By the year end, this will really be counted as one of the most surprising events of 2008! And very appropriately so. I was having my morning coffee with some relish. That is the only time of the day that I feel blessed actually, what with work buzzing in my ears through the day. I like to keep my phone off then, but it was one of those days when I forgot to do that. And sure enough, it started beeping. ‘Irina’ flashed on the screen. Now that was a surprise. What would she want to say this morning? Taking it for granted it’s an emergency, I took the call without another thought.

“Hello Bob,” the voice was too upbeat to belong to a woman who was in an emergency. I was in serious doubt now. “Do you know what an esthetician is?” I was not prepared for this, even though I knew who an esthetician was, I couldn’t answer her quick enough. So she just let me have it, “ya know, in this age of recession, people are looking for a second income or other means of getting money. But hair stylists, skin care professionals and estheticians are doing well in these times in comparison to others…” “Hang on right there,” I cut in, “are you ok?” This was sooo not Irina! I mean since when did she start talking like an economist?

I was completely taken aback! Irina and economy talk?! And what was this esthetician thing that is she pulling out? It was really too much to take in and too early too. She talked for the next twenty minutes. I couldn’t get much, but the point is, she wants to be an esthetician. She wants a license to practice the skills that she has picked up over the years and also learn a few tricks of the trade. She has a natural flair for makeup and styling, so she feels she can do a great job of it. Her new love interest is encouraging her in this as well.

Yeah sure! More chances of him doing this to keep her occupied than genuine encouragement, if I may add! Anyway, I encouraged her on her pursuit to be an esthetician and when I disconnected, I was already late but most definitely amused!

Are you interested in the work of an esthetician? Are you looking for alternate modes of income? What’s your take?

Looking for love online can be an awesome experience or an awful one! Yes, there is a strong element of doubt and uncertainty and the odds have every chance of going against you as it is of going for you. But there are some precautions that you can take to cut down on the risk in a big way. The first step that you need to take is to trust. Not the person you meet online, but your own instincts. If you don’t feel that somehow the whole thing doesn’t feel right, know that probably they aren’t. There are a lot of shady characters out there who can turn up with all sorts of trouble. No, I’m not trying to scare you! I’m just pointing it out.

Another thing you can do is to keep your identity closely under wraps unless you are confident about the person on the other end of the computer. Part with your phone number or address only when you really trust them enough. And leave money completely out of this equation. If you are asked money (yes, there are people who have experienced this), shut your door immediately. Look out for fake profiles who, armed with your email ID, sends you spam mails about dating sites. You can also register on dating sites with cryptic profile names that don’t give out who you are. It works! It’s not to keep away love that may have come, it’s to keep away lousy trouble that is definitely going to come! When you decide to meet the person, meet them at a public place. And PLEASE, DON’T take them home after the first date! Do you have more advice on online dating safety? Add on with comments!

Time to celebrate love on Valentine’s Day! For those of you who want to express your love for your beloved, but only succeed in adding fresh sheets of paper to the trash bin without writing a line, help is here! Hammering out a line or a even a couple of lines when you want to say so much becomes tough, doesn’t it? The solution is just a few clicks away. Check these out and get back to me with your feedback.

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