Pandora Bracelet

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I picked up my new Pandora bracelet on Saturday in lieu of <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/11/4th-weigh-in-results-sickness-update.html">achieving another weight loss goal</a>.  This bracelet has been a long time coming, and I'm so excited to have finally purchased it.  My original plan was to get a charm for every 5 lbs goal I meet, starting with the most recent one.  However, there are two other 5 lbs goals I met and I would love a charm to represent those first two achievements as well - as a clear reminder as to how far I've come.  I'll be on the lookout for two more charms in the coming weeks for sure.<br /><br />What do you think of these?<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSbnhfZNi5_kTrHv5rOYCDEozuclRAvjkSDC-GYtXUdrq577xk9weMj9RNDEP8W_GxzAHfG6DiLKMXxC_fOchULz_X7XosAbve5vOfZ4qTnYZ-UcwmSv-VLEPXmTS3uPSQYE_zJyEmBw/s1600/charm+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSbnhfZNi5_kTrHv5rOYCDEozuclRAvjkSDC-GYtXUdrq577xk9weMj9RNDEP8W_GxzAHfG6DiLKMXxC_fOchULz_X7XosAbve5vOfZ4qTnYZ-UcwmSv-VLEPXmTS3uPSQYE_zJyEmBw/s1600/charm+1.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h1> <a href="http://www.wilkinsandolander.com/003527.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bead Cross W And Cz</span></a></h1></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBDlLtklniBBncFVp-bwZ6juWrhiBnZBr2YB5uwOIHpI0CHCtp16_UY8qywFAYA0vJmEWxnGf_U9tIE1y5UYYfj5PcKJPJVNA7pd8baKD37hNWCiBrqdst_M5do9RcM-nCnOy9mueHII/s1600/charm+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBDlLtklniBBncFVp-bwZ6juWrhiBnZBr2YB5uwOIHpI0CHCtp16_UY8qywFAYA0vJmEWxnGf_U9tIE1y5UYYfj5PcKJPJVNA7pd8baKD37hNWCiBrqdst_M5do9RcM-nCnOy9mueHII/s1600/charm+3.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wilkinsandolander.com/000365.html">Bead Tea Pot</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrIpkgjUnJVr6fPQsYiIFc9TUspJaf0Rf7aPoguYLh2osKEjpNjq1MUA26QxN1hNtsXpJ_5JbeOOBjlI_PWtFZ100-Sk9PmyoDPqGGbz1odZYoT_M-iHFWpvxASpDJrMbiBX0PTSSJApY/s1600/charm+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrIpkgjUnJVr6fPQsYiIFc9TUspJaf0Rf7aPoguYLh2osKEjpNjq1MUA26QxN1hNtsXpJ_5JbeOOBjlI_PWtFZ100-Sk9PmyoDPqGGbz1odZYoT_M-iHFWpvxASpDJrMbiBX0PTSSJApY/s1600/charm+2.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wilkinsandolander.com/012715.html">Inner Strength</a></td></tr></tbody></table>I will probably go with the first 2, but I'll have to see them in person to make the decision!<br /><br />After selecting the specific Pandora bracelet style (a sterling silver one with the Pandora clasp), I moved on to the decision of what to get for my very first charm.  This charm was going to be very meaningful for me on so many levels.  Not only would this represent my having lost over 15 lbs so far, but it was going to serve as a reminder to me as to why I'm doing this journey.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNi23fRk94cXSv-Eu83diHA6oaKuoq0p6rX2cGvW6rbzDfEfZyX1Kua9gM-KX1sKTOzA4186MVnXFSU3ggyaJ1HSmMziFySBiCGXi5CpZ1gfG75hWCXlZdQXky_5_QWR56_5XU3oNFp-Y/s1600/bracelet+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNi23fRk94cXSv-Eu83diHA6oaKuoq0p6rX2cGvW6rbzDfEfZyX1Kua9gM-KX1sKTOzA4186MVnXFSU3ggyaJ1HSmMziFySBiCGXi5CpZ1gfG75hWCXlZdQXky_5_QWR56_5XU3oNFp-Y/s400/bracelet+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the "Pandora" clasp</td></tr></tbody></table>You see, on Wednesday, November 9, my family and I will be honoring the life of my grandmother, Clara Mabel, as we mark the one year anniversary since her death.  Earlier this year, <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/04/drawing-inspiration-from-places-other.html">I shared</a> how seeing her in the hospital last November, suffering from cancer and a host of other illnesses, made it abundantly clear to me that I needed to make a life change now while I was fully capable.  The same week my grandmother passed away, I joined the local gym. <br /><br />Now, almost a year later, I am happy to say that I haven't given up on this journey, despite the slow rate of weight loss I've experienced.     <br /><br />It was my grandmother who inspired me to do this once and for all, and I know she would be especially proud of me today for removing these 16 lbs.  It's not an easy journey.  She knew that just as well as the rest of us Weight Watchers. <br /><br />And so my first charm had to be representative of her.  Something that I could glance at and immediately know, "Yes, that is the first charm I bought on this weight loss journey.  That is the one that honors Grandma."<br /><br />I chose a sterling silver flower with a purple amethyst stone in the center.  Purple was her favorite color.  The charm is perfect!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFxJb_4KgW75219uJe9z67mdTcwPXv_2MSYaF0Ho7cTgL9NXbq7gaVXrFinkKSZzpMbwrm7DfVvHUIe3XwznoXEfixdXdgtWJ6cQxrMROs05pSqKtsfcctw3ESw4vGo5_Y2dlEIZZZOSc/s1600/bracelet+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFxJb_4KgW75219uJe9z67mdTcwPXv_2MSYaF0Ho7cTgL9NXbq7gaVXrFinkKSZzpMbwrm7DfVvHUIe3XwznoXEfixdXdgtWJ6cQxrMROs05pSqKtsfcctw3ESw4vGo5_Y2dlEIZZZOSc/s400/bracelet+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />And while we were in the store, Joel liked the idea of the bracelet so much that he also bought me a charm.  I know not many of you know Joel personally, but if you do, you can imagine which one he picked :). <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8bZvaEj0o3yVX8mbpr2kKNTgacfL6y-EQN3Maw3AWJ-ibp9xmgxayObmrwyHbhjKjUxGjdZ6IGuGj7aXikPqCsf7f0ID5BE76grFezRGMgGLyHpdQ4WaxZWBl5rnXH1T7zaLE2LeMF0/s1600/bracelet+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8bZvaEj0o3yVX8mbpr2kKNTgacfL6y-EQN3Maw3AWJ-ibp9xmgxayObmrwyHbhjKjUxGjdZ6IGuGj7aXikPqCsf7f0ID5BE76grFezRGMgGLyHpdQ4WaxZWBl5rnXH1T7zaLE2LeMF0/s400/bracelet+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I'm so pleased with my Pandora bracelet, and would strongly recommend it as a great tool to showcase your weight loss, if to no one else but yourself!  It is a constant visual reminder as to how far I've come (and will be even more so once I add those two additional charms).  Not only that, but I don't want to reverse the progress I've made, and so when I'm craving a snack size Reese Peanut Butter pumpkin, all I have to do is glance down at the bracelet and it forces me to ask myself, "Is it really worth it?". It is quite a large investment up front (the bracelet itself was $65, the flower charm $75, and the 2 clips were $35 each), but after that initial upfront cost, charms vary in price enough that they can be (somewhat) affordable (as low as $30 that I've seen).  <br /><br />How do you put your weight loss efforts into perspective?

goals Weight Loss Weight Watchers Pandora Bracelet

I picked up my new Pandora bracelet on Saturday in lieu of achieving another weight loss goal.  This bracelet has been a long time coming, and I'm so excited to have finally purchased it.  My original plan was to get a charm for every 5 lbs goal I me…

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8 important tips for Skype interviews

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></i></b></span><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial, helvetica;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="tblContent"><tbody><tr id="trContent"><td align="center" class="cb_style tcContent" id="tcContent" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><div class="cbArticleWrapper" style="background-color: white; text-align: left; width: 750px;"><div class="cbArticleContentWrapper" style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 15px; margin-top: 15px; width: 750px;"><div class="cbArticleRight" style="width: 560px;"><div class="RXart" style="padding-right: 20px;"><div class="ArticleHeadline" style="margin-top: -30px;"><div class="cbmsnArticleImage" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" src="http://emj.cbdr.com/artieimages/fr/ar5l22n5yp17k2n5mcfr.gif?time=6/17/2011%206:24:10%20pm" /></div><b><span id="cbArticle_lblByLine">Alina Dizik, Special to CareerBuilder</span></b> </div><br /><div class="ArticleContent"><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">With video interviews becoming more common during hiring, not being prepared can easily keep you out of the running. While meeting via video is time saver, getting past the technological barriers of not speaking face-to-face can be difficult. Be sure you're prepared and use Skype to your advantage, experts say. For one, use your computer screen to refer hiring managers to your achievements or provide explanations. "Prepare a digital portfolio that you can link to during the interview or show the interviewer your screen, which has a sample of your work," says <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/social+media/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">social media</a> expert Marian Schembari, who adds that you can also send relevant links through the chat function.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Looking for more ways to impress? Here's how to handle a Skype or video interview:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>1. Look at the camera, not the screen</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">It can be confusing, but when you're looking at your monitor it actually makes the interviewer feel as if you're looking away. Instead, look directly at the video camera you're using for your interview. And although you're not making eye contact in the traditional sense, this is the way that the interviewer perceives that you're looking straight ahead.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>2. Be aware of interruptions</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Since you're used to living in the house, it can be easy to forget to turn off a phone or not warn family members to give you some privacy, Schembari says. Have a plan for whatever distractions you have in your house, including children and dogs. "Too many people don't take [Skype interviews] as seriously as in-person interviews, but you need to be just as professional here," she says.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>3. Practice in front of a mirror</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">During the interview, you can see yourself in the video camera, which can be startling if you've never seen yourself speak. "It's important to get familiar with your own facial expressions when you talk," says Colleen Aylward, <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/CEO/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">chief executive</a> of InterviewStudio Inc., a company that offers video interview capabilities. "It also gets rid of some of the camera shyness."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>4. Mind the background</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Your surroundings can say a lot about how you've prepared for the interview, so it's important to put your best foot forward. "Shoot your video against a blank wall or a warm one-color background," Aylward suggests. "Clear off your desk, or have only awards and certificates in the background."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>5. Avoid patterned clothing</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Wear a shirt that's business casual and complimentary to your skin tone. Avoid patterns that come across as too loud on screen, such as anything floral or bright stripes. Clothing can distract the interviewer from the information conveyed during the conversation, so it's important to plan your outfit carefully.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>6. Conduct a mock interview</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Being comfortable with the technology prevents the added stress from a tech malfunction. Find a person you trust and use Skype or other video conferencing software to conduct a mock interview. You're bound to make mistakes, so it's best to practice with someone who can provide honest feedback.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>7. Test audio and video</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Just because your laptop has a built-in video camera and microphone doesn't mean the quality is up to par. Instead, test out the video and audio capabilities on your computer and decide whether you need to buy a headset with a microphone or an attachable video camera. Before the interview, some companies may send their own video devices to applicants.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>8. Add extra enthusiasm</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Any news announcer will tell that your reactions translate differently when on-screen, so it's important to compensate with extra enthusiasm and concise answers. Additionally, speak succinctly and remember that speed is important, Aylward says. "Practice speaking more quickly than you normally do," she says.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>Alina Dizik researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues for CareerBuilder. Follow @Careerbuilder on Twitter</i></div></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>

8 important tips for Skype interviews

Alina Dizik, Special to CareerBuilder With video interviews becoming more common during hiring, not being prepared can easily keep you out of the running. While meeting via video is time saver, getting past the technological barriers of not speaking …

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Don't forget to document your day on 11.11.11 with iEARN.org

Here is a message from Omashani our Projects Manager at SchoolNetSA:<br /><br />"On Friday 11 November 2011, students and teachers from around the world will document parts of their day using video, photography, writing, and other media. We hope you and your students can join us! For this special event, we are teaming up with filmmakers at <a href="http://www.onedayonearth.org">http://www.onedayonearth.org</a> who worked with us last year on 10.10.10. Keep in mind that this event is not a video-only event. It is also part of our regular iEARN One Day in the Life project, so we will soon be setting up special discussion areas for 11/11/11, including places for students to publish text posts and other media. (Even if your students use video, we ask that you post a link to it in the iEARN forums, so that the younger students and the non-video-making students can view, enjoy, and respond to them.) This project is facilitated by Marta Garcia Lorea (Argentina) and Chris Baer (USA). Learn more about the project, and connect, on the One Day in the Life Project Page."<br /><br />Watch this video about 10.10.10 (last year)<br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/18910284?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="/18910284">One Day on Earth Video Map Trailer</a> from <a href="/onedayonearth">One Day On Earth</a> on <a href="/">Vimeo</a>.</p>

Collaboration Project-based learning Don't forget to document your day on 11.11.11 with iEARN.org

Here is a message from Omashani our Projects Manager at SchoolNetSA:"On Friday 11 November 2011, students and teachers from around the world will document parts of their day using video, photography, writing, and other media. We hope you and your stu…

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EUROPEAN STABILITY MECHANISM (ESM) - A NEW DICTATORSHIP

<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: red; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Is this the end to the sovereign democracies in Europe?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="266" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gls3pO-94b4?feature=player_embedded" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="320"></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div></div>

EUROPEAN STABILITY MECHANISM (ESM) - A NEW DICTATORSHIP

Is this the end to the sovereign democracies in Europe?…

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Set up a group email account using Gmail

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">One of Google's great offerings is Gmail. You can do so much with a Gmail email account. Have you ever wondered how to set up a group email in Gmail? I have been wondering about this and today I set myself up to learn how to do it.  It is really not as difficult as I thought. Here is a video explanation from YouTube:<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3oYFrIK_7Zg" width="420"></iframe><br /><br />This type of account is useful to teachers to possibly set up a Gmail group account for homework help for example. <br /><br />Other interesting posts relating to Gmail are as follows:<br />1) Some Gmail tips worth knowing about:<br /><a href="http://educationaltech-med.blogspot.com/2011/08/awesome-gmail-tips-gmail-as-you-have.html">http://educationaltech-med.blogspot.com/2011/08/awesome-gmail-tips-gmail-as-you-have.html</a><br /><br />2) This Gmail trick is very useful for teachers who want to add safe email accounts for students <br /><a href="http://www.markbrumley.com/2010/02/18/the-gmail-trick-once-and-for-all/">http://www.markbrumley.com/2010/02/18/the-gmail-trick-once-and-for-all/</a></div>

Gmail google Set up a group email account using Gmail

One of Google's great offerings is Gmail. You can do so much with a Gmail email account. Have you ever wondered how to set up a group email in Gmail? I have been wondering about this and today I set myself up to learn how to do it.  It is really not …

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