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We all love our furry friends and in most homes they are just as much a part of the family as anyone else. Unfortunately, keeping our pets healthy can be quite a costly affair especially when they like to get into things they shouldn’t which can happen more often than one would like.
Thankfully, there are several things you can do to cut down your monthly pet costs and keep little Fido in tip top condition.
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Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Hoard Photography
Shelby Swink was supposed to marry her college sweetheart on Nov. 1. When he left her just five days before the wedding, the game plan -- and life as Swink knew it -- quickly changed.
Swink, 23, spent the next few days in shock, rushing to call guests and cancel services. But moping around was the last thing she wanted to do when Nov. 1 rolled around. When wedding photographer Elizabeth Hoard mentioned doing a "trash the dress" photo shoot with friends and family that day, Swink was game.
"I knew that a pity party was the farthest thing from what I wanted or needed," the Tennessee resident said.
Shelby Swink was supposed to marry her college sweetheart on Nov. 1. When he left her just five days before the wedding, the game plan -- and life as Swink knew it -- quickly changed.
Swink, 23, spent the next few days in shock, rushing to call guests and cancel services. But moping around was the last thing she wanted to do when Nov. 1 rolled around. When wedding photographer Elizabeth Hoard mentioned doing a "trash the dress" photo shoot with friends and family that day, Swink was game.
"I knew that a pity party was the farthest thing from what I wanted or needed," the Tennessee resident said.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Hoard Photography
With each flick of paint, Swink felt more and more free: "I let go of everything I was feeling before. I felt free of sadness, free of disappointment, free of anger. I let all of that go and let happiness take over," she said. "Nov.1 was supposed to be a day full of happiness surrounded by loved ones, and that's exactly what it was!"
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Hoard Photography
Though Swink had initially worried her parents wouldn't support the idea, they showed up, too. "My mom had spent so much money on the dress," she said. "But they were 100 percent supportive. They told me that the money didn't matter in the end. The only thing that mattered to them was my happiness."
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Hoard Photography
In the end, the once white gown was a rainbow-colored mess, with paint-plastered feathers scattered all over it.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Hoard Photography
Today, the dress is being displayed in a local bridal shop in Memphis until early January (a portion of the shop's sales during this time will go to local nonprofit called Be Free Revolution). As for Swink, she says the roller-coaster experience has reminded her to look inward for happiness.
"We define our own happiness, not who we're with," she said. "You have to face life head on and use the lemons it gives you to make some awesome lemonade! Everything happens for a reason."
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Hoard Photography
[readon1 url="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/31/bride-trash-the-dress-photoshoot_n_6401136.html?cps=gravity_2682_-7999699931026385287"]Source:www.huffingtonpost.com[/readon1]
Mexico has beautiful beach destinations and Puerto Vallarta is one of the most popular.
It is preferred not only by the domestic market but also the international market because every year it is visited by thousands of tourists from around the world.
If you have not yet had the opportunity to go to Puerto Vallarta, here is a list of reasons why you should visit this beautiful tourist destination. Puerto Vallarta is a good choice for your vacation. Whether you plan to travel as a family, with friends or as a couple, it is a safe place that everyone will enjoy.
Beautiful beaches
Overlooking a pool at the Iberostar Punta Mita. Richard Kohler
Photograph by: richard kohler
PUNTA DE MITA, Riviera Nayarit, Mexico — We were already 20 minutes into our trip to the otherworldly Hidden Beach when our escorts arrived.
Dolphins, surfacing 15 feet from our boat.
Everyone shrieked; and our guide, Eduardo, cut the engine on the two-level boat so we could enjoy the sight.
Six dark-grey dolphins frolicked long enough for everyone to scramble for their cameras, and then the creatures were gone, slicing through the blue-green waters of the Pacific Ocean.
“We see them all the time” Eduardo said casually as he restarted the motor.
I had the feeling the dolphins were foretelling anything but a casual day at the beach. If a lazy day was what I wanted, I would have pulled up a hotel beach chair and enjoyed the sights and 5-star services offered by Iberostar Playa Mita. It was tempting at 8 a.m. to do nothing more strenuous than decide which way to face the chair; towards the Sierra Madre Mountains or the never-ending beach.
But the promise of seeing something extraordinary lured me from the comforts of the resort to the Marieta Islands in search of ‘The Beach’.
Eduardo knew exactly where the cave entrance to the beach was, but when we got there, it was hidden by the high tide.
We had no choice but to wait for the tide to go out and I took full advantage: Snorkelling, kayaking and swimming into the natural caves of the three closest islands. The water was warm and clear, and I saw many fish.
Uninhabited and about the size of a football field, most of the Marieta Islands have high rock faces and small sandy beaches. Tourists are limited to the beaches, as the islands are labelled a national park, and protected by the Mexican government. The major benefactor of this is the marine life, and the tourists who come to see them.
But this was just a tease for the site I had come to see … Hidden Beach. So why were we waiting? The entrance to the cave is only swimmable when the tide is low enough for you to see where you are going.
Finally, the tide had receded after lunch enough to see the entrance, and Eduardo gave us the go-ahead.
With a life-jacket on, I made the 10-metre swim from the boat to the passageway. It’s not for the faint of heart or novice swimmers (10 of 30 people on our boat didn’t attempt it.) The current was pushing us and even though the passage way is wide enough for three people to swim abreast, I was wary of the rocks jutting out on both sides. I’m 5’10 and couldn’t stand up in the six-metre passageway.
But there was light at the end of the tunnel.
The passage way opened up to teal waters lapping gently on a white sand beach, all within a cave. Blue skies filled the cave with sunlight through a large hole in the roof. At once intimate and beautiful, it was surreal and spiritual — except for the swimmers taking selfies.
It was hard to leave this perfect oasis, and not just because that meant swimming against the current — hunger can be quite motivating.
To sate our appetite we went to the coastal town of Punta Mita, where lunch at Mariscos Tino’s Restaurant Bar was red snapper, freshly caught. The chef brought the fish straight off the boat to the table for approval, then carefully scaled, cut, marinated and barbecued it in the outdoor kitchen as we watched him do his meticulous work. Finally paired with sautéed vegetables and a bed of rice, it was lunch.
On the way back to the resort, our driver indulged the shoppers among us with a stop in Sayulita, an eclectic surf town where local and foreign vendors sell jewelry, souvenirs and art — and bargaining is necessary.
A few souvenirs in hand, I returned to Iberostar Playa Mita with just enough time to get refreshed before heading to the open-air bar, Sea Soul. Here we watched a magnificent sunset as the sun sank behind the mountains.
The hotel is decorated with Huichol artwork, which features colourful tiny beads and intricate details. The showstopper is a six-foot wide beaded jaguar head in the lobby. Made by six Huichol artists, this stunning piece greets all who enter Iberostar Playa Mita.
Back in my room, I sat on the balcony overlooking the beach. I ordered room service because I needed a snack before dinner and enjoyed a drink from the mini-bar while catching up with the Internet world … love the 24-hour room service and free Wi-Fi.
My dinner options ranged from Nopal — an international buffet restaurant — to four themed restaurants: Pacific Express (gourmet à la carte), Tsuba (Japanese), La Bahia (Mexican steak house) and Cuate Pancho (local Mexican cuisine).
I made a reservation at Tsuba, then joined other diners around an iron griddle and watched the culinary show. While we sipped miso soup, chef Jesus Alberto Dominguez whipped up teppanyaki while performing an anxious (for me, but routine for him) knife show.
Next was a live performance of Chicago, followed by a stop at the disco, where the beautiful people danced to a mix of salsa, reggaeton, merengue and top 40 hits. Those who preferred to watch sat on the comfortable couches or chairs inside the club. The party was still going when I made my way to my room, half expecting a Cheshire cat to cross my path.
It wasn’t long before I nodded off into a blissful no-dream sleep; I’d already been down the rabbit hole and it was fantastic.
Margaret Owino was a guest of Iberostar Playa Mita, which did not review or approve this article.
If you go:
West Jet flies direct to Puerto Vallarta airport
Where to stay: Iberostar Playa Mita a 5-star, all-inclusive resort located on the Riveria Nayarit 40 kilometres from the Puerto Vallarta airport.
Where to eat: The four themed restaurants on the property feel authentic to the country they feature and the food is excellent.
If you go to Punta Mita — try the catch of the day at Mariscos Tino’s Restaurant Bar
Iberostar Playa Mita. Richard Kohler Photograph by: richard kohler
An arial view of Hidden Beach. Vallarta Adventures/Hot Spot Media.
Overlooking a pool at the Iberostar Punta Mita. Richard Kohler
[readon1 url="http://www.vancouversun.com/travel/Riviera%20Nayarit%20Wonderland/10696834/story.html"]Source:www.vancouversun.com[/readon1]
So maybe you're looking to go somewhere fun in 2015 but you just don't know where to visit.
ABC 4 Utah's Glen Willey sat down with Jen Dunyon from Get Away Today to talk about the top travel destinations for this year.
From theme parks to great beaches, there are some great vacations you'll want to know about.
Why: Cruises are always popular choices for families because everything is included and so easily accessible. They're especially popular with larger families who can explore on their own during the day, then have families meals planned together each night. It's a great way to see a number of destinations with the convenience of unpacking once.
Deals: Deals change all the time, but we always keep our eyes out. Some of our favorites include MSC Cruises where kids 11 and under always sail free, Princess Cruise Line which recently released some incredibly low fares on their newest ship, Disney Cruise Line which offers an experience like no other and Royal Caribbean which has some of the most diverse amenities offered at sea.
Why: Next year marks two of Disney's biggest events to date. First is the all-new Frozen Fun that is coming to Disney California Adventure Park. Guests will have new experiences including a special meet-n-greet, sing-along with live appearances from beloved Frozen characters, a family friendly night party, Olaf's snow fest and tons more. Then, beginning sometime in late May/early June, Disneyland will be kicking off their Diamond Celebration to commemorate their 60th Anniversary. The details have been kept pretty quiet so far, but announcements are coming soon and the surprises are sure to be BIG.
Deals: Adults at Kids' Prices during non-peak travel time and 3rd or 4th night free specials at Anaheim area hotels throughout the year. Or, travel select dates January - March and you can save up to 25% at the Disneyland Resort Hotels.
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Deals: The best way to save in Mexico is by choosing an all-inclusive resort. So many all-inclusive resorts have kids stay free programs, which is an added bonus. Airfare has been really affordable lately, and when you package it with the hotel deal, it can save you even more. Our Mexico packages have been up to 50% off this past year and next year is trending the same way.
Why: LEGOLAND California is quickly becoming one of the hottest destinations for young families. It caters to the 2-10 year old crowd and it just keeps getting bigger and better. Within the last two years they've added a LEGOLAND Hotel, which is full of surprises, and they expanded their water park area. Since LEGOLAND is in Carlsbad, just north of San Diego, the water park season begins as early as March and stays open as late as October! San Diego is always a popular choice with over 70 miles of beaches and world class attractions like the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld San Diego and the Safari Park.
Deals: Get your 3rd night free and a $30 resort credit at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay in San Diego for most dates now - March 31, 2015. Get up to 7 days admission for the price of one at SeaWorld San Diego.
Why: It's no surprise or question why Hawaii continually makes our top destination list. It is gorgeous and one of the most relaxing places on the planet. Each island offers its own natural beauty and the Aloha spirit
Deals: Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, which just completed a major expansion, is offering a 4th night free with free breakfast daily and kids stay free! Guests staying longer than 5 nights can save up to 30% on their rooms. Airfare has also been in the $400-$500 range from SLC, making it more affordable for families to take the whole crew.
Why: You get a big city experience with less travel time from Salt Lake and lower prices than many other big cities. There is so much to do for families from playing in Lake Michigan (depending on the time of year you go) to visiting Millennium Park to exploring the Chicago Children's museum, Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute of Chicago, or Navy Pier to cheering on the Cubs or White Sox. The list goes on and on.
Deals: Frontier starting offering non-stop service between SLC and Chicago, so airfare that used to be around $400/person can be found for as low as $200 roundtrip. Our agents can help you watch for hotel specials, especially at family friendly chains like the Homewood Suites. Use public transportation, which gets you everywhere you need to go without dealing with traffic and parking fees.
[readon1 url="http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/top-travel-destinations-for-2015/29732/FZNixNpSzESqiYfR3nD8Sg"]Source:www.good4utah.com[/readon1]
Why do dogs turn around three times before they poop?
Q: Sparky sleeps on our bed, and just like clockwork when we go to bed, he does, too. Each night, before he lies down, he spins around three times. Why? -- S.C., Cupertino, CA
A: Dogs (as they have for thousands of years) always leave their business cards wherever they do business, expressing lots of personal information in their "product." And also suggesting that their "address" belongs to a specific dog. By circling three times, a dog tramples the grass a bit, sending a clearer visual signal to other dogs of what they've left behind. Also, circling, and simultaneous sniffing, seems to stimulate a dog's bowels.
New research on this topic, published in Frontiers in Zoology in 2013 by Czech and German scientists, yielded some fascinating results. Observing 70 dogs of 37 breeds during defecation (1,893 observations) and urination (5,582 observations) over a two-year period, it turns out dogs typically (though not always) circle when they defecate.
Also, the vast majority of the time dogs do their business facing north or south, but only when the earth's magnetic field is calm (which is about 20 percent of the time). Otherwise, they poop in random directions. No one knows why.
As for why so many dogs circle threes time before lying down, especially when settling in for a long snooze, the practice is no doubt hard-wired, dating back to when their canine ancestors had to make their own beds. The circling pattern tramples the grass, and also allows time for dogs to make sure the spot is safe (no snakes in the grass, for example).
Once again, no one really knows why they circle an average of three times. At the end of the day, as I've said many times, our dogs likely understand us better than we understand them.
Q: I want to help pets in places other than where I live. I'm fortunate to have means to give to our local shelter, and I generously do this. However, I have more faith in you to direct me than I have in extreme groups, or national humane organizations regarding donations. Any tips? -- F.H., via cyberspace
A: I appreciate your trust, and I do receive at least one version of this question this time each year. I suspect people are thinking about making last-minute donations to boost their tax deductions for the year.
There are so many wonderful organizations doing amazing work that your question is difficult to answer. Here are two possibilities:
1. Your support would be welcome at the Winn Feline Foundation, a funder of cat health studies. It seems that nearly everything we know about cats was underwritten with Winn dollars. There are likely over 100 examples, from understanding feline leukemia to determining why 40 years ago cats commonly suffered from a type of heart disease (dilated cardiomyopathy) since rectified after a Winn funded researcher determined that pet food companies needed to add more taurine (an amino acid) to cat food.
A more recent example is the creation of a simple, inexpensive cheek swab test to determine if the gene defect for another type of heart disease (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) likely occurs in Ragdoll or Maine Coon cats. If so, breeders now think twice about breeding these individuals, reducing the number of cases of this serious disease in these breeds. Learn more at http://www.winnfelinehealth.org. (In full disclosure, I serve on the board of directors of Winn Feline Foundation).
2. You could help pets south of the border. The SPCA Puerto Vallarta has created a no kill sanctuary for homeless and formerly abused animals. While the treatment of companion animals in Mexico is changing for the better, many dogs are still left to wander the streets, tied up on rooftops, or tied up in yards (presumably to guard property). Often, they're malnourished. Cats are often treated no differently than the vermin they hunt.
SPCA Puerto has managed to save about 850 animals, often by providing medical care, then ultimately adopting them to U.S. and Canadian families. One pooch named Holly was found tied up with a rope imbedded in her skin and suffering from cancer. Most U.S. shelters, with understandably limited resources, might have euthanized her. Holly is thriving today: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=777328505635691&set=vb.170895336279014&type=2&theater
Learn more about SPCA Puerto Vallarta to see why I was so impressed: http://www.facebook.com/spcapv.
Q: Do dogs recognize our individual voices on the phone? -- A.L., Seattle, WA
A: Well, not exactly. When you talk to your pooch on speaker phone, the animal's recognition and tail wagging is mostly about hearing happy words like "Mommy" (as in, "Talk to Mommy!") and the general excitement of the moment, rather than distinguishing Mommy's actual voice.
Q: Do dogs recognize their own barks? -- T.J., Baltimore, MD
A: Dogs do have some general understanding of the meaning of the barks of other dogs. They may sense, for example, if another dog is joyful or in distress. They also may recognize the "voices" of dogs they know. However, it's unlikely they recognize their own "voices." After all, why would a dog ever need to do this?
(Steve Dale welcomes questions/comments from readers. Although he can't answer all of them individually, he'll answer those of general interest in his column Send e-mail to PETWORLD(at)STEVE DALE.TV. Include your name, city and state. Steve's website is http://www.stevedalepetworld.com; he also hosts the nationally syndicated "Steve Dale's Pet World" and "The Pet Minute." He's also a contributing editor to USA Weekend.)
[readon1 url="http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/pets/sns-201412301400--tms--petwrldctnya-b20150101-20150101-column.html"]Source:www.chicagotribune.com[/readon1]
Imagine a two-lane highway weaving past pristine jungles, colourful bungalows and roadside stands selling ice-cold coconut water served in the shell. Continue on down the road and encounter a string of quant villages, azure ocean vistas and beachfront palapas sheltering a quiet row of craftsmen weaving delicate beaded jewellery.
A number of beautifully designed resorts make Riviera Nayarit the perfect México destination for those of us who have outgrown the eternal spring break of México’s college-bound hubs. Among the luxury resorts nestled in the golden sands, the Grand Velas Resort (a member of the Leading Hotels of the World hotel family) blossoms the brightest. Opened in 2002, the multi-award-winning resort is not just a collection of plush suites, fancy restaurants and a divine spa, but also a gateway to the cultural and ecological riches along the coastline of Jalisco and Nayarit.
On arrival, you enter a giant thatch and wood palapa, plop down into plushly cushioned wicker chairs—a luxurious basket—and enjoy a brief but rejuvenating head and shoulder massage by a spa practitioner as your luggage is whisked to your suite. After you are debriefed on the facilities, you are outfitted with a magic woven bracelet that grants you access to a cornucopia of tropical indulgences, including the suite itself.
Every room opens out to a balcony overlooking the Pacific. Nestled among palms and bouganvelias, several pools fan out and disappear into the horizon. After you change into your swimsuit, you will want to do no more than sip on a mango, cucumber-jalapeno or tamarind margarita and watch iguanas and seabirds play in the lush foliage. At sundown, a guitar player strums light pop and Mexican folk melodies. However, be careful not to fall asleep because it will soon be time for happy hour.
While the poolside bar serves up familiar frosty, fruity margaritas, serious cocktail aficionados will find top-shelf tequilas and artisanal cocktails at the Lobby Bar after dark. Here, Grand Velas offers tequila tasting and mixology classes, designed by tequilier and general manager Gustavo Bravo. He will spin colourful anecdotes about the production and history of tequila, and its smoky cousin mezcal. This becomes your opportunity to try sangrita, a bright orange-red chaser to a shot of good tequila or mezcal. If you enjoy this mixture of orange, lime and tomato juices with Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce, he will take you back in time with a more “traditional” sweeter recipe developed in the 1950s. This sangrita blends orange, grenadine and lime juice along with chili powder or sauce. Whichever sangrita you choose, it cleanses the palate and makes you ready to enjoy the flavours of your dinner.
Grand Velas Nayarit’s fine dining venues includes Italian-themed Lucca (excellent salmon) and French–Mediterranean restaurant Piaf. Frida’s, however, is the stand-out. In flowing brown script, Frida Kahlo’s personal recipes for tamales and other dishes cover the adobe walls. While the culinary techniques and presentation are modern, the ingredients are local and traditional. Seafood lovers may choose from starters such as mussels in yellow mole or shrimp with roasted chiles and charcoal tortilla oil, and then enjoy shredded yellow fin tuna with pineapple, or a catch of the day with green salsa, potatoes and sautéed fava beans. Vegetarians can start with cilantro-covered fried cheese in black bean sauce. Nopal cactus figures prominently in the cuisine of this area. It is often grilled or minced and served with a variety of flavourful sauces and other condiments. Excellent tequila-based cocktails include guava and horchata creations (don’t be afraid to trust the bartender, and try something new!).
You can continue to sample and experiment with traditional ingredients at Azul’s breakfast buffet. Mild huitlacoche (corn truffles) or squash blossom quesadillas are made to order and served piping hot with a variety of salsas. Wash these down with fresh squeezed tropical fruit juices. Jugo verde, a mix of pineapple, nopal and green leafy vegetable juices, will get you ready for a day of boogie-boarding, surfing, kayaking, biking and day-tripping.
You may arrange a tour through the concierge or rent a car to explore the neighbouring coastal communities. The roads are well paved and maintained. The tiny village of San Francisco (affectionately known as ‘San Pancho’) is a popular expat destination. Its Hotel Cielo Rojo’s Bistro Organico has a healthy menu guaranteed to please vegan, vegetarian, carnivores and picky eaters concerned about their gluten intake. The grilled nopales (cactus) enchiladas are worth the wait, as are the baked goods. The owner chefs prepare the omelettes and protein bowls from local farmers and purveyors.
Long-term visitors looking to contribute to the community during their stay can volunteer at Entre Amigos. This community centre offers local families a bilingual children’s library, literacy and ESL classes, and an effective recycling programme. The gift shop sells jewellery, toys and housewares made from these recycled materials. Another way you can help is to purchase beautiful woven jewellery and hair clips made by the Huichol tribe. Many of these craftspeople are young moms and high school students who have taught each other a craft rooted in traditional tribal bead and beeswax sculpture.
Sayulita is a bit of Canada and California transported to México. Feel free to speak English with fellow travellers and expat shop keepers selling jewellery and boutique clothing made in India and Thailand. Be prepared to pay New Zealand prices for lovely silver trinkets and beaded creations made by local artisans. You will be supporting the local economy. If you don’t want to eat spicy pork carnitas and shrimp tacos at a modest streetside stall, Don Pedro’s serves all of your favourite American specialties including nachos, pizza, burgers and fries, along with cerveza and decent margaritas. The view of the shoreline is unforgettable, especially if you are lucky enough to see Brooke Shields surfing with her entourage.
By now, you are tired and in need of revitalization. One option is to crash on the tented bed-like lounge chairs on the private beach in front of the property, and watch pelicans dive in and out of the waves. Another option is to head to Grand Velas’ spa, outfitted with a dry sauna, steam room and several hot and cool tubs. You can soak your aching feet in a whirlpool or submerge yourself at the foot of an indoor waterfall. This spa earns its designation as one of Virtuoso’s Best Spas in the World. I enjoyed the signature Serenity Massage, targeting accumulated stress, diminishing muscle stiffness and improving blood circulation. Lucire US west coast ed. Elyse Glickman went for the aromatherapy massage, blending different essential oils and massage techniques to improve the function of the immune system, vascular and lymphatic circulation.
Months after this divine experience, I still find myself craving a squash blossom quesadilla and a cucumber-jalapeño margarita. Well, maybe next year I will find myself back on the road, headed to Grand Velas Rivera Nayarit Resort.
[readon1 url="http://lucire.com/2015/0101vo0.shtml"]Source:lucire.com[/readon1]
Months before you start thinking about changing jobs, you’ve got to start building your reference list. Don’t wait until you’re job-hunting to get your references assembled.
If you’re working now and your boss leaves the company or retires, grab his or her business card and ask “Would it be appropriate for me to include you on my list of professional references?”
Lots of bosses will be flattered. Some of them won’t. If you see by the look on your old boss’s face that s/he doesn’t want to be a reference for you, don’t push it!
You don’t need a lot of references, but you need people on the list who are passionate fans of your work. Time moves along quickly and people forget the details. When the phone rings and someone asks any of your reference-givers “So, what do you think about Frank?” they need to come back immediately with “Frank is incredible! I’d hire Frank again in a New York minute.”
One time I sat in an office with my colleague, a senior VP, and heard him give a telephone job reference to a former member of his team who had left the company and was job-hunting.
I was sitting right there when the phone rang. My colleague took the call. I heard his side of the conversation. With a thoughtful look on his face and a smile in his voice he eviscerated our old workmate, Marty.
“Yeah, Marty is a fantastic guy, very bright, not always super-high-performing but a solid guy. Terrific credentials, really great experience. Smart guy. Gets sidetracked a lot – you have to rein him back in. Needs a lot of direction.
“Marty is the kind of guy you send out to research a problem and he’ll put together a report for you, then you take the project away and give it to someone who’s gonna get it done. That’s right. More of a thinker than a doer. Pretty good knowledge of Finance, not the best. Great guy, Marty, though. Mid-level guy. Not really VP material. Is that what he’s applying for?”
My stomach hurt. My mouth fell open. My colleague got off the phone. “Since when do you loathe Marty?” I asked him. “Why did you agree to be one of his references?”
“I don’t loathe Marty!” my colleague snorted, indignant. “Marty is awesome. I’m just being honest.”
With friends like him, who needs enemies? My colleague was not a suitable job reference for Marty, who truly is awesome and who got a VP of Finance job at a different company not long after that call.
The senior VP didn’t know he was giving Marty the worst job reference ever given.
I asked him “Will you do me a favor and tell Marty to take you off his list of references? I’m serious. If that guy on the phone had any thought of hiring Marty before he called you, he surely doesn’t now.”
“I won’t tell him to take me off the list,” said my colleague, “but I’ll remind him that I always give a balanced reference.” I told Marty myself, just in case anything went wrong in that feedback loop.
How many job opportunities did Marty miss out on because his own reference-giver was talking people out of hiring him? How many more would he have lost if I hadn’t been in a meeting with the guy at the very moment the phone rang, or if he hadn’t taken the call?
Choose your reference-givers carefully. A former boss is a great choice, as long as you left on good terms. A former customer or vendor is another good choice. You can include one co-worker in your reference list, which should have at least three or four names on it.
Don’t give away your reference list too early. Any organization that wants you to submit references to them before they’ve met you is not a good place for you to work. The rudeness! I had a former colleague who used me as a reference and applied for a fund-raising job with a university.
She didn’t get that job (she got a better one) but six months later, all four of us on my friend’s reference list got calls asking us to donate to the university. Mind you, we didn’t go to school there. None of us had any connection to the school whatsoever. Our friend was outraged, but what could she do? Who can doubt that that reference-list misuse goes on all the time?
Give away your reference list when you’ve heard someone say “We are serious about you as a candidate” and when you have visibility into the rest of the recruiting process. When I give a reference, I ask as many questions as I can. Why did I agree to be a reference, unless I want to help my friend?
I tell the truth, of course, and I answer each question fully, but it is important to me to let the reference-checking person know that I’m a big fan of whomever I’m giving a reference for. I ask questions in order to learn about the remainder of the recruiting process, so that I can update my friend.
Sadly, more and more reference checks are becoming clerical check-a-box routines. It’s been about two years since I had a reference-checking call that came directly from the hiring manager, the person who’d be hiring the person I know. If I’m hiring someone, you can be sure I’m going to talk to his or her ex-bosses directly, not delegate it to the most junior member of my staff!
It’s insulting to the candidate and the reference-givers when the reference-checking process is degraded so badly, but once I’ve agreed to be a reference, I see it through regardless.
More and more of them are electronic questionnaires that ask me whether the VP I worked with was punctual. Seriously, you’re asking if this person showed up to work on time? Godzilla is out of control. Our processes in corporate America and everywhere aren’t just dehumanizing, they’re really stupid, also.
Once you’ve gotten approval to include a person on your list of references, check in with him or her from time to time and let your reference-people know what’s new with you. If you start a new job search, check in again. There’s nothing worse than getting a call or email out of the blue to be a reference for someone you haven’t communicated with in years.
“I can’t call this person back right now,” I think. “I have no idea what Abigail has been doing in her work, or which side of her experience she’d like me to emphasize.” Abigail blew it by failing to bring me up to date before giving out a reference list with my name on it, because given the chance I’d be her biggest cheerleader.
I scramble to find Abigail’s LinkedIn LNKD -1.27% profile and hope it’s up to date. Your references aren’t confirming dates and titles — that’s a separate process, called employment verification. That’s the skeletal system — you worked here or there from this date to that date. References put the meat on the bone. They convey through the telephone or, under duress, via email what it was like to work alongside you, shoulder to shoulder.
It was awesome. I remember it all! I want to tell the story. Let me do my job and help you get the job you deserve!
[readon1 url="http://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2015/01/01/the-truth-about-job-references-2/"]Source:www.forbes.com[/readon1]
Thousands thronged the streets of New York to see in the new year
Celebrations to mark the start of 2015 have taken place around the world, with firework displays in a host of major cities.
New Zealand led the way, with Sydney Harbour providing a spectacular backdrop to Australia's display.
There was shock in Asia as a crush in Shanghai, China saw 35 people die marking the start of 2015.
The Gulf Arab emirate of Dubai aimed to break the world record for the largest LED-illuminated facade.
It launched its spectacular display centred on the world's tallest building.
Thousands of people celebrated in New York's Times Square for the city's annual New Year's Eve festivities, but this year security was tight as a protest took place nearby against police use of force and the state of race relations in the country.
Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco were among the last major cities to see in the new year.
The world renowned strip in Las Vegas saw a spectacular display of fireworks
In London the celebrations were centred around the London Eye by the River Thames
In France revellers gathered near the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs-Elysees Avenue in Paris
In Italy people welcomed the new year on the Piazza Venezia in Rome
A firework display was held in central Prague
The Gulf Arab emirate of Dubai aimed to break the world record for the largest LED-illuminated facade
Europe's celebrations began in Moscow with fireworks over St Basil's Cathedral and the Kremlin.
In Berlin a huge open air concert was held in front of the Brandenburg Gate, while in Paris the Champs-Elysees was closed to traffic so that pedestrians could witness a visual spectacle projected onto the Arc de Triomphe 15 minutes before the start of the new year.
The arrival of 2015 was also significant for Lithuania as it became the 19th country to join the euro currency.
In Spain, millions of revellers converged around Madrid's Puerta del Sol, while in Barcelona huge fireworks displays or street parties were held. Similar events took place in the UK cities of London and Edinburgh.
Up to 1.5m people lined the shores of Sydney harbour to see the city's famous firework display.
The city's Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, said the recent hostage crisis in the city had focussed the minds of Sydney residents.
Sydney's Harbour Bridge was the centrepiece of the city's new year fireworks
Celebration plans were muted in Indonesia in the wake of the recent AirAsia Flight QZ8501 crash.
But across the rest of Asia there were lavish parties, with a sound and light show at Beijing's Olympic stadium and an eight-minute firework display in Hong Kong.
"I think a more peaceful year would be good for everyone," Louis Ho, 65, told AFP news agency, as the territory bade farewell to a year that saw widespread street protests.
Moscow's display led the way in Europe, with President Vladimir Putin describing the 2014 annexation of Crimea as "a historic landmark" for Russia.
Moscow's skyline lit up as fireworks flared over the Kremlin and St Basil's Cathedral
Mr Putin also sent messages to several world leaders, telling US President Barack Obama that the US and Russia had a shared interest in "maintaining peace and international stability".
In Brazil, more than one million people gathered on Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach, while the Pacific Islands just to the west of the international date line were the first places to herald the new year.
Musician Elton John for the first time performed in New York City on New Year's Eve
Revellers celebrated as fireworks exploded during new year festivities on Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro
Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour was lit up by fireworks as the clock hit midnight
Students at China's Shenyang Agriculture University found their own way of marking the start of 2015
It was a similar picture from students in Ahmadabad, India
A woman prays during new year celebrations at Jogye Buddhist temple in Seoul, South Korea
2015 is the "Year of the Sheep" in China, as illustrated by this student in eastern Shandong province
Grandfather Frost - the Russian equivalent of Father Christmas - and his granddaughter joined Kyrgyzstan's new year parade in Bishkek
[readon1 url="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-30640656"]Source:www.bbc.com[/readon1]
The countdown has begun! New Year's Eve is just around the corner, and as you prepare to ring in 2015, here are 15 different ways to say "cheers!" around the world.
The twelfth month of the year in local history was when a “name” was first given to the Paradise of the Pacific. Years later, the customs and devotion of a town resound to the skies with the Guadalupan Pilgrimages.
Among relevant activities, December 12, 1851, stands out as a date when the Las Peñas Ranch, this port’s first name, was founded. On December 5, 1929, the Ejido of Puerto Vallarta was born; on December 3, 1931, the first aircraft arrived at this tourist destination; in December 1965, the concrete crown was placed on top of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, an undisputed icon of this place. On December 4, the second City Chronicler and regional historian, Don Carlos Munguia Fregoso, passed away. Among later activities are the celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the most vivid and heartfelt local tradition; whale watching in the Bay; the International Puerto Vallarta Fireworks Festival 2014; New Year celebrations; etc.
December indelibly paints its mark on the historical development of our tourist destination. Following is a list of the most significant events recorded by the second official City Chronicler, Don Carlos Munguia Fregoso, in his worthwhile book "Historical Panorama of Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay".
December 12, 1851, is officially recognized as the date of the founding of the Las Peñas Ranch, Puerto Vallarta’s first name, by Don Guadalupe Sánchez, his family and a group of friends. On December 16, 1869, the representatives of Jalisco requested the Government of the Republic prepare the port of Las Peñas for offshore and inshore trade. On December 31, 1893, jurist Ignacio Luis Vallarta died in the capital of the Republic, his name given in memory to our town in 1918. On December 31, 1902, the Federal Government inaugurated the Cabo Corrientes lighthouse, for many years the most powerful one along the Mexican coast, which came to facilitate navigation in this region of the Mexican Pacific. On December 5, 1929, the first allocation of land was given to the Ejido de Puerto Vallarta, due to involvement by the La Union Cuale mining company. On December 3, 1931, the first aircraft arrived into this port, piloted by Charles Baugham, who was nicknamed "Pancho Pistolas" due to his penchant for being armed. On December 12, 1951, the first centennial of the Las Peñas Foundation was held with great festivities. In December 1965, the concrete crown, designed by sculptor Esteban Ramirez Guareño, was placed on the tower of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.
It is right to remember that on December 4, 2005, Professor Carlos Munguia Fregoso passed away, to whose memory the Fourth Regional Meeting of Writers will be dedicated. Professor Munguia Fregoso is a man of renown in Puerto Vallarta, author of important volumes that make up the backbone of regional history.
Among Puerto Vallarta’s relevant activities in December, the celebrations to Our Lady of Guadalupe really stand out. These begin on the 1st and culminate on the 12th. It's the liveliest and heartfelt by the people of Vallartan tradition and consists of the manifestation of faith to the "Patroness of the Americas" through processions, called pilgrimages, with offerings, songs and dances. For twelve days the different sectors of the local community and surrounding towns will express their devotion to the "Dark Virgen". The “Pilgrimage of the Favored” stands out on the last day of the "Docenario to the Virgin", much more attended than the other processions. It’s worth mentioning that among the people of Vallarta, devotion to the "Guadalupan" has roots that go back to the time of the founding of Las Peñas, in the mid-nineteenth century.
Another event, not less important during the month of December, is the start of the annual visit that the humpback whales make to beautiful Banderas Bay, to give birth to their young in calm, warm waters. The stay of the cetaceans lasts until late March, when their calves have achieved the degree of strength and development to enable them to make it to the waters of the North Pacific. The permanence of the whales in the bay is quite a sight, as visitors and locals enjoy wonderful sightings through tours they can capitalize on with their cameras.
The twelfth month also means year-end festivities that municipal authorities and tourism companies hold to usher in the New Year. These consist of various artistic and cultural events and traditional fireworks, which at Vallarta’s malecon take on a special dimension.
They will have great significance this year through the realization of the International Fireworks Festival, promoted by the Municipal Government through the Vallarta Institute of Culture, from December 20-31, 2014. France's participation is expected; as well as five states of the Mexican Republic. The Festival will be enriched with dancing events, music and painting.
In December continuity is also given to the traditional visual arts event called the Art Walk. It is the artistic tradition which is now several years old, where some art galleries in Puerto Vallarta open their doors to local and visiting art lovers, with exhibitions by national and international artists, cocktails and aperitif tastings every Wednesday, starting in October and culminating in May.
[readon1 url="http://magazine.visitpuertovallarta.com/a/history/61-december-in-the-history-of-puerto-vallarta"]Source:magazine.visitpuertovallarta.com[/readon1]
Technology developments that have brought the Internet, Skype, satellite television and other communication services to even remote corners of the world now allow us to live and work virtually anywhere.
I know. I was a teleworker in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for seven years. As a brand consultant, I was able to live abroad but continue to work with clients in the U.S., easily and seamlessly.
Our new article,“Teleworking and the New American Expat Generation,” explores the growing role of telework in helping expats fulfill their dreams of working abroad.
We interviewed the President, CEO and Co-Founder of the Telework Coalition (TelCoa), Chuck Wilsker, to get a better handle on what makes teleworking tick today.
“The term telework was actually coined in 1973,” Wilsker says, “but technology-enabled telework probably came in the late 1990s with the widespread adoption of DSL, cable and satellite broadband connections. Good broadband and collaborative software provides all the tools needed for teleworking communication.”
Technology is not a barrier to teleworking in most countries. But employer perceptions may be. “To allow someone to telework is a matter of trust,” Wilsker says. “The employer has to trust the employee to be able to work independent of location, and the employer has to have the metrics available to be able to judge the amount of productivity that someone is putting in. Productivity cannot be measured by time spent, it has to be made on output.”
One of the key benefits of teleworking is improved work/life balance, which is a priority for a key component of the new American expat generation: Millennials.
In findings from a 2013 study, the consulting firm Pricewaterhouse Cooper said, “The Millennial Generation seeks more workplace flexibility, better balance between their work and home life and the opportunity for overseas assignments as keys to greater job satisfaction. Unlike past generations, who put an emphasis on their careers and worked well beyond a 40-hour workweek in the hope of rising to higher-paying positions later on, Millennials are not convinced that such early career sacrifices are worth the potential rewards. A balance between their personal and work lives is more important to them.”
Telework may be the answer for Millennials and other expats. It was for me and I’m several generations beyond Millennials.
[readon1 url="http://myinternationaladventure.com/08/confessions-of-a-teleworker/"]Source:myinternationaladventure.com[/readon1]
Despite its Latin American ties, Mexico is located in North America. Mexico is south of the U.S., north of Belize and Guatemala and surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. The fifth largest country in the Americas and the fourteenth largest in the world, Mexico’s 760,000 square miles land mass is about one-fifth the size of the U.S.
Mexico spreads south from the U.S. border along its great central highland plateau, which occupies most of the width of the country from the U.S. border to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. The central plateau is about 4,000 feet in elevation in the north and rises to around 8,000 feet in the center of the country. The Sierra Madre Oriental and the Sierra Madre Occidental flank the central plateau on the east and the west. Volcanic peaks rise to over 17,000 feet in several areas of the country. The high country descends to the coastal lowlands along Mexico’s Caribbean and Pacific coasts. Across the Sea of Cortez, the Sierra de Baja California and the Peninsular Ranges run down the center of the Baja California peninsula, with desert lowlands or fertile valleys extending to both Baja’s east and west coasts.
The Rio Grande, known as the Rio Bravo del Norte in Mexico, is Mexico’s most important river, extending 1,300 miles from the U.S. border.
Keeping time in Mexico is very easy since the country observes three of the time zones used in the U.S. Most of the country uses Central Standard Time. The Mexico states of Chihuahua, Nayarit, Sonora, Sinaloa and Baja California Sur use Mountain Standard Time and Baja California Norte uses Pacific Standard Time. Daylight Saving Time is used everywhere except the northern border state of Sonora, which remains on Mountain Standard Time throughout the year.
Mexico has a varied climate depending primarily on latitude and elevation. The Tropic of Cancer divides Mexico into temperate and tropical zones. North of it, cooler temperatures prevail during the winter months. To the south, temperatures generally are constant, but vary, depending upon elevation.
Areas south of the Tropic of Cancer with low elevations, which include the southern coastal plains and the Yucatan Peninsula, have an annual median temperature between 75 F and 82 F. Temperatures remain high throughout the year with less than a 10 F difference in median temperature between winter and summer.
As elevation rises toward the central plateau, yearly average temperatures range from about 61 F to 68 F. If you are living at this altitude, expect relatively constant temperatures throughout the year. North of the Tropic of Cancer, though, temperature swings are much larger.
Most of the country experiences a rainy season from June to mid-October and significantly less rain during the remainder of the year. February and July generally are the driest and wettest months, respectively.
Hurricanes affect regions of both coasts from June through November. West coast hurricanes are often less violent than those affecting Mexico’s eastern coastline. Earthquakes are also very common. The country’s Pacific coast is part of the earthquake-prone “Ring of Fire” that frequently generates very large earthquakes. Volcanic eruptions also occur in the central-southern part of Mexico.
Officially called the United Mexican States (Estados Unidos Mexicanos), Mexico’s over 123 million population makes it the eleventh most populous country in the world. Mexicans live in thirty-two states, including the Federal District of Mexico.
Mexico is the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world. Nearly 93 percent of the population speaks Spanish. Mayan, Nahuatil and other indigenous languages also are spoken in Mexico.
Around 60 percent of Mexicans are of Indian-Spanish (mestizo) descent, another 30 percent are Indian and 9 percent are Caucasian. Just over 80 percent of the Mexican people belong to the Catholic Church, down from over 90 percent in the 1990s. That number still makes Mexico the second largest Catholic country in the world, behind Brazil.
Mexico’s capital city, Mexico City, is a sprawling urban area of over 21 million people, making it the largest metropolitan area in the Western Hemisphere and the fifth largest metropolitan area in the world. Located in Mexico DF (Federal District), the city sits in the Valley of Mexico at an altitude of 7,350 feet. It was originally built on an island in Lake Texcoco by the Aztecs in 1325 and was known as Tenochtitlan. Guadalajara is Mexico’s second largest city with a metropolitan population of nearly 4.5 million. Located in the central highlands, Guadalajara is a major commercial center. Farther north, Monterrey, Mexico’s third largest city with about 4 million people, is the industrial capital of the country.
Before the Spanish colonization in 1519, Mexico was the site of advanced Amerindian civilizations, which had elaborate urban centers for religious, political and commercial use. The Olmec civilization flourished from about 1600 B.C. to 400 B.C. in the south-central lowlands of Mexico. A later civilization in Teotihuacan reached its peak around 600 AD, and greatly influenced the cultural and theological systems of the Toltec and Aztec civilizations that followed. The Maya civilization, which existed for several thousand years, reached its peak between 250 and 900 A.D. throughout southeast Mexico and northern Central America.
From the time of Hernando Cortez’s conquest, Mexico was a colony of Spain. Along with other Spanish colonies in the New World, Mexico fought and gained its independence. On Sept. 16, 1810, in the town of Dolores Hidalgo, Mexico won its independence from the Spaniards. That date is now celebrated as Mexico’s Independence Day. In 1910, Francisco Madero led a revolution against the autocratic leader Porfirio Diaz that lasted a decade and led to a new Mexican Constitution in 1917.
In late 1994, a devaluation of the peso threw Mexico into economic turmoil, triggering the worst recession in over half a century. The elections held in 2000 marked the first time since the 1910 Mexican Revolution that an opposition candidate – Vicente Fox of the National Action Party (PAN) – defeated the party in government, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI).
[readon1 url="http://myinternationaladventure.com/12/live-mexico/"]Source:myinternationaladventure.com[/readon1]
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