Saturday, May 31, 2008

Best way to learn to speak Spanish

It isn't very often that I come across something in the world of learning Spanish that truly impresses me, but recently I came across a learn Spanish guide that is simply outstanding.

Before telling you what it's about, I just want you to be clear on what it is NOT.

It is NOT a guide to Spanish that teaches you how to learn Spanish by memorizing every aspect of grammar and vocab before actually learning how to speak it.

It does NOT encourage you to hold off taking part in real conversations till you have a large vocabulary.

Here's what it IS about...

You'll learn how to speak Spanish confidently and naturally fast. And you'll learn by taking part in real conversations from the very first lesson.

You'll soon be:

- taking part in a REALISTIC Spanish conversations,
- saying hello and introducing yourself in Spanish,
- ordering food and drink in Spanish with ease,
- asking for help whenever you need it,
- explaining exactly how much Spanish you know & understand,
- giving and accepting compliments in Spanish with confidence and
grace,
- and much, much more...

And you'll gain a wide vocabulary and have piles of fun in the process!

You'll discover that mistakes that you are probably making, such as trying to memorize words, rather than actively practicing recalling word (and more importantly phrases).

It's not your fault, most other language courses were not developed with the same careful research and planning as Rocket Spanish and you'll be so impressed with the improvements you make in your Spanish speaking once you get your copy of Rocket Spanish.

To find out more, go get your copy of Rocket Spanish.

$5000 prize in student video contest

Peterson’s, a leading education planning company, recently announced this video scholarship competition to stimulate college- and graduate school-bound students around the country to create a 30-second video clip that explains what makes them unique.

Students who have a fresh, original and convincing approach to persuade the world that they are special, start scripting your video now and post it on YouTube®. Video contest entries can be no more than 30 seconds long. Compete for the $5,000 scholarship award grand prize that you can use to pay tuition at the school of your choice or compete for one of ten $100 gift certificates.

The winning videos will be determined by the number of times the video is viewed on YouTube® from the time of its posting until the end of the viewing period on August 31, 2008 at 11:59:59 p.m. (EDST).

The rules are easy: You must be at least 16 years of age and a legal resident of the United States. Videos will be accepted until July 31, 2008. No purchase is necessary, and a purchase will not increase your chances of winning.

For complete rules and instructions for uploading your video entry, visit www.petersons.com/scholarshipcontest.

And speaking of online videos, we recently saw a video on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9BeEBjJH0A that addresses the problem that many Chow Chow owners face, how to obedience train their Chow. The video promotes the Chow training video website, chowvideo.com. The DVD was endorsed by a leading expert on the breed.

Friday, May 30, 2008

The 10 most unusual accommodations in the world

The largest online travel research site and travel community in the world has announced its picks for the top ten most unusual places to stay, both in the U.S. and internationally. Of the list, VirtualTourist.com general manager, Giampiero Ambrosi says, "With limited vacation time, there's no reason your lodging shouldn't be part of the travel experience. These options, which range from converted train cars to converted prisons, give you something to talk about before you even start sight-seeing."

1) Edisto River Treehouses; Canadys, South Carolina: For those who refuse to grow up, a stay in a tree house is a dream come true. Not only is it fun, but it's clean, safe, and very reasonable.

2) Celica Hostel; Ljubljana, Slovenia: If you've always wanted to spend a night in the slammer, now's your chance. Once a military prison, this happening hot spot is now an art gallery/youth hostel.

3) Schottenstift Monastery; Vienna, Austria (http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Austria/Bundesland_Wien/Vienna-320332/TravelGuide-Vienna.html): If the bellboys look like monks, you're not imagining things. This hotel is actually a functioning monastery where your wake-up call might just be chanting.

4) The Red Caboose Motel; Strasburg, Pennsylvania: All aboard! Although they once traveled from city to city, these little red cabooses now function as private hotel rooms. Needless to say, kids go crazy for this place.

5) Propeller Island; Berlin, Germany: Art lovers rejoice! From upside-down rooms to levitating beds, it's the next best thing to spending the night in a museum.

6) Schlosshotel Schönburg; Oberwesel, Germany: For a true fantasy experience, nothing beats a night in a genuine castle. In spite of its long history, all modern amenities, including internet service, are available to guests.

7) Ariau Amazon Towers; Near Manaus, Brazil: Connected by a series of catwalks, eight buildings comprise this compound, which has become a favorite of celebrities and everyday travelers alike.

8) Hotel Sidi Driss; Matmata, Tunisia: The force was with the cast and crew of Star Wars when they filmed at this out-of-this-world property. The amenities are minimal, but at less than $20 a night, so is the price.

9) Euromast; Rotterdam, The Netherlands: A tourist attraction by day, this imposing tower becomes an exclusive hotel at night. Those wishing to give it a go should book early; the tower's two suites fill up three months out.

10) The Giraffe Manor; Nairobi, Kenya (http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Africa/Kenya/Nairobi_Area/Nairobi-2051379/TravelGuide-Nairobi.html): Don't bother with a "Do Not Disturb" sign. The long-necked visitors who peek in through the windows of this extraordinary compound will just ignore it.

And if you're searching for a set of plans for building a condo or indoor housing for your house rabbits then check out the Rabbit Condo website.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

How to get free silver and gemstone jewelry - maybe

I was surfing the other day and came across a website that supposedly gives away silver jewelry with real gemstones for free. The website is Olympic Medals and if you look on the left side near the top of the left column you will see a picture of a purple pendant. Maybe it's an amethyst. Anyway, it says that if you like this piece, then click to get it for free from the Silver Jewelry Club.

Well, to make a long story short, I clicked on it, and it turns out the Silver Jewelry Club is the only place in the world where you can get exclusive sterling silver jewelry with genuine gemstones for no cost. They currently ship to 54 countries, with more to be added soon.

What's the catch? Well, they say the site is a promotion to introduce their company and get exposure. You can get as many items as you like for free and come back for more, and there are no catches and no limits.

Anyone who is still not convinced is invited to read the many positive testimonials they have received from thousands of satisfied customers.

I don't know. My mother always used to say that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. But heck, what have you got to lose by checking it out? Especially if it does turn out to be true, maybe I can do all my Christmas shopping there for free!

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Baby for sale on Craigslist?

It was all over the TV news in Vancouver last night, and today it's on the front page of the newspaper -- about an ad on Craigslist supposedly selling a week-old baby for $10,000. According to the reports, a Craigslist user noticed an ad that said a healthy, cute seven-day old baby was for sale for ten grand. That person called the cops, who soon had traced the phone number in the ad and were knocking on the alleged baby-seller's door.

"It was only a joke" the suspect claimed. But was it? Was anyone really stupid enough to try to sell an infant via a public ad on one of the internet's most popular classified sites? From what I've learned about the intelligence of the general public, my vote would be "Yes, they really were that stupid."