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.

Foodie Blubs from Waikiki, HI

Kona Coffee Purveyors

2330 Kalakaua Ave #160, 

International Marketplace, Honolulu, HI 96815

As you know, I’m a sucker when it comes to the smell of a good cup of coffee. The smell coming from Kona Coffee Purveyors hooked me immediately. I already knew an authentic macchiato was coming my way. This unique spot is known as an artisan location to get Kona coffee and espresso beverages. It is also a patisserie that offers guests amazing baked goods.

My hubby gravitated towards the Pineapple Coconut Croissant which also included tasty almond slivers. This was a delectable treat when paired with a Mocha Latte. I was a bit braver and tried the Cauliflower, Cheese, and Cayenne Scone with my macchiato. The baked goods were not only unique but well-worth a second visit the next morning.

Speed of Life Stops!

Highlights from Hawaii - Foodie Dreams

Eggs ‘n Things

2464 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu

I am not normally a breakfast eater! I know, I know about the most important meal stuff and I agree, it just not my thing. This time around though, I am in Hawaii, it’s a beautiful morning, and apparently SPAM and eggs are somethings that I simply MUST try while here.

The long line of hungry people waiting told me a couple of things. One of which was that this meal would definitely be worth the wait. The efficient drill here is to pick out what you want before you get your table, pay first, and within a few minutes the meal is ready.

I opted for the Minced Egg Scramble with green onion, SPAM, and cheddar cheese. This came with a side of the largest buttermilk pancakes I’ve seen. There were 3 syrups to choose from, maple, coconut, and papaya. Let’s just say I made delicious choices all around. Yum!



Top Summer Styles – Tailoring Your Look

No one can tell you what you feel comfortable wearing! It is possible to get inspiration from fashion trends. This is a good way to find styles that appeal to your sense of fashion. At the same time, you will learn what pieces are being worn this season.

Summer is typically the time of year that everyone likes to show a bit of skin. It doesn’t matter whether you’re shopping for shorts, skirts or dresses. You will discover a wide array of colorful styles to choose from.

Harper’s Bazaar reports that virtually any shade of lavender is working this year. In fact, this is being seen in every layer for 2018, including pantsuits, minis and other items. Another top trendy style involves animated-influenced graphics, coupled with solid colored pieces.

You can create your own artwork with a graphic top and a pair of bright colored slacks. Here are some other Top Summer Styles to Consider:

• Spaghetti Strap Sun Dresses
• Plaid & Solid Color Combos
• Layered Skirts
• Retro Relaxed Fit Jeans

***Shop with Naked Zebra for Fashion Ideas!!!



Dietary Changes – Find Comfort & Fitness

According to Food Revolution, veganism and plant-based eating is at an all-time high. Some people make this choice because they can’t bear to eat anything from animals. Others are moved to change their diets because of existing health problems.

It’s no secret that removing certain things from the diet has fitness and health benefits. Vegans and vegetarians can see improvements as it relates to overall health, blood pressure and weight loss. There is no one approach to eating this way, however.

Sass Magazine presents an article that highlights how you can make this a personal journey. Long-term dietary changes should be seen as lifestyle changes. Planning for the process is the best way to be certain that it will work for you.

• Experiment with New Foods
• Transform Old Favorites
• Visit Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurants
• Plan Inclusive Meals

What’s your approach to making dietary changes?

My Journey to 50! - Oh, No…Thinking About Hair, Too?

Girls will forever be thinking about their hair. It doesn’t matter whether you’re 20 or 40 this is a feature that follows us around. For me right now, I decided to turn My Journey to 50 into a hair exploration, too!

In fact, I chose my style for 35, 40 and 45. Although I’m a little over-the-top in the detail department, I’m looking forward to the 50 hairstyle reveal. Comfort and ease are the key factors for me, right now. My stylist tries to convince me all of the time that longer hair is beautiful.

I totally agree with her. It’s just that it’s beautiful on someone else. I’ve never felt more free and attractive than when my hair was short. This is my opinion and my journey. Finding my way, and yours as well, is about listening to yourself.

If your hair or anything else becomes drudgery, is it worth it? No matter the compliments, I just want to enjoy as much of this time of life as possible. Loving the Speed of Life and all it…

Introduce Color into Your Home – Décor Tips

You may be embarking on a remodeling project at your home. This will take a bit of time when it comes to selecting interior furnishings and décor items. The same is true for those who are trying to develop their very first homes.

The introduction of color is extremely important to each room of the home. This can be a scheme that is the focal point for the rest of the space. Color is also utilized as an accent to other shades, designs and features.

Finding the right pieces that bring this color into the room requires research and comparison shopping efforts. The Speed of Life and your other responsibilities could make it challenging. Don't give up!

Planning for each step of your decoration project can be helpful. Let’s take a look at some tips that will make it easy.

• Select a Central Color for Each Room
• Look for Artwork and Wall Hangings to Harmonize
• Set a Theme that Works for the Space

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…

Taking Advantage of Local Offerings – Summer Field Trips

There are many things for couples and families to consider during the summer. Once the Speed of Life slows a bit, travel is usually on the agenda. Globetrotting can be a lot of fun but certainly requires a bit of planning and budgeting.

Getting away from the stresses of life is possible by exploring the things that are available locally. These may include local day trips to parks, lakes and museums. Most cities, however, have activities and attractions that can be interesting to see.

Even planning a trip to landmarks, such as state and national parks is a nice way to learn and getaway. Visit their websites that display tourist details that travelers look for. Many of these trips are budget-friendly and can be done within a day or two.

• Walking Trails – Plan for the difficulty level and take a lot of pictures.

• Historic Sites – Look for site requirements and if tickets are necessary.

• Tour Brochures – Many cities with popular landmarks and attractions have brochures online.

• Weekend Getaway – Find scenic locations within an hour or two to relax and explore.

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:

***Use Speed of Life links to SAVE!!

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My Journey to 50

Yes, I’m Excited to Turn 50

I’ve had friends who practically lost it when they turned 30. I guess every milestone comes with a bit of trepidation. Embracing where you are in life and being truly thankful is important. This sets the theme for the rest of life.

Aging is a privilege to those who actually understand it. Make no mistake, I’m not saying sit back and knit…unless you know how. Lol. Who says you cannot embark on this phase of life with expectation?

Travel, learn, write, explore and whatever else helps you to grow! Getting older offers us all the opportunity to tackle life in a new way. The Speed of Life doesn’t slow down for any of us so finding a pattern and rhythm is crucial.

Fortunately for me, I’ve been an outside-the-box kind of girl from the start. My plan is to take the next 2 and a half years and get prepared. The embrace, may take a little bit of work. I’ll get there though.

How about you joining me on My Journey to 50? It’s going to be AMAZING!

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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Setting Good Examples for Kids – Inspire the Future

There’s no rule stating that you have to be a perfect example as a parent. In fact, it’s virtually impossible to do so. Your goal, however, should be setting an example that inspires your kids’ future choices.

This could involve sharing your mistakes and successes. Children of different ages have the capacity to understand a great deal. It’s up to us to find easy applications and lessons that relate to daily life.

Young kids can learn from your suggestion to not run without looking. This is a simple lesson that makes sense right where they are. Older kids are sponges for good examples, too.

Sharing why it’s important to stand up for your beliefs may be a broad stance. Inserting lessons specific to you can be truly helpful.

Adopting a Healthy Diet

Kids watch what you do! If you tell them to eat healthy, you’d better be a good example for this, as well. it doesn’t matter whether you are choosing veggies sticks over chips or a salad over a burger.

Parents who adopt healthy diets are setting an example to their kids. Discussions about reasonable choices are good methods for starting the conversation.

Budgeting for Purchases

Relaying the importance of living on a budget to your children could be challenging. A 5-year old understands the correlation between good behavior and getting a sought after toy.

This same child can also learn how to reserve something now for a later date. Tweens and teens are ready for budgeting on a large or small scale. Start with tracking where their allowance goes each month.

Being a Good Friend

Many of our grandparents encouraged us to be a good friend, if we were looking for a good friend. This isn’t a dated message. Showing this through real life examples, parents can explain the efforts they take as a friend.

Sharing these experiences and motivations, at your child’s learning level can help. This like all important things will take time, but can impact the future. Sites, such as Cleverly Changing offer parents an opportunity to not only learn from previous mistakes.

It is possible to visit this site and gain budgeting, parenting, product selections and healthy living tips. These areas are terrific considerations for adopting good examples.

Remember that these are not simply individual lifestyle choices, but ways to model and inspire how our kids may live in the future.

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.

Conversation Builds Relationships

It’s true that some people are just better communicators than others. Some enjoy sparking conversation with virtually anyone. Others may struggle talking with the people that they love the most.


Conversations are a real way to build relationships with friends and family. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to make a speech, far from it.The goal is to express what you feel, as well as, listen to the other person.


Couples, especially have to practice this when trying to strengthen connections. It doesn’t matter whether your desire is to build a good marriage foundation or a solid friendship.


Scheduling a time to talk about big and little issues is one option that can be fruitful for those dealing with the Speed of Life.

Outsource Your Writing Needs - Get Content that Produces!

Many businesses and organizations require relevant content on their websites. Content is displayed on each page of the site, as well as, on blogs. The information found here are what visitors see about you. Their impressions will be based upon what's written and the information provided.


It is important to maintain your website on a regular basis. Unfortunately, staff writers are not in everyone's budget. This is one of the reasons why outsourcing options are effective. Hiring a skilled content writer could be the solution to your problem.


Update Site Pages


If your site pages are outdated, they are not producing for you. Changing information or even showcasing new products and services is important. You should want your traffic to fully understand what you offer. Outsource this work to a freelance content writer for tailored wording.


Start a Blog


Blogs are not simply a way to communicate through social media. Corporations and successful businesses around the world utilize blogs as tools. They bring increased interest to the business and can affect sales. It is possible to hire content writers to regularly provide posts for your site's blog.


Post Articles


Articles are one of the most effective Search Engine Optimization tools. These articles are displayed and dispersed in various locations online. They are written to describe your site and services. At the same time, these articles include links back to your specific pages. Having these available could change business metrics altogether.


Thinking about what your business does, whether it provides services or products, is critical. This is the information that you want out there about you. It is extremely important that this information is displayed on your website. Simply existing online will not make your site productive.


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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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Stand for What You Believe

Taking a stand for what's right can be challenging.


There are many ways to approach this particular issue. Everyone operates at the Speed of Life these days! Each day though we see or hear about injustices happening around us. What should we do?


It's important to invite conversation. Some of the world's biggest movements started with a simple conversation. It is super important for parents, especially to encourage talks where social issues and problems exist.


Our children will discover that their voices can stand against the ills of the world. There are times and opportunities to stand more tangibly in some instances. Being a good communicator is an essential step in standing for what you believe in. This is also one of the best ways to stand against something.


Here are some ideas that make taking a stand feasible:


* Use your verbal skills


* Write your views down


* Social media outlets


* Spark conversation


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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.