Kalu Yala: The World's Most Sustainable Modern Village

Have you ever been to Kalu Yala?  I have been reading a lot about it and I am considering it. Off-the-grid. Powered by the tropical sun. Meals from our food forest. Jungle orchestras. Sleeping hammocks. And a negative carbon footprint. This is not what you’re used to and that’s the idea. Currently accessible only by two miles of rough dirt road, our valley is located 50 minutes from downtown Panama City and 35 minutes from the international airport. On this tropical frontier, a settlement is being established with plans to grow into a thriving town.

At Kalu Yala,they are in the process of building the world's most sustainable modern village nestled in the Panamanian rain forest in an ecologically-responsible way. Within the Institute, programs take place in two venues: creating the town's foundation in Kalu Yala, and developing relationships in our neighboring town of San Miguel. All programs will participate in a outdoor valley-based seminar each Monday on the Foundations of Innovation, Creativity, and Sustainability, and many interdisciplinary and cultural programming with be offered. Many programs will collaborate with and learn from Panamanian contacts in various academic fields and esteemed institutions.

If you are truly interested in roughing it, Kalu Yala is for you!  That is the truth about Kalu Yala.   A lot of post-graduate students have gone and had great experiences. You study abroad in Panama.  If you check with your college or university, there is a strong possibility you can get credit for this. 

The only problems with Kalu Yala I see are there are more people applying, than actually get to go.  This is true with most programs like this.  So, have all your ducks in a row when you apply!  

As with any program, there is Kalu Yala criticism.  Kalu Yala has 99% positive review rate.  In my book, that is wonderful.   But, with Kalu Yala being a relatively new experience and new program, they are working out any kinks.

I think this would be an exciting adventure for anyone.  I have always wanted to live off-grid and experience the jungles of Panama. I think it would be a fun and definitely an educational experience.  When you are out there helping to build a town,you learn a lot about your self.  I think sometimes we do not travel for the benefit of seeing  beautiful scenery, we travel to find ourselves. The stunning scenery is an added bonus.

Bottom line, the truth about Kalu Yala is you have to check out sources to see if it is a fit for you.  You make the choice to go.  

Tips for Getting a College Scholarship

Going to college can be very costly.You have so many expenses related to college; books, tuition, fees,  and so much more.  Even if you qualify for grants, that does not always cover the necessities.  You should seek out scholarships to have defer some of these costs.  I am going to give you some tips for finding scholarships.

Before you start applying for scholarships, you must have some things in order.  Your high school and/or college transcript.  And, I must say, most scholarships are offered to those with good grades.   Make sure you have done some volunteer work, so you can list that on your application for a scholarship. A lot of scholarships are based on financial need,.  Make sure you read the directions carefully before applying.  Always be ready to write an essay,because most scholarships, such as the Xcela Wealth Scholarship, ask for that.   There are quite a few scholarships based entirely on your grades , what your major is, or even a single question for the essay part!

If you are in high school,you should talk to your counselor. They have a plethora of information on scholarships.  Set up a meeting and take diligent notes.  Most scholarships require that you have a recommendation from a teacher or someone in the school system.   I know the high school counselor at my child's school send s out weekly emails with information about scholarships.

The financial aid office at the college you want to attend would be by next stop.  That financial aid person WANTS you to get in THEIR college, so they are willing to really give you individual help to help find the funds for you to attend.  There are tons of scholarships, such as the Kulpa Family Scholarship, in that office.  Make that appointment to discuss as soon as possible.

Check with the company that you parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles work for.  Many companies and corporations offer scholarships to their employees families. Start asking now!

Many local and civic organization offer scholarGoing to college can be very costly.You have so many expenses related to college; books, tuition, fees,  and so much more.  Even if you qualify for grants, that does not always cover the necessities.  You should seek out scholarships to have defer some of these costs.  I am going to give you some tips for finding scholarships.

Before you start applying for scholarships, you must have some things in order.  Your high school and/or college transcript.  And, I must say, most scholarships are offered to those with good grades.   Make sure you have done some volunteer work, so you can list that on your application for a scholarship. A lot of scholarships are based on financial need,.  Make sure you read the directions carefully before applying.  Always be ready to write an essay,because most scholarships, such as the Xcela Wealth Scholarship, ask for that.   There are quite a few scholarships based entirely on your grades , what your major is, or even a single question for the essay part!

If you are in high school,you should talk to your counselor. They have a plethora of information on scholarships.  Set up a meeting and take diligent notes.  Most scholarships require that you have a recommendation from a teacher or someone in the school system.   I know the high school counselor at my child's school send s out weekly emails with information about scholarships.

The financial aid office at the college you want to attend would be by next stop.  That financial aid person WANTS you to get in THEIR college, so they are willing to really give you individual help to help find the funds for you to attend.  There are tons of scholarships, such as the Kulpa Family Scholarship, in that office.  Make that appointment to discuss as soon as possible.

Check with the company that you parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles work for.  Many companies and corporations offer scholarships to their employees families. Start asking now!

Many local and civic organization offer scholarships.  I know my local telephone company is a "cooperative" and they offer scholarships to students whose parents or grandparents are customers.  My local electric company is the same way.  My local Lions Club also offers a scholarship each year to a student living within their local district.

Let Google search be your friend.  Simply google "scholarships" and I know there are many results.  Also, remember you can apply for and get many scholarships!  Don't be afraid to apply for any scholarship for which you think you qualify. 

To help you get started with your scholarship search I’ve provided a few low submission ones for you to check out below:

●     Dr. Usha Rajagopal Scholarship

●     Bellesoma Method Scholarship

●     Chase Rubin Scholarship

●     Blake Rubin Scholarship

●     Adrian Rubin Scholarship

●     Kalu Yala Scholarship

What tips do you have for getting a scholarship?

Scratching that Travel Itch Without Going Broke

https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-of-globe-335393/

 Travelling the world is something that is the dream of near enough everybody in the world, but so many miss out on this opportunity due to lack of funds, work commitments or a fear of change. However, the world is changing at such an alarming rate that more and more opportunities are becoming available every day.

 While in the past you needed to scrimp and save just to get away for a couple of weeks at most, now, you can travel and work at the same time. There are so many different options out there that it would be unfair to yourself to ignore these chances any longer.

 CONTINUE YOUR CAREER ELSEWHERE

 As the world becomes ever more interconnected, the chance to work remotely in another country is becoming more and more of a reality. This can be done through freelance work, such as writing or photography, but also continuing your career across the oceans.

 Applying for and achieving an online Masters in supply chain management is something that is desirable all over the world. And this is just one of the options available. Many companies on foreign shores are aching for an English speaking person with the right qualifications to help with their international divisions. Seeking these opportunities will provide you with the freedom to travel and keep the pennies rolling in.

 CHANGE THE WORLD

 If you just want to give back to the world, the looking into volunteer opportunities is an excellent way of seeing the world and helping those less fortunate. There are charities and organisations that want and need your help to build schools, rescue animals and save the environment that you can apply for.

 This sort of thing will often provide free board and food and you can either stay for a couple of months or join the organisation full time and make a difference for as long as you want. Not only will you get the chance to experience different cultures, but you will also be able to help those who cannot help themselves, and this is one of the noblest things you can do.

 GET NEW QUALIFICATIONS

 Another option is looking into a complete change in careers. If you are feeling worn out and bogged down in your current job, then researching alternatives to work abroad is something that might just be the antidote to your exhaustion.

 Many people opt to obtain a TEFL certificate that allows them to teach anywhere in the world. Countries such as Thailand and China typically offer a substantial stipend for your services and will even help with getting a working visa as well as providing a living allowance and help you find a place to stay.

 THE WALLET SWELLS

 Taking any of these opportunities will give you the chance to scratch your travel itch while ensuring that your bank account remains healthy. It doesn’t even have to be a substantial shift in your lifestyle, and you don’t need to say goodbye to home for that long at all.

 The prospect of moving away and living in another part of the world can be scary but doing it while you can will allow you look back later in life and realise it was one of the best decisions you ever made

Must Have Gifts from My Gift Stop

This is a sponsored post.

Where are you shopping for your Valentine's Day gifts this year?  I am shopping online at My Gift Stop.  They have luxury gifts for everyone and the prices are amazing.. My Gift Stop, is an online shop offering luxury goods that are dedicated to giving back to society, donating 5% of every sale to the global medical relief nonprofit, Direct Relief. They have beautiful earrings, pendants, watches(for men and women), shoes, and so much more.  I am going to share with my favorite gifts from My Gift Stop.

I love this Rose Gold Invicta Watch.  It screams Valentines Day to me and would make a great gift for that special lady in your life.  Teen daughter, wife, girlfriend, even your Mom would love this watch.   This is a luxury piece and you can get it from My Gift Stop at a fraction of the original price.  Let you lady walk around with this statement piece of a watch this Valentine's Day and I promise she will be a happy, happy person.

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 I do LOVE a good smelling man!   I think cologne makes an excellent choice for a man's gift on Valentine's Day.   Hugo Red by Hugo Boss is an excellent choice, and it is priced right, too.  This is a no brainer.  Men, if you do not get this for Valentine's Day, buy it for yourself.  You will get lots of hugs!

I squealed with delight when I saw these Kate Spade sunglasses.  I love the burgundy rims , the color of the rims, and how stylish and sophisticated they look.  I really like the details on these sunglasses.    You know you could score some major brownie points if you bought these for your girl!

No matter who you have on your gift list this Valentine's Day, My Gift Stop has you covered.  They have luxury brands like Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Stacy Adams, Oakley, Ray Ban, Tom Ford and many more.   Leave no stone unturned when you shop, because the prices are AHHHHMAAAZZZZIIINNNG!  You will not have to shop at any other store this Valentine's Day because My Gift Stop has it all. Whether you are looking for luxury watches, shoes, hand bags, jewelry, sunglasses,  you can find the most luxurious brands at My Gift Stop.


They are also having an AWESOME contest, where you can win a $500 Gift Card.  Click on the picture below to enter. Please put Reviewz & Newz in the last blank on the entry form.  


So, tell me what you are buying from My Gift Stop this Valentine's Day?

Essential Lessons to Teach Your Kids

As kids, we are focused so much on having fun that nothing else matters. As we age, having fun definitely stays in our mind, but we also have responsibilities that we were taught when we were children that should come before all of the fun. Some of these responsibilities are work, caring for yourself, caring for your family, doing good, and education.

Unfortunately, for some, they were never properly taught these responsibilities and they stay children for a long time after they are supposed to. Today, people jump to conclusions and judge that age group (currently, it is usually millennials and generation Y) based on what they have seen by the ‘majority’ of the group.

Of course, this is not exactly fair because some people in that age group are functioning adults who really benefit our country and they do not deserve to get lumped into the same category as those that are not acting like adults. Some think that this judgement started with the millennials, but in fact, it has happened with each age group - the older group thinks of them as lazy and not efficient, so it is really nothing new, but if we all work together, we can try to limit that judgement by teaching our kids habits and lessons that will stick with them for life.

Work Smarter

I am sure you all have heard the phrase, work smarter, not harder. There are many scientific ways to work harder, not smarter. For example, taking breaks and naps can help re-fuel you instead of getting burnt out, producing bad work. Of course, working hard is essential in this day and time, but why work even harder than you have to when you can produce better results by working smarter? Teaching this lesson at a young age can definitely help your kids succeed in school, as well as their extracurricular activities and work in the future.

Dress Up

When I say dress up, I do not mean put on your fanciest dress for your school or work day. I mean, dress like who you want to be - dress up from your current position. So, say you are a receptionist, but you want to be a lawyer. Don’t dress like a college student receptionist. Instead, dress like you would if you were a lawyer. Being well dressed is a great way to get your foot in the door. If you look and act professional, you will get treated like a professional (at least most of the time).

Be Reliable

I cannot stress this enough - be reliable. Be on time when it comes to meetings and assignments. Keep your appointments and only reschedule when you absolutely have to. Don’t keep people waiting for you. A timely person gets recognized for their timeliness, and when someone is always late, people notice. Nobody wants to work with someone that is not reliable, so please, if you take anything away from this article, remember that being reliable is essential when it comes to your success in school, work, and all life endeavors.

Keep Up With Your Health

Keeping up with your health is very underrated. People get too busy with their life and their health ends up paying for it. I understand that it is easy to cancel a dental appointment, or easy to grab a meal at McDonalds, instead of eating a healthy lunch, but you will eventually realize that putting your health on the backburner will eventually mean that you could end up in bad health and then you will be forced to reduce your workload and instead, focus on your health. Who has time for health problems?! This is why it is so important to keep up with your routine doctor appointments and preventative teeth care.

This is why people like Dr. Gary Simms is available for you. Dr. Simms and his entire staff at Metro Decatur Dental Group PC is dedicated to providing the most up to date general, orthodontic and family dentistry. Since 2006, Metro Decatur Dental Group PC has been providing full service dental services like teeth cleaning & whitening, braces & invisalign, dental implants & dentures, and more to their clients in the DeKalb County area. Whether you need basic teeth whitening, cleanings, fillings, or more advanced dentures, root canals, bridges, crowns and veneers, Metro Decatur Dental Group PC is a dentist you can trust. Teaching your children to take care of their health by scheduling routine appointments with their dentists and doctors is important so that they can focus on their health now rather than later.

The Early Bird Gets The Worm

There are many phrases like this - the early bird gets the worm, you snooze, you lose, and more. This does not mean “if you wake up early, you will succeed more than anyone else.” It simply means that hard work pays off. If you are there, ready to work, you will see results. If you snooze and do the bare minimum, while others are showing up, ready to achieve great things, you will lose out. If your kids play sports, or participate in extracurricular activities, this is a perfect way to start learning this example. Show up, participate, and do what you can to be great and you will definitely see results.

Lugz Giveaway

One WINNER will win a a pair of LUGZ Women's Empire Hi Fur in their choice of size and color

Hosted by: Reviewz & Newz

Open to: USA only 18yrs. +

Start date: 01/23~ 02/01 12am

The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply

Disclosure: We reserve the right to make revisions, to cancel, or suspend this contest for any reason. We are not associated with any of the companies named above. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received Open to the US 18+ only. Confirmed Winner(s) (by Random.org) will be contacted by email. Winner(s) have 24 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of this giveaway. Reviewz & Newz (and any other blog participating) is not responsible for product shipment/delivery. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest. This disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements. Entrants must only enter with either one email address, IP address and/or Facebook account, anyone found violating these rules will be disqualified. It is at the sole discretion of the admin of the giveaway if the winner has met the rules or not.  If you have any questions, feel free to email:  norell9694@gmail.com 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Winter Must-Have: Lugz Boots

Have you ever worn a pair of Lugz ?  They have so many styles and colors to offer and both women's and men's styles.  They now have a kid's collection. They are my all time, favorite boots.  I have quite a few pair.

This time I chose the  Women's Empire Hi Fur in Charcoal Black.  I thought they looked very hip.  Not only do I get the military boot loo, but I get the warmth for winter with the fur.  These Lugz boots are sooo comfy!   Pair it with your fave pair of jeans, a sweater and jacket and you are set for a winter day.   The color goes with most anything.  The boots are water resistant, so for those of you that live in the snowy climates can wear these without worrying about wet boots.  Also, they are slip resistant, so no nasty falls on all this ice and snow we have this winter.

I love the vibe that is created when I wear my Lugz boots.  My feet stay warm with the faux fur lining.  I have had many compliments on my Lugz.  I think Lugz has many hip styles for anybody, so make sure to check them out .  They are always having sales, so you can find a pair to fit your budget.

Lugz has generously offered to sponsor a giveaway!  Stay tuned for that announcement.

Enter the giveaway HERE.