NIU

Health Insurance

Posted by Stacy on Monday, November 24, 2008 11:49 AM

There is a website that I just stumbled on and it is full of information on health insurance and insurance quotes that can be extremely helpful when you have to decide what plan or provider you are going to choose. The first thing the website does is talk about why you need health insurance. It tells us that health care can be costly, but comparing prices will help you to get the best plan. It also says that young people who are healthy often think of health insurance as a waste of money. Which actually I can see why they would. Since it seems like you are paying all of this money for nothing since you haven't had to really use it much. But the honest truth is though that if you wait until you need medicine or are sick when you purchase health insurance your costs will go up by A LOT. Your life choices really do play a huge role in how much your insurance will cost including what kind of shape you are in and whether or not you smoke. These decisions can mean hundred of dollars. Although it may not seem fair, having an illness or disease when you purchase health insurance also affects your costs.

So how do you find health insurance in an efficient manner? First of all you need to do a lot of research and find out about all of the health care options out there. If you are offered group health insurance through your employer than you need to make sure that you are getting all of the coverage that you need and whether or not you should purchase extra. You also need to find a plan that covers all of you and your family's individual needs like if someone is sick already look into coverage of hospital stays for example. You also need to choose and look at copayments and deductibles and see how they fit into your lifestyle and finances. Also it is important to find a plan that covers prescriptions. This may seem like a no brainer, but not all plans do cover them and from working as a pharmacy tech I can tell you first hand that prescription for people who do not have health insurance are sky high in price. The same medicine that I would pay 8 dollars for with my dad's insurance another person without insurance may pay 300-400 dollars. So choosing the right plan for you and your family and also knowing what it covers is important.

Valentine's Day

Posted by Stacy on Monday, November 24, 2008 11:22 AM

Valentine's Day is something that I love and hate. As a girl, I love the pink and red and white colors and little heart decorations every year. But also as a girl it can be stressful if you do have a boyfriend or someone special to spend that day with and it can also be stressful if you don't.

If you don't have someone to spend it with, people think you are pathetic and for some reason apologize and feel bad for you. If you do have someone special to spend it with you stress over a whole different category of things like what kind of Valentine's day gifts to get him or even what he is going to get you.

I feel like sometimes guys want hints on what to get girls for Valentine's Day and other times they don't. It is just hard to tell, especially if you just started dating right before the big day and you don't know what to expect. Also, you never know if you should get the guy something or not. Some guys think it is dumb to get them presents and others expect something back. And then it's not as easy to find a gift for Valentine's Day for a guy as it is for a girl. I feel like the go to Valentine's Day gifts for her are the traditional flowers and chocolates and if you're lucky maybe jewelry. But for guys it is a whole different thing. What guy wants flowers?

I guess I can see getting a guy candy for Valentine's Day, but is that enough? It is so hard to find a present for a guy no matter what holiday it is, but especially for a tricky one like this one when it is hard to read what they are thinking about it.

I think there should just be a rule, like no gifts at all. I like getting gifts as much as the next person, but the stress of liking it (or not liking it and pretending to) and what to get him or if you guys are even celebrating at all is so much stress. I think people should just plan something fun together with the people they love. No matter if they are your significant other or not, you should spend Valentine's Day with the person or people that you love doing the things that you all love to do together.

Anniversary Gifts

Posted by Stacy on Monday, November 24, 2008 10:42 AM

I found out a few years ago that there is actually a list of gifts that are traditional for anniversaries. I think it is kind of cute and romantic to do something traditional to celebrate your marriage. I also saw though that there is a list of more modern anniversary gifts that go off of the more traditional list.

The first year is paper, which from what I have seen usually includes pictures or scrapbooks from the year and wedding. I really like this idea. I don't think people spend enough time collecting their pictures and displaying them. Too often you see people who don't even print off their pictures or when they do they put them off into a box or leave them in the envelopes somewhere. I think having pictures around of special moments or of family and friends cheers you up.

What I thought was interesting what the more modern take on the first year gift: clocks. I'm not sure how they get clocks from paper, but I do think it is a really good idea as well (not as good as the pictures or memory books) but I guess it all depends on the kind of couple you are what you your likes are.

Some of the other traditional gifts for the next few years to come include: cotton, leather, fruit/flowers and wood. These seem kind of weird to me, like the leather gift, but at the same time the tradition part is nice to follow. The more modern takes on those same years are: china, crystal, appliances and silverware. Which I think is much more practical, but maybe not as cute or meaningful in the traditional sense.

I think the higher you get the more expensive the gifts seem to get, but it is also cute how they progress from smaller to bigger, kind of like your relationship. It is nice to see that the list goes up to 60 years of marriage. Not as often anymore do you see marriages lasting that long (sadly) but when they do, it really is something special and meaningful. My grandparents just celebrated their 50th anniversary last May and they renewed their vows and we all went out to dinner as a family. The whole experience was really touching to see my whole family their supporting them and celebrating with them in the church that they got married in. I just hope that one day I can make it to the 60th year (diamonds!!!).

THE MAN IN THE OXFORD HOTEL

Posted by Stacy on Monday, November 24, 2008 8:53 AM

A recent trip abroad, proved to be quite the adventure. I was going to visit a friend in Oxford and I was supposed to stay with her, but at the last minute her roommate decided to stay in town and wasn't feeling well. This left me in kind of a bind because I had not made any Oxford accommodation and was kind of sweating out the idea of trying to find myself an Oxford hotel. Fortunately, my friend did tell me early enough that I could do an internet search for hotels in Oxford and after several tries I finally found a hotel to stay at for the week. Unfortunately, this would make my trip a little tight as I hadn't really accounted for spending all this additional money for a hotel stay. I only brought some spending money and that was it. I had to make a draw off my bank card, which cost me quite a bit in fees, which I wasn't really aware was going to happen.

Anyway I had a blast in Oxford and the hotel I stayed in was amazing. The room was actually a suite and had one of those hot tub baths which I think I took one every night. Also, there was this really hot guy who was staying in the room right across from mine and one night when we both arrived back at the hotel at the same time, we went out and had a few drinks. It was an awesome week, well honestly, only until I arrived home to find three letters from my bank about the fact that my account was overdrawn. I panicked and called the bank only to find out that my account was overdrawn about $500 and I didn't have any cash, so I had to call my parents and ask them to wire me some money. I was then able to bring my account back to a positive figure and get the whole thing ironed out with the bank. Well, I am glad that I had my parents to help me out. And I think that I will be able to pay them back in a few weeks, but it was definitely worth it for the time I spent in Oxford, it was amazing!!

Wasserbetten von www.wasserbettwelt.ch

Posted by Stacy on Friday, November 21, 2008 2:06 PM

Sie interessieren sich für ein Wasserbett? Dann haben Sie schon die richtige Entscheidung für Ihre Gesundheit und Ihr tägliches Wohlbefinden gefunden. Wasserbetten ist eines der besten Schlafsysteme die es derzeit auf dem Markt gibt. Durch die Forschungen von Ärzten ist es beweisen, das Wasserbetten auch Gesundheitsbetten sind. Ein Wasserbett ist Gesund ideal für Allergiker und eine Oase der Erholung ist ein Wasserbett ebenfalls. Was kann man sich nur mehr wünschen? Ein Wasser ist durch den beheizten Wasserkern und die ideale Anpassungsfähigkeit der Wassermatratze für die Gesundheit ein muss. Wasserbetten sind eine tolle Erfindung. Was gibt es einfach wie im Schlaf Gesund zu werden und Energie zu tanke. Wäre hätte das gedacht! Auf unserer Homepage können Sie gerne genaueres über die Gesundheitlichen Vorteile eines Wasserbettes nachlesen. Unser geschultes Team von www.wasserbettwelt.ch Wasserbettwelt steht Ihnen natürlich für jegliche Fragen zu diensten. Neben dem Gesundheitlichen Nutzen sind Wasserbetten auch ideal für Allergiker. Leider ist für einen Allergiker sehr schwer sich zuhause zu Entspannen. Wo kann man sich sonst Erholen wenn nicht in den eigenen vier Wänden. Ein Wasserbett ist eine sehr gute Möglichkeit, dass auch ein Allergiker sich Erholen kann. Durch die Saubere und Pflegeleichte Art des Wasserbettes, ist die Reinigung sehr leicht. Somit können Sie jeden Tag in Ihrem Wasserbett schlafen und haben keine Hautschuppen, Staubmilben, Hausstaub die sich in der Matratze ansammeln können.

Sie können die Oberfläche (den Bezug) einfach in der Waschmaschine zuhause reinigen und die Wassermatratze können Sie mit einem dafür vorgesehenem Reinigungsmittel abwischen. Somit ist die Matratze wieder wie neu. Das Schlafzimmer sollte eine Oase der Erholung sein. Leider ist in der heutigen Zeit das Schlafzimmer durch viele Geräte wie TV-Gerät, Radio gestört. Beim Bett sollten Sie wirklich darauf achten, das Sie sich etwas gutes tun. Den Ihren Körper habe Sie nur einmal. Durch die Anpassungsfähigkeit der Wassermatratze kann sich der Körper richtig Erholen und Energie tanken. Die Tiefschlafphase beim Wasserbett ist ebenfalls viel höher als wie bei einem normalen Bett. Da sich beim Wasserbett die Matratze dem Körper anpasst, können keine Druckstellen entstehen. Somit kann sich der Körper besser Entspannen und wir drehen uns weniger in der Nacht. Es ist toll in einem Wasserbett zu schlafen. Wir freuen uns unseren Schlafsuchenden zu helfen. Wir freuen uns, wenn Sie zu einem besseren Schlaf finden. Es ist unser Job sie gut zu beraten und für Sie das Maßgeschneiderte Wasserbett zu finden. Jeder Mensch hat sein eigenes Wohlbefinden. Darum nutzen Sie die Zeit für ein ausgiebiges Beratungsgespräch. Stellen Sie Ihrem Verkäufer alle Fragen, damit Sie in Zukunft sehr zu frieden mit Ihrem Wasserbett sind. Ein Wasserbett ist eine Anschaffung für längere Zeit. Darum Sollte das Wasserbett genau auf Ihre Bedürfnisse abgestimmt sein. Wir von Wasserbettwelt bitten unseren Kunden immer tolle Aktionen. Unsere Aktionen können Sie immer bei unserem Team von Wasserbettwelt erfahren. Warten Sie nicht mehr zu lange. Schenken Sie sich ein Gefühl der Entspannung und Nutzen Sie unsere tollen Aktionen. Besuchen Sie uns auf unserer Homepage oder schauen Sie einfach bei uns in unserem Ausstellungsraum Vorbei. Wir freuen uns schon auf Sie! Ihr Team von Wasserbettwelt in Feldkirch. ...weiterlesen

MARTIAL ARTS EQUIPMENT WILL MAKE FOR AN EXCELLENT GIFT

Posted by Stacy on Thursday, November 13, 2008 11:18 AM

It is amazing all the good deals that you can find online. Many people are afraid of online shopping, but as for me I almost always get what I pay for and sometimes the deals are so good I can't get over it. I have started shopping for Christmas, you know just a little bit here and a little bit there. Nothing much yet, but I have twin brothers who live in Detroit with their father, and every year they get me the most incredible gifts, so this year I called their father to see what they wanted, and he told me that they are really big into martial arts and that anything martial arts would be great. I went online and looked up martial arts equipment and I found a great lot of new stuff on Ebay, I mean they had Gees or however you spell them and gloves and pads. I mean there was a ton of stuff on there in one great lot. Well, it didn't have many looks and I really thought that I could get it for a good price. I was speaking to one of my friends and he told me to go online and that I could probably find better deals at the place where he shops, so I did and he was right. Not only that, but I didn't have to settle for whatever was in a lot of stuff, I could pick and choose, and get them each similar things but different, if you know what I mean. I picked up some equipment for them and got them each an equipment bag to carry their stuff in. Now I am just looking for one thing more for each of them, and I will have their shopping complete. I just know that they will love all their martial arts stuff and I think I will hand deliver my gifts this year. It would be really nice to see them again, we haven't actually seen each other in about 2 years, and they are 16 now so I am sure they have changed a lot. I probably wouldn't even recognize them. Well, I know this will be a great Christmas!

Dedicated Server Hosting

Posted by Stacy on Thursday, November 06, 2008 10:03 AM

Until recently I had no idea what dedicated server hosting was and I definitely never thought that I would need to know what it was or how to use it, but there is a great website out there that explains everything in a way that even I can understand it: http://www.alentus.com/dedicated-hosting/server.asp.

On this particular website you learn about what dedicated server hosting is (it is a type of Internet hosting where the client leases an entire server that is not to be shared with anyone and it is much more flexible than shared hosting). It also talks about a specific server, Alentus. This server has a great reputation for unbelievable technical support (which is rare now a days) and cutting edge solutions. This particular company is one that can configure your hardware to your specific needs. That is something that I have always been a fan of. I don't want things on my computer that I don't need or have no idea what they are. Being someone who really doesn't know much about computers, I would get extremely confused it extras were on my desktop or in my hardware. So this is a feature that I personally really appreciate.

The website also talks about different packages and prices and what each package has to offer you as a client. And explains the server as a whole for those looking to get into it or for those like me who have no idea what it is.

My favorite part of this website is the part where it asks you if you have any questions or if you need answers. Sometimes companies will have websites that don't display contact information very well (probably because they don't want to be contacted and deal with people's problems) but this company has displayed their information and even says that a friendly sales representative will be willing to help you. It seriously ruins my day when the computer or phone or internet or some sort of service we have isn't working and I have to call the 800 number and talk to someone that clearly hates their job and probably their life and doesn't have a problem letting you know that they are bothering you. This company seems to be a friendly and well respected one that is eager to answer calls and help out its clients or potential clients which is really something that I value.

Tights are the real deal

Posted by Stacy on Wednesday, November 05, 2008 2:38 PM

I seriously haven't gone out one night this year without seeing a girl wearing tights in some form. I feel like tights were something that we looked at our parents wearing in pictures and laughed at a few years ago, but now they are back and seriously bigger than ever.

There are so many ways to wear tights. I personally have black solid tights, black sheer, grey, white and pink. I sometimes wear them under skirts or dresses when they are short or it is really cold out. I remember when we were in high school and tights were starting to get popular and we would wear them under skirts we knew would break the dress code and we thought we were beating the system in some kind of way. But I wear tights sometimes with a long sweatshirt and my boots to class when I'm lazy.

I see people everywhere wearing them though. I was surprised how many people wore them as part of their Halloween costumes. It seems like there is no way that you can't wear tights now. It wouldn't surprise me no matter how weird the person was wearing them, they are always in style.

I always wonder though what will happen when we are older and have kids. We look back at our parents pictures and laugh about how silly we thought they looked and can't believe that they were really dressed ‘in style'. Are our kids when we are our parent's age going to do that? Or will they still be wearing tights like we are and our parents did. I look at my closet now and think that everything looks good and is pretty timeless (I wear a lot of black and white and jeans). So it really makes me wonder how long it will take for the clothes I am wearing now to go out of style and be laughed at by some teenager. Until then though, I am going to wear my UGG boots with my tights and over sized sweatshirt and my cute going out tops and pray that they are in style for at least a little while since I have spent so much money that I don't have shopping these past few years. And maybe when I am an adult and have kids (and way more money to replace my clothes) I will look back at those styles and laugh too.

Franchising

Posted by Stacy on Wednesday, November 05, 2008 2:35 PM

I had no idea that franchising was so big or even that it could be so easy. There is a website that has all kinds of franchise information. It tells you about who is buying franchises and how you can go about doing it and even which the best franchises to look into are. I remember my aunt's sister bought a subway a few years ago and before that franchises really never were something that I thought about (other than when I was hungry). Then later on my roommate told me about how her family was also looking to buy the same franchise that my aunt's sister did and it really made me think about how common it was becoming. You always know things are happening out there, but it is weird when people you know start buying subways and other stores. You begin to think about why they are doing it and if it something you would be interested in doing one day and also who else out there is doing it.

The website though has so much franchise information. It tells you about every aspect of buying and selling from interest rates o locations to how to make a sandwich if it is indeed a subway you are buying. It really makes you think about it you would want to just copy what another person is doing. I obviously as a college student don't know what it is like to start a business, but I think that if I did start my own business I would want it to actually be my own. Although it would definitely be a lot easier to just check off a premade list and be done I don't really see the creativity and fun in that. Sure you probably have better chances of succeeding if it has already been tried hundreds of times and you are doing the exact same thing as everyone before you, but you also don't have all of the risk and fun and uniqueness of starting your own business and getting yourself out there.

Aside from that though franchising can be a smart thing to do if you really look into it and get all of the information and background you need. It is always smart to look before you leap and in the case of franchising there is definitely no shortage of places to find information on the subject.

Taking care of your pet

Posted by Stacy on Wednesday, November 05, 2008 2:10 PM

We have always had a dog up until recently when our 13 year old boxer died. Since I am away at school I am not allowed to get a pet because our landlord doesn't allow them in our house because we don't have a fenced in yard and just got nice new wooden floors. At home though my dad is looking into getting another dog (probably a puppy). While we have in the past gotten our puppies from breeders, I always felt like we should go to the shelter and look for one because it makes me so sad that someone gave it away or lost it. It breaks my heart though going into the shelter and seeing the dogs locked up in there and it is really hard to pick one and leave the rest there for me.

I have never really understood why people get pets and then don't take care of them properly. I have always had a soft spot in my heat for dogs and it kills me to see them being abused or starved and given away. There are a lot of things that you need to do for you dog in order for them to live a happy and healthy life. You are choosing to get this pet so you need to make sure that you are willing and able to make a lifelong commitment to that pet.

Spaying and neutering is something that is recommended for the pet. It is safe and effective and helps you, your pet and your community. I also found out that there may be financial assistance available for those who need it and have pets that need spaying and neutering. You also need to make sure you can afford health care for your pet if anything should happen to it and also for the shots that it may need when it initially comes home or even after.

Your dog (or any other pet for that matter) needs attention and to be groomed properly and walked. Pets need exercise and to be taken out and played with. If you are not able or willing to do these things for your pet and provide it a safe home with food and shelter you really should think twice about waiting or not getting one at all. Getting a pet really isn't a joke at all; it is a living thing and needs to be taken care of properly and with love.

A LUXURY YACHT CHARTER MAKES A GREAT GIFT

Posted by Stacy on Tuesday, November 04, 2008 8:33 PM

My grandparents are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary and the whole family really wanted to do something special for them. We all got together and brainstormed different ideas that of things we could do to celebrate their special day in style. There were many party and gift ideas on the table, but my grandparents have mostly everything they want and so we really wanted to come up with something unique. We have a rather large family, and so everyone thought if we pooled our money together we could get them something really nice. My one cousin made a suggestion to get them a luxury yacht charter. He said if we did this, then it would be a party and a gift all in one. We decided to look into this since my grandparents had always loved the water, so we knew if it were affordable enough it would make the perfect gift/party. We looked into it and decided that if we all pooled our money together we could make it work. We decided that it would be a surprise party and that with a luxury charter we could invite the whole family and have a big party. The luxury motor yacht charter that we decided on, was so incredible there are not words to describe it. I mean the word incredible doesn't even come close to the magnitude of this boat. It was huge and had such nice, large open areas to sit in and visit in, it was incredible. We all got together on Friday night and decorated and got the boat ready for the party. My parents brought my grandparents on board about 7pm and amazingly they really didn't know what was happening. We all managed to stay quiet, which for our group was an incredible task and then we all said surprise, I think that my poor grandfather about nearly dropped to the floor. So maybe as a surprise it was a little too much, but once they got over the initial shock the entire family had an incredible time. It was like a gift for my grandparents and for all of us all in one. It was such a wonderful idea, I just wonder if they make it to their 60 year anniversary if we could ever top this amazing party.

Best diet pills

Posted by Stacy on Monday, November 03, 2008 8:41 AM

I'm not really sure if there is actually a specific “best diet pill”, because I think that everyone is different and their bodies react differently to drugs and diet and exercise. But I have heard about a lot of ‘best diet pills' from people and have gotten several suggestions on ones to take. My roommate swears by diet pills. She has spent most of her high school and all of college years testing out diet pills and fad diets, but now as we get further into our junior year, she has finally found a well balanced diet, exercise routine and diet pill that work for her and she is seeing results.

What are the best diet pills then? Or at least, what makes diet pills work. The ECA stack is a drug combination used as a stimulant in weight loss. ECA is an acronym for ephedrine, caffeine, and aspirin. The ephedrine acts to increase your body's metabolism when you are taking a diet pill. Caffeine helps to trigger the release of epinephrine and increases cAMP levels and aspirin helps to prolong the increased temperature and metabolism. All of these things go into making a diet pill or weight loss supplement work.

Prohormones are used as well by body builders and athletes. This gives you the benefits of taking steroids but is not illegal. Prohormones are used to increase size, strength, endurance, reduce recovery time and add lean body mass. Life extension groups are also increasingly using Prohormones as a means of hormone replacement therapy, as an alternative to prescription drug use.

Overall supplements and diet pills are taken every day and as long as they are taken with the directions given in mind, they have been proven to have positive effects. Over the counter diet pills should be taken after consulting with your doctor and always is careful of taking too much or not eating the right things with them or mixing drugs. But as long as you are careful diet pills can do wonders for you. A lot of people, once they find the right diet pill or supplement for them, really do end up losing the weight and keeping it off. I'm not sure if it's the diet pill that keeps the weight off or the fact that it works in the beginning and then their mindset is motivated that keeps them going working out and eating right along with taking the pill, but either way they have been proven to be effective.