Featured Artist - 2019 Australia - Dave Koz & Friends at Sea

Jazmin Ghent

By Athelda R. Ensley,

Collages, LLC

For cruisers experienced with Dave Koz & Friends at Sea, the addition of Jazmin Ghent to the 2019 line-up on Holland America’s Ms. Noordam was a superb idea. This national and now international jazz recording artist brought her own unique vibe to both voyages. She also enhanced the musical experience by complimenting the excellence that is commonly associated with this annual cruise.

Born in Heidelberg, Germany, Jazmin now lives and works in Central Florida. She is no stranger when it comes to applying her talents in the most creative of ways. Working as an elementary music teacher provides her with her share of ingenuity and resilience. This can be seen and heard through the artistry she demonstrates, playing her saxophone.

Tailoring Your Own Sound

Welcoming to admiring passengers onboard, Ghent showcased many of the qualities that make her stand out and right at home with every caliber musician. She has found the way to tailor a sound that connects to her name. Those who listened to Jazmin’s first album Boss, released in 2015 quickly became fans. It was easy to determine that this was a skilled and talented sax player no matter her age.

Harmonizing with Other Musicians

Dave Koz Cruises are an example of a well-oiled and memorable machine. They are designed to provide passengers with continual music at dynamic onboard venues. Each performance showcases the skills of diverse musicians, many of which are award-winning recipients. Ghent with her celebrated The Story of Jaz album joined this prestigious club of artists on the 2019 cruise.

Being Recognized

Artists, including the likes of Gerald Albright, Peter White, Marcus Anderson, and Richard Elliott were all on this adventure Down Under. Already recognized in 2017 as the Smooth Jazz Network’s Best New Artist, Ghent received the 2019 NAACP’s Image Award for Outstanding Jazz Album, The Story of Jaz. She received this honor while performing on the cruise in Australia this year.

Her career and talent will continue to bring attention Jazmin’s way. One thing’s for sure, cruisers are hoping to see her next year on the Dave Koz & Friends at Sea’s 2020 Amsterdam & the British Isles Cruise.

Chronicling Europe & The Baltics 2018 - Helsinki Modern Diversity

Modern Families

I’ve been down this emotional road before and I don’t like it. The last destination or port before returning where we started is always bittersweet. Everyone knows that this is one of the last hurrahs of a week filled with amazing music, friends, and exploration. We’d just arrived in Helsinki, Finland and the morning was brisk.

This was the first day in this region that I actually needed a jacket. The sun, however, did not fail us with its presence. It was a great day to ride through the country’s southern capital and learn about its history. One of the things that struck me right away was the activities of families. Early morning responsibilities like getting kids off to school or daycare were being performed by both moms and dads.

Like many countries in the region, green functions are important in Finland. It was common to see commuters on bikes here just as residents of Copenhagen had done. Modern families interacting at work and play were visible from the tour bus. Those hopping on and off of the city’s tram systems looked like residents from any location around the world.

Helsinki Cathedral and the Market Square were memorable attractions that provided a different way to experience this area. Here we met an American working for the tour company, who had chosen this for his retirement spot. International travel is just another way to learn about people and what they are interested in. 

We all want happiness, health, and genuine connections with family and friends.

Chronicling Europe 2018 - Travel through My Eyes

I don’t do a lot of promos for airlines or many brands in general. It’s hard to say anything bad about an airline, however, which spoils you rotten as you travel. British Airlines has safely transported us from the US to destinations around the world.

There are some folks out there who are like me in that they LOVE to travel and they HATE to travel. I’m always excited to get to the final destination, which for me has included stops like Rome, Venice, and Copenhagen. It’s the hustle and bustle of getting there, journeying through airports, and constantly running that I HATE.

I’m not sure if it’s My Journey to 50…or a saucy attitude, but there are parts of the process that make me grumble. This is one of the many reasons why this airline was made for me! Comfortable seating, tasty beverages, yummy meals, music, and movies make me settle in and rest.

I  did anticipate traveling to this portion of the world for many years, even before my husband booked this trip. Now the only thing I needed to do was nap, write, eat, drink, and REPEAT! British Airlines did the rest.

My Journey to 50! - Changing Looks

If you’re like me, you’re features make you an enigma. People are always questioning my age, which is a compliment. However, I know the truth because I’ve seen me from the beginning to now.

Another key thing to consider on My Journey to 50 is the expectation of changing looks. Women, especially have a challenge in this area because we hear it more so than men. Who cares what other people think about your maturing looks?

Embrace who you are today and find ways to appeal to YOURSELF. I’m finding my way now just like I did as a teen. Peer pressure, trends and outside influences are always coming! I’m preparing by feeling good in my own skin, such as it is. Lol.

Let’s embrace this Speed of Life thing together!

True beauty is only possible when the inside is healthy, intact and positive…

What is Resume Development? – Necessary Details

Many people are unaware of the changes that professional resumes are expected to undergo. A part of this involves keeping up with trendy formats and designs. Others have to do with ensuring that these documents are both concise and informative.

The Speed of Life often takes people away from thoughts of how to fine-tune and modernize resumes and cover letters. The development process that content writers and resume specialists use is important. These are experts when it comes to crafting the wording that highlights an applicant’s skills and expertise.

These writers are familiar with the expectations of HR departments, hiring officials and interviewers. Showcasing details about experience is essential to securing an interview during this process.

Some skills are simply transferable because they are paramount to most any field or industry. Hiring a talented writer to tailor your experience in a way that catches the eye is important.

The details are what these readers are looking for so that they can connect them with the position they are recruiting for. Here are some skills to consider for your resume project:

• Team Collaboration
• Communications
• Problem Resolution
• Planning & Organization

Supplemental Learning – Follow Up at Home with Great Tools

It’s never been a secret that parents participate in home education activities, where their children are concerned. Although homeschool techniques are becoming more and more popular in mainstream society, this has always been the case in families.

Parents provide students with supplemental education for public school study. This is true whether the subject is math or history. If you’ve ever helped with homework or purchased study materials, you’re a home educator.

As your child grows and develops, they will likely require additional resources in this category. Online resources, such as programs from ABCMouse.com are terrific for those between the ages of 2 and 8.

These are tools that enhance the learning process and sparks interest in different subjects. It is possible to achieve these academic goals from home:

• Games Building Eye-Hand Coordination
• Stories to Develop Reading Comprehension
• Puzzles that Increase Mathematical Abilities
• Topical Studies for Context Referrals

Finding online resources that are effective and budget-friendly is possible with a bit of research. Parents with multiple children can actually purchase products that are unique. Any of these that build internet skills will be helpful for the future.


The more you are able to supplement the learning process, the easier it will be to prepare for increasing grade level work.

Certification Tests for Your Field

There are many fields these days that require certification testing. Some are linked to professional activity and others are connected to a certain position. Companies within the health industry, for example often require applicants to have these certifications.

Nurses are some of the most commonly known in these fields. Educators are also among those who need these tests. It doesn’t matter what your area of expertise may be. You must find effective ways to prepare for these exams.

The costs associated with them alone are a motivator to students. Fortunately there are terrific resources online that can help with your study and preparation. Here are some resources to consider for certification and supplemental training:

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Freelance in Your Lane – Utilize All Your Skills

There are many different ways to pursue career goals. Some will find work in their areas of expertise or field of interest. Others will discover the opportunities that freelance work provides. This is work that is available through companies and industries around the world.

In most instances, these employers are in need of short-term relationships to achieve specific objectives. Hiring freelance workers is a good way to get the work done at a reasonable cost. The options for freelance professionals are vast.

Those with diverse skills have the opportunity to earn in that number of ways. For example, if you are speedy at typing information, you can work for clients needing data entry services. It may also be possible to secure projects that involve document creation.

The key to pursuing these opportunities is to fully utilize your skill sets. Those with technical knowledge can find clients in IT or administrative fields. Writers, discover that there are many companies requiring articles, blog posts and marketing materials.

Freelancing in your lane requires being strategic about what you offer and consistently increasing your experience levels.



Build Professional Skills – Test Prep Opportunities

If you’re pursuing a new career or field of interest, testing may be necessary. In some instances this is a matter of obtaining a certification. Those who need a particular license in order to practice in your area of expertise should consider testing.

Preparation for these tests is important for a number of reasons. The cost associated with taking a test one time could be high, not to mention re-taking a test. Being able to pass this type of test in one try is the best case scenario.

Just as with any other thing that interests you, practice is key. Companies that offer diverse exams for test preparation are beneficial to many students. They have the opportunity to prepare in advance for the final test, as well as, get a feel for what exams will be like.

It is possible to get practice tests for 350 specialties, which accommodate 60+ certifying bodies. This includes opportunities to prepare for ANCC, AANP and DANB testing.

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What Your Resume Says About You

Each year millions of people decide that it is time to start looking for career options. For some of these, they want a chance to rise in their current companies or industries. Others may simply desire to find a brand new type of work.


Resumes are some of the most essential tools to this process. These are professional documents that allow you to express the fullness of your skills and expertise. Resume development services such as the ones provided by MCPD are helpful.


A professional writer can take the information that your resume presents and modernize it. Dated document styles and content could work to date you. One of the key goals in this process is to consolidate the information presented.


It is also important to keep visual appeal in mind when reaching out to HR departments and employers. Your resume needs to present you in the best light possible. This is true whether you are an hourly worker or a salaried executive.


Experts in this industry know how to tailor documents for these goals.

Teen Conversations: Important Parental Moves

It's true that parents and teens often speak a different language!


This shouldn't discourage either from conversation. It is important not only to the relationship of the family. Keeping these lines of communication active promotes expression in the future.


Teens learn how to think critically and to verbalize their positions. Topics of these conversations can vary. The primary objective is to use the time wisely. Although the Speed of Life is challenging to families, it is essential that they maintain relationships in a healthy way. Conversation is a good tool for this!


Daily Lives


Some teens need to be encouraged to talk about the issues that trouble them. The things that occur daily are a part of these concerns. Setting aside time specifically for these conversations, shows interest and concern.


Current Events


There are confusing things happening in society. This is true for both parents and teens. Discussing current events nationally and internationally can help. The goal is not to figure out the world's problems. It's simply to pursue understanding and spark more conversation. 


The Future


The future is one of the things that troubles teens the most. Parents don't always understand because they've conquered their fears in some ways. Teens need and want direction for attaining the goals, whether short term or long term. Conversation could mean the difference between success and failure.


Let's start talking more. . .


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How to Get What You Want from Work? - Job Satisfaction

I recently heard a story about an administrative worker who longed for more responsibility at work. This worker, of course, wanted to rise up the corporate ladder and earn more. Her primary objective, however, was to utilize the skills and expertise she'd gained over the years.


Because this worker had earned a good reputation at her office, she was able to get what she wanted. Speaking with one of the senior leaders, resulted in her being able to secure a new position. This position was a bit out of her current field, but it held greater responsibility and tasks. Not everyone will be able to experience this result because...


They don't showcase dependability


Dependability is a diverse area when it comes to workers. It is important to be on time for work and an active participant. At the same time, you show dependability by trying hard to meet company goals and objectives. Communicating well with supervisors is helpful, too.


They aren't team players


Team players are not simply people who follow the leader. They work cohesively with the team to achieve goals and objectives. This may mean working independently in some cases. Understanding initiatives, asking questions and completing projects effectively is essential.


They don't speak for themselves


Speaking for yourself is all about communicating well. This can be verbally or in written form. How do you express yourself? Professional examples are seen not simply through apparel. These individuals understand the company and its long term goals and missions.


It is important to be a GOOD worker no matter what your field or area of expertise.
Hiring officials and employers are looking not only for the brightest candidates. They want people who have committed to work and are trustworthy. This is the best way to get what you want out of your position or perhaps a new one.

Utilize Your Degree - Take Advantage of Diverse Skills

Just because your degree is in one particular area, doesn't mean you're locked into that field. As millions of Americans have discovered, their initial career fields aren't productive. Whether it be major layoffs or areas that are obsolete, it is important to utilize your degree to the best of your ability.


This may mean reevaluating your resume design. There are skills that you've gained from your field, that can translate to other career paths. With this goal in mind, you should take advantage of education, training and professional abilities that are instrumental to any position. Here are some ways to view your accomplishment:


Light Skills Transfer Easily


Light skills are those that are useful to almost all fields. Some of these include: computing, record keeping, finance, inventory control and many others. If you're looking to move from management to technical service, it's your skills that need to be expressed.


Use All Leadership Abilities


Leadership, whether supervisory or management is priceless. Employers want workers who have gained experience leading teams. The skills that these roles provide are diverse and critical to every field and industry. These skills allow applicants to consider many different professional roles.


Your resume is a tool that can make your first introduction. It doesn't matter whether your degree is IT related or in Humanities. The skills that you've gained over the years, can be helpful to virtually any employer. Showcase them in all future professional pursuits.


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Work Outside of the Box

In recent years there have been millions of job seekers deposited into the unemployment arena. Many of these people are those who have worked in the same industry for decades. Things were very different when they last had to look for work. Technology, for example, did not present so many options.

The internet itself is not simply a way to look for employment. It has become, in many instances, an employer for those ready for unique work opportunities. There are many different types of job options that are available online. It does take a bit of research to find out what’s out there. You will also need to apply flexibility to what you consider work to be. Let’s take a look at some of the earning options the internet presents.

Article Writing


Freelance writing is definitely one of the hidden opportunities that are available. There are many sites that connect writers with clients. Elance and oDesk are two examples in this category. Some clients are affiliated with magazines, websites and blogs. They are looking for someone to provide web content for their niche industry. Articles are used to steer traffic to sites or to sell products.

Blog Writing

There are a variety of different blogs on the internet. Some of these are related to companies, organizations and institutions. Blog owners don’t often have the time to produce current content. Blog writers come in and answer this particular need. Blogs are generally shorter than articles and tend to require posts of 350 to 400 words each.

Resume Writing

There are general freelance sites that provide resume writing services. You will also discover through searches specific sites only for resumes. These sites pay writers per resume and cover letter provides. This type of work is done based upon your own schedule and availability. The average fee for a resume is $20-$25 for the writer.

Customer Service

Small businesses often look for help as it relates to customer service. They are unable to pay a full-time salary but will outsource services. These jobs may require answering calls (routed to home phones), taking orders, making appointments and other clerical tasks. Some of the projects in this category are issued per contract. Contracts can last weekly, monthly or even longer.

 

 

 

Read to Communicate

We all remember being assigned a questionable book in school. There were times when we were surprised to find out that the book was exceptional. I can think back to certain titles that served to introduce a whole new world to me. Today, reading is a debated topic to many people. Because we’ve taken so many shortcuts in communications, reading has fallen by the wayside in some minds.

The things that we read are instrumental to how we communicate. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a song writer or a delivery person. Verbal and written communication intrudes into most peoples’ lives. Our ability to solve problems, think critically, or relate to others has to do with our experiences. Physical experiences travel and materials that we’ve read enhance how effectively we communicate to others.

Speech Patterns


The way that we use speech can be related to what we’ve read. Those who love the news and read it daily are capable to discuss it. This doesn’t mean that their opinions are unique or correct. It simply means that these individuals utilize what goes into their consciousness. The patterns of speech used by anyone can show their interests and understanding.

Empathize

Reading diverse materials about different topics can broaden your ability to empathize with others. You don’t literally have to travel across the globe to learn about people living in remote places. The more that you learn through reading, the easier it is to understand who these people are and how they live.

Connect

There are millions of pieces of material on the internet at any given time. Reading things that interest you can serve to connect you to other people. Examining topics, issues and history is an effective way to relate to the world. Connecting shows a desire to expand both knowledge and understanding.

Embrace 2014 - Get a New Perspective

Every year has something new to offer us. Embracing 2014 is all about getting a new perspective on life. This is a time to pursue goals that have long since disappeared. This is also a time to make changes towards happiness and away from negativity.

There are many steps that can be taken to grab onto a different perspective. Taking these steps is the best way to move ahead into the future. When we do things the same old way, we get the same old results. Let's take a look at some of things that can help us journey through a better and more positive year.

Consider Our Connections

The people around you have a direct impact on you and your perspective. If there's only a negative group in your circle, you need a new one. Moving towards your goals takes support and commitment.

Invest In Yourself

What investments have you made in yourself? This type of investment can be seen in time and resources. Achievements cannot be actualized without drawing a line in the sand. Research, reading and networking are useful tools for getting the perspective you desire!

Selecting a Career

In years past, parents encouraged kids to choose whatever career path that they wanted. Now days, this encouragement has changed a little. With millions of unemployed people in the marketplace, revising your career plans is important. There are limited positions for applicants to compete for. It is important to look at the fields that are hiring right now.

This is a good way to determine if you are spending your educational funds wisely. It is possible to find work that you love and are fulfilled by. Children must also focus on industries that offer gainful employment. One of the best ways to find out what the hot jobs are today is by doing a bit of research. This information will prove helpful as children and parents look forward to the future.

Factor in your experience
Employers across the country look at a number of factors when it comes to hiring employees. They factor in both your educational experience and your work experience. The skills that applicants have gained over the years make them better candidates. Select a career path that exemplifies your experience.

Career outlooks matter
The outlook for specific careers is very important. Researching what experts say about specific positions like computer analysts, programmers, and designers. These are sought after fields for students to consider. If you’re studying accounting, you’ll need to find jobs that offer a level of confidence for the future.

Consider the income
The income that positions pay right now doesn’t mean that they may not change later. This growth, or lack thereof, will depend on the outlook for those jobs. It is important to consider how much money you would like to make versus how much you need to make.