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Summer Must-Haves for Travelling Millennials — National Book Store Blog
By: National Book Store
Tags: Travel, Summer, Millennials

We can already feel the summer heat as early as now. One thing’s for sure, ’tis the season to be travel junkies again! All these sun-kissed skin and bikini parties won’t be complete without a list of our essentials:

All-in-one backpack by Jansport

Every backpacker knows how important a bag is when it comes to traveling. We don’t just waste our money on fancy bags as we’d like to invest on the one with a sleek design, high functionality, durability, and reliability.

Bag Organizer by Lapoche

Of course, when there is a bag, there’s a bag organizer for it too. As a matter of fact, toiletry organizers are one of the most essential and frequently used during and after your travel. It will all save us from space and bulk, plus, you can almost put everything in it!

Bluetooth Headphone by Jabees

Nobody likes to get stuck in heavy traffic. While it may be true that the first thing that pops into our minds is to react negatively and lose our temper over petty traffic, we can always choose to do the other way around. Instead of stressing yourself over inevitable traffic, why not put some headphones while you groove to your jam? Have we mentioned that magnetic Bluetooth headphones are a thing right now?

Powerbank

And of course, we don’t want to interrupt your jamming just because of a dead battery phone! The rule is to NEVER LET your phone die and always bring a power bank with you.

Bando Tumbler

Keep the fun coming but always stay hydrated, kids! Summer means a season of excessive heat wherein our bodies drastically change, demanding us with more amount of fluids than usual. We can also suffer from dry skin and other skin irritations due to a drastic change of weather and going in and out from air conditioned rooms as well. Investing in a durable tumbler is cost-effective (as you won’t have to buy often from convenient stores and supermarkets) and very eco-friendly too!
Weeknotes s03e05
By: Lily Spek
Tags: Birthday, Summer, Remote Work, Free Agent, Migraine

Monday I was back to working — plenty to do after the weekend as per always-but felt really horrible in the afternoon, as a storm rolled in. My head started to feel it’s special kind of way, and a migraine descended. Between storm activity and stress, my head was not a happy place.

Tuesday I spent the day mostly curled up, cursing my head even existing.

Wednesday I was relieved to wake up pain-free, even though I still felt groggy for most of the day. I was able to catch up with a Free Agent who I’d hoped to assist on Friday/Monday, as well as get through a huge mess of emails. Applications are flowing in, and I’m pumped to see who makes it through for Program Lead!

Thursday was full-steam ahead intense. Apparently everyone but me remembered it’s a long weekend (Civic Holiday, for anyone not in Canada) and I completely forgot. I was grateful for our CFA support team meeting; missing one always makes me feel like I’m behind and in the dark. I also got to participate in the #OneTeamGov virtual meetup, which was great fun as always.

Check out the thread of topics here.

I also put in some time reviewing the manager’s toolkit. I’ve never been speedy at reviewing key documents, and this was no different, but it’s such a great tool that it’s important to give it that attention. Plan to finish it Friday.

Friday started bright, sunny, and blissfully cool. (Come @ me; I prefer the high of 18–20C, lows of 12–15C days over the “feels like 40C” crap.) Dad took the day off to do some DIY/reno work — next to my office — so it already feels like Saturday. It’s the final day for folks to submit an application to become our next Program Lead. (It’s the final countdown!)

Today’s your last chance to apply!

And here we are in August somehow!
How Do You Get Over A Missed Flight?
By: Amara Smith
Tags: Vacation, Travel, Summer, Roundtrip, Online

Missing flight seems like a funny thing but nearly a thousand people do that each day, even after reaching the airport! Normally if you miss a train you are called lazy but if you miss a flight there could be a thousand reason behind that; other than reaching the place on time! The main reason to miss a flight could possibly be traffic, long security checks, invalid IDs, weather issues, bad timing, getting hangover, not hearing a boarding calls, oversleeping etc.

but sometimes even you could purposely lose a flight if you are in love and don’t want to leave your Girlfriend behind, as we normally see on movies! But If you have missed a flight that was urgent and important it could certainly leave you in quite a bad mood!

Here are some tips to get your going at that exact situation if extreme grief and anger:

· Don’t panic: Once it’s gone, it’s gone! So, it’s better if you don’t panic and stay calm to figure out what could be done next! Talk to the ground staff for help and know if there is any chance you can get back the flight. If you have missed a connecting flight due to the delay of the airlines you can file a complaint about the next flight arrangement or if you have insured the travel you can ask for a refund.

· Find the next flight: If you have lost a flight, then think no more because there is yet a lot more option left for you to fly urgently. Take a last-minute flight. You can avail special offers on Interjet international flights from Tripiflights.com, that can help you get special discounts on flight booking and save yourself from another hectic booking process.

Or simply you can see it as an opportunity to stay back for a few more days and have some more family time if the trip is not urgent. Things you can do to avoid missing a flight if you reach the airport:

· Don’t over-pack things: Mainly people get excessive baggage and often must stand in long baggage checking queue for their baggage check that takes a lot of time. You also must pay extra money for the overweight baggage, if you ever have a lot of baggage, so make sure that you get to the airport early.

· Do an online check-in: If you are running late, then the best way to save time is by doing an online checking and getting a boarding pass printed right away. So that you can directly do the baggage’s check and go straight to board the airline.

Accepting your mistake is a must! it’s okay if you miss a flight because with Tripiflights there is always better luck next time.

Visit @ For More Information — Interjet Cheap Flights
SUMMER FUN: 3 WAYS TO ENGAGE DONORS & RASIE FUNDS
Tags: Fundraising, Social Media, Summer, Nonprofit

Coming up with exciting and engaging ways to raise money and call attention to your nonprofit’s mission can be hard. Especially during the summer months while so many people are on vacation. However, do not be discouraged. Let’s join them and have some summer fun!

Summer time is the perfect moment to take advantage of current trends and diversify your fundraising strategy from the traditional approaches. All the while, making it fun for both you and your donors. It’s a win-win!

Here are three ways to bring some summer fun to your fundraising through posting “donation asks” on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Selfies for #SocialGood

A selfie campaign is a great way to spread awareness about your cause while also expanding the audience and reach of your nonprofit. A big bonus — it really helps get your brand out there.

Create a hashtag that is unique to a particular fundraiser you are holding or your nonprofit itself.

Ask donors to use that hashtag along with a selfie! Not only will this further distinguish your nonprofit with a unique hashtag, but also creates a convenient way for you to keep track of the donors who participate in the selfie campaign.

Encourage donors to post on their personal social media pages with their friends and family, tagging your organization and using your hashtag of your choice.

Reward the participants of your selfie campaign by reposting their selfies to your nonprofit page. Nonprofit donor appreciation shows potential donors that you really do value your support base and inspires them to donate and get involved with your cause!

Nonprofit branded merchandise can be a great prop for donors to use in their selfies, but isn’t necessary! Depending on the cause of your nonprofit, donors could take selfies that reflect your message and purpose. Ex. An animal rescue nonprofit asking participants to take selfies with their pets!

The main takeaway here is for your donors to keep evangelizing your mission, to participate and donate regardless of where they are or what they’re doing. It’s as simple as that!

2. Giveaway Contests

Giveaway contests are an awesome way for you to show donor appreciation, while also increasing donor retention and continual support for your nonprofit.

Entering into the giveaway should have one condition: Make a donation!

You can hold giveaway contests for 24 hours, or even a week, but use an impending deadline to participate to drive action.

No matter how big or small the donation, all donors should be equally eligible to participate and win a prize. Make your prize directly related to your nonprofit’s cause so that you can spread awareness of your mission through the campaign!

3. Live-Streaming

Live-streaming is an amazing way to engage donors, spread awareness of your nonprofit, and showcase the authenticity of your employees! When live-streaming to boost buzz for your fundraising campaign, make sure that those who click on to your live-stream stay engaged.
Sizzling Hot
By: Esther Spurrill-Jones
Tags: Fiction, LGBTQ, Summer, Flash Fiction, Sizzling Hot

Sizzling Hot

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

Ewan winced, flinching away from Drew’s touch. Lifting his hands away from Ewan’s skin, Drew said, “Sorry. Sorry.”

Ewan grimaced, trying to relax his tense shoulders. “It’s not your fault. I’m the dummy who forgot sunblock.”

“Hey, don’t call my husband a dummy.” Drew squirted a generous blob of aloe vera gel on his fingers — alcohol free, of course. They’d only made that mistake once, and the “soothing” remedy had burned Ewan’s sensitive skin worse than the sun had.

“What else do you call a redhead who forgets to apply sunblock?” Ewan hissed and bit his lip as Drew carefully smoothed cool gel across Ewan’s shoulder. Raw reddened skin shivered with equal parts pain and pleasure at Drew’s touch. “I was supposed to cook the burgers, not me.”

“The burgers were delicious,” Drew said loyally, squirting more aloe vera gel on his fingers.

Ewan twisted his head, trying to see over his shoulder. “How much of that are you putting on me? How bad is it?”

“It’s fine,” Drew replied soothingly. “I’m just making sure every bit of red is covered.”

Ewan snorted. “We could be here all night then.”

“I’ve got nowhere else to be.”

Ewan let a gust of air out of his lungs. “If it had actually been sunny, I would’ve remembered sunblock and a hat. But I’ve been burned on a cloudy day before, so I really should’ve known better.” He flinched again as Drew touched the curve of his ear.

“Sorry, but you’ve burned your ears too.” Drew waited for Ewan to relax again, then gently spread gel over the shells of his ears. “Is there any part of your body you didn’t manage to burn?”

Image by Vickson Santos on Pexels

A snort of laughter escaped Ewan. “Well, there’s a few parts, yes. I could show you.” He tried to waggle his eyebrows suggestively, but probably just looked ridiculous.

Drew hummed thoughtfully, examining Ewan’s reddened skin. “As much as I hate to say it, I think you’d probably better take it easy until this heals.”

Ewan turned his head to look over his shoulder at Drew, and winced as his skin pulled. He sighed. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

Drew leaned forward to gently touch his lips to Ewan’s. Pulling back a bit, he said with a glint in his eye, “Then we can make it sizzle in here for a different reason.”

Laughing, Ewan leaned in for another kiss. “I look forward to it.”
3 Things to Do Over the Summer to Prepare for College Applications
By: Tilt Access
Tags: College, Summer, High School

If you are about to be a senior in high school or the parent of a senior in high school, you are probably wondering what to do over the summer to prepare for the grueling fall application cycle 😩. You might already be dreading September because you know the stress is inevitable.

I am going to make things easy for you and break down your to do list into 3 tasks 🥳. Pay close attention though because they are really important!

1. Spend time on a college campus

I don’t care if this is your dream college or just the college down the street that you might not want to even apply to. There is this thing called public transportation, so you don’t have an excuse!

Ideally, you would do a campus tour and maybe talk to current students. However, if that is too much, just show up. Go to the cafe or cafeteria. Grab a bite to eat. Make the trip with a friend or friends 💁🏽‍♀️. Hang out! Bring a soccer ball or frisbee (or whatever else you are interested in) and just soak up what it’s like to be on a college campus.

Trust me — the more you do this now, the more comfortable you will be in a year when you are about to start. Plus college is fun! And, you will start to see the best part about it — the friends and social life.🤩🤩
Why I Planted the Holy Basil
By: Stacy Brasfield
Tags: Basil, Summer, Gardening, Poem, Harvesting

Sitting on the back porch, picking the little leaves from the stalk

Brings me back to warm summer days shelling beans under the rubber tree

Together with my grandma, sitting, snapping, pulling the threads, visiting, listening.

There is no rushing this task, no multi-tasking. Plucking each little leaf.

One, maybe two at a time, dropping them into the bowl, and being in the moment.

The dogs have given up on my entertainment value, and have taken to amusing themselves

Until they give up on that too, and lie down on the cool concrete to bear witness.

A little aphid is exposed in the plucking. Its tiny white teardrop body crawls along,

Then suddenly jumps and jumps again.

There is a whole microscopic universe that normally escapes my attention, I think.

The fragrance of the basil is magnifying my senses as I touch each leaf.

There is a symphony of insects, the faint sound of a plane full of travelers headed South,

the postal worker delivering mail, and the sigh of a content dog.

I think again of the green beans, and the scent of a tomato being separated from its vine.

The rewards of the gardener. This is why we dig when it is too cold. This is why we plant.

And my mind turns to my family. Do we even know why we have children?

We were so young. Certainly it wasn’t the pregnancy or the labor or the sleepless nights.

It wasn’t the crying that we sought. Or the broken bones or report cards.

Perhaps it is this moment that we seek: Sitting with them as adults.

Enjoying the sound of their voices, the brightness of their perspective, their joy and angst.

The Zen of the harvest.
If you mean business, take on a summer challenge
By: European University Cyprus
Tags: Internships, Summer, University

If you want to succeed in life, you have to spend your time wisely. Instead of chilling on a beach and wondering about life, why not try taking an internship and see which career path to take after you graduate from university. Believe it or not, many successful people out there will suggest you try everything and grab every opportunity available as by the end of the day, without trying the waters, you will never know who you are meant to be. If you are more of the business type or future entrepreneur, it might be useful to try to check the internships in the following categories:

Marketing assistants.

Working as a marketing assistant can teach you many things. How to do the Google Ads, how to create an eye-catching ad or how to write a proper email to clients. Besides, it secures your future as there will be always a high demand for marketing professionals. Last but not least, if you are more of the creative person, the internship in marketing is going to help you to liberate your creative spirit.

Customer Service Representative.

Not only it is going to teach you how to communicate with clients face to face, but also you will learn how to satisfy them.

Seasonal Sales Representative.

“You will be the face of the company”. Surely that line has come across in a marketing or business management class and it’s true. You will be the company’s contact person who puts himself at the forefront in most cases. Much like a sales representative in a store, it’s the person who greets you, smiles at you and always lets you know he/she is at your service. You will definitely practice your communication skills by applying for a sales internship.

A start-up intern.

Start-ups are assembled by small teams where everyone does a little bit of everything. And they will never reject the chance of having an extra hand to assist them. Being a part of their microworld will help you strengthen many of your leadership skills, your soft skills and you will learn what multitasking is all about.

The best part of it is, if you make a good impression as an intern, you increase your chances of getting hired by the same company in the years to follow. Go for it! 2019’s summer can be fun and productive at the same time!
You Don’t Need A Summer Body
Tags: Body Positive, Mental Health, Summer, Fitness, Body Image

You Don’t Need A Summer Body

Every summer we aspire to be our fittest selves but this year is different. weBelong Jul 8, 2020·3 min read

Once the spring shows its early signs around the corner and as the trees grow greener, I’d feel a frantic pressure for going to the gym more frequently than I possibly could and watch what I eat in order to meet my body goals — all to achieve the perfect “summer body.”

Every year, no matter what happened, I felt this pressure.

Advertising made sure I felt it.

Face-tuned photos on Instagram made sure I felt it.

As a busy student, I surely had final exams on June which would high affect my mental wellbeing and were maybe more important for my future. But I still felt shame around for my “summer body” not being ready.

Scott Webb (on Unsplash)

How many pounds should we weigh to feel adequate?

To feel worthy of love? To feel enough?

You, yourself is enough.

The idea of pressuring oneself to look a certain way for a certain season and that certain season alone is preposterous. Surely, summer is skin season but shouldn’t we rather worry about our body’s wellbeing all year round?

COVID-19 crisis has really shown us how important our health is. Both physically and mentally, we’ve spent very challenging months where we’ve been tested with anxiety, social isolation and even OCD.

If you are reading this healthy, recognize how lucky you are.

How many people would love to be in your place right now.

This summer is unlike any summer.

Let’s recognize the strength and resilience in our bodies.

“Look down on your body and whisper there is no home like you

Thank you” - Rupi Kaur

Do it because it makes you feel good.

Let’s try to disassociate in our minds moving our body from the sole goal of losing weight and looking better and focus instead on all its other amazing benefits. I find joy in my workout. It helps my body ache less and stretching feels good. This could going on a long walk with a podcast you enjoy in the sun.

Listen to your body.

So many of times we operate on auto pilot and just don’t seem to listen to our body. Your hunger levels can indicate with a pretty good accuracy and without being too controlling.

Don’t forget that healthy eating also includes your mental health.

This summer, after a long winter, make peace with your body and be grateful for it working so hard to protect you.

Surely, at the end of the day, your body is your business, and you can do whatever is best for you. My only ask is that for one summer — this summer — be grateful for the health of your body and embrace your curves.

If you can, you can download Ashley and chat for free with a therapist-trained AI friend and real life users. https://bit.ly/AshleyIn
Bob Gets Ready For Summer
By: Alexandra Turnbull
Tags: Short Story, Fiction Story, Summer, Dogs, Childrens Fiction

He’s always yawning!

This story is about my dog, Bob, who is a Dalmatian cross Collie. He is very nosy and has an opinion about EVERYTHING! Today Bob gets ready for summer.

The other day Bob and his friends went on a walk, and then surprised his other friend at home since he was sick. But today Bob sorts out some of his things for summer.

It was the next day, and Bob was looking forward to summer, (even though it will probably be grey and rainy!) and it got him thinking that he needs to sort out some things for summer, like his clothes, food and a summer to-do list.

He woke up and suddenly realised that we were already in July! He was so shocked that he kept saying, “We are in summer! We are in summer!” When he finally stopped saying it, he went to his cupboard with all his clothes, and sorted out what he could give away that was too small or too big. Then he got his summer clothes ready.

After he had sorted that out, he wanted to write a list. You have to have a “bucket list” of summer things to do when it is summer time! But what could he put on the list? He started to think about what he could do.

Mmm, swimming. The first thing he put on the list was to go and see the sea. Next, he put on: go to a pool. About an hour later, he had put on 20 things to do! He was so happy and hoped that it would soon be hot and sunny, but you know the uk: it always rains!
Swimwear That Empowers Women and Beats the Corona Wave
Tags: Tenatch, Summer, Swimsuit, Canada, Swimwear

With outdoor pools and beaches starting to open up… get your swimwear on! But especially for many women, it’s not about just getting any bikini or one-piece. It’s about getting the perfect one with the perfect color and the perfect fit.

nUde Swim has all the modern, innovative looks to hit the water this summer. With the variation of shapes and patterns of their swimwear and cover-ups, there ought to be something for everyone. I like to compare many of the styles to the ones you see famous instagram models and famous people wear.

In nUde Swim’s words, the idea behind every suit is “to exhibit the raw, fettered beauty of a woman in her truest form”. This is a groundbreaking idea for such revealing attire like a swimsuit. Many women have insecurities when they wear a swimsuit, but nUde Swim believes it should be changed to self-empowerment and self-love. Her line of swimwear and cover-ups have a goal for women to feel free and confident and the swimsuits should just be an encouragement for that positive attitude. It breaks norms because bikinis and revealing swimwear are often associated with negative images because women are not a certain weight or a certain style.

The founder, Latoya Anderson, has especially made every swimsuit to accentuate a woman’s accents. The sustainably sourced Canadian brand is the running forefront of empowered womenswear, a whole new genre of clothing. After the company’s debut in 2018, they have continuously come out with more designs and colors.

*All information and photos are from https://nud3swim.com*

Website: https://nud3swim.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nud3swim/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nude.swim/
“Dog Days” — Hannah L. Nov. 30, 2015
By: Elle Leo
Tags: Suicide, Mental Health, Summer, Florence And The Machine, Storytelling

“Dog Days” — Hannah L. Nov. 30, 2015

“Dear Mom,

Remember that time when we went to the Pier? It was March 3, 2009, a Monday. I was in the fourth grade. You picked me up from school early and asked if I wanted to go someplace fun. I said of course. That was the best day of my life….”

Paper folded. Eyes closed. Kiss the letter. Goodbye.

“….We stayed at the Pier till it closed. That day will never be forgotten…”

Friends house. Open door. Goodbye.

“…Mom, I am writing this letter not to tell you about when I was happy. I’m writing this letter not to tell you about that time when it was my tenth birthday and you took me to Toys R Us. I’m writing not to tell you about when you used to kiss me goodnight or when you cared about me…”

Friends house. Long talk. Hug and cry. Goodbye.

“…I’m not going to tell you I’m unhappy because I told you that already. I’m not writing this letter to tell you about the people who taunt me at school everyday. I’m not writing this letter to tell you about your husband. Your…damn…husband whose hands reached into places that should have been touched by someone else. I’m not writing this letter to tell you everything you already know…”

Library. Last book. Last page. Goodbye.

I walk to the train tracks. The train comes in ten minutes. Good. Ten minutes to contemplate. Ten minutes to worry. Ten minutes.

“…I’m just tired of everything. I can’t live here anymore. I need to go away…”

In two minutes the train comes. I walk away, I can’t do this. Two minutes. I run towards home. Two minutes. I stop running and turn around. Two minutes. Sweaty hands. Two minutes. Heart pounding. Two minutes.

“…So I’m leaving. For good. I’m never coming back. I’ll be in a better place…”

“Happiness, hit her like a train on a track.

Coming towards her, stuck still no turning back…”

I stand on the tracks and wait for the train.

I can feel the wind from the train. I smile.

“Happiness hit her like a bullet in the back

“Goodbye Mom.”

“Leave all your love and your loving behind you

Can’t carry it with you if you want to survive

The dog days are over

The dog days are done.”
Just Slide into Summer
By: Robbie Anne
Tags: Fashionblogger, Fashion, Fashion Trends, Summer

One of my favorite times of the year is the summertime. Everything just feels lighter. Easier. Maybe it is the fact that people are calmer and the normal 9-5 rush is more like, “maybe I’ll just work from home.” With warmer air, afternoons spent poolside, and fruity beverages, also comes some of the greatest fashions: slides. When the days are hot and rather sticky, most folks will slap on a pair of flip flops and call it a day. For me, I like my flippy flops, but sometimes they look sloppy and I gotta say, that “slappy” sound is just a cry for attention.

One of my favorite summer shoes trends are sandal slides for so many reasons. They are not only super comfortable; they also make a great statement. From casual slides, to formal slides, to poolside slides, this fashion must have should be lining your closet and your weekender to the beach.

During the summer months when I am still venturing into work, getting ready and choosing the perfect summer outfit is sometimes so difficult. A lot of summer fashions can be super inappropriate, especially in the workplace. I can’t casually walk through the door in a cute crop top, mini sun dress, or even a pair of my coveted Havaianas flip flops. It’s just unprofessional. But what I can stroll into work wearing is a great pair summer slides that add texture, a pop of color, and a statement to any workplace outfit while still getting some summer vibes.

Slides come in all sorts designs and purposes which is why I have ventured over the years and have built up this staple piece in my shoe collection. Front pricey brands to inexpensive brands, summer slides include me in summer fun while looking cute and fashionable. Even though some offices and places of work frown upon “backless” shoes, a nice and professional slide will easily walk through the door and look clean work appropriate. My “workplace” slides go from basic black statements to fun pops of color that add charm to any outfit.

Other slides, ones I wear more frequently during the summer months whether I’m out and about with the hubs or chilling poolside, are of course more casual. This fun and funky slide collection in my closet has fur, feathers, studs, pearls, and even silly messages. Why not have all the best kinds of slides for summer fun?

What I love most about the sandal slide is how incredible it is during the hot and humid summer months. Comfortable, breathable, versatile, and affordable. Paired perfectly with a sun dress or that bathing suit cover up, the sandal slide will help you slide right into summer fun. Don’t forget to check out The Queen Buzz on Facebook and Instagram for daily blog posts, video updates, and ways to say awesome all summer long!

💛 Robin
Accidentally. On Purpose. Yes.
By: Louise Foerster
Tags: Poetry Sunday, Beach, Summer, Poetry, Love

Accidentally. On Purpose. Yes.

Photo by Jen Theodore on Unsplash

Wishing you everything you ever dreamed of — and more.

More surprises like the time when we came upon that place.

That unexpected haven in strip malls and terrible delis.

More good times like the one where you laughed so hard the soda went up your nose and made you sneeze.

That place where the waitress first brought napkins to dry the table, gave up and brought rags to clean up the mess.

Hot sand, cold water, brilliant blue sky bowl overhead with puffy white clouds for pretty.

Cotton candy and salt water taffy even though you don’t like it much, but eat it because that is what you do here.

Mighty legs stride out a quarter mile into ocean, confident in the steady shelf of reliable sand,

Ever vigilant for that sudden drop into cold reality plunge and deep water where the sharks lurk.

Bike rides to nowhere, lazy saunters after too much sun and sand and an early dinner, to ice cream cones and miniature golf

Where we know I’ll win even though you’re the one who cares more.

I’m waiting in the corner booth in the back — you know the one.

I’d love to see you one more time, laugh and remember fading memories, make new ones out of bits don’t fit right any longer.

We need a new accident, a fresh wild time in an unexpected place.

We can make accidents on purpose — with a little planning we can pretend it was spontaneous and just like it used to be.

Accidentally. On purpose. Yes.
Summery Happiness
Tags: Childhood, Summer, Loneliness, Poetry, Immigrants

Near or far, my loved ones live in my heart (Picture taken by the author)

I miss licking the ice-cream lolly

Sucking it till it consisted

Of nothing but ice,

Sitting outside our house

On the pavement

And listening to the shouts of

Mrs. Khandelwal,

opposite our house,

who was getting angry

at her maid, yet again.

I miss going for long walks

Holding my mother’s little finger

And swinging my other arm

Fancy free and gaily,

Having to crane my neck

All the way up,

To see the eyes of Bela aunty

Who fondly tousled my hair

Every time we met.

I even miss doing the

Holiday handwriting homework,

The teacher would assign us

Without fail, every year

And we would do it

Grudgingly, cribbing daily.

I miss the phalse wala’s

Loud voice booming in the locality,

And praying for him

Every time he would pass our house,

His back soaked and bent,

And even though I thought

The phalse were sour

I would buy a packet anyway.

I miss drinking tall, cold glasses

Of pink Roohafza mixed with milk,

Willing to have them

Only after great negotiation

With my mother,

because I loathed milk.

I miss biking with my lone friend Shia,

Licking churan sticking on our fingers,

Chasing each other, yelling

Shouting out warnings to each other,

To look out for the stray dogs

Appearing out of thin air.

I miss going to Shakuntala aunty’s house

Who lived at the corner most house

Of our twenty house street,

Who told stories and gave us pistachio burfi

And laughed but no teeth shone,

Who occupied just one room

Out of the six in her house.

I miss Spotty, who appeared suddenly

One May summer evening in 1995,

Whose beautiful brown spots

On her moon white skin

Sparkled like a stream of water

Against warm sunrays,

I miss patting her bovine face

And wiping her licks off my hands,

I miss her understanding nods

At all my weaved stories

Which she listened to so

Patiently and uncomplainingly,

I miss wondering that next summer

Where she must be,

And was she missing me

As much as I missed her?

Summer now consists of

Looking at redwood trees

Outside my California home

Through my grown up eyes,

Going for a swim in the evenings

Or for a walk, alone

Smiling at strangers

Who sometimes reciprocate,

And sometimes turn down their noses

at my brown skin maybe?

Summer now is going to Starbucks

For the same old mocha drink,

That seems to fade next to the Roohafza

Of my childhood days,

It consists of me becoming

That long gone phalsewala,

Shouting from within

Hoping somebody might hear me,

But the beautiful clean America

Just passes me by.

Now I know that

Summer or life,

Is really made up of

People and family and friends,

And so what if they are

Millions of miles away,

My summery happiness is within,

Because they live in my heart.

(This poem was originally published in Women’s Era magazine in 2012.)
Rainy Summers and BPH in Older Men
By: Sunjour Healthcare
Tags: Mens Health, Summer, Prostate Enlargement, Men, Bph

Rainy Summers and BPH in Older Men

Even in the summer, storms and showers are taking place around the world. Is it raining in your area? Are you experiencing frequent urination due to BPH?

BPH is short for benign prostatic hyperplasia. This is the medical term for prostate enlargement, a common condition in older men. It is usually accompanied by frequent urination especially at night, slow urinary flow, struggle to start and stop urinating, urges, sensation of post voiding residual urine. These symptoms may affect a man’s daily life in various ways: less sleep, less energy during the day from lack of sleep, stress, frustration, feeling tied to the nearest bathroom, unable to live in the moment, limitations on trips like long flights and work or social activities, etc.

As the rain flows frequently, so too do men with large prostates feel frequent urinary urges. July is Parks and Recreation Month, and not many people go out to parks in the rain. The benches and park equipment are wet, the ground may be slippery, and being caught in the rain and getting your clothes wet would be a problem.

But just as the rain gives way for a clear sky with rainbows, so to do men with BPH have hope for managing their symptoms and improving their quality of life. Go to the park when the weather is suitable, practice social distancing and wear a face covering so that you can get your walk in the park. Walking can be beneficial alongside a nutritious diet so that you can prevent aggravating the bladder and BPH symptoms.

Consider natural, safe, plant based treatment that has been clinically tested like UMOOZE.

While you’re staying home away from the rain, read and share our BPH blog to the public to spread awareness of this men’s health condition. Stay safe and strive for better prostate health!
Girlfriends’ Guide to A Successful (& Safe) Spa Get-Together
By: Bella Beauty Nyc
Tags: Beauty, Friendship, Summer, Makeup, Wellness

Girlfriends’ Guide to A Successful (& Safe) Spa Get-Together

What is there to do when you’ve got a great group of friends, a sea of self-care products, and a beautiful day? As my Calculus teacher would say: The limit does not exist. Over the last few months, I may have accumulated virtually every self-care product under the sun — too many to be used on my own. Do you have the same affliction? While all of those face masks, nail polishes, body scrubs, and bath bombs may last you years’ worth of Self-Care Sundays, doing these rituals on our own becomes boring. So, why not join forces with your friends and create your own socially distanced backyard spa day! Luckily, the Bella Beauty NYC team has accumulated the perfect guide to a fun and safe self-care get-together with your besties.

The first step to a picture perfect spa-day begins with ideal weather. In order to seize the day, be proactive in your planning and search for the perfect weather to schedule your spa-day festivities. A nice 75℉ and sunny would make for a great and relaxing atmosphere. Coupled with some chilled beverages, you already have the makings of a celebration. Make sure to wear SPF protection, though!

The next step of the guide is to organize your spa-day stations. A great way to set up the event without breaking the bank is by asking each of your friends what excess products they have laying around. For me, quarantine has led to a lot of impromptu face-mask purchases, and I bet I am not alone in that. Have each of your friends do a little digging and see what they can contribute. From nail polishes for a mani/pedi station to Jade Rollers for a nice massage, before you know it, you will have a full-blown spa ready without any extra spending. Divide up the different stations into safely distanced sections and you’re good to go!

The last, and arguably most important, step of the guide is simple: Be present. Now more than ever, with all of our extra isolated alone time, surrounding yourself with positive energy and the people you love is vital. Scrolling through Instagram, binging Tik Tok videos, and watching Snapchats can all wait till you are back home and staying up until 2am (although not advised). Engage in conversations with those around you, check in on everyone, ask how they’re doing, and simply enjoy the quality time you get to spend with the wonderful people in your life. Even though the self-care spa festivities are amazing, the memories you get to create are even better.

Our reality may be looking a little different these days, but fun times with friends do not need to be sacrificed indefinitely. Get creative and keep safety in mind as you have a terrific time with those you love. Pack up your at-home spa and get ready to put this guide to use! An amazing and memorable spa get-together with your girlfriends is right around the corner.
Mt. Nanhu Trek, a long-delayed trip
By: Amang, 大野芒 水生花
Tags: Mountains, Chariots Of Women, Summer, Other Doors, Mtnanhu

Copyright © by Amang

We ate our breakfast and then started at 4:30 a.m. I thought it was quite early, but the wide beds in the cabin were almost empty; most lodgers had already headed for their destinations. Dawn began in the eastern sky. The temperature was still low. However, we sweated a lot and took off our coat and jacket one by one because we encountered a long steep slope from the very beginning. And we had to climb over many fallen trees in our ways. The death of a fallen tree, so different from the death of an animal, is a big mystery to me. It is such a long process, even longer than our lives! In addition, a fallen tree can feed many other plants and serve animals as a breeding bed. I wonder whether we can call it a “death”?

Copyright © by Amang

There were plenty of wisterias twining around these big trees, plus moss and ferns. The sunbeams slanted through and livened them up. Some roots and rocks were straining against each other; it seemed that nothing can part them. We walked on their frantic embrace and felt we were entering the heart of the forest.

Copyright © by Amang

The flora changed as we climbed higher. When we finished the steep hill, we came to an arrow bamboo grassland. Small-leaf rhododendrons no longer appeared, instead, there were the other three species. One of them was Rhododendron rubropilosum Hayata, which grows first after a forest fire as a pioneer plant. Now their vivid colors burned under the rising sun.

Copyright © by Amang

Here came the rugged, precipitous cliffs, nicknamed “five-rock-peaks”, about which the team had given us a serious warning last night. Many teams have failed here and had to turn back from approaching other summits. Fortunately, the weather was fine; we had only to watch our steps. And the views were breathtaking, either down or up the cliffs. People appeared so tiny while the cliffs seemed like fierce long dragons.

Copyright © by Amang

Between these cliffs, we crossed some narrow passages formed by single-seed junipers. These trees are very resilient and able to adapt to changing and tough alpine environments. Sometimes they grow and grow until they are giants around that area, while other times they cling to exposed rocks and crept by their twisted limbs as monstrous midgets. We found many odd figures and took tons of pictures. Everyone gave different metaphors to the most popular one. To me, it was a T-Rex frozen by the daylight and would become active during the night time.

Copyright © by Amang

Copyright © by Amang

Copyright © by Amang

This was not the last adventure we had today. Next stop was the Nanhu Cabin. The best part was the cabin sat in a cirque formed by glacial erosion, so we got a fantastic view while descending a long steep slope towards it. However, full of moraines, the slope was hard to take. We had to pay careful attention, or we would slip and fall.
Waterpark — The First 20 Pages of a Script
By: Jason Zamora
Tags: Screenwriting, Writing, Summer, Film, Education

This course also began in person but was remote by the end of the semester. Here, we learned story theory and studied an eight sequence structure. Waterpark was our largest project. The assignment was to construct an outline of a full-length screenplay. Then write out the first 20 pages (or first sequence).

There is a waterpark in Mesa, Arizona called SunSplash. I worked there in the Summer of 2010 after graduating high school, and before I began college. Some of the characters were based on real people, and some of the bits are based on real experiences. Side note, they filmed some of Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure here.

This place is incredibly popular, being a waterpark in the middle of the desert and all. Needless to say, if you are ever in town during the hot months of summer, I would recommend a visit.

Now, back to the assignment!

I wrote a coming-of-age story. A handful of youngsters learning life lessons while working with zany characters at a waterpark over the summer. Below is a portion of the eight-sequence outline I conducted.

Part of my eight-sequence outline.

After we created an outline, we added specific scene sequences for each “road sign”. Once we detailed how the scenes within the sequence would go, the next step was to begin writing. Below is an excerpt from the script I wrote!

If you couldn’t tell, it is supposed to be a comedy. Before this scene, a child had come up and smeared poop onto the main character's (Ryan) shirt. One of my favorite characters I wrote about was COREY, the supervisor, who tries hard to please everyone. She tries to please her boss, as well as her employees. So, I thought it’d be a funny scene where she offers the shirt off her back, literally. So eager to please that she doesn’t realize how inappropriate the situation might be.

Above all, this assignment helped me realize that writing for film and TV might be my weakest skill. Realizing this, I now practice my writing when I can. I read scripts when I can, and I read a few other blogs about screenwriting. Until next time!
Reasons for Hiring a Baby Sleep Coach Sydney
By: My Newborn
Tags: Baby, Baby Sleep Coach, Sydney, My Newborn, Baby Sleep

Physical and mental well-being for parents, building health sleep habits and creating time for other things are the leading reasons for hiring a professional sleep coach.

Baby Sleep Coach Sydney

Whether a first-time mother or a repeat parent, each child comes with almost the same feeling: elation and a magical fulfilment. However, this can quickly be eroded if the child does not sleep well leading to restless for the baby and anxiety for the parents. To ensure the baby sleeps well, parents can hire a baby sleep coach Sydney. There are several benefits or reasons if you may for hiring a sleep specialist.

i) Physical and mental well-being

When a child does not sleep well, it means even the parents do not sleep properly. This is intensified when the parents have more than one child and each child has own sleeping patterns and habits. Lack of sleep has been seen to have negative effects including depression and obesity. It could also lead to fatigue to the parents leading to poor parenting or a reduced quality of life. A new born sleep coach will train a child on how to sleep well thus allow parents to have better sleep. This will ensure the parents are in good mental and physical well-being.

ii) Building healthy sleep habit

What we practice as adults is learnt at our formative ages. Good sleeping habits are best taught when a child is young. Also, did you know that poor sleeping habits affect the behaviour of a child? To improve on this through formation of healthy sleeping habits, parents sometimes require the help of a specialist. This is another benefit of hiring the best baby sleep coach Sydney. Moreover, the benefit gained from teaching the child the discipline required to form a good habit will later roll over to other tasks and habits in life.

i) Create time for other things

If a child has a sleeping schedule, the parents or caregivers can plan their routines around this schedule. This makes it easy for the parents or caregiver to make plans for other things in their life including the social life, hobbies and even family and friends. Based on the needs of the family, a baby sleep coach will be able to train the family in a way that they enjoy the most of life even with a child on board. Who said life must stop after having a baby?

There you have it, these are the leading reasons why any family should consider hiring a baby sleep coach Sydney. Call the best sleep coach in your area today and learn more benefits and methods that are suitable for your family.
Before Hiring Baby Sleep Consultant Sydney — Things You Must Know
By: My Newborn
Tags: Parenting, Baby Sleep Consultant, Sydney, Baby Sleep, Baby Sleep Sydney

Did you know you needed to talk to paediatrician before hiring a baby sleep coach? There are also other factors to consider.

Baby Sleep Consultant Sydney

Today, many parents are at least considering working with a baby sleep consultant Sydney. The best baby sleep consultant will help parents sleep train their children. However, before jumping into the bandwagon to get a coach for your child, there are several things you need know.

You need to talk to your paediatrician

One of the things that people assume is that some babies are just restless sleepers thus do not get the required quality sleep. However, this is very far from the truth. Babies suffering from any physical discomfort will not be able to sleep well. This means restless nights or even days. To rule out any

physical problems, consult a paediatrician. If there are no causes for lack of sleep, then you can go ahead and start looking for a coach.

The right time to start

This is one of the most controversial topics when it comes to sleep training a child. Different babysleep consultant services recommend different ages for sleep training. The parent is however the best person to understand when their child requires the attention of a baby sleep consultant Sydney. Either

way, the best time to start is when the baby is weaned as has started feeding on other foods other than breast milk. A two weeks baby might be a challenge, but a four month or older baby is good. The earlier (to a point) the better.

Get the consultant you are comfortable with

Every family has its values, schedules and preferences. In that regard, it is important to hire a baby sleep consultant Sydney that is aligned to the family values, and you feel comfortable around. Remember that babies are quite discerning and will be restless around a personality they are not

agreeable with. A sleep coach will also come into the very intimate parts of your home. So, when carrying out interviews for the best baby sleep consultant, be sure to hire the one that you feel most comfortable with.

You must put in the work

Some people think that hiring the best baby sleep consultant Sydney is enough. However, as many specialists will highlight, the expert will recommend change in behaviour and schedules, but ultimately

it is the work of parents to enforce all this. You must understand that you must put in the work and be consistent about it in order to achieve results. This must be understood from the word go by all parents.

These are some of the must know things before hiring a baby sleep consultant. Consider all these factors before you make that hire.