Punctuation marks are symbols that make written language structurally sound and organized. Perhaps others don’t mind using punctuations properly for as long as they can get what they want to say to the other person. Be wary because misguided use of punctuations may denote a different meaning when used in pure written communication that may cause confusion.

In the age where smartphones are ubiquitous and are indispensable accessories to every human being, people started taking proper use of punctuations for granted. Sometimes you see even misspelled words due to the practice that people make everything short as possible. To refresh your memory on the proper use of punctuations, read what’s below.

End marks (Period, Question Mark, and Exclamation Point)

·         Used to end sentences; e.g. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

Comma (,)

·         Used to separate words or phrases in a list; e.g. The mobile back case for your mobile phone comes in red, yellow, orange, green, blue, indigo, and violet.

·         Used before a coordinating conjunction when joining independent clauses; e.g. He seems to be doing well in Math and in English, but he is failing Science.

·         Used before and after an insertion; e.g. Lucy, the manager, is admired because of her witty personality and her sexy figure.

Semi-colon (;)

·         Used to join independent clauses without coordinating conjunctions, e.g. Think about what you did; don’t just leave the room without learning your lesson.

·         Used to join independent clauses where the second begins with a conjunctive adverb, e.g. Sheldon considers pizza his favourite dish; however he loves fried chicken and spaghetti, too.

·         Used when items in a series contain commas; e.g. The contestants are Ms. Ling, from China; Ms. Moreau, from France; Ms. Trinidad, from Brazil; and Ms. Henderson, from Canada.

Colon (:)

·         Used to introduce a list; e.g. Buy these in the grocery: a bottle of Worcestershire sauce, a pound of sugar, a pack of menthol cigarettes, and a can of mushroom soup.

·         Used to indicate that what follows is an explanation or elaboration of the former statement; e.g. There is only one solution to your problem: accept the truth and move on with your life.

Hyphen (-)

·         Used to divide a word at the end of a line.

·         Used in compound adjectives; e.g. long-distance relationship, Spider-man.

Single Quotation (‘)

·         Used to indicate possession (apostrophe); e.g. Johnny’s dog won the pet show and garnered many admirers.

·         Used to denote contraction; e.g. can’t, don’t, won’t

Double Quotation (“)

·         Used to enclose a direct quotation; e.g. He said, “Get out of my life!”

There are many types of relationships that we go into in every part of our lives. It doesn’t take two to make a relationship. Sometimes, devoting all those emotions that are commonly expected in a two-people relationship can also be lavished in a relationship with yourself. There is also a kind of relationship wherein you choose to give your time and being to the Almighty like our dedicated holy brothers and sisters. Overall, the emotions given and received are all that matters in a relationship.

A relationship is like choosing a smartphone that comes by each year advertising itself to you until such time you pick one and indulge yourself into it. Smartphones have different features that make them stand out. But at the same time, their top of the shelf flairs are becoming enticing as ever which makes it harder to resist than usual. And to make it officially yours (aside from actually buying it), you buy mobile accessories that are compatible with the model of smartphone you own. Similarly in becoming involved in any kind of relationship, they say if you want it then you should put a ring on it. That’s the only way you can say it’s yours for the taking.

Women love gifts. Rings are their favorite. Presenting a lady a gift like a ring will immediately mean you’re serious about the relationship. So men, be very careful of the accessories you get the ladies. Always put a label on everything.

Friendship Ring

Unlike the many iPhone accessories readily available in stores, a friendship ring is no longer that much acknowledged today. A friendship ring symbolizes a bond between two or more individuals who value each other that they become like family. The friendship ring is equated with a promise ring for those who decide to give it to their best friends of the opposite sex. Nevertheless, for friends who have found their true companions, a friendship ring is never outdated.

Purity Ring

On the other hand, a purity ring or a chastity ring is worn to imply one’s abstinence to sex before marriage or simply to swear to be chaste. This is quite common in Christian families as they give great importance to the essence of marriage where the two people, especially the bride, should remain pure to each other as they are presented in front of the Lord. In some countries, young adults are expected to take a manifesto or a pledge to withhold sex.

Promise Ring

Some say that a promise ring is an engagement ring. To avoid the confusion, a promise ring is called a pre-engagement ring – a ring that signifies one’s commitment to his or her romantic power until such time they reached the stage where an engagement ring is fitted. Because promise rings are often confused with engagement rings, these are worn by their owners on either their left middle finger or the right ring finger.

There are other known rings like the engagement and wedding rings that all the same denote a person’s confinement in sickness and in health to the giver, that only in death can they be parted. This should also be exercised in relationships. Until the device itself wears out, it should never be replaced.

I still have a clear picture on my mind of the time when I was about to graduate college. It was a great and momentous feeling for me, especially for my family because I am the eldest child; therefore I am the first one to finish school among my other siblings. I felt a bit nostalgic of all the pains, struggles, and joy that I experienced in my two decades in school.

                To any student, school has always been their life, their whole world, their reality. As a student, your only responsibility is to study well and deliver. The transition from a student to a bona fide proletariat isn’t as smooth as I hope it to be. I remember our professors and guidance counsellors bombarding us with last minute notes on professionalism. Way back when I was younger, my understanding of professionalism is very superficial, but now that I have experienced working myself, I realized that professionalism goes a long way than showing up to the office on time, donning a sharp looking suit and tie, or having a complete attendance.

Be Competent

                The moment you get the job, it follows that you have the proper tools and skill to get the job done.  All you have to do is prove your superiors that they did not make a mistake in hiring you. Always put your best foot forward, you’ll see in the end that all your efforts and hard work will not be put to waste.

Be Reliable

                One common denominator of the student life and professional life is having deadlines. In the real world, deadlines are more crucial than what you have in school. In school, when you do not meet your deadline, the worst scenario would be getting reprimanded by your professor, or maybe have a failing grade thus the need to take the subject again. But when you’re in the professional world, not meeting the deadline might cost you your bread and butter. Time should be taken serious and must always be included in your top priorities. Invest on a trusty and reliable smartphone to help you organize your schedules and meetings, and tasks to be accomplished.

Be a Team player

                As the famous adage says, No man is an island. No matter how highly intellectual or how sterling your credentials are, you sure need other people to accomplish your tasks. Be nice to your colleagues and maintain a good relationship with them no matter how high or low his or her position may be. You’ll never know when you will need their help. Establish rapport to your colleagues, maybe you can start by opening a conversation topic that interests them all, like maybe the latest gadgets or the new mobile accessories in the market, or your favorite online mobile stores that they can visit too.

Improve your Craft

                If opportunities rise, don’t hesitate to take it if it means increasing your market value. This may pave the way to promotions or having to take more responsibilities for the company. Having more responsibilities means that your superior puts more trust in you than the others.

                As mature individuals, we must take care of our careers and behave the way that professionals are.  The world is not all clouds and chocolates, the real world is cruel, so we must do our best to take care of our reputation and our careers.

Fishing for a suitable gift for this holiday season? Well, some may say buy a mug and complete it with a statement that says “You’re the greatest!” or “All I Want For Xmas Is You”. Don’t you dare. No one will show full appreciation for it anymore. What people wish for Christmas today are the trendy tech-gadgets roaming the globe! Everyone wants the Apple iPad or the Goodle Nexus 10 or the MacBook Air.

It would be an unforgettable Christmas for one if he was able to grab one or get one of those babies. Then again, not everyone has the financial capacity to acquire one of those gadgets. One deserves praise for his strong will but that won’t get him near to purchasing one especially when Christmas is dawning.

Settle down, settle down. Get the next best thing – a case. Protective cases are one of the important accessories that owners of tablets and laptops are aiming to purchase next. He or she will definitely appreciate you.

Where to get one, you ask? Well, they are available at the closest mobile store in town. They come in different designs and colors to choose among. If you can’t find one that fits the bill, you can always go online and browse through online mobile stores.

If ever you choose to go with the latter suggestion, here’s another to go with it. Get the case that your friend or loved one will like plus contribute to saving Mother Earth. Try going to these online mobile stores.

greensmart.biz

This website offers a range of merchandise for the online shopper. There are protective cases for 7-inch and 10-inch iPads and tablets, MacBook sleeves, laptop sleeves, and backpacks. Their cases are made from recycled plastic and are elegantly crafted for your style.

alottosay.com

This online mobile store is quite similar to greensmart.biz because they sell out various products that are a hundred-percent made from recycled plastic bottles. Their goods include apparel, bags and totes, pet accessories, and even canvas art. One can gather a lot of ideas for Christmas gifts just by browsing through alottosay.com. Also, some of their profit goes to charities. A big thumbs up for you guys!

alchemygoods.com

Alchemy Goods is an online mobile store that promotes bags, car holders, belts, and iPad cases. Their specialty in the production of their goods is the transformation of blown-out inner tubes, old seatbelts and banners into beneficial belongings. Their advocacy is to upcycle or upcycling. They say what they do is completely different from recycling. Upcycling is defined as ‘turning something of lesser value into something greater value’. Mother Nature will approve of you and so will I.

Place in the gift card something that goes like this: “Merry Christmas to you! Enjoy the holidays! With love, (your name) and Mother Nature”.