Business owners know that their customers are the key to their success

If you have heard the saying “the customer is always right” you are among thousands, if not millions of people who have also heard this phrase. While this may or may not be the case, the customer does have a lot of say and influence in how a company or business performs and its current and potential success. Today, more and more business owners are paying more attention to what their customers say and feel.

Business owners know that their customers are the key to their success. If there are no customers there is no business. Keeping the customers happy keeps the customers returning for future business transactions, which is good for both the customer and business owner. Many business owners authorize customer surveys to be distributed either electronically through email or through the postal service.

Customer satisfaction surveys give the business owner a good idea of what the customer thinks about the services and products. These surveys allow the business owner to ask specific questions about the customer’s most recent experience, a particular product, and the freedom to provide any additional comments that he or she may want to share. This survey system is incredibly useful in keeping a business on target with what its client base is interested in and wants.

What a customer thinks of a particular product or service is vital information to a business. Knowing what the clientele is thinking allows a business owner to get the upper hand on competitors and to provide customers with what they want. The happier the customer is, the happier the business is, so to speak.

Businesses that actively seek out the opinions and thoughts of their customers usually attain loyalty from those customers and clients. Loyalty to a particular brand or business is essential to success. With this loyalty comes free marketing in the form of word of mouth advertising. In most cases, satisfied customers will tell their family and friends about a great new product or a great service provided by a particular business. During these discussions, the customer’s friends and family will consider the item or service then check it out for him or herself later. Word of mouth advertising gives the business more credibility than simple paid advertising.

Any business owner that wants to ensure success for his or her company is wise to consider the thoughts of the customer-base. Listening to the customers’ thoughts, needs, wants, and ideas can help improve business dramatically and thus ensure customer loyalty. New customers help businesses grow, however returning loyal customers make all the difference. It is easy to get a customer for the first time, however it is much more difficult to get the customers to return if they are not satisfied.

Caribbean vacation - ideal for the summer vacation

For Americans summer has always been the time to go out on holidays and enjoy the beach and the Sun. what could be a better place for that than the Caribbean Islands with their lovely beaches, blue waters and the most pleasant sun. In fact the Caribbean has been such a huge hit with American tourists that today the tourism industry is one of the biggest industries of the place.

There are numerous islands in the Caribbean, but some have been all-time favorites with the tourists. The biggest destinations are the islands of Anguilla, Aruba, Bahamas, Curacao and the British Virgin Islands. A visit to any of these islands will leave you with happy memories, you can hardly ever forget.

Bahamas

Bahamas has always been a very popular destination for the American tourists because of its proximity to the country. Still having a feel of the British colonial days in its buildings and architecture, the Bahamas is also very tropical in spirit. Known for its beautiful beaches pine forests, Bahamas is the perfect place to sit back and relax.

If you are in the Bahamas you should never miss the Rand Nature Center where you get to see the exact recreation of a Lucayan Village, which has everything, from the chieftain’s house to the dwelling huts. And if you are a food freak you got to taste the local snacks from a Bahamian straw market.

The Atlantis Resort is located on Paradise Island, near Nassau in the formerly-British Bahamas just a hop from Florida.

The guidebook “Caribbean With Kids” calls the Atlantis on Bahamas “one of the most lavish properties in the entire Caribbean”: which is saying something, considering what the region offers.

The Atlantis Bahamas grounds have waterfalls, streams, lagoons filled with sea creatures, underwater viewing areas: with 11 exhibit lagoons and 11 million gallons of water, the resort claims it has the “largest marine habitat in the world”.

The world’s largest marine habitat, the largest casion in the Bahamas (and the Caribbean), a 15 million dollar marina, lagoons, waterfalls and the underwater ruins of Atlantis itself....Atlantis Bahamas Resort has achieved a distinctive combination of comfort and adventure unlike any other vacation destination.

Atlantis on Bahamas is a deluxe high rise with 2300 rooms and casino situated on the beach. Three towers make up the complex, the Beach, Coral and the newest is Royal Towers.

Anguilla

One of the best family destinations in the Caribbean, Anguilla is famous for its neat beaches many of which are non-commercial. And of course you have the rare opportunity to share the waters with dolphins in Dolphin Fantaseas – one of the biggest attractions of Anguilla. Another place to b e in is Scilly Cay – which provides the perfect setting for barbecue and snorkeling. But the most special thing about Anguilla is her people. They are among the warmest in Caribbean and they go all the way to make you feel comfortable and at home

Aruba

“One Cool Family” is the program organized by the Aruba government to pull in new tourists as well as bring back those who have already been to this lovely island. Such schemes emphasize how important tourism has become in these places and when the government is coming up with such ideas you can rest assure there would be enough effort to provide you with the finest holiday ever.

Apart from the exotic beaches and the clear blue seas other attractions of Aruba include Boca Prins, the perfect destination for dune sailing and land sailing. Of course there are arrangements for the regular activities like snorkeling and scuba diving.

Curacao

Just two and half hour from Miami, Curacao is unlike any other Caribbean island. Of course it has got the beaches and the lovely seas, but this dominion of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is also special because of its diverse mix of history and culture. The experience you have at Curacao is, in that sense unique among the Caribbean islands. If yours is a family which is into adventure this can be the perfect destination as you can head for the Hato Caves to witness the amazing dry land sea caves complete with underground pools, cave drawings and fossils which date back to millions of years. But if you are more interested in just lying back and enjoying your vacation you can do that too while enjoying the best of Curacao culture that has a strong influence of the Dutch.

British Virgin Islands

Once a haven for the pirates, the British Virgin Islands is today the perfect place for diving and snorkeling. It also provides you with the very best opportunities to sail. And if you have been a fan of Stevenson’s Treasure Island, you can actually see for yourself from where it was inspired – the Norman Island. With calm waters, swimming is also one of the favorite activities among tourists.

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Ski vacation at whistler resort

Whistler ski resort often gets voted as one of the best ski resorts not just in North America but in the world year after year. The popular Ski Magazine once quoted a fan of Whistler as saying, "If you can't have a great skiing holiday at Whistler, then find another sport!"

The Whistler ski resort is also famous not only for its fabulous ski trails and spectacular scenery, it is also famous for its family friendly services and activities. It has fabulous activities for kids such as adventure zones, magic-carpets, play-fort just to mention a few.

Called by its official name Whistler Blackcomb Resort is actually made up of two big mountains. The resort is about an hour and fifteen minutes north of Vancouver, Canada. Holiday makers can fly direct or to Vancouver airport and travel by road to the resort. If traveling by road, then be cautioned that driving conditions during winter months can be dangerous.

This ski resort is so popular that it will be hosting the skiing events for the Olympics in 2010. The self contained Whistler Village has a thriving tourist economy and has a variety of restaurants, shops, inns and hotels accommodations.

The Whistler-Blackcomb resort more than two hundred mountain skiing trails covering over more than 8000 acres of terrain and nearly a mile of vertical drop with thirty-eight lifts and gondolas and boast of a whopping average snowfall of 30 feet per year.

As mentioned in the beginning of this article, Whistler ski resort is a family oriented vacation resort. There are very well organized programs for the children. Whistler Kids is one of the largest children skiing and snow boarding programs you can find in any ski resorts.

The Magic Carpets kids program make learning skiing easy for the young beginners. At the Adventure Camps, your kids get to stay with the same group of children learner and instructor all week long. The Whistler ski resorts even have a licensed childcare service. As for your teenagers, they can join a week-long "Ride Tribe".

The Big Easy Terrain Garden in the resort is a gentler terrain park meant for kids skiing or snowboarding. Then there are Adventure and Play Zones too. Blackcomb Mountain has a Children's Adventure Park, with runs through the forest and there is even a ski-through castle. For night skiing, families can ride the Magic Chair ski lift use the beginners' slope or have fun on a number of added features such as rails and boxes.

With all these vacation goodies, is it any wonder why The Whistler Ski Resort is one of the most popular ski resorts in the world?

Donning rider s insignia

There are different styles and designs of helmets available in motorcycle stores these days. Colors range from classic solid colors to domineering neon and luminous colors to promote conspicuity. There are also replicas that look like ‘super bike champ wear’.

Street motorcycle accessories like helmet are matters of personal taste. In that case, aesthetic side is often chosen over anything else. Anyhow, this has contributed why safety is most of the time overlooked. Whatever the case may be rider’s safety must be the topmost priority.

In a study conducted by the NHTSA, DOT National Highway Traffic Safety US Department of Transportation, they have subjected 50 motorcyclists, of varying age and riding experience to a test. They were made to ride along a prescribed test route. Then, they were asked to periodically change lanes and their head to check traffic in the adjacent lane. Afterwards, they were made to change lane in their normal manner. The riders have driven the route three times, full and partial helmet on, and on the third time, without wearing a helmet. The ability to hear surrounding traffic was also altered systematically.

The study found out that helmets are not hindrance to motorcyclist’s ability to hear and observe surrounding traffic. In connection with the hearing tests, no significant difference was found in rider's ability to hear traffic, either between helmet types or between helmet and no helmet.

Hearing ability, on the other hand, was significantly affected by vehicle speed due to increased wind noise. However, for any given speed, helmets did not diminish nor enhance hearing. In connection with the vision tests, it showed that the minimal amount of the lateral vision (field of view) that is sacrificed by wearing a helmet can be made up by turning the head a little further.

Further, the study showed that 19 of the 23 riders who were given the vision tests compensated for helmet use by turning their head a little further before changing lanes. Overall, any negative effect of helmets on rider vision appears to be very minor, especially in comparison to the protection offered by helmets should a crash occur.

Arai, Bell, Icon, AGV, Nolan, Thor, Erex, are some of the trusted motorcycle helmet manufacturers in the world. The helmets they are releasing are tested and approved by Snell and DOT.

Pick the best helmet for your secured journey. Be guided by your senses…

A change is as good as a rest

How many times do you hear yourself say “I need a vacation!”? Your life is busy with routines - work, school, laundry, bringing the kids to all of their activities, so it’s no wonder that you feel hassled, stressed or on a running wheel that you can’t seem to get off of. Maybe your job seems boring, or your daily schedule seems endlessly tiring. You tell yourself you need a vacation, or convince yourself that you just need to get away from it all. But guess what? It’s all there when you come back, and all of that blissful feeling of well being ends in the first meeting at work, or even in the first hectic morning back in the routine.

I remember the first time I heard “A change is as good as a rest.” They weren’t wise words from my parents, or part of an expensive motivational seminar – I heard it on a cartoon that my children were watching. It has stayed with me ever since, and I have put it to work in my life when I have felt tired, stressed or just plain bored.

For some people, just the word “change” can be stressful. They associate it with major events, like having to get a new job, a household move or an event that requires a major effort on their part. But there are many changes that we can make that can refresh us on a daily basis, some serious and others fun. Many of the options for change are not things that we even normally consider a “change,” but they are things we can do to refresh our daily lives and maintain the balance we need.

We all need to find the basic qualities that make our lives fulfilling and meaningful. These become the elements of our lives - the fundamental components that make us whole. Recognizing these elements is not enough - the key is to find the balance of elements that reflects the importance and priorities of our lives.

Top 7 money making ideas to make easy money online

If you are looking for ways to make easy money online, here are the top 7 money making ideas you may consider.

1. Create Website or Make Blog

By sharing your knowledge, expertise, hobbies, experience and interests, you can build a successful web site or blog with little amount of investment, as low as having an internet connection only. You don't even need to be a webmaster, a geek or techie to build your own. You just need to understand and be familiar with the basics of creating web site or blog, which include domain name, web host, page template or layout, content and basic HTML codes.

Having your own web site or blog, you can easily make money by selling your own or others' stuff and ad space. There are so many online opportunities that you can make money with. In addition to that, there's no limit on the amount of income you can make with your own web site or blog.

2. PPC Advertising or Marketing

PPC advertising is another easy money making idea that you may use to make money online. PPC advertising is a keyword bidding for as low as $0.01. If you're the highest bidder of the keyword enter by the user into the search engine query box, your ad will the no. 1 on the list of the sponsors on the search engine results page (SERP).

With PPC advertising, you can make money online without the need to create your own web site or product. You just need to have a credit card and budget of as low as $5 to pay for the clicks on your ad at the bid price. If you have these requirements, join affiliate programs that allow PPC advertising and find a saleable product with a convincing landing page.

Then, open an account with PPC advertising site, create a compelling ad and bid on low-priced keywords relevant to the stuff you're promoting. Just don't forget to compare the cost of the total clicks against the commission you've earned. Based on your analysis, tweak your ad and keywords or change the product you're promoting.

3. Online Games

If you know how to play popular games like chess, scrabble, backgammon and many more, you will surely have fun making money with online games. This kind of program allows you to choose your game and your opponent on the net.

The money you make is based on the pot money agreed by you and your opponent. There are also tournaments that being held and offers huge prizes to the winners but these could be tough as you will be competing with a large number of players around the world.

4. Internet Auction

This is also a great money making idea that does not need to create your own web site. You just need to have your own product and a free internet auction account. You may have your own product by buying resale rights stuff and through joining a dropshipping program.

With resale rights, you may resell the product you purchased. In dropshipping, you promote the product and when someone has placed an order, you receive the payment. Then you order from your contact dropship merchant who will deliver the item directly to your customers.

When you've got or sourced your product, open an account with eBay or other auction site and make a compelling sales and bidding page.

5. Personalized Products

This money making idea is best suited to people who are creative. This type of money making program offers everyone to design various products in any way they want and pays commission on the products sold.

There are lots of products available that people may put their personalized design. You are also provided with online shop where you can promote, display and sell these personalized products at the price you set. The mark-up you've earned from sale will be paid to you on agreed date.

6. Domain Names

This is a simple money making idea of collecting domain names and make money without posting any content. There are programs that offers pay per click advertising revenue while your domain names are parked with the author of the program. Through the scheme, you may also get some offers from interested buyers.

The strategy here is to choose profitable domain names with. com as top-level-domain. Many internet users just type the domain name of non-existing website, which they think as live. There are other strategies to select a domain name that makes money.

7. Freelancing Jobs

If you possess skills in writing, web design, web building, programming and other freelancing or online skills, this money making idea may apply to you. There are websites that allow people and companies post their one-time job requirements or projects and let the freelancers make an offer or bid for the job.

Final Thoughts

I suggest that you primarily consider making your own web site and/or blog. With established web site, making money is easy. Consider other money making ideas as your secondary source of income.

How to buy property using hard money loans

There are different standards and strategies that real estate investor’s use when evaluating properties. In order for us to get involved with a property, the following standards are judged for the worthiness of any rehab project:

"You should look for the worst house on a decent block"

1) Whether your strategy is to "flip" properties, or to hold them for their rental cash flow, it's important to be able to draw potential buyers, or strong potential tenants, as quickly as possible. With this in mind, you should look at properties on streets that are maintained properly. This does not limit you to higher end homes. There are many "blue collar" areas that properly maintain the condition of their homes and yards. However, a street that has poorly maintained properties or many vacancies do not lend themselves to fast turn around sales or well suited tenants.

Always remember that this is an investment. You take on a large risk, and a lot of work as a rehabber. No matter how much loving care you put into your property, you can do nothing about the condition of your neighbor's property.

2) Make certain that there is no structural damage to the property. This could be a fatal blow to your investment!

"You make your money when you buy a property, not when you sell it!"

Purchasing Formula

There are many formulas used for the successful purchase of a rehab project. It's important to use one. There must always be a comfortable cushion between the purchase price and the selling price of investment property. This cushion price will help you achieve a successful investment, even if you have repair cost over-runs, or hold on to the property longer than you had anticipated. Remember, every day that the property is not sold or rented comes right off your bottom line. The interest, taxes, insurance, and utility bills compound each day. Buying the property at the right price will protect you from Murphy's Law.

Our Funding formula:

1) Establish an after repair value for your property.

(Get "area comps" and view each one. Pick out the property that has a street that is most similar to your house's street, and a structure that is closest to your house's structure, and then compare the square footage, amount of bedrooms and bathrooms that are all listed on the "comps." This will help establish a real fair market value for your property).

2) Multiply the ARV x .65 (After Repair Value)

(This will give you 65% of the ARV).

3) Establish a comprehensive and accurate list of repairs that you plan to do to the property, and estimate the costs for each repair.

(This is important. If you are knowledgeable and experienced in doing repair work, you may not need help. If you are not experienced or skilled in this, find someone who is and have them draw up a plan. Even if it costs you a little money to get them out there, this could save you thousands of dollars).

4) Subtract the cost of repairs from the 65% value of the ARV. (After Repair Value) This should be the maximum price that you pay for the property! This is a conservative formula, and it usually works well. Remember, anyone can buy a property at close to fair market value, but with your costs and risks, you must do better!

Written by Jim Olivero

Must have accessories for your next gardening project

If you enjoy gardening, you are not alone. Each year, millions of Americans grow a garden. If you are interested in becoming one of those individuals, you may need to purchase some supplies. These gardening accessories may not only make gardening easier, but they may also help to produce better results cardallasinsurance. org

When it comes to gardening accessories, there are a number of different items that are included. To start a garden and maintain it, it is likely that you will need gardening supplies. To grow plants or food, you will need to have seeds. To help your seeds flourish, you may want to have plant food and other feeding supplies. The gardening tools and supplies that you need will all depend on what type of garden you are interested in developing. Despite the difference in supplies, there are many common accessories that you may wish to have.

The first step in starting a garden is to pick a space. Since your plants, flowers, or food will need sunlight, you will want to select an area that receives an adequate amount of it. This area can either be large or small, depending on the size of your garden. You may also want to make sure that this area is not in the way of your other activities. Developing your garden in a fairly secluded area will help to reduce the risk of destruction.

To get started, you will need to have a number of important gardening tools. These tools should be used to dig a hole for your seeds and to create a smooth ground surface. Popular gardening tools include, but should not be limited to, weeding forks, surface rakes, shovels, and hoes. If you do not already have these tools, you will need to purchase them. Most of these garden tools, along with other gardening accessories, can be purchased online or from most department stores or home improvement stores.

Once you have created a safe gardening area, you will then need to start planting your seeds. Your seeds will all depend on which type of garden you plan on having. Many gardeners choose to have a flower garden, plant garden, or a vegetable garden. It addition to having one or the other, you may also want to incorporate plants, vegetables and flowers all into one. You can easily obtain seeds by visiting your local home improvement store, garden store, or department store. For hard to find seeds, you may need to resort to online shopping.

Depending on the type of flowers, plants, or vegetables you planted, you should begin to see results in a few weeks. Plant food and special soil may help to increase the appearance of your garden. While most gardeners prefer to use plant food, it is optional. In some cases, you may find that your plants, flowers, or vegetables will grow just as well on their own. Plant food and premixed food soils can be purchased for an affordable price at most retail stores.

Gardening is a backyard activity that many enjoy themselves. If you are a parent, you may also want to include your child. Depending on their age, age appropriate gardening tools can be purchased. These tools are similar to most traditional tools, but they tend to be safer. In fact, most play gardening tools are made of plastic and have dull edges. To purchase these gardening supplies for your child, you will want to visit your local retail store or shop online.

Commercial mortgage loans

Commercial Mortgage Loans are specially tailored for purchasing property that can be used for commercial use, the expansion for current business premises, and any residential and commercial investment as well for property development.

Difference between residential loans and Commercial loans

If you are considering buying a property of four units or less, it is considered as a home loan. However a property of five units or more is considered as a commercial loan. Commercial mortgage loans can be obtained at different variable interest rates as compared to residential loans.

Commercial Mortgage rates

The interest rate of commercial loans is much higher as compared to the residential loans. This is quite obvious as commercial loans are considered risky by many bank lenders, as the ability to meet the repayments is dependant on the performance of the business. Therefore the rate of interest is charged after the lender has carried out a thorough assessment of your business proposal. If your business has a good standing and has shown stability over the years then you shouldn't have much problem in securing a commercial mortgage loan. You can obtain a commercial mortgage loan for a standard period of 25 years with domestic property. It can also be as short as a ten year repayment term.

If you are considering buying a business property or expanding your current business you can take assistance of a broker like I Loan Resource, we can help you meet all your requirements and provide you a commercial mortgage loan that best suits you.

I Loan Resource use only the best lenders from worldwide to help you with your loan problems. We have pre-qualified these companies and set strict standards that they must educate you on your loan and not conceal any costs that you will incur. If you are looking to refinance your home, get a new home loan or just using your equity to consolidate your debt then I Loan Resource can help you find the right lender.

If you are worried that your credit is bad then please fill out our online form and we will have a specialty lender contact you and explain how you can get the loan that best suits you.

Equipoise the trade name boldenone undecyclenate

You have picked the right article, if you are looking for information on Equipoise, an anabolic steroid. Equipoise is the registered trademark of Wyeth Holdings Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. It is the trade name Boldenone Undecyclenate (USAN), an anabolic steroid. You can compare boldenone to nandrolone in its potency.

Equipoise is an injectable anabolic steroid. Its chemical name is 17beta-Hydroxyandrosta-1,4-dien-3-one 10-undecenoate. Its systematic name is {(8S,9S,10S,13S,14S,17S)-10,13-dimethyl-3-oxo-6,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-decahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-yl} undec-10-enoate. Its chemical formula is C30-H44-O3.

Equipoise is the steroid that exhibits strong anabolic and androgenic properties. Its use is pretty common in the veterinary fields. It is most commonly used on horses which have a pronounced effect on lean bodyweight, appetite and general deposition of the animal. It has been the favorite compound of athletes in the recent years because the compound has the ability to increase the production of red blood cells. Equipoise is injected at least once a week to maintain the blood vessels in an intact and stable order. For men its dosage is 400-600gm (per week), for women it is 50-150gm (per week).

Equipoise is a very versatile compound. Often stacking it with several other substances, you can make a number of new drugs.

Equipoise is for gaining strength and muscle mass, it is not a mass builder. If you want to increase mass, you may sack it with anadrol or an injectable testosterone. It gives out fantastic results by increasing strength and muscle size. It gives the most positive results when it is taken for longer cycles.

The side effects of Equipoise are not so adverse. Gynecomastia might become a problem at a particular stage, but it happens mostly with individuals who are much more sensitive than others. Another side effect could be estrogenic effects. It should be noted that Equipoise is not an ideal steroid for athletes. It can lead to the production of metabolites in the urine, months after its use. The drug has a life period of 14-16 days. Its water retention is low, it does not allow the blood pressure to shoot up, and it has a moderate HPTA function. The legal status of Equipoise is that it is for the Veterinarian use only, and it is Schedule III drug in the United States.

What is your check engine light telling you

The Car Care Council reports that one out of 15 vehicles inspected at its National Car Care Month Vehicle Check-Up Events had its "check engine" light illuminated.

This light is one of the most vital components to a properly functioning vehicle. It alerts the driver to a variety of potential problems based on the vehicle's on-board diagnostic system.

When the check engine light comes on, it means that a system in your vehicle - such as ignition, fuel injection or emission control - is not operating at peak performance, even if your vehicle appears to be running normally.

A glowing check engine light doesn't mean you must immediately pull over to the side of the road, but you should get the car checked out as soon as possible. Ignoring the warning light could severely damage engine components and incur additional repair expenses.

If your check engine light comes on, first check the gas cap to make sure it wasn't left loose after refueling. Sometimes this can trigger the light. If the cap was loose, the light should go out after a few short trips.

If the light remains on, have the system checked out as soon as possible. A light that flashes indicates a more severe condition that should be checked out immediately to prevent damage to the catalytic converter. When you experience a flashing light, minimize driving at high speeds or under heavy loads.

When scheduling service, make sure the automotive shop that diagnoses your car has professional technicians who are properly certified for OBD II (on-board diagnostic systems) diagnosis and repair. The technician will connect your vehicle's computer to a diagnostic computer, which will provide a "trouble" code indicating why the light was activated.

While the diagnostic computer is connected to your car, the technician can check the idle speed, throttle response, engine temperature, fuel system pressure, manifold vacuum, exhaust emission levels and many other key indicators.

Once the problem is diagnosed and fixed, your car's computer makes sure everything is back to normal, then turns off the check engine light.

The Car Care Council recommends reading your vehicle owner's manual and familiarizing yourself with the purpose of the check engine light and every other gauge and warning indicator on your dashboard.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the "Be Car Care Aware" consumer education campaign, promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair.

Tips for parents starting the school year right

Increased parental involvement provides the best foundation for a successful start to the school year.

"Back-to-school offers an opportunity for parents to get to know their children's teachers and be involved in education year-round," said Reg Weaver, president of the National Education Association. "To reach their full potential, students need parents to take an active role in their education. Parents should be their children's 'favorite teacher.'"

NEA recommends five easy ways for parents to start the school year off on the right foot:

* Meet the teachers. Tell teachers about your children's interests and hobbies. Make a date to visit teachers' classrooms; don't wait for Back-to-School Night or parent-teacher conferences to open the lines of communication. Provide teachers with your phone numbers and e-mail addresses.

* Get to know all the school employees. Whether it's the librarian, school counselor, nurse, cafeteria worker or bus driver, education support professionals generally know all of the students in the school, and their relationships with your child will continue from year to year as your child moves from one grade to the next.

* Join the PTA or other parent groups. As a group, participate in school events and see how you can help the school reach its goals.

* Check in daily with your children. Review what they learned in school, determine set times for homework and reserve time to read with them-even if it's just for fun.

* Check the school's Web site regularly. Make sure your children are learning what they need to know to meet the standards set for their grade level. Many schools offer class schedules and homework materials online for parents to view.

"There's nothing like starting the school year off right," said Weaver. "So go to the head of the class in your kids' eyes, because learning doesn't stop at the school doors."

Alignment - the most important lesson in golf

When I watch inexperienced golfers players hit the ball I find that they are usually mis-alinged to their target. Typically, they aim way too far out to the right. The reason they aim to the right is because the inexperienced player has the tendency to hit the ball with their arms which causes the ball to pull to the left. This means that they are compensating for a flaw in their swing by just aiming their body out to the right instead of fixing the actual flaw.

What this boils down to, is that the inexperienced players' bad swings make the ball go on target and their perfect swings make the ball end up in the trees, or bunker on the right of the target. So, they are seeing their good shots as bad shots and bad shots as good shots. If this is the case, the inexperienced player will never want to fix their swing flaws. If they don’t fix their flaws they will never reach their golfing potential. This is why I call alignment the most important lesson in golf.

Check Your Alignment

In order to find out if you are a player that has swing flaws, you must check your alignment. To do this, all you have to do is pick out a target and do your normal set up. Once you feel like you are ready, lay a club down at your heels or toes. Then, step back about 10 paces behind the ball to see where you are actually aimed. If the club you placed at your toes or heels is parallel left of your actual target, you have properly aligned yourself. If the club on the ground points to the right of your target you are mis-aligned.

If you find that you are mis-aligned, you must learn to square up your stance. To do this, simply find a target in the distance that you want to hit the ball to. Take out 2 golf clubs that you rarely hit (ie. 3 iron and 4 iron). Take the first club and lay it down directly at the target (you will have to step back a few paces to check this). Place the second club parallel to the first club on the ground. Now, take away the first club that is pointing at the target. You should have one club on the ground that is parallel to the left of your target.

Once you have the club on the ground parallel to your target line you have a guide to help you align your feet, knees, hips and shoulders squarely. If you aim your body squarely to the club on the ground and you hit the ball to the left of your target you have just found out that you are pulling the golf ball which means you are trying to hit the ball too hard with only your arms. If you hit the ball to the right of the target from this square alignment you are sliding your body too much laterally through impact which is causing the ball to fly to the right.

Learning that you are mis-aligned can be quite shocking at first but don't think of it as a bad thing, think of it as a good thing. It's a good thing because you now know that you have a swing flaw and you can get on the road to fixing it so that you can play even better golf in the future.

Until next time,

Paul Wilson

Having natural stone installed in your property the pitfalls

This last year has seen a large increase in the number of people having natural stone, marble, granite, limestone, sandstone or slate fitted into their homes either as work surfaces or as flooring. No man made product can rival the beauty of well presented natural stone with its myriad of colours and patterns which are unique to your individual stone.

With this increased interest in returning to natural stone products has come an avalanche of products to clean, shine and seal the stones. Importers, tile retailers, builders and chemical firms have all jumped on the band wagon and see big profits in natural stone. Unfortunately it would seem that very few of these companies have any understanding of the products they are selling or fitting or advising customers to purchase.

In the past most of our work was concerned with restoring old marble, granite or limestone but increasingly we are getting called out to deal with brand new tiles which have developed problems.

Some of these problems are;

· Tiles being laid so that there is significant lippage between them

· Grouting gaps being too large

· Tiles smeared with grout after sealing

· Incorrect sealant being used

· Acrylic sealants being applied

· Polish or wax being applied to the surface

· Marble and limestone being used in kitchens

· Slate being used in showers

· Not sealing the stone

· Applying a seal and then assuming that it is now protected from all possible sources of damage

· Discolouring of the tiles because sealant is left on the surface

· Use of acidic cleaners in the builders clean

· Poor or non existent care and maintenance programmes provided to the client

How do you ensure you are not left with a big bill after the builders have moved out?

· Buy your tiles from a supplier that provides good advice and has an installation service,

· Research the topic prior to purchase so that you can ask pertinent questions. If you get suspect or glib answers walk away and shop elsewhere

· Do not simply go for the cheapest, they may prove to more expensive in the long run

· If possible retain some of the money until the job is completed to your satisfaction. That way if there is a problem you can insist on it being rectified.

Your biggest protection is to get acquainted with the properties of natural stone and its care and maintenance before setting out to purchase your preferred stone type. You can do this by carrying out the appropriate search on the Web.

Tokyo disneyland

By land and by sea, the Magic Kingdom and its gang of cartoon citizens have taken over Tokyo, first arriving when Tokyo Disneyland opened in 1983, and completing their invasion when the seven Ports of Call at DisneySea welcomed their first visitors in 2001.

Tokyo Disneyland Attractions

Tokyo Disneyland is a replica of its sister US theme parks, Disneyland in Orange County, California, and Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida. Although neither it nor DisneySea is owned by the Walt Disney Company, visitors to the Tokyo theme parks would never know it as they gambol through the World Bazaar, Critter Country, Mickey’s Toontown, Fantasyland, Adventureland, Tomorrowland, and Westernland, the Japanese counterpart of Orange County’s Frontierland.

“Frontier” does not translate well into Japanese, but Big Thunder Mountain, Tom Sawyer’s Island Rafts, Mark Twain’s Riverboat, and the Country Bear Jamboree certainly do. The only noticeable differences between Disneyland USA and Tokyo Disneyland, in fact, are that the Haunted Mansion has moved from New Orleans Square to Fantasyland, because Japanese ghosts exist only in fairy stories; Main Street USA has been supplanted by the glass-canopied World Bazaar; and its Western River Railroad has a single station instead of Disneyland’s four. Japanese trains making more than one stop are government regulated, so visitors can’t use the Western River Railroad to move through the entire park.

The vast open areas of Tokyo Disneyland are very special in a part of the world where land is the most valuable of commodities, and they are also necessary; Tokyo Disneyland’s crowds make it the third most visited theme park in the world, with Tokyo DisneySea right behind.

Tokyo Disneyland is open daily from 9AM to 10PM; tickets are available at Tokyo Station, Yaesu North Exit, or from any travel agent. A single day pass good for all attractions at either Disneyland or DisneySea, runs $52 for adults.

Where to Stay during a Visit to Tokyo Disneyland

The Park Lane Hotel Tokyo in Nishi Kasai offers reasonably-priced comfortable and clean accommodations with free Internet access, and has free bus service to and from Tokyo Disneyland twice a day.

Solutions for your math phobic child

Meet a bright teenager Sandra. She is excellent in all her subjects academically and is quite happy about her performance till she talks about the subject of Mathematics. Math Sandra says give her nightmares. She can’t stop talking about this dull and boring subject and how she cried when her teacher put her outside class for getting her calculations wrong. She dreads when she talks about Algebra, where she got a whole lot of red lines across her homework book, for it involves painful memory to remember the formulas. She couldn’t even complete the whole math paper for a lack of time.

Her parents are helpless as they went through the same system of education with the same agonies as hers. Sandra now started complaining of a lack of concentration in the math classes and felt her abilities draining day by day.

Understanding her situation her parents got her enrolled into some extra tuition classes, where the situation got a little better but her phobia of math was still there.

Is your child facing the same level of difficulties in Mathematics? Is your child math phobic? Does your child think of math to be colorless and drab? Do you wish that there was some sort of a magic and your child suddenly became a genius in the subject?

Well your wait ends here. And the secret lies in the Ancient Indian Scriptures written by Indian sages almost 5000 years ago called Vedas which means ‘fountain of knowledge’.

In these Vedas lies the codes of engineering & mathematics called sutras which claims to solve any given problem of mathematics in any field whatsoever and that too in split seconds. Sounds Unbelievable? Read on…

The name given to this speed system of mathematics is called High Speed Vedic Mathematics which can solve difficult problems like 998 x 997 in less than 5 seconds flat!. It was rediscovered by the Sankaracharya (Pontiff) of Puri in 1918 who was a bright mathematician and a scholar beyond excellence.

High Speed Vedic Mathematics can help you to solve your calculations in split seconds. It can save steps in your algebraic equations by giving you the answer mentally. It can solve cube roots for you in 3 sheer seconds and the best part is it is easy to learn, master and apply. You can find the square roots as easily and mentally as it is adding 2+2 and believe it or not you can even find out which day it was on any given date three hundred years ago by remembering a simple table.

High Speed Vedic Math is far more systematic, coherent and unified than the conventional system. It is a mental tool for calculation that encourages the development and use of intuition and innovation, while giving the student a lot of flexibility, fun and satisfaction. The best part of it is that it blends seamlessly with any kind of math curriculum and suits children of all ages.

Vedic Math is a fast becoming a rage across countries. The St. James School of United Kingdom has implemented it strongly in its curriculum. “With Vedic Math, I feel like the Harry Potter of Math and can do sums with confidence and ease.” Says Ruth a 14 year old.

Vedic Math takes care of the math phobia and instead gives confidence which arouses interest in children in the subject. Children not only begin to live numbers they begin to feel it too. Results then become secondary.

Texas schools see increase in number of ap exams taken and improved results

The Texas schools released figures in September 2006, showing substantial increases in the number of Texas schools students taking Advanced Placement (AP) exams, as well as their resulting scores.

High schools across the nation are allowed to teach college-level coursework that is first approved by the College Board, the national administrator of the AP exams. Under current rules, a high school need only sign a form promising to teach the specific curriculum for any class to be designated AP.

When Texas schools students take and pass an AP exam with a high enough score, they receive college credit for the course, which they will not have to take when they attend college. Not only does this allow college-bound students to take fewer courses in college to fulfill their degree requirements, but it also means that they and their parents save money on the cost of college tuition.

Many Texas schools districts see this as a win-win situation that encourages students and provides incentives for them to attend college after graduating high school. Here is some of the information released by the Texas schools:

• The number of high school students in the Texas schools that took AP exams increased from 80,240 in 2002 to 122,969 in 2006 — more than a 50 percent increase;

• The number of Texas schools students, who scored high enough to earn college credit in 2006, increased by more than 40 percent from 2002;

• There was a total of 224,168 tests taken in 2006 and 49 percent of these scores were three or higher — this is a slight drop from the 53 percent of three of higher scores in 2002;

• English language, English literature, and U. S. history remain the most popular of the 35 AP exams available; and

• Italian, Latin literature, French literature, microeconomics, and physics of electricity and magnetism were the least popular.

To encourage students to participate in AP coursework, as well as to take and pass the exams, many Texas schools districts provide cash incentives to both their students and teachers. They partner with nonprofit donor organizations or use foundation grants to fund their AP incentives. Some students and teachers earn from $100 to $300 for each exam passed. The incentives must work, since all of the schools using them have seen a dramatic increase in the number of students taking and passing the exams. Galveston’s Ball High School, for example, expects to receive $15,800 this year in student-earned incentives.

The Texas schools attributed their improved results for 2006 to the cash incentives, incentives to reduce exam costs for students (up to $80 for each exam), increased teacher training, and the overall push by the Texas schools to create a college-bound culture within their high schools.

Where can you get math homework help

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Many students ask questions like "Where can you get math homework help" or "how do I get help on homework." There are many places to find help. This article will explain the best ways of getting help on your difficult math homework. It is important to pick up topics in math quickly, or you may not get later concepts, and the problems will snowball.

The first place you should look to is your teacher. Your math teacher can offer you the best help, since he or she is the one who taught it to you. That has the advantage of letting your teacher know that you're serious about doing well in the class, and he is more likely to give you more attention later. Teachers really like to know when a student is trying, because that is the first step to succeeding.

But where can you get math homework help besides your teachers? Try your parents. Though they may not have had math in a long, long time, they will likely be able to help you get started or point you in the right direction. Sometimes it is hard to take advice from a parent on math, though, but give it a shot, and you may be pleasantly surprised at the results.


Going to a teacher or parent is usually the easiest way, but sometimes it is better to seek "professional" help from someone you don't know. So, where can you get math homework help from someone you don't know? Online tutoring services or local tutoring services are a great place for that. You can find people who specialize in geometry or trigonometry or calculus--whatever your need-- through tutoring services. They will be able to help you with your math homework without being too close to you that it feels strange getting advice from them. They are trained in tutoring, so they will be patient with you in explaining the problems.

Hopefully you have a better idea of where can you get math homework help. So, don't wait, find someone to help you now. It is never too soon start getting help on your help work. Math is a difficult subject when you fall behind the class, so the sooner you get help with homework, the better!

An invigorating family past time sports activities

If you are feeling bored, listless, and out of shape, you need a new past time. Sports activities will get your blood pumping and help you get back into shape. Not only will you be getting good exercise but you will be starting a valuable family past time. Sports activities are a great way to spend time with your kids. So get up off the couch, put down that soda, and get out in the yard for a little touch football.

If touch football is not for you, why not play a little kickball with your kids. Set up a diamond similar to a baseball diamond. Now the pitcher rolls a large soft ball, like a playground ball, on the ground to the "batter." Only in kickball, the batter kicks the ball and runs to first base. Since the ball is soft, the fielding team can throw the ball at the runner to get him out. Since the kicker will almost always manage to kick the ball and foul balls are rare, this is a classic game to play with young kids and others who are not very athletic.

A fun family game that makes a good past time sports activity is tetherball. This rousing game can be played with one or two people. Tetherball is called that because the ball is on a tether - it is on a rope tied at the top of a pole. The ball hangs about hand level. The object is to hit the ball and make the rope wrap around the pole. The two players attempt to make the ball go different directions. If you have never played tetherball, you should give it a try. It is really fun! And it really gets you moving (and laughing!)

Sand volleyball may have started on the beaches, but many towns are now installing sand volleyball courts in their public parks. The littler kids can sit in a safe place and play with their sand toys while Mom, Dad, and the older kids hit a beach ball or volleyball back and forth over a net. The sand feels good on bare feet (but not so good inside your shoes!) The kids will enjoy this past time sports.

A cross between volleyball and tennis that many families enjoy is badminton. In this game, the object is to use lightweight rackets to volley a "birdie" back and forth over a net. The birdie looks like a little plastic funnel attached to a firm rubber ball. You hold the birdie by the plastic and drop it onto your racket to serve to the other team. Badminton moves more slowly than tennis and is a leisurely way to get moving with the kids. You'll get some exercise, though!

Kids are naturally energetic and active, making past time sports activities extremely attractive to them. Since parents need to be spending more quality time with their kids as well as needing to get more exercise, too, these vigorous games are a good idea for everyone. Some say that the family that plays together stays together. This could be so, since exercise gets positive hormones flowing in your mind, putting you and everyone else in a better mood. Don't get so competitive that your family past time sports cease to be fun. Just volley that ball or birdie for fun and exercise.

Fire escape ladders and your home

If you own a home - a fire escape ladder is always great to have. It can save your life, and should therefore be an integral part of your residential safety. A fire at can completely engulf your home in no time at all, normally in less than a minute. Even though you may have smoke alarms and fire extinguishers there, the fire can get out of control fast and surround you with smoke, making it impossible for you to get out. To protect yourself and your entire family, you should always a fire escape ladder at your home at all times.

You don’t need to pay a lot of money for an expensive fire escape ladder; all you need is one that is durable and sturdy. Fixed structure residential fire escape ladders are the best to get, simply because you don’t need to assemble then. With a fixed structure ladder, all you need to do is climb down to safety. They are permanently attached to your home - so they will always be there when you need them.

When you look for a residential fire escape ladder, you’ll find that there are several different styles to choose from. There are chain and rung fire escape ladders that are designed for multiple stories, to those that reach even higher. You can also get permanent interior ladders, exterior permanent ladders, collapsible fire escape ladders, and even retractable fire escape ladders. Fire escape ladders are a great thing to have as a method of fire safety.

If you’ve ever lived in an apartment building or seen the outside of one, you’ve probably noticed their fire escape. Fire escapes, depending on how many stories the building may be, will vary from simple ladders to steps. The fire escape is very important, especially with tall buildings. Those who live on the higher floors of apartment buildings absolutely must have a fire escape so they too can exit the building in the event of a fire.

For your home, you can also purchase a fire escape kit that includes a heavy duty escape ladder that can be assembled up to 40 feet in length. These kits also include smoke hoods as well, in order to help keep the smoke out of your face. Most come with chemical sticks and a horn as well, so you can let rescuers know where you are in the home when they arrive.

As you can tell, a fire escape ladder is very important to have with your home. Homes that are 2 stories or more simply must have an escape ladder. Fire escape ladders are perfect for safety, and may one day save your life. Even though they may cost you a bit of money and time to install, they are one investment that you’ll never go wrong with.

Get what you want out in life

Whatever it is you want, get ready for it. Make a place for it in your life. Get comfortable with the idea of having it. With preparation it is summoned to come to be.

We can wish all we want for what we want. We can dream, we can hope, we can pray. Anyone can do that, we all do that, so what? It won't just work like that unless you show that you are serious. You've got to prepare. Preparation turns the uncertain into the inevitable.

Believe in magic, it happens all the time. We manifest what we want through the ritual of preparation. Toil in the expectation of change and change will come about. The work you do will have a way of removing doubt. Doing and acting out can transform your unconscious and your conscious, in essence transforming your life.

Your mind sees yourself doing something in preparation for something and gets convinced that the something is something that will definitely be. It is real, it is coming, and you are making it happen.

Put in the work, put in the time, and especially put in the passion. If you feel it, then you can have fun with it and the ball will really start rolling. You can let it control you as if you've surrendered. Go ahead! It is what you wanted anyway!

Preparation could be playing, learning, practicing, growing, developing skills, acquiring objects and tools, investing, building relationships, creating strategies, planning inventions, giving attention, making observations, discovering how to use your unique qualities.

Remember you're always walking some path, whetter you like it or not.

With preparation there is no apprehension, no fear, no wondering what is going to happen. Don't lament over a far away desire. Prepare! You are then taking steps toward the desire. Additionally your desire is making way toward you. 'Tis the operation of magic, run with it!

Focus your attention and energy on you desire goal.

It matters not that you have not what you want right now. You know you want it, you only need be patient, prepare and know you will get it with persistence. Preparation is a positive attraction energy. It is getting yourself ready. A doing on the road to being. Are you making room for being? Are you making preparation? Are you making magic?

Remember the formula for success: get to know exaclty what you want, keep it in your sight, go for it until you get it.

Making artwork arrangements

Hanging artwork in groupings can create an exciting look for any room. The simplest grouping is a pair: two pieces of art, framed identically. They can be placed side by side or one over the other, in an even or uneven manner.

Another simple grouping might be three or more pieces of art of varying sizes. Each piece must be framed in the style and color that works best for that individual item. It will look best if one work of art is quite large, while the companion pieces are of smaller sizes.

For an easy way to set up a grouping wall in your home or office, spread your artwork over the floor in front of the wall area where it will hang.

Rearrange the smaller items around the one or two larger pieces until the grouping has a look of harmony. Take care to have faces looking into the center of your arrangement. Watch for a rhythmic flow of colors, shapes and media.

Imagine your items hung low over the furniture or trailing to the baseboard for a designer look. Take light switches, outlets and heat ducts into consideration. When the “floor arrangement” looks perfect, move each item to the wall in the same relative position.

Note: Some homeowners swear by the following method: Cut newspaper or kraft paper to size for each item. Work out the “floor” design using these templates. Hang the “paper” items on the wall using small pieces of removable tape. Make needed adjustments. Use a straight pin or pencil to mark the spots where hooks should be nailed. Then hang and enjoy.

The complete range of shaklee vitamin products

The Shaklee Company has prided itself as being one of the first companies to have understood the importance of the environment in relation with our health. It is with this concept that the company founders produce Shaklee vitamin products. Today, the company has expanded from the initial Shaklee vitamin formulations to other aspects of health related products such as cleaning aids for the home and other products for your pets.

Shaklee Vitamins As Part Of MLM

Shaklee vitamin products are actually part of an MLM enterprise. For those who are not aware of what MLM means, it means multilevel marketing. This type of marketing ploy means that you would have to recruit people for monetary gain and to get a level up in your level of the MLM. Many multi level marketing schemes have turned out to have false promises or have collapsed due to misconceptions that the members have.

Range Of Shaklee Vitamin Products

The Shaklee vitamin products consist of the Vitalizer in several different potencies and formulations. There is the Vitalizer + Iron, Vitalizer Gold and just the standard Vitalizer. All of these Shaklee vitamin products have similar attributes that include having a positive effect on many different parts of our bodies, enhancing our immune system, prolonging our vitality, protecting our cells, promoting cell regeneration and many others.

The more common ingredients of the Shaklee vitamin products are phytochemicals, antioxidants, omega 3 fatty acids, probiotics, vitamins and minerals. The formulation among the three Shaklee vitamin products has some levels of differences depending on which one you need most. Experts of the Shaklee vitamin range can recommend which product you might benefit the most from.

Although, some doubt has been cast on the veracity of the claims of some people who are promoting Shaklee products, many others also have faith in the company and its products. Due to the various products that the Shaklee Company have produced over th years, many members of the MLM enterprise believe that there still may be some profit to be made from it. Many people may have doubts regarding the efficacy of the products due to the shady reputation that MLM has.

Most likely, the Shaklee vitamin products do have a potential of aiding people maintain their healthy lifestyles as well as aid in preventing or slowing down the progress of diseases and many other health conditions. Most multivitamins products do have this potential and it is in the marketing strategy that most products differ.

The benefits of term life insurance

When you want a complete and pure life insurance cover for you or your family members then the term life insurance is your best bet. Term life insurance is considered to be the original form of life insurance and is regarded as pure insurance protection because it builds no cash value.

Term life is also the most affordable type of life insurance if compared to permanent life insurance such as whole life, universal life or variable universal life insurance. As the term life insurance builds no cash value. That means it will not offer you a return on your investment and your money is not returned at the end of the term.

Still, the term life insurance can be the best way to insure one's life and to cover the risk in certain conditions. People opt for this form of life insurance when they need protection for a certain period of time. In general the term life insurance may not be the most sensible insurance option if thought over practically, especially for those who are looking at insurance as an investment option.

But there are circumstances where term life works out well than whole life insurance policies that carry a much higher premium compared to the term life insurance.

This life insurance is suitable to people having a considerable amount of debt and young children to support, or for young couples who need to have life cover. In such cases it is very difficult to pay the premium of a whole life insurance. Term life policy comes as an answer to this people.

The premium of a term life is much lower and affordable compared to the whole life and for the specified period of time there is a sense of security for the person who is insured. Worst come worst, after insuring for term life the insured were to die the amount insured is paid to the family and this money in such a situation will be exactly what the Dependants' need. The biggest benefit being the fact that term insurance can provide fairly large amounts of coverage with relatively low premiums.

The coverage of the life insurance can be decided according to the amount of debts the family is having or the number of dependents and their financial needs in case the unexpected happens. The term or insurance term can be decided on the time your children or dependents will take to become financially self-sufficient. You should also consider your financial needs and those of your dependents.

There are many companies that offer this life insurance policy. It is advisable to look for the company with reputation of answering the claims in short time with no hassles to the dependents. You can ask for online quotes from these companies to get multiple quotes so that you can decide between them.

As the term insurance is for a specific period of time, take the cover for the most crucial period when you have many responsibilities to shoulder. In all, the term life insurance is the best way to get the insurance cover in low premiums and to plan ahead.

Safaris and africa offer mind blowing adventures

The danger and beauty of wild, unrestrained nature as it has been for so many years has intrigued and enthralled people around the world since David Livingston wrote England of his adventures in Africa. Safaris have long been in the top list of dream vacations. How exciting it would be to see the King of the jungle himself, lounging in the shade with the rest of his pack. To be so close to danger, and yet still safe from it all is one of the reasons safaris and Africa are so popular.

When most people think of Africa and safaris, their mind automatically goes to the Serengeti. This gorgeous expanse of African wilderness has been home to many different thrilling animals from almost the dawn of time. Seeing elephants and hippos and giraffes, in addition to so many others, makes for a very memorable experience. Your poor camera will be so completely worn out.

Like A Scene From "Out Of Africa"

Which countries in Africa offer the best in attractions and tours? Kenya usually finds itself at the top of the list for safaris in Africa. Travel to this country's most beautiful parks during seven or ten day jaunts that offer an array of experiences you could only dream about. Tanzania, with a park located at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, and Zambia are also popular destinations for safaris in Africa.

But there are reputable companies in other parts of Africa as well. Do your research and read all information thoroughly before committing your time and money to anywhere in particular. There are also web sites, like The Virtual Tourist that offers ratings and comments from people who have already been where you are going.

For some people, booking an African safari sounds very difficult and time consuming. The nervousness and excitement of visiting another country so far from your home can also put you on edge. And maybe at one time planning was a headache, but not anymore. Thanks to the internet, companies are making it easier than ever for you to have the vacation of a lifetime.

The African Safari Club sets you up with much ease, almost everything in different packages; just pick how many days you want and you are almost good to go. Some parks require an admittance fee that is not included in the safari price. But this can be handled locally and still through the company.

Smart tips on how to set up e-commerce on your website

The innovation of the Internet has made it possible for business opportunities, like e-commerce, available to just about anyone who wish to try it. In the old days, opening a business is such big commitment. This is mainly due to the high financial risk involved.

But today, business opportunities are available to just about anyone who are willing to put in time and effort in order to learn about the world of e-commerce. What’s great about it is that you can start an e-commerce business with low capital and very little risk.

However, be warned though that creating an e-commerce website does not automatically mean website sales. Furthermore, setting up your own e-commerce site is no simple process. Keep in mind that in creating a successful e-commerce business, setting up the site is just the first step. What will determine the future of your e-commerce site lies on how you would promote it. Not only will the promotion of your e-commerce site determine how much profit you make on the first month, but on the first year as well, and for the life of the business.

Finding your Niche

But first things first, to set up your e-commerce site you need to make some decisions. You need to decide who is your target audience? It is imperative that you should know who your customers are when taking into consideration the design of your e-commerce website. Then you need to find your niche. It might be a good idea to choose one that you have a passion on. If you are still undecided then seek advice from your friends and family.

Researching on the Demand

The next step is to conduct a research on the demand. Once you have a few business ideas then start researching on the demand for your products or services. If you plan to cater to the general public, you might want to find out how many people are looking for your products or services. Keep in mind that as a small business owner, you will not have the marketing funds necessary to create a demand for a product. Therefore, it’s safer that the products you sell must already be in demand. A great way to determine product demand is to see how many people are searching for a specific product.

Sniffing Out Your Competitors

It might be a good idea to learn something about your competitor’s websites. As the old clinch goes, forewarned is forearmed! So spend some time exploring each one, know if they have to special offers and the such.

Opening your Own Business Bank Account

Since now own a legitimate business, it’s time to open your own business bank account. All you need to do is take your court documents to the bank and open a business checking account. Most banks usually offer a variety of business accounts. Choose the one the best meets your needs. It might be a good idea to start with their least expensive account, after all you can always upgrade in the future.

Creating Your Website

While you’re still waiting for your bank account to open, you can start building your website. The first step here is to register a domain name. Names that end in “.com” are best. If possible include one or more of your target keywords in your domain name.

One of the keys to successful e-commerce businesses is a professional website. Remember that your website is the only impression your visitors will have of your business. A professional website can be the difference between your visitors viewing you as a home-based business operating out of your garage and a multi-million dollar business with hundreds of employees. Fortunately, you do not need to be a web programmer to create a professional website. There are companies that sell professional website templates at an affordable price. There are also some website templates available for free.

Most website templates can be customized with common HTML editors and a simple graphics program. Templates can be edited without having to invest a lot of time and energy into learning how to code web pages. Also, you want your website content to target specific keywords. This can be achieved by creating articles, product reviews, product comparisons and detailed description of your products.

Hosting Your Website

Once your website has been created, then the next step is to find a company to host your website on their servers. You should be able to find a good hosting company for just $10 a month. This fee normally includes technical support and email accounts along with your domain name. Domain name-specific email accounts are important for a professional image.

As for your website files, you can upload it using a simple FTP program. The hosting company’s technical support personnel can walk you through the steps to upload your files and launch your website.

Implementing a Shopping Cart

An e-commerce website is not complete without a secure shopping cart. There is a lot of shopping cart options available. Avoid making the mistake of using Pay Pal to accept payments. This will immediately tell visitors that your company is very small and not professional. A good alternative is a remotely hosted shopping cart. Remote shopping carts take the burden of maintaining security and credit card numbers off your shoulder.

Promoting Your Business

Once your website goes live, you are open for business! Therefore, the next and most crucial step is promoting your website. The key here is to have a lot of people know about your website. The easiest way to do that is through search engines. So, you need to submit your website to search engines and directories like Yahoo!, DMOZ, Excite, and others.

Setting up your own e-commerce business is sure a lot of work. But if done properly, it will all be worth it and more. Now making it successful may prove to be more challenging. So, if you feel like giving up, just think of the pay-offs. It can really be rewarding!

How to properly use a uk broadband test

A person can find a UK broadband test very easily on the internet.

The key to using these tests efficiently is to understand how they work and how to interrupt the results. These tests can be very helpful for a person who has had internet connection or speed issues.

It can also be a great tool to use to show proof to a resistant ISP that is not taking internet issues seriously. A UK broadband test is easy to use and most are free.

Online tests are not highly technical and can not replace the specialized testing of a professional. However, they are a very good indicator when a connection is running slow. They can give a pretty good reading of the exact speed at which a broadband connection is running.

They should be the first step for someone who suspects they are having problems with their internet speed.

Online UK broadband tests work in a fairly simple manner. The web page captures and records how long it takes for the connection to download the page. More goes into it to make it more precise, but that is the basics of how it works.

It is recommended that a person runs the test more than once. It should be ran at a few different times of day to get a good range of speeds.

Most likely, each test will have different results. This is because the internet can run slower at certain times of day than others.

For example, if a user runs the test around 6 pm, then they are hitting a peak time, when many people are also going to be online and creating a cramped information highway. The early morning hours of a weekday will produce the best speed rate.

It is also important for a user to understand that their internet speed will not likely be the top speed their ISP says they can provide.

Rarely does a connection run at the top most speed. It should be close, though, and if it is very low then there is a definite problem.

However, a person must remember to run several tests throughout the course of a day or few days. Weekends are the busiest time and so a person is likely to get low speeds no matter what time they run a test on a weekend.

UK broadband tests are great tools for any internet user to try. They can often help a person narrow down a connection issue without having to waste time on the phone with their ISP.

If the numbers are running low after several tests then the speed is the problem. If the speed is pretty good then the problem lies elsewhere.

Do online affiliate businesses work

This is a big question to try to answer, is it possible to piggy back onto someone else’s success? There are a lot of variables to take into consideration.

Obviously some of the affiliate schemes do work, but a lot of affiliate schemes will not. Why is this? It is a simple question to answer really, the biggest reason that some don’t work is because the product that you are trying to sell doesn’t have market appeal or there is no market for the product to try to sell it into.

Have you every come across an affiliate scheme and thought, how on earth does anyone make any money from this, the product is useless and you can’t imagine anyone wanting it? Well believe you me it is possible to sell anything to anyone but you need to advertise in the right place and need to have the right tools in place to be able to do it. Affiliate schemes by nature attract people who are running affiliate businesses, especially when you starting out.

Let’s take an example, you are looking for a way to make extra income on the internet, you take the plunge into signing up for a scheme that sounds good, with a product that you want to use. You make the purchase and you make use of the product that you have bought, before you know it you are then flooded with other products that sound great and would really help your business, so you buy into another and another, suddenly you are working the affiliate market.

Someone started out exactly where you are now at the bottom run of the ladder and you appear to be parting with money rather than making money. But just take a step back and think for a moment, the product, ezine, service that you bought is actually making an affiliate up to and over half of the value of the product, therefore it must work. Now you’re thinking along the right lines.

If you are going to become an affiliate marketer then it is essential that you have got your own website, you just cannot run a business without a website no matter what industry you are in. You may be thinking what do I need a website for, well you need a website to showcase the products, if you think of the products and services that you are promoting as your own, remember you can earn up to 75% of the value of the product, if you are selling a product that is worth $100 that is $75 for everyone you sell, then you need to think of this as a proper business. You need the business tools in place; it is no good having the affiliate product link and then thinking well how on earth will I promote this.

It would be wise to work on the premise that you only try to promote and sell products that you would use yourself, if you stick to this idea then it is more likely that you are going to have success with your affiliate business.

The golden rule is to remember that if someone else can do it then I can do it too, if you remember this, follow the help that you can get online and work at your affiliate business then you too can have a piece of the internet pie.

French and english gardens of the middle ages

The Roman de la Rose gives the best possible idea of both the French and English gardens of the Middle Ages. It was chiefly written by Guillaume de Loris, in the first half of the thirteenth century, and was probably well known in England before it was translated by Chaucer into English. There are several manuscript copies of it containing descriptions in the text, accompanied by illustrations giving vivid pictures of the pleasure garden. Its form—the walls enclosing it with their surrounding moat, the subdivisions of latticework, the "flowery mede," shaded by fruit trees, with a fountain in its center, and the stone-coped beds, containing clipped shrubs and other smaller plants—are clearly shown from various points of view.

In the most important of these illustrations (which is on the opposite page, and was taken from a fourteenth-century Flemish manuscript preserved at the British Museum), the garden is shown as a whole, ornamented with many quaint details. It is enclosed by a crenellated wall, surrounded by a moat. The subdivisions are formed by a fence of wooden trellis-work, on the topmost railing of which is balanced a peacock. In the left-hand division is a copper fountain head, where the water, spouting from lions' mouths, drips into a circular basin, and runs off through a marble channel embedded in the turf. Velvety grass, thickly sprinkled with daisies, surrounds the fountain and forms a soft seat for the little company of merrymakers who are singing and playing upon musical instruments.

A garden, according to the derivation of the word from zerd, garth, or yard (three nouns from the same Aryan root as the French word Jardin), originally signified a walled but unroofed enclosure containing cultivated vegetation. Usually this vegetation principally consisted of herbs, grass, or fruit trees.

This enclosure protected the vegetation from marauders, and secluded its occupants. Privacy was a very important characteristic of the garden. Inside the castle there was scant opportunity for confidential conversation. So when people wished to talk without being overlooked or overheard, they were apt to retire to the pleasure garden.

The earliest fences were commonly wattled, that is, woven of osiers. Others, more ornamental, were formed of rails or of pickets, and painted green. Hedges often enclosed the later gardens, instead of walls. The bushes used for this purpose were privet (thus called perhaps because it served to insure privacy), thorn, sweetbrier, and yew. Moats were also common, the water accommodating fish and swans.

Debt management uk putting back control on your finances

Debt has become an integral part of our modern lifestyle. As we keep on spending we find ourselves swimming in the pool of debt. But before we proceed , did u know that, An article in The Independent on Sunday recently put the growing consumer debt burden within the UK at Ј1 Billion. UK residents seem to enjoy a strange relationship with debts. While they cannot do with a large debt load over their shoulders, they also cannot do without incurring them for long. Britishers are sure to rank highly when it comes to spending , often results in financial crisis.

Debt Management UK helps you to manage your funds and also protects you from the humiliation of debt struck conditions. Debt management UK is a set of techniques and processes through which an attempt is made to give a break to the reign of debts. Debt management UK is just a simple common sense method, which involves some proven steps to take care of debts in a more systematic way. Debt management UK aims to strike at the roots of debt, instead of simply countering the after effects of debts. When debts are not allowed to increase, the use of debt consolidation loans and other short-term debt management techniques like debt counseling become redundant. Debt management UK is controling and managing debt responsibly by reducing or eliminating debt and create a cash flow that keeps you out of debt. To completely control your debt you need to make a budget, reduce expenses and focus on paying debt this is the essence of debt management UK . Debt management UK requires that you keep good records and stick to your budget so debt doesn't get out of control. Try to cut expenses and remember to always live within your means. Debt management UK is open to all:good credit people, bad credit people or people with bankruptcy,

There are various tools available for debt management UK. Debt management UK on a smaller scale is known as debt counselling. It involves various debt management techniques-expenditure should be restricted proportionately to the income. Debt management UK technique includes non formal negotiation with lenders to get your interest rates lowered, late payment penalties cancelled or suspended, and you loan may be extended so you have longer to pay it off. If there is shortage of funds at the borrowers end and he is simply not in a position to pay, then discuss it with the lender. Ask the lender for the payment options, If the situation is very tight, the borrower can explain it to the lender and he will be more than willing to help, since he is interested in recovering his amount. This will help a lot in avoiding any late payment penalties.

Another important tool for debt management UK is debt consolidation, this loan helps in consolidating the existing debts of borrower to one loan making the repayments affordable by lowering the interest rates and more manageable. another techinques for debt management UK are : debt consolidation mortgages that includes certain debts in an existing mortgage. the advantage of this method is that debts are settled at the rate of a mortgage. Home equity loans put a convenient method of debt management UK. Since home equity loan is secured, it provides cheaper finance. Whatever be the method of debt management adopted, it must be effective towards debts. The ultimate aim of debt management must be to find a long lasting solution for debts.

Debt management processes in UK are similar to those followed all over the world. A sincere effort at debt management in UK will essentially involve keeping ones finances under control, taking the right debt from the right lender, never missing any installments, avoiding any late fees and if needed, consolidating the debt in the most efficient way.

Being thin and being lean is there a difference

Often people will look at a thin person and think to themselves; now that person is nice and lean. But is that really always the case? Does being thin have a direct relationship with being lean? In order to answer these questions we must examine what it means to be thin verses what it means to be lean.

Now you can define being thin as having a small circumference size. This would be denoted by small waist, arm, leg, and chest diameters as well as a low body weight all in relation to overall height.

The definition of being lean however is measured by overall body composition. This would be denoted by a low percentage of body-fat verses percentage of lean mass (muscle and bone). You may be surprised to know that thin people quite often are not lean at all. In fact, many thin people have a much higher body-fat percentage than you might think!

Now you may be thinking; how is that possible? Thin people don’t look fat so how can they have much body-fat? Consider this example:

Two women at 40 years old are both 5’ 7” tall and both weigh 120 pounds. Women # 1 has a body-fat percentage of 25 and a waist size of 30. Woman # 2 on the other hand has a body-fat percentage of 16 and a waist size of 27. Both look thin, but woman # 2 is clearly leaner. What could be the cause of this? Why could both women be the same age, height, and weight but one is so much leaner than the other?

Atrophy is the term used for the natural loss of muscle that begins to occur in people at around the age of 25 who are sedentary or do no resistance training or strength training. By the time a person reaches their mid to late thirties a significant amount of muscle can be lost if no resistance training is being done.

Once atrophy begins, Ѕ to 1 pound of muscle is lost per year and is replaced by nearly 2 pounds of fat because as muscle which is metabolically active tissue is lost, metabolism slows down allowing for extra fat storage. This translates to up to 10 to 15 pounds of lost muscle and up to 20 to 30 pounds of extra fat by age 40. So if a person does no form of resistance training it is likely that by age 40 even though they appear thin they will have a higher percentage of body-fat than meets the eye.

Resistance training is often omitted by people, even those who do exercise for general health. Many people will walk, jog, and bike for fitness but resistance training is just as important because aerobic exercise will develop little to no muscle. Indeed resistance training is a recommended activity for anyone looking to induce healthy living.

Nowadays even many cardiologists are prescribing resistance training for their heart patients because when the skeletal muscles and strengthened, the heart experiences less stress during normal daily activities like grocery shopping or vacuuming the carpets.

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends resistance training 2 to 3 times a week for all apparently healthy people, especially adults. If you need help putting together a resistance training program you can seek out the assistance of a qualified fitness trainer or even check out books on the subject from your local library free of charge to get you on your way.

Remember that just because a person is thin does not mean they are lean. While being overweight is a determining factor in accessing risks to your health, so is carrying higher percentages of body-fat so don’t just aim to be thin, aim to be lean.

Unsecured debt consolidation loan have all the benefits without risking your assets

No matter what your credit history, if you are floundering in financial quicksand, an unsecured debt consolidation loan can save you without the need to risk your assets. Credit card balances can go quickly through the roof when we have reverses in circumstances, expensive medical costs, Christmas spending or even just normal bills. It is normal to be optimistic and to think we can manage and things will get better. Unfortunately, life doesn’t always turn out the way we would like and we can find ourselves with more debt than we can manage.

An unsecured debt consolidation loan can give us a fresh start by paying off all credit cards and other personal debt and combining it into one lower interest loan. Your monthly payments will be reduced and you will have a definite date, by which you will be out of debt. Nevertheless, an unsecured consolidation loan will not be the solution you are looking for if you don’t cancel your credit cards and curtail excessive spending.

For the best results, an unsecured debt consolidation loan should be combined with professional financial counseling. Initially, debt counseling will be the most valuable and your advisor will be able to help you find the most appropriate unsecured debt consolidation loan for your needs. However, once you have taken the step of consolidating your debts, you will need to protect your financial future by making new decisions. A financial counselor can help you to create a workable budget that will keep you financially safe, while incorporating strategies to improve financial health such as savings and investments.

When it is combined with good quality financial counseling, an unsecured debt consolidation loan can stabilize your finances and reduce stress by freeing up income for living expenses. Instead of having to remember multiple payment dates, you will only need to remember one. Your life will become simplified and far less stressful.

Even with a less than perfect credit history, there will be an unsecured debt consolidation loan that will suit you. You may have to pay slightly higher interest than you would if you had excellent credit, but it will be less than what you are paying now and your overall monthly payment will be less. You will be better off in the short term and in the long term, with a definite end to debt in sight. That’s got to be a good deal!

Charm bracelets

For centuries, charms have been used as a medium for superstition, religious beliefs and fashion. The ancient Egyptians first used charm amulets to gain the favor of the gods and to obtain a passage into the afterlife. Later, charms were used to ward off evil forces and were also used to curse enemies.

It was in the Victorian period that charms grew out of their traditional image of spiritual and superstitious objects. Queen Victoria of England started wearing charm bracelets as a fashion accessory and started a trend that has continued through the ages. It is said that Queen Victoria wore a charm bracelet of small lockets that contained the photographs of her family. Until that period in history, jewelry was characterized by bulky ornaments made of gold, silver, diamonds and rare gems. However, the quaint charm bracelets revolutionized the concept of jewelry with their delicate and artistic appearance.

Charm bracelets received a sudden revival during the World War periods. Soldiers on their way home picked up charm bracelets for their near and dear ones, as souvenirs from the lands they had visited. The wars came to an end, but the concept of charm bracelets continued.

Today, charm bracelets are extremely popular, especially among girls in their teens. They are not restricted any longer to the upper strata of society as was the case earlier. Charm bracelets come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be worn as casual jewelry or for formal occasions, depending on their style.

Charm bracelets contain anything from animals and flowers to zodiac signs and birthstones, making them a great gift item for any occasion. In most cases, the charms are easily interchangeable on the bracelet, so one can suit their own mood or special occasion. With their quaint and delicate appearance, intricate beauty and magical aura, charm bracelets are sure to fill ones life with style and excitement.

The organized writer s six rules

Are you trying to get organized so you have more time to write? Here are six rules guaranteed to make you more productive and more organized when you add them to your life.

1. Work with Yourself, Not Against Yourself

When you're trying to become more organized, it's tempting to try and fit into the existing organizing system of an "expert." They seem organized and they promise that if you try it, you'll be organized, too.

What's more effective is to understand your personality and what works for you. There are MANY solutions and you may have to experiment to find the system that best fits the way you work--your mind, your body and the way you think. And this might be a combination of ideas from many different experts.

Give something new a fair trial, but if after a month or so it feels awkward or counterintuitive, let it go and find something else!

2. Focus and Pay Attention

If you find that you always seem to be busy but that you never have anything to show for it, this could be the most important tip for you.

When possible, do one thing at a time. Don't let your mind or hands wander to another task. Picture the finished project in your mind, and focus only on that. Get in the "zone" – you're able to be so much more effective when you're giving your whole mind, thought and attention.

When we split our attention between different tasks ("multi-tasking"), most likely none of them will get done right, if at all. As well, you can find yourself in a perpetual state of having many "open projects" started but not completed. Each project moves forward just an inch at a time.

If you choose ONE, you can move it forward to completion much faster. To choose one, you need to estimate which project will give you the best results when it's finished. It sometimes takes an outside perspective and feedback to help you make that choice, and a coach is a great tool for this.

Putting aside other projects clears the clutter from your mind, attention, desk, workload and focus.

3. Invest Your Time

Just like we invest our money, we have to invest our time in the best way. Setting up your new organizing systems can be considered an investment.

Applying this tip can have the greatest impact on your level of organization. By investing your time at the beginning of a project to examine how you can complete it most efficiently, you can save yourself a lot of frustration later. Saving just 20 minutes each day gives you an extra 120 hours each year.

For example, set-up a mailing station with all of the supplies you'll need to ship out book orders. You can also set-up a schedule of weekly errands such as the bank and the post office. If you know you'll be heading out to the post office on Wednesday, then when an order comes in on Friday you don't need to stop what you're doing and prepare that order immediately. You know you have a different time set aside for shipping.

4. Make a Habit of It

Once you have these plans in place, work at making them a habit. You can create a new habit (or lose a bad one!) in 21 days. For only three weeks of effort, you can create a lifetime of good working habits.

As you are creating a habit, you'll need some kind of trigger to remind you to do it – alarms on your computer (i. e. Outlook or PDA), a "to do" list or a written schedule for the day with time blocked out for your specific tasks.

Start small with one new habit at a time, and then see if you can add more (pull back if it gets to be too much).

5. Use the Right Tools

Make sure you have the right tools handy when you need them.

From the low-tech (I only use retractable pens – the kind that "click" on and off – because there's no caps to lose!) to the high-tech, there are many ready-made solutions out there to keep you organized. As we mentioned in Rule #1, it's important to find tools that work FOR YOU.

Another example – did you know that if you use PayPal as your shopping cart, they're automatically tied in with the US Post Office and you can print your shipping labels right from the PayPal site? This has been a huge time-saver for me when shipping my Organized Writer CDs.

6. Work Forward

Organize for your work ahead; don't organize what's already finished. We're often tempted to organize our old bills, receipts and invoices. Sometimes we're afraid or hesitant to move forward until we've finished old stuff.

It's much more important to set-up the system and files for what’s coming at you next. Look at what has been creating the biggest stress in your life and start by improving that area going forward. Then, when you have more of your future work under control, you can deal with the old paperwork (the old bills, receipts and invoices).

As you work on bringing these six rules into your life, you’ll be amazed at how much more time and energy you have to pursue your writing and remember the number one rule – only use what works for YOU!