Ashley’s Picks

This week has been a little crazy for me.  I was really sick for the most part of it, and had quite a bit of drama to go along with it. Anyway, it’s drama that not everyone would understand so I won’t go into it. I just hope that this week will be a little less eventful.

I want to bring up something I think is very important if you have a website or a blog. There are so many people that use “free sites” and don’t realize how much they can benefit if they go ahead and get a domain, and web hosting. I used to use free sites too, but when I finally got my own site, I realized that it was so worth it. You have complete freedom and control over your own site, and can do so much more with it. Another great thing is that it’s not that expensive. It’s not expensive at all.

If you think you might want to get hosted you should go to a web site hosting website like Web Hosting Geeks and you’ll find out all you need to know about web hosting and which one is right for you. There are so many different hosting options, and there is one that is perfect for you. It depends on what kind of website you want to have, and how much space you need. Each service has it’s own special features, and you get to choose what you like the best.  It’s definately worth the investment. You have a much higher quality site that will look much better to all your visitors.

I have a job where I work just 4 days a week, and I really like that. The job is fun, but I just started so I’ll have to spend some time working my way up. But, as soon as I do that, I think I can really start to enjoy it there. I also like doing some extra stuff at home so it makes it pretty nice to have more days off to do them.

I have a lot of friends who having been needing some extra cash lately. It’s summer and they just want to go out and do something. But, you can not do anything without some money in your pocket. A good way to get money when you need it is to get a Payday Loan. You don’t have to wait a long time to get it, and you get to pay it back quickly. You can go online to apply, and get approved right away. It’s very simple, and convenient. So, if you need money right away, why not get a Payday Loan?

Not everyone gets to go away for 6 months and live in another country, but I was given the opportunity. I actually worked hard for that opportunity, and saved money for a year to be able to go, and quit my job of 7 years so I could do it.  Why? I knew it would be just about the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life, and it was.

I remember saying goodbye to my family at the airport, and crying all the way there while I was on the airplane.  I knew once I landed, I would be in a country where I didn’t know anyone, didn’t speak the language, and didn’t know where I would be living.  I had booked a hostel for the first week I was there, and then had to find an apartment.

I started language school the day after I got there, and didn’t know where it was, so I took a taxi to get there.  I took me a week before I was able to walk there. I got lost on my way back from the school, and I was asking in my best Spanish about how to find my way back.  It took me an hour and a half to make 15 minute trip. But, from then on I knew my way around.

I spent alot more time walking than that, since I couldn’t bring my car with me. So, in my first month, I broke two pair of shoes.   It turns out, they weren’t made for walking.  So, I went shopping and bought a really nice pair that have lasted me through the rest of my walking around Mexico, until now. They were hand made leather, and I love them. They are very comfortable.

I did some really fun things, alone. I went diving in a cave, and touring some Mayan ruins. I also went to Cancun, on Mexican Independence day.  It was beautiful, but while I was in the water, I had to keep one eye on my bag, since I had no one there to help me watch it, and I had to have money with me so I could pay for my bus ticket back. So, it was not as fun as it could have been. But I enjoyed it anyway. I learned however, that it is worth the money to get a hotel on the beach.

I had my birthday while I was there, and didn’t get to celebrate with my family. But, I had made some friends by that time, and was at a youth camp on my birthday. So, I had to do a little birthday dance, and got hugs from about 50 people. It was pretty nice.

After three months in that location, I was on to my next place. A little island, in a place where I also knew no one. I was a 6 hour bus ride. I was going to be picked up from the bus station by the family that I would be staying with.  The trip was nice, I was able to see the sunset over the ocean as we were crossing the bridge. I got there on Thanksgiving week, and was surprised that the family I stayed with made a dinner just for me, (since it’s an American holiday).

I started teaching their son English, shortly after I got there. He started improving quickly in his English class. I was glad to be able to give back in some way.  I became part of the family quickly, and helped out around the house, and whatever I could do. I had a friend come from the US to visit me for Christmas, and she took my bed, and slept on the floor.  For me that is fine. I went Christmas shopping for the kids there, and the toys are so overpriced there.

Right after Christmas, my friend and I visited the city I had stayed at for the first 3 months, and we went to the beach, and Cancun. In that part of Mexico, it never gets really cold. I got a nice suntan on the beach on December 31st.  I thought that was great.

Shortly after, I got the flu. It was awful. I had planned to go to a conference that was out of town, so I went anyway.  Because of a crime in the area, the location of the conference had to be moved….to outside.

It was raining, and I had on flip flops.  The conference lasted all day long, and I was miserable. Since I lived with a family, I was being taken care of by them, and had to follow the “sick rules”, which included not being able to drink my diet soda.  That was really hard.  Cause I have to drink at least one or two a day. I don’t usually take care of myself when Im sick. I just suffer through it til I get better. I thought I had gotten better, and was going to be coming home soon. but, just a couple of days before my trip home I got sick again. I had fever, and I lost my voice. I took some kind of pill that made me feel so much better, but my voice was still gone.

The day of my return was great. I booked my flight in the first city, 6 hours away, and it was scheduled for 8 in the morning. So, I had to take a bus a midnight to get there.  Then I took my flight from there to Houston, and arrived at 11am . So, after traveling for 12 hours I was so happy to see my family waiting there for me at the airport. My voice was still gone, and so I couldnt say anything, but I was so glad to be back.

Being back home has been nice, and I still haven’t gotten over being happy about it. I was able to find a job quickly after my return, and realize that I really love my friends, and family.  I also enjoy living in the US. I also know that I have another family in Mexico, and they helped me learn to speak their language, and taught me alot about living in another country.

So, even though I had to give up alot, I think it was worth it. I didn’t get this opportunity, I worked for it, gave things up for it, and it was hard. But, if you want to do something like that, it will cost you something.  But, if nothing else, you’ll at least make some friends, and learn a new language.

Are you an employer who is looking for a way to reward your employees, or provide extra incentives to motivate them? Have you thought about Incentive Travel? That is an excellent way to do it. I know anyone would be happy with a reward like that.

Did you know that there are companies out there that help with planning, and
Meeting services for those employers that would like to use these types of incentives? They help make it a lot easier on you, and also offer great packages. You can hire them, and they will help you plan a travel meeting, or whatever else you need help with.

If you are interested in holding your Corporate Meetings at another location, or need to travel in order to attend, this is the perfect service for you. When you hire event planners, you will get an overall better experience than trying to do it all yourself. You can also look into something like this without having to commit, so you can find out what it’s all about, before actually hiring anyone.  So, if your office travels alot, check these services out.  They’ll definately make the experience much better.

I have been having to wake up early every morning to get my neice ready for school.  I have to make her breakfast, and get her dressed.  I don’t mind too much, but I think I’m getting a little taste of what it’s like to be a parent.  Waking up early when you otherwise wouldn’t have to isn’t much fun.  But, I always end up in a good mood whenever she leaves, because she is just too cute!

Well, I was just talking about this in my previous post how I was having trouble finding the right hosting for my new domain, and luckily I came across this website that talks about just that. It rates, and compares lots of webhosting sites for you, and lets you know which is the best. I find this very helpful, because I can learn about all the hosting sites all in one place, and make my decision strait from there. So, I definately know this can be helpful for alot of other people. So, if you are looking for web hosting, you might want to check this list too.

I bought a new domain sometime ago named Happy Skittles, and I haven’t done anything with it yet.  I really just haven’t found the right hosting site. I think I will make it a media site where new bands can upload their stuff, and people can vote on it.  That will take alot of work though!

Traveling is one of my favorite things to do. I love planning it all out, and knowing about the great restaurants, attractions, and sites in the area that I’ll be visiting. I also like to find the perfect hotel before I get there. Sometimes, however, it’s very difficult to find a hotel with all the amenities that you’re looking for, and get a great deal at the same time. I love to use sites that helps me look through multiple hotels all at the same time so I can choose between them, and save money too. One of these sites is called HotelsCombined.com.

The reason I really like this site is because you can compare so many different hotels, and have them right in front of you, and be able to pick the best one from them all. You can also choose from international hotels in places like Hong Kong, or even Rome.  I especially love this, because when you are traveling internationally, it’s harder to find what you want, especially when you don’t speak the language. So, being able to book your hotel ahead of time is great.  You can also compare prices, and find the best deal, and that can really save you alot of money.  I really love that.  So, websites like this are fabulous, and if you don’t use them when you are travelling, you shoul dgive them a shot. They really help.