tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46611584589181201542024-03-14T04:14:17.740-07:00The Adventures of An African DutchessMy name is Neema. Am going to blog about my shoe addiction, my travels, my wine buying habits, fashion, the power of positive thinking and talk about the things I love and miss about my country Kenya. I am a career woman who loves her job and loves the Lord. I hope that at the end of day, you will find positivity in my blog.nokalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191419644315703405noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4661158458918120154.post-88029361341232273542015-09-15T17:14:00.000-07:002015-09-15T17:14:00.443-07:00What is your fashion style?I love colors, high heels (shoes) and also being a naturalista. So what is my fashion style? Below see all the pictures of me and decide what my fashion style is?<br />
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<br />nokalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191419644315703405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4661158458918120154.post-35209673693697680812015-09-14T06:30:00.000-07:002015-09-14T06:30:00.413-07:00Visiting Paris, France<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Growing
up, I always imagined places that I would like to visit: Paris, London,
Barcelona, Rome and what is amazing is, I have visited all these places. I love to travel and if I had a way, I would
travel every month – too bad I cannot afford it.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTs3M-XEziLEAFxyrm17gY6smutMZ5wSN1NGOjGPh9Q8rGB9Rf1NtSN4qwj1NsaBq_-9DpHxBCojZmwfiZb0ytDepjL0wjINroO0o9EmQP16mygt8cTeITIe5OwpOLLoOgppJ7tIjDX8/s1600/1381703_10201820530410755_992375801_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTs3M-XEziLEAFxyrm17gY6smutMZ5wSN1NGOjGPh9Q8rGB9Rf1NtSN4qwj1NsaBq_-9DpHxBCojZmwfiZb0ytDepjL0wjINroO0o9EmQP16mygt8cTeITIe5OwpOLLoOgppJ7tIjDX8/s400/1381703_10201820530410755_992375801_n.jpg" width="266" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And one
can visit Paris every day but I love to visit the city during the fall
especially September or October. There
are so many reasons why I love this time of the year among them being it is
less crowded, less expensive and it is beautiful (fall colors). </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">High
season is over in the fall and experiencing the city at this time is more
enjoyable. I remember even though I waited 1 ½
long hours to visit the Eiffel Tower, it was still better than waiting 3
hours at the Notre Dame. The other good
news is that you can visit the city as a local. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of
the reasons why I love Paris is because it is synonymous with finest things
that culture has to offer – food, fashion, art, literature everything. Maybe that’s why it is known as the city of
light – the Louvre, Orsay, Notre-Dame etc.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span>Must-see sights</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gazing
down on the city from the top of the <b>Eiffel Tower</b> is the ideal Paris
baptism. You can never go to Paris and not be able to see this place. And then
afterwards, go to the green lawns of the Parc du Champ de Mars and enjoy the
walk. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Notre
Dame,</b> who says you can’t see this place? And don’t forget to clamber up the
cathedral’s tower to the rooftop to enjoy the beauty of Paris. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Waiting
for over 1 hour to see the Mona Lisa at the Louvre was totally worth it. And for the art lovers, this place is like
heaven on earth and you cannot see this place without visiting the very a must
places, <b>Musee d’Orsay,</b> <b>Musee Rodin,</b> <b>Musee du Quia Branly</b>, <b>Musee Picasso </b>and
iconic places such as <b>Arc de Triomphe. </b></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Where to eat</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Excellent
French cuisine is part of Paris culture and it is all par excellence. You can
try the local bistros in St. Germain or the ones by the Louvre and Montmatre. </span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Where to stay</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
have stayed in several places in Paris but one of the best places that I loved
staying was Montparnasse. Finding the perfect place to stay depends on budget
and location - Pinning down the perfect place to stay depends on budget and
location – arrondissements (districts)
have their own personality with ample choice when it comes to recommended
hotels. So feel free to choose any place. The good thing is most of the
districts have easy access to major sights, transport links, shops and
drinking/dining options etc. Another
excellent option is Latin Quarters (5e). </span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Getting
around</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paris
has an excellent public transport system and tickets are so inexpensive. You
can buy a pass or yickets depending on how long you will be there.</span></span></div>
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</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Frequent
trains and buses link Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports with the city
center. The first time I landed in Paris, I took the train from Charles de
Gaulle to my hotel in the center of Paris or even Montaparnesse. And strolling
around Paris is a please between the must see sights. And if it is a must, just
take the tour buses that stops you at every must see sight. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>A couple of things: </b> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-weight: normal;">Avoid August as
much as you can. Everything is dead
since anyone is going on vacation.</span></span></span></h2>
</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Also,
remember taxis are expensive especially at night. That is because the Metro
shuts at 1 am so if you have to party, try to finish it by 1 am. </span></span></li>
</ul>
nokalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191419644315703405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4661158458918120154.post-32617983433731625862015-09-13T06:30:00.000-07:002015-09-13T06:30:00.881-07:00Super Soul Sunday - Quotes to Stay Positive<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We all have bad days and when nothing seems to go right and you are having a bad day, rest assured that the negativity will pass and you will have a good day. Below are some inspirational quotes that will help you stay positive and carry on even when it is worst of the worst. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Chuck Norris</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"A lot of times people look at the negative side of what they feel they can't do. I always look on the positive side of what I can do.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Elizabeth Edwards</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that I am grateful.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Nhat Hanh</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"People deal too much with the negative, with what is wrong. Why not try and see positive things, to just touch those things and make them bloom?”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Demi Lovato</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"No matter what you're going through, there's a light at the end of the tunnel and it may seem hard to get to it but you can do it and just keep working towards it and you'll find the positive side of things.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>John Wooden</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"If you're not making mistakes, then you're not doing anything. I'm positive that a doer makes mistakes.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>John Wooden</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"If you're not making mistakes, then you're not doing anything. I'm positive that a doer makes mistakes.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>John Wooden</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"If you're not making mistakes, then you're not doing anything. I'm positive that a doer makes mistakes.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Michael Jordan</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Always turn a negative situation into a positive situation.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Elvis Presley</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'When things go wrong, don't go with them.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Oprah Winfrey</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."</span></span><br />
<br />nokalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191419644315703405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4661158458918120154.post-66250454104434404312015-09-08T06:30:00.000-07:002015-09-08T06:30:00.955-07:00How do you Cope with Stress?<div style="text-align: justify;">
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</style><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I should never say this but every time I am stressed or I
having a lot of things going on in my life, I always turn to buying shoes as a
way of coping. And lately, I have been buying more and more. Aldo Shoes and Jimmy Choo. I love me some Jimmies. They are comfortable and pricey but the best - Love it!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So how do you cope with stress? What do you do? And what are the best ways to manage stress?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Someone once told me that you should do a couple of things if you want to be happy because if you are happy, you won't have a lot of stress. But that still does not mean that you won't have stress. I go through periods when I am stressed and not happy. I try to workout as a way to cope with stress also besides buying shoes which is really a bad habit.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So when life seems to bring you down and you can't seem to find a way out, remember a couple of things:</span></span></div>
<ol style="text-align: justify;">
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Focus on what makes you happy!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Go out there and get your happiness by all means</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stop chasing dreams that don’t work</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stop working on Goals that don’t work and focus on things that make you
happy</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trust in God always</span></span></li>
</ol>
nokalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191419644315703405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4661158458918120154.post-40347654021612082652015-09-07T06:30:00.000-07:002015-09-07T06:30:00.318-07:00Adventures of An African Dutchess and Dating<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I never thought I would ever write this but I think after last week, I am bound to say something. I currently enjoy and live working in the bay area but dating in this part of the world is horrible. I am almost giving up but my friend Amanda keeps reminding me that I should always give people a chance. Ohh well my chances are running thing and I don't have the patience for it. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Anyway, what prompted me to write this is that last Friday, I decided to accept an invite from this guy who asked me out. I should have asked a couple of questions but I said why not. And let's not forget this is the second time this is happening. Heck am not even going to allow a third time. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's customary in my opinion that when a guy asks you out, he should pay for the dinner or drink but well am living a world where the guys have been meeting lately don't want to do any of those. You ask me out, pay for the damn dinner/drink and if you cannot afford it, lets go walk along the park or rather, spend $3 on a starbucks. I am not happy spending over $60 and even more shameful is you ask me to split the bill --ARRRGGGG. What happened to men being men and treating women nicely on the first date especially if you ask me out. I would have spent my time, reading my books and binge watching Scandal or Empire without worrying about nothing and losing money on my account.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Anyway, so a couple of things. Moving forward, I will not split any check with a guy who asks me out. Secondly, before I go any date, I am going to ask the guy if we are going out as friends or you are taking me on a date because if it is a date, then you better pay for it and if it is friends, then lets go take a walk in the park, I will carry my water and not spend any cent. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well that's my Monday Morning Banter. What are your dating disasters?</span></span></div>
<br />nokalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191419644315703405noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4661158458918120154.post-59428186605510420042015-08-30T07:00:00.000-07:002015-08-30T07:00:02.510-07:00Super Soul Sunday - Johari Window<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4661158458918120154" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4661158458918120154" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4661158458918120154" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4661158458918120154" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4661158458918120154" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4661158458918120154" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For today, I wanted to share with everyone something that I really love and go back to everytime things get a little complicated in my life - '<a href="http://kevan.org/johari" target="_blank">The Johari window'.</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Johari Window was created by two American psychologists, Joseph Luft (1916–2014) and Harrington Ingham (1914–1995) in 1955 and is a technique used to help people better understand their relationship with themselves as well as others. It is used primarily in self-help groups and corporate settings as a heuristic exercise.<br /><br />I first learned about this when I watched BET’s Being Mary Jane on an episode and decided to take time and learn about myself. It helps you describe yourself from a fixed list of adjectives, then asking your friends and colleagues to help describe you from the same list and at the end of it, you will have a Johari Window.<br /><br />This model is simple and it helps in improving self-awareness, and mutual understanding between individuals within a group. So here are the 4 quadrants in the Johari Window:</span></span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Open - Known to All</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Blind - Known to Others</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hidden - Known to only Myself</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Unknown - Known to No One</span></span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />If you want to try this - please go to <a href="http://kevan.org/johari" target="_blank">to take a test</a> and see where you stand and ask friends to help you. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here is an example of a Johari Window.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0R6aEgR35inVkVNuk8xtkegbiEJrzynld1zdAgdN8tP32_RYiXVEJJqkYLP7UDCevpbw6W9SX4F1Wxee75Nhwx_SFdCJsadYeAZ0hFtjCc1nDIbVZT63tQRU0VHLwx9MjCvuaXOBIpEc/s1600/johari1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0R6aEgR35inVkVNuk8xtkegbiEJrzynld1zdAgdN8tP32_RYiXVEJJqkYLP7UDCevpbw6W9SX4F1Wxee75Nhwx_SFdCJsadYeAZ0hFtjCc1nDIbVZT63tQRU0VHLwx9MjCvuaXOBIpEc/s400/johari1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<ol>
</ol>
nokalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191419644315703405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4661158458918120154.post-3983721132934032962015-08-26T06:30:00.000-07:002015-08-26T06:30:00.207-07:00Coping with Stress<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The best way to manage your stress is to learn healthy coping strategies. <br /><br />They always say that the best ways to manage stress is by focusing on relaxing your mind and your body. This can be done through:</span></div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Writing and journaling. It may help to write about things that are bothering you. Write for 10 to 15 minutes a day about stressful events and how they made you feel. Or think about tracking your stress. This helps you find out what is causing your stress and how much stress you feel. After you know, you can find better ways to cope.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Let your feelings out. Talk, laugh, cry, and express anger when you need to. Talking with friends, family, a counselor, or a member of the clergy about your feelings is a healthy way to relieve stress.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Focus on the present. Meditation really helps your mind to relax and focus. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Do something you enjoy. You may feel that you're too busy to do these things. But making time to do something you enjoy can help you relax. It might also help you get more done in other areas of your life. Try:</span></li>
</ul>
<ol style="text-align: justify;">
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A hobby, such as gardening.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Buying shoes (thats me)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Working out - After a long day, I always go to the gym</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Try taking a walk to see nature </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A creative activity, such as writing, crafts, or art.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Playing with and caring for pets.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Volunteer work.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://candiesandcrunches.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/50-ways-to-take-a-break.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://candiesandcrunches.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/50-ways-to-take-a-break.jpg" height="400" id="irc_mi" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="324" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Image Source https://www.pinterest.com/pin/208150814001004135/</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</li>
</ol>
nokalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191419644315703405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4661158458918120154.post-76030712190243361142015-08-25T06:30:00.000-07:002015-08-25T06:30:00.875-07:00Longhand Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir <div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.bevmo.com/Media/Images/ProductImagesFull/95738.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.bevmo.com/Media/Images/ProductImagesFull/95738.jpg" id="ctl00_uxContentMain_uxProductImageFull" style="border-width: 0px;" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">What wine am I loving now? Longhand Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and what’s fun is I get it at BevMo for $29.95 and $0.05 cents for a second bottle making it $30 for 2. You cannot beat that! Thank you BevMo!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.bevmo.com/Media/Images/ProductImagesFull/95738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />This wine is from Sonoma Coast here in California by Longhand. It is a Pinot Noir and it has a little bit of dried strawberry and sweet earth with an elegant finish.<br /><br />Why do I love it? It is a friendly wine. Its mellow, flavorful with no bite and easy to drink but also one of those wines that are easy to get for everyday visitors. Call it an every day decent pinot noir.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
nokalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191419644315703405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4661158458918120154.post-92065306839473988252015-08-22T06:00:00.001-07:002015-08-22T06:00:04.266-07:00Super Soul Sunday - Tinybuddha (40 ways to live, laugh and love like a child)For this Super Soul Sunday, I wanted to share this post with you. You can ready more at <a href="http://tinybuddha.com/blog/40-ways-to-live-laugh-and-love-like-a-child/" target="_blank">tinybuddha.com</a>. This was written by Laura Tong<b>.</b><br />
<br />
<b>How to Live, Laugh and Love Like a Child</b><br />
<h4>
<b>1. Belly laugh at your own jokes.</b></h4>
Give your happiness a double boost by delighting in your own unique sense of humor.<br />
<h4>
<b>2. Hop, skip, and run.</b></h4>
Instantly halt worry with the enjoyable distraction of moving your body in fun ways.<br />
<h4>
<b style="line-height: 1.5;">3. Believe you have super powers.</b></h4>
Call on your amazing inner store of talent, knowledge, and intuition
to feel superhero invincible and stay blissfully upbeat no matter what
the day throws your way. <i>“All the wonders you seek are within yourself.” ~Sir Thomas Browne</i><br />
<h4>
<b>4.Giggle with friends.<br />
</b></h4>
Build heart-warming, life-long relationships and a treasure of great memories with fun, giggle-making get-togethers.<br />
<h4>
<b>5. Ride a chariot</b>.</h4>
Whiz along on a shopping cart or anything with wheels for a gleeful ride that will blow any earnest thoughts from your mind.<br />
<h4>
<b>6. Holler, “Me! Me! Me!”</b></h4>
Trust good things will happen, and put your hand up for every opportunity that comes your way.<br />
<h4>
<b>7. Jump into the circle.</b></h4>
Join in with any fabulous fun around you without waiting to be asked.
You’re bound to form some great new relationships with like-minded
good-timers.<br />
<h4>
<b>8. Demand, “Why not?”</b></h4>
Argue back against any limiting thoughts regarding your chances of
happily succeeding with any ideas or plans you have for the life you
dream of.<br />
<h4>
<b style="line-height: 1.5;">9. Radiate joy.</b></h4>
Let your presence spread happiness to others by the infectious nature of your joy.<br />
<h4>
<b>10. Clown about.</b></h4>
Brighten up your day by acting out any daft idea that strikes you—the sillier the better.<br />
<h4>
<b>11. Be impulsive sometimes. </b></h4>
Follow your gut instead of overthinking. It’s a great way to find what truly motivates and inspires you.<br />
<h4>
<b>12. Jump up and down.</b></h4>
Encourage feelings of excitement to bubble up more often by giving
them glorious, physical free rein. Others will fall in love with this
hugely appealing quality.<br />
<h4>
<b>13. Be a rebel.<br />
</b></h4>
Question every wretched rule that hampers your precious happiness. Realize consequences are mostly imagined.<br />
<h4>
<b>14. Talk nonsense.</b></h4>
<i>“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells.” ~Dr. Seuss</i><br />
<h4>
<b>15. Sing happy birthday.</b></h4>
Give yourself the gorgeous gift of looking forward to birthdays (even
the “big” ones!) by focusing on sharing, receiving, and celebrating all
you’ve contributed in the past twelve months.<br />
<h4>
<b>16. Do a twirl.</b></h4>
Pander to your creative flair for a brilliant <a href="http://tinybuddha.com/blog/30-ways-to-improve-your-mood-when-youre-feeling-down/">mood-boost</a> by wearing exactly what you fancy, unrestricted by any concerns for color matching or trends.<br />
<h4>
<b>17. Dress it up.</b></h4>
Delve into your dressing up box to turn unavoidable chores into fun,
let-me-at-‘em tasks by completing them while regaled in fantastically
outrageous items that instantly lift your spirits.<br />
<h4>
<b>18. Boogie on down.</b></h4>
<i>“Kids: they dance before they learn there is anything that isn’t music.” ~William Stafford</i><br />
<h4>
<b>19. Eat jam from the jar.</b></h4>
Bypass the rules every now and then if you see a happiness-boosting opportunity, and it won’t hurt anyone else.<br />
<h4>
<b>20. Splish splash through puddles.</b></h4>
Take a break from meaningful activities to relax by being deliciously frivolous.<br />
<h4>
<b>21. Banish bedtime blues. </b></h4>
<a href="http://tinybuddha.com/blog/quiet-your-mind-and-just-play-in-20-ways/">Play</a> late into the night if you’re having fun; you’ll sleep better for it and wake up feeling super positive.<br />
<h4>
<b>22. Hug your friends.</b></h4>
Lavish love and affection on the people who make your world a great place to live.<br />
<h4>
<b>23. Burst into song.</b></h4>
Sing lustily when a tune pops into your head to bring on feelings of pure joy.<br />
<h4>
<b>24. Chatter to yourself.</b></h4>
Have upbeat conversations with yourself out loud to silence your <a href="http://tinybuddha.com/blog/stop-beating-yourself-up-40-ways-silence-inner-critic/">inner critic</a>. Kid’s don’t have an inner monolog and get things out in the open – much more healthy.<br />
<h4>
<b>25. Have a powwow.</b></h4>
Don’t be self-conscious about asking for help from strangers.
Discussing your problems in a positive way with someone else not only
finds a solution faster but also can find a new friend as well.<br />
<h4>
<b>26. Splash in the bath.<br />
</b></h4>
Get super playful with mundane events to make these supremely enjoyable.<br />
<h4>
<b>27. Camp out.</b></h4>
Build an overnight den in the yard or even in the lounge for an
exciting change of routine that will keep your thinking patterns fresh.<br />
<h4>
<b>28. Stamp your foot.</b></h4>
Be strong over matters that are important to you. No one has the right to steal your, or a child’s, happiness.<br />
<h4>
<b>29. Blurt out, “I love you.”</b></h4>
Love at face value. Don’t be shy about <a href="http://tinybuddha.com/blog/52-ways-tell-someone-love-appreciate/">telling those you cherish just how much they mean to you</a>.<br />
<h4>
<b>30. Say sorry.</b></h4>
Be the first to quickly repair any relationship breakdowns for a lifetime of loving support and a million happy memories.<br />
<h4>
<b>31. Play with your food.</b></h4>
Make meal times fun again by dining in playful settings and choosing
menu options you associate with celebrations, holidays, and picnics.<br />
<h4>
<b>32. Trust a stranger</b>.</h4>
Rekindle unconscious, natural behaviors by talking to people you’ve
never met. You’ll be amazed by how much you light up their day and what
you learn along the way.<br />
<h4>
<b>33. Be boastful.</b></h4>
Be proud of every little success each day, and give yourself a gorgeous reward that encourages you to keep going.<br />
<h4>
<b>34. Refuse to tidy your room.</b></h4>
Leave tasks unfinished when you’ve had enough in favor of an activity that will give your happiness a super boost.<br />
<h4>
<b>35. Ask for the world</b>.</h4>
Be cheeky, and ask for something seemingly outrageous if it’s important to your joyful well-being.<br />
<h4>
<b>36. Point with awe.</b></h4>
Re-discover how awesome the everyday world is around you<i>.“There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million.” ~Walt Streightiff</i><br />
<h4>
<b>37. Create chaos.</b></h4>
Get messy, big, and bright! Focus on fully enjoying any activity you
choose so that you can encourage carefree thinking and let go of needing
to control the result.<br />
<h4>
<b>38. Be queen (or king) of your kingdom</b>.</h4>
Rule your own imaginary world and let some of that feel-good fantasy rub off in the real world. “<i>Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” ~Albert Einstein</i><br />
<h4>
<b>39. Please yourself.</b></h4>
Leave dull, unimportant tasks till later, and make time for the things that truly matter to you.<br />
<h4>
<b>40. Slay the dragon.</b></h4>
Believe in fairy tale endings by casting yourself as the heroine or
hero in your own true life story. Act this out for an incredible life of
happiness. <i>“If children ran the world, it would be a place of eternal bliss and cheer.” ~Peter David</i><br />
—<br />
Forever stressing through all the pressures of adulthood is exhausting.<br />
<br />
The relentless demands on your time and physical and emotional wellbeing leave you feeling totally wrung out.<br />
<br />
Your natural energy and enthusiasm have totally lost their sparkle.<br />
But small, simple actions toward rediscovering your sunshine can help you burst with the joy of being a kid again.<br />
<br />
Consciously choosing a child-like approach brings incredibly carefree times that you can build on.<br />
Rekindle your natural inner child. Giggle, guff, snort, and chortle
until pure joy runs out your nose.<br />
<br />
Live, love, and laugh like you never
lost the magic.<br />
<br />
And wake up feeling as if every day is the first day or your childhood.nokalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191419644315703405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4661158458918120154.post-10986704391789178792015-08-22T06:00:00.000-07:002015-08-22T06:00:06.106-07:00Advice For When There Is No One to Act as Mentor<span style="font-size: small;">I got this post from LinkedIn Pulse. You can read it here "A<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/mentor-who-shaped-me-problem-deborah-norville" target="_blank">dvice For When There Is No One to Act as Mentor</a>". It was written by Deborah Norville. This is really important to me because of the role my mentor has played in my life. </span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />Follow and Emulate People You Admire<br /> </span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I made a point of studying the careers and following the work of people in my profession whose work and career path I hoped to replicate. Those were the days before the Internet, so that meant scouring magazines and reading newspapers from around the country for feature stories on the journalists I admired. At my local library, I handed over a nickel per page to copy these articles, which formed an "inspiration library" that I would read whenever my spirits would flag. The process had the added benefit of helping hone my research skills, something any reporter hoping to advance needs.<br /><br />There are also many ways to get mentored. Even if there is no person with the time or inclination to act as a sounding board, you can use the Internet to replicate a lot of the advice you might have received.<br /><br />Watch the "How I Got My Start" videos of the key people in your field — and be sure to look for the stories of people a few rungs down the success ladder. Comment if appropriate and consider reaching out to the individual if something they said was particularly impactful to you. You might be surprised how many high-level people are actually accessible. <br /><br />Follow the social media feeds of inspirational business leaders and entrepreneurs. Not all of the messages will have direct impact on your individual goals, but a steady diet of uplifting messages can help keep you stoked despite inevitable setbacks. <br /><br />Get skilled. As you study the paths of successful people in your field, do they mention skills that you don't have? Look to online learning to obtain them or invest in some courses at local schools during your off time. <br /><br />The point is that much of the guidance you would likely get from your mentor will become obvious as you dig deeper. </span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />Take Chances to Get Noticed</span></b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">It’s hard to advance if no one knows who you are. If you want to get noticed, you’ve got to do something to bring the spotlight to you. Fortunately, there are many positive ways to do this – the best involve YOU going the extra mile. Most of us start out at the bottom of the office hierarchy – but that doesn’t mean you can’t be the best admin or mailroom clerk the company has ever seen.<br /><br />My first reporting job had me in the newsroom beginning at 8:30 or 9 a.m. and working straight through the 11 p.m. news. I think I made $75 a day for that job — that’s probably illegal both then and now.<br /><br />When I moved to Chicago, I volunteered to show up at work at 4 a.m. to anchor the local news breaks during the "Today" show. No one else wanted to do it – for me, it meant I was the first reporter in the newsroom and thus had a better shot at pitching an interesting story for that day’s newscast.<br /><br />Volunteer for projects that will bring you in closer contact with key decision makers at your company. Does that really help? Just ask NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. He started out as an intern and later driver for then-NFL Commissioner Pete Rozell. Today some say he is the most important man in sports.<br /><br />Many companies have affinity groups or after-hours events like company softball games. Don’t discount their potential benefits. That guy behind you batting clean-up might notice your all-out hustle on the field – and turn out to recommend you to his management peer who’s looking to beef up her division.</span><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Educate Yourself and Then Trust Your Gut</span></b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">One challenge of being your own mentor is it's easy to get stuck in "analysis paralysis." Resist the temptation to learn a "bit more." Once you've armed yourself with information, it's time to act. Map out your game plan. Research has shown that simply committing your goals to paper increases the chance of achieving them. Make the connections or acquire the skills you need to move in the right career direction. Ask for meetings — and when they happen, say THANK YOU. It is stunning how often people forget to simply say "thanks." I will never forget the intern who got her spot because I ran interference for her — in three months’ time she never bothered to say thank you! It is not likely I will ever extend myself on her behalf again. Fortunately she is a rare exception!</span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />Pay It Forward</span></b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Just because you don’t have a mentor doesn’t mean you can’t be one yourself. You will probably find as I have that helping others advance in their careers gives you the adrenaline to press forward in your own. More than 25 years ago, I helped my intern at NBC News make his first on-camera demo tape. Today he’s a top anchor on ESPN. Every time I see him on TV, my mood brightens. My intern at my old station in Chicago went on to become a top executive at CNN in Atlanta where she managed news coverage and created important news programs. A young woman I mentored outside of television now lives down South and through our periodic emails, I keep abreast of her success in her career – and in life.<br /><br />Remember this: you may not have a mentor now — or even better, a sponsor, someone who actually extends themselves on your behalf — but that doesn’t mean you won’t have one going forward. If you take on some of the be-your-own-mentor assignments outlined here, a real-life mentor may materialize. There is a strong chance your focus and determination will catch the eye of someone who becomes a trusted sounding board for you. Becoming a mentee at that stage will be of even greater benefit because you’ll enter the relationship much more self-aware and able to reap the advantages of having meaningful engagement with your advisor. You will thrive in your career and your mentor can feel proud of the role they played in facilitating your success.</span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b>nokalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191419644315703405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4661158458918120154.post-88970550297701019042015-08-19T06:30:00.000-07:002015-08-19T06:30:03.734-07:00The Power of Gratititude<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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ul
{margin-bottom:0in</style><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Life
should be lived with a little more GRATITUDE and a little less ATTITUDE.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">To read more, go to <a href="http://www.marcandangel.com/" target="_blank">http://www.marcandangel.com/</a> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. The more you are in a state of gratitude,
the more you will attract things to be grateful for.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Be grateful for
what you have, and you’ll end up having more.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Focus on what you
don’t have, and you’ll never have enough.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. Being happy won’t always make you grateful,
but being grateful will always make you happy.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It’s nearly
impossible to sincerely appreciate a moment and frown about it at the same
time.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">To be happy
right now doesn’t mean you don’t desire more, it means you’re grateful for
what you have and patient for what’s yet to come.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. Gratitude fosters true forgiveness, which
is when you can sincerely say, “Thank you for that experience.”</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It makes no
sense to condemn or regret an important life lesson.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Gratitude makes
sense of yesterday, <u><span style="color: blue;">brings peace to the present</span></u>, and
creates a positive vision for tomorrow.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">4. You never need more than you have at any
given moment.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It has been said
that the highest form of prayer is giving thanks. Instead of praying
‘for’ things, give thanks for what you already have.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">When life gives
you every reason to be negative, think of one good reason to be
positive. There’s always something to be grateful for.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">5. Gratitude is all-inclusive.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Good days give
you happiness and <u><span style="color: blue;">bad days give you wisdom</span></u>. Both
are essential.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Because all
things have contributed to your advancement, you must include all things
in your gratitude. This is especially true of your
relationships. We meet no ordinary people in our lives; if you give
them a chance, everyone has something important to teach you.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">6. What you have to be grateful for in the
present changes.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Be grateful for
all you have now, because you honestly never know what will happen
next. What you have will eventually be what you had.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Life changes
every single day, and your blessings will gradually change along with it.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">7. A grateful mind never takes things for
granted.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What separates
privilege from entitlement is gratitude.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The circumstance
(or person) you take for granted today may turn out to be the only one you
need tomorrow.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">8. As you express your gratitude, you must not
forget that the highest appreciation is not to simply utter words, but to live
by them daily.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What matters
most is not what you say, but how you live.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Don’t just say it,
show it. Don’t just promise it, prove it.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">9. Gratitude includes giving back.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In the hustle of
everyday life we hardly realize how much more we receive than give, and
life cannot be rich without such gratitude.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It is so easy to
overestimate the importance of our own achievements compared with what we
owe to the aid of others.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">10. The highest tribute to the people and
circumstances you’ve lost is not grief but gratitude.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Just because
something didn’t last forever, doesn’t mean it wasn’t the greatest gift
imaginable.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Be thankful that
your paths crossed and that you got the chance to experience something
wonderful.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">11. To be truly grateful, you must be truly
present.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Count the
blessings in your life, and start with the breath you’re taking right now.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We often forget
that the greatest miracle is not to walk on water; the greatest miracle is
to walk on this green earth, <u><span style="color: blue;">dwelling deeply in the present moment</span></u>,
appreciating it and feeling completely alive. </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">12. Letting go of control multiplies the
potential for gratitude.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Sometimes we put
too much weight into trying to control every tiny aspect of our lives that
we completely miss the forest for the trees.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Learn to let go,
relax a bit and ride the path that life takes you sometimes. Try
something new, be fearless, but above all else, do your best and be OK
with it. Clearing yourself of needless expectations lets you truly
experience the unexpected. And the greatest joys in life are often
the unexpected surprises and opportunities you never anticipated.</span></span><br />
<br />
</li>
</ul>
nokalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191419644315703405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4661158458918120154.post-76534978299937932732015-08-18T06:30:00.000-07:002015-08-18T06:30:01.079-07:00A Way to Get Fit and Also Have Fun - By Gretchen Reynolds <div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This article was written on New York Times. To read more, go to <a href="http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/07/29/a-way-to-get-fit-and-also-have-fun/" target="_blank">A way to get fit and also have fun</a>. </span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"<i>Can exercise that is intense also be fun? </i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Researchers in Denmark
recently began delving into that issue and in the process developed a
new approach to intense interval training that could appeal even to
those of us who, until now, have been disinclined to push ourselves
during exercise.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>High-intensity
exercise, usually in the form of short bursts of very arduous intervals
interspersed with rest, has much to recommend it. <a href="http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/10/one-minute-workout/">Many studies have show</a>n that <a href="http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/02/26/how-to-get-fit-in-a-few-minutes-a-week/">even a few minutes of these intervals</a> can substantially <a href="http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/26/sweaty-answer-to-chronic-illness/">improve health and cardiovascular fitness</a>.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>But high-intensity
interval workouts have a drawback that is seldom acknowledged. Many
people don’t like them and soon abandon the program. </i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>In a <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24454698">telling study published last year,</a>
researchers in New Zealand asked overweight, out-of-shape adults to
complete three months of high-intensity interval training, using one of
two common types of training programs. One consisted of either four
minutes of fast jogging, a rest, and four more minutes of strenuous
jogging. The other consisted of 30 seconds of all-out effort, followed
by rest, and was repeated three times.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Some of the exercisers’ sessions were supervised, and some were supposed to be done on their own. </i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Both programs would have been expected to round the volunteer into much better shape.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>They didn’t. Few of
the participants became significantly more fit, especially in the
30-second hard interval group. The probable reason, the researchers
speculate, was that most of the participants had quit doing most or all
of their assigned exercise early on in the study.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>This finding and
others like it troubled Jens Bangsbo, a professor of physiology at the
University of Copenhagen in Denmark, who studies high-intensity interval
training. In studies at his lab, repeated hard intervals had almost
invariably made people fitter, faster and healthier.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>But those studies
typically had involved highly motivated athletes riding high-tech
stationary bicycles and had been supervised by the scientists, who
personally had cajoled the participants to complete each interval. </i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Those were hardly real-world circumstances, Dr. Bangsbo realized. </i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>So he and his
colleagues began to wonder if there might be more practical and
palatable approaches to high-intensity interval training. </i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>“We wanted to create a
workout that could be employed by everyone, from the nonexperienced
person to the elite athlete,” Dr. Bangsbo said. </i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>After some trial and error, they came up with a candidate routine and named it 10-20-30 training.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>It has become my favorite interval program. </i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>The essentials of
10-20-30 training are simple. Run, ride or perhaps row on a rowing
machine gently for 30 seconds, accelerate to a moderate pace for 20
seconds, then sprint as hard as you can for 10 seconds. (It should be
called 30-20-10 training, obviously, but that is not as catchy.) Repeat.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>The enticements of
this particular program are many. It is easy to remember and low-tech,
requiring no gym membership, heart rate monitor, or flow chart, as some
complicated interval programs seem to demand. You don’t even need a
stopwatch to monitor the 30-, 20-, and 10-second time changes. You can,
like me, count to yourself, which seems to make the intervals pass
quickly.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Perhaps best of all,
the grueling, all-out portion of the workout lasts for only 10 seconds,
which is far more manageable for most of us than 30 seconds or 4
minutes. </i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>But of course the program must be effective if scientists are to recommend it. So for a <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25439558">study published in December in The Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports</a>, Dr. Bangsbo and his colleagues set out to test the routine with a large group of average exercisers. </i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Approaching running
clubs throughout Denmark, the scientists found 132 mostly middle-aged,
recreational runners who agreed to substitute 10-20-30 training for two
of their usual weekly workouts. </i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>As a result, their weekly mileage fell by about half. </i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>The scientists also recruited 28 runners to serve as controls and continue their normal training. </i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>All of the runners underwent physiological testing at the start of the study, including a simulated 5K race. </i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Then the scientists turned the runners loose to continue with or abandon their training as they chose. </i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>After eight weeks,
almost all of the runners in the 10-20-30 group were still following the
program. And when they repeated their 5K runs, they had shaved an
average of 38 seconds from their times. Most also had lower blood
pressure and other markers of improved health. </i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>There were no changes among the runners in the control group. </i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Of course, any regular
interval training should improve someone’s athletic endurance and
health if it replaces slower training, which is why serious athletes
incorporate interval sessions into their regimens. </i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>But in Dr. Bangsbo’s
study, the 10-20-30 program not only allowed the runners to train less
while growing faster, it seemed to make the workouts pleasurable. </i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>“The running clubs in
our study reported much improved social interactions between members”
during the workouts, Dr. Bangsbo said, because when the fastest runners
turned around after each set of five 10-20-30 sprints, as most did, they
found themselves following the slower runners, who had the satisfaction
of being in the lead, at least for the moment. </i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>You can undertake the
program solo, too, or, as I have, with dogs. They are likely to be
enthusiasts. This is how they always have run.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>If you wish to try
10-20-30 training, Dr. Bangsbo recommends starting by replacing one or
two of your normal weekly workouts with a 10-20-30 session. </i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Warm up with an easy
jog (or pedaling or rowing), then ease into the intervals. The 30-second
portion should feel relaxed; the next 20 seconds moderately hard; and
the final 10 seconds a full gallop. “The aim is to cover as much
distance as possible in those 10 seconds,” Dr. Bangsbo said. </i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Do five of the
10-20-30 intervals in a row without pause, then rest for two minutes by
standing or very slowly walking about. Repeat the five consecutive
intervals one more time, cool down, and you are done. The whole session,
minus warm-up and cool-down, will have lasted 12 minutes.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>If you are already in fine shape, Dr. Bangsbo said, add another set of the five uninterrupted intervals. </i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>
Rest the next day, he
said, or very lightly exercise; don’t do two of the intense interval
sessions in a row. Although a smaller percentage of runners in the
10-20-30 group sustained injuries than did runners in the control group
in his study, “we recommend very slow progress.”"</i></span></span></div>
<div class="story-body-text" itemprop="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
nokalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191419644315703405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4661158458918120154.post-74366580847029528812015-08-17T06:30:00.000-07:002015-08-17T06:30:01.302-07:0010 breathtaking beaches - TripAdvisorI am a fun of TripAdvisor and I use it a lot for all my travel needs
so anytime they post something that is fun such as breathtaking beaches,
I am interested to not only visit but see them. So here is a link to
all the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_2054089073" target="_blank">10 breathtaking beaches</a><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g297799-d472367-Reviews-Anse_Lazio-Praslin_Island.html" target="_blank">.</a><span style="font-size: 21px; font-weight: bold;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 21px; font-weight: bold;">Anse Lazio</span><span class="emailGeo"> </span><br />
<span class="emailGeo">Praslin Island, Seychelles</span><br />
<span class="emailGeo"></span><br />
<span class="emailGeo"></span><br />
<span class="emailGeo"><img border="0" src="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-o/03/af/49/8e/anse-lazio.jpg" height="304" style="display: block;" width="450" /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 21px; font-weight: bold;"></span><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g189462-d671779-Reviews-Navagio_Beach_Shipwreck_Beach-Zakynthos_Ionian_Islands.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 21px; font-weight: bold;">Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach)</span></a><span class="emailGeo"> </span><br />
<span class="emailGeo">Zakynthos, Greece</span> <br />
<br />
<span class="emailPipeLeft"></span><br />
<img border="0" src="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-o/02/ba/3f/65/navagio-beach-shipwreck.jpg" height="304" style="display: block;" width="450" /><br />
<span class="emailGeo"></span><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147249-d150447-Reviews-Eagle_Beach-Palm_Eagle_Beach_Aruba.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 21px; font-weight: bold;">Eagle Beach</span></a><span class="emailGeo"> </span><br />
<span class="emailGeo">Aruba, Caribbean</span> <br />
<span class="emailGeo"><span style="font-size: 21px; font-weight: bold;"></span></span><img border="0" src="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-o/02/63/68/63/eagle-beach.jpg" height="304" style="display: block;" width="450" /><br />
<span class="emailGeo"><span style="font-size: 21px; font-weight: bold;"></span></span><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g34636-d123075-Reviews-Siesta_Key_Public_Beach-Siesta_Key_Florida.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 21px; font-weight: bold;">Siesta Key Public Beach</span></a><span class="emailGeo"> </span><br />
<span class="emailGeo">Florida, US</span><br />
<span class="emailGeo"></span><img border="0" src="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-o/02/d1/10/81/siesta-key-public-beach.jpg" height="304" style="display: block;" width="450" /><br />
<span class="emailGeo"><span style="font-size: 21px; font-weight: bold;"></span></span><span style="font-size: 21px; font-weight: bold;"></span><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g303908-d1598531-Reviews-Bamboo_Island-Ko_Phi_Phi_Don_Krabi_Province.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 21px; font-weight: bold;">Bamboo Island</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: 21px; font-weight: bold;"></span><span class="emailGeo">Ko Phi Phi Don, Thailand</span> <br />
<span style="font-size: 21px; font-weight: bold;"></span><img border="0" src="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-o/04/80/2f/63/bamboo-island.jpg" height="304" style="display: block;" width="450" /><br />
<span style="font-size: 21px; font-weight: bold;"></span><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147399-d148331-Reviews-Grace_Bay-Providenciales_Turks_and_Caicos.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 21px; font-weight: bold;">Grace Bay</span></a><span class="emailGeo"> </span><br />
<span class="emailGeo">Providenciales, Turks and Caicos</span><br />
<img border="0" src="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-o/04/9c/ac/0c/grace-bay.jpg" height="304" style="display: block;" width="450" /><br />
<span class="emailGeo"><span style="font-size: 21px; font-weight: bold;"></span></span><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g148423-d147530-Reviews-Pink_Sands_Beach-Harbour_Island_Out_Islands_Bahamas.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 21px; font-weight: bold;">Pink Sands Beach</span></a><span class="emailGeo"> </span><br />
<span class="emailGeo">Bahamas, Caribbean</span> <br />
<img border="0" src="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-o/02/57/df/b9/simply-beautiful.jpg" height="304" style="display: block;" width="450" /><br />
<span class="emailGeo"></span><br />
<span class="emailGeo"><span style="font-size: 21px; font-weight: bold;"></span></span><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g255091-d2103695-Reviews-Whitehaven_Beach-Whitsunday_Island_Whitsunday_Islands_Queensland.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 21px; font-weight: bold;">Whitehaven Beach</span></a><span class="emailGeo"> </span><br />
<span class="emailGeo">Whitsunday Islands, Australia</span><br />
<span class="emailGeo"><span style="font-size: 21px; font-weight: bold;"></span></span><img border="0" src="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/05/76/75/a2/whitehaven-beach.jpg" height="304" style="display: block;" width="450" /><span class="emailGeo"></span><br />
<span class="emailGeo"><span style="font-size: 21px; font-weight: bold;"></span></span><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g503691-d523963-Reviews-Radhanagar_Beach-Havelock_Island_Andaman_and_Nicobar_Islands.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 21px; font-weight: bold;">Radhanagar Beach</span></a><span class="emailGeo"> </span><br />
<span class="emailGeo">Havelock Island, India</span><br />
<span class="emailGeo"></span><img border="0" src="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/05/5f/0e/dd/radhanagar-beach.jpg" height="304" style="display: block;" width="450" /><span class="emailGeo"><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60652-d526149-Reviews-Lanikai_Beach-Kailua_Oahu_Hawaii.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 21px; font-weight: bold;">Lanikai Beach</span></a><span class="emailGeo"> </span></span><br />
<span class="emailGeo"><span class="emailGeo">Hawaii, US</span> </span><br />
<img border="0" src="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-o/02/69/be/6b/filename-dsc-0086-jpg.jpg" height="304" style="display: block;" width="450" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />nokalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191419644315703405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4661158458918120154.post-57055882581045149782015-08-13T06:30:00.000-07:002015-08-13T06:30:00.327-07:00 Learning to Love Yourself and Your Life When You’re Always Single <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As a woman who is always single, I had to share this post with all the single ladies out there. To read more, go to <a href="http://tinybuddha.com/blog/learning-to-love-yourself-and-your-life-when-youre-always-single/" target="_blank">Learning to Love Yourself and Your Life When You’re Always Single.</a><br /><br /><b>“Focus on loving yourself instead of loving the idea of other people loving you.” ~Unknown </b><br /><i>It’ll happen when you least expect it.<br /><br />Let go. Stop looking and the right person will come along.<br /><br />You need to love yourself first.</i><br /><br />All sensible advice. And yet it can be really annoying. Annoying because it isn’t easy to love yourself when you feel that nobody has ever loved you.<br /><br />We’re told that it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.<br /><br />But what if you really have never loved at all? What then?<br /><br />I’ve been single pretty much all my life, apart from a few flings that don’t qualify as proper relationships.<br /><br />For years, I cried and cried, thinking there must be something wrong with me.<br /><br />Then I’d pretend to be happy like everyone told me I should.<br /><br />I tried not looking. I tried telling myself that it was better to be single than to be in a bad relationship.<br /><br />Sooner or later, though, I came back to the same conclusion: I’m on my own. I’ve always been alone. I will always be alone. There’s something seriously wrong with me.<br /><br />Of course, I didn’t tell anybody all this. I kept it to myself. I didn’t want everyone to know what a loser I was; what a reject I was. Nobody would want me if they knew the truth.<br /><br />Occasionally, I’d see an article promising to tell me why it’s actually really cool to be single. Then I’d be disappointed to see that the examples given were from people who’d recently split up with someone, and who were getting used to being alone again, trying to embrace the positives.<br /><br />I didn’t want to appreciate the plusses anymore. I wanted to fall in love, but I kept being told that I needed to fall in love with myself first.<br /><br />But just how do you get to a place where you love your life and love yourself when you feel that no one has loved you?<br /><b><br />The first step is to believe it’s possible.</b><br /><br />Well, actually, no, it isn’t. The first step is to entertain the idea that it might be possible. Maybe. Kind of.<br /><br />If you’re anything like me, you’ll know it isn’t easy to believe love is possible for you if you’ve never experienced it. You can look at yourself in the mirror and say how worthy you are, but there may well be a little voice answering back, “No, you’re not.”<br /><br />So, go for “maybe” to start with and let’s move from there.<br /><br /><b>Drop the shame.</b><br /><br />If you’ve never had a long-term relationship, it’s too easy to see yourself as a freak, damaged goods—a reject.<br /><br />The tendency is to keep quiet about it, but this silence only adds to your isolation. When you have the courage to be honest, you may be surprised by the reactions you get.<br /><br />An advantage of speaking out is that you’re helpable. If you’re honest about your situation, you can begin to find the right teachers, coaches, and guidance to help you feel better about yourself.<br /><br />You meet or hear of others in the same boat. The more you open up, the more other people will feel comfortable doing the same.<br /><br />Some people will be amazed. Hearing someone say how shocked they are that you’re (always) single can help you see that there’s nothing wrong with you.<br /><br />And finally (and perhaps best of all), some people won’t even care. This is perhaps the best reaction you can get because you realize all the shame and embarrassment comes from you.<br /><br /><b>Resist the urge to compare yourself to others.</b><br /><br />In my more bitter moments, I’d get angry about why so-and-so could get a boyfriend and I couldn’t: She’s not attractive, she’s not clever, she’s really annoying. It’s not fair.<br /><br />Wonder why I was single, huh?<br /><br />When you have such a negative mindset, it shows in up in your interactions with others. It’s not going to help you attract the kind of relationship you want.<br /><br />It can also be tempting to look at married couples and those in a relationship and consider the negatives in their lives, trying to convince yourself that at least you don’t have their issues.<br /><br />This only helps to a certain extent; before long you start to remind yourself of all the good things you’re missing out on, all the amazing relationships that others have and you don’t.<br /><br />And in any case, do you want your happiness to be dependent on another’s bad fortune?<br /><br />Try not to compare your situation to anyone else’s. If you see someone happy in their relationship, remind yourself that that’s what you’re going to have one day.<br /><br /><b>Learn to be by yourself.</b><br /><br />Learn to enjoy your own company. Discover what you like to do. Take up a new hobby or learn a new skill.<br /><br />Think of the type of person you want to attract and work toward becoming that person. What we see in others, good or bad, is a reflection of our own self anyway, so rather than pining for someone to come into your life, work on uncovering that part of yourself.<br /><br /><b>Use your singlehood as a tool.</b><br /><br />What beliefs do you still hold that are preventing you from finding love? Getting in touch with these can open the door to what you need to do to lead a more fulfilling life.<br /><br />Recently, after many years of personal growth work, I discovered that I was still holding several unpleasant beliefs, such as that I was too shy or inhibited to have a relationship. These beliefs were preventing me from taking any action toward finding a partner.<br /><br />But that’s not the aim, right? We’re supposed to just love ourselves regardless, aren’t we?<br /><br />Well, I’m not sure I believe anyone who says they actively don’t want a relationship. We’re human, and as humans it’s natural to want to feel love and affection.<br /><br />However, taking steps toward finding a partner doesn’t have to mean joining a million dating sites or going speed dating. It can simply mean getting out of the house, getting involved in a community, or as in my case, going dancing—anything that increases the number of people in your life.<br /><br />Then maybe you’ll meet “the one,” but if you don’t, you’ll have more fun along the way!<br /><br />Use your singlehood to point to where you are on your path rather than seeing it as something that plagues you, use it as a tool; something that points the way to what you need to do next, until you can fully embrace being you.<br /><br />Then you may meet someone deserving of the real you. Or maybe not, but perhaps for the first time, you’ll love the person you’re alone with.</span></span>nokalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191419644315703405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4661158458918120154.post-27254757777128640312015-08-12T06:30:00.000-07:002015-08-12T06:30:01.617-07:00Edges! Edges! Why are you Breaking?<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The biggest culprit of breaking edges is our styling routines or hairstyles. It would seem that going natural would have eradicated the issue, but it’s not just relaxers that may be the problem.<br /><br />I love http://www.curlynikki.com/ because of how much she teaches me about natural hair and hair therapy. When I started my natural hair journey back in 2012, I read her blog more than anything else and it has helped me through my natural hair journey. I found this post because i know it resonates with me and so many of us. My edges are still growing and not where I want them to be and sharing this post with you and everyone struggling with edges would be helpful to getting them back. To read more, go to <a href="http://www.curlynikki.com/2014/06/this-is-why-your-edges-are-breaking.html?utm_source=crowdignite.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=crowdignite.com" target="_blank">This is why your edges are breaking.</a><b><br /> </b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Wearing tight styles</b><br /><br />This has got to be the biggest contributor to thinning edges. Our hair is versatile and there are tons of styles we like to wear, but unfortunately many of these beautiful styles are created at the mercy to our hair, and especially our edges.<br /><br />Braid extensions are at the top of the list because they can be too tight. Although they may be ok for the rest of your hair, the hair along the edges is shorter and more fragile than the rest of our hair. Yes, we want the style to last but when we ask for the braider to make them tight, we are doing more harm than saving money.<br /><br />Micro braids have the potential to cause the most damage, as each braid is tiny and is expected to hold onto a long braid. Even if you somehow manage to keep all of those micro braids in until you remove them, the removal process is traumatizing to the hair and challenging to do without causing any breakage.<br /><b><br />Lace front wigs</b><br /><br />This is becoming big news especially since Countess, the star of the sitcom The Parkers, publicly shared her disastrous experience of using glue with lace front wigs. She had an allergic reaction to the glue and her hair began falling out at the edges. The attraction to lace front wigs in the illusion of a natural looking hairline that make it appear as though the wig is growing from the scalp.<br /><br />There is a price for beauty but as more women are finding out, lace front wigs are costing women their edges and their health. Some are becoming allergic to the glue or not allowing ample time in between applications. There is added tension to the hairline to create the illusion and many women have experienced bald or thinning edges as a result.<br /><b><br />Leaving chemical treatments on too long</b><br /><br />There is a reason products have directions and warning on the labels. They are preventing the consumer heartache and pain but despite the warnings, many women are not taking heed and use products incorrectly with devastating results.<br /><br />If you want your hair dye to give you a stronger, richer color, then try a bolder color or a higher quality brand instead of leaving the chemicals on longer. We’ve all done it, whether we choose to admit it or not, but keeping a chemical on our tresses longer than the instructed time is not safe even if we don’t see the damaging effects immediately. Since our edges are the most fragile, they are the hairs that most often suffer the consequences of straightening and leaving the color on longer. It’s not worth it.<br /><br /><b>Satin bonnets</b><br /><br />Surprised to see this on the list? Well, I was too until I thought about it and it truly made sense. Some of us are using bonnets with cotton around the edge and the cap can be too tight or rubbing against our hairline. There are satin bonnets with satin edges that are better.<br /><br /><b>Too much styling product</b><br /><br />Yes, back in the day many of us loved slicking down our baby hairs. Oh, I know it ain’t just me! I’ve seen some exaggerated baby hairlines that were the most, but all that gel day in and day out being slapped on your edges is not always healthy. Put down that brush, back away from the slicked down edges, and give your hair a break! The smooth look is not for everyday and your edges need to breathe, so remember you are no longer a baby and neither are your edges.</span></span></div>
nokalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191419644315703405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4661158458918120154.post-89362757349694228092015-08-11T06:00:00.000-07:002015-08-11T06:00:02.446-07:00When I don't feel like working out, I ___."<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We do have those days when you don't feel like working out. Those days when going to the gym feels like a a heavy job. Feels like a chore more than a workout to keep your body healthy. I used to feel so guilty but nowadays, I don't. I just let it be. So what do you do on those days? For me, here are the things that I always do 'When I don't feel like working out.' You can also comment and share with us what you do that's different. </span></span></div>
<ol style="text-align: justify;">
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Do it anyway. Do it anyway because this is for me.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Tell myself to go for 15 minutes. If I still feel bad or unmotivated, I can quit. I have yet to quit.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ask a friend along to the workout it helps us both with accountability.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Do a heavy house cleaning (vacuuming, moving furniture, scrubbing) so I have a reason to work out.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Watch a Crossfit video on YouTube. It always inspires me. Then I get it done.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Take a 10-minute brisk walk.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Force myself anyway and feel better for it.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Work out anyway…then bask in the awesomeness!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Find something new to do! If you run then go for a swim or a bike ride. Maybe you are getting bored with the same routine.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Complain about not feeling motivated, then go do it, since I don't like hearing myself complain.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Listen to some music—something with energy that I like. It's funny how the right music can make you move even when you think you don't want to, and it usually provides a mood boost, too (which is probably why I didn't want to workout in the first place).</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Remind myself why I started working out and how much better I feel and feel about myself when I am done!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Remind myself of one of Gods promises in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Think how good I feel after a workout! Nothing else gives me that same feeling!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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</ol>
nokalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191419644315703405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4661158458918120154.post-31770401723900798992015-08-10T06:30:00.000-07:002015-08-10T06:30:02.063-07:00Viva Las Vegas - What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Over the weekend, I decided to meet with my girls in Las Vegas. It was fun, it was full of surprises and I ended up getting a little sick then we ended up doing so many things from clubbing to pool parties. Yep, Kenyan girls in Vegas, so much fun and it was a friends birthday too!<br /><br />Vegas is a place you get to come to have the time of your life, and if you are ever in America, come to Vegas to celebrate anything you want. One of my favorite places on the strip especially restaurants was Mon Ami Gabi at Paris Las Vegas which is a French bistro. What I love about it is the fact that it has Bellagio fountains across the street, it is close to The Venetian for shopping and has Ceasar’s Palace which has my favorite Omnia Club. And lets not forget Planet Hollywood that has Spice Market for endless buffet.<br /><br />And pool parties, well we hit the Cromwell, Cosmopolitan and Wynn.<br /><br />Cruising the Strip is required for any first-timer, by car or by foot. A good way is to ask the doorman at your hotel to see if they have anyone they know that has a limo and you can rent it. The girls and I ended up paying only $120 for one hour of a great time in Vegas. As you cruise, check out the enormous digital marquees for amazing shows you'll only find in Las Vegas. There's LOVE by Cirque du Soleil at The Mirage, Rock of Ages at The Venetian, Tournament of Kings and Thunder From Down Under at Excalibur and Le Rêve - The Dream at Wynn Las Vegas.<br /><br />Be sure to get out and have a little fun exploring, too. Stroll through the open-air street party that is Carnaval Court at Harrah's, or let out a few screams riding the roller coaster at New York-New York. The new LINQ entertainment and shopping street meanders between the LINQ Hotel and Casino and Flamingo Hotel.<br /><br />Shop, shop, shop…<br /><br />I usually love their Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin stores – taxes are way lesser than San Francisco for me.<br /><br />Ladies, if you love to shop, you are going to love Las Vegas! High end retail stores abound on the Strip, such as Chanel, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, and more. You can spend many hours (and much money!) at Caesar’s Forum Shops, the Fashion Show Mall, the Venetian Canal Shoppes, and the Miracle Mile at Planet Hollywood alone. The Las Vegas Premium Outlets (150 outlet stores) are available via the Gold Line bus from the Strip. For inexpensive souvenir shopping, I recommend the Showcase Mall on the south end of the Strip next to MGM Grand; the Bonanza Gift Shop on the north end of the Strip; or Fremont Street.<br /> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Things to remember in Las Vegas:</b><br /><b><br />Drink plenty of water... </b> </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This is the desert, after all, and it’s very easy to get dehydrated here. I always bring a bottle with me wherever I go. If you don’t want to spend $2-4/bottle at hotel sundry stores, you can buy cheaper water at the ABC stores in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, at the Fashion Show Mall, and on Fremont Street; or at Walgreens on the Strip; or you can buy cold water for $1 from street hawkers on the overhead walkways. (It’s perfectly safe, I do it all the time.)<br /><b><br />Get away from the casinos</b><br /><br />Yes, of course you should take advantage of what the Strip has to offer, since that’s one of the reasons you’re probably visiting, but take a day and check out the surrounding area. One of the joys of Las Vegas is that you can go shopping or club hopping in major casinos, then go hiking Mt. Charleston or Red Rock (not “Rocks”) or go for a kayak tour on Lake Mead the same day, both just outside of town.<br /><br /><b>Pools are outside…</b><br /><br />Most Vegas hotel pools are located outside, not inside. If your idea of a vacation involves pool time, you might want to avoid the winter months. Also, not all Vegas pools are created equal. Some of the best pools in town (the Flamingo, the Mirage) can also be the most crowded, requiring you to get in line an hour before opening just to get a lounge chair. For party pools, head to Rehab at the Hard Rock or Wet Republic at MGM Grand. If you’re looking for a quieter, more relaxing pool experience, go to one of the upscale hotels (Bellagio, Palazzo/Venetian, or Wynn/Encore) or to a hotel whose pool tends to fly under the radar (Paris, Ballys). If you’re looking for a good pool Downtown on Fremont Street, go with the Golden Nugget.<br /><b><br />Go off-Strip for food, alcohol</b><br /><br />And alcohol is so expensive in Vegas and Food is too. A lot of commenters wanted to remind visitors that the city has more to offer than what’s on the Strip as far as food and drink go. If you’re looking for some quick booze, there are drug stores on the Strip that will cost a lot less than your hotel mini-bar.<br /><b><br />Take the bus on the Strip and to Downtown</b><br /><br />As Nicole Shaugabay said on Facebook, “Take the bus if you’re going from resort to resort on the Strip and even if your heading down to Fremont from the Strip or vice-versa, way cheaper than a cab.” The bus might be a bit slower, but you’ll definitely save some cash. And you can walk and get some miles on your fit bit. In the summer, its better to take the bus or taxi, it way too hot.<br /><br /><b>Take advantage of birthday deals</b><br /><br />As fishy as the club promoters seem, they insist their jobs really are to help you have a better club experience than you would without them. For birthdays especially, they say they can help guarantee you special service. These people can be found up and down the Strip, usually with flyers for some event at some club. Anywhere else, though, you can probably score a free drink by mentioning that you’re celebrating a birthday in Vegas. Sometimes I wonder if men in Las Vegas work. Everywhere, we had a promoter asking us if we wanted to go to a club or if you want to go dance.<br /><b><br />Wear comfortable shoes</b><br /><br />The casinos are no where as close to each other as you think, trust us. Those high heels are not going to be nice to you after walking four miles to the next club. Pro tip: some casinos offer ballet flat vending machines.<br /><b><br />Wear sunblock on sunny days</b><br /><br />Like drinking water, this should not need to be repeated, but the desert sun is unforgiving, and your vacation photos will be ruined by your beaming complexion as soon as your get here if you don’t prepare. This is especially July - August time, HOT HOT HOT!<br /><b><br />Tip accordingly</b><br /><br />As Heather Reeder put it, “Most employees are tipped employees in Vegas and live off of those tips. Please tip accordingly to your housekeeper, bartender, taxi driver, bell hop, food server, dealer, valet and anyone else that provides a service.”<br /><br />Enjoy Viva Las Vegas and be safe!</span></div>
nokalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191419644315703405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4661158458918120154.post-59604254233725687762015-08-05T06:00:00.000-07:002015-08-05T06:00:02.926-07:00Cape Town vineyards<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So the girls and I will be spending time in South Africa in October and for us, we love wine. We live in North California so that is expected and these are some of the wineries we plan to visit while there:<br /><b><br />Jordan Wine Estate:</b><br /><br />Jordan embodies the aspirations of modern South African dining.<br /><br />The restaurant is simple and open, with wooden chairs and white tablecloths in a room lined with windows overlooking the vines.<br /><br />The menu is also deceptively simple, and could include a pot roast or smoked fish. But every dish is perfectly prepared.<br /><br />That yellowtail came from a wine barrel smoker. The pot roast is springbok and makes game a fine dining experience.<br /><br />Breads are baked in a wood-fired stove, and there's a separate bakery that's worth visiting just for the pastries.<br /><br />At the end of each meal, guests are invited to explore the walk-in artisanal cheese room and assemble their own plates.<br /><br />For people who believe in lists, Jordan is regularly ranked among the best in South Africa and in the world. <br /><br /><b>Hidden Valley:</b><br /><br />From humble beginnings eight years ago, the restaurant at Hidden Valley has evolved into one of the country's most innovative restaurants.<br /><br />The menu includes dishes that many South Africans remember from their childhood supper table: ox tongue, lamb knuckle, apple tarts.<br /><br />For foreigners, the menu invites questions like, who is this Ouma Jossie and what are her slaaphakskeintjies? A grandmother and tiny pickled onions are the answers.<br /><br />Here these classic meals are enlivened with fresh, seasonal ingredients, careful preparation, and a modern willingness to experiment with imported flavors like miso.<br /><br />Even people who shudder at the thought of trotters come away with newfound favorites.<br /><br /><b>Clos Malverne:</b><br /><br />What's better than wine? Wine with ice cream<br /><br />This restaurant has one simple, insurmountable edge over all the others: ice cream and wine pairings. Only in the summer, and so loved that bookings fill up fast.<br /><br />Toffee, almond and vanilla ice cream with a glass of Chardonnay are reason enough to visit, but the rest of the menu is a pleasure throughout the year.<br /><br />Hearty meals with an international flavor can begin with gorgonzola-stuffed litchi, wrapped in smoked ostrich, and move to South Africa's famous steaks.<br /><br />This is a warm, relaxing restaurant with top-notch food and the spectacular views that the region is famous for.<br /><b><br />Rust en Vrede:</b><br /><br />For more than 300 years, this Stellenbosch estate has been producing a robust range of reds: full-bodied Cabernets, Merlots, and Shirazes. It has counted some high-profile personalities among its fans: Nelson Mandela had its wines served at his Nobel Peace Prize dinner. These days, Rust en Vrede is perhaps best known for its namesake restaurant, which consistently ranks among the top 10 in the nation.<br /><b><br />Mullineux Family Wine:</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Andrea Mullineux grew up in San Francisco and worked in Napa Valley before traveling to South Africa, where she met and married local winemaker Chris. These days, their small winery produces award-winning Syrahs, which you can sample at their charming Riebeek Kastel tasting room.<br /><br /><b>La Mott:</b><br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The beautiful, French-influenced village of Franschhoek is the heart of the Cape Winelands, and this wine farm, featuring a restaurant, is touted as one of its best. Their Sauvignon Blancs, Shirazes, and Chardonnays are best paired with a decadent meal at its Pierneef à la Motte, one of the country's top restaurants.<br /><br /><b>Boekenhoutskloo:</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The name might be a tongue twister, but this 1776 winery's Boekenhoutskloof, Porcupine Ridge, Wolftrap, and Chocolate Block labels are veritable tongue pleasers. A visit to their lovely Franschhoek tasting room comes complete with stunning views over the Hottentots-Holland Mountains.</span></span>nokalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191419644315703405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4661158458918120154.post-32388250132477493962015-08-04T06:30:00.000-07:002015-08-04T06:30:02.046-07:00European Villages That I want to Visit so bad!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You know my life is surrounded by nothing other than work, God, travels and being better than I am. And today, I thought of how many places I have visited and the big cities that I have gone to in Europe and I asked myself why I have never made an effort to see some of these small villages and on my next journey to Europe, I am making these villages my next destination.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><b>Bolgheri, Italy: </b>The Viale dei Cipressi, a three-mile road flanked by over 2,500 cypress trees (the only vegetation local buffalo don’t eat), leads straight into Bolgheri, which is set amid the vineyards of southern Tuscany’s Maremma. There’s more to this village than just the dramatic arrival, however. Stop in at Caffé della Posta, on the main square, to try one of Bolgheri’s reds: first produced in the 1980’s, these wines now rival French Bordeaux. In nearby Bibbona, five miles southeast, you’ll find the Relais Sant’Elena, a 15-room estate with canopy beds, stone fireplaces, and pasta-making classes.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />Staufen im Breisgau, Germany:</b> This enclave on the edge of the Black Forest, in southern Germany, is the ideal destination for a wine weekend. From Strasbourg, you’ll pass hills covered with terraced vineyards; the statue of a fat, naked Bacchus signals that you’ve arrived at the tiny downtown. Main Street’s pastel houses lead to the market place, which is crowned by the Town Hall, with a gothic inscription relating local history back to 770 on the façade. Join the businessmen in pinstripes at the outdoor wine bar, though a word to overindulgers: legend has it that any reveler who falls into one of the (sparkling-clean) irrigation ditches that run through town is destined to marry a local.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><b>Lavenham, England: </b>Lavenham, in Suffolk, may just be the prettiest town in England. It boasts more than 350 heritage houses and its high street is lined with the kind of bric-a-brac shops and teahouses (serving scones and clotted cream) that are on the endangered list throughout rural England—and all but extinct in glossier reaches, such as the Cotswolds and West Dorset. Sarah Townsend, former owner of the superchic Palazzo Terranova, in Umbria, was so charmed by the region that she just opened a small inn in nearby Buxhall.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><b>Norcia, Italy:</b> In this eastern Umbrian citadel, artisanal culinary traditions endure. Pecorino cheese is aged for two years, trained dogs sniff out black truffles in the woodlands, and honey is sourced from the red wildflowers that bloom in the plains. But it’s the cinghiale that takes pride of place. Throughout the centro storico, the scent of spiced wild-boar salumi carries from the norcineria (delis) into the traffic-free roads. Step past the prosciutti hanging in storefronts to find shopkeepers curing cuts of the pork with methods perfected over the past 800 years. Ask them to slice up fresh ciauscoli, and bring it to the Piazza San Benedetto, where villagers celebrate the Festival of Saint Benedict in the spring.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />Folégandros, Greece:</b> There’s no mistaking it, this tranquil spot in the Cyclades has nothing in common with neighboring Santorini: no building stands above two stories, no cruise ships pull into port, and there are no boutiques or fancy restaurants. Instead, on this remote island in the Aegean, waves crash on pebbled beaches, goats scurry up the hills, and an old wooden windmill twists in the salty breeze. It’s a delightfully quiet escape for those who have grown tired of Greece’s more trammeled getaways.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><b>Getaria, Spain:</b> Were it not for San Sebastián, just 15 miles away, this Basque harborside village might have become Spain’s Next Great Getaway. Instead, the port is known solely for its seafood—baby squid and turbot pulled from the Bay of Biscay and then grilled a la plancha. Prime dining is Saturday and Sunday lunch, when locals fill asadores dressed in creamy summer-weight cashmere (those in white-soled shoes arrived by boat) for that distinctly Spanish indulgence: a leisurely multicourse meal paired with bottles of white Rioja.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><b>Marvão, Portugal: </b>There are dramatic mountainside forts, and then there is Marvão, the king of them all. Located in the southeastern Alentejo region of Portugal, this town is centered around a Moorish castle that was Christianized in the 13th century. The stone complex, now laid open to the elements in a kind of tumbledown glory, sits atop a rocky hill, dominating the red-tile-roofed houses and convents that spill out onto curving streets to the east.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><b>Arild, Sweden: </b>Though there’s plenty of natural beauty in Arild, a fishing village on a peninsula in southwest Sweden, the town’s most notable site is actually man-made. In 1980 the artist Lars Vilks began nailing together driftwood and lumber in a cove at the bottom of a hillside; he even declared the place an independent country called Ladonia. After police tried to dismantle the work, artists Christo and Joseph Beuys stepped in to protect the installation. Today the public art exhibit, officially christened Nimis, is the Scandinavian version of Los Angeles’s Watts Towers. The maze of 300-foot aboveground tunnels and 45-foot-high climbing towers feels like an alternate—albeit somewhat unsturdy—universe for intrepid explorers.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><b>Slavonice, Czech Republic:</b> During 41 years of Communist rule, Slavonice, halfway between Prague and Vienna, was too close to the Iron Curtain for the government’s comfort. But since the Velvet Revolution in 1989, this off-the-radar hamlet—composed of two town squares and burgher houses painted with Renaissance-era graffiti of biblical scenes—has attracted painters and potters from Prague looking for refuge. We’re not betting that this village will become a mini Berlin, but British-born architect John Lifton’s Slavonice Institute, a center for art and progressive thought, may put the village on the art world map yet.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><b>St.-Geniès, France: </b>The Périgord, in the Dordogne, is home to two of France’s most coveted delicacies: foie gras and truffles. On market days in the tiny village of St.-Geniès, two hours east of Bordeaux, shoppers tote wicker baskets to the town square, where apron-clad vendors hawk pommes salardaises (potatoes sautéed in duck fat and garlic) and saucissons rolled in herbs.</span></span></div>
nokalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191419644315703405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4661158458918120154.post-57793114093044550162015-08-03T06:30:00.000-07:002015-08-03T06:30:00.857-07:00Finding the meaning of home in Africa - According to CNNTo read more, go to <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/30/travel/kenya-masai-mara-brooke-baldwin-feat/index.html" target="_blank">www.cnn.com</a>.<br />
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<div class="el__leafmedia el__leafmedia--sourced-paragraph el__leafmedia--">
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<cite class="el-editorial-source"> </cite>"Welcome home." </div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
That's how you're greeted at <a href="http://www.sanctuaryretreats.com/kenya-camps-olonana" target="_blank">Sanctuary Olonana</a>
in the Masai Mara, a remote 583-square-mile national reserve in
southeastern Kenya where wildlife and Maasai villagers coexist. </div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
"Welcome
home." Thing is, I'd never visited Kenya before this trip (the Nairobi
airport doesn't count). In fact, until just a few months ago, Africa was
a distant destination, a dream destination, for sure, but a place that
existed for me largely in my mind. </div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
Africa
had never been home, but my understanding of this continent changed
dramatically this year with not just one but two very distinct "pinch
me" experiences. </div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
The first involved
summiting Africa's highest peak, a bucket list trip that altered me in
ways I wasn't expecting. The second involved a different kind of peak --
a career highlight for sure -- and certainly solidified my feelings
toward this once-faraway place. </div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
I
first set foot on African soil just four months ago, when I traveled to
Tanzania. I was 35 years old, had just moved to New York and decided it
was time to stop talking about Africa and finally go. </div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
But I needed to go in a big way -- and to me, that meant <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/18/travel/feat-climbing-mount-kilimanjaro-brooke-baldwin/">attempting to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, all 19,345 feet of it.</a></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
</div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
By
the time I reached the summit, I was changed, physically and
emotionally. From the moment I started back down the mountain, the
little voice in my head wondered: When would I return to Africa? </div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
Little did I know that answer would be just four months later.</div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
In late spring, the White House announced that<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/27/africa/kenya-obama-highlights/"> President Barack Obama would be traveling to Kenya</a> in July for his Entrepreneurship Summit. </div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
Last summer, he invited all the African leaders to Washington, and he has created a number of U.S.-based African initiatives. </div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
But this trip would be special, because it would be the first time as sitting president that Obama would return to Kenya and <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/23/africa/gallery/obama-kenya-family-visit/">revisit his roots. </a></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
It was a story I wanted to tell. With hard work and some good help, I eventually landed an <a href="http://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2015/07/23/obama-kenya-half-sister-auma-baldwin-pkg-nr.cnn/video/playlists/obamas-family-in-kenya/">exclusive interview with Auma Obama</a>, President Obama's half-sister. </div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
My
producer and I would travel to the Obama family's ancestral village in
western Kenya, visit Sauti Kuu (Swahili for "powerful voices"), Auma's
foundation empowering children and families in that community, and see
how these Kenyans -- half a world away -- feel about Obama's return
"home."</div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
Through our days on the ground,
I discovered that our opportunity with Auma would also provide a rare
window into the Obama family. She is easily the closest sibling to the
President (and as a result, she is fiercely private and protective of
her family). </div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
She shared stories with
me about what it feels like when she returns to her ancestral home of
Nyang'oma Kogelo, where, seven years after her brother arrived in the
White House, many little boys are now named "Barack Obama." </div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
Auma
took us to her family homestead and introduced me to "Mama Sarah," the
93-year-old grandmother to Auma and Barack. Auma even walked me to her
father's grave, where she shared with me in almost a whisper what she
believes her father -- if he were still alive -- would say to his son,
the President of the United States. </div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
I left West Kenya pensive, the theme of
"home" starting to tug at me. What does "home" really mean? Is it merely
geography, where you were born? Could it include straddling two
continents and cultures? Or perhaps it's a place with a spiritual
magnetism -- a feeling toward a culture or people -- that's tough to put
into words?</div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
And that feeling brings me
to the final leg of my Kenyan journey: the Masai Mara (or the "Mara,"
as the locals call it), a vast national reserve in southwestern Kenya. </div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
If
you time your visit just right, you get to witness the Great Migration,
the crossing of hundreds of thousands of gazelles, wildebeests, zebras
and impala from Tanzania's Serengeti into Kenya's Mara, seeking fresh
grass, food and water. Animals seeking a new home ...</div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
Our
guide, Joseph Koyie, took us immediately on our first game drive. Not
two minutes into our adventure, his well-attuned eye spotted a lioness
in the distance. </div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
Only, it was slinking
our way. As in, at one point, this beautiful creature (with mighty
large teeth) was crouched 2 feet from our vehicle. I froze. </div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
Joseph whispered, "Don't move. Shhhhhh."</div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
I
couldn't help it; my hand went for my friend's arm, and I SQUEEZED.
Hard. "Ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh ... it's. Right. There!" For the next
30 minutes, we sat absolutely transfixed. </div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
We
watched the lioness creep up on a warthog, which Joseph explained she
had been eyeing from afar for lunch (lions are known for their keen eye
sight and patience). </div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
But the nearby
impalas were on lookout and perhaps sent a signal to this little
warthog, and the next thing we knew, the lioness was left alone and
still hungry. </div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
Over the course of the
next two days, I saw elephants, entire families of them. I also saw many
giraffes -- my other favorite animal on safari -- cutting such a
stunning silhouette in the distance. Their long, regal necks and those
eyelashes! </div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
I watched lions sleeping in
trees. I listened to the calls between wildebeests. At dusk on our
drive back in, I even caught a glimpse of the rarest of all: a black
rhino. Here I was, in their home. </div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
And
the Maasai people? They're known for their beadwork, their colorful
dress (red is their signature color), the men's bent-leg stance, their
strength, endurance and nomadic lifestyle. You never ask a Maasai
warrior how many cattle he has; it's like asking someone how much money
they've got in their bank account. </div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
But
it was the Maasai singing in their own tribal language -- welcome
songs, songs for children, warrior songs -- that I marveled at, as this
tradition has managed to survive centuries, despite the modernization of
Africa even in remote parts like the Mara. </div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
To
hear and see them, and in particular the men, chant and jump was
mesmerizing. But what I really came to appreciate: the modern Maasai who
prioritize education. </div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
They leave
their villages for 21st-century jobs, but they almost always return
home. Just like Joseph, our safari guide, they continue to give back,
never forgetting their roots, their home.</div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
The
Masai Mara may not be my physical home. Nyang'oma Kogelo may not be my
home. </div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
Kilimanjaro may not be my home. But home, for me, is not just a
place but a feeling. </div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
The warmth of
Mama Sarah's house, the traditional villages of the Maasai, the
unequaled view from Uhuru Peak: I have discovered, in opening my eyes
and heart to these new experiences, I am always welcomed home.</div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="zn-body__paragraph">
<br /></div>
nokalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191419644315703405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4661158458918120154.post-67631305742394377372015-08-02T12:02:00.003-07:002015-08-02T12:02:16.300-07:00Super Soul Sunday - Tiny BuddhaYou know I always like to share with you guys everything that speaks to me and today I was reading my favorite website <a href="http://tinybuddha.com/" target="_blank">http://tinybuddha.com/</a> and I read an article that really helped me learn so many things. Its all about moving on, counting your blessings and being appreciative of all the people you have met along the way. To read more, go to <a href="http://tinybuddha.com/blog/if-its-hard-to-say-goodbye-your-lifes-been-truly-blessed/" target="_blank"> If It’s Hard to Say Goodbye, Your Life’s Been Truly Blessed.</a><br />
<br />
Here is a text of the article;<br />
<br />
<strong>“You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one.” ~Unknown</strong><br />
On the evening of my high school graduation it hit me—the familiar
faces and places I’d grown so accustomed to over the last twelve years
would soon be changing.<br />
<br />
The anxiety of that reality had started to creep into my psyche weeks
ago, when I was being fitted for my cap and gown. Standing there
looking in the mirror, I remember thinking to myself, “How did I get
here?”<br />
<br />
Somehow I had gone from a seven-year-old schoolboy to an
eighteen-year-old teenager, and I wasn’t quite sure where my youth had
gone.<br />
<br />
Sitting at the ceremony, one thought continued to occupy my mind.<br />
<br />
<strong>I knew at the conclusion of our graduation party early the next morning,</strong> <strong>I would be closing a chapter in my life—one filled with exploration, development, struggles, and growth. </strong><br />
<br />
For so many of my fellow classmates, we had been together since
kindergarten. We journeyed together, watching each other grow through
the innocence of childhood, to the prejudices that develop as young
adults.<br />
<br />
We went from adorable five year olds without a care in the world, to
the awkwardness of puberty and the struggles to live up to societal
stereotypes.<br />
<br />
In a way they were like family—comfortable like an old sweater;
grounding me when I needed a reminder that I belonged to something
greater than myself.<br />
<br />
It was a bittersweet moment in my life.<br />
<br />
<strong>While I understood that life didn’t end after graduation, and opportunities were certainly before me,</strong> <strong>it also meant leaving the safety and security I’d come to rely on over the last twelve years.</strong><br />
<br />
As I tossed my cap high into the air I realized it would soon be time to say goodbye.<br />
<br />
When my aunt called me that summer morning, I wasn’t completely surprised by the news that my grandmother had passed away.<br />
<br />
My wife and I had just visited her the night before, and each of us
felt as though her silent stares were her way of telling us goodbye.<br />
<br />
My relationship with her was invaluable—a profound part of my
existence from a rambunctious child to a young married adult. She was a
constant source of joy, love, and support, one I came not only to rely
on, but also cherish.<br />
<br />
A few years prior, she gave me a photo album she began compiling on
the day I was born. A photo album dedicated to my life, featuring
photographs, recital programs, and other mementos she religiously
collected and safely stored behind a clear sheet of plastic film.<br />
<br />
<strong>Flipping through the pages after her passing, I felt as though a part of my heart had died along with her. </strong><strong> </strong><br />
<br />
I never questioned her love for me; it was incredibly evident each
and every time I was in her presence. And while that was a comforting
reminder, the loss was intense.<br />
<br />
Throughout the memorial service, I was surprised by my complete
composure on what was an incredibly sad occasion. But as the church
organ began to play and they wheeled her coffin down the center aisle,
tears began flowing uncontrollably.<br />
<br />
It was a bittersweet moment in my life.<br />
<br />
<strong>While I knew deep down she was tired of being a prisoner to
her physical ailments, accepting that I would never see her again in
this earthly life was difficult to acknowledge.</strong><br />
<br />
As I wiped the tears from my eyes and headed to the cemetery, I realized it would soon be time to say goodbye.<br />
<br />
With the last box loaded on to the moving truck, our house appeared just as it did when we first moved in—empty.<br />
<br />
As we meandered from one room to the next greeted by the sound of a
faint echo, my wife and I tried our best to hold back the tears to no
avail.<br />
<br />
We remembered how we first felt as young homeowners.<br />
<br />
<strong>There was an air of excitement and a feeling of accomplishment swirling around the empty rooms of our new home. </strong><br />
<br />
It was there we would host family and friends on cherished holidays
or for simple Sunday dinners; where we’d tackle DIY projects together,
going from frustrating to entertaining by its completion; where our
bodies would grow twelve years older, and our hearts infinitely stronger
still.<br />
<br />
It had become a place of solace from the harsh world outside our
front door. Filled with warmth and overflowing with unforgettable
memories, which now seemed to replay in our minds like a documentary
chronicling our time there.<br />
<br />
It was a bittersweet moment in my life.<br />
<br />
<strong>While moving our lives across the country provided us with new opportunities both personally and professionally,</strong> <strong>it also meant leaving a house that had become our home for over a decade. </strong><br />
<br />
As the two of us made our way down the stairs of our side hall
colonial for the very last time, I realized it would soon be time to say
goodbye.<br />
<br />
I think we all can agree that saying goodbye is never easy.<br />
<br />
And while the word “goodbye” has garnered a rather negative emotional
connotation in society, there is another way, a more positive way, to
perceive it.<br />
<br />
Author A.A. Milne, who is perhaps best known for his books about a teddy bear named Winnie-the-Pooh, once wrote:<br />
<br />
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”<br />
<br />
<strong>While saying goodbye does mean accepting that a part of our
life is now over, it also provides us with a chance to realize just how
blessed our lives have been. </strong><br />
<br />
To look back and reflect on the journeys we’ve shared with some
wonderful people, while being exposed to amazing and invaluable
experiences we often take for granted.<br />
<br />
Regardless of how long someone has been a part of our lives, whether
it’s five minutes, five years, or five decades, their impact will always
remain with us—even after we utter that simple, yet hard to say,
two-syllable word.<br />
<br />
My stories above are but a small snapshot of the many times during my
personal journey when I’ve struggled to utter the word “goodbye.”
Regardless of the circumstances, saying goodbye means change, and change
rarely comes along with immediate acceptance.<br />
<br />
The finality associated with saying goodbye is challenging. Yet it’s
an empowering word, enabling us to achieve closure and ultimately move
on with our lives.<br />
<br />
The quote below, from Walt Disney, has continually provided me
comfort on days when I’m feeling sad and lonely and need a little
reminder of the blessings I’ve been bestowed, which no one can ever take
away.<br />
<br />
<strong>“Goodbye may seem forever. Farewell is like the end, but in my heart is the memory and there you will always be.” </strong><br />
<br />
To read more about simple wisdom for complex lives, go to <a href="http://tinybuddha.com/" target="_blank">http://tinybuddha.com/</a><strong> </strong><br />
nokalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191419644315703405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4661158458918120154.post-87347732490360013092015-07-30T07:00:00.000-07:002015-07-30T07:00:05.576-07:00Tourist Destinations That Are More Dangerous Than You Think<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You know I am from Kenya and if Yahoo News reports that Kenya is a dangerous tourist destination, I have to talk about it. This is important especially because I travel a lot and I like my country which I travel to all the time. Also, if you are someone planning to go to these countries, please read more on <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/travel/tourist-destinations-that-are-more-dangerous-than-124638057767.html" target="_blank">Tourist Destinations That Are More Dangerous Than You Think</a>.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Dominican Republic</b> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stunning white sand beaches and warm crystal clear waters attracts thousands
of tourists to this Caribbean paradise each year. However the Dominican
Republic can be a very dangerous place for visitors. Foreigners are frequently
targeted in criminal acts with reports of as many as 39 tourists being murdered
over the past three years. <span class="MsoHyperlink">The US State Department warns</span> that the levels
of professionalism within the local police is likely to vary wildly from that
of the US, with common attempts to solicit bribes being reported along with
incidents of them using excessive force. <b> </b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Honduras</b> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This beautiful, tropical and historically rich country is located on the
Caribbean coastline of central America. It is a big draw to American tourists
due to its white sand beaches, turquoise waters, lush jungles and ancient
ruins, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from the US each year. <span class="MsoHyperlink">But the country has incredibly high crime rates</span>
with 50% of the population (around 3.5 million people) living below the poverty
line. In 2012, the UN office on Drugs and Crime rated Honduras as the country
with the world’s highest per capita murder rate. Just last year, a Canadian
tourist and his stepson were shot and killed while visiting the country. <b> </b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Egypt</b> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Despite Egypt’s long standing reputation as a popular tourist
destination,largely due to its spectacular ancient landmarks, the country has
become more and more dangerous in recent years for visitors. With the high
threat of terrorism and political instability leading to frequent violent
protests, the country’s main cities have become unsafe for locals and tourists
alike. It has become illegal to photograph police stations, military facilities
and other public buildings and law enforcement is indiscriminate during times
of protest regarding who they arrest. In November 2011, three American study
abroad students, were arrested and accused of being involved in the protests.
The three young men were detained in an Egyptian jail for over a week before
their release and deportation back to the US. The US State Department <span class="MsoHyperlink">advises against travel outside</span> of the city of
Cairo.
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Mexico </b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Almost 40 million tourists head to Mexico each year for it’s year-round warm
climate, spectacular beaches, turquoise water and ancient landmarks. But the
country is one of the worst on earth for kidnappings. Violent, organized crime
groups operating throughout the country have been responsible for multiple car
jackings, kidnappings, robberies and even murders—many of which have involved
US citizens. In May this year the US State Department issued a Travel Warning
to tourists contemplating a trip south of the border, advising them to be
extremely cautious when traveling within the country. Last year almost 1600
kidnapping cases were reported to authorities.
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Kenya </b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">With it’s spectacular savannas, snow-capped mountains and unrivaled
wildlife, Kenya draws visitors, especially safari seekers, from all over the
globe. In January, the <span class="MsoHyperlink">US Government issued a worldwide caution</span> about
the continued threat of terrorist attacks from Islamic extremists across the
globe and Kenya was one of the countries highlighted. Terrorists in Kenya have
been responsible for bombings and kidnappings involving US citizens in the past
couple of years and visitors are advised to be extra cautious when traveling to
the country. In April 2014, ISIS militants attacked a convoy in an attempt to
kidnap a foreign humanitarian worker and in 2011, two European tourists were
kidnapped and another killed within a month of each other.
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>India </b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tourists to India are expected to abide by strict local customs and
etiquette. As a visitor you are at risk from aggressive retaliation if these
guidelines are not followed, especially in more rural areas. The country also
struggles with anti-western terrorist activity that targets tourists. Past
attacks have targeted public places and tourist attractions. In February 2013,
a bus bombing in a commercial area of Bangalore killed 17 and injured 119
bystanders included many foreign nationals. Frequent reports of sexual assault
on foreigners have plagued the country and the US State department strongly
advises against its female citizens traveling alone there. “Western women,
particularly those of African descent, continue to report incidents of verbal
and physical harassment by individuals and groups of men,” <span class="MsoHyperlink">reads the State Department advisory</span>. “Known
locally as ‘eve-testing’, these incidents of sexual harassment can be quite
frightening and quickly cross the line from verbal to physical.”
</span></span></div>
nokalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191419644315703405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4661158458918120154.post-90728440843342079172015-07-29T06:30:00.000-07:002015-07-29T06:30:00.511-07:00Healthy Habits<b>Drink a glass of water before every meal - </b>Everyone needs to drink more water. That's a given. Plus when you drink a glass of water before you eat you'll already feel a little more full and won't be as tempted to eat past the point of hunger.<br />
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<b>Eat one really healthy meal</b> - Pick one meal. Just one. Then change what you eat. If it's lunch, eat one portion of protein that fits in the palm of your hand, a vegetable or fruit, and four or five almonds. I know that's not a lot of food, but it's healthier than what you're eating now and, just as important, it lets you take small steps toward better controlling your portions at every meal.<br />
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Other examples: Pack a can of tuna and two apples. Or bring a skinless chicken breast and some cucumbers. Just make sure you prepare it ahead of time--that way you won't have to decide to eat healthy. You just will. <br />
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<b>Use your lunch to be active</b> - It doesn't take 30 minutes or an hour to eat. So make your lunch break productive. Go for a walk. (Better yet, find a walking buddy or do like LinkedIn's Jeff Weiner and have walking meetings.) Or stretch. Or do some push-ups or sit-ups. <br />
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It doesn't matter what you do as long as you do something. You'll burn a few calories, burn off some stress, and feel better when you climb back into the work saddle. <br />
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And you'll start to make fitness a part of your daily lifestyle without having to add to your already busy schedule.<br />
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<b>Eat one meal-replacement bar </b>- OK, so most protein bars taste like flavored sawdust. But most are also nutritious and low in calories, and they make it easy to stave off the midafternoon hunger pangs you'll inevitably feel after having eaten, say, a light lunch. <br />
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Don't get too hung up on nutritional values; just pick a bar that includes 10 or 15 grams of protein (think protein bar, not energy bar) and you'll be fine. <br />
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Eating a midmorning or midafternoon meal replacement bar doesn't just bridge the gap between meals; it's an easy way to get in the habit of eating smaller meals more frequently, another habit you'll eventually want to adopt. <br />
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And, finally, a bonus habit to toss in once a week:<br />
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<b>Have fun completing a physical challenge </b>- It would be great if you could consistently hit the gym four to five days a week, but if you're starting from zero instantly transforming yourself into a gym rat isn't realistic.nokalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191419644315703405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4661158458918120154.post-58875415825280816212015-07-28T06:30:00.000-07:002015-07-28T06:30:00.646-07:00My Most Important Lesson - Traveling Solo<div style="text-align: justify;">
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-</style><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Today, I wanted to share with you the most important thing I have learned as a solo female traveler. It has taught me is that anything
is possible. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It’s opened the world for me and made it a smaller and larger
place all at the same time. While it’s easier than ever to cross seas and
explore new continents with planes and buses and ships, there are so many experiences to be had and so many
interesting people to meet. Whether you go to Barcelona or Nairobi, you are going to meet new people.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I’ve gone from blindly believing stereotypes and
what I hear on the news to experiencing places and cultures firsthand, creating
my own truths. And while I know there are bad people and dangerous places in
the world such as the ones I shared here <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/travel/tourist-destinations-that-are-more-dangerous-than-124638057767.html" target="_blank">Tourist Destinations That are More Dangerous</a>, being a solo female travel has turned me into an optimist that believes
there are many more safe places and people with kind hearts. And I have met so many of them.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Solo travel has
taught me how much more worthwhile life can be when you live it to the fullest
without regrets. So wake up everyday and pack your bags and be on your way to unknown destinations. Don't wait for your friends to be able to travel with you, just go and enjoy life and trust me, you will learn lessons that you never knew existed.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have visited cities such as Tokyo, Manilla, Bali, Barcelona, Las Vegas all alone and each and everytime, I have come and met new friends, learned so much and safe all the way.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Would you ever travel solo? If you already have, has the experience taught
you any valuable lessons? Please share in the comments below. </span></span></div>
nokalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191419644315703405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4661158458918120154.post-7551730324729222472015-07-27T06:30:00.000-07:002015-07-27T06:30:01.251-07:00In Other News - U.S President Barack Obama is In KenyaA big welcome to U. S President Barack Obama to Kenya. We hope you enjoy your visit.<br />
<br />nokalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191419644315703405noreply@blogger.com0