Public Spark

1. Prioritizing your workload

   This is a quick lesson for college students when professors give unreasonable amounts of reading, assignments, test. You begin to see that you can skim through certain things, skip classes (in moderation), skip readings, etc. Otherwise, you will drive yourself crazy and not retain much.

2. Balancing life

   Indeed most are paying a lot of money to attend college so of course the focal point is getting an education, but it is equally important to have a balance. It is the experience that helps you to become who you are and be a great candidate for the working world.

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• Steep tuition

  Anytime you go to college, one grimm reality is the tuition cost. In particular, private schools have a higher tuition rate. However, the good news is that each school offers financial aid which includes loans, scholarships and work-study.

• Observation

  It is always important to visit the schools that you wish to go. In this way, you can get an instinctual idea of what the school is like, meet the students, and meet some of the faculty.

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Today is Cyber Monday!

1. No waiting in line

   Unlike Black Friday, for Cyber Monday, shoppers can rejoice in their computer chair and just click the mouse at leisure. No need to stand in line or camp out hours before store opening. Unless that’s someone’s idea of adventurous fun, most can do without the hassle.

2. Great online and internet deals- another day for discount shopping

   There are extra special deals that hit the cyber shopping network. For example, these are some possible bargain holiday gift ideas.

   Breville 2-in-1 Panini Press Sandwhich Maker - SG820XL
   Josh Groban Noel Limited Edition CD + bonus DVD
   Kai Perfume Body Butter
   Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series
   Warmbat Unisex Kangaroo Classic Short Sheepskin Boot

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Happy Thanksgiving everyone! What is your typical Thanksgiving day? For me, it is spending time with family and friends, cooking turkey or roast beef and having a feast. It is also a time for me to reflect on some of the aspects of my life I am most grateful for.

1. To be surrounded by caring people

   I am fortunate to have a support system of caring family members and friends. Life can be stressful or overwhelming so it is a great strength to have people that bring stability and balance to my life.

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Family and friends are great people to have around. No one will argue with me on that. However, difficulties may arise as in any relationship. Particularly when it comes to “get-togethers” where there are a number of factors involved especially when you are the host. These include a large group, mass chaos, messiness, arguments, kids running around, etc.

Here are some factors that have worked for me:

1. Boundaries

   If you know you can’t deal with kids, be honest about it. Talk to those you invite ahead. Open and honest communication can go along way.

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Whether it be sports, theater, music, public speaking, at one point in everyone’s life, we face “stage fright” or “butterflies in the stomach.” It’s perfectly natural. As a former basketball player and golfer and currently a singer, I still experience that no matter how much my experience is. Just yesterday I had a singing performance at the Marriott Hotel. Every year we have this lunch show recital. I felt extra pressure this year because in addition to my solo performance I sang a duet with my boyfriend, who is a professional musician. We sang the Andrea Bocelli and Christina Aguilera Somos Novios duet. Here are some of the techniques that worked for me to turn the nervous energy into adrenaline.

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This is a sample travel checklist that I use whenever I travel. It helps to reduce travel stress and worry.

• ACCESSORIES
• • Jewelry
  • Purse

• CASUAL ATTIRE
• • Casual shoes
  • Pajamas
  • Shorts
  • Socks
  • Swimming suit
  • Swimming trunk
  • T-shirts
  • Underwear
  • Wind breaker
  • formal attire

• HYGIENE
• • Eyes:
  • • contact lens
    • contact lens solution
    • eyedrops
    • glasses
    • sun glasses
• • Meds:
  • • Benadryl/ Claritin/ allergy
    • First Aid
    • Insect/ Mosquito repellent, Benadryl Anti-Itch Cream
    • Pepto
    • Prescriptions
    • Tylenol
    • Airborne

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1. passport, ID, addresses (international travel)

   Pretty straightforward but easy to forget. Addresses are important went traveling internationally. This is to indicate whether you will be visiting a person’s house or staying in a hotel.

2. airline ticket confirmation, boarding pass (if printed online)

   As with anything, it’s always important to carry a confirmation, just in case there is that slight possibility of a computer glitch and it’s your word against theirs! Better safe than sorry.

3. special equipments

   Getting information about camping, skiing, swimming rentals before going on the trip will allow more time and enjoyment when you are at your travel destination.

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Whether it be shopping for Thanksgiving goodies or Christmas presents, holiday shopping can be fun, but can also be overwhelming. The malls transform into an atmosphere filled with many products strategically placed to attract maximum shoppers and even the internet world is constantly luring more customers. The following are 10 ways to ease into the holiday shopping season.

1. Budget!

   Perhaps this is one of the most important aspects in reducing stress for me. Holidays are a time when I tend to spend more money. However, it is important to stay within the means and there are many ways to do it and still be thoughtful.

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Death and dying is a hard topic for anyone to talk about, but inevitably something that needs to be talked about. This is a list of things parents should tell their children.

1. Funeral arrangements

   It requires a lot of planning even to reserve plot of land for burial and service. By organizing your wishes, it saves time and money. Also, planning allows the children more time to go through the grieving process and bring closure into their lives.

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