New Year's Eve Traditions Around the World

For many New Year's Eve is spent thinking of resolutions, drinking their favorite alcoholic beverages at parties and getting that kiss at midnight but in many parts of the world the activities vary from what color of intimates you have on to eating grapes!


In Mexico many celebrate by eating one grape with the twelve chimes of the bell during the midnight countdown. Each grape is consumed with a wish for the new year. Homes are decorated with brilliant colors of red to bring overall improvment to their lives, yellow to bring blessings of employment, green to improve financial health and white to bring health and well being in the new year. 


In Italy traditionally the color of your intimate apparel is thought to bring various blessings. In the old days they also dropped or unused items from their windows to symbolize out with the old and in with the new but not so much today. 


In Costa Rica many will run across their streets with luggage asking for new trips and adventures in the upcoming year! 

Of course all over the world many will barely be able to stay up until midnight and just sleep the new year in!

What will you be doing this New Year's Eve?

Alone at Christmas? Make new traditions!

Christmas use to be a time I hated. I was always alone and did not have a place to go to for the holidays. This always made me feel very depressed but over the years I have been able to become part of chosen family and make new experiences with them.  


Many people are alone at this time of year due to family circumstances such as death of loved ones, divorce, empty nest, isolation from biological families and relocation
. 
"More and more people seem to be on their own these days. Census figures show that one-fourth of the nation’s households — 27.2 million of them — now consist of one person, compared to just 10 percent in 1950. For that matter, the average American has only two close friends in whom to confide — down from three in 1985, according to an authoritative sociological study released in June. Nearly a quarter have no confidant at all."


For those of us who fall into these categories make a choice to start new traditions! Find others in your circles who may be experiencing these situations and start a new tradition of spending the holiday together. Take turns hosting the holiday events each year and invite everyone you know who falls into the above categories. You can even do gift exchanges or volunteer on the holidays together! 


If you do not know others who spend the holidays alone you can start traditions on your own of volunteering or even take a trip during the holidays! Just because you are spending the holiday season alone does not mean it has to be a negative thing! 


One day you might be the one with no one to spend the holiday season with. If you know of someone in this situation reach out to them and invite them to be part of your holiday traditions!  

Why am I still awake is a question I find myself asking often. Anxiety levels are high & I am struggling with a client who I is working against me.

In Honor of Shelley Lawson - The Valiant Fight

"The valiant fight is not quick, nor easy

'Tis a struggle of arduous length

In which few have battled more nobly

Fought with more courage or strength

Refusing to accept the probabilities and odds

Odds that counted them an easy prey

Striving to remain with cherished loved ones

Determined they'd somehow find a way

Bravely enduring pain and weakness

In exchange for the chance it would provide

To give their body more time to fight the battle

Hoping for a healing over time

Giving their best through all the challenges

Pushing their body past the limits if its strength

Touching the hearts of all who witnessed

This battle over unexpected lengths

...And for a time even death itself

Turned and hung its head in shame

Subdued by the courage and valiant strength it saw

In the soul it sought to claim...

Yet the purposes of eternity can't always be understood

From within our earthly frame

And at times death's rebirth to a life eternal

Accomplishes purposes we're unable to explain

So there are times when death is allowed

To take a soul fighting the valiant fight

Yet the fighter's courage and bravery isn't diminished

When the outcome is death, instead of life

And family and friends are left with a deep assurance

Of just how deeply they were loved ... "

http://www.funeralpoemsandreflections.com

Ethics

As a Virtual Assistant, I will maintain the highest ethics and honesty in all dealings with clients, colleagues and the general public.
I will seek to deal with colleagues, suppliers and employees in a fair and equitable manner, and maintain the highest standards of personal conduct to bring credit to the Virtual Assistant profession.
As a highly ethical Virtual Assistant, I will only take on projects that are within my abilities. If a project is not within my ability, the client will be notified immediately and I will provide recommendations for other highly skilled Virtual Assistants.
Client information will be held in the strictest of confidence and will not be shared with others or used for personal gain.
I highly value each client relationship and will not place one client above another.
I will make a commitment to possess and increase the required knowledge, skills and training to be proficient and relevant in the provision of services.
I will be honest about my intentions and never misrepresent my skills, peers, or my profession as a whole, whether to networks or to prospects, clients, and the community at large (virtual or otherwise).
I will not knowingly be a part of any illegal or unethical activity.
I will promote the Virtual Assistance industry with the utmost professionalism and give of my knowledge freely to new and existing VAs and the general public.

Life is a journey

Sometimes life looks very dark and we may get trampled by the experiences that we encounter through out it but other times life seems to be a really good thing and we are able to sit back and enjoy ourselves and the experiences we have.

The first few years after my divorce were very difficult for me. No matter how bad the situation was divorce is  losing someone you once loved and you have to take the time to morn the loss. However, once all those feelings were dealt with the light at the end of the tunnel didn't seem so far away. 

I have really been able to enjoy life, step back smell the roses and appreciate the good things I have. Life has taken on a slower pace for me over the past couple of years because I decided certain things just are not important to me. I stopped working so much because being a workaholic wasn't making me happy and now I work to live instead of living to work. I now make sure I take the time to enjoy the things in life I work so hard to accomplish!

The other day an old friend stopped by my house out of the blue.  I hadn't scene her since my divorce because she was a mutual friend of mine and my ex's. I was surprised to see her, because I hadn't seen her in so long. (6 years)  I have to admit it was a little awkward seeing her because our lives had gone in two different directions and I just didn't feel like we had anything in common anymore. Her visit did make me me appreciate a few things about myself and my life just a little bit more.

Even though she has been divorced from her ex husband for about 5 years as well and is remarried to another man she seems to be so focused on her ex.  She still harbors alot of anger, bitterness and resentment towards him.  It made me realize that I have moved on from those feelings and truly enjoy my new life.  I am so glad that I was able to go through all the emotions that come with divorce but I am more happy that I have been able to forgive - not for my ex but for me.  I had to be able to forgive all the negative experiences in order to move on into a new life!

It made me sad for her that she is bringing all that old baggage into her new marriage and new chapter of her life.  I don't think she is truly enjoying her new life with this new person because of all the anger and hostility towards her old life. 

While she was there she only wanted to talke about the old life and I just politely told her that I had moved on and was very glad that I didn't associate or speak to my ex.  I felt sorry for him that he has been stuck in the same choices he was making then and continued to make and wished him the best of luck in finding happiness but that I had completely moved on and wanted no interaction with him.

It makes me sad for her that she has an opportunity at happiness with a new person but can't seem to let go of her  ex and just be happy.

Each day I wake up and step outside with NaKoda and realize that life is good. I am doing good and I have myself and my small but close circle of friends to lean on and help me make it even when times are difficult!
I enjoy each day more even though things do get hectic from time to time.

 

Self Desctructive Behavior

Sometimes I sit back and watch people and it amazes me that grown ass people act the way they do sometimes. 

I have a friend who has had a hard life.  His life is the way that it is mainly because of bad choices he has made and continues to repeat over and over.  Then to make things worse he always says, "it's not my fault I don't do it intentionally".  I have explained to him that yes he does do it intentionally because he's the one making the choices to do the things he does. Even if they are bad choices they are still his choices and he needs to stand up and take responsibility for his choices.  That if he doesn't ever accept responsibility for the choices he makes then he will never learn from his mistakes.

It makes me want to tell them to grow up, accept responsibility for their actions and make better choices if they don't like the direction their life is taking because only they have the power to change it.
Basically, I am not going to deal with the stress this person brings to otherss, becaue I don't have the strength, power, or desire to deal with it. When you are done with all your drama come see me. 

Well, that was a good vent!

Who do you think you are?

I am contemplative. I'm the person who is everywhere and no where.  I am the girl who quietly sits back and watches people at a party, I am the girl who sits at the bar and laughs and jokes with the people around her. I am the girl who helps you find what you are looking for at the grocery store, I am the girl who smiles at you as you pass her on the street.  I am the girl who sits and listens to you when you have problems. I am the girl who is spontaneous and organized all at the same time.  I am the girl who's mind constantly roams in a never ending chaotic cycle always coming back for more.  I am the girl who loves animals, helps children, believes in love and fears being hurt again.   I am the girl who can be a best friend or a worst enemy.  I am the girl who has endured hardships and pain. I am the girl who has survived.  I am the girl who loves to watch the stars in the night sky, who loves to sit and watch nature run its course, I am the girl who loves to swim in the river, walk with the deer, ride horses into the wide open pastures but I am also the girl who loves to be loud and dance the dance that's in her heart.  I am the girl who loves music and the way the rhythms make her heart feel. I am the girl who loves to take pictures that tell a story. I am the girl who can blend into any situation. I am the girl with the heart that no one sees. I am a girl with feelings that those closest to her do not realize. I am the girl who longs to be heard above all the chaos. I am no one and everyone. I am me.......


Who are you?

I am thankful for not having to hide a body yet..................

It's interesting what people are thankful for and often funny. Things one person takes for granted could be the one thing another is the most thankful for in life. 


I am thankful for :


my life - even though at times I wasn't sure I was 
Therapy - because it helps me work through it and not need a place to hide the bodies 
trials and tribulations - even though it was often difficult to overcome and survive I some  how always do
creativity - in the world we live in I have to have an outlet ;)
music - because everything seems better with tunes
books - because they provide the ability to escape reality even if only for a chapter or two
niece - because I love her
Karen - because she loved me and cared for me when no one else did
Junction - because it's a sanctuary I can always retreat to
NaKoda - because she teaches me unconditional love
Work - so I can be productive and earn a way to pay for life
Not being attacked by bees
living in many places through out my life to experience different cultures and people
My 3 closest friends - because they accept me for who I am and have provided much laughter, support, chaos, and fun over the years!
volunteering - helping others often makes my problems seem less serious
laughter 
being able to work for myself - because my boss isn't so bad ;)
Freedom
Sunshine
Rain
Hot baths in the winter
Cold showers in the summer
Sanitation workers - could you imagine what the streets would look like and how they would smell without them?
Volunteers - because someone has to care
getting lost - because I have discovered some of my favorite places and experienced the greatest peace while being lost
water - because sometimes I just don't want to go to the grocery store
peanut butter - because sometimes i just don't want to cook
Not being eaten by a bear
My youth - because it allowed me the opportunity to make mistakes, learn, and grow
Birth control - because I do not need to be responsible for the way another person turns out in this world ;)
A bad guy - because if I didn't know what a bad guy was I wouldn't be able to recognize a  good guy when I meet him.
Bad dates - because they make for good stories
Good dates - because they bring a smile to my face
DVR - because I hate commercials
Those who read what I write - 

What Job Roles are easily Outsourced to a Virtual Assistant?

Bookkeeping and accounts payable and receivable. Some companies can find that these roles do not need to be full time job roles and can actually be outsourced very easily.

Secretarial work and in particular overload or special project work - letters, reports, power point presentations, etc

professional organizers offering services such as:

* All aspects of household organizing
* All aspects of business organizing
* Event planning
* All aspects of home office organizing
* Time management
* Wardrobe consulting/closet design
and so much more

So as a professional organizer specializing in home offices or other offices, you can assist businesses in being more organized. You would basically be a home office consultant and some areas you can assist in include:

* Development/maintenance of filing systems, records management
* Office space planning, development, equipment needed, etc
* Procedures/systems
* Records/bookkeeping
* Time management, events management

Data entry
database maintenance
All forms of transcription work.
Small business invoicing and quoting.
Website development.

The more you think about it the bigger the list gets. With today's technology such as email and the internet (skype, IMing, Microsoft Live, Facebook, etc) the benefits of using a virtual assistant are growing for more and more job functions.

Making Time For Others.......

A few years ago I made a decision in my life. I wanted to stop saying things to people we all say to the people we "care" about in our lives and start doing those things. "call me and we will get together", "we need to hang out", "I'll call you".  All those things we have all said, knowing we would never follow through.

It's funny though how we can change our lives to show the people important to us they are truly important and loved but we can't expect others to do the same because let's face it, our ego is what demands that we be important to others. Our ego is what is offended or hurt when we feel ignored by the ones we love. Our ego does not matter to anyone but us.

I always think about something my chosen grandmother said to me before she passed, she told me she wished she had spent more time with her children and family and less time worrying if the floors were clean. Today I can proudly say that my floors may be dirty but I make time for friends and chosen family, often even when they make no time for me but how long do we go on making time for others who don't make time for us?

Recently, I realized that several people in my life believe that making time for them should revolve around their schedules and not mine. I guess they think the world revolves around their schedule.

Someone recently said to me, "well you don't do anything" and I have to admit that my ego flared up and was immediately offended by this statement. How would they know what I do? They are never around. They don't call me, text me, email me and ask me about my days, or my business or anything else going on in my life. Weeks even months go by without contact from them.  They have no idea how much time I spend working to grow my business or working on my homes, volunteering or spending time with friends or my chosen family. They don't know if I am dating anyone or if I am traveling. I have left the state of Texas for leisure purposes and they never even knew I was gone, I guess. I have traveled within the state several times throughout the last year alone. I guess I could pretty much fall off the face of the earth and they wouldn't realize it for probably months...sad to say.  I guess because I don't post my every action on facebook they think I don't do anything but boy do I have news for them!

The really sad thing, I used to tell this person when I was going somewhere, or was dealing with something but one day I realized the relationship was only what it was because I worked so hard and put forth so much effort. Now, if you were to ask this person if they put forth effort they would say it was all them, but I would have to say that is not my perception. I decided to stop working so hard and see if they reciprocate and I have to admit my feelings have been very hurt because they haven't.

It does hurt though. It makes me feel unimportant at times. It seems everyone is so busy with their jobs and their families and I always seem to be the one going to visit friends or family. I always seem to be the one moving things around in my schedule to make time.

 A couple of weekends ago, while on a trip I was hanging out catching some rays and a woman (Peggy) struck up a conversation with me.
.  
                                             

Peggy began by asking me where my husband was. I of course told her I hadn't had a husband since July 2005. She said she was sorry and asked if I had a boyfriend. I told her no of course and that she shouldn't feel sorry I was happy I had lost the husband and enjoyed life anyway! I wondered why was this woman so interested in my love life?  As she continued on asking me questions, I start ted to feel uneasy about the line of questioning as if there was nothing else in life besides having a man.  

Peggy continued to talk about her husband (Tim) & how they had been married for 40 years. Throughout her 40 year marriage her husband, Tim had engaged in several affairs, often with her friends or friends wives or girlfriends.                                   

In the long run this behavior cost her all of her friends and the once social couple now never leaves the house or has people over like they once did - just to ensure Tim doesn't have the opportunity to cheat on her but that doesn't stop her distrust of him - she now wonders if he carries on with people from work.  Peggy went on to tell me how jealous and insecure she is and how she worries if they go out to eat, is Tim looking at the waitresses, so they do not go out to eat anymore. She worries if her husband is mowing their lawn, is he checking out their neighbor and so on and so on.

  I couldn't imagine being in a relationship that was filled with nothing but distrust, anger and jealousy. Peggy went on to tell me she and her husband never had sex, didn't go on dates, didn't even talk to one another any more. Peggy said when Tim gets home from work in the evenings they have dinner, he showers, they watch a little tv and then go to bed and wake up and do it all over again.

  To me this has to be a horrible existence and would not be worth it to me. I couldn't imagine having someone in such an important role in my life that I couldn't trust and I could not imagine being so miserable in a relationship and staying in the unhappy relationship for 40 years. 

The Single Side of Life........it ain't so bad!

 In a couple-driven marketing society, we are eventually going to come across people who wonder why we are single. It appears many people believe the ultimate goal in life is to find a partner and pair off into a couple as if our lives depend on it. No one ever died simply because they were single!

Many people even often imply (intentionally or unintentionally) something is wrong with you if you are not part of a couple. Many women (and men) often stay in bad relationships because they feel like something is wrong with them if they are alone. Many stay in bad relationships because they are simply afraid to be alone. Some have never even experienced life on their own before. Many women have gone from their parent’s home to a home they share with their husband.  It’s amazing how society believes it is better to be in a relationship and how singles have to defend their choice to be single.

39.2% of the unmarried population aged 18 and older were formerly married and 60.8% have always been single - U.S. Census Bureau's Current Population Survey (CPS), 2008.

Marital Status Among Young Adults Ages 25-34 (Percent)

	2007	2008	2009
Married	48.2	46.9	44.9
Never Married	42.6	42.6	46.3

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census and American Community Survey.

Being single does not mean you are lonely. As a single person I have more time to spend engaging in a variety of activities and opportunities which can lead to new and exciting friendships. However, many of our friendships may end up being with persons who are part of a couple. No matter what kind of friendships we have with other singles or with members of a couple the most important thing is to enjoy our freedom! If you can find friends with the opportunity and time to engage in activities with you great, but if not you should not be afraid to go for it and have “party of 1” adventures! You never know who you are going to meet along your journey!

In relationships you always have to compromise when differences of opionions or desires rise. When you are a “party of 1” though you can take advantage of not having to compromise. If you are a slob then no need to feel guilty about leaving your dirty dishes, clothes, etc. all over the house. If you are a neat freak then no need to be frustrated after having to pick up after someone else. If you are a night owl you can stay up as late as you want without worrying about keeping someone else awake. If you like ice cream for breakfast and crackers for dinner there’s no need to feel like you have to make a full meal for someone else! If you want to jump in the truck and head out to Louisiana at a moment’s notice for a week there is no need to feel guilty if your partner can’t get off work to go!

Being single adds a lot of freedom, flexibility and opportunity to life.  When you are in a relationship you tend to have plan and coordinate schedules, alternate for holidays, consider if possibilities will be positive for both partners etc. Many people often sacrifice their own desires and needs to make sure their partner is happy.  When you are single life can be exciting and adventurous if you let it!

5  To me, being married or in a relationship is a lifestyle choice and not a requirement. Being single is a lifestyle choice and not a lonely burden. While dating I have learned to identify the “red flags” in potential partners to avoid getting into relationships that are not appropriate for me. While making the decision to be single and make better dating choices for myself; I have taken the opportunity to learn more about myself, dreams, goals, abilities. I have been able to engage in opportunities to learn and grow and meet new people. I have learned to be grateful for what I have accomplished in life and the things I have been able to obtain. I have been able to invest in myself and my future and turn my energy towards things that make me happy and provide meaning to my life.

      When I was married I often found that my time for me was limited because being in a relationship creates an obligation to spend time with a person. Between working, school and family obligations it was difficult to find time for friends and self. Now, with my choice of a single lifestyle I have been able to engage in hobbies I enjoyed prior to being married such as writing, photography, travel, reading, volunteering, learning to play an instrument, learning a new language, exercise, etc. I believe by investing in myself, discovering things about myself and enjoying the time I have to myself right now if and when the time comes that I choose to be part of a couple I will be healthier and more prepared to be a better partner.

Does anyone ever think of others first?

Recently, Lyric's mother finished up her last chemo treatment. A few days later doctor's discovered Lyric's father (mother & father have been divorced for years) had brain tumors and would need surgery today. Lyric has never been one to show a lot of emotions (neither does her family members) instead Lyric tends to take on the responsibility of being the care giver and making sure everyone else is taken care of since she cannot control the illness itself. Sometimes I think by being the care taker and making sure everyone else is taken care of is overwhelming for her but it makes her feel more in control and distracts her from being emotional.

When Lyric got off work this morning (over night nurse at a hospital) she drove directly to the hospital her father was in to spend time with him before his surgery today. Lyric's grandmother, grandfather - his wife, step mother, 2 half brothers, 3 step siblings, 1 step nephew, Lyric's Aunt & Uncle (Lyric's father's only sister & brother in law), step- mother's 2 sisters & their husbands have all been at the hospital today. 45 minutes prior to Lyric's father going into surgery; Lyric's step mother kicked everyone out of the room without a thought to how anyone would feel. Lyric has already been upset her step mother has made comments like "I knew I should have had life insurance on him" and "I don't want him to take steroids because they will make him fat", etc.

Lyric's father's immediate family (sister and daughter) was very upset by this because they wanted to spend time with him prior to going into pre-op (where his wife would be the only one who could wait with him). I believe Lyric is taking her father's illness even more emotionally because just last week she was finishing up her mother's last chemo treatment with her. She has had to come to terms with fighting a life threatening illness with her mother and with no time to in between she has to turn around and face the life threatening situation with her father.

Sometimes I wonder if people think how their actions in a situation like this effect others. Does this step mom realize how difficult this has been for Lyric? When the father wakes up from surgery will he want to be more involved with his daughter's life and grandson's life? Will this family learn to be more open with one another and make the rest of the time they have with one another quality time? Will life be business as usual?

Employee vs. Virtual Assistant Employer Savings

Hiring the services of a Virtual Assistant compared to employing permanent staff
More benefits of using a virtual assistant is the cost savings when you compare to hiring full time staff.

This is just an example using Australian entitlements and they will vary from country to country. The example is for a secretary/PA.

40 Hr Week @ $15 per hr (48 working weeks) $31,200.00

2 weeks Annual Leave $1,200.00

loss of productivity during leave $1,200

Workers Compensation Insurance (approx) $ 500.00

Bonus - annually (approx) $ 1,000.00


Total Yearly Salary for Permanent Staff Member $35,100.00

Then I haven't included:

Payroll tax and other costs.

Office space leasing and office equipment for permanent staff.

I also haven't included the fact that when a permanent staff member is on sick leave she is still being paid for this and the employer is losing productivity on top of it. 

So conservatively an hourly rate for a permanent staff member is starting from $35.00 approx. A virtual assistant starts anywhere from $25 - $30 approx 

BUT

The benefits of using a virtual assistant are that you are only paying for productive time. A virtual assistant only gets paid for work done and all the time she spends on your business is productive time. Whereas permanent staff members are not productive all of the time that they are spending in your business. (How many times have you noticed staff members standing around talking, arriving late, leaving early, using work time for personal business such as phone calls, paying their personal bills on your company computer, emailing friends and family, etc.)

You may find that you do not require to employ permanent staff for specific job roles.

These roles can be outsourced to a virtual assistant.