Several Unique Keepsake Birthday Gifts You Could Give

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A keepsake special birthday gift could make a birthday celebration more special. You can consider giving a document depicting the birthday celebrant's birth history, a personalized astrological graph, a piece of jewellery inlaid with the birthday celebrant's birthstone, or even a framed picture together with written birthday wishes.

Even though there are a couple of birthdays that are specially given special recognition such as the 21st as well as fiftieth, you could actually make any birthday into a significant celebration by giving keepsake birthday gifts. Keepsake gifts fundamentally hold more meaning than any other present and will let the celebrant think of you for many years. Below are some keepsake gifts you may consider giving to your loved ones on their birthday:

A document showing the birthday celebrant's birth history

Not many people have a written copy of their labor and birth history. You could make the historical record yourself by doing careful investigation and interviewing the birthday celebrant's mother and father as well as other relatives. Data such as the celebrant's childbirth weight, birth place as well as news reports happening from all over the world on the same day could be included. You can even add trivia such as a list of well known men and women and celebrities who share the same special birthday as the celebrant to help make the document more interesting. Present the details you acquire as a historical bday scroll penned on parchment. You can also have the record framed for posterity.

A custom-made horoscope graph or chart

Some people believe that zodiac charts can offer a glimpse of a person’s personality and character. The celebrant may cherish a gift which can give them a special viewpoint on their characteristics and a clearer awareness of their strengths and weaknesses. A complete zodiac chart can guide someone on their trek through life and inform them of any obstacles which come their way. You could have an astrological chart exclusively made by commissioning a professional astrologer. Have the pages of the chart and the written text bound in leather so it can be a durable and lasting record that the recipient can go over in the coming years.

A piece of jewellery decorated with the birthday celebrant's birthstone

Birthstones are among the valuable things which will definitely commemorate a person’s birthday party. Find out what the celebrant’s birthstone is and then have a piece of jewelry custom made with the stone. You may personalize the present even more by having the receiver's name or initials engraved on the surface area of the jewelry or a short but genuine birthday message. Each birthstone possesses distinctive properties and qualities as well as a historical background and folklore. You can include these types of interesting pieces of information along with the gift that you give by having it printed and then laminated.

A framed picture along with penned birthday wishes

You could give an item that will not only be able to capture your sentiments but include those of the celebrant’s colleagues and other loved ones. Have a picture of the celebrant duplicated and then put it as a centerpiece in a large frame that has sufficient space around the picture for composing messages. Compose a genuine birthday wish for the celebrant and ask his or her friends, family as well as loved ones to post their own messages as well.

When selecting a gift, always consider the recipient’s personality and interests so it will be more meaningful to him or her.

Six Valuable Truths You Must Know Regarding Liposuction Procedures

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If you're thinking of getting liposuction surgery, you need to know that it requires suctioning out fat cells, it's executed by a surgeon to remove excess body fat, it might contour different parts of your body, it has a unique set of dangers, people undergo it for different reasons, and it is not a remedy for general weight problems.

Liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures in the world. In fact, in the year 2004, lipo surgery was the most executed cosmetic surgery by associates of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. If you're thinking of going through San Diego Liposuction, you must first consider these factors:

It involves suctioning out the human body's fat cells

Liposuction begins by creating small incisions on the human body parts that need to be medicated. A medical apparatus known as the cannula, which is a tube having a blunt tip, is inserted to the incisions. The doctor handles the cannula and suctions out the fat cells. The incisions are then stitched when the surgical procedure is completed.

It is executed by a surgeon to eliminate excess body fat

Liposuction is a surgical procedure designed to eradicate unwanted and also excess body fat. It is alternatively labeled body contouring and fat removal-suctioning and results in an improved body look. Liposuction involves the use of a unique surgical tool to suction the excess fat. Plastic surgeons typically conduct this medical procedure.

It could contour different parts of your body

Liposuction can be applied on several areas of the body to enhance its appearance and shape. The operation may be used on the abdomen, hips, upper arms, cheeks, breasts, thighs, neck, calves and ankle areas.

It features its own set of dangers

Like every surgical procedure, liposuction features its own set of dangers. Most of the common dangers associated with the liposuction are fluid overload, damage to the nerves, skin, tissue and organs, burns, drug reaction, bleeding, infection, blood clot, drug reactions or drug overdose and scarring. These risks can be further aggravated if health issues including hypertension, diabetes, pulmonary problems and allergic reactions to certain medications are present in the individual. For this reason, it is very important that individuals consult with their health care provider and seek to correct these pre-existing problems before pursuing the surgical procedure.

People undergo it for many reasons

There are many purposes why this surgery treatment is made. People want to have liposuction to further improve their visual appeal and remove fat bulges and also irregular chin lines. It may also enhance an individual’s sexual function by removing unwanted fat on a woman’s interior thighs. Liposuction surgery can also be an efficient solution for people who wish to shape their figures and take away fat bulges which can't be fixed by simple physical exercise or diet.

It's not a remedy for general weight problems

Though liposuction surgery has several uses, it has its own limitations. For an individual, liposuction surgery must not be perceived as an answer for general obesity nor should it be designed as a alternative to physical exercise or diet plan. Liposuction surgery should also not be used to treat cellulite. There are also sensitive parts of the body which must not be treated with this particular medical procedure like the breasts as they are sometimes a site for cancer.

Liposuction is a serious surgical procedure which involves enough preparation and oftentimes a painful recovery process. Because of this, it is very important that patients considering this type of surgery thoroughly think of their decision and discuss it with a specialist.

Where to go if you can’t write your essay?

Writing an academic paper is not easy. It requires research, analysis and technical writing skills. Because of multiple intelligences, some students who are good in other areas may not be good in writing. After all, it almost always carries that those who read a lot are the ones that excel in writing.

There are also individuals who are good in expressing their thoughts through informal writing such as blogging, for example, but aren’t really familiar with the rules of technical writing.

Sure, before students are given tasks to write essays or term papers, professors guide them on doing it. However, polishing a really good piece requires more than just technicalities. It demands God-given gift too.

Of course you can argue, a gift itself isn't sufficient to produce a piece that’s worth an A+ grade without practice. Practice makes perfect, therefore whoever practices writing as often as they can has a bigger chance of developing that great writing gift.

But we’re talking here about individuals whose passion lies on other things, maybe not academics, such as sports or music for example, that they’d rather spend their precious time enhancing their passion. What option is left for them if they are to submit high quality essays or term papers just to pass a course?

Thankfully, there are essays online available to aid them in their need. Whoever has difficulty meeting up such requirements, for whatever reason – be it their lack of ability to meet the professor’s demand or limited time left before submission – they are rest assured that they need not fail the course.

All they’ll have to do is go online and contact the essayists who are always ready to produce the papers that they’d need. They are always available to assist their customers throughout the process. All they would need are the important details of your project. They will handle the research and the overall polishing of tour paper.

Many professionals also hire essayists. If they’re running a big business and they’re schedule is busy, even if they are very capable of writing their papers, they would prefer to do something else that would impact more their business. Why bother spending too much time writing, if there are lots of professional writers available for hire. You can trust them with your life.

You don’t need to be an expert in technical writing to become a great musician, a celebrity, a model, a fashion designer, a technician, or a famous football player. So if you are having troubles in your technical writing courses, don’t panic, tell your self - “someone can write my essay.”

I dreamed of great white shark attacking me, I need dream interpretation

A great white shark with dangerous sharp teeth ready for a bite chased me in my dream last night. I woke up morbidly horrified. I was standing in the water close to the shore, seeing some friends – which I couldn’t identify on my waking time – swim. A guy friend called out to me informing me that there’s a white shark heading to my direction. I turned around and saw its huge body swimming speedily towards me. It looked very angry. I ran towards the shore and climbed an unfinished skeletal house. I hanged on the roofing frame of the house just in time when the shark attacked me. It hit the wooden post of the house and it fell to the sand. The shark then turned into a student, my student from year 8 (a boy that I’m actually fond of). He smiled lovingly at me and said that he was simply joking, and then he was gone. I saw myself smiled back at him, remained in my position, still very scared, wondering what it meant.

I woke up. I got off my bed and went to the toilet to pee, sleepily pondering my dream. The feeling of fear was still very strong. I said a quick prayer in my mind when I went back to sleep. There was one person that immediately came to my mind while I thought of the shark, that person is not the student in my dream.

When I slept back I had again very interesting dream. There was a sort of retreat for people and students that I seem to know. There were lots of them. The group stopped for a swim in a somewhat akin to a lake. Everyone went down to the water, each carrying a fish of different size, some small, some big, to feed the big sharks that are in the water. There were lots of laughing; everyone seemed to have fun feeding all the vicious sharks. I was standing on a rock beside the lake, watching and wondering if it’s safe for the people.

When all the fish were spent everyone hurried to climb up to the edge of two rocky platforms in each side of the lake. The sharks were after them. Both kids and adults all ran for their safety, terrified by the beasts that chased them. Everyone escaped safely except for one man. His right foot was bitten by a shark before he was able to hop on the rock. I saw him froze; only the upper part of his body was visible while the lower half was still in the water. Then I saw his face winced. Somebody pulled him out of the water. I saw his bleeding footless leg.

That’s weird isn’t it? When you wake up from a very terrifying dream then sleep back just to have it continued? I saw just too many sharks in one night.

So the moment I got up this morning I googled for the dream interpretation of shark. And here’s what I got. According to Deanna Joseph of Dreams Site:

Predators

Sharks may represent predators or predatory situations in waking life. This can be a person, a relationship, or even a job situation that feels as if it is taking a serious toll on your life. Look at your waking life and see if there is a situation that feels predatory.

Danger

A similar interpretation is that of a dangerous situation. The shark may come into one's dream as an omen, a warning that one is in deep water, in over one's head, and that the results of continuing on may be disastrous.

Emotion

Animals in dreams often stand in for parts of one's self. As underwater creatures, sharks may represent deep emotions hidden in the unconscious. Since many people associate negatively with sharks, the shark may represent negative emotional states such as frenzied anger or resentment. The shark may be symbolic of the destruction these emotions can bring about if not recognized and dealt with.

The shark, especially if it is chasing you, may represent emotions that feel irrational and uncontrollable. Similarly, the shark may be standing in as a "shadow" symbol - parts of one's self that one is not acknowledging.

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7 Things Wives Need from Their Husbands to Stay Happy

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Though not all women are the same, a wife usually wants her husband to be a good listener. She also wants regular reminders that she is loved and wanted, craves understanding, needs to feel appreciated, wants you to fulfill your share of responsibility with regards to your kids, needs you to take her out a date every now and then, and longs for occasional alone time.

When it comes to saving your marriage and keeping your relationship healthy, both you and your wife should do your part. Marriage is a give-and-take relationship and it is important that you are able to address her needs and her wants as much as you can to make her happy. Here are the things that a wife usually wants from her husband:

A good listener

Wives usually want their husbands to be good listeners. Aside from your wife’s friends, she needs someone to talk to about the things that go on in her life, at work or at home, with your kids, and her worries or concerns and achievements. Actively listen and pay attention so she knows you are with her every step of the way no matter what.

A reminder that she is loved and wanted

While you may feel like words are not enough to prove your love for your wife, saying sweet little things that remind her she is loved is what she wants. Say "I love you" when you mean it, not only when you are leaving for work, when going to bed, or after a phone conversation. Say it whenever you think it surprises her. Do not forget to admire her when she deserves it, especially when she looks great with her dress, when she looks nice with her new haircut, or just the way she is. Simple words of appreciation can make her really happy.

Understanding

Although understanding is more of a need than a want to get through relationships, women want to be understood more than you think. Women can get really difficult to deal with at times, and when that happens, all she wants from you is to understand why she acts the way she does. She wants you to forgive her for being complicated at times.

Appreciation

In as much as you do, your wife wants to be appreciated with the things she does. She wants to be complimented even with the little things she has accomplished, especially at home. Make her feel delighted for the great dinner she has cooked and for helping your kids get those good grades in school.

Fulfill your share of responsibility with regards to your kids

Kids need attention and discipline from both parents. If in case you are a little too lenient or a bit unconcerned when it comes to rearing your kids, she might want you to be a little bit more responsible. You are a couple, and she wants you to be her partner and discipline the kids when necessary and nurture them through play and quality time. Show her you are as concerned about the kids as she is and that you are doing something to fulfill your responsibility as a father.

A date every now and then

Now that you have a busier job and you have kids around, your time with your wife may not be the same as it was with much less distraction and responsibility. This is one thing she wants more from you now, more than ever. She wants to spend quality time with you. Perhaps a movie date or an occasional night out will make her happy.

Some alone time

It is not that she is tired of having you and your kids around. She just deserves a break from thinking about all the responsibilities at home so she does not get burdened and start feeling depressed . From time to time, she needs her own space and may want to spend it at the salon or spa, go shopping alone, or spend time with her friends.

There may be other things your wife may want from you, but before you can know what they are, talk to her about your relationship and ask if she is happy with her life. This way, you can both learn about each other’s needs and wants so you can both be happy and satisfied with your married life. After all, you both deserve a good life despite the storms that come and go.

Who needs cheap insurance quote and insurance essentials?

If you are not with any organization or institution which provides with an insurance quote, it is your duty to look for a cheap insurance quote that provides your needs at a price you can afford. If you are a parent or a student, you must be thorough in searching for a quote that caters your need as well as of your family which is not always guaranteed even by some high insurance quotes. Your satisfaction and needs are met at a lower price if you know where go. There are many online services that allow you to compare prices and services of insurance quotes. You need to orient yourself and do proper research.

One way to enhance your knowledge about insurance quote is insurance essentials. Many people are aware about insurance and quotes, well-educated people who are concern about their health and future, but are not deeply knowledgeable about all the technicalities and background of insurance quotes. Insurance essentials give employees or any individual the knowledge base of the insurance operation. Regardless of the size of your organization or its geographical distribution of its employees, or regardless if you are self-employed or a student, insurance essentials provide valuable information about insurance quote. There are online courses that you can take in order to learn about insurance essentials. Moreover, it is recommended more for the employees, who are new to the insurance industry, those professionals that are not involved in hands on, day-to-day technical insurance operations.

4 Tips Men Can Use to Make Their Relationships Healthier

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As a man, there are several things that you can do to contribute to a healthy relationship, including communicating and being intimate with your partner, being sensitive to your partner's needs, being confident, and being true to yourself.

Relationships may be harder to deal with than you think. As a man who is concerned about the quality of your relationship with your spouse or girlfriend, you have to do your part. Here are some useful tips to make your relationship with your partner better and healthier:

Communicate and be intimate with your partner

One key piece of relationship advice for men is to communicate. Communication is an important component in a successful relationship, second only, of course, to the love you have for each other. Openness is what most men lack, and that can cause problems to grow and weaken the relationship. Make it a habit to talk about your adventures, concerns, dreams, and even your fears over a cup of coffee every day. Remember that communication must be give and take. Listen to your partner when she needs to talk something out. You can also let her speak first if you are more comfortable with that. This may not come easy for you, but slowly opening up, perhaps starting with the not so personal stuff, can help you get a fresh start towards intimacy and trust.

Be sensitive to the needs of your other half

Women love to shower you with love and attention, reflecting their own need for you to reciprocate similarly. Prove to your lady that you can be as caring and responsive as she is. Be a gentleman always. Do not forget to do the little things that can make her smile, such as opening the door for her, giving her a seat, carrying her, and even simply asking how her day was. Surprise her with flowers from time to time or take her on a date somewhere special, even if there is no occasion. Sweet little gestures like these will help strengthen the bond you have.

Be confident

Weakness is never a manly pose. When challenging situations come your way, it is important to be strong and confident. When there is a misunderstanding with your partner, be strong enough to admit your mistake if you are at fault. Furthermore, be confident enough, without being self-righteous, to respond if your partner is at fault. Assure yourself that you can handle even emotional situations simply by talking things out with your partner.

Be true to yourself

The final piece of effective relationship advice for men is to be true to yourself. Do not pretend to be somebody else in order to please your partner. Pretending to be someone else would probably be the worst thing you can do. Remember, she is with you because she likes you just the way you are, not who she wants you to be. In fact, she would probably beg you not to change at all.

All relationships go through storms. But, by carrying out the right attitude and following the tips mentioned above, you will surely get back to shore.

6 Important Lyme Disease Facts

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To be thoroughly educated about Lyme disease, it is important that you learn about its definition and infection, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, complications, and prevention.

Although Lyme disease is not an epidemic, it is worth knowing its nature in order to avoid or treat the disease and prevent further health problems, such as:

Nature and infection of Lyme disease

Lyme disease got its name after its discovery in Lyme, Connecticut in 1975. It is an inflammatory disease caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. Human beings get infected with Lyme disease through the bite of an infected tick, such as a deer tick, especially during late spring and early summer.

Symptoms of Lyme disease

A few days up to a few weeks after being bitten by an infected tick, a circular skin rash, erythema migrans and otherwise known as the “bull’s eye” rash, appears at the site of the tick bite. The rash could grow bigger in diameter after a few more days. Other than the rash, you may also feel other Lyme symptoms that mimic a flu and include fever, chills, headaches, joint pains, and muscle pains. In some cases, these flu-like symptoms show without the rash.

When Lyme disease remains undiagnosed and untreated, symptoms could get worse within a month’s time. You will experience more and worse headaches, pain and numbness in the arms and legs, and even fainting and palpitations. Memory problems may start to appear as poor memory retention and concentration. These symptoms will get worse over time if not treated immediately or when medication is not effective.

Diagnosis of Lyme disease

As soon as symptoms of Lyme disease start to show up, consult your doctor for proper diagnosis. Your physician usually identifies Lyme disease through your symptoms, especially with the presence of the rash and your personal history of a tick bite. Laboratory tests are also conducted, such as the ELISA blood test and western blot to diagnose Lyme disease.

Treatment of Lyme disease

When detected earlier, Lyme disease can be treated effectively with oral antibiotics, such as cefuroxime, amoxicillin doxycycline, tetracycline, phenoxymethyl, or penicillin. Erythromycin and azithromycin may also be used in combination with other oral antibiotics. If you have cardiac or neurological problems during the early stage of Lyme disease or during the later stage of infection, you may be given intravenous antibiotics.

Complications of Lyme disease

When not detected or treated immediately or in rare instances when medication does not prove effective, Lyme disease can complicate and cause long-term health problems. Your nerves, joints, brain, and heart may be affected, causing severe fatigue, chronic arthritis, facial nerve paralysis or bell’s palsy, meningitis, heart inflammation, and heart enlargement.

Lyme disease prevention

Prevention is always better than cure. To avoid getting infected with Lyme disease, make sure you cover yourself when going to grassy and woody areas where ticks are most commonly found. Wear a cap, long-sleeved shirt, long pants, socks, and shoes that cover your feet well. When hiking or camping, regularly check your body for ticks, and bathe after outdoor activities to make sure ticks do not stay on your body.

Lyme disease is not that common, so you need not cancel your outdoor activities. The fear of Lyme must not hinder you from enjoying your outdoor hobbies and interests. What is important is that you know all about Lyme disease, especially its prevention strategies and symptoms in order to avoid long-term health complications.

5 Clever Ways to Waterproof Your Laptop for Better Protection

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To waterproof your laptop and keep it from getting damaged, use a waterproof laptop case, get a Neoprene laptop sleeve, make your own waterproof laptop sleeve using Tyvek envelopes, protect your laptop from spills with a keyboard cover, and use accessories like skins and screen protectors to prevent water seepage.

Your laptop is worth protecting not only because of the money you have invested purchasing one, but also because of the files stored on it. You need to protect your equipment from rain, spills, and drizzles while traveling or when traveling or participating in outdoor activities, like fishing or hanging out at the beach. Here are helpful ways to waterproof your laptop and keep it protected everywhere you go:

Secure a waterproof laptop case

Get a waterproof case for your laptop to keep it safe from rain and drizzles when strolling, traveling, or hiking. There are many varieties with a range of features, sizes, and specifications that are available in specialty shops and that can meet your budget requirements. There are even submersible waterproof laptop cases perfect for military use.

Get a Neoprene laptop sleeve

Neoprene is a soft, flexible, durable, water-resistant material used to make wetsuits and now as laptop sleeves to protect your computer from getting wet and scratched. You can purchase one from retail and computer stores to suit your needs and preferences. If you have old wetsuits, you can even make a laptop sleeve of your own. All you need is the proper measurement and some basic sewing skills. Make sure your laptop sleeve snugly fits your laptop so that it is well-protected.

Make your own waterproof laptop sleeve using Tyvek envelopes

Bring out your resourcefulness and grab some Tyvek mailing envelopes used by couriers to make a waterproof laptop sleeve. Depending on the size of your laptop, you may need to use several envelopes that are both waterproof and very durable.

Protect your laptop from spills with a keyboard cover

If your laptop does not feature a spill-proof keyboard, consider buying a keyboard cover to protect the internal components of your computer. These covers come in silicone or plastic materials that will protect the keyboard from accidental spills. Make sure the size of the cover perfectly fits your keyboard to ensure great protection.

Use accessories like skins and screen protectors to prevent water seepage

Other ways to protect your laptop from drizzles and spills include using screen protectors and laptop skins to prevent water seepage. With screen protectors, you will be able to protect your screen and avoid glare when outdoors. Laptop skins are also used both at the top and the bottom of your laptop to avoid direct contact with water and other foreign objects to your computer, helping avoid damages. Just make sure the bottom of your laptop is not completely covered with skin to give way for ventilation and avoid overheating your computer.

A smart tip is to always find accessories that fit your laptop to waterproof it well. You can also avoid further damages by keeping all liquids, including drinks, from your computer and putting them on a different table. When traveling, always waterproof your laptop because you never know what you will run into. The weather could suddenly change from sunny to rainy and the one sitting beside you on the plane could accidentally spill a drinks. Wherever you go, make sure you waterproof your laptop to avoid damaging it and losing your important files.

5 Easy Ways to Fix Dry Hair

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To fix dry hair you can avoid using hair color too often, avoid too much heat when styling, protect your hair while you sleep, avoid over-shampooing, and apply conditioner daily.

Dry hair is characterized by the hair lacking moisture and looking dull and being difficult to manage. There are a variety of reasons why hair gets dry. Some hair types are drier than others because of genetics or lifestyle practices. Fortunately, there are several products such Moroccan hair oil and other treatments specifically made for dry hair care. Additionally, there are some ways to fix dry hair which include:

Avoid using hair color too often

While some women might not have a problem with coloring their hair, there are instances when color treatments can dry out the hair, especially if bleach in part of the process. You can wait to color your hair until it becomes healthier, or if you can opt for a color rinse which is gentler on the hair.

Avoid too much heat when styling

Using blow dryers, curling irons, hot combs and flat irons for styling hair is quite common but, unfortunately, these devices can cause your hair to become dry. Heat is damaging to the hair and can strip it of its much needed moisture. It is not advisable to use heat styling devices on your hair regularly. If you use these styling devices on a daily basis and notice that your hair is becoming dull and dry, then you might need to avoid heat styling for a while to help your hair recover. You can also experiment with alternative styling options such as wet wraps, wet sets and air drying which are milder alternatives to heat styling.

Protect your hair while you sleep

You might not know it, but while you sleep, your hair rubs against the pillow or bed sheets, and certain fabrics like cotton can cause friction which makes your hair dry. You can protect your hair by wearing a night cap made of soft fabrics such as silk or satin. You can also choose to change your pillowcases and bed sheets with similar types of fabric.

Avoid over-shampooing

Over-shampooing your hair can strip it of its natural oils and moisture, causing your hair to become dry. However, constant shampooing might be unavoidable, especially during the summer when it’s hot or if you are regularly working out because you will need to remove the dirt and sweat from your scalp and hair. To avoid the adverse effects of over-shampooing, apply conditioner regularly.

Apply conditioner daily

Conditioner washes are great for keeping the hair soft and moisturized. If your hair is becoming dry, you can deep condition it to help restore its natural moisture. Deep conditioning doesn’t necessarily involve a hood dryer. You can simply apply a liberal amount of deep conditioner to your hair and put a plastic cap over it for a few hours. For severely dry hair, deep conditioning is advisable at least once a week.

If you have dry hair, caring for it doesn’t have to be difficult. Sometimes, using the right products for your hair type is enough to keep it healthy and beautiful.

How to save money on cell phone plans

It's easy to self-indulge on text messaging, calling and net surfing if you use monthly cell phone plans. How does mega texting to all your friends without the disruptions of "check services!" bomb when you run out of credit sounds like? Better yet, how does calling your friends without limit feels like when you're in the middle of a task and you need information from someone who's answer to a text message you can't wait? I bet you prefer to dial right away and it's just a relief to not worry whether your credit has expired or not. If you're on a holiday or queuing in a counter, you can kill time or do simultaneous task by surfing the net through your cell phone. Technology, how I love Thee!

But while you enjoy the mass of cell phone plans benefits, you reap the rewards at the end of the month. When the bill comes in an envelop, I bet most eye balls bulge out with the sight of the figures sky rocketing. The down side of unlimited access to calling, texting and internet connection services is the inability of the user to monitor his usage and thereby using/spending services more than he is willing to pay.

It is beneficial to use a free cost-savings tool that works continuously to save you money on your everyday expenses. You must wonder how that works. First, if you want to use monthly cell phone plans by Sprint, you should check the variety of services available from this company such as the Verizon Wireless cell phone plans. Evaluate carefully how much are you capable to spend each month without hurting your pocket. Bear in mind the cons of choosing an unlimited plan. They give you a list of plans with specific amount and services. They also compare their services with what you have now, giving you an idea if you are currently spending more than you are suppose to.

Furthermore, to all the guys and gals who love to stay at the edge of technology, you might want to check Sprint, the company who offers the latest cell phones such as the new Blackberry 6 OS. But do so, with the thought in mind, do I really need this?

How to easily ruin your online credibility: The prize that was never delivered.

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I received an email one day inviting me to join a 55 Fiction writing contest. I love writing short stories, in fact, it's one of my strongest writing skills. But I had not written a short story of only 55 words before – ever. So I visited the website to see what was in store for me and I was impressed with all the collective literary works that I saw. The site isn’t really big and is still thriving to grow but I joyfully subscribed for their newsletter and became a regular visitor.

The invitation was very enticing and challenging. Whenever I had some free time at work, which was very rare, I wrote my drafts. It didn’t take long and I came up with my 55 fiction - Last Grip.

I devotedly campaigned for my story. My friends and colleagues supportively read and reviewed my work in the forms of comments below my entry. Several of my competitors were puzzled with my story. They commented that my 55 fiction has a unique take. Indeed it has and it was well-received.

The judgment day came and I won the Best Read award. I had hoped to win the first or the second prize; but my story was only the most voted entry. I was sad but that was fine.

All the winners were said to receive a book as prize. Being the Best Read, I was supposed to win the book of a rich Indian woman who chose the man that she loved over her family’s wealth but only to be abandoned by the same man that she fought for. I was eager to read her story because I wanted to know how she survived all the challenges that she faced and managed to rise above them. I knew that she eventually succeed.

Several months passed but the book never came and I never heard anything from the organizer since she asked for my mailing address. I waited and waited. Four months later I decided to send her an email inquiring about the status of the book. It probably was miss-sent and I wanted to know. But I never heard anything back.

It’s exactly one year now, the month of October, and the book never came. The book isn’t expensive, just an autobiography of an unknown woman therefore it isn’t its monetary equivalent that I am chasing of. However, I felt that after the traffic and the publicity that the site and the sponsors received, the organizers failed to handle the post-contest responsibilities, e.g. monitoring and making sure that the prizes were delivered as promised. Or, if in some reasons, the sponsors decided after the contest that they could not afford to part with their books for free, at least, they should respond to email inquiries.

I lost my trust. Obviously, I stopped my subscription.

Princess Sarah: The Mystery Resolved

These aren’t the exact words, but I’ll try to retell them as close as I could … Sarah held her doll tightly, the news was hardly registering – her father is dead? With pride that always made her stand out, she lifted her chin and left the room as fast as she could; she wanted to stay away from Miss Minchin’s sight. “Aren’t you going to thank me for giving you a home you child with no gratitude?” Miss Minchin’s cry echoed the room. “Why should I?” Sarah called back. “You are not nice. And this is not a home.” Sarah knew the doom that awaited her but never really knew how hard it would be.

“How sad.” I thought turning the pages of the book before putting it back to the shelves. “Just another children’s book.” I sighed and left the library.

Several weeks later, I was with year 8 class when I noticed a hardcover book. I looked at it and read its summary. It says the story is about a rich half-Indian half-French girl named Sarah who was sent to a boarding school in London by his rich business man father who pampered her with stuff and care as if she was a princess but until he died penniless due to a failed diamond business. It hit me! Isn’t this the book of Princess Sarah? The cartoon TV series that I was die hard of when I was a kid which I watched religiously every day but not until I saw its ending, our family had to move to a new place where we didn’t quickly get access to TV channels. I never knew its ending. I never knew what happened to Princess Sarah. When I got to high school, I saw parts of its Filipino movie version starred by Camille Prats but it didn’t really amuse me that I didn’t even finish it. I looked at the title of the book, “A little Princess Sarah” written by Dr. Arthur Pober adapted from the version of Frances Hodgson Burnett.

I’m now on my late twenties, a teacher. How many years passed since I was in grade 4 when I’d cry if I missed its daily show. I suddenly went back to being a kid. I saw again the cartoon characters - the turbaned man climbing the roof when he visits Sarah in the attic, the monkey, the old sad Indian man, Emily the doll which Miss Minchin sent away along with all of Sarah’s belongings immediately when the news came that Sarah dad died and she was no longer rich.

I devoured the book in an hour. Then I came to the part when Sarah called back, “Why should I? You are not nice. This is not a home.” Oh my! How funny. Isn’t this the same book that I ignored in the library? Now the puzzles were meeting each other and all the questions answered. I no longer wonder about the turbaned man and why Sarah became poor. I no longer wonder what became of her. I am now rest assured that Sarah got back her title and her fortune. Princess Sarah, the girl that I loved so much when I was a little girl, is no longer a mystery.

Why my dad changed career

My dad completed a Mining Engineering degree and had worked in some big mining companies in the Philippines when I was young.

Several accidents in the mining site almost cost him his life but he was unshakable. He had witnessed several fatal bar down incidents that took the lives of many of his men in some thousands of feet below the ground.

But there was one incident which served as a turning point in his life which lead him to completely abandon his profession.

He saw some very refined sand dripping down the walls of an underground tunnel connecting the blasting and the panning department one night while on his shift. He was the Supervisor of three departments at the time. He went to report this observation to the General Manager and requested a thorough check of all the structures in those specific areas of the underground.

He believed that if ignored, another doom would come. But the General Manager dismissed his proposal on the grounds that my dad’s request would require a big budget. My dad urged his superior to do something otherwise his people would die, but the General Manager convinced him that it´s not going to happen. The next day, my dad resigned.

Quickly the company replaced my dad’s abandoned post. But not long after that, a very tragic accident happened burying the new Supervisor and the workers to death - just as my dad prophesied.

Because of the accident my dad lost interest in mining. He started to see his profession as a waiting grave. He also disliked the irregular night shifts and not being able to take a complete weekend holidays and spend time with his kids. It made him decide to change his career. From being a mining engineer, he became a self-employed business man.

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Putting up a T-shirt printing business

I was in year 5 when I came home from school one afternoon wondering why our living room was so dark. I quickly smelled the aroma of paints and rubber. My curiosity grew when I saw a stranger in our living room trying to adjust an electric fan. Then I realized he was with my dad, they seemed to be doing some science experiment only with lots of paint. There were white sheets of cheap material on the table and floor and some rectangular net screen. The doors and windows were closed. I came closer and checked. They were printing the white sheets. It dawned on me that my dad was trying to learn another new skill.

It wasn’t a surprise. My dad is a very versatile person who loves to learn new things. Several weeks later, another sign was raised at my dad’s Furniture and Upholstery shop that says “WE accept T-shirt Printing”. He had a variety of custom t-shirts patterns readied for the customers to choose. One pattern that completely amused me and I can still picture out clearly right now was his painting of a sexy woman on her knees wearing only a brassiere and a bikini with a caption below “Wow sexy! If you like it, try me.” Every woman that sees it when they come to check the patterns for printing giggled while the men loved it. It was the most sold out pattern.

T-shirt printing as it turned out was seasonal. The business was at its peek usually during Christmas or fiesta. My dad took his printing designs from different things. Sometimes he took ideas from Christmas ornaments or inspirational posters. He modified them and applied some personal touch. He also experimented with which designs actually worked in the market and which did not.

I usually made myself useful to my dad when the t-shirt printing was at heights. Say for instance when there were hundreds of t-shirts to print and the deadline was fast approaching. But the best job that my dad could assign me to was only to wash off the paints from the net screens so he could use them again to apply a different colored paint. The paints were sticky and smelly. I always hated the job.

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Know when to walk away from your relationship

Some people stay in their relationship just because they're scared to walk away; they find the relationship a probable way to escape a hard life e.g. financial improvement, they see it as a relationship for convenience, they love the person so much that they are ready to take whatever it is, or simply because they think they couldn’t find someone else. These individuals stay in a relationship even if it means losing self respect and self worth.

A good relationship is something that equates whatever you give. It is a safe haven which allows you to retreat from a very harsh world and allows you to be just who you are. It is a relationship that gives you support to achieve your goals, protects you from the meanness of life, allows you to grow into a better person and gives you the opportunity to give all the love that you have and appreciates it.

When should you walk away from a relationship then? The answer is actually simple –when you are no longer happy. But in some situations, the answer is complex.

If you see yourself holding on to a relationship just because you see it as a means of escape from your unhappy life, you better take a pause and carefully examine yourself. Jumping into a relationship with so much baggage is not a good thing because it would deter a happy union. The bundle of unhappiness from the other areas of your life would always give you reason to be unhappy in your relationship. You better work them out yourself first before you can expect much from your relationship. Also, if you see the relationship as a means to improve your financial situation, then that really can be dangerous because you tend to become blind on other things. For example, you might be too focused on the monetary benefits your relationship can bring but unable to see that your partner is not capable of providing your other needs. Money is not everything.

If the relationship causes you to lose self respect that is a very clear indication that you better walk away. Self respect is very important because unless you respect yourself, no one would. But if your relationship takes that away from you, then you better take heed. A loving relationship must be able to reciprocate what you give. You give respect to your partner and you get respect back. If that fails, everything would.

If your partner does not see your worth, then you must work on showing him your value. For example, if you feel that your partner is not proud of you, then make it a goal to become successful in your career or in anything that you do. Perhaps you should improve your looks and become more attractive. However, if nothing works, then maybe it’s time to consider walking away. Someone’s junk can be someone’s gold. Never push yourself on someone who does not see your worth.

A meaningful relationship makes you happy in every aspect and in every little thing it gives. You deserve to be happy.

P.S. This post is primarily focused on relationships before marriage. However, on some situations it can also be applied to marriage relationship. A more detailed article on walking away from your marriage relationship is coming soon. :) 

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Should you change your career?

Does it come to you when you feel so stressed out from your day job that you wish you’re somewhere else? I guess wishing to be somewhere doing something else is better than wishing to be someone else. So far, I’m not sure if I ever did wish the latter. My mind says “No” but my heart says “Yes”. Now I’m confused which one to believe. Of course I'm happy for having a job. Just take a look at those thousands if not millions of individuals fighting to get a job, or those who just got fired - which is thanks to recession - they’re frantic to get a new one for survival's sake. In most developing countries, and even in some developed countries, for one single vacancy, hundreds of potential applicants are queuing to get an interview. Oh, but did you know that you have a better chance of getting your target new job if you still have a job just wanting to switch company than someone who has been jobless? But come on, that’s not what I wish to talk about.

It’s just that sometime in your career you probably must have considered changing your path. It might be due to the low demand of your profession, a not competitive salary in the market, or probably simply because you’re not happy with what you do. But let’s face it. It’s definitely scary! Many people might have contemplated it, but the uncertainty and difficulty not to mention the big risk that changing a career imposes is deterrent to actually pursuing it. People can just be too scared and would opt to remain at their safe harbor.

For most times, changing a career is all about timing. For example, you probably must wait when the market gets better and you are certain that your move is not a total blind gamble. Perhaps it’s better to stay with your job right now and wait when everything is perfect. However, sometimes, the perfect time just never comes. Thus changing a career also requires a strong mindset that cannot be shaken by any obstacle. A decision carefully considered and a will that is hundred percent determined is what you need. Changing a career can be very tedious, expensive and timely. But if it’s about getting a career of heart, then it’s a worth thing to do. You would never know what lies ahead unless you throw up the sail.

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Do you have health insurance? What about car insurance?

My health insurance is from BUPA, a one year coverage renewable annually relative to my work contract. Among the fifty+ employees of this small institution where I work, I enjoy the health insurance benefits of 500baht deductible to my hospital bills every appointment. But that does not include toothache and food poison. Funny. Of course, the remaining hospital bills would be from my pocket. When I get hit by a speeding car and die before my contract expires, my beneficiaries would receive 50,000baht - although I wonder who would they be since I have not signed any paper that identifies them. Not a handsome sum, sure, but must be better than nothing. When I attended the orientation about BUPA, I was thinking "Is this patterned from other Business Insurance?"

A health insurance such as mine is an example of group health insurance rates. It is a health insurance written for all the employee, a master policy that is issued by my employer, the institution of which I am affiliated. There is a great advantage for both the institution and the insurance company when the deal is group health insurance. The institution can choose for a program to purchase, the employers can either seek for the cheapest most affordable program or seek for quotes that are most likely needed or appreciated by the employees which, of course, would cost more. On the side of the health insurance, they can check the health status of all the employees and if there is one that is at risk of expensive medications, they can charge for a higher quote which eventually is divided among all the employees. But since most of the employees are healthy, the insurance company can sit back a bit and relax. Probably, just probably, no one would get sick this year.

On the account of insurance, not only is your health the subject, of course it also includes all the important properties that you own. That as well includes your car. However, unlike health insurance where there are group rates, the young healthy worker pays a much and receives as much as the old dog with heart issues, I doubt if it applies to cars. But since in most States and European countries car insurance is obligatory, car owners must then be aware of the best Netquote business car insurance that is available in town.

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The secret in making a relationship or marriage work

I am a strong believer of the notion that for a relationship to work, it takes great effort from both parties. The love and fire might be there, but if not nurtured, doesn't take a while to wither. Love and relationship are like a rose. You plant it, water it, cultivate it, and talk to it. It grows, it flowers, it spreads its beauty right before your eyes. But stop watering it, stop talking to it every morning when you wake up or after you arrive from work, its stems would slowly grow thin, the flowers would start to grow shy, not spreading its petals to its fullest anymore. Not long, its roots would dry. Even if its stems and flowers seem to survive, the roots are dried. Then it dies.

But sometimes you wonder why your plant dies. You water it every time, you make sure you tend to it as much you can. But why it isn't growing as healthy as you want. It remains thin, it never flowers and eventually it dies. Then you decide that maybe growing rose just isn't your forte. Maybe, some people are just blessed with rosy hands they're the only ones that can grow beautiful roses. But I agree not. It isn't about the hands, instead, it's all about the skills and techniques. Growing up with a mom who grows lots of beautiful roses of varied types and colors I learned, that roses are very sensitive. It requires care in watering and tending them. For example, in watering a rose, you should avoid applying water directly to its base. When the pressure of water moves its roots, the rose reacts to it extremely against especially if it's still young. The amount of water applied should also be considered. Is it newly planted? Is it too young still thriving to grow? and the like.

Tending a relationship or marriage is similar to tending a rose, only more complicated. As a soon to be wife, I am aware of this fact. But I am on a mission of making my relationship and soon to be marriage work. I read a lot of relationship tools and a lot of articles that unwrap the mystery of an opposite sex. I found that understanding how different a man and a woman and how their differences can actually create a stronger team instead of a chaotic double if dealt properly has lead to a happy relationship that I am enjoying right now.

The fear is still there, what happens if I wake up one morning to a mundane marital routine? But to armor myself, I am turning to books. Four books that would make me equipped to enter marriage are sleeping beside me at night. I devour them as much as I can. These books are the ones that I hunger to read and thanks to a dear friend, the blogger behind Nice Thoughts and Thrills, she has made my access to these books possible. "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" by John Gray, "Making Marriage Work" by Harold J. Sala, "A wife after God's Own Heart" by Elizabeth George, "The Act of Marriage, The Beauty of Sexual Love" by Tim&Beverly LaHaye are ones of the rare books that are written to help couples achieve a satisfying and healthy marriage based on Christian principles.

The secret in making a relationship or marriage work, aside from prayer, is orienting ones self with the complexity of love and marriage, the difference of sexes and learning how to work as a team in using these differences as an advantage for a loving and satisfying union.

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What it takes to be frugal and practical?

There was a time when I debated in myself the concept between frugality and practicality. Are these two words synonymous? If you are practical, does that mean you are frugal?

In today's world, when people are quick in judging you based on what you wear, how much you've acquired, or how much money you have, you are challenged to acquire more and display more. Take a look at this sea of fashion bloggers that sprout rapidly from every corner of the world, most of them are indulging in excessive consumption flaunting at their blogs every new purchases they had. The competition is too tight and every fashionista wannabe is dying to create a by-line for themselves. Looking up for those few who were blessed with money that wearing new clothes daily does not hurt, plenty of these fashion bloggers dream of somehow making it in this universe of blogging if not ending up in a runway or attracting attention of pr firms. But that, however, is despite their credit card.

Thus my question, to whom is it necessary to be frugal? Spending too meager for something that I so love - fashion - is difficult. Ignoring my desires just for the sake of savings, at times is impossible. There are many things that I love to have even if they are not really a need. It is at this angle that practicality comes in. I try to buy expensive dresses and shoes ONLY and only if they are on sale. Spending less in exchange for an expensive item demands not only skills but creativity. I learned to surf the net for online shops that advertise clearance sales and discounts. But they demand time. It is amazing to discover that there are actually websites such as the Hewlett Packard promo code and Home Depot coupon code that devout their services in scouring the web for savvy discount codes, coupons and deals from thousands of online shops. These websites serve very useful in aiding me to hunt for sales that I so need. Buying something worthy of my money and passion for less through creativity is my idea of practicality.

However, I met this very well known blogger who authored the list of more than a hundred ways to save your money. His principle is complete frugality. His techniques are applicable to anyone who dream of retiring a millionaire. He sees the advice of collecting coupon codes and hunting for discount sales in shopping as nonsense. He claims that bargain or discount sale does not help at all in saving money because it only encourages spending more for less. The key word is MORE. He believes that the secret for being debt free with lots of money is downsizing of things that you don't need or things that you are not suppose to prioritize. Avoiding unnecessary spending and practicing economical spending is the way to go.

As for me, I wish to stay in the borderline of practicality and frugality. I dream to retire with money but I don't wish to deprive myself of things that can make me happy. What are your thoughts?