Toothpick Bridge Project

I never thought that a strong bridge can be made out of toothpicks and ordinary glue. This is what I found out as I watched my brother take on his Toothpick Bridge project for his Math subject. The challenge was to create a bridge made purely of toothpicks and glue that can withstand the strength test while incorporating the designated geometric figure which is the triangle.

Design Test:

As you can see, the triangle figure was maximized. Each triangle was painstakingly formed and allowed to dry before being glued together. Smaller triangles were formed in between by adding toothpicks. 

Strength Test:

The finished toothpick bridge was subjected to the drop test. It should not have a single misplaced piece after being dropped to the floor. It should also be able to withstand the weight of a medium-sized hardbound book as shown above. Luckily, my brother's project survived both tests earning him a perfect score of 100%.

Play Test:

And now for the play test...It can be a very interesting addition to our toys although I'm not really sure how it will fare in the hands of very young children. Let's just see.

The Mask

The mask can be a creative work like what my brother did,

A part of a costume in a performance indeed,

But to me, it can be a playful disguise to hide,

Whatever it is I'm feeling inside.

Foldable Shoes - Comfort in Style

Wearing shoes for eight hours or more each day can really be quite uncomfortable. Our feet, like most parts of our body need to be able to breathe and have some sort of respite from the constriction felt in wearing regular closed shoes. This is especially so for women who have to wear high-heeled shoes at work. Fashionable foldable shoes can offer the needed rest for the feet without sacrificing style.

What are Foldable Shoes?

Foldable shoes, also called fold-up shoes or portable shoes are essentially flats in foldable version. They are very easy to carry around as they usually fit in small pouches. They can be a woman's best friend while partying, working, or traveling. With the wide range of choices available today, it is so easy to find one that best suits your needs. Of course, there are also men's versions but the available styles are not quite as extensive as that of women's.

How to Make the Right Choice

Obviously, not all foldable shoes are created equal. Generally, the easier they are to carry around, the less comfortable and sturdy they are. Rubber soles can certainly add comfort and protection but they tend to be bulkier than fabric soles. Leather is certainly heavier than satin for example when used as the main shoe material. The choice would really depend on where and how the shoes will be used.

Sturdier Than You Think

In spite of its fragile look, most foldable shoes are a lot sturdier than they are given credit for. However, they do not last as long as regular shoes and will not be able to provide needed support for all-day use. The waterproof sole makes it usable for the outdoors but it is best to remember that they are intended to be a back-up solution only for tired and sore feet. Foldable shoes are washable and can be used over and over again. 

My Foldable Shoes

Working in an office requires me to dress up professionally and that includes wearing equally professional-looking shoes which usually means wearing heels. Since most of my working hours involve a lot of sitting, I can afford to slip on to a pair of foldable shoes and change back to regular shoes when needed. 

I recently bought SpareSoles foldable shoes for the purpose. I admit that my first choice was based on looks as I absolutely love the brown-colored satin material. Besides, I was initially planning to just use the shoes indoors. I'd probably buy another one which I will use outdoors and I'm considering those with rubber soles next time. For now, I am just happy to be comfortable and yet still in style.