I went to school just a couple of hours outside of Chicago. One of the things we did to get away from the campus was to go into Chicago. I was one of the only ones in my group of friends that had a car at school so I usually ended up driving. What is really strange is that I always go lost even with all the times I drove into and through Chicago.

These trips to Chicago usually involved myself and three or four of my friends taking off to visit someone we knew there or just to get a hotel and party for the weekend. So what we had was four or five early 20 something year old females driving into a major city without a clue about how to get around. I understand now that that is the reason we always got lost. To this day I can’t think of going to Chicago without thinking I will surely get lost. And somehow, I always managed to get lost in the south side of the city and in the worst possible neighborhoods. It left enough of an impression on me that I’m thrilled to death to find out there are more things to do in Chicago than get lost.

Trusted Tours & Attractions helps take care of those sorts of concerns for anyone looking for vacation ideas in the Chicago area. Its not just Chicago. They offer a ton of information to make your vacation a great experience. There are sightseeing tours and a lot of tourist information about a good many cities. If you are looking for family vacation ideas Trusted Tours & Attractions can help you find what you are looking for.

I just found out that Trusted Tours & Attractions is offering a special through which you can win a IPOD Nano just by signing up for their eNewsletter. This offers ends on Monday, March 31st, 2008 so hurry on over and sign up.

Spring is coming and I’m heading to San Diego very shortly so I’m wrapping my mind around the fact that I have to get any winter bulges taken care of. That means its time to get my bikini body back because we’ll be spending a lot of time on the beach. As much as I love the beach and love the ocean, I can’t help but think of all the creatures that are lurking in the water, which keeps me from enjoying the water as much as I should. Laying out is great, but that doesn’t necessarily do a thing for a work out and I really have a hard time just laying around. I need to be moving most of the time. Of course, walking on the beach is great and there will definitely be a lot of that!

I like to ride bikes and I like to go to the beach so I’m thinking I’m going to combine the two. I found some beach cruiser bikes for sale so I’m thinking of getting one of those beach bikes and start getting ready for the trip. I haven’t ever used one before so I’m really looking forward to giving it a try. I’ve heard they are not just a great work-out but are great fun as well. Do any of you have a beach cruiser? How do you like it?

Everybody I know who has tried Nintendo® Wii™ systems LOVE them! People are more into these video games than any I’ve seen before. I even read somewhere that the Queen of England loves the games. I haven’t played it, but I’m wanting to. I like video games, but I tend to like the Bond type games more than the sports games. But hey, who knows, it could become a new obsession.

Anyway, kids these days have their new toys, and I suppose the Nintendo® Wii™ is one of them. If you go to Charter’s website and register with an e-mail address and information, you are entered for a chance to not only win a Nintendo® Wii™, but also a console, stand, 5 sports games, 1 controller, 1 nunchuk controller, 1 sensor bar, 1 AC adapter, and 1 AV cable. Click Here for a Chance to Win a Nintendo® Wii™!

Not only that, but you can also bid on receiving Charter High-Speed® Internet for Life. Registration for bidding on the Charter High-Speed® Internet for Life offer will require that the visitor qualify for the offer by zip code – must be in a Charter serviceable area. Only visitors able to receive Charter High-Speed® Internet services at their residence will qualify to bid. Bids start at only $10! Can you imagine? Internet service for life? Too bad I don’t live in a Charter serviceable area.

For complete Action and Sweepstakes Rules go to: http://connect.charter.com/ForLife/

Created by Aviary. I don’t think she’s that gorgeous - but its cool to watch it being done …..

The weekend is arriving and my Easter vacations too, only a few days of free life without stress, pressure and high tension. As you know, I’ll not leave this space without posting here more clues related to the new services available on the web and that must be under our eyes. So, before go to the weekend I just want you to let you know, that there is a method called Sedona that is making a lot of success out there. This recognized technique, allows people to change their emotional and thinking patterns, from the negative feelings, making people happy. Over 30 years, The Sedona Method has transformed lives and has helped many people all over the world, with a high level of sucess. Using The Sedona Method you can discover the true happiness, and the real happiness that there is within you, helping you to become a new person with a new philosophy of live. Traders many times has the negative felling within their body, due to the high loses of money, that markets sometimes causes in their wallets. So, if you are one of those who suffers the lack of happiness, and never is well with yourself, take a look at this website and find a new earth concept for your life. Be happy!!!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot: You can get a Free DVD and CD if you’ll sign up now for a free subscription and eNewsletter at sedona.com.

If you do and you take a text survey you will have a 1:1500 chance of winning $300. Seriously!

First, the rules … You have to be at least 21 years old to participate and standard texting charges apply. Second, what you have to do …. answer 10 questions about beer. Now that’s not hard is it!

The survey began on March 1st and goes through March 14th. To take the survey, all you have to do is text the word beer to 247365. Take a quick text and reply 10 question mobile survey. You can find out more about the contest rules by visiting http://brandnoise.typepad.com/brand_noise/scenariodna-survey-sweeps.ht ml.

I don’t know what’s better than getting to drink beer while having a chance to win $300. Well, actually I can think of better things, but that’s a good thing too. You have nothing to loose, give it a try.

BlueDial.com is a great resource for buying watches online. They have over 20,000 in stock which makes them the leading online distributer. You can order online around the clock and get your watch delivered on the second day after ordering it.

I like the Seiko Watch pictured here. Its simple but elegant. Its decorated with two diamonds and a mother of pearl dial. Its also waterproof. BlueDial.com has a huge selection. If this isn’t your style they are bound to have something that is. They carry a variety of brands including, Citizen, Movado, ESQ, Bulova and more. They also provide free sizing as well as very reasonable discounted prices. You can buy there with confidence because they are BizRate.com customer certified. Check out their inventory. I bet you’ll find a great watch for yourself or a friend.

I do not like my hair. That’s the sorry low-down truth of it. Its too fine and difficult to manage. It goes where it wants to go and does what it wants to do and generally ends up flat on my head within a few minutes of me fixing it. I use a lot of products to try to keep it looking well styled for the day, but it generally doesn’t work too well for me. It still ends up flat.

I’ve been trying Naked Naturals the last few days and I really see a difference. I need a shampoo and conditioner that will not weight my hair down. That’s why I’m glad I found Naked Naturals. It is basically exactly what its called, naked and natural. Its light and natural. That meaning that there are not harsh chemicals, no artificial colors, no animal by-products and no Lauryl or DEA which are known chemicals which cause harmful effects to your hair. It is made from all natural ingredients that nourish and strengthen your hair.

I particularly loved that natural shampoo. For one thing, it really smells great. The scent is all nature too. No synthetic fragrance that can irritate your scalp! Even from the first time I tried it I felt that my hair was shinier, lighter and smoother. It seems to have been continuing to improve every time I use the products. I just really love it. It definitely doesn’t weight down my hair and I am having a much easier time of styling my hair.

If you want to see how it can work for you give it a try. Just visit the Naked Naturals website to learn more about it!

Oysters have almost a magical quality about them. They provide nutritious food that is considered a delicacy by many as well as one of the most beautiful gems used to adorn women throughout the ages. The pearl. It is a beautiful creation that only the oyster can make. I think the oyster and the pearl are perfect together. I can’t think of a thing I’d rather the oyster produce than the beautiful, perfect pearl.

Unfortunately, the oyster can also be a deadly for individuals who are considered ‘at risk’ for being vulnerable to the Vibrio vulnificus bacteria. Those people include people with a weakened immune system, diabetes or liver disease. The Gulf oysters processors are leading the way in developing methods of processing oysters so that they are not a threat to ‘at risk’ consumers. They are also working on educating the consumers of how to know if they are at risk and how to be able to enjoy this wonderful delicacy without putting themselves at risk.

The poster above doesn’t really have anything to do with the Be Oyster Aware website, I just thought it was a pretty cool poster. I ran across it when I was thinking of the good things that oysters have inside them. Get on over to the Be Oyster Aware website and find out if you are at risk and how to protect yourself. While you’re there, check out the great oyster recipes they have there!

I have been really aware of how overweight we Americans are. It really struck me after a recent trip to Europe. While there I hardly ever saw anyone overweight. As soon as I returned to the U.S. I couldn’t help but notice the difference. Do Americans just eat more? I don’t think so. It seems that all we do in Europe is eat. I think the difference is that we have a more sedentary lifestyle. But that’s just my own personal theory.

Actually, there are a lot of reasons people gain weight. We tend to gain weight during particular periods of our lives. For instance, during adolescence there is usually a growing spurt and kids will get heavier and then as they get taller will slim back down. Our metabolism slows down as we get older making it more difficult to stay slim. When we work out regularly we need to remember that muscle weights more than fat so we’ll weigh more even though we look fit.

I was looking at an interesting website, www.ShrinkYourself.com, which is about just what it says … shrinking yourself. Most of us like that idea! It gives you a good assessment of the reasons people gain weight, including emotional eating. Dr. Roger Gould has spent 20 years studying emotional eating and developed a program that has been thoroughly researched at some of the most prestigious universities in the country. Right now you can get a free interactive session and fully personalized emotional eating provide at the Shrink Yourself website. The website has proven results that are equivalent to face-to-face therapy in reclaiming your power over food. There are free articles, interactive tools, tips and a supportive, active community online. You can even get tips and alerts delivers to your cell phone.