The Zoo Tribe

Archive for September, 2009

For purposes of home exchanges, what is a home?

A home can be a single family home; condominium, rental apartment; yacht or sailboat; motor home; or houseboat.

How do you exchange homes?

Once you find out if you are a good home exchange candidate, you can begin the home exchange process. To do that you will have to decide: Where you want to go; who you want to travel with and when; how much money you can spend finding an exchange and on the trip; and what you are willing to offer prospective exchangers.

How do you find home exchangers?

You can place an ad in a newspaper of the city or country you want to visit; talk with other exchangers for referrals. A more efficient and faster way is to visit and join one or more home exchange organization websites.

Car Exchanges

Some exchangers include their cars in the home exchange agreement. That means they drive each other’s cars while they stay at each other’s homes. Top ten benefits of home exchanging

1. Staying free!
2. Living like the locals during your stay
3. Gaining an understanding of how people in other places live
4. Being able to stay in locations where there are no hotels or other accommodations
5. Meeting new people, making new friends
6. Your home is taken care of while you travel
7. Being able to sample local foods
8. More privacy
9. Save money by cooking your own meals
10. You have more space than at a hotel

Who exchanges homes?

All kinds of people exchange homes. There are teachers, journalists, doctors, archeologists, psychologists, realtors, homemakers, and many other occupations and professions represented among home exchangers. Many home exchangers are adults over 40 and retirees. There are offers of modest homes and luxurious estates. Home swappers tend to be educated, reliable, respectful of other’s things and interested in travel.

Whether you are planning a vacation to Hawaii, an extended leave in New York or a business trip to London, home exchanging could be what you are looking for. Before you let a stranger stay in your home and before you hop on a plane on your way to a home swap, there are some things you need to know. Make sure you ask lots of questions and know what you are doing before you agree to an exchange.

M.T. Simon is co-author of a popular how-to guide on home exchanging, The Home Exchange Guide (Poyeen Publishing, $19.95). For information on home swapping and a list of organizations visit http://www.freehomeawayfromhome.com

About the Author

M.T. Simon is co-author is of The Home Exchange Guide How to Find Your Free Home Away from Home (Poyeen Publishing, $19.95). An avid traveler, M.T. has visited 46 countries and numerous territories and has participated in more than 12 home exchanges across the globe including: North America, Europe, Far East and Indian Ocean.

How has the use of technology impacted teaching and learning in the PK-16 classroom?

When is comes to behaviorism technology has made it even easier. It used to be just like Pavlov’s dog, when the student does something right they get praised verbally or with a good grade versus a treat or a scratch behind the ear. Shaping behavior is important and we need to ensure there is a baseline. Technology almost guarantees that specific learning will take place as the objectives are determined by the teacher. Teachers can set specific goals and the students will know what they need to do to get there. Benjamin Bloom first came up with the idea that the student will succeed in learning the task if they are given a specific time to do it. Technology allows for you to more easily chunk lessons into specific times. Students will perform better, especially when they succeed and get the praise of the teacher. Although the stimulus is provided by the teacher, it will do no good if the students do not receive it equally. (Snowman & Biehler, 2003)
Other ways computers assist is that they offer the ability for repetition and feedback to the student. Teachers can also incorporate the appropriate enforcer’s to the lesson whether it is text, video or audio. The student does the task right they can get a smiley face , text telling them they are ?Correct? or audio saying ?Good Job!?. (Parkay & Stanford 2004)

Social Learning is learning occurs when students learn from each other whether it be through modeling, imitation or observing within the social context. How can you do that with technology? Normally the students work on their own computer, but you can have them do a group project. When students do a project together they will observe how other groups are proceeding and imitate them if it is working well. The teacher usually also models what they are requiring the students to accomplish. Even when working individually the students will assist each other as one knows more than another.

There are cognitive factors in social learning as well as behaviorism. There is a clear line between learning by observation and student imitation. The cognitive process maintains that the attention of the student is the critical factor in the learning process. The expectations and consequences that are reinforced will bring about similar future behavior. (Ornstien & Lasley 2000)
Cognitive learning is learning that occurs when a learner process information. This is similar to behaviorism but the student has more input to accomplish how they reach the planned outcome. The teacher can model a project but the student may have other information that will aid them in accomplishing the outcome. An example would be how I instructed my students how to set up an Excel spreadsheet. I had them set up a basic spreadsheet showing how much their parents spent on them in a month. This was relevant to the students and caught their interest. They went beyond the initial project and had boarders, colors, etc. on their spreadsheets. The students who did this were praised aloud and the other students wanted to know what they did and how. This tied in the social learning as well as the behaviorism theory (Didn’t even realize it at the time).

When is comes to designing and developing lessons to incorporate technology the constructionist have the nod. Seymour Papert of the MIT Media Lab stated,

?Constructionism holds that children learn best when they are in the active role of the designer and constructor.? When the student is actively involved they have the buy-in to the success of the project or assignment. The students will be more apt to complete and learn more from it when they have some ownership. The students in turn will share their new found information when doing the assignment with the other students allowing for the constructionist learning. This form of teaching eliminates the grade and goes more with a go, no go process. Teachers assess the students by the completion of the assignment or lack of completion. This is better because of students being able to play a greater role in the process and assessing their own progress.

We teach ourselves how to learn. This is the constructivism theory on how we learn. With technology this couldn’t be truer. Most students have a basic understanding of the computer. They can download songs, play games and set up Myspace web page. What they can not do is build a spreadsheet or power point presentation. The teacher will give them a basic understanding but the students will learn from trial and error and construct their own learning.

History of the computer use in the classroom started off slow. Saloman and Globerson (1987) suggested that underachievement in schools is because of the lower expectations on the part of the teachers, parents, and society. That was because the teachers themselves really hadn’t been exposed to the marvels of what a computer and the associated software could do for them. The Commodore 64, Apple II along with the Macintosh began their strong emergence in the early 80’s. Software programmers had a vision about the computer and how it could be used in the classroom. They developed software that teachers could use along with their instruction. Apple began teaching the teachers and Macintosh soon followed suit. This was the beginning of incorporating the use of computers in the classroom. (Jonassen 2000)

Using computers in the classroom allows for all the learning theories to come to fruition. A computer allows for the cognitive process to bloom and brings about the social learning as well. When a student is given an assignment or project on the computer they will strive to complete it. The different things they learn they will share with other students especially if they think it is the bomb, cool or whack. On the flip side it can inhibit learning if the student is completely computer illiterate as frustration sets in as they cannot proceed as well as others. The computer also allows the teacher to develop lessons for all the multiple intelligences.

With the advances computers and programs are taking on a daily basis, it is allowing for more interaction in the classroom(s). It is even allowing students from different schools to interact. Technology also allows for time to be better utilized, the outcomes of the objectives to be more easily determined and goals easy to implement and automate.

References

Friend, Marilyn & Bursuck, William D. (2002). Including students with special needs

(3rd ed.) 136-139.

Funderstanding (2001). Retrieved September 17, 2006 from

http://www.funderstanding.com/behaviorism.cfm

Jonassen, David H. (2000). Computers as mindtools for Schools (2nd ed.) 8-9, 272-275

Learning with Computers (2000). Retrieved September 13, 2006 from

http://hagar.up.ac.za/catts/learner/2000/scheepers_md/projects/loo/theory/theories.html

Ornstien, Allan C. & Lasley Thomas J. (2004). Strategies for effective teaching (5th ed.)

16, 121-126.

Parkay, Forrest W. & Stanford, Beverly Hardcastle (2004). Becoming a teacher (6th ed.)

89-90, 409-413.

Snowman, Jack & Biehler, Robert (2003). Psychology applied to teaching (10th ed)

226-259.

The PSI Caf? (2001) Retrieved September 12, 2006 from

http://www.psy.pdx.edu/PsiCafe/KeyTheorists/Bandura.htm

What A Newsletter Can Do For Your Business
by: Claire CunninghamNewsletters are often thought of as easy, do-it-yourself communications projects. The reality is differentand that can be discouraging. Developing a good newsletter concept can be difficult and time-consuming. It takes market intelligence — and maybe research — to find out what people will read. Then it takes careful planning, discipline and skill to crank out something worthwhile on a schedule. Why bother? Because the rewards are there for those who enter the newsletter game. 1. Build loyalty: Send out a regular newsletter to your customers to build loyalty. Better informed customers are better customers.2. Educate: A regular newsletter can educate distributors, sales reps, or even prospects. 3. Boost credibility: Publishing a newsletter is a way to send out great information with your name on it. 4. Stay in touch: Advertising not in your budget? Exhausted your public relations options? A newsletter can keep your name in front of a small, well-defined audience.5. Repeat your message: Repetition is an important facet of a successful communications program. A newsletter is another way to deliver your message.6. Control. Control. Control: Audience. Message. Timing. You control it all with a newsletter.7. Cost efficiency: Send out an electronic newsletter, and you can save on time, printing and postage. Plus you can use it as content on your web site.About The Author
Claire Cunningham, president of Clairvoyant Communications, Inc., has 20+ years experience developing and implementing successful business-to-business marketing and communications programs. Sign up for Claires monthly newsletter, Communique, at www.clairvoyantcommunications.com. Claire can be reached at 763-479-3499 or e-mail to claire@claircomm.com
clairee@claircomm.com

There are as many places to find Honolulu used car prices as there are places selling used cars here: the classifieds in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser or the Bulletin, the Thrifty-Nickel or car magazines like that (which are available free by the front door at gas stations and convenience stores). You can also car dealers in town (it’s best to call several and stay on the line as long as you can, pumping whoever you’re talking to for information about the cars you’re interested in). You can also get this same kind of pricing information online at Edmunds dot com, kbb dot com and ebaymotors dot com. Kelly and Edmunds are publish books with complete pricing information.

We hope that this is helpful, but you probably need to know more than this. Knowing how much the car you’re interested in will cost is great, but what about:

buying a car from someone who’s selling their old car from their home?

This might be your best option. You’ll never get a great deal on a car from a car dealership because buying and selling cars is their business. Even if you do this for a living, full time, you’re probably still not going to be able to school them. But people who are selling their old car are a whole other story. They’ve probably never sold a car before, and have probably only bought three or four in their whole lifetime. See where we’re going with this? You can negotiate much more effectively with a lot of these people?get the car you want at a much better price than you?d get it from a pro. The key here?do not scrimp on this?is to go over the car carefully yourself (we can tell you what to look for and what to do?and what not to do), then pay a mechanic to give it the once over. We hate to spend money as much as the next person, but this is money well spent.

And what about researching the car you’re interested in, maybe even before you know how much it’s going to cost?

Don’t buy a car without spending a couple of hours in the library or bookstore reading what Consumer Reports magazine has to say about the car you’re interested in. (You have to pay for this information online.) If you’re not sure where to start with this, ask a librarian for help. We’ve never gotten bit by a librarian yet, and who knows? She might just be selling the car you want, at a great price and will even throw her phone number into the deal. Stranger things have happened!

Epinions.com offers a similar quality of information as Consumer Reports, but it’s available for free, online. Real people write in their comments about almost every car on the road. This is the best online information we’ve found.

Or how about getting financing for your car if you have bad credit?

Only get a car loan through the place you’re buying your car as a last resort?you’ll almost never pay more for a car loan anywhere than you will here. But if it’s all you can get, and you can’t wait to buy a new car (new to you, that is), try to pay all your bills on time. Cut your spending as much as possible. Tighten your belt. (We know it hurts; we’re doing the same thing ourselves right now.) Then in a year or two, see if you can find someone who will refinance the loan. It won’t cost you anything to look, and it might save you a good chunk of cash every month.

Of course, this is just the tip of the iceburg where Honolulu used car prices are concerned. If you decide to buy your next car from a dealer, do you know the top 25 scams car dealers use every day? Shrewd business people get taken in by these every minute of the day. Do you know how to negotiate with the seller to get the lowest-possible price? Do you know what kind of insurance you can’t drive without, what kind of insurance you shouldn’t drive without and what kind of insurance you should avoid like the plague? And where can you get the best financing rate, even if your credit’s not the best?(Don’t stop reading!)

To request your Free Report ?Buy New or Used Cars – An Introduction to the Best Cars To Buy ?, click here: Used Car Dealers Learn how you can buy the perfect car and not get scammed. Find out how to save $1000 on your next car purchase.

Discount vitamins have become a part of many people’s daily routines. Some use them as an overall daily supplement while others have specific needs, such as sports nutrition or prostate health. Regardless of the reasons or needs, many have become regimented in including vitamins in their lifestyle. Then they leave town on vacation or a business trip and the regimen falls apart. Not only does this make it difficult to pick the routine back up again upon returning home, but it can also send the body into a state of imbalance and deficiency.

The human body becomes accustomed to a daily routine and can adjust itself based on the deficiencies and abundances in that routine. When a person takes a daily vitamin supplement, the body is used to having all – or at least most – of the nutrients it needs. When that routine is interrupted, the body is sent into a state of chaos as it attempts to readjust itself and recover from the sudden change. This can result in a person feeling tired, sluggish, or unmotivated. Maintaining a daily vitamin supplement helps maintain a person’s energy level and immune system. It can also help prevent a person from contracting illnesses such as the flu or a cold while traveling, when his immune system becomes challenged by fatigue and exposure to airborne and communicable ailments.

There are two different types of vitamins – water soluble and fat soluble. Fat soluble vitamins, such as vitamins E and A, can be stored in the body for the body to use at a later time. However, water soluble vitamins, such as B-complex and C, must be replenished every day. These vitamins play important roles in a person’s health and it is crucial to make sure the body gets its daily requirement of them.

* Vitamin C is best known as an illness fighter, but has also been recently linked to the prevention of heart disease.

* Thiamine (B1) aids in the conversion of carbohydrates and fat into energy and is essential for maintaining the heart and nervous system.

* Riboflavin (B2) also aids in metabolizing carbs, fat, and protein into energy and is required for the production of red blood cells.

* Niacin (B3) helps the metabolism and plays a vital role in living cell repair (healing).

* Pyridoxine (B6) promotes red blood cell production and is linked to the prevention of eczema, psoriasis, and other adverse skin conditions.

* Folic acid (B9) is vital to the production of new cells and is especially important during times of rapid growth, as in young children or pregnant women. It also aids in the prevention of certain cancers.

* Cyanocobalamin (B12) aids in metabolizing energy and can prevent anemia.

* Pantothenic acid (B5) promotes healthy hair and fingernails and, like all other B vitamins, helps the body metabolize energy.

* Biotin helps to maintain a healthy blood sugar level, contributes to cell growth, and aids in the metabolism of fats and proteins.

These nutrients play such a vital role in the everyday functions of the human body and vacations are known as a time of indulgence and relaxation and not for eating healthy, balanced meals. It seems that people give up their healthy routines when they actually need to maintain them the most.

Many travelers do not mean to give up their healthy routines while on vacation, but somehow the discount vitamins get left off the list of things to pack. Procuring the right supplements from the vacation destination is costly and time-consuming. Discount vitamins are ordered online at a fraction of the regular retail cost – sometimes over 50% less than store prices. When online ordering is not an option, travelers are forced to pay full retail and hope earnestly that what they need is on sale. The time spent shopping for those vitamins and supplements is time that could be spent by pool, at the beach, in the mountains, sightseeing with the family, with clients, or anything else that suits the purpose of the trip.

Even worse, international travel may not allow for the purchase of over-the-counter supplements. Some countries closely regulate the sale of vitamins and supplements and prohibit consumers from buying such items without a prescription. Other countries simply don’t have such products available.

A small amount of preplanning can save valuable time and money while traveling. Travelers can avoid having to carry bulky pill bottles by filling pill cases with their daily doses of supplements for each day they plan to be away from home. Pill cases are available in weekly, biweekly, and monthly sizes to accommodate trips of any length.

Aside from the biological benefits, there are also sociological benefits to be had by maintaining a healthy routine while on vacation. Parents who continue to take care of their bodies, even in non-routine situations, set an excellent example for children to follow. Though a subtle gesture, maintaining healthy habits while traveling sends a message that healthy living is important. Children learn that while vacations are a break from the everyday grind, there is no excuse to let one’s health suffer.

There are many excuses to leave discount vitamins at home while traveling – they were forgotten, a week without them won’t hurt, it’s too much of a hassle to keep the routine while away from home – but there are no good reasons to do so. In fact, to the contrary, there are many good reasons to be sure to include them in the vacation plans. Not only does maintaining a healthy routine help the body to function efficiently and effectively, it can help prevent illnesses and fatigue when travel challenges a person’s immune system. Packing the vitamin supplements – either in their original bottles or in a pill case – saves time and money by preventing the need to replace them once a person reaches his destination. Keeping healthy habits while on vacation also teaches a valuable lesson about the importance of good health and while some routines are meant to be broken while on vacation, others simply never should be broken. To leave home without one’s discount vitamins is simply…unthinkable.About the Author

By a freelance writer for http://vitanetonline.com/ who sells quality vitamins and herbs with a wide selection of Discount Vitamins: http://vitanetonline.com/ that are in stock and ready to ship. Please link to this site when using article.

Buying travel bags should be easy. With the following information, you will end up taking home the perfect travel bags that fit the kind of trip you will make.

What are the types of bag to choose from and where does each of them best fit in?

Travel bags can be categorized into two: small luggage and large suitcases.

Small luggage:

Backpacks – for a more casual and outdoor trips, backpacks suit you best. Backpacks work for people who prefer to travel light. A small backpack should carry everything you need for the entire trip whether it is camping or nature tripping.

Business Cases – for short and pure business trip, business cases could work for you to fit everything you need including important documents and papers, notebook, and some clothes to change on the next day.

Totes and casual bags – A person seeking for a travel bag that could carry a day’s outdoor need should settle for totes and casual backs. Most of these types are designed to fit the fashion trend without compromising the practicality.

Carry-on luggage – whether it is a bus or an airplane ride, having everything within your reach is made possible by carry-on luggage. This small travel bag can usually measure less than 23 in. in size and can fit in the overhead compartment of the plane or underneath your seat.

Garment bags and carriers – They can measure from 40 to 60 inches in length perfect if you are carrying dresses, suits or clothes on hangers.

What are the important accessories your travel bag must have?

Locks – Locks are sometimes included on a travel bag. If not, you should look for one. Make sure that the locks are durable.

Luggage tags – You will never know if someone has the same travel bag that you do so make sure you have luggage tags to prevent confusion.

Carts – If your travel bag doesn’t have wheels, you can purchase luggage carts to make it easier to carry.

Garment steamer – Folded clothes can have wrinkles so better have handy garment steamer to remove them all.

What are the other factors that determine the kind of travel bag you should buy?

Hardware – Your travel bag should have straps, handles in different sides, and two brackets; to hold your clothes in place, to suit whatever type of handling you require, and to prevent wrinkles respectively.

Handles – your travel bag should have recessed handles.

Fabric – Leather, nylon, and polyester are the most common fabric used for a travel bag. Choose one with higher “denier” to assure durability. The type of fabric determines the price of travel bags.

Zippers – Larger zippers could outlast smaller ones.

Frame – Fiberglass, durable plastic, and aluminum luggage frames are durable and keep the travel bag sturdy.

About the Author:

Travel is an expensive thing, from flight tickets, to hotel rooms and the costs of travel bags, learn about how to you find better Travel Vacations and more travel information, flights and vacations ideas and deals at http://www.travelzupa.com/

There are numerous reasons for adding exterior shutters to your home as part of a home improvement project, which can include changing the look and character of your property, stopping the light from getting in, keeping heat or cool air in, and providing storm protection for your windows.

It is quick and simple to fit exterior shutters yourself, or you can employ a professional for a reasonable price if you do not feel you can tackle the task yourself. Either way, you need to familiarize yourself with the variety of shutters available before you make a final purchase.

Bahama or Colonial shutters are a popular choice because they provide a degree of weather protection, as well as being very attractive and full of character. In addition they can keep warm air in during the winter, cool air in during the summer, and provide a certain amount of soundproofing. They also have interior controls for adjusting the slats, to let in more light or to provide more privacy.

Roll shutters are another style that provide a higher degree of soundproofing than Bahamas and also provide a certain amount of light control. These style shutters are easily operated from the interior but a hard to open from the exterior increasing their security against break-ins. Although very simple to fit, roll style shutters do not have the same aesthetic quality of Bahama shutters.

The final variety for discussion is storm shutters. These are particularly appropriate for homes built in climates where hurricanes are common and are usually found only in these areas. Storm shutters are usually manufactured from metals such as aluminum and steel to ensure your windows are protected from airborne debris during a storm. These robust shutters are usually operated and fastened closed from the outside. Storm shutters are simple to fit but are not a very attractive addition to the home. They are certainly designed for protection, safety and practicality, and not for their looks. In hurricane prone areas, their use is vital, but they can easily be removed and stored outside of hurricane season.

As you can see, the factors to consider when purchasing your exterior shutters extend beyond looks or style. You need to know what degree of insulation, soundproofing, privacy, safety and protection you will need before you decide on the most appropriate shutter.
About the Author

Greg Hansward’s web pages can be found on various web publications associated with storm protection and home improvement. His articles on exterior shutters are published on http://www.shades-blinds-shutters-guide.com .

This article will cover flag football strategies. I am going to assume you are coaching or playing 7-on-7 flag football.

Offense in flag consists of a couple of key things, first misdirection. Misdirection is key for running an efficient offense. Reverses, halfback passes, and having your offensive lineman pass are some very effective trick plays. Those plays are a good place to start from. You can add your unique touches on these plays. Try to run a trick play once every 12-15 plays.

Next, remember to use your offensive lineman for catching passes. Most teams just use their offensive linemen to block. Using your offensive lineman to only block will limit your offense. For example, when starting a game, start the game by passing to your offensive lineman. As the defensive begins to key on your offensive lineman, your wide receivers will begin to get open for the deep passes.

Speed is key in flag football, especially for offensives. Every position should have a player who has speed, even your offensive lineman. A slow offensively player does more damage to your offense and will also slow your offense down. There may be some situations where you may want a big slow lineman in the game but these situations should come rarely. With fast players on the field the defense will not be able to key out your top offensive performers. Speed, speed, and more speed mixed with misdirection plays will help you score a ton of points.

Somethings you should practice with your offensive units are breaking towards the sidelines after a catch, catching the ball at the highest point, and blocking. Teach your players to break towards the sidelines. There are two reasons for this: First the sidelines cut off the numbers of flags the defenders can pull and second, it makes it tough for the defenders to get a good angle to pull the flags that are available. Catching the ball at the highest point teaches your players to be aggressive and to go up and get the ball. A simple drill to use is to have a head to head competition between two players. Toss the ball and allow the players to fight for it. The loser runs a lap and if they both drop the ball then they both run a lap. Blocking is key and the blocks do not have to be quality blocks. Pretty much your players just have to put a body on someone. One key block can lead to a big play for your offense. These are basic flag football strategies, you can build from here.

About the Author:

Flag Football Strategies-Offense was written by Eric Fields. Feeling Lucky This article may be reprinted provided no part thereof is edited in any way and this resource box is included.

For some kids it causes frustration. For others it causes despair. And for others it is plain hopeless.

What ever the circumstances, there is one important thing to know about memory skills. Your child needs them if they want to succeed in school.

And the sooner they begin learning these skills, the better.

Besides the fact they are developing a tool that is used in every class every day, they are separating themselves from other students that aren’t aware of the importance of memory skills.

Most kids just wing it when it’s time to study for tests or prepare presentations. If they remember some of the information they studied the night before, they’re happy.

But your child doesn’t need to settle for that approach. Here are some reasons why you need to help them develop strong memory skills. Skills that can make a dramatic difference in their learning almost immediately.

Reason #1 – Helps to eliminate learning deficiencies. According to Dr. Mel Levine, founder of All Kinds of Minds, an institute dedicated to helping children learn, “many learning problems can be traced to an inability to memorize.”

For example, math problems occur because a child can’t remember the steps to a formula. English problems crop up when a child can’t remember important points to make in an essay. Science problems arise when a child can’t remember the procedures to an experiment.

Strengthening memory skills is one of the solutions Dr. Levine and others propose.

Reason #2 – Develops self confidence. If your child is able to memorize more easily than others, they feel more confident. They aren’t afraid to study and they look forward to showing what they remember in class.

When they have an effective system for remembering information, they feel less stress at test time and get better grades. They’re calm and relaxed…the perfect mental state to do well in big moments.

Reason #3 – Allows time to build critical thinking skills. Let’s face it. You can’t learn to reason and analyze unless you have information to use. When you can retain and recall that information easily, then you have information to add to the discussion.

While others are fighting to remember important points to include on a test, your child has the points and can use the extra time to think about the question in more depth. This gives them the opportunity to offer a well thought out answer every time.

In summary, don’t take memory training lightly. It is not as difficult as it sounds. And once your child learns just a few techniques, they’ll begin developing a powerful memory that will make a dramatic difference in their education.

Jim Sarris teaches memory skills to students and adults. Visit the website for a free report entitled, “Why you can’t remember what you study.” The answer might shock you. For more information, visit http://www.memoryskillsmadeeasy.com
The desire of having a beautiful, slim body determines girls and young women to take drastic actions. The society we live in puts a lot of pressure on the shoulders of young girls by establishing and supporting exaggerated physical features as ideals of beauty. Teenage girls struggle to get noticed and sustain assiduous efforts in their attempt of improving their physical appearance. Their constant preoccupation with body weight sometimes becomes an obsession and many young girls develop eating disorders.

Eating disorders are considered to be serious illnesses and they may even lead to death. These disorders are basically mental conditions that are characterized by unhealthy behavior, scarce eating and obsession with being overweight. Anorexia (Anorexia Nervosa) and bulimia (Bulimia Nervosa) are the most common and the most dangerous eating disorders.

Anorexia affects persons of all ages and regardless of sex. However, young girls are more susceptible to developing anorexia, due to their ambitions and desires of being thin. Girls with anorexia eat very little food and sometimes they even constrain themselves from eating any food at all. Abstinence from food leads to serious complications and girls with anorexia often develop other diseases due to their bad eating habits. The lack of vital nutrients triggers a lot of changes inside the bodies of anorexics, making them feel weak, tired, anxious, confused and psychically unstable.

Girls with anorexia also experience a lot of physical changes. Their growth is dramatically slowed down; they suffer from stomach aches and internal disturbances, migraines, heart problems, bad circulation of the blood, hair loss and dehydration. Inappropriate eating habits cause hormonal unbalances and girls with anorexia often suffer from amenorrhea. This condition refers to irregular menstruation and girls with anorexia even experience stops of their menstrual period due to small levels of estrogen. Amenorrhea often leads to weakness of the bones, corrosion of the teeth and fragility of fingernails.

Girls with anorexia have obsessive thoughts about food and being fat. They carefully count the calories they consume and often exhaust themselves by doing long, tiring physical exercises. Despite the efforts they sustain in order to keep fit and lose weight, girls with anorexia are never content with their body weight and physical appearance. They have a distorted perception of their body image and always consider themselves to be fat, even if their body weight is considerably lower than it should be.

Young women and girls that have careers where a slim body is a necessity (gymnastics, modeling, ballet) are also susceptible to developing an eating disorder.

It is very important to act quickly when dealing with eating disorders. Girls with anorexia are often unaware of the dangers they expose themselves to and most of them deny having a problem. Some of them, however, are willing to sacrifice their health and jeopardize their lives only to be admired for their silhouette. Because girls with anorexia are usually unable to overcome their illness on their own, they should be provided with plenty of support and encouragement from their families and friends.

Anorexics feel lonely and unhappy and have low self-esteem and self-respect. By proving to people who suffer from anorexia that low body weight isn’t the most important thing in the world and by showing them that they are unique and beautiful regardless of their physical appearance, you can help them make the first steps towards recovery.

Garfield says, “I hate Mondays!” You just can’t help but agree.

You start your week dreading the days ahead and the work you have to do. Just thinking of the tasks exhausts you already. You count every second you spend to the endless routine you have to fulfill. You constantly ask yourself, “Why am I doing this?” Then you end up appeasing yourself, “can’t always get what you want.”

Maybe you can. Maybe you can do something you love and earn at the same time. You just have to know what you want and what you’re capable of. Then turn those mere possibilities into realities. Once you’ve realized your creative aspect, turn it into a productive enterprise.

Know your passion. How does one know one’s passion? How does one discover that deep fervor for a particular object or activity? Think of what makes you happy.

Ask yourself, when was the last time I laughed wholeheartedly? What was I doing that time? Was it a day you spent playing with little kids? Was it the time you captured moments with your new camera. Go down memory lane and a scrutiny of the pleasant activities and important places in your life would tell a lot about your passion.

Examine also your interests. Be conscious of the choices you make in your everyday activities. When browsing through magazines, what are the topics of the articles you read? Does it pertain to the arts, crafts, or entertainment? When tuning up the television, what educational shows do you watch? Is it a cooking show, art tutorials, traveling lifestyle or a sports documentary?

Go beyond yourself and look at other people. Think of a person who you believe personifies your ideal life. Is there any particular person you look up to or respect so much? Deliberate on the influence certain people have on you. Make an inventory of the values of this person and how such traits affect your existence.

Convert passion to action. Pondering on the points above will help you find the way to know your desire. But that passion must translate into action! This time busy yourself with things you consider really worth your while. Pour those newly found energies in your heart into a creative output.

Analyze your gifts and talents. Do you consider yourself to be sufficiently skilled enough to materialize your heart’s desire? Or do you still consider your knowledge to be meager? Do you have enough experience in the past? Or do you still have to explore the field and ascertain some aspects? Assess not only what you want but also your skills.

Give room for that endeavor. You do not have to drastically leave your old life behind. You can start incorporating to daily schedule that passion you have just unearthed. Dedicate sufficient time to enjoy yourself with something you are interested with. Consider it as something to look forward to in everyday. This will help as it grants you pleasant moments in everyday.

Enhance on the skills. As you spend more time with this passion, explore further on your skills. Learn more about the topic. Read books that would expand your knowledge. Practice everyday to improve your skills. Attend seminars or classes if your schedule would allow. Going to seminars and lectures would also pave way to meeting people with same passion. You can converse with experienced people and share with their knowledge on the topic. Make sure that everyday you are able to progress.

Turn passion in action into profit. It is important to set goals for your passion. Knowledge and skill in your passion would give you a more confident stance into translating into another desirable output. Aim high and turn your heart’s desire into a productive endeavor.

Make sure you have enough time and resources to spend on your profit-making venture. Decide on how you are going to do this endeavor. Would you put on your own workplace? Or would you just be making your services available when the need arises? Check out the field also. Who is your target market? How will my creative output correspond to their need or want? Then examine your creative output. Is it competitive enough? The quality should be at par, if not beyond, with those found in the market. You can also start with relatives and friends. Make them your first customers and encourage them to help you with your endeavor, at least through word of mouth. Be prepared though for several setbacks and stressful moments. Any business endeavor is sure to have.

This is one part of our lives that is worth taking. Oftentimes we wonder how some people are getting paid for doing what they want. Basketball players get paid to play your favorite sport. Singers get paid to play your favorite tune. Models get paid to wear your favorite designer’s outfit. There is a certain part of us that would want the same. It is just a matter of willingness to take the first step and believing it will work out. Anyway, there is nothing to lose. You could actually gain. This time, it would be Garfield’s Monday mornings no more!
About the Author

Daegan Smith is the leader of the fastest growing team of successful home business enterpernuers on the net. Find out how we’re creating financial freedom all across the globe and how to get in on the action FREE at http://www.comlev.net

For many people, weddings are synonymous with two words: open bar. For receptions, it’s a common expectation that liquor will be free-flowing, and not only champagne, but fancy mixed drinks and top-shelf alcohol.

When planning our own wedding, my husband-to-be and I chose to take the road less traveled and have a non-alcoholic reception. I’d grown up watching crowds of people drinking at weddings, people who’d then promptly get into their cars to drive back to their homes, often quite a distance away. It had always occurred to me, too, how easily one of those guests, potentially a beloved family member, could get into an accident. Late at night, with too much alcohol in their system, it seemed a recipe for disaster. With my own wedding approaching, it made our decision very easy. We, ourselves, weren’t really drinkers. So we chose to have a non-alcoholic wedding.

I told this to one of my coworkers, who remarked, “Well then why would anyone come?”

Instead of making me rethink my decision, it made me angry. Why would anyone come? How about to celebrate my marriage, to share a special occasion with family? How about because I meant something to them? If the only reason people were coming to my wedding was liquor, I told her, then they could go ahead and stay home then.

Of course, it does raise the question: is it really possible to choose to have a non-alcoholic wedding reception and not alienate all your guests?

For some people, recovering alcoholics, for example, a non-alcoholic reception is a must. There are those, too, whose religion forbids liquor.

For others, it may be a matter of budgetary concerns. Alcohol is expensive, and the per-head cost for a reception goes up significantly with the addition of an open bar. Many young couples these day are paying for their own weddings, and the need for frugality is essential.

There are others, still, for whom it’s more a question of personal preference, or a strict moral code. For us, it was primarily a matter of responsibility. Neither my husband-to-be nor I was comfortable with supplying an endless flow of liquor and then having the imbibers driving home. It was a feeling that, should anything happen, we would be ultimately responsible.

Our wedding turned out wonderful. I’m quite sure there were many people who weren’t happy with our choice to go non-alcoholic, but nobody voiced such a thing. And for the most part, everybody respected our wishes. So yes, I believe it is possible to have a non-alcoholic reception and not alienate your guests.

These days, there are many options that make the absence of alcohol at a wedding less of an issue. Many reception halls are happy to set up virgin tropical drink stations that will mix up an array of fancy, non-alcoholic concoctions. Plus, very often, reception halls have bars outside of the actual reception room, so those who simply must have their drinks can go and purchase one on their own.

It’s also not just a black and white issue. Those planning a wedding can choose to serve liquor only at a cocktail hour prior to dinner, so there will be plenty of time for the alcohol to work its way out of the system of those drinking before they get into cars to drive home. There’s also the possibility of keeping the champagne toast so that people will still get a little taste of something stronger.

Ultimately, a wedding belongs to the bride and groom. Whatever makes you the most comfortable and will make your wedding the best it can be, that’s the choice you should make. Those who love you and want to celebrate your special day will respect and honor your wishes.

This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.Prye.Com which is a site for Wedding Invitations.