Chronicling Europe & The Baltics 2018 – Places to Ponder

Sunny St. Petersburg Exploration

Since 2013, we’ve gotten the chance to visit many once-in-a-lifetime cities around the world with Dave Koz. A lot of these were places that I’d dreamed of since I was a child. There are others that I didn’t know would impact me until I actually arrived. Rome, for example was one of those cities with its rich history and famous attractions.

I went there and learned to relax despite the Speed of Life. It soon came to my attention that St. Petersburg would also be on my list of special destinations. There were unique things that made it stand out but familiar things that couldn’t be missed. One of the things that I write about often is the fact that people are essentially the same.

When you ride through a city and see families interacting and excited pets, it’s hard to separate individuals based upon location. Whenever there’s a lot of information to consume and a short period of time to do so, music makes me relax and ponder. I think our host DK knows exactly what he’s doing when he selects truly amazing places for use to visit. Then he offers us jazz creativity at its best through artists, such as Peter White, Keiko Matsui, and Peet Project.



Chronicling Europe & The Baltics 2018 – Attractions to See

Sunny St. Petersburg Exploration

Our female tour guide spoke English fluently and was an expert in her job. As we rode through the city, she pinpointed landmarks and attractions that make St. Petersburg unique. We got the opportunity to ride passed sights like St. Peter and Paul Cathedral, the Summer Palace of Peter, and Mikhailovsky Theatre.

There were historic structures within close proximity to modern businesses. It wasn’t difficult to spot some chain restaurants that are popular in most developed countries. I was excited about seeing these attractions and touring the Hermitage, I was also enthralled by my surroundings. This was a capital city that is at least two centuries old that accommodates many different types of people.

When all was said and done, I could only smile. Sometimes it is difficult to express feelings that move you. My problem was we hadn’t even entered the museum yet. The orchestration of Dave Koz and Friends at Sea cruises is precise. They take into consideration the awesomeness of these destinations and make them the backdrop for the music and entertainment. The comedy of Tommy Davidson was next up for the late night audience, like us.

Chronicling Europe 2018 - Reconnecting in Sweden

It’s always nice to be able to reconnect with friends and family members. This is even nicer when the place that you get to do this is in Sweden. One of the unique things about this portion of the cruise with Dave Koz and Friends was that we had family in this part of the world.

I can’t help but repeat that the weather was amazing and warm enough for light clothing. Traveling around the world can make things a bit confusing and challenging. Things like meeting people in a public place with signage in another language. Fortunately this time around, it was quite easy to get together with our family members.

This gave us an opportunity to also see the city through their eyes. Sightseeing with them included off-the-beaten path stops like a royal cathedral and a place for espresso. Shopping and taking home souvenirs for many tourists involves traversing to some of the best streets in the city. We got the chance to visit the Drottninggatan, as well as, Gotgatan areas.

It was possible to buy high-end items and those that were budget-friendly. Walking in Stockholm was nice, easy, and enjoyable with family as the guides.



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.

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

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.

My Journey to 50 - Keep Exploring

I don’t know about other people, but I’ve become more adventurous as I age. When the kids were little the Speed of Life was the battle in more than one way. Now it’s time to explore in different ways than before.

Travel is definitely one of our favorite things. Seeing the world in a unique way and through the eyes of others is fulfilling. In My Journey to 50, I’ll keep moving with my hubby to explore the world…near and far.

Exploration in my mind isn’t limited to one thing like travel. Adopting our vegan lifestyle is an example in this category. Doing things that help you to improve your quality of life and spark inspiration are important, no matter what your age.

Right now, I’m exploring how to use my writing in even more creative ways…

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!

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.



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.

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


followed by Web Content Matters

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.

Start Planning Your Cruise Vacation

I know that it's only the beginning of the year! It is never too early to start planning for your cruise vacation. This is the perfect time to look at the destinations that interest you. It is also a time to bargain shop for the best deals. There are a number of things that will factor into your cruise selection.

The size of your party is definitely one of these considerations. This will determine the number of cabins that you need. Airfare, ports of call, excursions and various other things will be important to your trip. Cruises usually include many of the top details that concern travelers. Let's take a look at some of these details.

Dining

A part of your cruise components will be complimentary dining. There will be a number of dining options included in the cost of the cruise. Along with these you will discover luxury dining locations onboard that require an additional cost.

Entertainment

Most large ships these days have staff that provide a wide array of entertainment shows. These may be musical performances or variety shows. You will find something entertaining onboard for everyone in your party.

Activity

Every ship, no matter the size offers activity choices. These take place both indoors and outdoors. Sports offerings, swimming pools and spas are generally onboard. Passengers can select from free activities and those that cost.

Booking sites like Cruise Voyant offer you the option to select cruises by many criteria. You can choose based upon price, destination, packaging or theme cruises.

New Year, New Opportunities!

Well, 2014 is finally here. Some people look at another year as a reminder of age or things not accomplished. I don't agree with that outlook at all. Every New Year brings with it new opportunities!

These are opportunities to achieve, accomplish, endeavor, invest and to love. There are always going to be things that didn't happen in the previous year. Some of those were simply not meant to be anyway. There are other things that didn't happen because we didn't put in the time and resources it required.

Here is another beautiful year and opportunity to make it happen. Most of our goals, need more than us to come into fruition. Our loved ones and circle-of-friends often factor into the process because support in important.

Along with those around us, goals are accomplished when we make up our minds to get moving. The Speed of Life keeps us active no matter what. Why not let that speed steer us towards our goals for the year?

Living Outside the Box!

I've always had a love for travel. I think it's the writer in me that wants to make a verbal image for what I see. As a family we've taken some pretty amazing trips both in the states and outside them. My most recent trip, however, was nothing less than a life-changer.

I spent 10 days in Europe with my husband, alone. We ventured to Rome to catch our cruise ship, Navigator of the Seas. This Mediterranean cruise was a jazz adventure via Dave Koz. The music was tremendous throughout our 8 days at sail. The talent of the artists was well worth travelling around the world to experience.

But I must say that living outside the box with my husband on our own Amazing Race was the best part. Running from airport to airport and stumbling over the languages was a lot of fun. Once onboard we were still on a terrific adventure. The music, the events and the excursions of the ports.

The beautiful cities of Messina, Mykonos, Athens, Naples and Rome gave us new experiences. For me it was a time to expand my mind and my impression of the world. As a couple it was time to enjoy not having any schedules to meet. Romance and all that jazz! I think that every couple needs to find their own adventure and get-away from it all. It doesn't have to be on the other side of the globe.

It just needs to be meaningful and outside the box!