Home Office Setups I Would Like to Have (part 2)

As promised, here are the home-office designs I found online that I would like to have.

For this part, I will show the ones I’ve found on Unplggd.comApartment Theraphy, and Cartridgesave.co.uk.

Home Office Setups I Would Like to Have (part 1)

I’ve been working as a home-based writer, SEO, webmaster, and project manager for more than six years now. I love my job so much but there’s something missing – I don’t have an organized home-office setup. I have the gadgets and desk. But I’m lacking a cable organizer, wire labellers, proper lighting, and an office chair (mine broke last year).

Here are some of the things I already have that I would like to incorporate to my home-office, and yes I want to include my sportsbike to the design.

Sony Bravia LCD TV home office design

Sony Bravia LCD TV (20 inches widescreen HD). Can be used as an HDMI external monitor for my Macbook Air.

ps3 slim home office design

PS3 Slim (120GB)

Macbook Air home office design

Macbook Air (2011 model with Intel dual core i5 processor)

iPhone home office design

iPhone

toshiba satellite a305 laptop home office design

Toshiba Satellite a305 Laptop (my old buddy for more than two years)

Kawasaki Ninja 250r

Kawasaki Ninja 250r

Stay tuned for the home office designs I’ve researched over the web that I would like to have in my pad. I’ll be posting it within this week (part 2).

Choosing a Fountain – Electric vs. Solar

Electric and Solar Fountains

When purchasing an outdoor fountain, there are a lot of things to consider. Today, there are so many styles, sizes, shapes, and materials on the market that it can be hard to find that perfect one for you. One of the most important things to consider when you do your shopping is how you want to power your fountain. Electricity has been the traditional choice, but there are more and more solar fountains coming onto the market every day. Today, we’re going to look at the pros and cons of both electric and solar fountains.

Let’s start with electric. Ease of use is one reason these fountains have always been so popular. You just plug them in and that’s it – nothing more to it. And that’s another plus to them. Unlike solar fountains, electric fountains will run all the time, no matter if it’s day or night. Of course, it might stop if your power goes out, but then you’ve got bigger issues than just your fountain not running. Finally, electric fountains tend to come in all sorts of designs. With solar fountains, they need to be made in a way that lets the solar panel be well positioned to catch the sun. With an electric fountain, you can have much more intricate designs, like stacks of pots, statues, and geometric shapes that you don’t find in solar fountains.

But electric fountains aren’t without their drawbacks. One is the fact that you’re limited in where you can place it by the electrical cord. Most models have only a 6 or 8 foot cord, so you’ve got to keep it fairly close to the electrical outlet. Sure, you could run an extension cord, but do you really want an unsightly extension cord running across your lawn and patio? Probably not. There’s also the issue of electricity costs. Keeping your fountain plugged in all the time, whether running or not, costs money, and though it doesn’t seem like a lot, it can add up over the course of a year.

With solar fountains, the benefits are numerous. One of the biggest is that once you buy your fountain, there are no more costs with it. You never have to pay for power to run it, and since most are made from fiberglass or resin, there’s very little maintenance. Another benefit to them is that they’re environmentally friendly. Being green is so important nowadays, as we all need to do what we can to help the planet and conserve resources. By using the sun’s power to run your fountain, you’re helping to conserve electricity, something we could all be doing a bit more of.

Of course, there are some things you may not like with solar fountains. If the sun’s not out, many models won’t work. You can always get one with a backup battery that stores the sun’s power to keep it going at night or when it’s cloudy, but if you don’t then you’re out of luck. Another issue is the styles available. While you can get electric ones in all sorts of looks, solar fountains most often come in birdbath designs with 1 or 2 tiers. Not that they don’t look good, because they do, but some people prefer a design other than that for their yard.

When you’re searching for your next water feature, keep these things in mind. The choice between electric and solar is an important yet often overlooked one!

 

About The Author – Alicia Walker is a writer with OutdoorLiving.com/learning-center/ and just loves outdoor fountains. For more on garden fountains, electric fountains, solar fountains, and fountain accessories, visit OutdoorLiving.com.

7 Great Reasons Why You Should Work in France

Eiffel Tower Paris France at night (Eiffel Tower at night – click to view large photo)

Are you looking for a job? You don’t have to limit your choices to your state or country. You may want to take a look at the opportunities available in other places, such as France.

There are several reasons why France may just be today’s ultimate jobseekers’ haven. Here are some of them:

  1. Majority of the benefits are mandated by law.
    Regardless of whether you are working for a large or small company, you can expect to receive your benefits — and there are tons of them. These include your insurance and savings plan, vacation and sick leaves, and even your travel. Moreover, a lot of these benefits are applicable to all types of employees.

  2. Social relationships are given more importance.
    Isn’t it awful when you are trapped in an office with colleagues who do not speak to you? In France, it is considered normal and professional if you go around tables, talking and shaking hands with your fellow employees. You can even approach your boss without making an appointment and talk just about anything.

  3. They have better working schedules.
    While you need to be up before 8 a.m. in the United States, you have an extra hour of sleep in France. In the Hexagone Country, most employees report to work between 9 and 10 in the morning. Furthermore, everyone is entitled to enjoy their one-hour lunch break, which could mean getting some fresh sandwiches and black coffee in the al fresco cafes. All throughout the week, you are required to work for just 35 hours. If the company decides to extend your working schedule, the management is compelled to give you extra paid leaves.

    In France, you are also not required to work on Sundays. The law mandates that businesses (except for those offering essential products and services such as food centers, hospitals, and the armed forces) should be closed on that weekend. There are also some companies that take time off during weekdays, such as Monday.

  4. Your health insurance is covered.
    True, you get deducted for “taxes,” but the exchange is worth it. In France, your health insurance is fully covered. It does not matter if you are opting for a major surgery or not. Everything is being paid for by the government.

  5. There are plenty of jobs available.
    As long as you have a working permit, you can take different types of jobs while in France. There are casual or seasonal employments. You can ask help from the Centre d’Information et de Documentation Jeunesse if you need assistance finding a job. This agency provides both work and education, especially to the younger applicants.

  6. There are so many things to love about France.
    This is one of the most visited countries in the world. They have the finest set of food and wine, they have a truly majestic countryside, and their economy is stable. They are also geographically and culturally diverse.

  7. French prefer a more laid-back atmosphere.
    It seems like time moves so slowly in France. They love to chat, dine, and go out with friends. As much as possible, they want to take their jobs easy. You can deal with your work a lot better if the world around you is more stress-free.

The Origins of Clothing (from Loin Cloth to T-shirt)

Egyptian Loin Cloth

Yesterday, I set the premise of how clothes originated from the Neanderthals. Today, I will continue to talk about the development of clothing from the early human civilization to the modern times – from the basic loin cloth to the branded Port Authority shirts.

The Ancient Loin Clothes
The Egyptians, Israelites, Mesopotamians, and the Persians were the first people to wear loincloths. It is the most appropriate type of clothing for them because of the region’s hot and humid weather.

In Egypt, the wearing of loincloths soon fell out of fashion. Middle and upper class people started wearing draped clothes. Pharaohs, members of the royal family, high priests, government officials, and other aristocrats crafted their clothes using Muslin (a kind of cotton fabric). Hard to find animal skins, furs, and leathers were also exploited. In particular, skins of leopards, lions, and crocodiles were used.

In 14th Century BC, the Egyptians fashioned the wearing of robes, skirts, and short-sleeved shirts. During this time, only the lower class citizens still wore loincloths.

The Byzantines’ Fashion
Around 300 AD in Rome, the Byzantines designed their clothes with patterns and different colors. Just like in Egypt, social status dictates the type of clothing a person must wear. The nobles and rich wore clothes made of Byzantine silk, while the poor were dressed with resist-dyed textiles. The Roman toga and tunica became the most popular types of clothing during this era.

The Period of T-shirts
Fast-forward to 20th Century, a different kind of dress entered the mainstream clothing market, the T-shirt. The t-shirt was popularized by American soldiers during World War I as an undergarment. They named the dress T-shirt because of its design and outline, which is shaped like the letter “T”.

After World War I, t-shirt was fashioned by many Americans as a standard underwear. In the early 1950s, it evolved to something else – and not just an undergarment. It was James Dean, John Wayne, and Marlon Brando that popularized the wearing of t-shirts as a casual wear.

At present, many brands and types of t-shirts are available for men, women, teens, children, and babies. There are camisole, V-neck, crop top, muscle shirt, ringer t-shirt, tank top, half shirt, scoop neck, and A-shirt. Some of the most famous brands include The Gap, Ralph Lauren, Armani Exchange, DKNY, Calvin Klein, Guess, Hanes, Nike, and Port Authority shirts.

The Origin of Clothes (Part 1)

ancient Egyptian clothes

Aside from food and shelter, clothing is one of the most essential basic human needs. It is integral to our survival. Many parts of the world have different standard, function, and cultural significance when it comes to clothing and clothes.

There are several studies made all about clothes. Many scientists still debate about when and where it first appeared. However, almost all scholars agree that clothing came into existence even before Homosapiens (or the first modern humans) first walked Earth.

According to the study conducted by Andrew Kitchen of Pennsylvania State University, the origin of clothing dates back to 190,000 years ago. The first makers of clothes were the Neanderthals, the modern human’s ancestors. The study revealed that the Neanderthals were forced to make clothes to protect themselves from extreme cold. As part of evolution, the Neanderthals lost most of their hair parts, thus, giving them little protection from Europe’s intense blizzards and snowstorms. The earliest clothes were made of grass, fur, and animal skins. At that time, primitive tools were used to stitch the dress. These include fish bones and pointed stones.

Soon after, the modern humans realize the importance of clothing and begun adopting it into their daily lives.

All about Clothes: Clothing in the Ancient Civilizations
In Egypt, the first clothes were believed to be created around 5500 BC. Because of the country’s hot weather, their clothes were made of plant fibers. Egyptian men wore loincloths, while the women put on dresses.

In 5th century BC, the Indians crafted cottons into their dresses. The Greeks and Turks, on the other hand, use fabric. Some anthropologists hypothesized that they were the first modern humans to clothe themselves. Although it is highly controversial, some scientists estimate that the primitive clothes dug in Anatolia are more than 8,000 years old.

In the Far East, Japan and China dominated the scene of ancient clothing. The Japanese made their clothes from bark and hemp fibers. In China, silk were cultivated and made into textiles around 5000 BC.

How to Get an Employment as a Travel Nurse

travel-nurse 

Why should you become a travel nurse? This type of nursing work gives you more freedom, especially on the places you want to work. Some travel nurses are onboard cruise ships, while others are assigned to other countries. Most travel nurses have the opportunity to work in different health care facilities, making their working experiences more comprehensive. Most of all, you can earn as much as 15 percent more than in-house nurses.

But how do you become one? There are certain requirements you should fulfill, like the following:

  1. You need to have proper education.
    You need to have a thorough background in clinical practice before you can become a travel nurse. Make sure you are a nursing graduate (of course) and duly licensed to practice.

  2. Get a certification.
    You should also be a certified nurse. Nurses do take their state examinations. You can ask the steps on how to take the exam and even pass it from your state board committee. There are also plenty of reviewing materials available in the World Wide Web to help you out.

  3. Practice in-house nursing.
    You will have greater chances of being accepted as a travel nurse if you already have some experience in nursing. At the very least, spend 12 to 18 months in a health care facility.

  4. Look for an agency.
    Some travel nurses work freelance. This means they scour for opportunities in different states, especially in California and Florida, as well as in other countries like Canada. However, it is much safer and more stable for you if you apply through an agency.

    The agency will be the one to take care of all your needs. They have a database of companies, hospitals, and clinics that may be in need of your services. They will also arrange for your transportation, accommodation, and even food. Moreover, some of them pay high. You can earn more than 10 percent compared to working as an in-house nurse. The agency can also take care of legal requirements such as your license to practice in the state or country.

  5. Talk to your agency.
    You may have some preferences as to the job and location of your assignment. A lot of them are understanding enough to meet your needs. All you have to do is to talk to them.

  6. Be ready for the job.
    Being a travel nurse is fun, but it can also be very challenging. You have to tackle different demands from various workplaces. Traveling may sometimes be tiresome. Usually, a travel nurse gets to work for approximately 4 to 20 weeks, depending on the requirements of the facility. When your contract expires, you have to move to another workplace (unless the management still wants your services and extends your contract).

Top 7 Places Your Children Should Visit in Disneyland

Grownups pretty much have the say in what to do and where to go at Disney, but it would mean putting up with whines or tantrums if your kid has something else in mind. What are the things that kids must not miss in Disney World?

walt disney fireworks   walt disney parade(The fireworks and the parade)

  1. In Magic Kingdom Park, the fireworks display over Cinderella’s Castle is must-see. Preschoolers would love Dumbo, the Flying Elephant, It’s a Small World, and Mickey’s PhilharMagic. They could experience Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel and Cinderellabration there too. Of course, the traditional 3 o’clock parade must not be missed, so better find a good curbside location.

    walt disney Turtle Talk with Crush                                          (Turtle Talk with Crush)

  2. Bring your tots to Turtle Talk with Crush, or bring them to the Kidcot Fun Stops. Characters on Holiday will surely appeal to their taste or better yet, try the Journey into Imagination by Figment. 

    Beauty and the Beast-Live on Stage 
                                      (Beauty and the Beast-Live on Stage)

  3. In Disney-MGM Studios, kids will love the “Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!”, “Beauty and the Beast-Live on Stage,” and “Voyage of the Little Mermaid.”

    Festival of the Lion King                                        (Festival of the Lion King)

  4. Kilimanjaro Safaris in Disney’s Animal Kingdom will bring the wonder of African savannah right in Florida for the kids and adults to explore. Aside from this African-inspired adventure, Disney also features the “Festival of the Lion King.” It is said to be the most colorful pageantry at Disney Park that will delight young and old alike.

    Illuminations Reflections of Earth                                 (Illuminations: Reflections of Earth.)

  5. In Epcot, there is a nightly fireworks display called “Illuminations: Reflections of Earth.” It is the day’s “final act” at closing time.
  6. Pony rides are available at the Petting Farm. Children from ages 2 and up can enjoy these, as long as they weigh up to 80 lbs.

    Wonderland Tea Party
                                     (Disney’s Wonderland Tea Party)

  7. Wonderland Tea Party shouldn’t be missed especially by young girls because characters from “Alice in Wonderland” will tell a story, eat lunch or have “tea” with them. If your kids are not into it, maybe My Disney Girls Perfectly Princess Tea Party will be. Here, girls are encouraged to dress up in their favorite princess get-up. They also get a chance to meet Princess Aurora from “Sleeping Beauty.”

Children will love the different activities in Disney World. To make sure nothing is going to be missed, do ask your kids to help you list the places to go and help you plan the trip. Don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes and bring with you your guide maps—map out your itinerary so you won’t miss an attraction.

Disney World has all kinds of fun for the kids and the kids-at-heart, and new attractions are added from time to time. A trip to Disney World will be a great bonding (and did I mention fun?) time for you and your little ones.

Enjoy!

Complete Your Dubai Experience in the Gold Souk

dubai_gold_souk

The Gold Souk offers everyone setting foot in Dubai, an overwhelming display of gold in seemingly countless forms.  An average of over 25 tons of gold are said to be in display at any given time and they are sold by weight. Dubai is definitely the ‘City of Gold‘–literally.

A good thing about the gold souks in Dubai is that, there is always something in gold for everybody. Gold of all colors like white, yellow and red, can be found in almost every imaginable forms of jewelry like bracelets, watches, earrings and many more. They can also be set with expensive valuable stones and their price range varies. This is where the ‘art of haggling’ would come in handy because when the shopkeeper says the price, you could get to have the item 60% cheaper if you’re good at bargaining.

If you are planning to buy a piece of gold jewelry for your significant other, or just buy it for some form of investment, your trip to the Gold Souk of Dubai would definitely be worth it. The savings you can get here may even cover the cost of your travel. If buying is not what you have in mind, the experience in visiting the gold souk would still be worth your while. Your eyes could drink in the magnificence of the displayed pieces there and you’d get to appreciate the craftsmanship.

dubai_gold_souk_deira

Haggling is entirely a normal thing when in Dubai–in fact, many people hop from one stall to another just to listen to others haggling. If you are a bit shy at first, you’ll find out sooner or later that gradually, you become used to it and would enjoy doing it yourself. It is however important to note that the seller keeps a minimum price in mind. The expert haggler could beat him or her to the price while some, who are not yet good at haggling, could end up paying more than the price they should have gotten the piece for.

The price of gold items in Dubai, as mentioned earlier, is sold by weight. This means that the price is the current price of gold plus the amount they charge in making the item. What people haggle over actually is the making charge because the sellers will definitely sell below the standard price of gold. It would make quite some sense if you visit the gold souk armed with the knowledge about gold’s current price and the average making price. This way, you can get the item for a price that is agreeable to you and of course, the seller.

The best time to visit the gold souk would be in the evening because it can get really busy during the day. You definitely would enjoy the trip more if you are not on heels–comfortable shoes are definitely a must when in Dubai because you definitely will do a lot of walking.

dubai_gold_souk_bracelets

The gold souk is not entirely offering just gold. There are many stores offering precious and semi-precious stones. Silver and platinum could also be found and other metals and alloys. If gold is not really your thing, you can go to fabric shops. There is also a variety of gift shops in the area.

You can find the Gold Souk on the Deira side of the Creek. To say that you actually have gone to Dubai means that you must not miss visiting the Gold Souk–it is a good advice therefore to practice haggling and be ready to have a blast on your visit.