THE VALUE OF CAR INSURANCE
It is amazing that some people complain about paying for car insurance when the truth is without insurance your life could really take a turn for the worse. You never think that you are going to need it, after all it just gets paid month after month and yet it never seems to get used. Until that one day when you are sitting a stop light and someone doesn't judge it right and next thing you know they smack right into the back end of your car. Then you are thinking thank goodness I paid my car insurance premium this month. Especially when you discover that the guy who just smacked into your car and crushed it doesn't have any insurance. Thank goodness for uninsured and under insured motorist coverage. Thanks to your foresight you can now get your vehicle repaired in time to make it to work on Monday.
Home insurance is much the same thing. I have never personally had to file a claim on mine but a friend of mine had a fire start in her kitchen and burned down her whole house before the fire department could get there. Thank goodness everyone was okay including the animals, but if it were not for her home insurance she would have had nothing. As it was she had to buy all new stuff, and it did take a few days for the insurance company paid some of her expenses of being out of her home and staying at a hotel. Fortunately this was temporary. She told me later how scary the whole thing was even with the insurance and that she can't imagine being left with nothing after a house fire with no insurance.
Even in these tough economic times, it is extremely important to pay your insurance premiums on time. Doing so can really save you in case of an emergency. It may not seem like an important expense now, but it really as important as any other bill you pay each month, perhaps even more important if your house burns down or your car gets hit. That is when you will truly understand the value of your insurance policies.
Posted by Jen on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 4:20 PM
Psychic Readings: Are they Legit?
So the other day in class a girl was talking about this outdoor carnival thing that our university puts on every year that she is involved in. She stood up in front of our class to give it a little plug and told us about the high lights of the day. One of the things was a woman that does a free psychic reading for everyone.
Some people groaned, but a lot of people thought this idea was pretty cool. Personally, I have always thought it was more of a fun thing to get a psychic reading but it wasn't serious. Some of the people in this class took it extremely serious when the girl was telling us what the psychic had told her.
I guess it is a really good way to get people to come to the carnival and learn about our school and it is a way to get people into the door. I think the carnival has all types of things and a lot of information about different groups that our school has and clubs and so this is an amazing way to draw people's attention and get them there and also entertain them while they are collecting some info and finding out all of the things that they can become involved in. I wonder though how many people actually do get one of those readings and take it seriously or live their lives by what the psychic says.
I have also always wondered what sort of liability issues those psychics have. If you tell someone a bad thing about their life and then they go and try to hurt themselves or someone else, can they sue you? I don't even know. But it seems like a lot of weight for one person to have to bear. I think I would have a hard time giving people direction about their lives or telling them bad or maybe even good news. You never know how someone is going to react to what you tell them.
So even though I am a little skeptical about this psychic, I feel like I will probably go one day this week to the carnival and give it a try, even if it's only for fun and games. The money for it is donated to a charity, so it is all for a good cause.
Posted by Jen on Friday, October 30, 2009 @ 8:56 AM
HOW TO FIND THE ACNE REMEDY THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
It may be a sign of the times, poor diets or more stress, but it seems as if acne has become a bigger problem than ever before in our society, and not just amongst teens but it is becoming a problem for preteens and adults as well. With so many people struggling with this issue, you may be wondering how to find the perfect acne remedy for you or a family member.
The truth is that there is no perfect acne remedy and since everyone is so completely different trial and error is truly the only way to land on the treatment that is right for you. For some night cream is the answer and they find that if they use this type of product for several weeks, they find a reduction in the amount of acne and new pimples on their faces. Others find that a change in diet and exercise can have an impact on the amount of acne that they have and how well it clears up. Even stress relieving techniques, like yoga and meditation, have shown to have results on acne in some people. The bottom line is that no matter whether your acne is diet related, a result of taking hgh supplements or is just a genetic issue that you are dealing with there is a treatment out there that can help you reduce or eliminate your acne.
Although, it may take you a few tries at it, there is a product on the market right now that can help you address your skin issues and have a cleaner, clearer complexion within a few weeks. Finding that product will take some trial and error and you can look to friends, family, and even a dermatologist for suggestions, but just like weight loss, there is no simple solution. Everybody is different and therefore different products work for different people. That is just the way it goes, but even if you have tried a few that have failed, keep plugging along, because in time you will find the perfect product for you.
Posted by Jen on Monday, September 14, 2009 @ 9:58 AM
MICHAEL PILLSBURY EXPERT ON INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Until recently, I had never heard of Michael Pillsbury, but recently I had the opportunity to investigate this man thoroughly and his work is just amazing. Born in California in 1945 he has been an adviser to our Presidents to include Reagan, Carter, Clinton, Bush Senior and Bush Junior in international matters relating to the Cold War and in many aspects of our military strategies with countries such as China and Afghanistan.
In addition to all the incredible contributions to our international affairs and military strategies, Michael Pillsbury has also written two incredible books on military relations with China and these are "Chinese Views of Future Warfare" and "China Debates the Future Security Environment" which take an in depth look at the Chinese culture and how it plays a part in how they deal with other countries. They are both very good books and if you enjoy information about the military as well as foreign relations then you will really appreciate how well researched these pieces are.
As for Mike Pillsbury, he has been such an instrumental figure in the Cold War, the Reagan Doctrine, Charlie Wilson's War and in dealing with countries like China and Afghanistan in addition to being such a knowledgeable author that you can find further information about his incredible works on www.wikipedia.com as well as in such amazing books as Clinton's Deputy Attorney General's book in 2008 "Living the Policy Process" and James Mann's "About Face". There is such incredible information in these books not only about Michael Pillsbury's contributions to U.S. military strategies but also that show in detail how the contributions of this one individual have contributed to keeping world peace.
For anyone who is interested, be sure to check out all of the incredible information about this individual who remains a key figure in international strategies and world communications even today.
Posted by Jen on Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 8:13 PM
ADT SECURITY GIVES YOU PEACE OF MIND
My stay at college left me feeling a little uneasy. There had been a few issues on campus that left me longing for home. When I returned home I was pleasantly surprised to see that there was an ADT sticker on my parents front door. Apparently while I was away at school, they bought and ADT Security system which comes with a package that includes 24 hour monitoring.
There is something about knowing there is a security system on your home that provides you with peace of mind. No worries whether you are home alone, in the shower, or sleeping at night, you know that the security system is in place and if someone were to break in the alarm would sound. I was also surprised at the motion detectors, which I really think are an excellent feature to our home alarm system, or at least I did until the dog triggered the alarm. LOL Anyway, ADT called almost immediately when the alarm went off and that is when I learned that there was a security word that you have to use for instances just as that to let them know that you are authorized to be in the house and that everything is really alright. My mother said that is so if someone breaks into the house and then answers the phone, they can't tell them that everything is okay unless they know the word. A double secure system if you ask me.
Now for next semester, I have really been considering staying home and going to school just so I can feel more secure, but my parents are against it. They think that I would be better off finding a place and then getting a security system installed. They said with installation and the monitoring package that it was a very reasonable investment and that they would be happy to help me pay for it when I am ready. They said this way they too will be able to sleep easy knowing that I am safe and being watched over. I think that is probably the best idea, since I can't just live with my parents forever.
Posted by Jen on Monday, July 27, 2009 @ 9:59 AM
HEARING AIDS AND HAIR REPLACEMENT, AGING IS NOT EASY
Dealing with the elderly can be a trying, yet completely rewarding experience. I have been helping out my grandparents for the past several years, and it seems like there is constantly something going on with them, especially as it pertains to their health.
I took my grandmother shopping with me a few days ago, and she wanted to go looking at clothes, but then she got distracted looking at a bunch of beach bags they had on display. They were really nice and roomy and they were on sale, but every time I tried to redirect her back to clothing, she just insisted on looking at the beach bags all over again. She said that she couldn't hear me when I spoke to her in the store, but I know that she was trying to get over on me, because I just had her hearing aids checked about a week earlier, and the doctor said that she could hear just fine. She had them in her ears, so I know that she heard me, but I didn't make too big a fuss after all, she has been battling with so many issues lately. Her hair has all started to fall out and so she is embarrassed and keeps wearing hats and scarves. I don't think it is really that noticeable, but it is driving her crazy. She has been even talking about looking into hair replacement options, but I am just not sure at this point that I am really up to going through that process with her. Although, I may not have a choice because let's face it, it can be very traumatic to loose your hair, especially if you are a woman. Men can walk around bald, but women just don't look the same without hair.
Anyway, in spite of it all, I wouldn't change taking care of my grandmother for the world. Sure she can be a little trouble at times, but I love her and honestly I learn so much from her, that there is really nowhere else I would want to be in my free time, then with my grandmother.
Posted by Jen on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 @ 9:10 PM
SHOPPING FOR LIVING ROOM FURNITURE
My friend and I went out shopping the other day for stuff for our new place. She was living with a boyfriend and things weren't working out with him, and my roommate was going to transfer to another school, so we decided it was just a good time to move in together. We are not the best of friends, but we get along really well, and are both on the same page as far as the living arrangements, so it should work out really well. Sometimes when you are living with someone who you are good friends with it can really ruin your friendship, and I have learned that lesson the hard way. In any case, we each have some furniture to bring with us but we were in desperate need of some living room furniture, so we decided to go shopping together and that we would each buy a piece for the living room. This way if things didn't work out then we could each take the piece that we purchased, because in room mate situations you buy furniture together than the problem becomes who will take the piece when you finally move out. This can become a big problem if the parting of ways is not amicable.
When we got to the local stores, we saw a lot of nice entertainment centers and sofas, but nothing really suited either of us and honestly many of them were out of our price range. At first we began to get discouraged, but after looking in the yellow pages at lunch, we found several local places that were discount shops and so we decided to hit them right after we ate. Well, the very first place we went we were able to find a sofa that was a really good price. Sure it was probably not the one we would have picked if we had our choice of any, but it was nice, neutral, and scotch guarded, which is really important in a living situation with different people coming in and out and hanging at your place, sometimes things can get a little messy. Anyway, she bought the sofa, and so I shopped around and found an entertainment center that was perfect, it was one of those corner set ups, which will save us space to put a few more things in the living room, but we will have to save up a little more money before we go shopping again.
Posted by Jen on Monday, May 11, 2009 @ 9:09 PM
Taking advantage of E-learning
This summer is the perfect time to fit in any of those requirements that a student might have that they can't fit in to their schedule anywhere else. Last summer I did my own physical fitness requirements by training for a few bike races which were at the end of the summer. I had to first write a contract and then once approved I got started. I trained every single day of that summer for at least two hours a day. I would begin each day with a light flatland ride first and then move up to a full trail ride later in the day. I documented it every day with helmet cam videos and vital sign numbers. Then I would also document my diet which I changed completely to be a high protein and high carb diet so that I had muscle building potential and the daily bursts of energy that I needed. At the end of the summer I was in the best shape of my life and I did as well as I could have hoped in the race. I was riding on a bike that was only suspended in the front so I got killed by everyone on a full suspension bike. I still managed to finish in ninth though and I plan on doing much better this summer.
Anyway, my story aside this is the best time of the whole year for students to take up some kind of work that will help them develop their credentials or their skills in general. You don't have to be at school to do these types of things either. E-learning is another name for online training which can make picking up some kind of general new skills easier than ever. You could still go on that awesome summer vacation or just hang out back home with your old friends and family. All the while you can take windows server 2008 training for example which looks great on a resume. There are endless options though I mean you could pick up plenty of great technology related skills that any employer would love to put to use and might just land you that job you really want after school. Give online learning a try this summer and get ready for the rest of your life.
Posted by Jen on Monday, May 11, 2009 @ 7:25 AM
Going Green
Going green I think is more than a fad. A few years ago people were big about it but I think that everyone kind of thought that it would fade like a lot of other things did (flare pants for example ha). But years later it turns out that going green is still happening and more and more people are on board with it (including the government).
Green technology though is something new to me. Green computing and technology is a big step for us forward. We are now able to use things that are better for the environment and we know much more about them now than we did in the past. We are able to make and find technology and parts that are reusable and made better for the earth.
Going green isn't just video conferencing in your garden; it is about changing your lifestyle one step at a time. I know a lot of people who were skeptical about it at first but it really is becoming a movement. This is a huge lifestyle change, but it doesn't need to be all at once. You can start out by carpooling more and then after you've done that for a little while maybe start to incorporate more organic foods and products into your shopping cart and home. Then after a while start using recyclable bags and bringing cloth ones to the grocery store instead of getting the plastic or paper ones there. A little at a time can be a great way to get yourself headed in the right direction. You don't need to do everything at one, every single thing that you do, whether it is big or small, to help this earth matters. People think that you need to drive a hybrid or walk everywhere AND eat organic AND have a compost pile AND change all of your light bulbs AND go outside and start picking up trash. This isn't the case at all. Every time someone does something little to help out the earth, they are contributing. So you just need to do what you can when you can and try to incorporate something into your daily routine. Because you aren't just benefiting the earth and environment you are helping out yourself and your family and friends as well. By keeping the earth clean you are keeping yourselves healthy and happy.
Posted by Jen on Monday, May 04, 2009 @ 11:14 AM
And so There Was Light…
My neighbors downstairs always say they dislike our apartment building due to the where our windows are they say they do not get a lot of daylight sun inside. Now these girls are from let's say a very different life style than I. To put it in a way without sounding jealous or anything, they have personal chefs, drivers, shoppers, etc back at home. Their house is filled with designer everything. If you utter the word Ikea around them, they recoil and scowl in disapproval. I remember one time one of them was telling me someone mistook her Marc Jacobs bag for a Tommy Hilfiger and she was saying how crazy she got on the person. Like seriously, you cannot expect everyone to know what designer is what, especially if they themselves are not a fashionista or something. They were looking for ways to improve the light situation inside their apartments and decided to buy pendant lamps for their apartment. No of course these too had to be designer lamps. Nothing short of absolute perfection would be expensive. You will not see them at an Ace Hardware or Kmart looking for their lamps, goodness, that would be unacceptable after all. I am sort of reminds of Sharpay from High School Music, yes I said it. Her song in the second movie “Fabulous” really perfectly outlines how these girls seek for things. “I want fabulous, that is my simple request, all things fabulous, bigger and better and best, I need something inspiring to help me get along, I need a little fabulous is that so wrong? Fetch me my Jimmy Choo flip flops, where is my pink Prada tote? I need my Tiffany hair band, and then I can go for a float.” Like I said, it exemplifies their obsession and necessity for designer everything. I mean, if I were not a struggling student I would absolutely go designer. It is a symbol of one's style, class and a way to be identified in a realm of banal and pedestrian persons. I am waiting for them to get their lamps so I can marvel at them and be amazed at their awesomeness. I mean the lighting in my house is not the best either but I am moving in a few months so I can suffer without the ample light I would get with a good pendant lamp. I'm fine when I open the blinds anyways; my apartment is probably stealing all the light they would be getting if there was not a second story. Oh well.
Posted by Jen on Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 8:05 PM