The Lapis Lazuli Necklace and Earrings set giveaway winner has been released!

Find out who it is here!

If you would like to suggest Etsy Shops that you would like to see sponsor show giveaways please email me at TheBernardCharlesShow@facebook.com with the shop name and what item you would like to see as an exclusive giveaway!

Important News:

The New Year New You blog giveaway is being placed on hold since I will be going overseas for the summer. If you are browsing Etsy and find great vendors, please send me the information so that we can secure stuff for the Fall/Winter season. What a better time to prepare and plan for anyways so many awesome holidays to keep our spirituality in tip top shape!

The time has finally arrived to make it official and to tell you all about my summer plans!

Learn more about study abroad with CISAbroad!

With the end of the semester rolling in strong and fast, I wanted to make an official post about me studying abroad this summer before things get carried away. Since Point Park University’s study abroad program was too strenuous, I chose a third-party provider called CISAbroad, Center for International Studies. And I have been accepted!

I chose CISAbroad primarily because they offered many summer program choices and the website was really engaging. The stories students had were full of inspiration and you know me and inspiration. The process to apply is very thorough but it was definitely well-organized. I am really pleased thus far about working out the kinks of applying and all that is left now is getting that Tier-4 VISA and making the travel arrangements.

My first destination to choose was Ireland, but the cost was a bit too high for my taste so I chose Summer in Scotland at University of Stirling. Here I am close enough to my favorite country and can always travel to it.

The program length is for about 3 months and I will be taking classes in the first half of the summer and completing a marketing and advertising internship with Adspad, a student marketing company in Scotland. Hence the need for the Tier-4 VISA.

The enthusiasm to study abroad is indescribable, but I am looking forward to making my journey as friendly to the eye as possible.  Blogging, photographing and updating my social networks will absolutely be my own self-directed homework to offer you all a sense of what is happening. You too are on this journey with me and any questions or comments are absolutely welcomed.

This will be my first time out of the country so if you have been abroad and would like to share your experiences please comment below because we can learn from each other and get this inspiration sparkin’.

And the cherry-on-top of it all is that I will be graduating a semester early and can advance to a full-time job because I chose to study abroad.

WINNER: ELLEN

You have until 4 days to claim your giveaway prize.

Note: Trackbacks/Pings are not counted in total number of comments.

From Fifth Heaven Designs:

  Egyptian cultures made a practice of burying a lapis lazuli scarab with their dead, and believed it to offer protection.

Now you have a chance to win a giveaway. Simply follow the instructions below to enter!

The Giveaway:

(1) Lapis Lazuli Cube Choker and Earrings Set

Who can enter:

Anyone with a valid mailing address and valid email address.

How to enter:

Go to Fifth Heaven Designs on Etsy and then leave a comment here on which Fifth Heaven product is your favorite and why.

Bonus Entry:

**Leave a new comment per bonus entry**

Subscribe (under the Prilosec OTC sponsor logo) to The Bernard Charles Show

Follow Bernard on Twitter @IntuitionHost and leave your Twitter Name in comment

Go to America’s Future Talk Show Host on Facebook and leave wall post of your favorite Egyptian topic

Follow Fifth Heaven Designs on Tumblr

“Like” Fifth Heaven on Facebook and tell them The Bernard Charles Show sent you

Giveaway Ends:

A winner will be chose at random on April 29, 2012.

~~~~~~~

About the Sponsor:

Fifth Heaven Designs is the product of two crafty people who love creating unique, beautiful jewellery. Jenna specialises in in wire crochet, Viking knit jewellery, and polymer clay jewellery. Raphaela enjoys playing with fire and metal, as well as dabbling in polymer clay and beading, so we’re expanding into mixed metal jewellery and silversmithing.

We think of our work as traditional-with-a-twist. We like taking traditional methods – like the Viking weave, or crochet – and making dramatic, modern statement jewellery. We’re really interested in Byzantine, Celtic and Islamic art, and we also find inspiration in the natural world.

Official Giveaway Rules

The winner will be selected at random according to Random.org

The winner will be contacted via email.

If the winner does not reply within 4 days he/she will forfeit their prize and another participant will be chosen at random to win the giveaway.

One ‘bonus entry’ counts as one extra entry unless otherwise noted.

The Tarot Card Earrings giveaway winner has been released!

Find out who it is here!

If you would like to suggest Etsy Shops that you would like to see sponsor show giveaways please email me at TheBernardCharlesShow@facebook.com with the shop name and what item you would like to see as an exclusive giveaway!

Coming Up!

The New Year New You blog giveaway continues with the month of April! Etsy Shop Sponsor: Fifth Heaven Designs! This giveaway opens on April 16, 2012.

And what better way to introduce the book then to have Journeys of Life, a local metaphysical and spiritual store in Shadyside host a book signing event.

Friday night on the full moon, Journeys opened its doors to allow customers the chance to meet Rick and Liza and take home signed copies of the book (after paying for the event of course). The night ended with a presentation by the zodiac-duo showing us the significance of their astrological discovery and the uniqueness of the book. I won’t tell you any deep details of the discovery since reading the book will be more adventuresome, but a component of the discovery is that each sign is like a stepping-stone in self-discovery.

All the signs play off each other from Aries being the first sign of innocence to the last sign, Pisces representing content with nothingness. We get our traits and reasoning by learning lessons from the previous signs before us – says Rick.

As we munched on cookies and strawberries in Journey’s reading nook, I felt a great sense of awe and enlightenment hearing this discovery and it unraveled so neatly in my honest Arian opinion. My own journey has allowed me to appreciate my astrological forecasts and daily horoscopes, but now knowing that someone took the time to express my thoughts in a book is profound and I call it divine timing.

Click to Purchase The Exquisite Zodiac

The alignment of stars and planets according to anyone’s birth shouldn’t be tossed around nonchalantly because being born is a sacred gift. The wheel of the zodiac can help improve your life or even show you the way to a deeper self and I believe this book helps you to understand this exquisite concept.

The Exquisite Zodiac offers a new perspective to astrology unlike other books that only list traits of specific signs.

The book is available on Amazon and you can even purchase it at Journeys of Life.

I would like to inform you that I have agreed to partner with WordPress on allowing advertising to appear on my show-blog.

The participation is 100% optional, and my initial reasoning to participate is not to make your reading experience frantic or unpleasant, but to simply keep the funds flowing to WordPress itself and to show support for the little guys who long  for a chance at getting paid for remarkable writing talent.

Even so, as a reader, you will have a chance to learn about new products and services like any other website that includes advertising, that’s a plus in my book!

WordAds was introduced to the WordPress bloggers in November and WordPress informed us that they have partnered with Federated Media to launch this advertising platform.

The exact products and services that will be promoted on The Bernard Charles Show depends on WordPress itself and the willing advertisers that want to get their brands out there.

I am truly excited for this venture and am happy to swim the web with fellow bloggers. If you have a WordPress blog and would like to apply for WordAds, please visit here for more information.

Your host,

Bernard-Charles

OFFICIALLY CLOSED

WINNER: MARSHA MILLER

You have until 4 days to claim your giveaway prize.

Note: Trackbacks/Pings are not counted in total number of comments.

From Cirques Creations:

 “ I believe jewelry should be fun and fit one’s personality.”

Now you have a chance to win a giveaway. Simply follow the instructions below to enter!

The Giveaway:

(1) Cirques Creations Tarot Earrings

Who can enter:

Anyone with a valid USA or Canada mailing address and valid email address.

How to enter:

Go to Cirques Creations on Etsy and then leave a comment here on which Cirques Creation product is your favorite and why.

Bonus Entry:

**Leave a new comment per bonus entry**

Subscribe (under the Prilosec OTC sponsor logo) to The Bernard Charles Show

Follow Bernard on Twitter @IntuitionHost and leave your Twitter Name in comment

Go to America’s Future Talk Show Host on Facebook and leave wall post of your favorite tarot/oracle card or deck

Giveaway Ends:

A winner will be chose at random on April 12, 2012.

~~~~~~~

About the Sponsor:

Hi. I’m Debbie Wales of Cirques Creations on Etsy. I make jewelry, book marks, and other unitque items using mostly sterling silver wire and various beads. I love colors and textures and try to incorporate both into my creations. These Tarot earrings are a great example — they are colorful and unique. Made from resin-coated paper, they are very light yet sturdy. Enjoy and good luck!!

Official Giveaway Rules

The winner will be selected at random according to Random.org

The winner will be contacted via email.

If the winner does not reply within 4 days he/she will forfeit their prize and another participant will be chosen at random to win the giveaway.

One ‘bonus entry’ counts as one extra entry unless otherwise noted.

by Bernard-Charles

You live in a society that kills it’s children annually as a reminder of a long ago rebellion through what’s called The Hunger Games.

One boy and one girl are randomly chosen from 12 districts to fight to the death in a digital arena, but this year the traditions are put to the test as “the girl on fire” leaves a scorching mark on The Capitol by the power of love.

I don’t know about you– but that in itself makes me want to clap my gay little hands and fight for love, even if we don’t know if it’s real love or not (Read the books to find out).

Credit: Lionsgate

The opening weekend for The Hunger Games (2012) directed by Gary Ross hit $155 million dollars and that alone should influence your decision somewhat. The buzz around a film like that is too hard to ignore.

Overall, the filmmakers accurately captured the essence of  The Hunger Games in relation to the book. There are elements that are different, but you can discover those differences yourself.

Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) was a huge role being “the girl on fire” and Lawrence perfected it by bringing her own tom-boy flair out. The boy tribute from District 12, Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) also saw instant approval by heartfelt fans just for being “the boy with the bread.” However, the acting elevated itself as love was presented and Hutcherson had a goal to work towards besides saving his life in the arena. Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth) suppose to be rugged hunter and Katniss’ best friend was too pretty and clean for my taste which blended the distinction between Peeta and Gale as Katniss’ conflicting love interests.

This might be a reverse spin off of Twilight’s love triangle, but the conflict within Katniss to long for Gale while being in the arena and fall for Peeta to make an impression was lost. The film has the viewer (who has not read the books) witnessing the ‘Games’ from a Capitol perspective and this waters down the complexity of the characters thus simplifying the dynamics of the film.

Yet, the story has a strong-female lead and balances on the topics of rebellion and justice that piques the interest for gender equality. Today, women essentially are still struggling to solidify their role in the world and Katniss Everdeen acts out as a role model for young females to become independent and brave. The Hunger Games suggests that it just might take a coal miner’s daughter to light a few matches in the process, but equality is bound to come.

May the odds be ever in your favor, ladies.

—

FIND OUT WHO WON THE HUNGER GAMES BUNDLE GIVEAWAY

The Emerald Calcite Pendant giveaway winner has been released!

Find out who it is here!

If you would like to suggest Etsy Shops that you would like to see sponsor show giveaways please email me at OfficialTVHost@facebook.com with the shop name and what item you would like to see as an exclusive giveaway!

Coming Up!

The New Year New You blog giveaway continues with the month of April! Etsy Shop Sponsor: CirquesCreations! This giveaway opens on April 1, 2012.

"Leibman tackles social media like I have since the beginning. A well worth book to have to build yourself and your career goals." -America's Future Talk Show Host

“A dream job is a job that combines your talents and your passions in a way that is meaningful to you.” says Pete Liebman, a career coach who landed his first dream job at age 21. Sounds simple, right? So, why does landing a dream job often seem like an impossible dream? The problem, Leibman believes, is that most young people start a job search before having a clear idea of the job they really want to find.

In his new book, I Got My Dream Job and So Can You: 7 Steps to Creating Your Ideal Career After College (AMACOM; March 6, 2012), Leibman shares seven do’s and don’ts to help you identify the job of your dreams–and avoid ending up in a nightmare situation:

1. Don’t pursue other people’s dreams. You won’t find your dream job by chasing a hot field or by swallowing the “advice” being jammed down your throat by parents, family, friends, professors, or society. “The only way to get your dream job is to be honest about what you want to do,” Leibman stresses. “The answer is inside you, not outside.”
2. Don’t expect perfect. A dream job is not a soul mate or about finding “the one.” There are lots of jobs out there that could be your dream job. A dream job is also not a perfect job. “No job will ever be exciting and free from frustration 100 percent of the time, Leibman says. “If that is your expectation, you will always be disappointed.”
3. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Yes, you should make your career decisions carefully. But, if you pursue a path that winds up not working for you, remember: a job is not a life sentence. You can change directions at any time. “In fact,” as Leibman notes, “most people change jobs (and careers) a number of times throughout their lives.”
4. Try new things. “The best way to find out what you like to do and what you are good at is through personal experience,” Leibman says. Take variety of courses, travel to new places, and read about different subjects. Intern and volunteer. The more your experience, the easier it will be to determine what you want from your career.
5. Take some tests. Career assessments might shed light on talents and passions that you’ve overlooked. Check with your college’s career center to see what services are available. Many offer free career testing to alumni as well as students. Use the results to open your mind to new options– not, as Leibman cautions, to limit your thinking.
6. Talk to people you trust. Find several people you trust, and ask for their help in brainstorming potential career paths. “Talking out loud to people you respect can uncover ideas you had not previously considered,” suggests Leibman. Also, talk to people in any fields of interest– what is formally known as an Informational Interview.
7. Talk to yourself. “If you don’t know what your passions and talents are, you need to start paying more attention to how you feel as you live your life,” Leibman says. To begin, Leibman advises going somewhere by yourself, somewhere peaceful where you will be inspired to THINK BIG. Start by envisioning your ideal life. Then, get to work on creating your own dream job description. Take time to define your ideal work location, schedule, and environment, as well as your ideal job function and compensation. The results should help to clearly identify your target market and dream position.

Adapted from I GOT MY DREAM JOB AND SO CAN YOU: 7 Steps to Creating Your Ideal Career After College by Pete Liebman (AMACOM; March 6, 2012; $15.95 Paperback; ISBN: 978-0-8144-2020-1).

Pete Leibman is the founder of Dream Job Academy, an online program devoted to helping young professionals follow their passions, fully tap their talents, and find a meaningful job with growth potential–the job they really want. In addition to his work as a career-building trainer, he inspires thousands of young professionals each year a popular keynote speaker. He has spoken to audiences as large as 4,000+, and has shared his career advice at some of the world’s best colleges, including Stanford University and Johns Hopkins University. Follow Pete Leibman on Twitter @PeteLeibman