How to Avoid Answering Nosy Questions

Most of us are not celebrities and yet, we find ourselves in situations where very inquisitive people test our ability to keep a tight lip. While it is very tempting to say 'back off,' we cannot always do that. We can avoid answering nosy questions though.

What are those questions we can classify as being nosy? Examples of these nosy questions are:

Questions about private activities
Questions about use of substance and other recreational drugs and engaging on unlawful activities
Questions on religious belief
Questions on political ideologies
Questions on financial standing and matters
Questions on personal opinions on some sensitive matters
Questions on what you can say about other people
Questions on sexuality and preference
Questions on weight and diet

How do we avoid these nosy questions then? Here are tips:
1. Be direct but diplomatic in your response. If you do not wish to answer a certain question, respond like this: "I don't know," "No comment," "Why do you want to know?"
Oftentimes, when you throw a question back to the interviewer, he or she is caught off-guard and may change the topic to avoid answering your question.

2. Keep a tight lip. Just shrug your shoulders and they will get the drift that you don't want to be bothered.

3. Change the topic. It is an avoidance tactic.

4. Break the eye contact.

5. Tell the person you are in a hurry and cannot stay around. Make up an excuse then dash.

6. Avoid these nosy people if you can.

Keep these tips in mind the next time you encounter nosy people and their equally nosy questions. Some people just don't have any social and proper etiquette that they cannot tell the boundaries of asking the right questions.

Driving Safely in Foggy Condition

I am not used to drive in foggy conditions. It is a common occurrence here in the UAE especially when the season is changing. We are used to the weather but navigating through main thoroughfares with other motorists who have no consideration to other human lives is another story.

Fog is a thick cloud bank that lies low in the ground. Visibility can be affected and most and if the fog is very thick, then you can expect a zero visibility. This condition is the scariest for motorists because you don't know if there is a vehicle in front of you and if it is slowing down or not.

Here are tips to drive safely in foggy condition:

• Check weather conditions and be aware so you can prepare in advance.
• Use your fog lights if it is installed in your vehicle. Is you live in a place where foggy condition is common, install fog lights in your vehicle.
• Do not drift in the middle of the line and stay in line as much as possible. Use your right side as a guide.
• If you are driving with someone else, please ask the help of your passenger to watch out for any oncoming traffic.
• Keep a safe distance. One full length of a car is normally the safe distance between 2 vehicles. However, in foggy weather, allow at least 2 full length of car distance.
• Do not speed up. It is difficult to know if the vehicle in front of you is slowing down if the fog is thick.
• Keep your defroster and wiper on if necessary because the moisture in the air can collect on your windshield making driving more difficult.
• Pull over to the side of the road if the visibility is zero. Better yet, let the fog settle and it normally clears mid-morning. If you can afford to skip work for few hours then do so. I would rather be late than sorry.

Satellite To Fall Back To Earth

Photo credit: Reuters/uk.ibtimes.com

News about a massive climate satellite falling to Earth has been circulating already. One might wonder if this is a hoax or for real. This, my friends, is a real deal.

The Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite or UARS is expected to make an uncontrolled re-entry to Earth within this week. It could be on Friday, 23 Sept. based on the latest estimate reports from NASA's orbital debris experts.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is trying its level best to figure where and when the plummeting satellite will enter Earth specifically. Pinpointing the exact place where the debris will hit is still not an exact science. However, scientists claim that the most of the debris will disintegrate, burn up or turn into smaller pieces as it enter the atmosphere. So, it is unlikely to hit someone seriously but the risk is still there.

Types of Managers

Each managers will have their own ways of dealing with their staff. That is the reason why we have so many various kinds of managers. There are the control-freaks, slave-drivers, credit-grabbers, over-zealous, critical and the boss-from-hell. However, not all honchos are bad. There are a handful out there who are still genuinely caring and compassionate who will lead and fight your cause. There are great managers who will push you to your capacity because they believe in you. Some managers will even take you along to ensure that you get the exposure you need. The latter kind comes far in between though.

So, if you have a manager who cares for you and can be over-bearing at times because of his or her good intentions, I think that is great and appreciate that. I have never felt how it is to be well-appreciated by someone in authority yet. It is my earnest dream to find a great boss who will back me up and believe in my capabilities before I leave the workforce. I want to feel good and recognized not just because I can complete a task but I can complete a task outstandingly.

Quake in Himalayas

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake shook some remote areas in the Himalayan region and Northern parts of India today. The epicenter was 60 km west of Gangtok, Sikkim.

16 fatalities have been reported and 5 of those were from Nepal. Strong aftershocks were felt after the initial 6.8 quake.

Getting Rich During The Rough Times

Many of us fell prey to the pernicious cycle of the great recession of the modern times. Others managed to strike gold while the majority is left penniless. However, this time poses plenty of opportunities for people who have saved enough, for those who have withstood the test of times and for the astute who have the knowledge and skills to make more money fast despite the recession by devising ways to earn more.

Some people are lucky enough to maintain their 5 or 6 digits salary jobs while the countless number of unemployed are still on the rise. The fresh graduates are in for a tough time because of the stringent employment openings. Those who have experience in their belt who are willing to take in any amount of salary just to be employed will pose a great threat to the newbies. With this unemployment scenario in mind and the other gloomy accounts of recession, how do we get rich then? Here are some tips:

• Amassing great wealth does not happen overnight but having the correct attitude and knowledge to handle your finances is one step to get rich.
• Acquire a positive outlook in life. While a lot of people are wallowing in sorrow for the loss of their jobs and foreclosure of their properties and bankruptcy of their business, some people pick up themselves and go out on the streets to look for another job or sell some properties or even do sidelines. 
• Turn your hobby into money-making activity. If you have a penchant for writing then offer your freelance writing service. There is money in blogging. Start a blog or submit articles to websites for a fee. If you are the crafty one, dust those equipment and put them into use. Sew small garments or create projects you can sell. Create a website to sell your wares and merchandise online or offer your services too via this medium.
• Practice the "need vs. want" attitude when purchasing anything. Weigh the pros and cons of buying something even the simplest grocery item. Ask yourself if what you are going to purchase is something really required or something you fancy. If the reason is the latter then put the merchandise back to the shelf. That means, you can do without it.
• Use cash and use it sparingly if you have to. This is applicable to all factors in life and is related to the "need vs. want" policy. Clinging to your money like a vine is not bad as long as your intentions are all for the right reason - saving for the rainy days. It is not gluttony but a wise practice to perfect just in case emergencies like the recession arise.
• Always keep at least 20% of your monthly salary as a fixed saving. The higher the percentage, the better. Ensure that this fixed saving is never withdrawn for unnecessary purchases or projects.
• Stop hoarding. You certainly do not need two of the same items or submit to panic buying. Clean out your closet. Empty your cabinets with clutter and make money out of them by selling them to eBay or organize your own yard sale. 
• If you are still employed then keep the job as long as you can and as long as you are not yet kicked out. Do a part time job on your spare time to augment your salary and save.
• Avoid using your credit cards. The interest in this kind of credit facility is very exorbitant. Try to pay off more than the minimum amount required to lessen the finance charges. Better yet, do not use it at all.
• Simplify your life. Living large is no longer an in thing but more of a high-maintenance lifestyle. Live a frugal life and practice simplicity. You do not need a fancy car nor a shiny solitaire diamond on your finger. What you need is a windfall and that is your savings.
• If you are the smart one and knows something about trading then do so. Allocate a portion of your savings to stocks.  However, watch your stocks like a hawk and know when to withdraw and switch. Start small. You do not have to use all your savings to buy stocks but invest on few companies that are worth the dime. Check the stock and business news for more information and learn from traders some tips on how to go through stock investment.
• Lastly, pray and absorb God's blessings in any shape or form. Be thankful for the little gifts you have in life because without those little things are also invaluable wealth in your spiritual life.

Blog Hopping

When I was just starting with my blog, I always blog hop. I do it but not as intensive as it was before. The crux of the matter is, I still do.

Blog hopping is a form of activity where a blogger goes to another blog by checking on blog directories or visiting blogger friends and checking their blogroll to randomly visit other bloggers. This is a very fun thing to do and it opens new friendships and communication in the process.

I have met a lot of great bloggers out there because of blog hopping. I hope other bloggers out there continue to do this activity to help other bloggers out there as well by increasing their incoming traffic.

My New Travel Blog

I started a new travel blog to keep this current blog streamlined. I decided to put my travel journal to my new The Travel Bug blog so I can showcase my trips and tips.

Please feel free to visit my travel blog and I will certainly love to hear from you. If you have travel tips to share, I will be happy to hear them.

See you there!

Back To School Reality

Summer vacation is over and my daughter will be back to school tomorrow in the 8th Grade level. I feel sad bursting her bubble but this is the reality she has to face every year. I know how fun it is to be away from work and I am sure she is feeling the same thing being away from school. But, she has to go through this whole education thing to ensure a bright future for her. I told her it won't be long and it will be another summer vacation again. She just has to study harder this time so as not to fall in a slack.

Well, most kids are back to school tomorrow. I think it's also back to reality for us parents because we're going to pay for school fees once again.

The Planking Craze

Planking is the recent craze of people these days. It is an activity where the person lies face down with his or her hands and arms to touching the side of the body.  The person must be photographed and uploaded to some social network sites or electronic album as part of the game.

I have seen a lot of people doing this weird pose and sometimes I am amused. However, recent plankers have taken the activity to a new level by planking to posts, balconies, light poles and even McDonald's signage. It was reported in Australia that a man plunged to his death by planking on his apartment's balcony.

Photo credit: djmick.co.uk

Photo credit: atbreak.com

It is okay to do this safely but when you cross the boundaries of safety and logic then I think this craze is a crazy one! No pun intended.

Best Gift Ever

I am very thankful to my husband for closing the deal on our first property during his recent vacation to Manila. We have been selling our townhouse for the past 2 years with no takers until last week. His cousin decided to purchase the property from us and the good news after the closing of the sale was that, we finally got the property next to my sis-in-law. It is actually my parents-in-law's property which they decided to give us so we can construct our dream home there.

My mind is actually not right here but back home where I am already dreaming of the kind of house we will build on the 115 sq.m. plot.

My husband deserves a nice treat from me for doing all these things for us. All those times, I thought he was just brushing my talks about the house I want to build for us and where and what kind. He actually listened to everything I told him and informed my in-laws about it.

By far, this is the best gift my husband has ever given me because this dream home will be the culmination of all our sweat and toil.

Giuliana and Bill Show

I love watching this reality show from Style Network. I normally catch it in the afternoon when I come home from work around 4:30 to 5:00 p.m. I am not a big fan or reality shows but this is an exemption.

Giuliana is a host in Italian-American TV personality and a host in E! News and married to Bill Rancic, the winner of the first winner of the TV Show - The Apprentice. I like the way this 2 power couple make their marriage work despite of their hectic schedule and differences in opinion and ideals.

There was one episode which I really find amusing. It was about a road trip they wanted to undertake with their friends. They bickered about what kind of vehicle they would use for the road trip. Bill wanted a big RV while Guilana wanted a smaller type of vehicle. Bill had his way without telling Giuliana and he and his picked her up from the studio only to get shocked by the enormity of the RV that Bill rented. The big RV would seriously need some rv repairs although from the outside, it looked clean and okay. Giuliana and her friend even commented about the smell of the RV interiors.

That episode really cracked me up. They are adorable and funny couple, always in disagreement but always making-up in the end.

Grapefruit and It's Health Benefits

Grapefruit is one of the super fruits loaded with nutritional value that will leave you with plenty of health benefits. It is high in fibre, rich in vitamins and nutrients and is one of the best fruits to eat when trying to lose weight because of its low calorie content.

It is a tangy fruit with a pink to ruby colored flesh. It looks like a big orange but slightly pale rind color. It is available all year round so you don't have to worry about not getting it on any other season.

Eating this fruit will be beneficial to your health as it packs a variety of vitamins and nutrients needed by the body. Here are list of healthy benefits when eating this super fruit:

Rich in Vitamin C - Since it is from the citrus family, it is rich in Vitamin C which helps boost the immune system.

High in Potassium - This is very beneficial to people suffering from hypertension. Potassium is an important nutrient in the body which helps lower blood pressure and improves one's well being.

Lycopene - This is a great antioxidant component which helps fight free radicals in the body. Grapefruit is rich in Lycopene that is why it has that reddish flesh color. Some studies also show that Lycopene can ward the risk of cancer.

Calcium - This is fruit is also a good source of calcium. Calcium helps make bones and teeth healthy. It is also beneficial for people with hypertension because calcium helps in the protection of the heart by regulating the blood pressure.

Pectin fibre - The grapefruit is rich in soluble fibre which helps lower the bad cholesterol. Pectin fibre also help slow down the development of atherosclerosis which is a condition where the arteries are thickened due to the fatty deposits.

2.4 Kilometer Walk in the Park

I went for my 2 km walk in the park today. I feel so good! It has been a while since I went to the nearby park in our building because of the extreme heat and my painful sinusitis. However, the wind was cool and it was breezy. So, I changed into my track suit, put on my nice waist band which acted like those fat burners contraption because I was really perspiring profusely.

I went out at 5:15 p.m. The sun was still up but not as hot and humid as the previous days. I took advantage of that condition. I drank lots of water before I left and decided not to take the car. I walked from my building to the park which is approximately 500 meters away from the park. The whole circumference of the park's walking route is 1.345 kilometers. So I walked a total of approximately 2.4 kilometers. Not bad!