Happy Birthday to me!

Just thought I'd write a little post to let everyone know that I have had the best birthday everrrr so far! Loving all the birthday love from all over the world! Many thanks!

Even Google's wished me a Happy Birthday :-) Thanks Google Doodle!

22 is going to be a great year for me- thank you for all your kind birthday wishes!

5 of the most worthwhile things you could be doing

If you’ve been sitting at your desk recently, thinking about getting out there and doing something worthwhile, there are plenty of things you could try. One of the best ways of making a difference is to go on a volunteering project with an organisation such as www.projects-abroad.ca. You’ll have an experience of a lifetime and be doing something to benefit others. In this guide you can read about five of the top experiences on offer to you.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eyeliam/2763938986

Teach children in foreign countries

You can get involved in teaching abroad without formal qualifications. As long as you have a good standard of English, you can play a part and help enrich children’s lives. English teaching projects are available all over the world, so whether you want to head to Africa, Asia or South America, you can. If you would rather work with over 18s, there are plenty of projects offering this opportunity too.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/frontierofficial/7650919128/

Get involved in environmental and cultural programs

Getting your hands dirty helping local communities is a really memorable experience. If you’ve been sitting at your desk, longing to get outdoors, this is a good option for you. You could help farmers in Argentina or Ghana, get involved in eco-development projects in India, or even play a role in conservation projects all over the world.

Work in an orphanage

Volunteering in an orphanage is a humbling and life-changing experience. This is your opportunity to have a hugely positive impact on children and help them learn life skills that will be a massive benefit to them. All you have to be is compassionate and show your caring side, and in return you will get a rewarding experience. There are opportunities to volunteer in orphanages in many different countries around the world, including China, Ghana, Jamaica, Sri Lanka and Mongolia.

Take part in community projects

Taking part in community projects gives you the opportunity to do something worthwhile and to really soak up the atmosphere and culture of your chosen destination. You’ll work with locals and can get a placement in programs, such as arts and crafts in Mexico, nomad projects in Mongolia and disaster management projects in Jamaica.

Coach sport abroad

Sport has the unique power of bringing people together. If you have a sport that you are passionate about and able to coach, you can use your skills to help teach those at a disadvantage. It might be a school program, community sports project or individual courses, and again there are opportunities all over the world.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/erikkristensen/143899093

If you feel the time’s right to go and do something worthwhile, there are many websites that can give you more information about specific projects. Then you can start planning your memorable experience!

Resource Box

Volunteering: make your time really count - Article about volunteering on your travels

Graduate: A Volunteer Abroad - First-hand account of someone’s experience of volunteering abroad

Do you dare take a sabbatical? - Article about taking time off work   

An Unlikely Bond

Anyone who has a pet would know how much you can bond with an animal. Although some despise pets- especially cats- anybody who has a pet knows that there can be genuine love between them and their little friends. But sometimes a bond can build between more than just the normal household pets.

Lions

This picture shows that even the biggest of cats can be full of love for a human. 

Many of you may know about Leo the Lion. If you haven’t seen the heart-warming video yet, what have you been doing?! This demonstrates genuine love between the full-grown lion when he’s reunited with his owners, John Rendall & Ace Bourke, in 1972.

It used to be legal to own an animal like this, but as he grew larger and larger it was time to set him free into the wild in Kenya.

Bears

Although they will grow into big, dangerous animals, bears can be the most loving and playful of animals. If a bond is made from an early age, they can be your best pal. Take Brutus, the pet grizzly bear for example. 

The bond between him and his best friend, Casey Anderson looks unbreakable. I wouldn’t like to fall out with Casey; something tells me his friend’s got his back!

Mark Dumas, a 60-year-old man from Canada also has a ‘bear-bond’ with his polar friend. They say he’s the only man in the World who can swim with a polar bear. Would you jump in the pool?

Crocodiles

What would you rather do; swim with a polar bear or swim with a crocodile? It would be a tough choice. Go to Puerta Rico and you may bump into a man named Chito, who would probably be playing with his friend, Pocho- a crocodile he saved from a gunshot wound over 20 years ago

He said it took more than 10 years to really be able to get closer with the croc. If you can’t get over to Puerto Rico to see the odd couple playing around, here’s a clip.

Gorillas (with pets)

An even more unlikely bond is Koko the gorilla- who loves and cares for a pet kitten. 

She had so much love for the kitten that when she finds out it died, she’d cry! This goes to show that we’re all full of love and emotions.

So next time you feel like adopting a furry friend, maybe you could think outside the box! Depending on the law in your country, that is..

How to write a love letter

Text messages are useful, but they are hardly romantic. Sometimes, only a letter will do (or if you prefer to keep it electronic, a letter by email).
Perhaps you have been with the same person for decades and want to tell them how much you still feel, or perhaps you are in the early stages, looking to meet singles in Manchester with eHarmony. Either way, follow these tips for love letters that will impress.

Presentation

Presentation is important. Do not write your love letter on a scrap of paper torn from an exercise book – make the paper you write on reflect the way you feel. Use good quality writing paper, or a card. Stay away from schmaltzy pictures of hearts and flowers (unless you know that the person you are writing to will love them).
If you go for a card, choose something with a picture that means something to the two of you – a place you have visited, for example. If you write by email, send your letter as an attachment rather than in the email body – it will increase the sense of mystery and excitement.

The beginning

Let the person you are writing to know why you are writing. Perhaps you were thinking about a special time you had together, and want them to remember it too? Or you feel you have lacked romance recently and want to remind them? Or maybe you are telling them you love them for the very first time? Whatever it is – let them know.

The body

Expand on what you have told them in the beginning section. Try to avoid cliché – it will tend to sound insincere. Focus instead on things that you love about them, and the things you have done together.
Remember that this letter is about them and about you as a couple – it should not be about you as an individual. If they want to write a love letter back, they will do. Until then, do not fish for compliments. The letter should be focused on making them feel special and loved.

The end

Finish off your letter with a killer phrase that will stick in their mind and make them smile when they think about your letter. Tell them that you want to be with them forever, or whatever it is that you feel. If you get a little bit cheesy at this point, it does not matter too much – just try to stick with something that sounds sincere and meaningful. From singles dating nights to love letters – in relationship terms, you have arrived.

Resource box

Lovingyou.com: Love letters
A collection of love letters and articles about love letters
Love Letters of the Civil War
Love letters from American Civil War soldiers
Esquire.com: How to write a love letter
A guide to love letter writing

Flirting with your Dog when you’re Looking for Love

You've seen them in the street and the park: those dogs that just look so similar to their owners.  You will see the regular golden retriever with the blonde boss and the bulldog with the angry looking bodybuilder for a boss.  But how much do dogs really say about us and to they have an influence on our relationships?

According to research conducted in The Netherlands our dogs can have a substantial influence on our love lives.  The type of dog you own can determine how you are perceived by the opposite sex.  

Apparently over 75% of the research respondents agreed that flirting with a dog is easier than without. The most common answer appeared to be: “Having a dog by your side gives you something to hold on to. But you don’t have to talk to the dog or include the dog in the conversation as you would with a friend.”

So which dog should you keep on your side when going out for a flirt? Should you opt for a feminine Chihuahua or a manly Boxer?  Which dog will give the right impression on the other sex? Or the better question: which dog will you bring out with you when you’re looking for love?

According to the research it can make a significant difference which type of dog you own when you go dating someone new. In general men rather date a woman who owns a Pug than a German Sheppard. Women rather date a man that owns a Boxer than a Maltese.

The reason behind this preference can be subscribed to the characteristics of the dog race, which we also describe to the owner of the dog, only just after seeing both. Women almost always see the boxer as sexy, successful and intelligent.  Men love to see a woman with a Pug because they associate this dog with success, intelligence and loyalty. For dating purposes men would like to see a sexy dog like a Chihuahua but when it comes to finding a partner they prefer a Pug.

Dogs like Golden Retrievers, Terriers and Dachshunds are dogs that will make you look friendly and loyal. So next time you go out to park you should make sure to bring the right dog with you.  Go for the sexy Chihuahua, the faithful Pug or the friendly Golden Retriever. It depends which result you are looking for.

The best places to find love with your dog are parks. Most dog owners don’t mind to strike up a conversation with a fellow dog owner. However, when you are going out on a date you might fancy something different than a stroll in the park.

Make your Vacations Different

After a few months living the same routine: working hard every day, seeing the same faces, eating at the same time each day, sleeping with your favourite radio programme, waking up at the same hour… You need to take a breath and break away from routine….You deserve to be on holiday!

The first thing you have to think is how to make every day an experience. Your holidays have to be different; you have to plan it conscientiously because your life has already become a routine.

A good plan to prepare is to create brainstorm. Write down on a piece of paper the first things that come to mind. Later on, analyse what you have thought of and eliminate what you reckon is very stupid.

It is important that you cover good things to do, each day you are on vacation. Suggestions can be to take your boots and lose yourself in a city which you do not share anything related to - culture and language or in a marvellous and exotic beach. Dare to try an extreme sport which allows you to get rid of the adrenaline you keep locked inside. Rent a speedy car and do laps in a circuit. Taste the strangest meals you have ever tried (and which you will probably never try again).

Feel free and enjoy your vacation!!!

Six great gift ideas for when you lack inspiration

 

Giving gifts to people is always a bit difficult. Even if you know the person very well it can still be tricky. But fear no more because the following gifts ideas will have you sorted for the next couple of years. They will even get you shopping for the most difficult people!

1.  The person who asks for shopping vouchers

The good old “oh just give me a voucher or something.” Every year you try to buy it from a different store but it just feels boring doesn’t it? So from now on you have something much better to offer than a plastic card. Did you know you can buy a personal shopping experience as a present for someone? Well, you can. This is the perfect gift for anyone who loves to shop. Several websites offer the “Personal Shopping Experience” as a gift package in London or Birmingham. This is the ideal present when you want to stay clear from gift vouchers but want to stick to the wishes of the birthday girl/boy.

2. The distant relative or friend

The type of person you only see every once a while suddenly invited you to his or her birthday party. You don’t want to be rude so you accept the invitation but what do you buy? Birthday present hampers are perfect for family members or friends you do not see on a regular basis. There is a wide variety of birthday hampers available online. You will find hampers that consist out of food, sweets or beauty products. Whatever you choose, make sure you include at least one special luxury item such as a bottle of champagne or caviar. This way he or she will know you have put a lot of thought in to your hamper. 

3. The fussy partner

This one is only hard because you know that he or she expects something great from you. Your present has to top all the other presents he or she receives from friends and family.  Something that is just for the two of you will always be a good idea. It shows you care and it is fun for the both of you.  Make sure you pick something that is original such as a medieval banquet, a day at the races or a bike ride through the Hampton Courts.

Posh English tackles Ginger Irish

4.  Your loving parents

As you get older and start to earn money you cannot show up at your parents with a handmade card anymore. No, it is time you show appreciation for all those years they took care of you.  Pamper the lovely couple with a luxurious day in London. Start the day at the Elemis Spa in Mayfair for some anti-ageing skincare treatments and Arabian massages. When they are fully pampered you send them off for a luxury dinner cruise on the Thames. A great day guaranteed!

5. The doting grandparents

Buying gifts for grandparents is always tricky. There is an obvious age gap which makes it hard to determine what could be useful, funny or thoughtful. It is a great idea to take them out for the day, but where could you take them? The best idea for an afternoon well spent would be a visit to the Buckingham Palace Queen’s Gallery. Wander around the exhibition for a while and enjoy a gorgeous afternoon tea for two at the Grosvenor Hotel to end the day with. This shows you want to spend time with your grandparents whilst doing something you both enjoy.