Category Archives: Home and Living

The Hustle and Bustle of Relocating: 10 Things to Remember When Moving to New York

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lady liberty of new york

So you’ve decided to take a chance on moving to the Big Apple—are you prepared?

To some, it is a daunting challenge to become part of the dynamic hustle and bustle of this famous concrete jungle of skyscrapers, dazzling lights, and busy people. We’ve asked several people who moved to New York from a while back to give us some advice. What do people who’ve done what you are still about to do, have to say to New York movers? These are the top ten things to remember when moving to New York:

1) Bring a map – yes. You may ask around but you definitely cannot do that all the time.

2) Hypochondriac? It would be good to have a bottle of hand sanitizer with you. This city is filled with different people who have different habits. What’s clean for you might not be the same to the perception of cleanliness of the person next to you.

3) How much cash to bring? Bring lots of it but below $10,000 though. If you bring more, you could be held for questioning, thus causing unnecessary delays. This is because $10,000 is the limit set by federal law. If you bring too much cash, you would raise suspicion among the authorities.

4) How much will you set aside for rent? That depends on how much you would like or able to spend for it. You can get a decent apartment for about $500-600 per month. You could cut costs if you have someone to split it with. There are also places that are a lot cheaper but the usual cost that people shell-out is more or less $500.

skyline patio dining in Manhattan Skyline patio dining in Manhattan

casual dining in new yorkThe casual lunchtime in New York 

5) Food during lunchtime in Manhattan could go for $10-20, however, if you are adventurous enough to find great but inexpensive food spots, you could get good food for $6. Should you decide to go for a nice dinner for two, you could get these at $75-150.

6) Let’s talk weather. Weather in New York is a balance of extremes. Winters here are really cold and summers are as imaginably sultry. Rains make New York City hot and humid. This would give you an idea on what clothes to bring–which brings us to the next thing to remember.

7) If you want to blend in, black is a safe color of choice for clothing. Make sure you have enough clothes to wear for the different seasons. You would not want to catch pneumonia or freeze your toes off because you are wearing inappropriate clothing.

8 ) The fun is in finding your way in and out New York, so you’d make things easier and better for you when you settle in. Do not be afraid to take some time to “get lost” in order to know your way around. Just be sure to heighten your senses so you will not get into any unpleasant surprises. Should you really get lost, you can always go to the subway and get a subway map. Subway maps are free and you can get it from the subway booth. Of course, take some time to read your map and be familiar with it.

new york subway trainNew York’s primary mode of transportation – the subway train 

9) For transportation, the subway runs 24/7, the whole year. You should get a monthly swipe card called the metro card. It costs $89 and you can use it for 30 days. You might want to bring an iPod or a music player, because some destinations take up to more than an hour (for example: you are working in a company that is an hour and half away from where you live) and you might want the company of your playlist to break the boredom.

10) Last but not least, bring a camera. There are so many things to see and do in New York and what better way to document your thrilling beginning than shooting the sights with your handy camera. Of course, you have to know camera etiquette when you decide to be trigger-happy in a city that is a melting pot of people coming from different races. You would not want to deal with people who would get mad because they are thinking that you are taking their pictures.

Moving to any new place needs careful planning. New York movers have to learn to be street-smart and be able to think on their feet. You should already have an outline or a general idea on where you should go, who your contacts are, and everything on this list would then be useful to you, once you get to New York.

Moving to New York is a big and exciting decision—and you can make the most out of it while having fun.

Personalized Teddy Bear: A Great Valentine’s Day Gift

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personalized teddy bear for valentines day

Along with chocolates and long-stemmed, deep red roses, soft and adorable teddy bears are a traditional gift for the ladies during Valentines’ Day. So show your girlfriend, fiancée, lover, lady-friends, mother and the many ladies in your life how much they mean to you with especially personalized teddy bear gifts from online teddy bear stores this Valentines’ Day. Cute and cuddly, the girls—both young and old—in your life will love and treasure these little guys they received from you.

The Internet provides you a wide array of choices for which teddy bear to give your significant other. Teddy bears purchased online can be personalized by adding the receiver’s name and your own message for them that can be written on the greeting card it comes along with. Personalized teddy bears make a unique and meaningful Valentines’ day gift because part of the effort—not just the purchasing but the personalizing too—in preparing the gift coming from you.

Shopping online comes with ease, comfort and guaranteed satisfaction for the clients. Purchasing from the online sites offers a lot of benefits. First is that it is relatively easy to browse through the sites. The sites are accessible from the comforts of home and anywhere else with Internet connection. You can browse through the different kinds of teddy bears displayed on the sites until you find one which you think your loved one is going to like.

Included in the display picture of the teddy bears are their descriptions. These make shopping for the perfect Valentines’ day gift easier. Then you can personalize the teddy bear before you bag it and virtually head to the check-out counter. You can choose from the different the modes of payment offered on these sites. In a matter of days after you have made your purchase, your especially personalized teddy bear gifts will be sent right in front of your door. There is no need for a trip to their store to claim it.

Second, if you and the recipient of the gift find the product unsatisfactory, you can get your money back after airing your complaint and concern to the staff. The online teddy bear gifts shopping sites guarantees you your money back if you find the gift purchase unsatisfactory. The comments and complaints from their clients help them spot what needs to be improved in their products and services. This way, they can give out even better services to their most loyal and even the prospective clients.

Not only does online shopping offers a stress-free shopping spree, shopping in the teddy bears online sites also are risk-free.

As leaders in the teddy bear- and gift-personalizing industry, purchases made online may come with delightful freebies. The freebies may also be teddy bears or something equally delightful.

If you want a wonderful, comfortable and easy Valentines’ Day gift-online shopping experience, go online and start browsing! Personalize your teddy bear gifts to show your special someone how important they are to you.

How James Cameron created the world of Avatar?

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Watch this 23-minute behind the scenes video to see how the number 1 movie of all time was conceptualized and created by James Cameron.

According to Box Office Mojo, as of January 26, 2010, Avatar earned approximately US $1,878,025,999 worldwide (that’s almost 1.9 billion US dollars). In the United States alone, the movie’s ticket sales for 40 days is a staggering $558,179,737. That domestic gross accounted for almost 30 percent of the revenue worldwide. Next to the US is China (with $103,113,774), Russia ($96,259,863), and South Korea ($79,691,558). The Philippines ranked in the bottom ten with only $5,197,803 ticket sales since the movie debuted on December 17, 2009. Maybe this figure was caused by the MMFF with almost all Philippine cinemas showing only local films from December 25 to January 6?

I predict that Avatar’s total box office sales will increase to 2 billion dollars in the middle of February 2010. And when this happens, the Pandora 3D movie will be the first film to reach the 2-billion-dollar mark.

FYI: The Titanic reached the 1.8 billion dollar profit in 70 days. Avatar did it only for 38 days.  I myself watched the movie 4 times. How many times did you watched it?

For Practical Storage Space, Use Carport Kits

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carport kits

A carport can cover the path to and from your house or building, as it protects your vehicles. While carports are obviously made for (as its name implies) cars, its use is not limited to just that. It is an effective storage solution that can house garden tools, boats, or even airplanes.

Carport kits or portable garages come in different sizes and materials.

There are carport kits that are simply cloth canopies. They are not only cheap, but also easy to put up or take down. They can come in different colors and do its job: protecting whatever you are storing while at the same time adding beauty to your place.

There are metal versions of these portable garages. Expectedly, they are pricier but sturdier than its cloth counterparts. Metal carport kits are usually made of steel, which is heavy and of good quality, but you can get more or less the same protection with aluminum, which is lighter. A good one has a sturdy frame, steel sides, and roof.

Carport kits are not only limited to home use. They can be used for businesses, farms, factories, churches, and many more. When you are considering hosting an outdoor event, a portable garage is a welcome sight to your visitors. They can be protected from direct sunlight, and so does your vehicles when the party is over.

While you have the option to hire someone to build you one, you could save more money if you purchase pre-fabricated shelters and assemble it yourself. These portable garages are relatively easy to make and easy to find. You can just go to your favorite search engine such as Google or Yahoo, search for it, and you can have a myriad of choices—from several brands to the kind of materials used.

But how can you find a good one? Weigh your options and consider the use of your carport first and foremost; what are you going to store in it? Do you want a completely enclosed carport or not? See if you can get the best deal with the budget you have in mind, and when you are confident with the information you have, you can then proceed and make your purchase. It is always wiser to check on the company’s feedback before you settle for one online store. After you order online, these carport kits can be shipped to you, and voila, additional storage space for you.

How to Clean Outdoor Hammocks

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Tahiti Hammock Chair

Tahiti Hammock Chair

Outdoor hammocks provide you a way to enjoy a relaxing afternoon where you can enjoy the breeze outside your own home. And like any other object placed outdoors, hammocks can become dirty over time. Here are some tips on how to clean your outdoor hammocks such as rope hammocks or hammock chairs.

There are generally two types of outdoor hammocks available: those with the spreader bars and those without.

Outdoor hammocks without the spreader bars can be washed using washing machines or by hand. You should tie the ends of outdoor hammocks together with a string just beneath the hanging rings (while the hammock is folded in half), then at the other end. This would ensure that the outdoor hammock would not get tangled.

Next place the hammock inside an empty pillow case. Then tie it securely closed. Using a mild detergent, machine wash the pillow case with the hammock inside it.

You could also clean outdoor hammocks if they are without spreader bars using your hands. Do this by tying the hammock in the same manner as above and then immersing the whole thing in a tub full of water with mild detergent. Hang the hammock to dry before replacing it.

A rope hammock or those with spreader bars could not be washed in a washing machine; therefore cleaning rope hammocks are manually cleaned. Spread the hammock on a clean surface like a driveway or deck and then brush the hammock from end to end. While brushing rope hammocks, you should check out the rope to see if there is any discoloration; that is a telltale sign of the growth of mildew or molds. Make sure that you dry your hammock after brushing before hanging it back.

Remember, the sooner wet hammocks are dried, the better.

Cleaning Hammock Chairs
Hammock chairs needs bars and chains, which you use to suspend them. Make sure that you periodically check all attachment points to make sure that the attachment would hold and the chair is not worn down. It is important that the suspension arms and the loops are straight, and not twisted in any way. Further, remember not to spin or swing in hammock chairs because it can injure you.

To clean hammock chairs, you can take it off the suspension bar and either hand wash or machine wash the whole thing. Make sure that you tie the ends together before washing so that it would not get tangled up. Use warm water and hang to dry.

Whether you have a rope hammock or hammock chairs, the key to making outdoor hammocks last is to clean them right.

Technology Trends in 2010

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eReaders and eBook Players

eReaders and eBook Players

The year 2009 was witness to the rise and fall of technology and gadget trends. It was characterized by intensified video gaming blow outs, a new approach to mobile phone use and computer portability, and an endless quest to create better and more advanced gizmos.

As the New Year unfolds, video game expert and technology analyst Scott Steinberg unveils at Digitaltrends.com a sneak peek on the "what’s what" in technology for 2010.

1. The year 2010 may be the time for eReaders and eBook Players — digital tablets designed to simulate the customary reading-on-paper experience — to come into their own. Expected innovations in 2010 include selections powered by Android OS, more affordable models and full-color eReaders with touch screen and wireless 3G support.

2. Smartphones will continue to shine in 2010, but with added surprises. Android-run and Windows Mobile-powered smartphones will create an established market. Cell phones will likely be run by applications that offer more power and flexibility, allowing these devices to evolve and potentially replace laptops. Adapting to lifestyles, Smartphones will be must-haves in 2010, and Google’s Nexus One Smartphone is to watch out for.

3D TV

3D TV

3. The household names in television manufacturing are keen at beginning a new era of TV viewership. Shops filled with a display of cutting-edge three-dimensional TVs, as well as Blu-ray players that power 3D flicks, will be anything but extraordinary in 2010.

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The Five Most Common New Year’s Resolutions

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Stamping out of the drinking and smoking habit is easily one of the more difficult commitments to make.

Stamping out of the drinking and smoking habit is easily one of the more difficult commitments to make.

Every New Year marks a celebration of new beginnings. Most people associate this occasion with commitments to reform old habits or make lifestyle changes, usually for the better, effective January 1. As 2009 comes to a close, people make pledges to resolve certain practices or issues and experience a fresh start as they welcome 2010.

Check out this prominent list of recurring New Year’s resolutions. Is yours one of them?

1. Get fit.
People vow to put on the right weight by paying attention to what they eat and exercising more. Depending on a person’s need, getting in shape may mean losing or gaining weight. However, this drive for healthy living sparked by the freshness of the New Year normally takes a backseat as people start leading their busy lives. As weight loss or weight gain becomes less of a priority, fitness becomes a lifelong underachieved goal.

2. Quit drinking and smoking.
Stamping out of the drinking and smoking habit is easily one of the more difficult commitments to make. Fact is, not everyone is equipped to make drastic lifestyle changes all at once. Over the years, the availability of over-the-counter nicotine replacement drug and a world of quit-drinking therapies are proving to be effective as vice-quitting aids. However, About.com says that on the average, drinkers and smokers make at least four attempts before finally quitting for good. People repeatedly commit to quit and fail, keeping this New Year’s resolution always on the list.

3. Manage finances wisely.
To say that money is a source of stress is an understatement. The year 2009 was plagued by unstable and unpredictable global economies, thus getting a handle on finances was no easy job. Spending less, spending just right, paying debt or securing the finances for oneself or for the family is a promise that makes it to the top yearly resolutions. It is expected to be part of the list many times over in the coming years.

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Create Your Own Picnic Baskets This Christmas

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Traditional English-style Picnic Basket

Traditional English-style Picnic Basket

When it comes to free and truly refreshing (albeit cold) activities this Holiday, nothing still beats the outdoors. All you have to do is head to the park or to the mountains, lay your mat or blanket down, and open up your picnic baskets.

There are still thousands who do this, and yet they don’t have time to create their own baskets. They have to rely on the ready-made ones, which are not only expensive but may not contain everything that you are going to need. Worse, they are not up to your expectations or preferences.

You can make your own picnic basket. It may sound complicated, but with all the right tools and steps, it would not be too difficult for you:

Gather the materials you need.
There are different kinds of materials you can use for your picnic baskets. However, the most common material is called wicker. This could be because it allows everything inside to be properly ventilated. It doesn’t allow the build-up of moisture, especially when you’re travelling long distances.

There are also times when you can use covers for your picnic basket, and this will depend on the theme you want to come up with. For example, if you’re planning to create romantic picnic baskets, it would be great to look for fabrics that depict sunrises, sunsets, hearts, or lovers.

Look for steps online.
There are various instructions that you can download and print from the World Wide Web. These will be your guide on how to make your picnic baskets look more appealing. Normally, though, you will need cardboards, scissors or shears, needles, sewing machine, tape measures, glue, glue gun, and perhaps some ribbons, special paper, and fabric.

Make room for your essentials.
You want to create a picnic basket that will have enough room for your picnic needs. These include your utensils, food, some beverages, and other possessions like a book or your beloved mp3 player.

It’s essential that there will be as many compartments as much as possible. You have to avoid your food from damaging your gadgets. Your beverage may accidentally loosen itself, spilling liquids to your food.

Check the grip.
Usually, picnic baskets will have handles, which make it easier for you to carry them from one place to another. Before you head on to your destination, make sure that you can check them. They should be durable enough to withhold all contents and most of all, they must be convenient to hold.

Should You Buy Used or Brand New Ninja 250

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With the sleek look of the Kawasaki Ninja 250R, you cannot help but be amazed when you see it new and enchanting you to be its first rider. What is more, you get the peace of mind that there will be no hidden defects, scratches or abused engines.

You should be aware though that Kawasaki Ninjas are priced differently according to the dealership that sells it. So do your research well to know which ones are reputable and which ones would likely offer you a better price. Take note that motorcycles that are in demand are more difficult to bargain for in terms of price, and with the Ninja 250R as a hot item, just take comfort that the additional price you pay would only mean better performance from a great looking bike. However, check out the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, there is no sense in paying more than necessary.

Buying a Used Kawasaki Ninja 250R
There are a lot of advantages to buying a used Kawasaki Ninja 250R. For one, it is more reasonably priced and not only that, great deals may be found if you know where to look.

Right now, the best place to start is the Internet via Craig’s List at http://www.craigslist.com or sites like eBay.com or more motorcycle-specific retail sites. These sites can be a gold mine for great deals from motivated sellers who for some reason or another needs to sell their current units.

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