BACKPACKER MUST HAVES

BACKPACKER MUST HAVES

“The World is a book and those who do not travel read only one page”, a travel quote by St. Augustine.  Indeed, our world is full of wonders and so do our lives full of adventure. One must seek in order to find anew. Travelling is a way of learning and seeing new things know new cultures and meet new people.

In traveling, one must keep in mind that you are trekking, and that you have to have only few essentials with you. It is not practical to bring unnecessary things which would load up your baggage. Remember, you have to carry on with you your travel buddy – your backpack. Below is a list of essential things you should bring while traveling. There is more than 10 things listed here and it’s up to you whether you heed to bring these things or just derive from it:

1. Clothes with Toiletries

Choose clothes that are lightweight and are easy to wash and gets dried up overnight. Bring at least 2 or 3 lightweight shirts with you, a long-sleeved shirt or polo to protect you from mosquitoes and keep you warm during the night, 2 pairs of trousers, a pair of jeans, shorts is optional, socks maybe 4 or 5 pairs may do, shoes and sandals. Do not forget to include your underwear and a travel towel. It is necessary though, to know where you are heading so you would discern what types of clothes to bring.

2. Map

Indeed necessary, so you would know where you are going.

3. Camera and Cellphone

There is no other way to keep the memories alive than capturing them on cam. Cellphones are essential tools as well to keep your communications with your travel buddies or anyone you may need to get in touch with.

4. Flashlight and Batteries

It’s handier when you use flashlight because you just have to place it in your backpack.

5. A Sleeping Bag

Choose a sleeping bag that can be rolled up very small so it won’t take a lot of space in your bag.

6. Raincoats

In cases when rain pours in surprisingly, you’ll be able to protect yourself and backpack.

7. Caps

You may hang this in your bag if you don’t want to use it, it is essential though to keep your hair from smothering your face and give you shade.

8. Water Bottles,Plates,Spoon and Fork

Have it full or leave it empty, just make it available for your water. You need hydration.

9. Swiss Army Knife

Travelers wouldn’t miss this one. This is a multi-purpose knife, already equipped with scissors, a blade, tweezers, bottle/can opener.

10. Medicine Kit

Include in your kit, your own prescribed medicines (if you have), emergency meds like antihistamine, paracetamol/acetaminophen, anti-motility and others. Also include sterile gauze, plaster, bandage, a small antiseptic and a tourniquet.

Of the list above, you may modify or add up more should you have any other important things you want to bring:

- Small Padlock. To keep your bag secured.

- Bandana.

- Money Belt / Belt Bag

- Sarong

- Whistle

- Firestarter

- Alarm Clock

- Calculator

- Book

Whatever you may include in your list, just keep in mind that “Common Sense” can do all the deciding stuffs of what you want to bring.

GAMING TIPS FOR “THE SIMS SOCIAL (FACEBOOK)”

GAMING TIPS FOR “THE SIMS SOCIAL (FACEBOOK)”

The Sims Social is an online game on Facebook and is basically more on “social stuffs”, like meeting new friends, starting your own home, buying new gadgets or appliances. It’s like a real life situation, just that it happens fast and if you’re good enough to get simoleons and energy packs, then your road to riches in this game is easy.

Well, I just knew about this game when my boyfriend told me to play this one. It’s just easy, go to the application, get your sim’s character dressed up – make use of this opportunity to dress up your character, because the next time you want to change it, you’ll have to pay for it. I was so stupid not to dress up my sim’s character the way I wanted and I have to deal with her “rockstar” character with white hair and mini skirt. Awkward, right?

For starters, you’ll have your own house with a bed, a shower and other stuffs. There will also be unpacked packages, so you have to open it. I think you will be given a guitar for you to get some simoleons. Simoleons serve as your money, to get simoleons you have to upgrade your mood, your personal needs like bathing, peeing, sleeping, etc. Also, you can have your simoleons if you have skills, like guitar. Just click the guitar and you’ll play it. You will be asked some options so you choose one. When you click an activity, your energy will be deducted. Initially, you will have 15 energy packs.

Now, what you have to do is shop. I know you don’t have money yet, however, make use of some free items in the shopping list. One of the free items is the computer, and you don’t have to ask anyone to help you out in unpacking it. Your computer will be added to your skills, which means you’ll have another option to get simoleons.

The goal of the game is to upgrade your house and your lifestyle, making it fabulously good. One strategy is to make many friends and neighbors at Sim’s. Because everytime you visit a friend in their houses, you will receive 5 bonus energy. Remember that energies are essential in the game to keep you doing some skills which would yield to simoleons and other gifts.

One strategy to get money and experience points is to visit your friends. Explore their garden plots and search for plants that are not fully grown. Water these plants, and every time you do it will give you 20 simoleons and 1 experience point. If you have to use your extra five bonus energy packs by watering the plants, it will yield you 100 simoleons and 5 experience points.

Energy packs are hard to earn, and if you’re nearing zero and you want to level up, you’ll have to go to one of your friends’ house and make your sims interact with each other. Simple interactions will yield increase in level. If you’re sim’s character needs some personal attention, let the character by itself so you won’t have to use your energy packs.

If you have garnered enough simoleons, then buy new stuffs for your house. Buy smartly. Most of the stuffs you buy are packed and would need some items for it to be opened. So it is wise to have lots of friends and neighbors at Sims Social. Because whenever you need help, they’ll be ready to extend a hand.

TOP 10 CAMERAS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS

TOP 10 CAMERAS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS

A form of art that is as explicit as painting is photography. Everyone loves pictures, who wouldn’t? A picture can tell a thousand things, words can’t tell and it is the best reminder of wonderful moments.

Many have taken simple picture taking from hobby to profession. Not only does it give you a high pay for some clicks, it also gives the photographer the feeling of fulfillment. A skillful photographer sure does need a better camera. For your references, here are the top 10 cameras professional photographers might want to use for a more detailed and picture perfect masterpiece:

1.    NIKON D800 36.3 MP
CMOS FX-FORMAL DIGITAL SLR CAMERA                    Price: $2,990.00


    For professional photographers who entail picture results with the highest quality, who need cameras with superior performance in an accurate speed, the Nikon D800 36.3 MP Digital SLR capture images with those produced by a medium-format camera. This camera has an extremely low noise with incredible range and colors.


2.    NIKON D5100 16.2 MP
CMOS DIGITAL SLR CAMERA                              Price: $699.00


Professional photographers would be enticed with the camera’s line up of special effects for still pictures and D-Movie Full HD movies recording. Equipped with superior performance, Nikon D5100 has a 16.2 MP, a Vari-Angle CD monitor and new HDR settings.


3.    CANON EOS REBEL T3 12.2 MP CMOS
DIGITAL SLR WITH 18-55mm IS II Lens
EOS HD Movie Mode                            Price: $469.00


The EOS Rebel T3 yields beautiful photos and video with accurate speed, simplicity and fun. The camera has a 12.2 MP CMOS Image Sensor and DIGIC 4 Image Processor for more detailed images. Other features include 63-zone, dual-layer metering for good exposures, HD video recording and Live View shooting.

4.    CANON EOS REBEL T3i 18 MP CMOS APS-C
SENSOR DIGIC 4 IMAGE PROCESSOR FULL HD
MOVIE MODE DIGITAL SLR CAMERA                Price: $749.00


Full HD video recording, Live View Shooting, Wireless Flash photography and Vari-angle 3.0-inch LCD monitor are just few of the features of Canon EOS Rebel T3i. Equipped with DIGIC 4 Image Processor and 18.0 Megapixel CMOS Imgesensor.

5.    NIKON D3100 14.2 MP DIGITAL SLR CAMERA
With 18-55m f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR
Nikkor Zoom Lens                            Price: $ 549.00


This offering from Nikon can record full 1080p HD videos. It gains Live View Shooting, a wider ISO range (100-3200 expandable to 12800). This camera is a compact and lightweight D3100 digital SLR with a high-resolution 14-megapixel CMOS DX sensor. Capture action subjects with the camera’s fast start up time, split-second shutter release, 3 frames per second shooting and 11-point autofocus.

6.    NIKON D700 16.2 MP DX-FORMAT CMOS
DIGITAL SLR with 3.0-INCH LCD                    Price: $1,199.00


The D7000 mid-level digital SLR is incorporated with a 16.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor, faster Expeed 2- branded processor, 921k dot 3.0 inch LCD and records 1080p full HD movies. It has low levels of noise with wide ISO range of 100 – 6400 (expandable to 25,600). The camera’s 39-point AF and Scene Recognition System using a 2,016 pixel RGB matrix metering sensor give your images tack-sharp and accurately exposed.


7.    NIKON D3200 24.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR
With 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR
Nikkor Zoom Lens                            Price: $699.00


The Nikon D3200 is lightweight and compact making it easy to pack for a quick day trip. Its features include super high resolution 24.3 megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor, Full HD (1080) video recording with autofocus and 4 frames-per-second high continuous shooting mode. Another feature includes the new WU-1a Wireless Mobile adapter that when it is connected to the camera, this can send images wirelessly to mobile devices.

8.    CANON EOS REBEL T2i 18MP CMOS APS-C
SENSOR DIGIC 4 IMAGE PROCESSOR FULL-
HD MOVIE MODE DIGITAL SLR CAMERA            Price: $649.99


Easy to use and lightweight, this digital SLR is one camera you sure want to use with an 18.0 megapixel CMOS image sensor and increased light sensitivity for low light photography. The camera is able to catch up to 3.7 frames per second.

9.    NIKON D7000 16.2MP DX-FORMAT CMOS
DIGITAL SLR with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S
DX VR ED Nikkor Lens                                    Price: $1,499.00


A mid-level digital SLR, the Nikon D7000 has features like 16.2Mp CMOS sensor, faster ‘Expeed 2’-branded processor, 921k dot 3.0” LCD and can record 1080 full HD movies. Included is the 39-point AF system with 3D tracking and 2,016 pixel RGB metering sensor.

10.    CANON EOS REBEL T3i 18 MP CMOS
DIGITAL SLR CAMERA AND DIGIC 4 IMAGING
With EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Standard Zoom Lens        Price: $ 899.00




An easy to use camera, this gadget is certainly one would help professional photographers to create their next work of art. The camera is equipped with Canon’s DIGIC 4 Image Processor and an 18.0 Mp CMOS Image Sensor with Full HD video recording, Live View shooting, wireless flash photography and a Vari-angle 3.0 inch LCD monitor.

TOP 10 BEST SCUBA DIVING SITES IN THE WORLD

TOP 10 BEST SCUBA DIVING SITES IN THE WORLD

If sky diving isn’t something your stomach cannot engulf, try scuba diving. The best way to experience the world underneath is exploring the rich marine life in all parts of the world and is definitely one of the daring experiences you should go through even just once in your lifetime.

Below is a list of the best scuba diving sites in the world (in no particular order) and be mesmerized with the world below the blue waters of the earth’s rich aqua resources.

10. Yongala, Australia

            This scuba diving spot in Australia is worldly acclaimed since it was a sunken passenger ship that has been under the waters of the Great Barrier Reef for over half century. As you traverse underwater, you will see immaculate marine life with eagle rays, tiger sharks, bull sharks, giant grouper and schools of fish to name a few.

9. Blue Hole, Belize

            Allegedly the largest sink hole in the Earth, the Blue Hole in Belize was once a dry cave during Ice Age. You will see from an aerial view that it is an almost perfectly circular Blue Hole. Beneath this popular diving site are types of reef sharks as well as bull sharks and hammerhead sharks.

8. Riviera Maya, Mexico

            The underwater of Riviera Maya, Mexico is recognized for the formations of limestone sinkholes known as Cenotes. This diving spot is the best in the world because of its underwater caverns and caves with sunlight reflecting the stalactites and stalagmites.

7. Palau, Micronesia

            One of the best diving destinations in the world, Palau is home to a hundred islands of outlying coral reef, caves and remnants of the World War II. The Blue Wall of the Ngemelis Island houses large schools of fish and large pelagics. It is also the home of giant Gorgonian sea fans, with Sharks, Wahoo, Tuna, Hawks Bill, Green Turtles, and Barracuda.

6. The Great Barrier Reef, Australia

            Known to the world as the longest reef, this diving site in Australia homes to almost all varieties of marine life. Never miss the experience of diving underneath the Great Barriers.

5. Kailua Kona, Hawaii

            Hawaii is a paradise itself, and is also one of the best scuba diving sites in the world. This place is where you would want to explore if you’re in search of Manta Rays. They offer a night dive experience where they place underwater lights. These lights attract the planktons which in turn attracts the Manta Rays.

4. Boracay, Philippines

            Aside from the white sandy beaches and pristine waters, Boracay is also a spot for divers to explore underneath. Abundant marine life and reef systems are just few of the stuffs you’ll discover in this paradise.

3. Red Sea, Egypt

            A diversity of marine life is what you’ll see below the pristine blue waters of the Red Sea in Egypt.

2. Fernando de Noronha

            This place in Brazil is starting to gain appreciation in the world because of the marine life that is thriving beneath the blue waters of the island. You may experience swimming with the dolphins or turtles and others without having the feeling of too crowded since they only limit their visitors.

1.      Micronesia 
               One of the top destinations in South Pacific, Micronesia has tropical islands to entice its visitors in a much friendlier price for its diving.  The islands are blessed with vibrant coral reefs.

HOW TO KNOW IF HE’S/SHE’S THE ONE

HOW TO KNOW IF HE’S/SHE’S THE ONE

When we were younger, we were made to believe fairy tale endings, “happy ever after”. When we grow older we fancied on romantic movies and novels. Then we have to snap back to reality. Those fancy things are just written by the same hopeless romantic writers like we all do. We do all search for a partner whom we can be with for the rest of our lives, whom we can share happiness and sadness, bitterness and success. In our quest for a great love story, we may stumble upon few people who for once, we thought could be the “one”, and yet end up just like any other passerby.

I know a couple who has just got married and just by merely looking at them together you can already tell that they were meant to be. I mean, their differences made it compatible that’s why they ended up marrying each other.

And then this other couple who have been together for like ten years and broke up! Imagining the years they were together with all the hardships they went through are now shattered up by just a single snap.

Now, the question is, how can we discern that the person we are having a relationship to, is the one you want to spend the rest your life with?

1.      Your relationship is healthy. There are relationships that are too monotonous, others are overly achieving and some are competitive. A healthy relationship is when both partners are supporters of each other. When both of you understands and heeds each other’s needs, that there’s no words to be spoken because one can sense that there is something wrong.

2.      He/She listens to you. The relationship is not one-sided. The other party listens while the other one is talking and vice versa.

3.      He/She respects you. Respect begets Trust and Love. Someone who respects you as a partner and as an individual is someone you can be assured of a happy marriage.

4.      He/She doesn’t have to put his/her best foot forward. A person who shows you his/her real self is someone you can entrust your life into, without worrying that the marriage you thought would be magical might turn out into a nightmare.

5.      He is respectful to his mother/ She is obedient to her parents. If you want to know the real attitude of your soon to be partner, observe how he/she behaves when he/she is with his/her family. People are more real when they are at their own homes.

6.      He/She is not controlling you. Do not settle for someone who wants to take control of your life. Always remember that you are born with free will, and no one can take that right from you.

7.      He/She is your bestfriend. The best relationships are those pillared in friendship. Intimacy will soon fade away as you grow older, and the only thing that’ll be left is your friendship. So be sure that this person is the one you can always confide secrets with and that you’re comfortable with him/her.

8.      You see your life with him/her years from now. There is nothing more sweetly and promising than seeing a life with the one you truly love, so if that’s what you see your life to be, then go for it.