to all who heard it. Now there is an old saying that every dark cloud has a silver lining and if that is true then the silver lining here is Matt Barbis, Carlie’s Cousin who started the Rose Brucia Educational Foundation (http://rosebrucia.org) with the Mission of reducing child abductions.

Matt goes around to Schools and preforms Puppet Shows and teaches children how to react and what to do if someone ever tries to adduct them. As you can imagine Matt’s Mission does not come without its costs and the Foundation runs on Donations from Groups,Individuals and Businesses.

Matt who Rides a Motorcycle had seen the good that Bikers on Long Island do to Raise Money for those in need, He wanted to Start a Motorcycle Run to help raise Money for the Foundation. A Motorcycle Run is a lot of work and Matt was Referred to the Mortal Skulls Motorcycle Club (http://Mortalskulls.com) Who do a Run and/or Benefit every year.

When the Mortal Skulls Motorcycle Club heard Matt’s story and what his Mission was they quickly decided that this would be the run and benefit they would be doing for many years to come.What better cause can there be then keeping Children Safe? said one of the Members.

For the past three years now on the Third Sunday in June the Mortal Skulls Motorcycle Club have hosted the run and raised money for the foundation, The run starts every year at the Bellmore NY Train station on Sunrise Hwy,with sign up from 10:30 am till 12 Noon, and has ended at local Long Island Bars with live Music, food,Appearances by local NY Celebrities and so much more. The recommended Donation for the event is $10 per person and Run Shirts are available for an additional $10 with every penny of the Proceeds going to the Rose Brucia Educational Foundation. The Mortal Skulls Motorcycle Club Thank all who have come out to help and Support the event every year! This Fundraiser has quickly grown into a huge Long Island NY event, With the continued Support of the Long Island biker world and appearances by Celebrates it will continue to grow for many years to come!!!

I am Your Bro L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com

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A child’s 1st birthday is a joyous occasion, which lives in the memories of the proud parents forever. However, the majority of kids won’t remember anything about this fine day, but do enjoy looking at the birthday photos later on.

Here’s one way to make this special 1st birthday occasion into a stylish memento. Instead of putting these pictures into a photo album along with all the others, buy a special photo album dedicated to this first year of life, culminating in the 1st birthday party. This also makes a terrific gift idea to present to the parents.

So what goes into this keepsake photo album? Most parents takes hundreds of pictures of their children in the first year. Begin your commemorative 1st birthday party photo album with all of the pictures you’ve taken since birth ” consider the size of the photo album which will accommodate the number of pictures! Try to arrange them in sequence, which is easy if you’ve dated them on the back. The 1st birthday party photos go at the end.

If you’re wielding the camera, look sharp! These photos can be treasures! Two photos of our daughter’s 1st birthday has given us all plenty of laughter over the years. We seated her in her high chair, birthday hat and all, placing the birthday cake in front of her. We captured her look of shock and delight on film as she viewed this chocolate concoction. She promptly embraced the cake ” with her face and hands! Following a sampling, she sat up to show her chocolate covered face, smiling as big as you please. Lucky we’d already sung ‘Happy Birthday‘ blown out and removed the candle before she got to the cake! These pictures are the standouts of that 1st birthday party!

Keep a log of all the gifts and gift givers and include this information along with a photo of each gift. As kids get older, particularly around the age of seven or eight, they seem to enjoy knowing who attended their 1st birthday party and were thoughtful enough to give them a gift.

Don’t throw that wrapping paper and ribbon away! Cut small squares of each wrapping and a bit of ribbon, giving each a place in your 1st birthday party album. When you think how much styles, designs and materials change over a 20 year period, these little pieces of ‘antiquity’ will provide a peek back in time when your child’s all grown up.

Last, but not least, is the birthday outfit. This is usually very special and doesn’t get worn out. While it won’t fit in your photo album, this is an outfit you’ll want to save. Sure, you’ll have photos, but there’s nothing like the real article. You might want to wrap it in gift paper and use double-sided tape to attach it to the front or back of the album cover.

Now you’ve got a stylish 1st birthday party memento that can make a beautiful 21st birthday party gift. Think of the pleasure your grandchildren will derive from this lovely ‘antique’.

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Whether a parent admits it or not, he or she will need babysitting services at some point. In order to keep oneself mentally and emotionally healthy, it is important that parents get some quality time for themselves. Whatever your circumstance, you want to be certain your loved ones are well taken care of in your absence. A babysitter can be of huge assistance, as long as you hire an individual who is experienced, mature, reliable and who genuinely cares about the well-being of your children.

Secret To Finding A Good Baby Sitter

The major concern is finding a qualified babysitter. Begin your search as soon as possible. If you put it off until the last minute, you may overlook some very important factors, which can possibly lead to your kids being with an unreliable and even dangerous person. So if you are planning on a short trip with your spouse for instance, make sure you prioritize searching for a trusted and professional sitter way ahead of time.

One of the best options is to find a reputable agency that offers several options for very busy parents. For instance, there are good online agencies out there that offer options for those who need quick babysitter services for the mean time. If you already trust an agency, chances are you will be able to trust the babysitter they have in their database.

Referrals from family, neighbors, friends, and colleagues are also helpful. This is a good starting point so you get an idea of what to look for in a baby sitter. Of course, do not fully rely on these recommendations. You have some other things to consider first to make sure you have someone who can work best with your children.

The internet can also be a very helpful tool. Conduct a search with a reputable online agency. You should be able to find qualified sitters in your area. The agency should provide a database of pre-screened babysitters. It is recommended that you hire certified sitters who have had classes run by your local Red Cross or YMCA. Remember, babysitter services with an insurance bond will cover particular damages or losses to your property, however, not generally to protect your kids in any way. Find out if the babysitter service performs criminal history background checks and screens the sitters in their database or staff.

Secret To Interviewing Potential Candidates

More than being formal, it is only right to make each candidate comfortable before every interview. The more comfortable he or she is, the more natural and genuine his or her response to your questions. Provide basic amenities such as a comfortable chair and a good, quiet environment to conduct the interview. Ask as many questions as you can, but those that are relevant and pertaining to the job expected. Try not to ask questions that are too invasive or personal.

Ask what is already provided in the resume, but also to expound on the details. Basic inquiries such as past experiences, training, certifications and fees are a given. Ask situational questions, such as, what would you do? Finally, conduct trials and be around to observe.

Secret To Finding An Online Babysitter Service

There are just a few things to consider here. Check on the reputation first and foremost. Make sure you understand the terms and conditions and the membership fee schemes. Also, find out what specific services are offered. The more options you have, the better.

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There are some surely well meaning people, who think that teen abstinence is a concept that this raging hormone group will adopt, just because it’s what they’re told to do. If they won’t clean their room, what makes you think they’re going to accept the teen abstinence directive? It’s like asking a bird not to fly, a dog not to bark or the wind to cease. If you think this will work, then you are the one with your head in the sand. Ostriches don’t fly, BTW. So, what works?

Educating teens is the answer. Remember, this is the age group that disputes the necessity of almost everything that’s good for them! However, this doesn’t mean that a few salient facts won’t get through. Guilt may be induced through moral avenues of argument, but there are some hard-hitting facts and reasons that will give them pause, when nothing else does.

Moral and religious arguments may carry some weight while you’re talking, but in the heat of the moment, kids are not thinking of that chat. This is where the concept of teen abstinence is about the furthest idea from their mind. It’s not that kids don’t want to go along with the idea, they simply don’t have the discipline, experience or inclination.

A more practical approach yields a better measure of success. For example, some parents are reluctant to talk to their teens about sexual matters. They don’t know how to bring up the subject naturally. There are websites which give parents ideas on how to talk to kids about sex. Take a look at some of these and find an approach which is comfortable for you and your child.

A fact-finding perspective can be most valuable. You may cringe at the thought of talking about STDs, AIDS and teenage pregnancy. This is an outdated attitude. However unfortunate, kids know all about the sexual mores actually in practice, from their classmates. Teen culture doesn’t have a lot of adherents to teen abstinence. This is the blind leading the blind.

Today, there are a number of sexually transmitted diseases which can cause problems for a lifetime. According to current statistics, fully 20% of our population is afflicted with herpes! While medication is available to help manage this disease, there are significant risks associated with taking the medication, with no guarantee of not infecting their partner. AIDS is incurable and can be transmitted through a single sexual encounter. As for pregnancy, a teen is simply not emotionally equipped to be a parent ” not yet. If you talk to your teenager on a purely practical level, it won’t be hard to convince them that life will change radically and for their lifetime.

You may be shocked to know that most teens can relate to the responsibilities and constraints parenthood presents. More than likely, they know someone who is a teenage parent and are well aware of how that friend’s life is changed by an imprudent moment and lack of discipline.

Promoting teen abstinence requires that you, the parent, get a reality check. Do a little research and lay it all out for them to digest. Kids do have common sense. It’s up to you to structure the facts so that it’s irrefutable, morals and religion notwithstanding. Now the issue of teen abstinence still inserts the moral or religious element, with an indisputable host of real-life reasons that stick.

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Funny how different seasons of emotions hit each individual at a different time. Must be some sort of trigger that sets it off. I got hit with empty nest type pangs last time our oldest left home. My wife is going through the same thing this time.

Understand we aren’t even empty nesters yet at all. We’ve still got a sixteen year old at home with a couple years of high school left. We have two in college only sixty miles away that make frequent visits if only to do their wash, raid the fridge, and hang out with their little brother. Regardless, family life and family dynamics just aren’t what they were when we had a house full.

So I guess what we’re talking about is pre empty nest syndrome. Or perhaps we are just seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and projecting what that day will be like.

Its not the big things you see yourself missing either. Its the spontaneous little conversations that might or might not be about anything consequential at all. The ad hoc, spur of the moment Starbucks runs. Picking up on all the moment to moment changes.

I guess what I’m talking about is the ongoing flow of life. Without daily contact family life quickly becomes a series of snapshots: This is what I did last week. Here is what I’ll be doing next week. Instead of the movie like constant stream of updates that comes with living together.

My wife and I always laugh about a catch phrase of our generation; “quality time.” The wife always hypothosizes that the notion was invented by over busy, career driven parents or perhaps divorced ones.

Instead, we always valued quantity time. The big things, the vacations, the events are great. However its the little in between things that act as the glue to keep relationships together.

But that phase of life seems to be coming to an end for us now. With all four kids heading in different directions, there can’t possibly be that same level of contact with each and every one of them. And maybe that’s just how it should be.

We’ll move on to whatever it is lies ahead. What other options are there? But forgive us a moment if we mourn the ending of what is passing away.

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It didn’t matter to my mom, bless her heart, if I wanted to be a musician, I should be a teacher. If I wanted to be a teacher, I should be a veterinarian. If I wanted to be a veterinarian, I should be a lawyer. That’s one way of doing it. My dad on other hand had a simple, consistent message, “Its not work if you don’t get your hands dirty.” Those were the messages I heard in my family growing up. We tried to do it differently with our kids:

We’ve tried to be supportive of our kids no matter what their interests. When they wanted musical instruments, they not only got instruments, but lessons. When they were into soccer, we devoted Saturday mornings and sometimes afternoons to soccer. When snakes were in vogue, we had snakes in the house and went to “herp” shows.

So why should it be any different when it comes to the kid’s careers? First off, we take the pressure off telling them that they are unlikely to finish in their first college major let alone find a career in whatever they graduate in. Neither my wife or I ever worked in the field of our college majors. To date we have only one post college child and she happens to have moved directly into her chosen field. Maybe exactly because we told her not to worry about it? Who knows. Our second child, our oldest son, started out a psychology major, graduated with an English degree and then promptly went back to school for music business.

Second, we tell them to follow their passions rather than the almighty dollar. To date that philosophy has us with one child earning a very good living albeit contract to contract. Even she knows that waiting tables might be an inevitability from time to time in her chosen career. We try to tell our kids that its OK to do something “artistic” or whatever. Just don’t ever count on a house in the suburbs or a new car. In other words, we tell them they can do anything they want to do. But we also tell them they can’t have it all.

Is it a better way to do it than my parents did? I guess time will tell. But so far, it seems like it and our kids seem generally happy when it comes to career paths.

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