Ace Your Writing Through Free Online Classes

Anybody can write. But it takes certain amount of training to create quality content. And quality content determines your client appeal. Clients are willing to pay for quality work. So if you want to improve your content, it is advisable to enhance writing styles. After all there is always room for improvement. You can improve your writing for free. Some reputable institutions offer free online classes.

One of the most popular sites for this pursuit is Owl at Purdue. The Purdue Online Writing Lab is a vast resource for all writing information. The site can help you from brushing up on your grammar and tenses to giving you all forms of citations. You can learn styles and expressions–enriching you far more than you expect.

I suggest taking one lesson daily and apply it to your current writing projects. This practice will help you retain what you have learned for that day. Lessons will only take a few minutes of your time and remember–it’s FREE. So learn, improve, and be enriched.

Perseverance: The key to your freelance writing success

Freelance writing is a lucrative career. This is why more people are now engaging into freelance writing. There are clients who are willing to pay five times your office job salary. But high paying freelance writing jobs are not easy to find. Finding high paying rates in a web full of low-paying gigs is like looking for a needle in a haystack. But believe me, it’s there. What you need is perseverance. Here are steps how you can persevere and get that dream freelance writing job:

Keep going. Perseverance as a key to your freelance writing success means you keep on going; keep on applying for job ads. But you have to play it smart. Many scheming people lurk behind seemingly promising job ads. Go to web sites with reputable job listings. Some of my favorite sites to check job leads are Freelance Writing Gigs by Debbie Ng, Freelance Job Openings, About Freelance Writing by Anne Wayman, and Online Writing Jobs. Another is a very recent discovery-Gumtree. This site provides job postings from UK clients.

Build your portfolio. Now is the best time to build your online portfolio. Most clients are looking for writing samples. You can provide a link to that through your cover letter. It is advisable to post in article directories and regularly contribute articles there. It would also help if you have a blog site and link your articles there as well. By writing regularly, you are increasing traffic to your site while building your reputation as a writer at the same time.

Apply right away. Do not procrastinate. If you think you fit the job description, immediately create a cover letter and provide a link to your resume. One of the strategies in landing a job is to submit your application right away. Write your cover letter and post your resume. You will have better chances of being prioritized for the job. The best time to check writing leads is in the morning. Allot an hour or so for searching leads and sending job applications. It pays to know different time zones so you will have an idea when the leads are usually posted. If you are in the United States, the earliest posting usually comes from the East Coast, leading down to the Pacific Coast.

Create a detailed and outstanding resume. Most clients prefer a hyperlink to an online copy of resume. You can post one in your weblog and provide a link for potential clients to view it. Prioritize writing experiences as you arrange your resume. Use active verbs while describing your job experience. That will leave an impact on potential clients.

Always include a cover letter in your application. Clients do not have much time to read job applications so make your cover letter short but impressive. Keep it to a few sentences. A cover letter is like packaging a product. You should appeal to the client and prod him or her to know you and your expertise more. So make your cover letter interesting. Better write a new cover letter each time you send one out. Different clients have different needs so match your cover letter to the job posting.

Follow instructions. Most clients complain about applicants who do not follow instructions stated in the job posting. So read the ad carefully before you send your letter of intent.

Repeat the first step and keep a positive attitude. Perseverance means you endure and keep going. You do not quit just because you could not land a single job. But that’s why you need to persevere. Almost all freelance writers go through this phase. But it pays off.  It is hard to wait but by persevering, you will grow as a person and you are setting yourself up for success.

 

Shop Online at Alloy.com

Fantastic boots for the Fall season at Alloy.com

Alloy.com is one of the newest and hottest teen online stores that offers teens the latest fashion items of the season as well as news on entertainment, tips, and tricks that every girl should know about being hip and fabulous the whole year round. The clothing line includes a wide selection of trendy outfits that any girl can mix and match in any season. Their most popular products now are the rugby sweaters and knee-high suede boots, in sync to the latest Fall fashion. To get the best price for every purchase, avail of the Alloy coupon or promo code available online at UltimateCoupons.com. Visit this site first to get the list of Alloy coupon codes that you can use since some items at Alloy.com require coupon codes for before purchase. Just write down these promo codes. Once you shop online at Alloy.com and see items that require a coupon code, simply enter the code that you wrote on the space provided once you are done shopping and before you check out. You can check your order status online by clicking the Order Status link and place the order number you received in your email and your zip code. You will then see the order and processing details of your purchase. Should you be unsatisfied with any purchased item, Alloy.com allows a return policy within 60 days from the shipment date and the staff will send an item exchange, credit your account, or give you a refund for the item.

Thoughts of home at Cafe Mary Grace

Baked goodies from Cafe Mary Grace

If you want to take refuge from the shopping madness and all the hustles and bustles that Manila is known for, then you can seek that solitude at Café Mary Grace.

Café Mary Grace is a quaint little coffee shop known for its to-die-for pastries. Once inside the café, it’s as if you are warped into another place, where the cozy warmth of the host is felt in the every ala gourmet dishes served. The dishes are few but are carefully selected, intended to be simple yet rich in the palate. Their Spicy Shrimp Scampi in Linguine is a favorite among frequent visitors. No other food establishment prepares that dish as great except this café alone. Other dishes worth trying are their gourmet sandwiches and pasta with meatballs in red sauce.  You are enticed to eat—happily and heartily whether alone or in the company of friends. Every bite is savory and memorable—leaving you asking for more. But make sure you have room enough for dessert because no visit at Café Mary Grace is complete without sampling their best and decadent cakes and pastries. All their offerings are outstanding but you should have a taste of their chocolate cake—a smooth and indulgent chocolate-y sponge cake with a layer of caramel sauce in the middle, and a simple chocolate frosting on top. This cake is perfect for those who are not much of a sweet-tooth since the sweetness of the cake is balanced with the chocolate flavor and tastes just right.

Café Mary Grace now has four branches in the metropolis—Trinoma, Serendra, Robinson’s Ermita, and Alabang Town Center. Make sure that you visit this café soon. Once you‘ve tried it, thoughts of the café will definitely bring happy memories and an inevitable smile, with enough comfort and warmth to make you come back for another visit.

Photo courtesy of: Cafe Mary Grace

Why Your Local Chiropractor Is Your Best Friend

Doctor of chiropractic logo

Chiropractors are licensed doctors who specialize in the manipulation of the spinal cord and this treatment not only alleviates physical pain but promotes the body’s overall well-being. They are licensed to treat in all 50 states. If you prefer chiropractic treatment, you do not have to travel far to receive the best care possible because for all you know, a very competent and reliable chiropractor can just be within your reach. Having a local chiropractor is like having a best friend—someone who can be there for you whenever you need one. Here are several reasons why:

1. Accessibility. Having a local chiropractor will save you time, effort, and money. The closer proximity of a local chiropractor can provide you more advantages like instant consultation and receiving immediate treatment. A local chiropractor will have sufficient familiarity with your body’s condition and he can make periodic assessments and keep a record of it. This way, you are spared from unnecessary cordialities and repetitive explanations regarding your physical condition in every appointment. You can also make quick visits to your local chiropractor for regular spinal alignments. This will facilitate your body’s ability to heal itself and prevent the degeneration of your spine.
2. Alternatives. Chiropractic treatment is a better and non-invasive alternative to medical treatment. Chiropractors provide primary treatment to physical ailments, especially when you experience pain. This means you can do away with unnecessary medical treatment, like being administered with medications and undergoing unwanted and costly surgery. Your local chiropractor can also rehabilitate your body organs so you would not need frequent medical consultation.
3. Applicability. Your local chiropractor is licensed not only to treat adults but their non-invasive method makes treatment of children possible. This way, your local chiropractor can become your family’s medical consultant and you would not need to get a separate pediatrician for your children. Now, you and your family can visit your local chiropractor for periodic spinal alignments any time of every day.

The benefits from having a local chiropractor are priceless. You are spared from longer and costly travels to the doctor. These are reasons why your local chiropractor is your best friend and these are the same reasons why you should engage the services of one in your locality today.

Photo source: chiropracticbydesign from zazzle.com

Turn Your Blog Into A Business

I have recently read a fantastic article about how to turn your blogging to a source of living. Two bloggers, Debbie Ng and Darren Rowse, the brains behind Freelance Writing Gigs and Problogger, respectively, have shared their insights on how they turned their blog sites to a very profitable business. To read the articles, click here.

This Is It: Michael Jackson’s documentary leaves an unparalleled legacy

Starring: Michael Jackson

This Is It Movie released by Sony Pictures and The Michael Jackson Company

Director: Kenny Ortega

Released by: Sony Pictures and The Michael Jackson Company

Release Date: November 27, 2009

The documentary shows Michael Jackson at his best—unparalleled, over the top, and larger than life.

What would have been a documentary intended for the King of Pop’s private library has become the last piece of proof of his legacy—one that spanned 40 years. This movie reveals behind-the-scenes footage of what MJ’s called his “curtain call” performance. This movie covers more than 100 hours of rehearsals for MJ’s series of concerts known as the “This Is It” tour which took place from March to June of this year.

For the entire review article, click here.

Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures and The Michael Jackson Company

Jazz It Up With Lemon

Jazz up your dishes with a squeeze of lemon

Lemon is more than being a citrus fruit. This yellow oval fruit can jazz up your dish–gourmet style.

Being the Lifestyle Network junkie that I am, I learned the use of lemon in almost every dish through the Network’s food shows. Giada de Laurentiis, host of Everyday Italian, almost always uses lemon in preparing her simple but classic Italian dishes. I tried it and it really works!

You can turn simple meals like a simple Puttanesca or Bolognese into a very satisfying dish by adding a squeeze of half a lemon into the sauce while cooking. This will bring out the flavors of the dish and give it a very appealing aroma. You can also use the lemon as a better substitute in marinating steaks for a more citrus-ey flavor. Lemon works here both as tenderizer and flavoring agent. But before you slice the lemon, make sure that you roll it underneath the heel of your palm and your wrist, over a hard surface. This is necessary to bring out the juices of the fruit.

No need to worry about the price. A piece of lemon is available in supermarkets for only Php18.00 ($0.39). The price is worth it. Once you try it, you will definitely make it as one of your kitchen must-haves.

Photo source: http://cdn-write.demandstudios.com/upload//9000/500/70/4/19574.jpg

The Lowdown On Skinny Jeans And Full Figures

I do not understand the craze for skinny jeans. Perhaps the term is identified with the word, “skinny,” which could draw a certain appeal to women. Maybe some women believe that if they wear a skinny pair of jeans, they feel that they can fit into a skinny cut. This idea has caused a trend in the fashion retail industry to tailor skinny jeans for plus sizes. The word skinny has now been redefined, in a more bizarre sense than ever.

Skinny Jeans not for the un-skinny.

Used to be known as cigarette pants, skinny jeans are a pair of tight fitting denims which is similar to the tights that are prevalent in the current fashion, except that for skinny jeans, the material used is, well, denim. The cut for this kind of jeans is for a particular body type, say for those with skinny legs or a skinny bottom, since the purpose of this style is to emphasize the narrowness of the lower part of the body and create a balance with the upper portion.

But I see a lot of women, especially voluptuous ones, who still sport this kind of cut. They do not realize that skinny jeans tend to magnanimously emphasize their bottom half hence, making them looking much fuller than they are. Because a skinny pair is too tight, it highlights a huge bottom, generous thighs and legs, and chunky calves. Certainly not appealing for full figured women. This will create an imbalance with the upper half of the body, making it look smaller and the woman like a full dimensional pyramid.

Voluptuous women should avoid wearing skinny jeans like a plague. It may seem that I am writing with dark humor on this matter but the fact is, I am just as full sized as the women I described. I strongly recommend cuts that are more flattering for those with heavy bottoms like a loosely flared pair of jeans, or those that are a little snug until the knees and slightly flares down to the heels. This works best with espadrilles or wedges. Everything looks better in high heels.

Photo courtesy of  Honeymoonphase.

Manila, Philippines

About Manila

Situated in the heart of Luzon, Manila is where ancient ruins and urbane lifestyle naturally merge. Centuries of colonial rule manifests its rich western influence with a twist through the locals’ lifestyle and impressive edifices surrounding this former Paris of the Orient. Leisure walks around this city will take you to historic sites and impressive nature-inspired walk-through malls. Taste the unique native delicacies from thousands of restaurants and you will still find yourself craving for more. Because of its unique charm, you will never get enough of this ancient beautiful city.

Hotels and Resorts

Manila’s hotels are some of the best and most affordable five-star hotels in the world. With sprawling gardens and breath taking landscapes, these hotels offer the best views of the city straight from your room accommodations. A home away from home, the hotels’ exquisite comforts wrapped in utmost luxury will surely envelop your presence. These hotels provide easy access to Manila’s hot spots. Experience first-hand the warm smiles that will greet you as you enter the lobby. The hospitality of the locals is above par all over the world, making your stay comfortable. This tropic destination will not only give you a warm ambiance, it will definitely warm your heart too.

Spas and Medical Tourism

The Philippines lands on the top spot being recognized as the most famous medical tourism destination in the world. Manila is home to some of the best and the brightest in this field. Luxurious spas are located all over the city, offering treatments and relaxing atmosphere that will make you feel pampered like royalty. The spa ambience will appeal to your senses, as you enter the serene and tranquil atmosphere of these establishments. It will seem like you are warped into another world, totally in contrast to the busyness outside its walls. Royalty treatment does not have to cost a fortune though this may be rare. But that is possible only in Manila’s luxury spas.