Buying a property in Bulgaria: how to avoid making a bad investment

Where is it possible to buy a property with your credit card? Bulgaria of course! With thousands of potential property buyers seduced by Bulgaria’s bargain property prices, the temptation is to think that getting a solid return is a no-brainer. Searching the internet, dozens of articles and property websites boast of 100% capital growth that can be achieved in Bulgarian real estate investments in the space of 12 months.

For first-time investors with small budgets looking for a step up the property ladder, this seems like an opportunity almost too good to be true! The result is that thousands of novice speculators and second home buyers flock to Bulgaria to take advantage of the investment opportunities it offers. But as the saying goes, if it’s too good to be true, then it probably isn’t.

Property prices are rising significantly, but mainly in the more established and desirable tourist hotspots. Investing along the Black Sea coast and in areas within 10 km of the two main ski resorts, Barovets and Pamporovo, is likely to yield healthy capital growth of 60-80% in a year. Buying a new apartment in these areas can cost as little as EUR 30,000 and is likely to be a sound investment, as they can easily be rented out to the growing number of tourists who come to experience the delights of Bulgaria.

A quick search through Bulgarian real estate portals and you are likely to find hundreds of properties under €15,000. With prices like this, the temptation is to rush in and buy, sometimes without even seeing the property. It is wise not to be swayed by the prospect of a property at this price doubling in value in a year. The problem with many of these properties is that they tend to be located in the most isolated and rural areas of Bulgaria. These areas are often weak in infrastructure and services and can lag behind the rest of Bulgaria for many years.

Investing in the more established locations in Bulgaria, such as Varna, Sofia or Barovets, may seem more expensive for the low-budget investor. But when you consider the additional headaches and expense involved in renovating an older property in rural Bulgaria, as well as language difficulties, your budget purchase might turn out not to have been such a good deal after all! Also, these properties could be very difficult to rent. Although Bulgaria is gaining popularity among ecotourists, this tourism sector has not taken off to the same extent as more traditional ski or sun holiday destinations.

Consequently, the likelihood of property prices rising so dramatically in isolated areas is very slim. Even if property prices take a big leap with Bulgaria’s entry into the EU in 2007, they will most likely increase in rural areas by 15-30% at most.

The situation is similar in Spain and constitutes a good example. Although Spain experienced a more than 100% increase in property prices upon joining the EU, it is still possible to find property in the most isolated areas inland for as little as €35,000. These areas are only now gaining the interest of property buyers priced outside of the most desirable locations in Spain.

The situation will be similar in Bulgaria. Tourists will flock to the most popular ski resorts, the Black Sea coast and mountainous regions. Consequently, developers will continue to invest in these areas. New developments will attract more buyers and tourists and areas will see continued capital appreciation on investments. Isolated areas, which lack amenities and services, will be overlooked, and property prices in these areas will remain significantly lower than in the rest of Bulgaria.

For intrepid investors willing to take a long-term view of their investment and wait 15-20 years to see significant returns, then cheap, isolated properties are worth considering. But the certainty of a return and the ability to approximate what that return will be is much more likely with properties in the more established Bulgarian destinations.

Top 5 NBA Players for 2010

The break between the 2008-09 and 2009-10 NBA seasons has seen a large number of transfers between teams, but all the major players have stayed with their former teams. Here are some faces to watch out for in 2009-10, based on their brilliant performances in recent seasons.

#5 – Carmelo Antonio. Carmelo Anthony, small forward for the Denver Nuggets, was recently voted one of the starters at the 2010 NBA All-Stars game in February. Pairing wonderfully with point guard Chauncey Billups, he has scored 19 points in a single quarter twice this season. In November, he scored 50-plus points in a game in which Billups scored 30, earning them the status of the third NBA duo to score 50-plus and 30-plus points in the same game.

#4 – Dwayne Wade. Wade is one of the support points of the Miami Heat team. He, like another great basketball player of this NBA era, is a shooting guard who can also play point guard. Standing at 6-foot-4, he doesn’t let his size stop him, as he is now one of the fastest players in the NBA and arguably the hardest to protect. Averaging 6.7 assists per game, it shows that Wade’s game is more about the team than the individual.

#3 – Kobe Bryant. One of the legends of the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant really needs no introduction. At 31 years and 151 days, he recently became the youngest player to reach 25,000 points in his career, a huge achievement for someone who is an efficient shooting guard. Kobe, one of the biggest scorers in the NBA, can create a shot from anywhere: three points out of twelve, and whatever.

#2 -Kevin Durant. Also a small forward – for the Oklahoma City Thunder – Kevin Durant is one of the fastest rising talents in the NBA. At just 22 years old, he is the backbone of the team, with a PPG and RPG of 29.3 and 7.30 respectively. With only 2 years of professional basketball under his belt, Durant is well worth watching for over a decade.

#1 – LeBron James. Also a small forward, LeBron James is the undisputed king of the 2010 basketball season. Playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, he has led them to the top of the Eastern Conference table. With a player rating of 95 on the NBA website and an NBA All-Defensive Team nomination in 2008-09, he is often compared to legends like Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan.

There you go. Five players to watch out for in the 2010 season. With Shaquille O’Neal gone and Kobe Bryant injured, it seems unlikely the Lakers will top this NBA. The season is shaping up to be a real blast by the time April rolls around!

Blind Side head coach gets his dream job

Who will forget Sandra Bullock’s constant complaining to coach Burt Cotton in the Academy Award-winning film The Blind Side? The story of Michael Oher and his journey to the NFL is a moving one, and now it might be time to start a sequel. Coach Cotton in the movie is actually Coach Hugh Freeze, a Mississippi native who landed his dream job today when he was named the new head football coach at the University of Mississippi.

A 1992 Southern Mississippi graduate, Freeze landed his first coaching job at Briarcrest Christian School (the real name of Wingate Christian School from the film) that same year. He was the team’s offensive coordinator and defensive backs coach before being named head coach in 1995. Freeze won two state titles (2002 and 2004) at Briarcrest and was named Region 8-AA Coach of the Year five times and Region 8-AA Coach of the Year. Associated Press of the Year six times.

Freeze then followed his standout offensive lineman, Oher, to Mississippi where, in 2005, he became assistant athletic director for football external affairs. The next season he would become the tight ends coach and scouting coordinator, positions he held until 2007 when then-head coach Ed Orgeron was fired. In 2008, Freeze found himself coaching at NAIA Lambuth University (TN), where he went 20-5 in two seasons, including a perfect 11-0 regular season in 2009. The school went to its first playoff game in 11 years. and finished the year at 12.-1 and the sixth ranked team in the entire NAIA.

In 2010, Freeze joined the Arkansas State coaching staff as offensive coordinator and after Steve Roberts resigned at the end of the season, Freeze was named the new head coach. The Red Wolves have thrived under Freeze’s potent spread offense, but, surprisingly, they’ve also been very good on defense, ranking 15th in the country in scoring defense at 19.3 points per game.

Freeze inherits a team that didn’t win an SEC game this year, going 0-8 in conference and 2-10 overall, one of the wins against FCS (formerly Div. I-AA) of the South. Illinois. With a defense ranked near the bottom of FBS in several categories and an offense that isn’t much better, the task ahead will be mighty, but Freeze has won everywhere he’s been. He is busy assembling his staff, and his receiving coach Grant Heard and defensive line coach Chris Kiffin will reportedly follow him from Arkansas State to his new home in Ole Miss.

The foods you need to eat during pregnancy!

Do you need some real and practical suggestions for healthy breakfasts, snacks, meals and drinks to avoid excessive weight gain during pregnancy? Look no further, we’ve even given you a shopping list!

PREGNANCY NUTRITION: THE TOP FOODS TO EAT AND AVOID!

Nutrition during pregnancy: BREAKFAST IDEAS

Fresh Fruit Smoothie: Blend any fresh fruit (with a little unsweetened live plain yogurt (soy, goat, or cow) and a handful of mixed seeds (for example, pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, and flax).

Tip: If you’re in a hurry, add fresh orange or apple juice to thin your smoothie for easy drinking, then put it in a beaker and take it with you.

Boiled, scrambled or poached egg with buttered oatcakes or rye toast. – Whole wheat rye toast spread with nut butter (almond, cashew, hazelnut or peanut)

Mix a handful of oats into a bowl of plain live yogurt and top with a few pieces of chopped fresh fruit and a handful of chopped walnuts.

Spread some cream cheese on corn cakes or wheat-free bread/crackers and top with organic or wild-caught smoked salmon.

Porridge cooked in water with grated apple and a teaspoon of cinnamon. Tip: Soak oats in water for 10 minutes before cooking; this will bring out its creamy flavor, so there is no need to use milk. Add some hot stewed apple and berries.

An omelette (filling ideas: grated cheese and red onion, fresh herb mix, diced tomatoes and peppers, garlic mushrooms and watercress, smoked salmon).

Baked beans on rye toast.

Nutrition during pregnancy: DRINK IDEAS

Herbal teas instead of caffeinated tea. Now there are so many varieties, experiment until you find one you like. Rooibosch (red bush) tea is the closest to “regular” tea and can be drunk with milk.

Caro, Barleycup, and Dandelion coffees are caffeine-free coffee alternatives. Teeccino is a delicious coffee substitute that is made in a coffee maker (comes in different flavors eg mocha, vanilla walnut, almond amaretto)

Instead of alcohol, mix fruit, elderflower, or ginger cordials with sparkling water.

The SEEDS are rich in proteins, essential fats, vitamins and minerals; grinding them helps release their nutrients. Try to take a heaping tablespoon each day and add it to cereal, yogurt, soups, or salads.

Buy some fresh, unsalted seeds: pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, and flaxseeds (also called flaxseeds; the golden variety is higher in essential fats than the brown variety). Using a coffee grinder or food processor grinding attachment, grind a mixture that is 50%. flaxseed and 50% a combination of pumpkin, sunflower and sesame. Grind enough to fill a small glass jar (choose glass over plastic, as plastic can damage the essential fats in the seeds). Store your jar in the fridge. Ideally, store your seeds underground in a dark cupboard to protect them from light or oxygen damage (essential fats can be easily damaged).

Nutrition during pregnancy: ENERGY BOOSTING SNACK IDEAS

An apple and a handful of pumpkin or sunflower seeds

One pear, peach, or other seasonal fruit with 10 fresh almonds

Three oatmeal pancakes with nut butter (almond and hazelnut butter is a delicious alternative to peanut – buy at herbalists).

Mackerel, salmon or mushroom pâté in two ryvita (be careful with pâté in pregnancy unless it is homemade and without mayonnaise/fresh egg).

Carrot and celery sticks with hummus.

Scrambled berries in a small pot of plain yogurt.

Nutrition during pregnancy: QUICK AND EASY MEAL IDEAS

Roasted Vegetables with Pesto Crusted Chicken or Fish: Add an organic chicken breast or fish fillet covered in pesto (organic salmon or cod works well) to a baking sheet of partially roasted vegetables (for example, new potatoes , cherry tomatoes, zucchini, onions, garlic red and yellow peppers) and cook for another 10-20 minutes. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper.

Chickpea and Apricot Tajine: To a basic tomato sauce (meaning a can of diced tomatoes added to an onion and a clove of garlic softened in olive oil), add half a finely chopped chilli, a pinch of cumin ground, a handful of apricots and three handfuls of chopped mixed vegetables (for example, carrots, zucchini and baby corn). Add water if necessary to achieve a good sauce consistency, then season and simmer for 15 minutes. Add a can of chickpeas and cook for another 10 minutes, then add a handful of chopped fresh cilantro and serve with couscous, quinoa, or brown rice.

Poached hake in tofu sauce with parsley and lemon: Mash half a block of silken tofu with a clove of garlic, the juice of half a lemon, a little chopped parsley, salt and pepper. Add to a pan with two haddock fillets and cook over low heat until the fish is poached (about 15 minutes, but keep checking). Serve with steamed broccoli or green vegetables and brown rice.

Baked Potato and Sweet Potato Stuffing Ideas:

Hummus (ideally homemade); Ratatouille or baked beans topped with shredded Cheddar; Cottage cheese with chives or spring onion, mixed with chopped red or yellow pepper, cucumber or shrimp; roasted vegetables and pesto; Canned or smoked salmon mixed with cottage cheese or crème fraîche; Cannelini or mashed beans with anchovy fillets and black olives, with lemon juice and black pepper; Steamed leeks, broccoli or cauliflower florets tossed with cheese sauce; Sliced ​​hard-boiled egg mixed with cottage cheese or crème fraîche and chopped parsley; Guacamole (again, make your own or buy it in the deli section of your supermarket)

DELICIOUS SALADS (perfect for a light meal or takeout):

A simple salad of mixed leaves and chopped raw vegetables can be turned into a nutritious and delicious meal in no time if you keep your fridge stocked with delights like artichoke hearts, golden tomatoes, olives, hard-boiled eggs, bell peppers, sweet peppers, anchovies. , smoked fish and slices of lean white meat.

Smoked Organic Trout Fillet (a delicious alternative to smoked salmon that is packed with essential Omega 3 fats) with lightly steamed lima beans or lima beans tossed with lemon juice and black pepper.

Hot-smoked organic salmon or trout, or smoked organic mackerel, flaked with whole grains like quinoa, brown rice, millet, or couscous, with chopped raw vegetables. Season with lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, black pepper, and chopped fresh herbs.

Tofu chunks (marinated in tamari or soy, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil and brown rice syrup), sautéed for seven minutes or until golden and quite crisp. Mix whole grains as above or add to buckwheat noodles with thinly sliced ​​cucumber and seaweed (packets of dry varieties can be found in the eastern section of supermarkets). Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve warm or cold. – Mixed bean salad with peppers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, sweet peppers and chopped hard-boiled egg, with tomato and basil dressing.

Chickpeas seasoned with paprika, lemon juice, black pepper, and a pinch of sea salt or low sodium Solo salt and parsley, with quinoa.

Warm potato salad with passata (sifted and chopped tomatoes – buy at the supermarket), with a dressing made of olive oil, paprika, chillies and crushed garlic.

Taboulleh of couscous, Bulgarian wheat, millet or quinoa with chopped cherry tomatoes, spring onions, cucumber, parsley, mint, olive oil, lemon juice and dressing.

Whole radishes, crumbled feta, lima beans and alfalfa sprouts.

Blueberries and apricots on leafy greens like lamb shanks or spinach, with crumbled feta on top.

EASY PUDDING

Raspberry Sorbet: Blend frozen raspberries and bananas until smooth.

Apricot Whisk: Puree a handful of apricots (fresh or dried) with a half cup of low-fat cottage cheese or lightened silken tofu with two beaten egg whites.

Nutrition during pregnancy: SHOPPING LIST: NEW FOODS AND BRANDS TO WATCH FOR!

Nairns oatcakes (wheat and sugar free) Terrance Stamp wheat free breads Boridinsky rye bread Whole wheat rye style rye bread (e.g., thinly sliced ​​whole wheat bread) Sugar free peanut butter (I like the Whole brand Earth) Cashew, almond, and hazelnut butters Fresh, unsalted (pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, and golden flaxseed) Smart Diet or Columbus eggs (rich in essential Omega 3 fats) Fresh unsalted nuts (eg, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, brazil, cashews, or mixed nuts) Frozen Berries: Be careful with blueberries, summer berries, berries, and raspberries. Organic oats: If you take them cold, look for baby oats instead of jumbo (you should also find them at a health food store). Rooibosch tea (Tick Tock is a good brand) Elderflower or Ginger Quinoa Cordials

It is important that YOU COMMIT TO EATING BETTER QUALITY FOOD TODAY! Pregnancy is only 9 months long and your precious little one needs those nutrients for proper growth and development, not to mention for strength and energy.

How to Get to Wrigley Field from O’Hare Airport

When you’re visiting Chicago, you have to see the Cubs play a game. That means you need to know how to get to Wrigley Field. To do this, you can take a taxi, rent a car or take the train from O’Hare airport.

How to get to Wrigley Field using public transportation from train to bus

For the person who wants to hop on a bus and avoid endless fees and parking, you’re in luck. All you’ll have to do is pick up a $6 CTA Fare Card at O’Hare. This will cover the full range of fares you will have for a round trip to and from the airport.

Head to Wrigley Field from O’Hare by taking the CTA Blue Line from O’Hare to Addison St. and then take an eastbound 152 Addison bus.

How to Get to Wrigley Field by Train from O’Hare Airport

If you hate the bus, then the train is probably the next best option. For this, you need to understand that you won’t be able to just hop on and off a train and be done. To begin with, you need to take the Blue Line when you are in O’Hare and take it downtown. Simply purchase a transit card at the O’Hare CTA train station which can be purchased before entering the CTA turnstiles. One-way tickets are $1.50. Take the CTA Blue Line train from O’Hare Airport to the Washington Street stop. Exit the train to the platform and look for the stairs that go down and indicate the passage to the Red Line. Head down the stairs until you reach the catwalk and walk one block to the next set of stairs at the end of the tunnel. Go up the stairs one level to the red line. At the platform, look for northbound trains heading to Howard Street or Evanston. You won’t go as far north as Howard Street or Evanston before getting off the train to go to Wrigley Field. Watch for the train to arrive at Addison Street and exit the train. At this point, you will only be one block from Wrigley. Don’t worry about being the only person getting off here, as the train will likely be full of other fans also going to the game if you arrive within 1-2 hours of the first pitch. Just reverse the trip to go back to O’Hare. You can use the remaining balance on the same rate card.

How to get to Wrigley Field by car

In the vehicle you rented or own, you will leave the airport and take I-190 E and follow it until it becomes I-190 E/Kennedy Expressway East. Take this highway until you reach Addison Street, which is exit 45 A. Turn left onto W Addison Street and follow this until you reach 1060 W Addison Street, which is Wrigley Field.

How to Get to Wrigley Field by Taxi

Just grab a cab when you’re at O’Hare Airport and tell the driver you want to get to Wrigley Field. It may be important to mention that you want to do it using I-90 E and use the Addison Street exit. This gives the illusion that you’re from the area and you’re less likely to take an expensive cab ride while still getting the panoramic view of the city.

Whether you take a taxi, bus, train, or even train from O’Hare Airport, you’ll be able to get there with these simple instructions that will take you the safest route possible.

Concussions and spirituality

Jill Bolte Taylor’s popular TED video, best-selling book and interview on Oprah have really got people talking. Suddenly, the silent experiences of millions of stroke and brain injury survivors have entered mainstream consciousness! As a TBI (traumatic brain injury) survivor and intuitive life coach, I get so many questions from people who wonder if biochemistry and trauma awaken spirituality in everyone, or just in them. While I certainly can’t speak for everyone, I do acknowledge an above-average interest in spiritual growth and intuitive awareness in people whose brains have short-circuited. The process is both exciting and terrifying, so here are some tips for managing the Awakening:

1) Know that you are not alone. Yes, it may seem like no one in the world has had this experience, but people have had mystical encounters for millennia. Some, like Hildegaard von Bingen or Fyodor Dostoyevsky, are believed to have suffered from severe migraines and/or epilepsy. Many medical intuitives like Carmen Bell and Tiffany Snow attribute their gifts to a near-death experience. My own Medical Intuition increased dramatically after a moderate concussion.

Does a biochemical component negate such experiences? Far from there! Scientists have recently studied long-term meditators, locating areas in the brain that show more or less activity than in “normal” brains. Yoga offers a four to eight thousand year old tradition of balancing biochemistry to relax the body, quiet the mind, and awaken a deeper Spiritual Awareness. If you suddenly feel that the veil has been opened, you may need to look for people who share similar experiences, but rest assured that they are there.

2) Stay open. When a stroke, brain injury, or other neurological condition suddenly opens up pathways you never knew existed, you may be tempted to “turn things off.” In fact, many people contact me because they don’t know how to handle the attack of psychic awareness. “How do I disconnect things?” they ask. “I don’t want to know these things!”

If you’ve lived life from a rational perspective and suddenly see the future, read minds, or know your neighbor has cancer before they tell you, this information initially seems too much to handle. But I learned something ironic about sight and perception when a brain injury destroyed my visual system; if you feel overwhelmed, accept more information instead of running from it.

Here’s why this works: Physiologically, our eyes are designed to scan the horizon for food and/or predators. Although most of us now spend more hours on the computer than hunting or gathering, our visual system is still pretty much the same as our ancestors, for whom any information equaled valuable information. If a saber-toothed tiger crouched to their left, or a buffalo wandered in the distance, they needed to know! A loss of peripheral vision meant a loss of general consciousness, which could mean death. Therefore, a reduced visual field still leads to a fight or flight response.

In today’s world, we can easily develop tunnel vision. If you spend eight hours in front of a computer and then go home and watch TV for a few hours or relax by reading a book (without looking far away or doing eye exercises), you have effectively reduced your visual field. As the saying goes, “use it or lose it”. Constantly ignoring our peripheral vision can result in degradation, so that we become less and less aware of our physical surroundings. Anxiety, irritability, and fear follow quickly, and no wonder! Our bodies are wired to fear the lack of visual information!

Eighty to ninety percent of the information we absorb comes from the visual system. The health of our visual system directly affects our thoughts, emotions, and ability to “see the forest through the trees.” As humans, we also have a Third Eye, or intuitive center, which resides in the space between our eyebrows. According to yogis and long-term meditators, focusing attention in this area increases intuition. This Vision Center remains close to our visual center, because much of memory, imagination, and insight are based on visual cues. If you suddenly find that your center of vision or perception (your third eye) is overloaded with information, trying to close the guide will only increase your anxiety, just as going blind as a hunter-gatherer would have caused your heart to race.

Humans instinctively fear the dark. If you are feeling too much intuitive awareness, turning on your inner light will help you much more than trying to turn it off.

3) Learn to develop a serene Conscience. Ok, you’re not supposed to censor information, but it still seems like too much – how do you find a balance?

Try to center yourself, either alone or with a guided meditation. Repeating a mantra or listening to chants such as those sung by Deva Premal or Krishna Das can help relax your mind without distracting you. Ideally, you want something that draws you to your heart instead of playing hide-and-seek with thoughts. Focus on your heart chakra (in the center of your chest) and imagine a warm, golden, pink, or green light pulsing in a slow, radiant pulse. As the impressions fly into your head, take them to your heart to feel and hear a response tempered with loving-kindness. In the Christian tradition, Jesus says, “Perfect love casts out fear,” and guess what? He actually does! Experiment and you will discover that saturating yourself with unconditional compassion instantly eliminates worry.

Consider that the words “fear” and “sacred” contain all the same components, just slightly rearranged. We do not need to remove things to sanctify them. We just need to change the perspective. On her Awakened Heart Meditation CD, teacher Sally Kempton notes that in Sanskrit, the word for the heart chakra, hridaya, is also the word for “the highest gateway to reality.” Let your heart balance the information overload in your head.

4) Have fun! Her attitude toward these new gifts determines much of her experience. Intuitive approach collides with fear and life becomes a series of dire predictions and hunches. On the other hand, acknowledging the nudges of the universe can save you a lot of time, energy, and heartbreak. Many people find that a greater intuition coincides with a greater capacity for manifestation. If you have read or heard of “The Secret”, then you already know that your thoughts influence your reality. Why not have fun creating more of the life you want? Practice the intention for abundant and joyful days. Ask about synchronicities. Align your intentions with the highest good of all and watch the beauty unfold before you.

They say that God is in the details, but they also say that God has a wonderful sense of humor. Supposedly, the ability to understand jokes in another language marks fluency. When you start listening to Spirit’s jokes, you laugh with the universe. Life becomes comedy, and in the theater comedy always means a happy ending. Light!

5) Ask for guidance. Just because you suddenly have access to more information doesn’t mean you’re alone. When you go to graduate school, you still have professors. Life offers endless opportunities to learn and discern. If you are unsure of the guidance, ask for clarity. If something pushes the boundaries of rationality, you can request custom-made signals to activate your faith.

The Bible story of Gideon reminds us that we can pray for interactive lessons. God told Gideon to save the Israelites by leading them into battle against their enemies. Gideon was inclined to believe in God, but since the lives of others were at stake, he asked for a sign. Specifically, he asked that if the Israelites were supposed to go to battle, then the wool he laid on the ground would be wet while the ground remained dry. The next morning he found the wool wet and the ground dry, so he felt that God had answered his request. Still, he wanted to feel safe, so he asked for another sign. This time he asked for wet earth and dry wool. The next morning, he found dry wool on damp ground and knew that he could confidently lead the Israelites against his enemies. Just as Gideon sensed, the Israelites won.

You can ask for any sign you like, but don’t be surprised when events respond. Eventually, you will gain experience and more easily feel which nudges come from intuition and which are disguised projections of the ego. If you find yourself holding onto an intuition and trying to manipulate it, take it as a sign to reread the suggestions in this article, starting with #1. Ego breeds fear, competition, anger, attachment, obsession, and anxiety. Rather, the fruits of the Spirit include: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control.

Waking up your intuition takes courage, but you will also learn to love your life. Many blessings on your journey!

SS Norway: a report on what a cruise on the legendary ship was like

Norwegian Cruise Line’s SS Norway was one of the great old ships that I had always wanted to travel on. Her seven-day cruise was over Thanksgiving from Miami to the Caribbean. She was a Big Band cruise with dance hosts and four well known swing bands from the past. Perfect: I like old jazz and big band music and I love to dance, but often I don’t have a good dance partner. I signed up.

Sailing on the Norway turned out to be a trip back in time. She was built in 1960 as the famous SS France, over 1,000 feet long, 110 feet wide, and with some 2,000 passengers and a crew of 900 who come from all over the world.

You felt the great tradition as soon as you stepped on board. Norway still retained a style and grace reminiscent of previous cruisers. The ship has been refurbished several times, but the Art Deco murals, hand-laid mosaic tiles, polished teak railings, and nautical antiques from cruise ships past have been carefully preserved, and as you walked across the long deck of ride you felt like you were sailing. somewhere back in time. As you dined, you knew you were dining where famous stars had dined, and you look at the murals and original artwork knowing they were there in those early days when others before you sat in this room, saw those same murals, and participated in the process. same kind of lively conversations with others as you are doing now. Later that night, you half expect Cary Grant, dapper in his tuxedo, to walk across the deck and nonchalantly lean next to you on the railing.

It takes a while to find the way. The Norway is 10 blocks long and 12 decks high. There’s an International Deck lined with boutiques and sidewalk cafes; on the Olympic Deck there is a gym with glass walls so you can exercise while contemplating the sea; on a lower deck is a decadent Roman spa offering massages, aromatherapy, body wraps, saunas, steam rooms, and an indoor pool for water exercises. On several decks there are two swimming pools, a jogging track, seven bars, six entertainment rooms, a large ballroom, a cabaret, a large casino, a nightclub, an ice cream parlor, a library, a piano bar, and a theater for premieres. and old. classic movies If you need them, there are hairdressers, laundry, dry cleaners, massage therapists and medical facilities.

Norway has 1,039 cabins, each with individually controlled air conditioning, private bathroom with shower, TV, radio and telephone. Some suites have a separate living room and bedroom, as well as a master bedroom. Most of the penthouse suites have private balconies. One night we were invited to a party in the owner’s suite. It turned out spectacular, with a wrap-around balcony, living room, bedroom, dressing room and jacuzzi. Our host, a former Illinois police officer who had won a major multi-million lottery and was celebrating. We had a less spectacular little cabin with a porthole.

The biggest job every day: choosing between the things to do. There were Broadway shows, fitness classes, dance instruction, basketball, golf driving and putting, paddleball, ping pong, shuffleboard, skeet shooting, snorkeling classes and excursions, volleyball, fashion shows, wine tasting, auctions of art, lectures, a tea for grandparents, a cocktail bar for singles and a champagne party for the newlyweds. There were not many children on board this cruise, but there was usually a youth program with a children’s playroom, activities for children and teens, and special shore excursions. How can anyone say that they would be bored on a cruise?

We left Miami late in the afternoon and activities began immediately. Some passengers immediately headed to the casino, hoping it would open when we got out of legal miles. The casino was set up for blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, 200 slots and some new games I hadn’t heard of. He was happy on deck, listening to music, savoring the welcome-on-board buffet, and watching the shoreline disappear astern.

I was already glad I made this decision. I felt like a different person. Shore vacation rush doesn’t apply here. I watched the waves crashing alongside the boat and the wake behind. The air was cool. Holiday fatigue? — poof. The only bottleneck here would be the first people in line waiting to get into the dining room for another meal. The only decisions would be whether to shop on board, in port, or both, or play golf or tennis, go swimming on a quiet tropical beach, or work hard deep-sea fishing. And tonight she would have to decide whether to have conch or shrimp fritters, or freshly baked bread or blueberry muffins, or stuffed Cornish hen or grilled swordfish, or coconut meringue pie or that ‘death by chocolate’ dessert. . Or a little of each. And you’ll never have to search for a parking space!

The first night we were meeting people and the serious dancing had already started. I had never seen so many people in one place who enjoyed dancing so much and knew so much about jazz and big band music. You could stroll from one ballroom to the next, and in the middle on the international deck you could sit and talk with passengers reminiscing and comparing memories while listening to a 24-hour complimentary CD jukebox with select selections from years of recordings from jazz and big band .

Four bands played this week, alternating two each night: the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra conducted by Buddy Morrow, Si Zentner and His Orchestra, the Bob Crosby Orchestra conducted by Ed Metz Jr, and the Harry James Orchestra conducted by Art Depew. And every night at the Cafe Internationale, which happened to be my favorite place, there was the band whose drummer played background music to old Fred Astaire movies. He still played the old familiar brush drum arrangements for ‘Stepping Out with My Baby’ and ‘Top Hat and Tails’. I met the six gentlemen’s ball hosts in their navy jackets and white pants and danced my first dances.

A few days out to sea the staff began putting up Christmas trees, more than 50, around all the decks. Some passengers helped put up some decorations. In the holiday spirit, the video channel featured classic Christmas movies, as well as period films, big band performances and interviews with old big band stars. We all had the Christmas spirit. But it is different here. There is no pressure.

Our first port call was St. Maarten/St. Martin. (The island is divided in two, half Dutch and half French.) The Dutch port, where we docked, was Philipsburg. On the other side is Marigot, with some French cafes by the sea. In the middle is Mullet Bay beach with lots of rock formations for great photography, swimming and exploring. There is duty-free shopping on both sides, with items ranging from inexpensive T-shirts to expensive jewelry and clothing from French and Caribbean designers. Various shore excursions were offered. In the morning we opted to go sailing on a 12-meter regatta sailboat that had competed in the America’s Cup. In the afternoon we wandered from shop to shop in the sunshine with calypso music in the background, then stopped for a cool drink on the patio of an oceanside restaurant and thought of people shopping in the crowd back home.

The next stop was St. John, the US Virgin Islands which is a protected national park. There are empty beaches there and excellent hiking trails. We chose to sail again, while others chose to hit the beach, tour the island on a safari bus, or go on one of several snorkeling or scuba dives. Our sailboat took us to St. Thomas, where we caught up with the ship. Most people went into town to do some duty free shopping so that their Christmas shopping would be ready when they got home. Others headed to Magen’s Bay, the most popular beach in the area. Another group snorkeled the protected reefs of Buck Island, where underwater hand-feeding the fish is a highlight, and others observed the corals and marine life on the Atlantis submarine. We got back on board with plenty of time to rest and shower before dinner, and more big band music and dancing.

I have three wonderful memories of the second formal night. One was the group of musicians sitting around the CD jukebox, playing old stuff and reminiscing. “That’s Major Holley on bass, with Slam Stewart, one of those wonderful moments they played together.” “Who is the drummer?” “He Sounds Like Oliver Jackson.” “Right. Remember the night…” I sat up and listened, smiling, happy to be a part of it.

The second memory was the scene at 1 am in the main ballroom. Some of the older people slept sitting on the side benches, too tired to continue dancing, but too stubborn to give up the good music.

It was after 2 am when I returned to my cabin, taking my usual walk in front of the CD machine to breathe in the sea air before going to bed. The musicians they remembered were gone, but an old couple was there, thin and tiny in their formal clothes, holding each other, lost in memory, dancing to an old Tommy Dorsey tune. I had tears in my eyes as I walked back to my cabin.

The next day was a beach day on a small island in the Bahamas: Great Stirrup Cay. I used to live in the Bahamas on one of the outer islands so it was wonderful to be back in the clear turquoise waters of the Bahamas. I walked along the beach and remembered my five years living on the islands.

Within seven days, the ship was resplendent with decorations, ready for the Christmas and New Years cruise. They were already completely full. But, I thought, I can sign up for next year. But time escaped her and now she will sail no more.

HISTORY OF THE NORWEGIAN SS

Norway was christened SS France in 1960. Length: 1,035 feet, the longest passenger ship ever built. Along with Cunard’s Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, she was one of the large luxury ships that regularly crossed the Atlantic Ocean.

But faster and cheaper jets appeared, passenger traffic became unprofitable, and travel stopped in 1974. The France languished for several years in the port of Le Havre until the industry pioneer cruise ship, Knut U. Kloster bought her for $18 million for his Norwegian Caribbean Line (today known as Norwegian Cruise Line) and renamed her SS Norway. Over the next 10 months, some 2,000 workers renovated the ship at a cost of $100 million.

She began her new life in the Caribbean, sailing her first seven-day Caribbean cruise on June 1, 1980 from Miami, her new home port, with an international crew of 800 from some 40 nations. In 1990 he returned once more to the shipyard, this time for a $40 million redevelopment that included a 6,000-square-foot Roman spa with fitness, health, and beauty programs, and two glass-enclosed decks with luxury cabins, including two with floor to floor. ceiling windows, wraparound balconies and ocean view Jacuzzis. In 1993, the ship underwent a $23 million 5,000-square-foot casino remodel and renovation featuring an Art Deco theme with mirrors, etchings, and stained glass recalling the ship’s legendary past.

Its future was unknown for a long time, but now it’s headed for scrap.

elegant way to flirt

Sometimes it’s the little things that matter when it comes to flirting. You might change their thinking if you can make your movements graceful and flawless, even though they have a human characteristic. You could start a serious flirting process full of enthusiasm and fun. Success in flirting is about succeeding in the first meeting you have.

If you have been introduced to the person, you may want to make the impression last a long time. This will be somewhat of an insurance against any future mistakes you may make. It won’t change their perception of you, but it will give you a new chance to get up again. That’s what classy flirting is all about, and it has a way of making the partner fall for you and everything else you might be trying to hypnotize.

If you really want to be successful in your flirting, you have to be honest in your moves. You can be classy and genuinely interested in a person until it shows. It is the reason why you should be honest in your moves, since he or she knows that you like him or her. Honesty is crucial in the part where you have to throw a couple of comments to complement the quote. Complimenting a person means that you are highlighting something about them that is true about them and in a very nice and suggestive way.

If it’s the clothes the bachelorette is wearing, compliment her on her sense of style or how sexy she looks in it. Other sincere and successful lines of praise include asking the couple what perfume or cologne she’s been wearing, whether the top designer’s shirt is an Armani, or even what kind of sports they like since he looks athletic. Compliments are important, even more so if she uses them as opening lines. It will make any flirtation you pass on something to look forward to.

You don’t want to stop complimenting the woman or man in sight. If you do it with elegance and style, you will find your way to her heart and you will have a good time flirting together. Flirting is very healthy and fun-filled and you won’t be disappointed if you can start it with your partner as soon as possible.

At your meeting, when you meet for the first time, you may want to let the feeling linger for a while and create a suggestive air. If it is a woman that a friend has introduced you to, shake her hand with her style while you tell her through your eyes what you think of her.

Hold your hand for a while, probably with both hands, and let the sensation settle. As you let the flirtatious movement linger, you can shake hands and make sure you’ve taken some time to look her up and down while playing with her eyes.

used golf balls

Used golf balls are also called recycled golf balls, experienced golf balls, salvaged golf balls, or discount golf balls. The benefit of a used golf ball is, of course, its price. They typically find themselves saving sixty to eighty percent off the retail price. There are different types of used golf balls that are categorized based on the use of the golf ball.

Mint quality used golf balls have the experience and feel of a ball that has been hit just once. This type of used golf ball is commonly known as a one hitter or one-hit wonder. These balls have a consistent color and brilliant shine and work just like they would right out of the box. The following is grade A quality used golf ball; These are balls that have just lost their mint condition, but still look like a brand new golf ball. These balls are perfect for any handicap level golfer as they perform as you would expect from your chosen golf brand. There may be small player pen marks and very, very small scratches on the surface of the golf ball. The next grade is grade B used golf balls which are bright white with a small mark or faded to the print and minor scuffs from the first owner. The balls are almost perfect to play and are best for beginner or high handicap golfers or a golf course that has many hazards.

Next in line is the Grade C used golf ball which is great for practice or that long shot over the water hazard. There may be moderately sized game pen marks and small to moderate scuffs or scratches. However, they are clean and playable with signs of use. There are also golf ball companies that supply refurbished golf balls that are processed by pickling, stamping, painting or clear coating the golf ball. Like used golf balls, these golf balls are not endorsed by the original manufacturer and therefore are not covered under warranty. There are also premium used golf balls for those who enjoy driving the golf ball out of reach. These are generally called range golf balls.

6 Important Questions to Ask When Writing a Cover Letter

Many job seekers tend to consider the cover letter inferior to the resume, thus making one of the worst job search mistakes. Perhaps this is because some people do not care how a gift is wrapped but what is inside the package. But you know what they say about first impressions, right? Regardless of what you believe, your prospect of landing an interview or a job ends where this letter ends.

However, attaching this document alone will not convince the reader to look at the resume you have attached if the former does not meet certain essential requirements. Writing a good cover letter requires you to ask yourself the following questions:

1. Sounds like a sales letter?

Suppose you are writing a sales pitch for a product, how would you frame it? What information would it contain? Now consider the product you are selling to a potential employer. Does your message have the necessary essence and importance for such a letter? Remember that your ability to persuade a potential employer to invite you for an interview is in this document. Think critically about its content and style before writing it.

2. Will the reader be drawn to your letter?

Writing a cover letter involves packaging a precious object. The recipient may reject or accept your gift depending on the appearance of the package. Judging by its appearance, can the reader of your text give it priority over the rest? One method of making sure your document is attractive is to organize it logically. Also, use the built-in capabilities of your word processor to make margins and spacing adequate enough for easy navigation and readability.

3. Is the language and content persuasive enough?

The language of a cover letter is crucial in determining whether your document will be read or ignored. Writing it is not just about using the acceptable form of English, but also about how you express yourself and the content you offer, as this will influence the reader’s decision to shortlist you for an interview. Borrow a page from a love letter, if you know how to write one.

4. Have you focused on the skills your potential employer is looking for?

Each vacancy announcement indicates the type of skills that are expected from the chosen candidate and its success depends on its content matching this requirement. Knowing how to write a cover letter involves letting the employer know how exactly you fit into the picture. What educational knowledge, training, skills, and experiences do you have that match the description of the selected candidate? Your resume can contain many skills, but in this text you only list what is relevant to the job you are applying for.

5. What value will you bring to the organization, if you are an employee?

A cover is a careful balancing act because it is expected to blow its own trumpet but also inform the reader what value it will bring to the company. The focus here shifts to the organization rather than the individual, but within the same card. Considering that you are one of many applying for a particular opening, pay close attention to this section when writing a cover letter.

6. Have you reviewed your cover letter?

Among the most baffling and demoralizing aspects of this crucial document are the spelling and grammatical errors. It says a lot about your level of carelessness if you send a one-page letter full of glaring typos and misspellings. For many potential employers, this is an inexcusable mistake. Do everything you can, including asking someone more fluent in the language for help, to make sure your letter is error-free.

Every time you sit down to write a cover letter, remember that you are engaging in business communication with a product to sell to a client. In this case, you are the seller; the potential buyer is the reader. Your skills and competencies are the product, while your letter is the advertisement. Learn how to write a compelling and presentable cover letter if you want the reader to look at your resume and get shortlisted for an interview.