How to survive dorm life

By Evelyn Saunders

Living in a college dormitory is a unique, once in a lifetime experience. While some students certainly make themselves miserable by focusing on the negatives such as limited living space, little privacy and community bathrooms, having the right mindset can make your stay in the dorm one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of your life. Here we provide tips for making the most of your time living in the dorm:

-Establish and maintain open communication with your roommate. Sharing an already small living space with a roommate may be the biggest challenge in dorm living. Whether you are living with a friend or have just met your roommate for the first time, it will behoove you to discuss important issues up front. Some examples may be the time each of you goes to bed and gets up, whether you are comfortable sharing food or clothes, and your perspectives on visitors. Be sure to respect your roommate. Remember that school is the reason you are there in the first place, and do not interfere with your roommate's ability to sleep and study. While mature, effective communication skills may take some time to learn, they will benefit you in countless situations in the future.

-Be sociable. Building friendships is perhaps the most beneficial, long-lasting perk of dorm life. Living in a dorm is probably the only time in your life that you will live so closely to so many people your age who are going through the same life experiences as you are. You never know when the next person you meet is going to end up a lifetime friend, so keep an open mind and do not hesitate to say hello to your neighbors in the elevator.

-Keep your eye on the prize. At times, living in a dormitory surrounded by other students your age can be a little too much fun. Remember that if you want to graduate college, academic commitments come first, and socializing comes second. One thing for certain when you live in a dorm is that there will always be something going on, and it can be tempting to participate in every social event and let academics fall by the wayside. Many college freshmen only make it through their first year for this very reason, so make friends, but study first.

-Keep a sense of perspective. Try not to dwell on the minor inconveniences that inevitably come with dorm life. Sure, you have to wear flip flops in the shower and share a bathroom, and your furniture only consists of a bed and a desk. But remember, you are going to college so that you are able to create the career and life you want for yourself in the future, something no one has ever achieved without making sacrifices. There is a time in life for everything. You have plenty of time to live alone in a nice apartment or house, have a full set of furniture and a luxurious bathroom. But to get there, you have to start somewhere, and the convenience and cost-effectiveness of dorm life is truly a great place to start.

First Massage Treatment

By Jodi Forsythe

A frequent question that I hear from new clients is "My (Aunt Betty) had a massage, and she was so sore she could hardly move the next day. Will I be sore, too?"

We have all heard horror stories about the therapist who had bone-crushing pressure and didn't listen when asked to back off. I've heard another client of mine tell me that when she asked her (previous) therapist to lighten up, the response was "I'm not using a lot of pressure, and it has to hurt to work."

I'm hear to tell you that this is NOT the case - and that massage can be very effective when applied with moderate pressure. It takes intuition, experience and time to learn just how much pressure the tissue (and a client) can take, and this amount of time varies from therapist to therapist. I'd also like to add that your massage therapist should never brush off indications of pain - as a massage therapist myself I wouldn't go to someone else who seemed to have no regard for my pain tolerance.

Does Massage Therapy "have" to hurt?

Let me put it this way - it is normal, especially if you've never had a therapeutic massage before, for muscles to feel a little stiff or sore after a treatment. I think of it much the same as working out, after all, muscle tissue is being manipulated and worked, so a little discomfort is not unusual. If a person has never been to the gym before, it is not a good idea to ask him or her to leg press 100lbs, any more than it is wise for a massage therapist to put all of his or her weight behind their elbow as they perform muscle stripping on the back of a new client. Either way you look at it, if you've never had a treatment before, you have NO idea how your body will react or how much pressure is "enough", and the therapist really has NO idea what "deep" means to a client. Depth of pressure is very subjective, and pain is a subjective response - what hurts to client A might feel great to client B - there is just no way to tell.

It didn't take me long to learn that the size of the client has absolutely no bearing on how much pressure he or she can take. I have been able to use deep pressure effectively and painlessly with some very small women, and much less pressure with some very muscular and burly men. My approach is now this - when I first start treating a new client, I use broad, firm pressure, and resist the urge to "go deeper" even at their request. What I tell them before they get on the table is that the first treatment I will be very moderate because I'm not sure of how they will react - they may feel great in the days following the treatment, in which case next time I will go deeper. (here's a question to consider - does the saying "the customer is always right" apply in this scenario?) If my client feels not so great in the days following a treatment, then I know I need to do something different and will adapt subsequent treatments to suit my client.

In a nutshell, what I would tell a client is that while some discomfort is normal, your request to a therapist to lessen the pressure should never be ignored or brushed off. You are paying for a treatment, and you always have the right to stop or modify what is happening (an FYI in case your therapist doesn't tell you this.) If you are a therapist, especially a new one, take the time to listen to your client and his or her muscle tissue - not everyone is created the same, and it does take time to learn how much is "enough". Also, be sure to advise your client of any possible side effects or risks associated with the treatment (informed verbal consent), and let him or her decide what is right for their body.

New Home Building Versus Remodiling A Existing Home

By Wes

With material and labor costs skyrocketing, people restrain themselves from realizing their dream of building new homes. Instead, they prefer renovating and remodeling the existing structures to their predilection. The remodeling option is advantageous in many ways. These days we often hear our parents say, "They don't really build things like they used to". To a large extent, this statement is true and very apt considering the fact that most old buildings have stood the test of times and are still in good shape. Thus, sustainability is the principal priority.

Building a new home or renovating your existing house, both have some factors in favor and some against the move. Some of the factors that need to be considered before opting either of the aforementioned options are: The first and the foremost factor that should largely reflect your decision is your budget. Cost is usually the determining factor along with the extent of renovation that needs to be implemented. Depending upon the condition of the house, building codes, materials and other factors, sometimes remodeling might be costlier than constructing a new home. If you limit the renovation to restricted section of your house, then building a new home is out of question.

Location is another factor that one must not overlook while taking this important decision. If you like the area and its surroundings, renovation and remodeling is a better option than moving out and building new house.

One more factor that plays a crucial role is the time spent in your old house and the emotional attachment. Some people have sentimental values attached with their home and thus remodeling their existent home is the only option for them.

An additional factor that can have a say in your decision is if you are tired of surroundings and your floor plan. This is a major step and building a new home is more suitable than ripping off all walls and remodeling the structure.

A thorough research is indispensible in case of building a new home or remodeling your old house. Research for the best professionals in home improvement and remodeling, a good way of getting hold of the best contractor is internet. Several companies offer services for construction renovation. Go through the websites and pick a dependable and steadfast contractor.

Advantages of remodeling an existing home:

Less hidden costs than new homes, as new homes come with impact fees, permit fees and numerous such hidden expenses. Remodeling does not involve such fees levied on new house.

Remodeling is usually a low cost affair than building an entire new house.

Wait period for renovation and remodeling is considerably lower. Advantages of new home building

No limit for designing and construction potential, new homes can be built keeping in mind the modern style, a much better airflow and larger storage space. In short, extensive planning is possible in new home building.

More efficient homes and new technology can be put into practice saving the energy and overall cost.

The new home building and remodeling an existing home have their own pros and cons. Therefore, it is essential to research well before considering any of the options. Also, take into account all the different facets and decide only after extensively exploring all possibilities.

How to get glowing skin: The Secret

By Skin Guru

People, especially from Asia, would always regard white skin as beautiful skin. That is, more often than not, been the case, ever since ceramic make up was applied on the Japanese Geisha. These people see white skin as a sign of beauty, glamor, and high level of living.

If I may ask you, why is it that westerners, who already have white skin work so hard to get a tan and have darker bronzer and more glowing skin?

I shall ask again, how do you think people get white skin through artificial means?

They take skin whitening products that they have to either apply on their skin, drink as pills or have the 'remedy' injected.

There lies the problem with gaining white skin through medications. Sometimes, you don't get what you bargained for. Most of the time, you don't even know what's in the medications that would make your skin turn white. There are some who end up with PALE white skin. Yes, that true. There's a large margin of error to something so permanent.

They mistake beautiful and glowing skin for white skin. They don't see that they can achieve a more beautiful skin by just sticking to the color that they have. All that they have to do is take care of their skin. This in turn will make their skin more beautiful and glowing than ever. It's that simple.

No need for expensive skin whitening pills. No need for painful and, sometimes, dangerous injections.There's no need to change skin color. We were made this way for a reason and we should not strive to change our skin color. We should be proud of what skin color we have and thus take care of it. What we should do is try to maximize the potential of our skin.

A Professional Guide to Pest Control

By Ryan J Lawrence

No one likes uninvited guests. But, when the unwanted visitors are goose-bump inducing creepy critters, drastic action may be required.

But, if you're thinking of racing to the store and purchasing a tub of over the counter pesticide, you should be aware that in it's Citizen's Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety, the Environmental Protection Agency advises that "one of the greatest causes of dangerous pesticide exposure to humans is the use of pesticides in and around the home."

In addition, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) reports that,

"The pesticides we use to control weeds and insects in and around our homes can be significant health hazards. Exposure to certain pesticides is associated with health problems ranging from skin rashes to nervous system disorders and cancer."

Those with children could be at an even greater risk. According to the NRDC, "children are at the greatest risk of harm because of their hand-to-mouth habits and still-developing nervous systems."

With that in mind you may want to opt for a professional pest controller. But how do you know if you're getting one that is qualified?

According to James Whidden, President of Mug-A-Bug Pest & Termite Control in Colorado, there are a few questions wise customers should ask before hiring a professional exterminator, such as: "Are they licensed by the Dept. of Agriculture in their respective state? Are they bonded and insured?"

Widden also suggests that customers ask if the exterminator is using chemicals that originate from the original manufacturer or if he or she uses any products that are formulated in house?

"You have to assume that if you're hiring a professional exterminator, they are educated on the proper products for the pest being treated," he says. "But you will not have an absolute guarantee that is the case. If the products are in their original containers you should be ok."

Jeff Eisenberg, President of Pest Away Incorporated in New York City, agrees that a thorough interview is essential to picking the right pest control professional.

"They should ask if they are licensed and, more importantly, if all of their technicians are licensed and certified," Eisenberg says. " They should be prepared to show proof at time of service and they should make sure they have a BBB rating that is A or higher."

Eisenberg also says customers should make sure that the pest control specialist has been in business for a good while and runs a successful and stable business.

"You want to see if they work out of their house, which may indicate a rinky-dink operation "he says, "They should ask for references of places they have done and ask about warranties. "

Many sufferers of infestations worry about the cost of hiring a professional exterminator. And, despite the risks, they decide to employ their own methods to try to solve their pest problem.

According to Eisenberg, this can be a big mistake.

"Almost all of the poisoning mishaps in this country are from do-it-yourselfers," he says.

Whidden also warns against a do-it-yourself mentality when it comes to pest control.

"Choosing the proper product is absolutely essential," he says. "For example, with Ant Control, certain times of the year an ant will be feeding on protein, instead of sugar. If you choose a sweet bait and their feeding on protein at that time you will have an improper result of control."

Whidden says you should choose a professional pest controller for the same reasons that you choose a surgeon for your surgery: you want the job done right and precise.

"A professional knows the biology behind each pest that he is treating," he says. "In most cases the homeowner is throwing some sort of chemical at the pest hoping they get lucky."

Whidden says a professional is looking for food source, harborage, and other conducive conditions that will enhance the problem. Acoording to him, chemicals are not always the answer and that educating the customer many times resolves the issues at hand.

In addition to their confusion about who to call, many people may also feel anxiety about balancing the desire to rid their home of pests with the worry about endangering their family with toxic chemicals. For those, individuals, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) may be the answer.

(IPM) is a technique that the EPA says is "an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices." is is a useful method which Eisenberg says his company has been using since the very beginning over 19 years ago.

"This method is a philosophy of solving pest problems by utilizing as little to no pesticides as possible," he says. "The way this is accomplished is by correctly identifying the source of the problem and correcting it. This can be achieve by cleaning up an unsanitary area, building the pest out of the structure, fixing a leaky pipe, and sometimes if necessary, using a mild material that is targeted right at the infestation."

Whitten agrees that IPM definitely works and has been around for several years. Unfortunately, he says, a lot of organizations are slow to adopt it.

"Education goes a long way in pest control." he says. "Many times that is all it takes.

Eliminating the source that the pest thrives in will always have a positive result."