My grown-up son was going through his childhood toys one day when he was cleaning his room. He wanted to have more space for his school things now that it appears his dorm days will not be back just yet because of the pandemic. I detected a sense of melancholy as I watched him. Not sure though if it is coming from me or him. So do we keep his toys or not?

Keep the Toys that...

1. Have specific sentimental value

Be selective as it will be very difficult to choose. Let's face it, every piece has its sentimental value. You have to choose or else you will end up keeping everything.

2. You like to pass on the next generation

There are toys that can be passed on like family heirlooms. Make sure that its condition and make can last through time. Otherwise, it might be a good idea to have another child play with it today unless of course you have abilities to preserve it and good reason to keep it.

3. Younger kids in the family can play with now

Consider if you have younger kids who can play with the toys. In this case, it will just be a question of transferring the toys to another room. 

My Say

You may have other reasons to keep your kids' toys and that's fine. The memories they represent are yours. That said, if you feel you can give them to other children who can still enjoy them, do so. Memories will remain with you and you will be happy knowing other kids are enjoying them like your kids used to. 

School awards have made schoolyear endings fulfilling or disappointing to many parents and children. Whether the resulting feeling will be the former or the latter depends on whether a recognition was awarded or denied. The impact of school awards is undeniable but should it be so?

Signals of Approval

Whether or not parents voice out their expectations on their children bringing home school awards, the pressure is there. It is but natural that parents feel proud of their children's accomplishments, no matter how small. Recognition of such accomplishments by teachers and peers fulfills to a certain degree the human need for acceptance and validation.

Awards can serve as signals of approval and receiving them feels good. Does it follow then that not receiving one represents disapproval? Of course not, but it may sometimes seem so especially to young children who may relate getting an award to their "worth" as they perceive it. 

Sibling Comparison

What should parents do when one child excels in school and another is not doing as well? Should they dim the light of the academically successful child to pre-empt possible feelings of jealousy and resentment? It might be construed by the other child as creating pressure to up the ante. 

Should they "celebrate mediocrity" as others would call celebration of seemingly trivial achievements to avoid assumptions of playing favorites? Let us try to look at this based on standard measurements of success. After all, there is no such thing as small achievements for parents when it comes to their children. 

My Say

Wanting to get awards is not bad, actually not at all. It only becomes so when it becomes a major basis for parental approval. It becomes bad when it is the sole goal of students, regardless of how it was obtained. 

That said, awards should not be the only reason for doing our best. It is simply a bonus that we get along the way of reaching our dreams. In the family, we celebrate achievements and acknowledge failures. Like it or not, awards have a big impact in the family and it is up to its members to make sure that it will not be a source of pressure, or basis for measurement of value.

Proper hygiene is important for everyone. With that said, when we think of hygiene, we think about washing our hands, brushing our teeth, or putting on enough deodorant. We don’t think about hygiene in the sleep sense. However, sleep hygiene is quite important in the quest for getting a good night’s sleep. In this post, we will dive into the world of sleep hygiene and explain what you can do to have better hygiene. 


Photo by Alexandra Gorn on Unsplash

Before Handling Your Issues

If you are having severe sleep issues, it could be a sign of depression or something deeper on your mind. In a case like this, it is important that you speak to a counselor or a therapist for help. You can be able to get the help you need by speaking with a counselor online. Sites such as Regain allow you to get the help you need from the comfort of your own home. 

What is Sleep Hygiene? 

We’ve made posts about how to sleep better before, or what to do if your partner is snoring, but we haven’t explored the sleep hygiene concept in full. Sleep hygiene are habits that can prepare you for a good night’s sleep and increase the chances that you’ll feel great all day. If you have had trouble sleeping, you can improve your sleep by practicing good hygiene. Here are some good tips to practice sleep hygiene. 

Don’t Take Caffeine or Alcohol too Close to Bedtime 

Caffeine is an obvious one. You were probably told by your parents as a child not to have a soda too close to bed. With that said, many swear by alcohol. The problem with alcohol is that it can keep you awake if drank too close to your bedtime.

Exercise!

You don’t have to spend hours in the gym. All you need is 10 minutes of light aerobic exercise to calm you down and make you more prepared for bed. Some people do avoid workouts too close to bedtime, as it may keep you up. However, a brief workout as you unwind is not a bad idea. 

Don’t Nap Too Much 

Some people take long naps to make up for lost sleep. A brief nap can help you, but it can disrupt your sleep otherwise. Make sure you’re getting that right balance when you nap. 

Don’t Look at Screens So Much Before Bed 

Put your phone down and don’t be too close to the TV. Screens have blue light, which can damage melatonin, the chemical needed for an adequate night’s sleep. Of course, this is easier said than done, and many devices have night modes or blue light filters to lessen their effects. However, the mental stimulation of checking your notification can still keep you up. Go read a book. 

Make Sure the Room is Cool 

No one likes a burning room. About 60-67 degrees F is the optimal temperature. Don’t be afraid to turn on the AC at night. Alternatively, you can try cooling your blankets before you sleep. 

Adjusting Your Bedroom 

White noise machines can help you fall asleep faster, and blackout curtains should get rid of any lights or other problems when you’re having trouble falling asleep. 

Practice Relaxing Activities Before Bed 

You want to relax and unwind before bed. Have a nice herbal tea. Take a nice bath. Read a good book or watch a good show (preferably with night mode settings.) If there is something bothering you, learn how to discard it. Make sure the kids are unwound as well. For enjoyable and calming activities you can do with your children, you might find a few good ideas here and look here.

My Say

Observing proper sleep hygiene makes it possible to maximize the benefits of sleep. That said, it is just a matter of making it a way of life.

Habitual snoring is a common yet potentially serious condition known as Obstructive sleep apnea. If severe, it is known to raise the risk of chronic diseases like heart attack, diabetes, and hypertension. Its effect however is not simply limited to the one who snores.

Snoring is a big challenge to couples because it usually compromises the comfort of one partner for a smooth, peaceful rest during the night. One spouse is bound to feel deprived of his or her sleep. This results to aggravated fatigue, which runs from morning hours throughout the day.


Photo by Sarah Diniz Outeiro on Unsplash

Waking up feeling tired than you were when going to sleep with errands to run the next day is not good for your physical and psychological comfort. As the spouse who has to experience all the noise, it is recommended that you keep your calm. Your spouse did not choose nor does he or she like to be in that condition. It is high time you took a step and tried the tips below; it will help. Here are tips to help you manage the distractions of a snoring partner:

1) Use Better Sleep Moldable Silicone Earplugs For Sleep

These are the best earplugs to use because they are quite comfortable. They are made from soft materials that are gentle to the skin. Wearing these ear plugs for snoring helps block out the noise. You get to sleep comfortably and wake up refreshed. The silicone is molded to fit the size and the shape of your ear canal. This helps achieve perfect blockage and also prevent discomfort since some ready-made earplugs tend to either too large or too small. For such high customization, they are quite. They are also reusable and washable.

2) Consider Sleeping Apart

Sleeping in a room with a snoring partner can keep you awake the whole night. For such severe scenarios, it is advisable to sleep in different rooms. Each of you will get to sleep peacefully. Before taking this initiative, start by discussing it with your partner. Make him or her understand the difficulties and politely run him or her through your proposed solutions.

3) Try Different Sleep Schedules

You can keep yourself busy with other duties while your partner is sleeping. The best thing to do to achieve this is to understand and respect your partner’s sleeping time. For example, if you both work during the day and sleep at night, you can decide to let him or her work during the day and sleep at night, and on the other hand, you sleep during the day and work at night. It is easy if you both talk and arrive at a mutually agreed upon schedule.

4) Play Some Relaxing Background White Noise To Help You Sleep

White noise may help your brain divert the focus from snoring noises to soothing and calming sounds. In technical terms, white noise is ‘anti-noise,’ helping weaken or cancel out unwanted sound waves. This applies to snore sounds as well. Rain sounds will work for some individuals, while other people will prefer soft human whispers close to the ears. Soft music also works for some. 

My Say 

At times lack of sleep can make you lose focus or forget important appointments and deadlines. 

That said, you should discuss with your partner about what you are going through and try out solutions for your circumstances and his condition as well that can help.

For new parents, having a new baby is certainly a roller-coaster ride. It’s exciting and involves a lot of things that you may have never experienced before. There are a lot of things that you also need to purchase for your new baby. After all, you want to make sure that your house is ready for a new human being. You may want to buy more stuff that is organic, fun, and most importantly, functional to your baby’s growth. For this reason, you will find a lot of baby shops solely for the purpose of providing these items. Since shopping alone takes so much time and you have a human being to take care of, online shopping for these items is the best way to go.

Photo by Jomjakkapat Parrueng on Unsplash

Here are five places to shop for baby products online.

1. Prettymums Online Baby Store

Prettymums Online Baby Store is an online store that has all the affordable and popular baby products and essentials for moms too! Whether you are looking for a tooth-friendly pacifier, a travel pack that can accommodate baby items, a storage bag, or a nursing cup – you will find it in this online shop. Their products have quirky and interesting designs that will surely catch anyone’s eyes.

2. Fisher-Price

Fisher-Price has been on the market for almost 90 years and for that reason, it has become a trusted brand for new parents who need the necessary products for their babies. Fisher-Price is a classic company but always tries to innovate with their products to adapt to new designs and functionality. They always incorporate new things into their selection. If you want a classy company that embraces innovation, this brand is the one for you.

3. Burt’s Bees Baby

Burt’s Bees Baby is a trusted site that sells 100% certified organic products for your baby. You can be assured of a safe product from blankets to creams, as well as baby clothing. Moreover, Burt’s Bees also has products for parents that help make their skin soft and supple like that of a baby. If you are looking for organic products for your baby, head over to this site for a great surprise.

4. Honest

Honest is another company that believes in organic and safe products for the baby. It was founded by Jessica Alba who believes in the company’s vision. In this online shop, you will find stylish diapers, soothing creams, and other products that are safe to use for your baby’s sensitive skin.

5. Buy Buy Baby

There are way more things you need than baby clothing, baby bottles, and diapers. You will also need items such as mats, carriers, or even car seats. All these items are available in Buy Buy Baby. It’s a classic go-to online store for anyone who needs just about anything for your little human. You don’t have to carry these items all by yourself, and with just a couple clicks, all these necessary items will be delivered to your home in no time.

My Say

Whether a mother is about to give birth or just had a baby, trips to baby stores can be challenging. Online stores catering to baby products can be heaven-sent. That said, not all online stores are created equal so it will always be best to make wise choices for the best deals in price and quality. 

Before deciding whether or not it’s okay for you to take supplements, you must understand what it means first. In a general sense, a supplement is defined as something you add to something else that completes or enhances it. When we talk about our bodies, nutritional supplements are meant to enhance our overall health. You may find a lot of effective supplements at premierformulas.com. Now why do you need to take them and what good can they do to your body? 


Photo by Angel Sinigersky on Unsplash

Here are 5 reasons that would help you decide in adding dietary supplements to your daily routine:

1. Aids in proper metabolism

Metabolism is a chemical process inside the body that is responsible for breaking down food and helping your body absorb them. Every time you finish a meal, your body works to break down all the macronutrients from your food intake. The carbohydrates, fats, and protein undergo processing which turns them into substances that your body absorbs. Your body’s level of absorption relies on a couple of factors, one of which is a number of vitamins - B-class vitamins to be exact. Proper B vitamin supplementation is very helpful in preventing vitamin deficiencies, including nerve damage, joint pain, and certain skin disorders.

2. Makes you happier

Being full makes you feel happy, right? But what’s more uplifting is being full and properly nourished. Vitamin D supplementation helps in mood regulation. Low levels in calcium is linked to PMS-related depression in women. So you see, vitamins and minerals are not just good for making sure your metabolism is okay. They also help you regulate your hormones and improve your mood.

3. Prevents cancer development

A number of dietary supplements are effective in preventing cancer. Vitamins A, C, and E, for instance act as antioxidants in the body. They help neutralize free radicals that cause cell damage. Oxidative damage to your cells promotes cancer development. Other supplements that help fight cancer is Vitamin D, curcumin, and green tea.

According to studies, people who are found to have higher levels of Vitamin D have lower rates of breast, ovarian, and colon cancers. It is recommended to take 1,000 to 2,000 international units of Vitamin D per day, which you can get from a good multivitamin. Curcimin is a truly remarkable herb in that it has killed cancer cells and shrunk animal tumors in the laboratory. It is derived from turmeric and can also be found curry rich foods. Green tea is another of those cancer fighting herbs. Its high antioxidant content help our bodies fight off free radicals that cause cancer.

4. Helps people over 50

Daily health supplementation is actually more recommended to people over 50. As we grow old, our bodies tend to lose its efficiency in metabolizing and absorbing nutrients. This makes it hard for us to get completely nourished from the food we eat. Adding supplements and multivitamins to our daily routine can surely help us get the right nutrition that we need to function normally. Suggested supplements for old age would be Fish Oil, Calcium, Probiotics, and CoQ10.

5. The food we eat have reduced nutrient content

Some people think it’s enough to just eat the right foods to get balanced nutrition. But with the state of our food today? You can never be sure. Food processing takes away a lot of the nutrient content found in food that you hardly ever get the right macros from them. Tons of sugar and carbs, maybe, but none of the essential stuff. To add, food additives can further deplete your food of nutrients, so it actually helps to supplement.

My Say

Taking supplements should come with good nutrition, sufficient physical activity and rest. In essence, it works to enhance what one has. That said, it always makes sense to lay the foundations for overall health. 

Membership shopping is one option presented to shoppers that comes with certain privileges. Landers Superstore is one of the frontrunners in this industry via its 5 branches located in Balintawak, Otis, Cebu, Alabang West and ArcoVia City. At Landers, shoppers find snacks and household essentials that may not be seen in local supermarkets. And that is just one of the many privileges to be had while shopping at Landers.


How to Become a Member at Landers Superstore

Since only members are allowed to shop at Landers Superstore, it would be best to register at any branch and pay the corresponding membership fee. Application forms can be downloaded online. Applicants should at least be 18 years old and must agree to the terms and conditions for membership. Registered members can bring along a maximum of 5 adult non-members and no limit for children. A copy of the business permit or DTI registration will be required for business membership.


Fees for Landers Superstore Membership

Annual premium membership for individuals costs Php 800 while business membership costs Php 1,000. You can always check online if 50% off promo is ongoing to avail of a lower membership cost. Annual renewal cost is Php 800. Card validity starts on the sign-up date. The cost for replacing a lost card is Php 100. Every registered individual member is entitled to add one extension member at the cost of Php 400 while business members can add a maximum of 4. 



Perks and Privileges for Being a Landers Superstore Member

Aside from offering goods which are not available in local supermarkets, there are other perks and privileges attached to being a Landers Superstore member. Some of which are the free haircut at the store's own barbershop and Php 2.00 discount per liter of gas purchased from designated Caltex stations. There is also the guaranteed access to exclusive events launched by Landers. Membership cards can be used at any branch. Operating hours are from 9 AM to 9 PM.

My Say

When I first entered Landers Superstore, it brought back memories of shopping at Cartimar during my younger days because of the many imported goods that can be found here. The atmosphere is just more comfortable and conducive to shopping now because membership shopping seems to lean towards making shopping more convenient with a touch of exclusivity. 

That said, my family enjoys shopping at Landers because of the many choices that are made available. Sign up for membership now to experience it for yourself.

How strong can women be?


The Women in our Family

Looking at the women in our family, I found myself thinking of how tenacious women can be in the face of challenges. At the sight of my 76 year-old mother, my younger sister, my 2 daughters, and my 2 granddaughters, I can't help but feel awed on how we are able to bounce back from the numerous adversities that came our way.

Those adversities came in many forms: sickness, financial, relationships, friendships, studies...and probably many others that stay hidden in our hearts. Whether by innate strength or necessity, knowing that there are people depending on us, we rise from falling. We cried from the pain, took a deep breath, dusted ourselves off, and continued on, even if it meant starting all over again.

Female Strength

In spite of the commonly accepted superiority of men over women when it comes to physical strength, studies show that women are actually stronger than men. Now, this is not some feminist stance to argue female superiority but rather to take note of the fact that women are more likely to prevail in extreme conditions. The secret to this lies in emotional strength and dogged determination to survive, if not for one's self, then for loved ones.

Women are also said to be biologically wired to live longer than men. Even in sickness, a lot of jokes have been told on how extremely different men handle the common colds from women. The man cold idea refers on how men tend to fuss about having colds and sometimes totally shut off while women continue on their daily activities with the same condition. Studies are still being done to see if sex hormones are related to this phenomena or if it is a cultural thing which which puts much pressure on men to be infallible thus such a reaction.

My Say

Women have been historically keeping the ties of family strong and intact while doing their share, if not single-handedly raising a family. That said, they are able to do much more with the support of loved ones for no matter how strong they appear to be, they too have their breaking point. 

So many people around the world live their entire lives waiting for happiness. They hold on to the thought that happiness is something that just happens. But nothing could be farther from the truth. Happiness is something that needs to be actively pursued. To be truly happy, you will need to work on yourself by improving the way you live your life. By doing this, you will be on the path to happiness, confidence and feel good about yourself again.

Image Credit

Here are 5 tips to being happier in 2018.

1. Take Care Of Yourself
If you want to be truly happy this year, you have to take care of yourself. Happy people take good care of themselves. Start by eating healthy and working out. Ditch the junk foods. Don’t lie on the couch watching TV all day. Don’t skip showers. Go out for a jog, ride your bike or do the exercise that makes you happy. These simple adjustments will change the way you feel about yourself, leaving you looking younger and more beautiful.

2. Keep Good Company
Surround yourself with people who want the best for you. Remember, the company you keep will eventually reflect on your personality. Stay away from negative people as they will only drag you down, leaving you exhausted and emotionally drained. Spend more time with people who are focused, optimistic and motivate you to become a better person.

3. Create A Balance In Life
The daily work life juggle can be overwhelming. The schedules can get so busy that sometimes we forget to live our lives. In 2018, ensure that you maintain a work-life balance. Plan and prioritize your tasks for better time management. Leave the office on time and avoid carrying work home. Be present at dinner and enjoy the evenings with your family or friends. 

4. Be Grateful
In 2018, be grateful for what is there right in front of you. Appreciate all the good things in your life. Being grateful promotes happiness and satisfaction. Choose to look at life in a positive way. Additionally, you can express your gratitude by giving back to the society. This will bring back that sense of purpose in your life and boost your self-esteem.

5. Recovery From Drug And Substance Abuse
Alcohol and substance abuse can take a toll on a person’s body and mind. Substance abuse can turn a healthy man into a frail shadow of their former self. Drug and substance abuse often leads to mood and anxiety disorders. Recovery from drug and substance abuse, however, can give a former drug addict a new lease on life. When you recover from substance addictions, you can live a happier, fulfilled and more content life.

These 5 tips are a sure way of ensuring that you spend 2018 a happier person. Need freedom from drug and substance abuse? The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake has the best rehab facilities in colorado . The team of highly qualified professionals will help you gain control of your life, recover from addiction and be healthy and happy again.

My Say

Happiness is  very elusive commodity especially if we base it purely on material things. True happiness is achieved when we are healthy in body, mind, and attitude.

That said, let us not chase happiness that are only fleeting. Look around you and you might just see the happiness you have always been looking for but is just begging for your attention. Start with yourself. 

If you are experiencing or suffering from allodynia, taking nerve damage vitamins or supplements can help you manage the condition. Allodynia is an unusual condition that leads to a loss in nerve sensations. It can also be characterized by severe pain from stimulus that normally shouldn’t be painful, such as combing your hair.  Luckily, you can manage this condition with supplements.  Neuropathy supplements can help repair damaged peripheral nerves with ease. These supplements work because in most cases, nerve damage is due to lack of essential vitamins like vitamin B1 and B6.  Here are 4 tips you should consider when taking these vitamins.

Image Credit

1. Identify your Condition

Before you decide on which vitamins to take, it is important you visit a doctor to diagnose if you have any other condition. There are various causes of neuropathic pain including shingles, diabetes and fibromyalgia. Proper diagnosis is important to prevent any possible negative reactions that the vitamins might trigger in your body from other ailments. The doctor will recommend the correct supplements that will help reduce the pain, repair the damaged nerves without causing any side effects. The last thing you want is to make a bad condition worse through negative reactions, by taking the wrong vitamins.

2. Be patient with the Treatment

Nerves don’t heal easily. It can take you about 2 to 3 months before feeling any kind of relief. That’s why you need to be patient and follow the treatment plan from your doctor without getting desperate, and diverging to other treatments. Ensure that you follow the doctor’s nutritional plan, avoid activities that may trigger more damage, and have a positive attitude towards the healing process. Most treatments fail not because that they are ineffective, but also because of the attitude exuded by the patient. A positive attitude is a key factor towards any healing process. Nerve damage treatment is no exception.

3. Take Vitamins with Your Meals

Nerve damage vitamins are medicines just like other medications. Taking them when hungry may cause some upsets. It is advisable that you take your vitamins when taking your meals especially breakfast. Taking them with your meals will not only prevent the upsets, but also ensures that you do not forget taking them hence messing up with your prescription. This habit will also motivate you to take breakfast everyday a habit that eludes most people. It will help you to start your day full of energy and will have the vitamins having a greater effect to the healing process.

4. Have a Reminder

Nerve damage sometimes takes longer time to heal or manage because of failing, or forgetting to take medication on time. You can handle this problem by setting a reminder on your smartphone. All you have to do is to download a task scheduling app on your smartphone, and have it remind you when it’s time to take your vitamins. Your smartphone can be a great companion in your journey to recovery from your nerve damage problem.

My Say

Conventional methods used to treat nerve damage raise concerns about the price and possible side effects. Recent innovations in treatments are saying that there are other ways to manage or even cure the condition.

That said, make it a habit to be informed about all possible options.for a better quality of life.

Few countries can claim to be a year-round travel destination. Canada is one of them. The main reason is that there is always something to see and do in Canada whatever season it may be. 

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The timing for the visit would depend on a traveler's preference and schedule availability. Regardless of when the trip is set, it is always ideal to look into vacation homes in Canada to make sure that proper accommodation is ready beforehand. This is one of the most important aspects to consider in traveling. Travelers would find themselves hard put to enjoy even the most scenic attractions if there is no comfortable place to rest and be safe during the stay. 

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Seasons of Canada 

Canada has four seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. This is actually one of the reasons why the country holds so much appeal for travelers. Although the weather across the country tends to vary depending on location, these four seasons can still be clearly defined. Spring months are from March to May while summer months are from June to August, sometimes extending to September. Fall is felt from September to November while winter occurs from December to February.

To make it easier for you to decide what time of the year you want to visit, listed below are highly recommended places to visit in Canada plus the most exciting activities happening per season. 

Spring in Canada

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Spring represents the season for rebirth and regrowth. For many, this season is best characterized by the abundance of plants and flowers. Temperature tends to be high during the day and cooler at night. Travelers may have to balance hot and cold weather in terms of clothing as temperatures may change without warning. Layering one's clothing is advised to easily adapt even at short notice.

If you think cherry blossoms can only be found in Japan, think again. Vancouver holds it own Cherry Blossoms Festival where visitors can see in their own eyes thousands of cherry blossom trees in full bloom. While we are on the subject of spectacular flowery sights, the Canadian Tulip Festival is also a must-see. One can also try spring skiing while the snow is still intact just after winter season bids farewell. Canada also boasts of numerous nature trails which makes hiking a pleasurable activity during spring time. 

There are many other interesting places to visit in Canada during spring. These include Fogo Island in Newfoundland and Labrador, Grand Beach in Manitoba, Kananaskis Country in Alberta, and Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario, among others. These places are absolutely stunning in Canadian spring.

Summer in Canada

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Summer is the hottest season of the four. Given that, travelers should still be ready with light clothing and a coat. Bringing a brimmed hat is sensible for protection from sun exposure. It is often characterized by longer days and shorter nights. 

There are a host of activities travelers can do during summer in Canada. The weather permits people to be more adventurous in their choices although even the simple act of riding a train provides ample opportunities to see the panoramic view up close. Hiking, camping out in the wilderness, and cycling are equally pleasurable activities that can be done if you want to feel closer to nature. Summer is also a very agreeable time to observe wildlife and learn a new water sport.

A visit to a vineyard in Nova Scotia makes for an interesting trip. Sightseeing in Niagara Falls is an exciting way to cap a trip. Do not forget to experience the many festivals ongoing all over specially if you find yourself in a party mood.

Fall in Canada

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Fall is the opposite of summer as days become shorter and nights longer. This is the time of the year when leaves change color from green to red, yellow, and brown. The sight form such a lovely spectacle before these leaves fall to the ground and even when most have actually fallen. A scarf is the single most indispensable piece of clothing for the season together with coats, mittens, boots, and hats. 

This is a very wonderful time to be outdoors in Canada. British Columbia and Alberta are the most popular when it comes to scenery highlighting fall foliage. Other places though in Canada are not to be left behind.

The pumpkin festival in Wellington town and peach festival in Winona are fun. Get to experience Canadian Thanksgiving and Oktoberfest celebrations held all over. Festivals are many during this season ranging from music festivals to hot air balloon festivals. 


Winter in Canada

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Winter clothing is something you would rather not take for granted while in Canada. It is necessary to dress warmly for ample protection from the cold. This would be the ideal time to add earmuffs, gloves, leg warmers, and the works to keep warm in the coldest season of the year. This season is often connected to snow and freezing temperatures.

Aside from the traditional winter activities of skiing and skating, Canada in winter offers a lot more. Dog-sledding, snowshoeing, and ice-fishing, are just some of the unique ways visitors can enjoy winter in Canada.  Numerous winter festivals are likewise held all over.

One attraction that can only be seen and experienced during winter is the Quebec Ice Hotel. Think ice from the structure to the furniture and you can envision this cathedral-like hotel carved purely from ice. Ottawa's Rideau Canal becomes the world's largest skating rink once it becomes sufficiently frozen for skaters' use. Canada is also home to excellent ski resorts such as the Mont Tremblant.

My Say



If I had a choice, I would very much like to visit in Canada in winter. In spite of the cold temperature, this time of the year gives me a warm feeling probably because I associate it with receiving loving wishes for the holidays from loved ones staying in Canada. It would be nice to exchange holiday wishes face to face for a change.

That said, I'll continue looking forward to these greetings year in and and year out  because in doing so, I get to somehow feel that Canada is not a very distant dream.  

Iceland, the name alone easily brings pictures to my mind of a place perpetually covered in ice. To many, that may sound very limiting when it comes to possibilities of having an enjoyable time in a foreign land. I've learned many years ago not to rely on assumptions, perceptions, and generalizations, lest it leads to forever losing the chance of discovering something incredible. 

This is especially true in making decisions about places to visit. Iceland is a particularly interesting study of misconceptions. There is a story about the origin of the names of Iceland and Greenland. Supposedly, the Vikings who discovered Iceland found it so beautiful and unique that they named it as such to discourage other settlers from coming to the island. The story goes further to say that they also decided to name the neighboring land which is mostly of ice, Greenland, to completely mislead competitor-settlers.

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If we are to check a map of these two countries, this story will appear to be believable when we see a "green" Iceland and an "icy white" Greenland. Before we settle for this switch story, let us consider the other version as provided by historians and scientists. The truth is sought to be explained by Norse custom and the shifting global climate. 

Vikings name things as they see it so accounts shows that the first Norse explorer who reached Iceland saw snow. Erik the Red who was banished from Iceland after killing three people in a feud discovered Greenland at a time when it had a warmer climate, thus green. The name choice is also being described as a medieval version of a marketing scheme to encourage people to settle in the land. The shift in temperature resulted to what appears to be a switch in the actual description of each land. 

Not All Ice

So now that it's settled that Iceland is not all ice, let's find out more about this country. Its climate varies depending on what part of the island one is in. The Central Highlands are the coldest part of the country while the most arid are the low-lying inland areas. The south coast is generally warmer and snowfall in winter is more common in the north.



Best Time to Visit

July and August are said to be the best months to visit Iceland specially for hikers. Generally though, summer time is ideal as weather is milder and days are longer. Rainfall is usually experienced from October to February. Snow is observed from December to March, January proving to be the whitest month.



People and Culture 

Iceland is considered one of the friendliest countries to visitors. Common courtesy is expected in interacting with locals and other visitors. The country is known for its strong support for gender equality. The official language is Icelandic but most Icelanders speak good English. Other main foreign languages include Danish, Norwegian, Swedish French, German, and Spanish.



Attractions

It is a fact that one of the main reasons why travelers choose to visit a foreign country is the attractions offered. Iceland offers many and this is why it is experiencing an influx of visitors for the past years to the present. 

Extraordinary Landscape

Iceland's landscape is as varied as its climate. Known for having Europe's largest glacier, it also boasts of great falls and fjords. This is where travelers get to experience hot springs, lava landscapes, and steaming fields.  Its rivers and falls are tapped for hydroelectricity, making them not only beautiful but also useful and beneficial for its people. Mountain ranges abound to keep the most prolific mountain climber quite busy. 



Irresistible Natural Display

The location of Iceland makes it perfect for seeing the Northern lights or aurora borealis. From September to mid April, people get the chance to witness for themselves these celestial wonders. This advantage remains to be one of the main reasons for travelers wanting to visit the country.



Must-See Geysers

The vision of a column of hot water and steam ejecting from a vent n the earth's surface cannot be seen everywhere. Iceland has the recognition of having the oldest known geyser in the planet, the Geysir. It is located in Iceland's Haukadalur Valley and was first discovered in 1294.