HISTORY AND CULTURE ABOUND

Do you need to getaway? Are you starting to plan your summer vacation? Looking for somewhere exciting to go?

We all hear, at one time or another, about Greek mythology, Zeus, Troy or the Trojan horse. So many dreams have come to fruition by the Olympic Games making their debut here. Go experience the culture and history of Greece!

When you set foot in Athens, your life will never be the same. You will experience ancient times that can’t be taught through a book or felt in a movie.

Athens, the capital of Greece, populates almost 3.7 inhabitants, according to wikipedia.com, and there is plenty to see and do.

The book “1,000 Places to See Before You Die” says two must-see places lie in Athens, The Acropolis, the most famous landmark in Greece, according to wikipedia.com, and The National Archaeology Museum.

A sight that will be unforgettable in your mind , The Acropolis, meaning the “highest city” in Greek, lies in Athens at 490 feet above sea level on a flat top rock. In time of war, having your defense at this level gave you a unique advantage over your enemies. The Acropolis encompasses the Parthenon, a Doric temple that is the largest of its kind in Greece. It is considered by many, “The Most Important Ancient Monument in the Western World,” according to the book.

The National Archaeology Museum “holds more masterpieces of ancient Greek art and sculpture than any other museum in the world,” according to the book. Collections include a room of Byzantine gold jewelry, a 15th century mask of a bearded kind, and Thira. The Thira collection includes pottery and artifacts from the island of Santorini.

The Temple of Olympian Zeus is also a must-see. A thunderstorm, about a century ago, brought down most of this temple except the column that remains today. Once here, you must venture to the 1896 Olympic Stadium (Panathinaiko Stadium) nearby.

For a great view of Athens, go to Lycabettus Hill by walking or railway. Make sure you take the time to enjoy the views along your way to the top.

If your heart desires museums, Athens holds other great ones too, the New Acropolis Museum, Benaki and Cycladic Art Museums, Agora Museum, and Kanellopoulous and Folk Art Museums.

I don’t know about you, but when I travel, food occupies my mind. I love trying traditional food of locales. In Greece, try souvlaki’, which is mainly grilled meat and tzatzki, which is yogurt with garlic and cucumber. Oh, also don’t forget to try a real Greek gyro. I’m sure they won’t compare to the American version you have had.

If you seek history and culture, Athens possesses the perfect mix. Museums and architectural landscapes abound the city.
You won’t leave wanting more, but you will depart with more knowledge and understanding of this ancient world that so many only “see” through school books or movies. You will experience firsthand what it must have been like to live during ancient times. When you leave, your life will be enriched because of it.

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE

So you want to change careers? Are you frustrated with your current job? Do you want to find your passion in life? It’s never too late to start. You may not know where to even begin…but you just need to start, somewhere.

First, don’t quit your current job until you know what you are going to do for your next. Especially in today’s economy, you don’t want to be stuck without any money coming in. If your boss isn’t the greatest or if you are stagnant in your position, you’ve held out this long. You can survive a little longer. Don’t take any drastic measures without first thinking things through.

Next, take a class. If you don’t know what you want to do, eliminate what you don’t want to do. You may know that your passion isn’t accounting, public relations, or statistics. You may not know that you have a love of painting or acting until you take that type of class. Get out of your own way. Step out of your comfort zone!

Research, research, research! Think outside the box. You may have always wanted to play sports. Now you may know that you can’t play pro ball, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t be a high school coach or a physical therapist for a professional team. Ask around and look online. There are so many jobs and professions, you might have never considered.

Get Involved! Whether you volunteer for your church or another non-profit, it allows you to meet people and help a worthy cause. Start playing a recreational sport. There are clubs or groups for just about any of them, soccer, dodgeball, volleyball, football, etc. Look around and there is one where you live during every season of the year.

Finally, they say it’s all about whom you know. It’s also about who knows you. Networking is just what you need. Join organizations and associations in the fields you are interested in. You learn about the industry and find out how you can help. You never know who knows whom and who is looking for a new employee. You might just meet some great friends out of it.

Don’t waste any more time at that desk job that you hate so much, you have to drag yourself out of bed each morning. Or even though it’s Monday, you look forward to Friday and count down each day waiting for the weekend. That’s no way to spend your life. It’s never easy changing careers, but if you have the drive to find your passion, you can do it. It also helps to have a great support system. It’s never too late to be living the life you want and the one you deserve.

Find the career you love. Get out of your own way. Step out of your comfort zone. Think outside the box. Discover. Dream. Never give up. And it will become your reality!

CLASSIC, CRISP, SEXY WHITE

It’s that time of year again! When you can look into your closet, and pull out the color you’ve been waiting ever-so-patiently to wear…white!

When I see a woman in a pair of classic, crisp white pants, I always think how great and sexy she looks. The rest of her could look like she just woke up, but those pants somehow transform her into a fashionable, appealing woman. And who doesn’t want to be that!

Unlike most pants though, white is a very tricky color to wear. Everyone can wear some type of white slacks, but what you must realize is that you HAVE to make sure they are the perfect pair for you. Like all pants, not every style looks great on everyone. But with white, there is no hiding anything. If the cut, size or style is not right, you will immediately see it. And as wonderful as white can look, it can look just as bad if you don’t pick the right pair for you.

Here are some tips for picking the perfect pair of white pants for you:

1. Make sure they are not see-through. If you are looking for a pair of white pants, wear the appropriate undergarments, so you know what they will look like after you buy them. Many white fabrics are thin and can be see-through. If they are “a bit” (and only a bit) see through, you can make sure they have back pockets to cover up what you might see on the backside. I think with all white pants, you should have back pockets, but that’s my preference. If you can completely see through them, they are not worth buying.
2. Straight-legged pants are great! Since white tends to not hide anything, you don’t want pants that are extra tight where they shouldn’t be. Straight legged pants will fits through the hips but not snug the thighs, which is a weak spot for many women. Remember, white pants are classy. Skin tight pants hugging your untoned thighs are not classy.
3. Just about any material in white looks good. And the great thing about white is it goes with everything, so you know you already have a ton of tops in your closet to go with the pants. So pick out a material that feels good to you. You don’t have to worry about white wool pants, because that’s pretty much a contradiction. Blend materials are always a safe bet.
4. Matching whites. You know how hard it is to match two blacks together. Well, it’s just as difficult matching whites. No two shades of whites are the same. So if you think you might want a white jacket to go with a pair of white slacks, buy a suit. The likelihood that you will find a white jacket to exactly match your white pants is slim to none. And like with blacks, when the shade is just a little bit off, it screams, “We do not match!” You want people to relish your white not have it negatively screaming at them.

‘Tis the season for wearing white! The time of year seems to last the shortest, so don’t wait to wear those white pants, you’ve been wanting to put on for months. Don’t forget at the end of the season, go buy a new pair, on sale, for this time next year. Because white won’t go out of style. Nothing feels better than wearing a brand new pair of white pants. So have the confidence when you put them on, because when others look at you in your white slacks, they think classy, sexy, and “Where can I get those?”

REMEMBERING THE CELEBRITIES WE LOVE

It seems in the past few weeks, we have heard of several celebrity deaths. My mom always used to tell me that things happen in threes, and it proves true here. Liz Taylor, DJ Megatron, and Nate Dogg all died within 12 days of each other. None of their deaths are related.

Nate Dogg, whose first hit single in 1994, “Regulate,” with Warren G. reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He worked regularly with Tupac on his music. Nate Dogg was “featured in and contributed to over 40 chart singles,” according to wikepedia.com.

Nate Dogg had health issues a few years ago, having had two stokes in two years. He died on March 15, 2011 of congestive heart failure.

Many of us knew of the Hollywood legend, Liz Taylor, in one way or another, whether it was her famous roles in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? or Cleopatra or her eight marriages. Her beauty was so apparent that when she was married to Richard Burton, she gained weight so she would stop getting offered roles. She wanted to concentrate on her marriage.

Maybe you remember her “White Diamonds” commercials, where she takes off her earrings and puts them down on a table and says to a guy “These have always brought me luck.” She died of congestive heart failure. Although she is missed, she will live on in our hearts through her unmistakable beauty and talent.

DJ Megatron, best known as a BET host, was shot in the chest in New York City’s borough, Staten Island, yesterday morning. He was on his way to the store, but little other information is known in his murder. “No arrests have been made,” according to longislandpress.com.

DJ Megatron, whose career was built from hip hop and R & B radio stations, leaves behind three kids and a fiancé. Police are investigating and searching for witnesses.

The hip hop and rap world has suffered two loses in less than two weeks and the world is mourning a legend. With Elton John dedicating “Hero” to Elizabeth Taylor and The Game releasing “All Doggs Go To Heaven” for Nate Dogg, we might feel a little comfort in knowing we are not alone, and that it will take time to heal.

GOING FOR COFFEE

In today’s world, it seems like going for coffee is almost a pre-date. It’s not really the equivalent of what dinner and a movie used to be. It’s almost as though it’s a test. If you pass, then you move on to an actual date.

Going for coffee should take the pressure off both of you. You will be able to be yourself and relax a bit more than if you knew you were going to dinner. Coffee, after all, can be as short as 30 minutes or as long as you want. Dinner, you know you will be there for over an hour.

I went on a dinner date not that long ago, and I knew from the beginning the chemistry wasn’t there. I also knew that I was going to give it time to see if it could develop. Sometimes chemistry doesn’t happen right away, so I thought maybe after talking for a little while, it may rise at least a little bit. It was a struggle to keep the conversation flowing. People who know me would find this hard to believe, because I am a question asker. I am interested in people and enjoy finding out how they have come to be. But there comes a time when I don’t want to be the only one asking questions. There were awkward moments of silence, covered up by the loud bar/restaurant he had chosen. I waited to see how long it would take for him to say something. After a while, this got old…fast. He would eventually chime in, but by then I was more occupied with the sports game that was playing behind him.

When talking to someone who you just meet is this difficult, the future doesn’t seem promising. Yes, people can be nervous, but you also have to be yourself, in order to be able to spark any interest from the other person. Don’t look like you are on a job interview. My date sat straight up and was very stiff. He didn’t look comfortable or relaxed.

We hear that men are simple…simple creatures. We women are not, or that’s what men think, although I beg to differ. Many women I know, myself not excluded, tend to analyze and overanalyze even the smallest things. So we are analyzing the way you talk, sit, and stand. We are wondering what your gestures or lack of them mean. More importantly, if we like you, we want to know what you think of how the date went. You said this or you implied that. What do you mean by this? Is it a good or a bad thing? Even though we may never know the answers, it doesn’t keep us from asking ourselves those questions.

No matter where a woman goes initially with a guy, whether it’s for a drink or dinner, she will put her analytical skills to use. And just so she isn’t in a situation, where she is screaming, “I would rather be at home watching ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ than here,” coffee is always a great start. Try to have low expectations when you first meet a guy. That way, it will always exceed them. If it doesn’t go well, you can get to Grey’s that much faster. If it does, which I hope it goes better than you think, then coffee can always turn into a longer conversation or off to something more fun! Keep a posit

YOUR FREE TIME OUTSIDE THE BOX

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Are you tired of going to dinner and then a movie? Well, it’s time to think outside the box.

You were cooped up indoors for the winter. Now the spring weather is inviting you to join it in an outside adventure. What has your soul, heart or body longed to do for so long? Have you wanted to try an adrenaline rush or a new adventure? Now is the time to do it. Don’t wait any longer!

If you are looking for a little adventure, try something a bit out of your comfort zone. Jump on a 4-wheeler, and go tracing through the fields, woods or open land. You can create your own track and drive like you are a contestant in NASCAR. Or climb on the back of a horse, and let the animal take you on a journey. If you’re a competitor like me, it’s enjoyable to be able to slowly walk alongside someone, and then seconds later to race that person on his/her horse, knowing your horse is so much better than the other one. Of course, there is no bias there either.

Want a little workout? Don’t go walk around your block, grab your loved one, find a trail and go on a hike. Or do a little research and go rock climbing. Yes, you can probably do this at your nearest mall or sports center. But I mean, go and actually rock climb outside. There are groups you can join and places to do this outside. One time will not be enough; you will want to keep rock climbing. Once you get a taste of it, it’s addicting. It gives you a boost of energy, and when you are finished you feel a huge sense of accomplishment.

If you aren’t scared of heights, you have a ton of options. My personal favorite, you can take your favorite person, whether it’s a significant other, your sister or best friend, on a hot air balloon ride. You can create romance or fun, while you see the city from another perspective. This ride is one that can’t be duplicated and one you won’t forget. You can also relax while you parasail above an ocean. This allows you peace and quiet, while you see the beauty from another point of view. Make sure your camera has a strap attached, so you can securely take it up with you. You want to make sure you catch these moments.

Are you seeking adrenaline? You probably have already thought about bungee jumping or skydiving. If you have already done it, try it again, but in a different way. Try bungee jumping from a higher spot or get trained to skydive solo. If you want something brand new, get certified to scuba dive or go on a shark dive. Yes, I said a shark dive. It may sound a bit frightening, but if adrenaline is what you seek, then shark diving is right up your alley. There is no experience quite like it, and you will be talking about it for years, looking forward to the time you can do it again. But make sure you buy an underwater camera. You can’t afford to miss those close ups of the sharks.

Whether you go horseback riding or shark diving, make sure you take advantage of the spring weather. Before you know it, it will be summer, and all you will want to do is stay inside with the air or be in the pool, lake or ocean. This is the right time to get out and soak up the weather, as you are exploring different activities and yourself. Don’t wait! This is the perfect weekend to get started. ENJOY THE FUN!

SELLING YOURSELF

How much time do you spend selling yourself? No matter if you are looking for a new job, having a meeting with your boss, or networking, you may not be aware of it, but you are selling yourself. These interactions may lead to that new job or your boss giving you a promotion or meeting a new client.

You may not have majored in marketing; therefore, you never had to take a sales class. You don’t consider yourself a salesperson at all. You just don’t have “that personality.” But everyone needs to be a salesperson, because you are always selling yourself. There are several ways you can master selling yourself:

1. Always dress the part. There are days that you just don’t feel like going to work. Or days that you are so tired, you want to sleep an extra 15 minutes, so you won’t do your hair. You always want to look your best, because you don’t know what that day has in store for you. Maybe you are meeting an unscheduled client that will bring in business for the next three years. You want to look and be prepared.

2. Have the right attitude. When you are going to a networking event, don’t be a wallflower. You are there to meet people and introduce yourself. Don’t stand in the back alone and not talk to anyone. That defeats the whole purpose. Make yourself known. Have the courage and go up to strangers. They aren’t going to be rude or not talk to you. That’s how they become friends or possible future coworkers.

3. Be passionate. Love what you do and do what you love. If you aren’t then be passionate about what you are doing. Become interested. Research more, and maybe you will find an undiscovered treasure that you can apply to your job. When you have that next great idea at work, make sure you present it with enthusiasm and passion. You might be amazed at how far these can go in selling your idea and you.

4. Know what’s going on in the industry. If you know what is happening in your industry, with your competition, and with your own company, you will be able to talk with anyone. You can offer your suggestions or counter someone else with what your biggest competitor is doing and how you can do it better. You will look like you keep up with the trends and are interested in helping your company achieve better success.

5. Join social networking sites. If you are not on Linkedin, Facebook or Twitter, join them. Some companies look at your Linkedin profile when hiring. You may not have time to be on different social media sites, but really how much time does it take? Two minutes? Three minutes? Everyone can find two to three minutes in his/her day for social media. Companies know that social media is not the future, it’s the now. And you should too.

If you ever think, it’s not about selling yourself, think again. Even in your personal life, it’s about selling you. If you are at a store wanting to find an item, the clerk will likely help more efficiently when you are nicer to him. You may get a five minute longer massage, because you asked the masseur about her personal life. The agent may give you a better deal or find a coupon, because you treated him like he was a real person and not someone there to “serve” you.

You are constantly selling yourself. Put some thought and effort into this job. Once you excel at it, you can surpass other interviewers for a new job, meet with your boss without reservations, and network with the best of them. So make sure you have the necessarily skills to make the best impression you can, because you never know what the unknown reward might be and how you can benefit from it.

SPRING'S BRIGHT COLORS

For me, this time of year dominates clothes with the bright, fun colors. There is nothing like putting on a turquoise shirt or hot pink slacks. Of course, you have to have the personality to go along with your clothes to pull it off successfully. And that confidence is within all of us.

We all have those days, the ones where we feel a little less than our best selves. We may just want to lie in bed all day. Or when we look in the mirror, we just don’t feel like we look pretty. Our hair won’t do what we want it to do, our skin is less than perfect, and bags may be appearing under our eyes. We know what they days look like. When they arise, the day drags on and on, for what could be eternity in our minds.

If you’re like me, when you look in your closet, some days you think, “Wow, I have so many great things to wear. What shall it be today?”

Then a week later, you look at the same things and think, “I don’t have a single thing to wear. What am I going to wear?”

I know, it’s all about perspective, because nothing in your closet has even changed. Yet now, you can’t find anything to wear. When you have these days…these days when you just don’t feel yourself or “there is nothing to wear,” pull out the brightest pair of pants or the most fun shirt and arrange your wardrobe around this one item. Take out those hot pink pants and browse your shirts. What shirt would have you walking around thinking, “Thank goodness my outfit looks good today, because it’s making up for the rest of me!”

Maybe that semi-sparkly gray shirt with a thin white long sleeved shirt over it would make the perfect outfit! That will do the trick. And to top off the fabulous creation, there is nothing better than some sparkly chandelier style hot pink earrings with hot pink bow heel shoes. Now you are talking!

A bright colored shirt or pair of pants can get any girl in the mood to face the day. And when people look and comment on how much they love your outfit, you will smile, knowing that they aren’t even noticing that you may look a little less than your best, because your wardrobe makes up for any imperfections you may be feeling. And when they say, “Oh I love your hot pink pants” or “I love your sparkly shirt,” you forget yourself that today you don’t look your hottest! Because those bright colors, hot pink, lavender, plum, bright yellow, emerald green, of Spring can overcome any blue mood.

SURVIVING A NATURAL DISASTER

What happens after a natural disaster strikes, and you survive?

In Japan, rescuers still discover bodies left ten days ago by the 9.0 earthquake, which then ignited a tsunami that destroyed the northeast coast. Police said over 15,000 have been killed by these disasters, with more than 20,000 missing or dead in total.
But some people, miraculously, are still being found. An 80-year-old grandma, Sumi Abe, and her 16-year-old grandson, Jin Abe, were discovered today on the roof of their destroyed house. Until now, Jin Abe had not been able to climb out of the debris to seek help. They were both wrapped in several blankets to keep warm and survived on food from their refrigerator. Jin and Sumi were both taken to a hospital.

“I always believed they were alive," Jin’s father, Akira Abe, said, according to msnbc.com.
Rescuers are still searching for more missing people, hoping they might find some additional miracles in a time of turmoil and grief.

Haitians can empathize with the Japanese. A year after a 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, they mourn the ones they lost and celebrate the lives still left.

“We've had an earthquake, hurricane, cholera, but we are still here, and we are still together," said Charlemagne Sintia, according to news.yahoo.com.

With this natural disaster hitting Haiti’s capital Port au Prince, where a third of the country’s population lives, the death toll was over 316,000. Over a million of its residents remain homeless, living in camps, unable to afford homes.

Debris is still being cleared away and the landscape resembles the same as it did after the earthquake, since the reconstruction efforts have yet to begin on the much-needed areas.

Although rescuers are still finding bodies, more than a year after the earthquake, people remain positive.
"God blessed me by taking only one of my cousins that day. Our house collapsed but we have health and life," said Terez Benitot, according to news.yahoo.com.

So for now, Haitians can look at the Japanese and feel their pain, because they know all too well what it is like to be where they are. But they also know when time passes, the wounds will begin to heal.