You've planned the perfect vacation: getting a direct flight, a beautiful hotel, and a sporty car. But now you're stranded in the airport, without your luggage, hoping that your beautiful hotel and sporty car haven't been destroyed by the hurricane that is currently blowing through your perfect destination. Vacations rarely go exactly as planned, but some types of travel misery are more common than others
From wacky weather to outlandish local laws, for some tourists, everything that can go wrong will.
Going to jail. Foreign countries often have much harsher penalties for offenses that would be relatively minor in the United States. For example, the U.S. State Department warns students traveling to Mexico on spring break that they could be arrested for littering, indecent behavior, drinking on the street, using public transportation without paying, and making obscene remarks. In addition, a person who is caught using or buying drugs could be held in jail for a year before their case is even brought to trial.
Being hospitalized. Getting sick is never pleasant, but it's even worse to fall ill when you're away from home, particularly in another country, where you don't speak the language. If you become seriously ill while traveling abroad, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends calling the U.S. Embassy or Consulate (if calling from outside the U.S. or Canada, dial 00 1 202-501-4444). In addition, you may want to consider joining a group like International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers (IAMAT) or International SOS, which can put you in touch with a qualified, English-speaking physician in dozens of foreign countries. Some of the organizations charge a fee for joining, while others request a donation. It's also important to find out before you travel if your health insurance will pay for medical expenses incurred outside the United States. Medicare, for instance, typically does not cover such costs.
Being stranded at the airport. Reduce your chances of being stranded at the airport by not flying to and from locations known for delays. According to a report by the U.S. Department of Transportation, of the top ten flights that were delayed most often during the first quarter of 2008, seven of those flights originated or ended at the Chicago O'Hare Airport. So it would be smart to avoid that layover at O'Hare, if possible. And if you're traveling to or from Chicago, consider flights that land or leave from Chicago Midway Airport.
Treacherous Travels
Sunday, August 31, 2008
6 Surefire Signs You're a Couch Potato
Friday, August 29, 2008
When you have a free afternoon do you go for a bike ride? Or do you sit in front of the TV? Your answer may reveal whether you're a couch potato.
hough the term couch potato has become a joke, laziness has real, and potentially dangerous, repercussions. More than a quarter of Americans are obese, and heart disease is the leading cause of death. The risk of developing either condition can be reduced by becoming more active, which means a sedentary lifestyle can be a serious health risk. Here, a six telltale signs that you're a couch potato and tips for getting off the sofa.
You're not active. It may sound redundant, but being inactive during a large portion of your day qualifies you as a couch potato. According to the National Institutes for Health, about 59 percent of adults do no vigorous physical activity in their leisure time. Aside from providing weight control, physical activity can help prevent diabetes, colon cancer, and high blood pressure.
Tip: As with many addictions, the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. Come clean with the fact that you're a couch potato and make a promise to get moving. If getting yourself going is the issue, then ask for the help of a friend or a family member to get you moving in the right direction.
You make excuses. We've heard them before: "I'm too tired after work," or "I don't have the time," or "it costs too much." These are three commonly used excuses to not workout. Psychologists at the University of Haifa believe that excuses act to shift responsibility away from you and to protect your self image. Excuses provide reasons, real or not, to avoid doing something undesirable.
Tip: A real speed bump on the road to kicking inactivity is that some of the excuses--not having time or being too tired--are often real issues. The normal work week can be tiresome and time consuming for anyone. What most people don't know is that exercising regularly will boost your energy and will save you time at the doctor's office for avoidable health problems. As for it being too pricey to exercise--going for a half hour walk around the block is free. If you don't feel comfortable walking by yourself in the evening, check to see if any local schools or fitness centers are open free to the community.
You watch too much TV. How much is too much? More than 60 percent of people who have signed up with the National Weight Control Registry (who, on average, have lost 66 pounds and kept it off for more than five years), say that they watch less than 10 hours of TV per week. What's more, researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that, on average, every hour of television a person watches per day reduces the amount of steps he takes by 144, resulting in a severe lack of daily movement.
Tip: Make exercise appealing. Walk on a treadmill or do sit ups while watching TV. Or try something different, like signing up for racquetball lessons or taking a dance class. Do anything to get moving, even if it means sacrificing a half an hour from your favorite television programming.
Exercise "overwhelms" you. Some people may not exercise because they feel overwhelmed. They say they don't know enough about working out, believe they're too far gone in their inactivity, or think they're too old to start exercising. Whatever the reason, getting more exercise means switching from passive entertainment (watching television or playing video games) to active entertainment (hiking or playing sports).
Tip: There is hope for those who think they're too old to start exercising. Scientists at the University of Ulm and University of Heidelberg in Germany found that the risk of coronary heart disease could be cut by up to 55 percent if people became physically active at 40. It's never too late to be healthy.
You avoid work. Work is not just limited to the job you're paid to do. Work can be anything needing mental, emotional, or physical effort--mowing the lawn, going for a run, or paying the bills. If you find yourself procrastinating, avoiding work in order to relax, your passivity may actually be slothfulness.
Tip: You've most likely said it to your kids hundreds of times: "Don't wait until the last minute to do something." That advice holds true for you as well. To help motivate yourself, ask a friend to go for walk with you or see if your spouse will work in the garden together. Or allow yourself a small reward for doing something you dread-buy those earrings you were eyeing or take a long, hot bubble bath.
You leave tasks unfinished. Is the garage still half cleaned? Still meaning to put up that hammock? Leaving projects half-done is an indication of being passive, which often lends itself to the couch potato lifestyle. Studies conducted at De Paul University in Chicago and Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, found that those who chronically procrastinate are more likely to develop colds and flu and gastrointestinal problems. What's more, procrastinators were more likely to have insomnia.
Tip: Stop looking for distractions and making excuses. To tackle a big project, start by breaking it into smaller tasks. For example, if you want to clean the garage, start with one shelf, or by focusing only on a certain area. Don't take on the whole thing in one day. The same thing goes for weight loss. If you want to lose ten pounds, start by walking for 15 minutes in the evening or eating fewer potato chips, then build from there. You won't mind the small, gradual changes as much, and you'll be more likely to stick with the new, healthy plan.
Dietary Supplement For Men
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Well! Believe it or not, women are not the only person who need dieting . It's for man as well. If you are a man that need tune your body up! I encourage you to check myoffeine . If you are tired of fat burners that are jam packed with enough stimulants to keep your weight in shape then myoffeine is the best for you. Myoffeine is a new "testosterone boosting fat burner" that has been formulated for men. A safe and natural approach to help you lose weight. Its all natural, fast acting and it is affordable.
Let's take a look at the myoffeine ingredients :
Citrus Aurantium 10% Extract - Also known as synephrine, when used in conjunction with caffeine anhydrous, it produces similar effects to those found in ephedrine, but without the side effects. This is 'the' ephedra alternative that is found in the best fat burners.
Cinnamon - Cinnamon has been shown to improve the metabolism of glucose and insulin sensitivity and also decrease the risk for diabetes.
Tribulus Terrestris - Voted and Ranked the #1 Testosterone Booster by Prosource.com, this is the best legally available testosterone booster.
L-Glutamine - Glutamine helps your muscles recover faster after high-intensity workouts. Glutamine also acts as an immune system enhancer by providing energy to your immune cells.
L-Arginine - Is the amino acid that is a vasodilator, which aids in the widening of blood vessels. The widening of blood vessels is important because it allows nutrients, oxygen and hormones to be delivered efficiently throughout your entire body. Muscle strength has also been associated with Arginine supplementation.
Catuaba - This is a natural supplement used in Brazil as an aphrodisiac and central nervous system stimulant.
myoffeine is a weight loss pill for men . Its the best fat burning and muscle supplementation products on the market today. If you haven't tried this weight loss pill for me, I recommend you to visit the link above . You would not be sorry you did.
Avoid the 5 Most Common Reasons for Credit Denial
Learn how to get the loan you want, when you want it. Avoid the 5 most common reasons for credit denial, Improve your chances of getting the loan you need to buy that dream home, new car or to just payoff old debts.
The five most common reasons for credit denial based on a credit report are as follows:
Delinquent credit obligations. Late payments, bad debts, or legal judgments against you make you look like a risky customer. Get A copy of your credit report and remove any errors.
Credit application is incomplete. Perhaps you left out some important information or made an error on the application. Any large discrepancy between your application and your credit file can count against you. The lender will wonder if you are hiding something. Always double check your application.
Too many inquiries. Inquiries are made whenever you apply for credit. Requesting your own report also counts as an inquiry, but is usually not held against you. At the creditor’s discretion, as few as four inquiries within six months’ time may be considered a sign of excessive credit activity. The creditor may then presume that you are trying desperately to get credit and are being rejected elsewhere. *NOTE* Generally, several inquiries for a "major" purchase, like a home or auto loan are counted as "one" inquiry.
Errors in your credit file. These may arise simply from typing mistakes, or from confusing your name with someone else’s similar name. Since the credit bureaus handle millions of files, the possibility for error is substantial. Errors can be found and corrected only by carefully reviewing your file for accuracy at least once a year and then taking the necessary steps to correct any errors that you do find.
Insufficient credit file. Your credit history is too scanty for the type or amount of credit you requested. You need to develop your credit history more fully before qualifying for the level of credit you are now requesting.
Always examine your credit record before applying for credit, because you don't want any surprises and have a credit denial letter sent to you.
A credit bureau may confuse you with another individual, carry erroneous information in your file, or perhaps include false, incomplete or one-sided information provided by a creditor.
Most of these credit denial problems can be resolved once you understand the procedures.
Periodic checking of your credit report is important because credit bureaus can and do make mistakes in their credit information.
What is Phentermine?
Many of us tried to seek so many ways to reduce our weight. And I know for fact that a lot of people uses a medical procedure to get rid of body fat. Nor taking pills or surgery procedure to reduce weight , there are always have a risk of side effect no matter what procedure you seek.
Have you hear about Phentermine ? Phentermine Online Is one of so many diet pills out there that are sold in so many pharmacy .It is approved by FDA. This substance is an appetite suppressant drug.It has has been widely used to help obese patients to suppress hunger and lose weight. Phentermine has shown to proved lose weight to 10-15 % . Like most diet pills, its effectiveness will be greatest if accompanied by proper diet and exercise. It is most effective if taken once a day during a 3-4 week period.
Like many other diet pills like Phentermine Online has it's own side effect. The drug may increased heart rate. It may also cause dry mouth, constipation, diarrhea, restlessness, and insomnia.
People with severe high blood pressure, an overactive thyroid, glaucoma, heart or blood vessel disease, or severe narrowing of the blood vessels should not take phentermine. For more information , you should visit Phentermine Online and learn about it, before start taking it.
Phentermine Online
How to Be Happy Despite Solitude
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
There are a number of reasons one may find their self living in solitude, from being shipwrecked on an island, to taking a job in a remote location. Whereas there are many ways to alleviate a night or even a week being alone, solitude is associated with long-term isolation and is more difficult to address. Sometimes life leaves us with no one around to share conversation and comfort, but that doesn't mean one must exist unhappily, if one is able to adjust to the situation.
Look at the reason for the situation which puts you in solitude, and do not give up finding a solution which allows you to return to a life among people. One such circumstance is Agoraphobia, the fear of open spaces, which can literally render a person unable to leave the confines of their own home, effectively creating a solitary life. Others are what are known as the "shut in", who because of medical or physical conditions are unable to go out even to the local market or local church. These may be able to benefit from medical help and social services, but there is still some amount of solitude to be dealt with.
Find hobbies and pursue them. These may not be suitable for every situation, but with the host of possibilities, there may be some that will help fill hours with enjoyable activities. Learning to knit, sew, crotchet, or macrame are crafts that can fill hours productively, as can painting, drawing, or writing.
Listen to music. Music has long been recognized as a medium to give emotional boosts when a person is in a dark or gloomy mood, and with the many sources which music can be accessed, from online, to radio and satellite, there is unlimited selection almost anywhere on the globe. Find a genre of music that suits your taste, and don't just listen to it, but learn it, emerse yourself into it.
Read. This is the obvious, and with a good novel, you may be alone in the room, but you can feel yourself transported to strange and wonderful worlds beyond imagination, filling hours upon hours with adventures. If you are not able to read, there are thousands of titles available on audio books, and they can be delivered by mail either from retail sources, or from exchanges, a much less expensive option.
Subscribe to periodicals that focus on topics you are interested in. There are dozens available for most topics, from gardening to fishing, crafts, to travel. There are also lots of "E-zines" online, many of which are free to the user.
Visit chat rooms, discussion groups, or other internet sites that interest you. You may find hundreds of friends who share your circumstance, and many close friendships develop between people who will never meet in person, living thousands of miles apart.
Write in a journal. This may appear to be a way of talking to yourself on the surface, but then, you can do that, if you are living in solitude anyway. Writing your ideas, thoughts, and feelings in a journal will keep you verbal when there is no one else around to talk to, and going back and reading what you have written is a way of looking at yourself from a different vantage point, helping to give you a broader perspective on what you are thinking at any particular time.
Keep your resources and daily needs accounted for. Solitary living means not having anyone else to turn to if your resources fail, and no one to borrow basic supplies like food and toiletries from in the event you run out.
Consider a pet if you are able to maintain one. Depending on the cause and nature of your solitude, you may not have access to veterinary care and food for a large dog or other conventional pet, but there are other options that may have simpler upkeep. If you are unable to care for a pet at all, you may still be able to feed wildlife or birds in your situation, and watching these can give some solace to your solitude.
Exercise if you do not have enough normal activity to keep your strength and health up. Make a regimen of regular exercise a part of your daily life, within your ability and the resources available to you. Unless you are bedridden or some other way impaired, you should at least be able to do some stretches, perhaps sit-ups, walking, or riding a stationary bike.
Look after yourself. Keeping your grooming and hygiene at a good level will help your self esteem, and thereby increase your level of happiness. Dress as well as you are able, brush your hair and teeth twice daily, and pamper yourself in other ways you may think of.
Eat healthy foods. Being alone offers the temptation of eating whatever you like, when you like, since there is little in the way of accountability. That is no reason to neglect yourself by poor diet. If cooking meals seems like too much trouble for one, then only cook occasionally, freezing portions for later use. Keep what ever fresh fruits and vegetables you have access to around for snacks, and treat yourself to these as often as you like.
Watch television. This is an obvious outlet for relief from being alone, but even in this technological age, it is not available everywhere, or to everyone, and it is not a cure-all in itself. Still, there are movies, sports, news, and all manner of entertainment where there is access to it, and if you have electrical power, you may at least be able to watch movies on DVD or other media if broadcast television does not exist where you are.
Keep a regular schedule. Go to bed at a regular time, and wake at a regular time, to help keep your body in "tune" with natural cycles of sleep and waking.
Keep your environment neat and pleasing to your eye. Keep rooms brightly lit when you are in them.
Keep windows open for lots of fresh air if the weather is cooperative and you are indoors for extended periods for whatever reason, and even if the weather is not suitable for this, keep the curtains open and the shades up to let lots of natural light in.
Living in solitude means being resourceful, you must keep some contact with the "outside" world in the event you require help in an emergency.
Be Confident in Starting New Things
Everyone is a little shy at first when starting something new. But with a little help, you can get over your fears.
Before you start your new activity, do some soothing exercises to calm your nerves. For example, write down all the things you have done or are looking forward to. You could write about a vacation coming up, or getting your crush to like you, etc. Put these on a scrap sheet of paper and put them in a pocket or bag.
Meditate. Sit in a comfy place where you have had previous experiences with something good. Throw open a window, close your eyes and get in a comfortable position. Meditation does not mean saying "om." It means relaxing.
When you arrive at your destination, make a good impression. You want other people thinking that you are a kind person. You can do this by Saying Hello to people who seem to want to be friends. Remember to smile a lot, too.
Just enjoy yourself! Time will fly by!
If you can't seem to have a good time, then try talking to the owner or your parents about stopping. You shouldn't do any activities if they're not fun.
Don't go overboard when making a good impression. You'll scare people!
Smorty Task
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Well! I got lucky at Smorty tonight. I was just browsing and thought about logging into my smorty account. Well! what do you know. I had 5 task waiting. I already taken one this morning and I'd able to grab 2 tonight. By the time I was done submitting the second task tonight , when I went back it was gone!I wish , there was a way that I accept the task in one time. But Smorty would not allow it. You can only take one task at a time. That was quick for them take the task done. Well, It's alright. At least I able to grab some of them. Goodnight everyone. And I hope some of you will that task from smorty as well.
Manage Your Credit Cards
Here's how to learn more about items billed to your credit card statements, with some common sense tricks to help you.
Review your credit card statements regularly. Online banking can assist you with viewing statements every day if needed.
Call the merchants first if you see any charges you don't recognize. You can usually find merchant names and phone numbers through a Google search. If you still cannot identify the charge, you can always submit a dispute form to your credit card bank. Please note that for all Visa cards, for unauthorized charges the credit card must be shut down and a new card issued in order to do a chargeback, so make sure you check all avenues with the merchant before disputing.
Always use common sense. If making reservations (hotels, airlines, rental cars) or placing orders over the phone, you are responsible to ask about their cancellation and refund policies before giving your credit card numbers. Ask them to fax you an invoice for any over-the-phone quotes or deals you make verbally. If they bill you more on the credit card and you have no paperwork to back it up, the credit card company cannot assist you.
Know that any merchant that is given permission to bill you monthly you must contact you directly to cancel. Keep dates and confirmation numbers on file.
Understand that closing your cards or reporting them lost or stolen does not stop preapproved charges from posting. Credit card companies cannot stop merchants from billing your card, but you do have dispute rights as long as you have paperwork to back the disputes up.
Always check the terms and conditions of every web site on the internet before giving them your credit card number to place an order. A lot of merchants' return or refund policies cannot be overriden by the credit card companies. Any time you cancel with a merchant, always get cancellation confirmation numbers and mark the date on your calendar.
Hey! Smorty Still Alive
Monday, August 25, 2008
Hey! Surprise , surprise! I got a campaign waiting for me when I log in into my smorty account. Just recently I was so disappointed because I haven't gotten any since May . But I am not complaining! Yes I was actually :)) Anyway, I thought Smorty is dead but I was wrong I admit. Smorty still alive and kicking.
In the Mane — Hair Care
Sunday, August 24, 2008
To tame your tresses without stressing them, skip the sulfates, silicone and synthetics and instead look for nurturing, plant-based products. Botanical blends work splendidly on hair and are usually much less harsh than preparations full of foaming agents and detergents. Jonathan Product is a premium salon line with a difference. Their shampoos are infused with a sugar-derived surfactant to cleanse gently and any water in the formula has been deionized and purified. Ojon's Volumizing Foam uses palm nut oil from the remote rainforests of Central America to deeply condition and coddle hair without weighing it down. And Weleda Rosemary Conditioner does its smoothing and detangling job with a mixture of rosemary extract, aloe vera and calendula. (This company knows its way around kinder, gentler products — they've been doing business since 1921.) Nature's Gate also makes a great line of value-priced (yet heavenly) shampoos and conditioners, so you can go green while saving some green.
Primitive Beauty — Face
Can we get the same bang for our buck from natural products as we do from more conventional skin care? Absolutely — and without most of the synthetic chemicals like paraben, petroleum, preservatives and animal byproducts to gum up the works. Sensitive skins will truly appreciate the Avalon Organics line — they cleanse and moisturize with lavender, white tea, chamomile and other complexion calmers. They're a conscience soother, using only 100% vegetarian ingredients. The new higher-end collection, Care by Stella McCartney, also uses 100% vegetarian ingredients that are organic and grown under strict environmental controls that omit pesticides and chemical fertilizers. For a more affordable way to bag your botanicals, try Burt's Bees. This immensely popular collection eschews animal testing and uses folksy yet truly effective formulations made from down-home stuff like beeswax, sunflower oil, orange wax and rosemary extract. To top off all that healthy slathering, consider a mineral makeup foundation: Bare Escentuals covers flaws with pure crushed minerals that provide a natural SPF 15.
Scents & Sensibility — Fragrance
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Does wearing scent ever give you a whopper of a headache? Do even short elevator rides with perfume laden passengers leave you sneezing and teary-eyed? You could be allergic to very common ingredients in popular fragrances. And even if you aren't overly sensitive to phthalates, synthetic dyes or various petrochemicals, you'll probably love the more subtle effect you'll get from a scent that's primarily plant-based. Aubrey Organics eau de parfums are produced with organic essential oils and can be worn by those sensitive to other scents. (Even their powders are made from rice and tapioca starch rather than talc.) Caudalie offers an energizing fragrance overflowing with grape water, blackcurrant bud and bergaptene-free bergamot. A big plus — it's non-photosensitizing, so you can wear it under the sun without a reaction. Korres Body Water adds a bunch of vitamins to the mix (B5, magnesium and zinc) and leaves out silicone. Lavanila is also extraordinary — they've eliminated anything that could possibly irritate, and suffused their olfactory treats with active botanicals, antioxidants and magnificent Madagascar vanilla.
Plant a Kiss — Lips
Your skin can absorb up to 60% of the products you put on it, and since your lips are much thinner than the rest of your epidermis, you should seriously consider pampering that pucker. Look for balms, sticks and salves with a high concentration of botanical smoothing ingredients like plant oils, fruit essences, nut butters and mineral tints. Kiss My Face makes an irresistible lip balm infused with chamomile, goldenseal and peppermint oil. Avoid preservatives and petroleum byproducts. Beeswax and jojoba oil — both found in Boscia's Salve Stick — do just as good a job sans the synthetics. If you have a sensitive mouth steer clear of essential oils, which may be slightly harsh. Dr. Bronner's all-organic "Naked" balm is free of irritants. And for the ultimate in "green" beauty, Cargo's PlantLove lipstick is entirely biodegradable. The tube is made of corn and the carton is embedded with wildflower seeds that sprout when you plant it.
