While looking for a new swimsuit for my upcoming Carribbean vacation, I’ve come across a number of Retro style swimsuits. According to Swimco, a Canadian swimwear retailer, retro-modern is a term used to describe today’s styles that carry us back into the glamour and class of days past, while providing today’s women with well-fitting feminine swimwear. Common elements of retro styles include lower cut heights, ruffled fabric, broad straps and basic colours that almost any woman can wear. Inspiration of this trend can be seen in designers such as Jantzen and Michael Cors.  Here are a couple of swimsuit ads from the 1950s – classy, feminine and flirty.
 

What I love about retro modern swimsuits is that they take us back to an era of nostalgia where women were potrayed as these ‘vixens’, an image of classic timeless beauty.

Retro style swimsuits come in neutral colours (great for concealing figure flaws) or bright hues which give you an elegant youthful look. I’ve fallen in love with Jantzen collection but don’t know where to find them in the GTA area yet. In the meantime, I think I’ll visit Anthropologie and Bikini Village for similar styles. Here are some of my favourite pieces. I can’t wait to try them on.

 Image Credits: www.anthropologie.com ; www.bikinivillage.com

A couple of months ago when we the family visited Hong Kong, I was actually looking for a Leica IIIc hoping I could find a bargain. It turns out the price ranges there for Analog cameras is in the upper ranges in what you would find in Ebay. Feeling down while we were at the airport, I decided to look around the duty free area and I saw that they already have the Third Gen Ipod touch.

I have been wanting an Ipod Touch since 2007. It’s all because of the Lightsaber App! Kidding aside, I also wanted a mobile browser and a new MP3 player ever since my 3 year old creative Zen MP3 got lost. With that in mind, I just went ahead and purchased it.

The Apps are actually what surprised me with this little gadget!
When apple said there is an app for that, there truly was an app for that especially for photography even if you iPod doesn’t have the camera like the iPhone

Flickr

For those who addicted to flickr, there are a gamut of flickr related apps but still my favourite is flickr’s very own app!

It’s easy to use, navigate, and put comments and whatnot. If you just want to scratch that itch and check out what’s happening on your friend’s flickr or look for inspiration while in the middle of a shoot, the flickr will be great for you.

Available for free at the app store.

Weather

Knowing the weather conditions is a must when you plan to do a photowalk or travel to a different place and take photos. Perhaps the best weather App I found in the App store is Accuweather


It is really packed with awesome features from 15 day forecasts, to Hourly Weather Reports, and even wind speed. You can have it shown in English or Metric system. There’s also a radar showing cloud activity in your area!

Accu Weather is free in the Appstore.

DOF and Hyperfocal distance calculators

The Bokeh app Measures your Hyperfocal Distance and it also has a DOF calculator which I think is great for Landscape photographers. It’s very easy to use, you just move the sliders to your desired setting.

Bokeh App is Free and available in the app store

Field Tools Hyperfocal distance plus the near and far focus. The best part for this one is that it has different settings for different formats!

From 4×5, 6×6, and even digital camera systems like Olympus M4/3 system, Canon APS-C, and Nikon DX!
It also works by just moving the sliders.

Field tools is also free and available in the app store.

Exposure Apps

There are also different apps there that will help you calculate proper exposure.

Expositor is one such app

It’s really easy to use as you will just slide the ISO and F-Stop in the middle to correspond to the conditions stated on the left and it will give you a shutter speed on the right.

The best part of this app is the exposure compensation in the bottom which is helpful if you are taking a photo with the light behind the subject. Although I guess this app will work best if you get the Pro version. I don’t have a credit card so I just got the lite version.

Expositor costs $1.99 in the app store. Lite version is for free.

Another great app is Exposure Calc

In exposure calc, you choose your ISO and Lighting conditions. Then, you must move the slider at the bottom to the corresponding F-stop you want and it will tell you a shutterspeed.
The F-stop is from f/.7 to f/90! It also has a shutter priority mode if you use that mode. I was also using the Lite version of this app so most of the Lighting conditions are locked.

Exposure Calc costs $.99 on the app store and the Lite version is for free.

If you really just want to save trees and isn’t a bit lazy when it comes to calculating, just put the ultimate exposure computer made by Fred Parker in your IPOD or Ipod touch.


It’s inexpensive but a bit slow to use. At least everything is there already.

There you have it, these are just some of the tools and things I use with my Ipod to improve or at least help my photography. Heck, even my videos contain photography related stuff and if you want to learn more, check out itunes U since there are lectures there about photography related stuff from different universities.

If you have any more apps that you think is helpful, feel free to mail or post it in the comments section

Thanks much.

Kadang, sering kali kita sulit bagai mana kita dalam memilih pasangan, apalagi seorang cowok dia ingin pasangan nya (Ceweknya) memiliki kecantikan luar dan dalam. Tidak ada salah nya saya menulis artikel tentang Tip buat cewek yang rata – rata di inginkan cowok. adapun tip nya adalah sebagai berikut :

1. TEMUKAN DAYA PIKAT ALAMIAH DIRI

daya pikat alamiah ce lebih condong ke urusan fisik? mungkin betul juga, karena bahkan banyak ce lebih menomorsatukan urusan fisik ketimbang urusan lainnya. mereka sadar, daya pikat fisik mereka terbatas waktunya.tapi seberapa pentingnya sih soal fisik ini? koq banyak ce yg kadang minder, dan mundur dari persaingan cinta hanya gara-gara lawannya dirasakan jauh lebih menarik? girls, cantik itu hanya sebuah ilusi pikiran dan hati. tanya deh, ke co-co. kriteria cantik menurut mereka itu seperti apa. pasti jawabannya beda-beda. itu berarti kecantikan adalah produk imajinasi manusia.

kalo lo berpikir diri lo kurang atau ga menarik, maka itu berarti bener. lo emang ga menarik.bahayanya, lo bisa menjadi ce yg sangat sensitif. apalagi kalo diusik soal fisik. dan ce macam begini ini yg justru patut dikasihani, karena ketimbang berusaha mempercantik diri, menonjolkan kelebihan yg mereka miliki, mereka justru sibuk menutupi kekurangan yg mereka miliki.dan sebetulnya dari persoalan fisik inilah inner beauty seorang ce bisa terpancar. rata-rata ce yg memiliki aura inner beauty yg tinggi biasanya dah ga mempersoalkan soal fisik lagi. perawatan diri bagi mereka adalah suatu rutinitas biasa. efeknya, mereka bisa tampil menarik lebih lama.

jadi mulai sekarang, sebaiknya jangan pikirin soal fisik. kalo sulit, berusahalah temukan bagian mana yg menarik dari diri lo. pasti ada. tiap orang dilahirkan dengan kelebihan masing-masing. rawat baik-baik dan tunjukkan kelebihan lo itu. padukan itu dengan bakat dan kemampuan yg lo punya ditambah rasa percaya diri. hasilnya? inner beauty lo bakal meningkat tajam.dan jangan pernah lupa untuk tersenyum. senyum membuat kecantikan seorang ce meningkat 4 x lipat dari semula.

2. MANJA

salah satu senjata ampuh ce untuk meluluhkan hati co selain tangisan. tapi sikap manja mempunyai kelebihan, karena lebih menantang co untuk merespons balik.dibalik sikap manjanya ce, tersirat permintaan untuk lebih diperhatikan, disayang dan dilindungi.hati co yg kaya gimana juga pasti luluh. ga percaya? buktikan sendiri! tapi sama co lo sendiri yee, jangan sama co-nya temen .. itu sih pecicilan namanya .. ::hhh::

3. JINAK-JINAK MERPATI

cara psikologis yg sangat jitu buat menarik perhatian co! dari pihak ce-nya terkesan ga terlalu ‘mengumbar’, tapi sekaligus memberi peluang si co untuk mendekati dirinya. banyak co yg bisa jatuh hati sama ce jinak-jinak merpati ini. karena satu hal. memberi tantangan!tapi hati-hati. salah penerapan, co-nya bisa kabur.gue dulu pernah. suka ke ce, berniat pdkt, tapi keliatannya itu ce dah langsung jaga jarak, dan memposisikan dirinya lebih suka bersahabat. jelas aja gue mundur. ga enak, ntar kalo gue terusin marah lagi ce-nya. gawat, bisa merusak persahabatan.ga taunya lama kemudian gue baru tau, kalo itu ce sebetulnya bisa aja memberikan kesempatan bagi gue untuk ‘masuk’.

yah .. mana gue bisa ngerti, kalo sikapnya justru sebaliknya, seakan-akan menutup peluang gue buat masuk? malah gue mikirnya waktu itu dah ada co laen yg dia suka. jadi .. ya sudahlah ..mungkin ada yg ngetawain, bilang “payah .. koq gitu aja mundur”. HEY! I’M A LOVER! NOT A FIGHTER! gue sih simpel. suka ama ce, pdkt, kalo kayanya dia ga minat ya udah. ga gue terusin. buang-buang waktu aja. ce masih banyak koq. buat apa menghabiskan waktu buat sesuatu yg ga pasti? lagian, yg penting dalam sebuah hubungan adalah bagaimana menjalaninya. bukan pas pdkt-nya aja seru tapi pas dah jadian hambar. makanya .. jangan salah penerapannya ya. ingat, kasih peluang. dikit aja. jangan malah menutup peluangnya. ntar kabur nyesel lo ..

4. KENALI TIPE CO KHUSUS

ada beberapa tipe co yg kurang bisa ditarik perhatiannya dengan menggunakan cara jinak-jinak merpati diatas.

- Playboy

co tipe playboy ini betul-betul handal dalam memanfaatkan kharismanya. dia sangat menikmati petualangannya memburu wanita. herannya, meskipun banyak ce mengakui ga menyukai co bertipe playboy, dalam kenyataannya justru berbeda. tipe co playboy ini biasanya populer. dan ga ada ce yg bakal menolak didekati co yg populer.

co yg lo sukai masuk kategori playboy? ada untungnya juga. lo ga perlu jadi ce yg sangat cantik untuk mendapatkannya. cukup terlihat menarik, susah didekati, tapi tetap usahakan harus terus berada dalam lingkaran pergaulannya. sekali dia berniat mendekati lo, JUAL MAHAL! jauhi dia, jangan kasih dia peluang! dia akan semakin penasaran dan penasaran ..ruginya, lo akan memainkan serangkaian perang psikologis yg melelahkan. tapi setelah semuanya selesai dan dia bertekuk lutut, hasilnya akan lo petik. lo ikutan jadi populer juga ..

- Shy Guy

ga lantas co tipe shy ini banyak kekurangannya lho. justru kebanyakan shy guy juga cukup oke penampilannya. cuma aja mungkin karena lingkungan yg membuat dia jadi pemalu seperti itu.co gebetan lo bertipe ini? sekarang waktunya keluarkan bakat alami kalian dalam menarik perhatian co! dan .. lo yg harus ngejar dia, bukan sebaliknya. jangan pernah takut dianggap ce yg kecentilan, karena ngejar co duluan. percayalah, mereka malah suka.tapi hati-hati .. they a little bit sensitive .. jauhin deh acara ngetes-ngetes kesetiaan mereka dan jangan pernah memancing rasa cemburu mereka. ntar mereka bakal ngambek. percaya aja deh, meskipun kesannya ga ada inisiatif tapi co tipe ini cinta banget koq ama lo.

- Co Nerd

apa sih definisi nerd sebetulnya? mungkin ini aja deh yg paling pas. co yg seakan menutup diri dari pergaulan dengan dunia luar. asyik berkutat dengan dunianya sendiri.kesannya sih susah didekati, tapi justru mereka yg paling mudah dari tipe-tipe lainnya. dekati aja, ajak ngobrol, dan usahakan tau apa sih hobinya yg menyebabkan dia lebih suka menyendiri.mereka mudah sekali terkesan dengan orang yg memahami ‘keanehan’ mereka.

5. MENGENAL & MENGERTI HOBBY CO

co itu egois. kalo sedang asyik dengan hobby-nya ga mau diganggu. menyebalkan ya? ::hhh::hey, gue co! gue kasih tau satu hal. co itu sebel kalo diganggu pas dia lagi asyik ama sesuatu. misalnya kalo lagi nonton bola atau lagi nonton DORAMA favorit, terus tiba-tiba misalnya gebetan gue telp terus ngajak ngobrol. gue bakal cuekin!bukan .. bukan berarti ga sayang atau cinta .. tapi pake nalar aja deh. ngobrol kan bisa ntar-ntar. lah bola? ga ada siaran ulang!tapi sebetulnya lebih asyik lagi kalo ce-nya bisa ikutan menikmati hobby co tersebut.
nonton bola? kan asyik kalo ce-nya bisa bareng nonton. apalagi kalo bisa diskusi. kan bisa sayang-sayangan. satu tim pujaan? waah .. tambah cinta deh .. duh .. senengnya ngeliat ce ber-jersey Arsenal .. [lovestruck]*ups, sowwy, agak terbawa perasaan*tapi ya gitu deh .. maksud gue, ga ada salahnya berusaha mengenal & mengerti hobby co. karena setidaknya dapat menghabiskan waktu lebih lama berdua dengannya.

6. PERCAYA DIRI

Percaya nggak percaya… percaya diri itu penting banget… Iand ud nyinggung masalah ini di tips buat cowo. semestinya di cewe juga ada dunkz…Percaya diri bukan berarti berlebihan alias nyombong… gue rasa justru cewe yang rendah hati ( bukan rendah diri lo ) bakal lebih menarik di mata cowo… well asal jangan berlebihan… yang belakangan bakal diketahui ternyata lo bukan rendah hati tapi gak pede… Kalow ada masalah ama tingkat pede and kepribadian ( Tips nomer 1 )… coba hubungi John Robert Power.. mahal memang.. tapi bagus buat kita2 ::up::

Soal dan Solusi UTS Elemen Mesin Dosen IGN Wiratmaja Puja diupload untuk pedoman teman-teman dalam mengerjakan soal-soal Elemen Mesin ke depannya. Sekedar tips untuk teman-teman:

- Kerjakan soal secara berurutan (lihat contoh soal di buku Machine Design Norton)

- Gambar sketsa dengan baik (bobot sketsa terkadang cukup besar)

- Sebutkan asumsi-asumsi yang temen-teman pilih dan alasan mengapa asumsi tersebut dipilih

- Jangan buang-buang waktu, terkadang soal meminta adanya iterasi. Untuk menghemat waktu teman-teman jangan terlalu terpaku pada salah satu bagian (Walaupun iterasi tidak sempat dilakukan, teman-teman harus tetap mengerjakan berurutan dan dengan LENGKAP)

Semoga tips di atas bermanfaat.

Download Soal + Solusi Elemen Mesin II di link berikut:

DOWNLOAD UTS ELMESII

Un masaje erótico puede ser una herramienta perfecta para disfrutar con tu pareja en un ambiente relajado y muy agradable. ¡Aprende a darlo paso a paso!

Los masajes eróticos son perfectos para intimar y sentirse más confiado junto a la pareja. Nos ayudan a conectar, a descubrir más sobre el cuerpo de nuestro amante y a encontrar zonas erógenas que aún no conocíais para hacer crecer poco a poco la excitación. ¡Aprende a dar un masaje erótico paso a paso!

Tacto

El tacto es parte importante de la sexualidad, y utilizando las manos o la boca podemos transmitir mucho a nuestra pareja. Los masajes eróticos sirven para estimular, pero también despiertan un mundo de sensaciones a menudo olvidadas en nuestro día a día.

Relajación

Un masaje sexual prepara nuestro cuerpo para el placer y la excitación. También relaja los músculos, elimina tensiones, calma los nervios y ayuda a desconectar, por eso sirve para olvidar preocupaciones y problemas y ayuda a concentrarse en las sensaciones placenteras.

Momento y lugar

Para dar un masaje erótico hay que buscar un momento y lugar apropiados. No hay que tener prisas, sino encontrar un momento de tranquilidad en el que podamos desconectar el teléfono y en el que nadie nos vaya a interrumpir. Un lugar tranquilo, sin ruidos y muy cómodo es imprescindible.

Temperatura

La temperatura es importante y, si queremos estar cómodos desnudos el lugar donde daremos el masaje tiene que estar a unos 25º C. La persona que recibe el masaje puede tumbarse en una cama, un sofá o en el suelo, por ejemplo encima de una edredón.

Iluminación

Es mejor utilizar una luz tenue (las velas ayudan a crear un buen ambiente), algo de música relajante de fondo y un aroma agradable, como el del incienso. Si quieres un preámbulo perfecto, combina una copita de cava con algo de fruta o unos bombones.

Aceites

Utiliza una loción o aceite de rápida absorción para dar el masaje. Las cremas son peores porque tardan más en ser absorbidas por la piel, y además no suelen tener un sabor agradable, lo que no es adecuado si luego queremos estimular con los labios o la lengua.

Antes de empezar, desviste a tu pareja y pídele que se tumbe boca abajo, con la cabeza ladeada y los brazos doblados a la altura de la cabeza. Cúbrele las nalgas con una toalla suave y siéntate encima, o a un lado, ya sea de pié (si tu pareja no está en el suelo) o sobre un cojín. Lo importante es estar cómodos.

Caricias

Comienza colocando tus manos abiertas y relajadas sobre su espalda, presionando un poco, y con la mano izquierda a la altura del corazón y la derecha en la zona lumbar. Concéntrate en la respiración durante unos minutos hasta que notes que tu pareja se ha relajado. Mientras puedes acariciar su espalda desde el cuello hasta los glúteos, y continuar recorriendo brazos y piernas.

Masaje

Regresa hasta el cuello con más caricias y masajea la cabeza con un poco más de presión. Coloca las manos tras las orejas de tu pareja, introduce los dedos en el cabello y masajea el cuero cabelludo presionando con las yemas de los dedos desde la nuca hasta la frente.

Espalda

Con un poco de aceite para masaje (primero ponlo en las manos y frótalo para que se caliente), haz movimientos circulares con las palmas de las manos sobre la espalda de tu pareja. Estas fricciones deben ser algo más intensas y rápidas que las caricias.

Presión

Después coloca las manos abiertas con los dedos juntos sobre la parte superior de la espalda de tu pareja y deslízalas hasta los glúteos, siguiendo el recorrido de la columna. Cuando las deslices hacia arriba, presiona sólo con la base de las manos, y repite el movimiento varias veces.

Músculos

Si has seguido estos pasos ya habrás relajado la piel de tu pareja, y ahora puedes relajar también los músculos. Puedes amasar los músculos de tu pareja con los dedos de las manos, ejerciendo una presión suave, recorriendo su cuerpo y deteniéndote un poco en cada zona. Comienza por los hombros y sigue hasta los pies.

Rostro

Pide a tu pareja que se coloque boca arriba. Con las yemas de los dedos y con movimientos circulares, masajea delicadamente su cara (frente, pómulos, detrás de las orejas, lóbulos y mandíbula) haciendo algo de presión con los dedos pulgares en los puntos neurálgicos: sienes, inicio de las cejas, pómulos (bajo los ojos), zona entre la nariz y los labios, y entre los labios y la barbilla.

Torso

Céntrate después en acariciar y masajear el torso y la parte frontal de piernas y brazos de tu pareja. Con un poco de aceite para masaje acaricia todo su cuerpo, desde los hombros hasta los pies, estimulando suavemente sus músculos.

Caderas

Cuando hayas acariciado todo el cuerpo de tu pareja, céntrate en acariciar por debajo de la toalla, en las caderas, el glúteo y el pubis, utilizando deslizamientos suaves y firmes, y movimientos circulares. Acércate poco a poco a la zona genital, y continuad con besos y caricias hasta donde quieras.

From The Guide:

Check your fuel tanks daily and keep them at least half full at all times. In an emergency, if you need to travel yo uwill likely not have the time or the access to a nearby gas station to fill up. If there is a concern by the general public about access to a gas station, then waiting in a long line with hundreds of others wont be a pleasant experience.

Until next time, be ready

Do you receive e-mails from strangers, often from foreign countries, stating that you have won the lottery or other large sum of money, requests for you to stand in as next of kin for someone who is deceased leaving a huge sum of money deposited in a foreign bank, or someone who desires to have you invest their money for them?

Do these e-mails often request personal information from you that could be used in identity theft–such information as:

• Your name
• Address
• Telephone, cell and fax numbers
• Age
• Gender
• Identification
• Banking information

Do these e-mails appear in your inbox or spam folder, often several of them each day?

If you’ve wondered what you can do about this onslaught of unwanted e-mail, here is a suggestion:

Forward the e-mail to:  phishing-report@us-cert.gov  and the government will investigate the e-mail sender.

If you have Yahoo e-mail, when you open the e-mail go up to the upper right to “Actions,” click and click again on “Full Header” and when the “Full Message Header” drops down, highlight and copy it.  Then click on “Forward” to forward the message, paste the “Full Message Header” at the beginning of the message to be forwarded, and address the message to both:

phishing-report@us-cert.gov

and to:

phishing@cc.yahoo-inc.com

By including the “Full Message Header,”  Yahoo is able to more fully investigate and hopefully close down the e-mail sender as sending such e-mails is a violation of Yahoo’s terms of service.

One last suggestion:  Posting your e-mail address on your website or in your blog could be the reason that you are receiving these unwanted e-mails.  A method of posting your e-mail that is indecipherable by undesirables is:

If your e-mail is:  JaneDoe@hotmail.com

Use instead:  JaneDoe[at]hotmail[dot]com

Be Safe!

Alison Freed, a blog network owner, will guest blog on the Fashion Guru blog every so often to include her fashion tips and  researches.

Follow her on Twitter at @alisonfreed or read her blog at http://www.catwalkcatfight.com.

Enjoy!

A short distance from Geraldine stands spectacular Peel Forest – a popular recreation area for those seeking peace and tranquillity. So this weekend the AllWays family has taken off to a camping adventure there.

How to get there – you can travel 150 km south from Christchurch via State Highway 1, branching off at Ashburton, Hinds or south bank of Rangitata River over the bridge on the main road to pick up inland State Highway 72. The turnoff to Peel Forest leaves State Highway 72 about 12 km north of Geraldine, and it’s about 18 km to Peel Forest from the turnoff.

Alternatively, you can take the scenic inland route, taking off at Rakaia head northwest on Elizabeth Ave toward Railway Tce East. Turn left at Railway Tce East and continue onto Thompsons Trk. Drive about 36kms, then you have to turn right and then left again to stay on Thompsons Trk.  From there continue onto Mayfield Valetta Rd, Arundel Rakaia Gorge Rd and Geraldine Arundel Rd. This way is about 33kms long. Turn right at Bridge St, take the 1st right onto Ferry Rd. After 3.5kms turn right to stay on Ferry Rd.

Where to stay – 12 km along Coopers Creek you will find a motor camp at Clark Flat near the Rangitata River. This is the only area where camping is allowed within the park and it is a DOC campground. There are caravan power points, cabins or attractive campsites for tents. There are powered sites for motorhomes, the kitchen provides excellent area for cooking and storage of your food. Showers and toilet only a short walk from each camp site.

What to do – Peel Forest area is ideal for family day trips. There are several short tracks of half or one hour-long. Even the two-year-old tamper was able to enjoy these walks.

Big Tree Walk -  A short, easy walk starts from the Te Wanahu picnic shelter and leads into Mills Bush. Several large kahikatea and huge tōtara, one almost three metres across, are thought to be about 1,000 years old. This walk takes about 30 minutes round trip. Children will enjoy this walk and the great tōtara tree at the top.

Kahikatea Walk – Entrance to this track is directly from the campground. A remnant of Kahikatea swamp forest and old sawpits are a reminder of the forests in this part of South Canterbury. This walk is about 1 hour return, easy track, great if you are travelling with young children.

Acland Fall – The track climbs steeply, levels off a little, and then drops to a small stream. The falls (14 metres high) are a short walk up the stream bed.  It is about an hour return and is suitable for young children. Take with you a Native Fern Guide to identify the different varieties you will come across on your way.

An alternative entry into Acland Falls leaves from Te Wanahu Flat to Allans Track, it branches to the right at the top of the ridge, and provides a pleasant round trip. From the higher points on the track there are great views over the plains and foothills.

After years of graduate school, choosing a great topic for your doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis may feel like one of the biggest pressures yet. You’re going to be spending months and perhaps years on this research project, and completion of your PhD or master’s degree is contingent upon your success. To make things more stressful, your future employment may depend on choosing a topic that appeals to a hiring committee.

Take a deep breath. Yes, this is a difficult decision, but follow your instincts and you’ll find your way to an appropriate and meaningful topic. Here are some criteria to keep in mind when choosing a dissertation or thesis topic.

• Choose a topic you love. This may be the most important criteria. You’re going to be spending so much time with this project, and your quality of life will be much better if these hours are spent enjoyably. What’s more, the quality of your research, writing, and arguments will be much better if you feel genuine passion for your work, Choose a topic you find both fascinating and socially significant. Never let someone pressure you into writing about a certain topic!
• Pick something your advisor finds interesting and is knowledgeable about. Of course, is this is not possible, you might want to change your advisor instead of changing your topic.
• Pick a topic that will be helpful in your career path. If your goal is an academic career, pick a topic that you can easily modify into journal articles or a book, and that will lend itself well to future research. If you want to work at a teaching oriented institution, consider a topic you can use in the classroom. If you are going into industry, choose a topic that will make you more marketable.
• Find a topic that establishes your niche in your field. Do your research and find a topic that fits into existing bodies of literature, but that builds upon theory and expands it.
• Choose research that is unique. Do significant research to make sure this topic has not been done before. Be creative and choose an idea that stands out from the pack as original and innovative.
• Think carefully before you choose a controversial topic. Academics are a sensitive lot, and in every field there are certain topics and positions that will send highly educated people into intellectual temper tantrums. This doesn’t mean you should avoid topics that push people’s buttons. However, if you choose a controversial topic, think carefully about whether it might restrict your employment, tenure, or publishing opportunities.
• Pick a topic that you already have some expertise about. This will help preserve your sanity and get you out the door faster. This isn’t the time to explore a brand new area. Along the way, take coursework and write class papers that will help you write your dissertation or thesis.
• Pick a manageable topic. This is a huge project, but it isn’t your life’s research. A good advisor will help you narrow down your topic so that you don’t remain in graduate school for many long years.

While trying to find interesting articles to keep eco-friendly couples in the know I came across an excellent article on Brides.com. Check here for the original article.

They give a year long time line on wedding preparations.

12 months

• Select and reserve your ceremony and reception sites. If you are celebrating your wedding outdoors, look into tent rentals.
• Choose and book an officiant who will work an eco-friendly message into your wedding ceremony.
• Meet with florists who work with local, organic farms.
• Meet with caterers and choose one who is knowledgeable about local and organic fare, and who is willing to provide vegetarian options.
• Register for gifts at housewares shops that focus on sustainable design.

10 months

• Shop for a vintage dress, one made from natural fibers, like hemp-silk, or find a simple gown that can be altered, accessorized and worn again.
• Choose a florist and pick out bouquets and arrangements made with local, seasonal flowers.
• Plan your honeymoon at an eco-resort.
• Meet with organic bakers to discuss your wedding cake.
• Start researching wedding favors, even if you’re planning on giving fruit or plant items that will be purchased right before the wedding.

6 months

• Save paper by sending save-the-date announcements via e-mail or by calling out of town guests.
• Start planning your rehearsal dinner, and if it’s going to be a picnic, start researching disposable dishes and flatware that’s biodegradable.
• Choose wedding cosmetics that are cruelty-free and made from organic ingredients.
• Select an organic baker and order your wedding cake.
• Arrange wedding transportation, and consider using a shuttle bus to bring guests from the ceremony to the reception.
• Order 100 percent recycled stationery for programs and invitations.
• Purchase wedding rings made from recycled metals or wood.

3 months

• Discuss your wedding menu with your caterer.
• Meet with your officiant and discuss all the earth-friendly aspects of your wedding so that these ideas can be shared during ceremony.
• Mail your wedding invitations.
• Decide what your guests will be throwing instead of rice, which can be harmful to birds—wildflower seeds, flower petals or bubbles are better options.

1 month

• Write and print your wedding program on 100 percent recycled paper.
• Choose thank-you cards made of recycled paper and begin to write them as you receive wedding gifts.

2–7 days

• Choose a member of the wedding party to distribute the wildflower seeds, flower petals or bubbles that guests will be throwing instead of rice after the ceremony.
• Choose a family member or friend to collect the leftover wedding programs and recycle them.

I’ve started another blog dedicated to time.  I’ve transfered some of these blogs  and created new ones – my new blog is www.wizetime.com - I can do more – it’s a learning curve – so if you have enjoyed the articles on this blog, be sure to come to my other one too.

I’ll continue to post on this site for small business – tips, suggestions, etc. so if you like being here, stay – there’ll be more.

Blev lite nytt här på bloggen. Knåpade ihop en header på några minuter, och ja, jag är väldigt nöjd nu Tänkte försöka komma igång med temauppgiften, men verkar som det får dröja tills imorgon. Är fruktansvärt öm i hela kroppen, och det går inte riktigt att sitta upp ordentligt utan att det gör ont, haha. (Nytatuerad..)

Tänkte tipsa er andra kursare om Bloglovin. Väldigt smidigt, och helt otroligt underbart för dig som följer flera bloggar. Bloglovin samlar alla nya inlägg från dina favoritbloggar så att du ser direkt när någon av dem har uppdaterat. Jag använder själv Bloglovin väldigt väldigt många gånger dagligen!

Wear toe-pinching high heels so it’s a burden just to walk. When you don’t walk around, you probably only sit in a cafe, sipping your coffee while resting your feet. Hence, you won’t hear any shoes, dresses, or bags calling out your names.

Simple tips from daily life. Good luck!

image, courtesy of elitechoice.org

Here we go!

Now the furniture!!!

~~~~Cookiemon34~~~~~~~ BYEEEE!!!

Candy coated eyes and lips are all the rage right now…You can get your own look with these beautiful palettes. They also make the perfect Christmas gift!

Real: Sephora Collection Ultimate Blockbuster Eyeshadow Kit, $62.00 at www.sephora.com

Steal: Eyes Lips Face 141 Piece Master Makeup Collection, $40.00 at www.eyeslipsface.com

This is post 2 in my finance series. Find the first post here

I’m going to start off this financial mini series (Holy mackerel this sounds exciting!!) by directing you to some excellent websites written by people who know what they are talking about. (i.e. not me.)

The Motley Fool This is my favorite financial website. It has free information for many levels of financial knowledge and it manages to convey information about a very dry subject with some modicum of humor. Amazing!

MSN Money I’m not a huge fan of this website, but they do have a lot of calculators to give you an estimate of a down payment, mortgage payments, retirement requirements, etc.

NPR Your Money NPR generally has very interesting and well done segments on various financial topics. Even if the particular topic doesn’t apply to you it’s usually pretty entertaining to listen to. But that’s coming from me, who listens to Car Talk and This American Life with a near religious fervor every week while I run. Such behavior is probably a bit strange.

Bankrate.com On this website you can compare interest rates (bot for savings accounts and loans) on pretty much every single banking institution that’s available on the internet. I’ve found it very useful to confirm that my local bank has comparable interest rates to other places I could be saving my money.

Dave Ramsey I don’t know much about this guy, except that he’s a big advocate of not having any debt and has a radio show where people call in and he tells them to stop spending money. A lot of the sort of “Christian Mom” blogs that I read – not that I read that many – are trying his method to get out of debt. It seems to be pretty much common sense advice.

Vanguard When I was trying to figure out how I wanted to invest some money, the internet told me that Vanguard and Fidelity were the two bastions of investment
to work through. Both had similar funds offered and similar services. When it came down to it, I chose Vanguard because I liked their website better. They have a lot of information easily available about stocks and bonds.

Seorang pria AS yang menemukan rahasia perkalian secara mudah kini mengungkapkan rahasia formulanya. Albert Clay menemukan formula perkalian sejak SMA. Namun dia tidak pernah mengungkapkan penemuannya itu selain pada guru matematikanya.

Kini dia yang sudah berumur 75 tahun dan memiliki hak cipta atas formula itu menawarkan pada setiap orang yang mau membayar US$33. Ia menawarkan formula rahasia untuk mengalikan angka berapa pun dengan angka berapa pun.

“Tidak ada orang lain di seluruh dunia yang tahu kecuali aku,” kata Clay pada News & Observer.

Untuk membuktikan kata-katanya itu, Clay mengalikan lima digit angka hanya dalam beberapa detik. News & Observer melaporkan Clay membuktikan hal itu tanpa bantuan peralatan apapun, juga tanpa kalkulator. “Itu hal mudah jika tahu formulanya,” kata Clay.

http://sandalnamaku.wordpress.com

Inilah rahasia itu.

Misalnya perkalian 89 x 76.

Pertama, kalikan angka yang ada di belakang 9 x 6 = 54. Gunakan angka 4, simpan angka 5.

89
76
9×6 = 54 -> gunakan 4, simpan 5

Kedua, kalikan secara menyilang, (8 x 6) + (9 x 7) = 48 + 63 = 111, tambahkan angka 5 yang disimpan 111 + 5 = 116. Gunakan angka 6, dan simpan 11.

(8 x 6) + (9 x 7) = 48 + 63 = 111

111 + 5 (simpanan sebelumnya) = 116, gunakan 6, simpan 11

http://tasbayiku.wordpress.com

Terakhir kalikan angka di depan, 8 x 7 = 56, ditambah angka 11 yang disimpan, 56 + 11 = 67.

89
76
8×7 =56 -> 56 + 11 (simpanan sebelumnya) = 67

Susun angka-angka yang sudah didapat -> 6764. Cek dengan kalkulator anda!

Sumber: SuperMilan

Click here for more.

Click here for more.

Thinking of including these “giant icicles” for Christmas!
Click here for more.

Click here for more.

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Click here for more.

]]> http://seachangeproject.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/travel-tips-credit-cards/ Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:46:14 +0000 brittanysims http://seachangeproject.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/travel-tips-credit-cards/

**This post is a part of the Travel Tips Series.**

Whether you’re at home or abroad, credit cards can nickle and dime you with hidden fees and fine print.   Here’s what you need to know about taking your plastic on the road.

• Notify your local credit union (or bank) when you will be traveling and what countries you’ll be visiting.  Take their international phone numbers with you in case of problems or emergencies.
• Have a trusted ’someone’ back home who you’ve put in charge of monitoring - even managing - your accounts while you are away.  In addition to being a trustworthy, reliable, and accessible person, make sure they are also authorized on your account.  Again, notify your financial institution.
• Ask about the fees for international charges.  Typically this will be 1% of the purchase price.
• Check the fine print.  A few credit cards (particularly travel credit cards) may have some sort of special coverage in case of card theft during your travels.  Some travel insurance policies may also have some sort of similar coverage as well.  You’ll likely have to pay more for it, but if this is particularly important to you, look into it.
• Don’t forget: Having too many credit cards can *ding* your credit score.  Consider this before opening an additional ’travel’ credit card.  The plastic you’ve already got in your wallet will probably do you just fine.
• Look into travel credit cards if you are interested - getting a card with frequent flier miles is a popular choice.  But remember - be a responsible consumer, and do your homework before you commit to anything! 
• Practice being a slightly paranoid and constantly skeptical shopper when you are looking for something like a new credit card.  Corporations, and certainly credit card companies, have an unfortunate tendency to put their bottom line before your best interest.  Protect yourself!  Read the fine print and really understand what you are getting into. 
• Understand the effects of the 2009 Credit CARD Act.  Consumer protection against credit card companies is finally improving.    Under the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act, card issuers must give you at least 45 days’ notice before making major changes in terms - including changes in your interest rate, the fees they charge, switching your rate from fixed to variable, and increasing your minimum payment.  
• HOWEVER: The law still doesn’t require them to be wholly transparent, yet.  Card issuers still aren’t forced to give advanced notification if they close your account or cut the credit limit on your card – as many people report significant problems with this very issue.
• While traveling, keep a sizeable available balance.  It is a good idea to have a low or, better yet, zero balance on the card before you depart.  In case of emergency, it is vital to have access to funds.  This is particularly true if you’re visiting a less developed region where assistance for your problem is likely unavailable. If you run into trouble on your journey, you are going to want a safety net.  Remember, of course, to always contact your embassy if you run into serious problems while traveling.
• An international bank can be a good choice.  I have heard of a few people who have had difficulty using their local financial institution abroad.  In this case, an international company like HSBC or Charles Schwab might be a more reliable option.
• Consider the type of card. Through online discussion boards, I have read that VISA and MasterCard are the best kind of plastic to have with you.  I’ve also heard that Discover cards and possibly even American Express may not work quite as universally.  I repeat: this is what I’ve heard.  As with all advice including mine, be sure to do your own homework and ask questions of your service providers, fellow consumers, and… 
• Don’t forget to Google (or Bing, if that’s your style these days) the name of the service you’re interested in PLUS keywords like ”reviews,” “complaints,” “rip off” (for example, Google ’travel credit card reviews’).
• ATM Cards – ask your bank or credit union about the withdrawal fees and maximum daily withdrawal amounts.  I use OSU Federal CU, which has a flat $1 fee and a $500 USD maximum daily withdrawal. Note: This is IN ADDITION to the fee from the ATM itself.

General Credit Card Tips

Opening a credit card should be a careful decision. Hat tip to First Tech Credit Union for the following advice:

1. Consider the fees, rates, and benefits of use
2. Think about how you are going to use the card 
3. Consider the lending institution
4. Look for no annual fee
5. Find out the fee for a late payment
6. If you carry a balance and are subject to finance charges, look for low rates
7. Find out how they calculate the interest
8. Do payment dates vary each month?
9. Is the minimum monthly payment subject to change?
10. Read the details of the agreement!
11. Beware of teaser low rates and special rates for a” limited time”
12. Make sure other aspects of the card don’t offset the benefits

brass|MAGAZINE  also has good information for young adults on how to start and manage their financial lives, including credit card info.

Los niños comenzaron la celebración de Día de Acción de Gracias(Thanksgiving) con una fiesta en pijamas en las Disney Stores. Los minoristas en el Florida Mall y el Seminole Towne Center invitan a los pequeños príncipes y princesas a que se pongan comodos para oir cuentos y se entretengan con juegos, artesanías y comidas. Hay dos horarios disponibles: 5:30-6:15 y 7:00 a 7:45 pm
Los padres de familia pueden comenzar desde ya sus compras navideñas, o pueden esperar visitar las Tiendas de Disney (Disney Stores) a medianoche  del Día Acción de Gracias en el Viernes Negro.
Desde la apertura hasta las 10 am del 27 de Noviembre, los compradores podrán obtener un 20 por ciento de descuento en todos los artículos, incluyendo los que ya tengan descuento. Algunas de las ofertas de ese día son:

* Ofertas de $ 5 : Camisetas con personaje de Disney (precio regular $ 9,50), adornos navideños (precio regular $ 9,50 cada una) y tazas con personajes (precio regular $ 8,50)
* Ofertas de $ 10 : Classic Disney Princess muñecas (precio regular $ 16,50), los personajes favoritos de Disney Plush (precio regular $ 14,50 a $ 16,50) y camisas de lana (precio regular $ 19.50)
* Ofertas de$ 15 : Disney-Pixar Cars Lightning McQueen Runaway Racer (precio regular $ 29,50), Talking Toy Story Buzz y Woody Deluxe Action Figures (precio regular $ 24,50 cada uno) y Disney Princess Glamour Case (precio regular $ 19.50)

Ofertas para todo el fin de semana de Acción de Gracias incluyen:

* Castillo de Disney Princess Darling , $ 49.50 (precio regular $ 79,50)
* Muñeca Clásica Disney Princess 8-Piece Gift Set, $ 69.50 (precio regular $ 99.50)
* Coches Dinoco helicópteros, $ 39.50 (precio regular $ 59,50)
* Coches de lujo 20-Piece Die Cast Gift Set, $ 79.50 (precio regular $ 99.50)
* Juego de Cocina Minnie Mouse, $ 59.50 (precio regular $ 99.50)
* Por compras de $ 40.00 ó más, los clientes también pueden comprar un suéter de vacaciones Mickey Mouse de peluche por sólo $ 5, hasta agotar existencias.

Le recomiendo a los turistas visitar la sucursal de Disney Store en Florida Mall ya que aqui la tienda abrirá a la media noche después de Thanskgiving.

Orlando, Florida Guide, la guía más completa en línea de Orlando, le ofrece información  de tiquetes a Disney World, tiquetes a Universal Orlando, y tiquetes a Sea World Orlando.

WALLA!

Jeg er skikkelig i slaget om dagen med nye hilsninger til dere asså! Credit til meg:D

Jeg ville bare tipse (eller SKRYTE litt) om noe jeg har laget og som dere også kan lage hvis dere har gått tom for julegaveideer og vil gi noe personlig! Nesten alle i familien min er sånn “jeg blir glad for hva som helst, men jeg setter mest pris på de gavene du har laget selv!” – og det har jeg hørt siden jeg ga  makaronifyrstikkesker da jeg gikk i barnehagen
Men nå som jeg er 18 år så tenker jeg ” makaronifyrstikkesker er bare såå 90-talls”, derfor kliner min kreative hjerne til med, hold dere fast: Skjell og knappe-rammer!
De med knapper er til mine to yngre søstre (som heldigvis er for unge til å lese blogg), og inni skal jeg putte bilder av meg med de!
De skal selvfølgelig få mer, men jeg synes personlige gaver som er lagt litt tid i er så koselig å gi! Den med skjell vet jeg enda ikke hvem jeg skal gi til, men den skal ha et familie bilde i seg den også!
Rammene er forresten kjøpt på IKEA for 15 kr. Billig og enkelt!

From Careers in New Media…

Tread carefully when editing WordPress themes (and how to recover when things go awry)

by Douglas E. Welch

I received a WordPress emergency email from a friend/client last night and I wanted to share both the problem, and the solution, with you. Now, I am far from a WordPress expert, but having faced some issues myself, her problem was one that I could solve.

Read the entire post