Growing Up

Now that I am getting older and about to graduate college, there are a lot of things that are coming to me that I really hadn't thought of before. Thankfully I am still on my dad's medical insurance (because that is extremely expensive) for a few more years and he is still paying for my car insurance (luckily for me it is cheaper for him to keep me on then pay to take me off, so I am going to milk it while it lasts) but the reality check seems to be hitting me.

It is scary to have to think about things like buying a home and even home insurance which doesn't come right to mind when you think about all of the cool things. You want to grow up and be on your own and decorate and pick out a house, but you aren't thinking about how you are going to pay for it and the insurance and taxes and everything that comes with it, even repairs.

Growing up seems to be all fun and games when you are younger. You get to do what you want, when you want it and you make your own rules. But a long with that comes a lot of things that you really didn't think about. When you are playing house when you are little you talk about cooking dinner in your cute Playskol kitchen, but you don't think about buying the food and preparing it after a long day at work and then cleaning up after. It is amazing how many details don't cross out mind.

So when I was a sophomore and was kind of over the thrill of college and getting to do what I wanted when I wanted to do it, I looked forward to graduating and not having homework anymore or tests and not living in dorms or nasty college houses and apartments.

Now that I am a senior though and it is just around the corner, those dorms don't seem so bad anymore (especially since dad paid for them ha). It was nice to go downstairs and get my meal (while it wasn't always grandmas cooking) and then come upstairs back to my room and just hang out. I am sure that being a grown up has a lot of perks (no more homework) but it also seems a little bit scary to me right now too.

Posted on Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 10:10 AM by Brian

ORDERING RETURN ADDRESS LABELS AND RUBBER STAMPS ONLINE

These days, the internet can make your life a whole lot simpler. Many people shop the internet for all their holiday shopping, but I find that this takes some of the fun out of the holidays, at least for me. I like to go from store to store until I find the perfect gift for that special someone. It is a challenge, but one that I truly enjoy especially when the stores are decorated for the holidays.

I do find ways to purchase things online at the holidays though that do make my life a little simpler. For instance, I can use the internet to shop around for my fun address labels. This really saves me time and I know that I can look around quickly and get a fair price. Honestly, these items are relatively inexpensive and they are a beautiful way to dress up your envelopes. Address labels save you time and money when you are busy during the holidays, and when I order them online they usually arrive at my door in less than a week. I always purchase the ones that you can just stick on your envelopes making them really simple to get done quickly.

I have also ordered return address stamps online, because I have found that decorating my packages with tissue paper and rubber stamp inkings is a great way to create a unique looking gift without overspending on the more expensive wrapping papers.

The internet can also help you find those unique gifts that you can't find in stores. Items like antique lamps and music boxes make really great gifts for the collectors on your list, and those items you won't be able to find in your local department store.

There are many ways that you can use the internet to help you get through the holidays with a little less stress and a little more ease. Order those items online that you know you will need and you will find that your holiday season will be a much happier experience.

Posted on Monday, October 05, 2009 @ 9:55 AM by Brian

LOOKING UP DAY TRADING STRATEGIES ON THE WEB

I have always wanted to know more about making money through day trading and since my recent unemployment I have consider trying it out to see if I can supplement my income and bring in a little bit extra. I have heard that it is pretty simple once you get the hang of it and I have a friend who is supporting himself just on the money that he is making buying and selling stock each day, so I know that it is possible.

I have been looking up information on the web about it all week and it is beginning to make sense to me, but I am extremely ADD when it comes to staying on track and so many times I find myself getting distracted when I am on the internet. Like first I am looking at day trading strategies and then there is a pop up for a new weight loss product and so I have to click on it. I am not even interested in the diet pills, but once I begin reading the information I start thinking that I could stand to lose a few pounds. And even when I wind up with a product in front of me, like joint supplement that personally I have just no use for, I begin thinking of my friend who has been struggling with the knees and has been considering surgery and so I save the information to my history so that I can let her know about it. Honestly, I just can't get enough of the web. Day and night I love to play games and talk to friends, but there is also so much information. Yesterday, I was having trouble with my car and with not too much money in my bank account I started looking online to try and find some information about diagnosing the problem and it is really truly amazing. I found that the problem that I was having with my car was actually so common that they currently are recalling the vehicle for it. So now I can get my car repaired for free.

The internet can really save you time and money and even make you money if you know how to use it.

Posted on Friday, September 18, 2009 @ 2:46 PM by Brian

MICHAEL PILLSBURY A PIVOTAL FIGURE IN OUR NATIONS HISTORY

History books often overlook contributions made by political figures behind the scenes. Michael Pillsbury is one such figure. He has served as adviser to each President for the past 4 decades. Michael Pillsbury has helped advise such administrations as both Bush administrations as well as President Ronald Reagan and President Jimmy Carter in their dealings with strategic military locations like China and Afghanistan. He single handedly helped bring an end to the cold war as an expert adviser. He also helped create the Reagan doctrine and was an key figure in helping advise in regards to Charlie Wilson's War as well. On thing is for certain this international expert has made many contributions that have militarily guided the United States government over the past 40 years. Perhaps one day the history books will include Mike Pillsbury and his key role in aiding the U.S. government in helping to keep the world safe.

One thing is for certain, his written works will go a long way in helping to pass his knowledge along to governmental figures for years to come. In addition to publishing two books about the military perspective of the Chinese government he has written numerous journal articles that relate to military strategy and communication between the major super powers of the world. His military views are incredible and he offers a unique perspective on the world as a whole and specifically on the Chinese Government. Michael Pillsbury's contributions are also documented in such incredible books as Clinton's Deputy Attorney General's book in 2008 "Living the Policy Process" and James Mann's "About Face". Reading these two books not only provides readers with further information in regard to Michael Pillsbury but also provide a lot of additional insight into the behind the scenes happenings in the United States government.

If you are interested in learning more about these and other issues you can access a lot of good information about Michael Pillsbury both at his website and at www.wikipedia.com. You will be amazed and astounded at the happenings that occur behind closed doors in the white house and beyond, as perhaps the Presidents are not as powerful or influential as you would think.

Posted on Sunday, September 06, 2009 @ 3:06 PM by Brian

MY INCREDIBLE SIM FREE MOBILE PHONE

Shopping around for mobile phones can be really difficult. It seems like all the phones that are really nice also come with plans on them that wind up sounding like a good deal, but then in the long run, they wind up costing you a fortune. One thing that I have now realized is that it is much better to buy a Sim Free Mobile Phone. These phones are truly excellent to have because they can go with any Sim card, making them versatile enough to use on any network and more flexible because just by adapting the Sim card you can even take your Sim Free Mobile phone overseas with you. It is much more flexible than any other phone I have ever seen and they come in so many great styles and colors that you are bound to find a great phone that is not only flexible but less expensive in the long run than those phones that come attatched to high priced plans.

When I got my Sim Free Mobile phone, the one thing that I noticed right away was that it was very unique looking. So much nicer than other phones that I had in the past. And people began complimenting me right away on what a nice phone it was. I really was amazed that anyone even noticed it. Sure I was thrilled with it myself, but I didn't realize that it would make everyone else stop and take notice. When I told people that it was a Sim Free Mobile people didn't even know what that really meant, and I explained to them that it provided me with network flexibility. The next question was "where did you find it?" and of course I told them about the incredible selection that I found on the web.

Isn't it really time that you got more out of your mobile phone? Network flexibility is what these phones provide you with...oh yeah, and also an incredible looking phone that people will notice. Don't leave it laying around or someone will pick it up and start playing with it...it seems to really attract people to it.

Posted on Tuesday, August 11, 2009 @ 8:19 AM by Brian

DIABETES, FAILURE TO WATCH YOUR DIET CAN LEAD TO PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY

My father in law is a diabetic. He has been one for a while and when I first met him and learned about his condition, I asked my husband "What is diabetes?" I know it sounds a little bit silly because you actually hear about the disease a lot. I knew that it had something to do with people who couldn't have sugar and might need to take insulin shots, but my husband had actually researched a lot about it when his father was first diagnosed, and he wanted to make sure that his mother really understood the nature of his illness. This is when he found out that diabetes has to do with the body's inability to produce enough insulin to effectively digest and use carbohydrates and sugars appropriately. Apparently, it is not just sugar but any carbs like cake, bread, potatoes, and so forth. The only way to treat it is to closely monitor the blood sugar and to take insulin injections to help the body process out these foods. Diet must be used in conjunction with the insulin, because the insulin does not cure the condition and over doing it with the carbs can still result in peripheral neuropathy and other forms of neuropathy, if you are not careful, so therefore my father in law must watch carefully everything that he eats.

Now whenever we go to visit him or he comes to visit us, I make sure that I keep plenty of sweet sugar free products around, so that he can enjoy a good snack, just like anyone else. Watching the carb content of foods is actually a lot more difficult than you think and understanding it is even more complicated than that. I am glad that they have all the artificial sweetening products today, to help satisfy his sweet tooth, without taking him too far off his diet. This way he can enjoy a little without risking his health to do it. The kids even like to eat sugar free fudge bars with their grandfather, so they enjoy when he comes as well.

Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 @ 9:28 AM by Brian

Watching Crime Programs on TV

I am addicted to shows like Law and Order and Monk. If the shows are on I will drop everything that I am doing to watch them. When I am cleaning my room or doing other stuff like homework or just hanging out, I'll go online to watch them to keep me entertained and I don't even have to pay attention because chances are, I have seen the episode already.

Watching these crime shows probably should make me paranoid, but thankfully I live in the suburbs in a gated community and all of the shows are based in New York. If I lived there though I would definitely have the best locksmith New York had to make sure that I was safe.

I love Law and Order so much. I guess I like the mystery and the characters are so familiar now that I have watched over like 300 episodes with them in it. There is this crazy woman who is supposedly the best locksmith NYC has to offer and they use her to break into storage spaces or find dead bodies. It really is an interesting show to watch.

I think the reason it doesn't make me afraid is because a lot of the things that happen seem so out there that I would never think that they would happen to me. But now that I am thinking about it, so many things are real and probably based off of real stories. This is why I am so thankful I live in a nice gated tiny suburb instead of the big scary city. But I will definitely keep on watching my show until it runs off the air.

Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 @ 7:20 AM by Brian

Girl Scouts

I remember when I was in grade school being a girl scout. I never really liked it (I competed in gymnastics nationally) and I was always missing events and I really didn't like to camp. But I do remember one year when we went to a different camp (it was with the boy scouts and looking back that's probably the only reason we liked it ha) and we had a blast.

I remember driving up and there were these huge water tanks all over that looked like giant pills. Our leaders told us to stay away from the rainwater tanks but when they weren't looking we would pretend we were on that magic school bus show and ride them and imagine that they were big pills and someone was sick (I know lame, right?).

But when we finally got settled into camp we found out we had cleaning ladies (ok so it was kind of like camping, more like renting a cabin) so we were excited that we didn't have to have a chore sheet like we usually did (we hated the way our leader was a creepy neat freak, she would make us wash and rewash everything over and over until it was perfect). She would even have these old shipping containers that we would keep our cleaning supplies in and she drew smiley faces all over them (she was weird) so you can see why we were happy to have people cleaning up after us.

So instead of doing chores and learning things about wilderness we got to decide what we wanted to do. We hung out with the guys (of course we chose to do that ha) and we read ghost stories and roasted marshmallows and at the end of the weekend (after having such a great time) we found out that we got our friendship badge. I wish though that all of the badges could have been that easy.

I ended up leaving girl scouts a few months later (even though I was the highest cookie seller) and I am really glad that I left at a time where I had so much fun. At the time, I thought that everyone was doing girl scouts and I figured even if I didn't like it I should stick with it, but later on I realized that so many people didn't do it and that I was normal for hating it ha.

Posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009 @ 7:48 PM by Brian

Committing to your job and everything it entails

I recently heard from someone I know that just graduated and accepted a job, that when she signed on with her company she had to sign a form that she will agree to computer training or any certifications that she may need throughout her working there. Of course, the company will pay for those certifications or any CBT courses that she may need, but she has to agree to do them in a timely manner if asked to do so.

My guess is that a lot of people over the last 20 years were hesitant to conform to the technology based economy and work place that we have developed into. A lot of the older crowd were used to doing things their way and probably had a hard time adjusting or maybe weren't so eager. The fact is though, technology is constantly changing and businesses need to keep up (or stay ahead) if they are going to stay in business or at least keep up with the competition.

There are a lot of people who would prefer one bank over the other or one phone company over another one if that one has online banking or bill paying. So if you are the company that doesn't or you have employees who really haven't stayed up to date with technology on their own, you are going to fall behind and probably lose out a lot of money.

So companies need to ensure (for their own safety) that their employees will keep up to speed with the latest technology and be certified (like the a+ certification that my aunt needed for her job) accordingly.

Thankfully though the company pays for it and I think she even said that they are given paid time off to get the course completed (I think it was about 3 days or so). So they really are accommodating as long as you are as well. But I do think that people who are signing onto contracts with companies now are the kinds of people who are up to speed with the internet and technology and Microsoft office (what is expected now a days) so they shouldn't have a problem signing a sheet like that and they are also probably eager to keep up to date because it doesn't only help the company, it helps them personally too.

Posted on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 @ 6:47 PM by Brian

Eureka! I did it!

So I have some great news to share everyone. Brace yourself. I just won a Nobel Peace Prize…okay, I lied. I got my A+ certification TODAY! Can you believe it? 500 hours of work later! It's taken me a few months but it is so worth it to be done. I worked on it through an online program since I obviously have work and school to attend. E-learning is new to me but I am glad I took the opportunity to do it. While I know there are lots of programs and types of e-learning, this was a great way for me to get the certificate. I have always been into computers; considering my dad was a MIS (Manager of Information Systems) and my mom works for a software company it was kind of obvious I would go for this. Now, I do not know if I wish to be a computer tech or anything but I now have the ability to be one if I want to. They make bank after all, it could be very lucrative. Now I will admit it was a challenge even for a computer geek like me to learn everything I had to. Luckily there was an enterprise learning library for me to fall back on to do research and watch videos for the training. I knew most of the things but not in the great detail required so that learning library online really helped me as both a now official computer technician and as a computer user overall. The A+ certification is vendor-neutral, meaning no company or organization is funding or promoting it for their profits, and consists of two exams. Now, in order to pass, you must demonstrate knowledge of installing, configuring, upgrading, troubleshooting and repairing desktop systems. The second exam you take, you pick from a list of three specialist exams that highlight one of the following roles: IT Technician, Depot Technician, or Help Desk Technician. I did the IT Technician exam obviously. Now if I want to make big bucks doing computer tech work, I know I will have to get more certifications to become more appealing to employers. Again, since I did it mostly without any problems, I had to brush up on some configuring protocols, I felt super confident. At least now I have a fallback if things in my career path do not work out. Well I ought to write a darn paper at this point even though I'd rather be blogging about my achievements…I swear I am not egocentric or conceited, promise.

Posted on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 @ 9:49 AM by Brian