Wisdom Stories
Jul
1

Moving From South Africa To USA

Well, guess I need to bite the bullet and call an international moving company. Don’t know which one, maybe I should Google it. I still can’t believe I have to leave the home I’ve always known to go live somewhere I’ve never been – the USA.

How can I leave South Africa, the adventure capital of the world where natural beauty and wildlife abound? Where one can follow the African drum and gumboot beat; the bright sun, stars and city streets; the friendly people, rich culture and freedom struggle that warms even the coldest person’s heart. Not to mention the invigorating mountain and ocean air. Can the USA offer anything even close to that? I wonder. Sigh.

But work is work. My company has offered me a huge promotion to make this move. I have to yank up my roots and the roots of my wife and children, I don’t have a choice. I never wanted my children to grow up anywhere else other than South Africa. It’s in our bones, has been for generations and generations. It really is for the future of my children that I make this move, even though they won’t see it that way for probably a very long time.

Okay, okay, enough procrastinating. I’m Googling international moving company right now to get some phone numbers. Let’s see…it says to put my home country in, South Africa, and my destination, New York, USA. Hmmm…what’s this I see? A whole list of international moving companies - and they’re willing to give me online quotes. Wow…this is going to be easier than I thought!

Okay, I’ve got quotes and now I’m going to check out the short listed international moving companies on the Better Business Bureau and Epinion. Thank God for the Internet! My wife helps me make the choice and we set up a date and time next month for them to come, pack up our lives and move us to another. For it truly is like starting a whole new life. The international moving company gives us advice on the rules, regulations and laws for the move and even hooks us up with a realtor. So far, so good.

I decide to Google New York and the pictures that come up look promising… and it’s right on the ocean too! We make online lodging at a five star hotel until our home is ready and decide to have a family vacation for the first month. We’re all excited now.

We book a couple of Broadway shows, trip to the Empire State Building, a general NYC tour, cruise of the harbor, tour of the Statue of Liberty and just so we don’t get over-immersed in culture, a Six Flags Great Adventure…for the kids of course.

I’m feeling better now. I realize that home is wherever you make it. I will always carry the beat of South Africa in my heart even though life’s adventures may take me afar!

International Moving

Posted in Moving To Asia, Over Seas Moving | No Comments »

Jun
25

Dangerous Mold in the Desert

It might not have occurred to you, but mold can exist even in some of the hottest climates, such as parts of the southwestern United States.  Just because this mold can exist there, however, does not mean that it is not a danger to human beings.  People who live in the deserts of the southwestern U.S. might not think that they are in any danger from mold due to the high temperatures and lack of rain, but the fact is that these areas are in just as much danger of mold and water damage as areas that get more rain and have more life-friendly temperatures. 

Coccidioides simmitis is a dangerous mold that lives in the western deserts of the United States and causes what has become known as “Valley Fever”.  This is a skin disease that can lead to death if it is left untreated for long enough and while this mold is located in the deserts of the southwestern United States and even Mexico, it is oddly absent from the deserts of other continents such as Asia, Africa, and Australia.

The reason that mold damage can be a huge problem in areas of desert such as those of Arizona and New Mexico is that residents sometimes use “swamp heaters” to cool down their homes and offices during the most hot and dry parts of the year.  Unfortunately, the downside to these will cause the indoor humidity to skyrocket and condensation ends up building on windows and any other cold surface.  Leaks can also occur where water pipes flow upward to the coolers on the rooftops and this can cause water damage to attics, ceilings, and walls. 

Water and air conditioning are very important in desert climates and so the possibility of air conditioning condensation leakage and plumbing leaks is pretty high.  Air conditioners and fans are used almost constantly and in some places, hot water heaters are not needed during the majority of the year because the water is hot when it comes out of the faucet.

Most of the mold insurance claims in the deserts of the United States are caused by water damage, even though most people think that desert climates do not have enough moisture to cause mold to become an issue.  With the presence of the mold that causes Valley Fever in the southwestern United States, if you live in a desert area, you should be extremely careful to make sure that water leaks in your home or business are taken care of very quickly and efficiently.

Emergency Water Restoration 

 

Posted in Flood Damage Help | No Comments »

Jun
24

Moldy Rice is a Favorite in Asia

A food called red yeast rice in English has been a favorite dish in Asian countries for a long time and is a traditional part of Peking duck.  Traditional Chinese medicine has used the dish for over 1,000 years in order to help the body keep up a good circulatory system and heart.  In China, its use has been noted as far back as the Tang Dynasty of China back in 800 A.D.  There might be a good reason for this use, since recent research has shown that red yeast rice is quite good at assisting in lowering a person’s cholesterol.  Just what is red yeast rice? 

Red yeast rice is made by fermenting a mold called monascus purpureus on top of rice.  There is a unique process that is used to separate the naturally occurring ingredient called mevinolin and this somewhat similar to other drugs that doctors give their patients to fight high cholesterol like Lipitor and Zocor.  While everyone needs cholesterol in order to have a healthy life, having too much of it as most people know can lead to problems.  Our livers produce about eighty percent of the cholesterol that the body needs and the other twenty percent comes from the food that we eat.  What the red yeast rice does when you eat it is block the enzyme that exists in the liver to induce the production of cholesterol.  Unsaturated fatty acids in the red yeast rice could also possibly add to the beneficial attributes of it.

The possibility of its medical uses has only recently been noticed in western countries, even though it has been used in Asia for centuries.  An extract of one of its natural ingredients, mevinolin, is often sold over the counter as a dietary supplement of sorts to be used for controlling cholesterol.  You do not need a prescription for this supplement and some people are taking advantage of this. 

It is not recommended to eat red yeast rice or take the dietary supplement of mevinolin if you have already been prescribed a drug for high cholesterol such as Lipitor or Zocor. 

What about the mold that is used to make the dish?  Monascus purpureus is a purplish-red mold in the family Monascaceae and it is used mainly in Asian dishes for color, however it can also impart a pleasant flavor to the food, as well.

Wet Carpet Drying

Posted in Water Removal Services, Water Repair | No Comments »

May
22

Managing your retirement income

You’ve been working in Marin for years. You are about to retire, and now you look at your retirement income. How do you maximize its use?

The first risk is the cost-of-living increases and lower-than-projected returns on your investments. As retirement draws near, you may realize that you do not have the income that you had predicted years earlier. This is why you need to frequently assess your retirement account in the years leading up to retirement. Income may be different from what you had expected, and you need to plan for this. Reduction of spending on certain luxury items may be one course of action as you attempt to put more money away for retirement.

Once you do make it to retirement, you need to make the best financial decisions based on how long your life expectancy is. If you expect to live quite long yet, then you may need to be more aggressive in your investment strategies to maximize your retirement income. You also may want to consider how liquid your accounts are: can you pull money out when you need it, or do you need to plan a certain amount at a certain time?

Using careful planning, you can use your retirement income to its fullest potential, and ensure a high quality of life in your retirement years.

Posted in financial planning | No Comments »

Apr
16

Moving House

The average person moves house several times in their lifetime. Moving for a job, more space, or a change of scenery, its one of the most stressful, and rewarding times for the majority of people. From moving a few doors down, to across a continent, moving house is one of the most important things, and sometimes the hardest to organize.

From collecting supplies - buying boxes and tape, to packing your house up, cleaning and moving to your new home, its an adventure for all involved. Small and home offices are also usually quite interesting to move - a new area for local clients and a nightmare for people that run services online, so its important to plan accordingly and ensure that you’ve made plans to cover yourself during the move. Your small office may be the last thing you actually pack fully, but you can start by cleaning through your paperwork and ensuring everything you’ve got has storage - if you run a craft business or have a hobby that takes up space, its always good practice, as soon as you’ve heard you’ll be moving, to start clearing and boxing up your non essential supplies.

It takes careful planning to move house, but you can do so via the web at http://movingplan.com or http://helpiammoving.com - two great sites that help you plan your move and give you an idea where to start. Most importantly, you need to start planning as soon as you know you’re moving - so that you’re as organized as possible.

Whether you’re selling your house or moving due to a new baby, need for more, or less space, because you’re renting and need to move on, or are going to let your own house and move into another one - moving can be stressful….but it can also be a lot of fun.

Article By Auto Shipping To Hawaii International Freight Shipping

Posted in Auto Shipping To Hawaii, International Freight Shipping | No Comments »

Mar
27

Orange Beach Condos

3 Things To Look For In Orange Beach Condo Deals

Everyone loves sugar-white beaches, waves and the light scent of coconut suntan oil drifting on the breeze. In the distance, you hear the hum of golf carts, or maybe you feel the warmth of your loved one’s hand in yours as you stroll lazily up the gulf coast. Sound good? Of course it does. So now you’re looking for the best, most affordable way to get yourself into an Orange Beach condo as quickly as possible.

However, before you click that “make reservation” button on some travel discount website, be sure that you’ve factored 3 major issues that most bargain-hunters overlook when scouting for Orange Beach condo deals. Orange Beach is one of the most beautiful and unique beach areas in the world, so be certain that you’ll be able to enjoy all it has to offer.

Featured Properties:

Many vacation sites offer discounts on “featured properties.” Renting an Orange Beach condo as a featured property instead of through a discount agency that simply reserves unwanted blocks of rooms can get you a better deal and a better room. Featured properties often include ocean views, full amenities and comfortable sleeping arrangements; whereas professional discounters may stick you with street-side vistas and consider a pull-out couch an acceptable sleeping situation.

Activities Packages:

Getting a good deal on a room is great, but many Orange Beach condos come with vacation packages that can save you literally hundreds of dollars. Before you enter your credit card details, check with a property representative to see if they offer bonus packages, coupon books or discount codes on Orange Beach attractions like dolphin cruises, activities at The Wharf or local restaurants.

Events Calendar and Seasonal Issues:

Orange Beach is a hot travel spot year round, but certain times of year are better than others depending on what your travel plans include. For example, if you hope to show your children sea turtle nests or even spot some mama turtles crawling up the coast, you’ll want to be certain to work your travel dates around the right season. On the other hand, if you’re eagerly anticipating a golfing weekend with the guys or a big shopping event with some of your best girl friends, then time of year may not play as big a role in your Orange Beach condo rental decisions.

Article By Pleasure Island Condos 

Posted in Florida Vacation Rental, Orange Beach Al Condo | No Comments »

Feb
5

Radiohead

We have Radiohead Tickets for all nights of the Radiohead Tour. We carry Radiohead Los Angeles to Radiohead New York shows. You can purchase Radiohead Tickets online through our sercure servers. We carry Radiohead Tickets for all Radiohead Tour dates. Radiohead fan? Buy cheap Radiohead tickets. Save online with discount tickets for sale to Radiohead concert tours.  Radiohead Concert Tickets are avaialable 24 hours a day. If you dont feel comfortable buying radiohead concert tickets online please feel free to speak live with our reps.

Posted in Radiohead, Radiohead Tickets | No Comments »

Jan
12

Hello world!

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »