How to Make Money

Making money requires work - even in the stock market. Most successful investors study a variety of sources and ask a lot of questions.

Steps

1. Use the law of supply and demand to your advantage. Most of us are familiar with the law of supply and demand--the more there is of something, the cheaper it is; conversely, the rarer the product or service, the more expensive it is. However, other than when we get to a toy store before sunrise to get on line for the latest fad toy that kids can't get enough of, we don't really apply the law of supply and demand to our own lives--particularly our careers. For example, if you're aspiring to do something that many, many other people want to do (so much so that they do it for free, as a hobby) then it will be far more challenging for you to make money doing it. On the other hand, if you do something that most people don't want to do, or if you get very good at doing something most people don't do all that well, then you can make a whole lot more money. In other words, choose a career in pharmacy over photography.
   
   
   • 

     

     Does your job offer upward mobility?
     If your career path is going nowhere, resign gracefully and switch careers. Research occupations to find out how much they pay and what their future outlook is (in the U.S., you can find this information in the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook). Find an occupation that pays well, and invest in the education and/or training to get you that job. Look for employers that offer competitive salaries and ample opportunity for advancement.
   • If your goal is to make enough money to retire early, prioritize earning potential over job satisfaction, since you plan on getting out of the rat race early, anyway. Consider the types of jobs that pay extraordinarily well in exchange for hard work, little psychological satisfaction, and a punishing lifestyle, such as investment banking, sales, and engineering. If you can keep your expenses low and do this for about 10 years, you can save a nest egg for a modest but youthful retirement, or to supplement your income while you do something you really love doing but doesn't pay much. But keep in mind that delayed gratification requires clear goal-setting and strong willpower.
2. 
   Recognize that time is money. This critical piece of advice is attributed to Benjamin Franklin, who was an accomplished American inventor, journalist, printer, diplomat, and statesman--the ultimate multitasker. Your ability to manage your time (and stop procrastinating) is a critical ingredient in your ability to make money. Whether you have a job or are self-employed, keep track of what you're spending your time on. Ask yourself "Which of these activities make the most money, and which of them are a waste of time?" Do more of the former and less of the latter, simple as that. When you're focusing on high-priority tasks, get the job done well, and get the job done fast. By working efficiently, you're giving your employer or clients more time, and they'll appreciate you for it. Remember that time is a limited resource that you're always investing. Will your investments pay off?
3. 
   Jack up your prices. If you're providing a skill, service or product that is in high demand and low supply, and you're making the most of your time, you should be making good money. Unfortunately, there are many people who are too humble or fearful to demand that they get paid accordingly. It's the pushovers in life who get taken advantage of and exploited, so if you think you might be one of them, learn how to stop being a people pleaser. If you work for someone else, ask for a pay raise or get a promotion, and if none of that pans out, revisit your career options as described previously. If you're self-employed, the first thing to do is to make sure your customers and clients pay up on time--this alone can substantially improve your income. Check your prices and rates against those of your competitors--are you undercutting them? Why? If you're providing a superior product or service, you should be getting at least the average, unless your profitability depends on mass production, in which case you're probably making a lot of money and wouldn't be reading this article anyway!
4. Be proactive. Remember Murphy's Law: "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Make plans, complete with as many calculations as possible, then anticipate everything that can go wrong. Then make contingency or backup plans for each scenario. Don't leave anything to luck. If you're writing a business plan, for example, do your best to estimate when you'll break even, then multiply that time frame by three to get a more realistic date; and after you've identified all the costs, add 20% to that for costs that will come up that you didn't anticipate.^[1] Your best defense against Murphy's law is to assume the worst, and brace yourself. An appropriate amount of insurance may be something worth considering. Don't forget the advice of Louis Pasteur, a French chemist who made several incredible breakthroughs in the causes and prevention of disease: "Luck favors the prepared mind."
5. Redefine wealth. In studies of millionaires, people are surprised to learn that most millionaires aren't doctors, lawyers, and corporate leaders with big houses and fancy cars; they're people who religiously live below their means and invest the surplus into assets, rather than liabilities.^[2] As you're taking the above steps to make more money, keep in mind that increased income does not necessarily equal increased wealth. Most people who flaunt their wealth actually have a low net worth because their debt to asset ratio is high--in other words, they owe a whole lot more money than they actually have. All of the previous steps have outlined aggressive strategies for making money, but you'll never get anywhere if you have a hole in your pocket.
   
   
   • 
     They say that a penny saved is a penny earned. Actually, when you consider that you pay taxes on every penny you earn, you really do make more money by saving than by increasing your income, especially if the extra income will increase your tax rate dramatically. For example, let's say you have a choice between saving $100 or earning an extra $100. If you pay 15% taxes, then when you earn an $100, you only get $85. But when you shave $100 off of your existing budget, you keep it all. To sweeten the deal further, if you take advantage of compound interest as found in most savings accounts, over time you'll start making money on the amount saved plus previous interest paid on that amount saved. It'll be pennies at first, but eventually the amount will multiply exponentially.
   • Take advantage of tax laws if you're self-employed. Money saved on taxes is still money saved. You may be able to deduct many of your business expenses (use of your home, use of your car, office supplies, etc.) if you keep good records. You may also qualify for tax breaks, such as deducting your health insurance premiums on your tax return. These laws are in place to encourage commerce and business growth, so don't neglect their benefits.
   • If you're not self-employed and work for a company, find out if they have a retirement plan. If you're lucky, employers will sometimes match contributions you make into a retirement fund. Retirement plans also often have the benefit of being tax-deferred. The longer you get to keep your money (and make interest on it) the better.
6. 
   Know the difference between an asset and a liability. The dividing line is whether it puts money in your pocket, or takes it out.^[3] As much as you love your home, for instance, it is a liability rather than an asset because you put more money into it than you get out of it (unless you're flipping it or renting it out). Whatever money you save, invest it in assets such as stocks, mutual funds, patents, copyrighted works--anything that generates interest or royalties. Eventually, you might get to the point where your assets are doing the work for you, and all you have to do is sit there and make money!
   
   
   • Watch out for inflation chipping away at your assets. We've all heard an elderly person describe the purchasing power of a coin in their day. Inflation continues to make today's money worth less in the future. To win the race against time and inflation, learn to invest your money in the right places. A savings account might help you to keep up with inflation; however, to stay ahead of the game you'll want to invest in bonds, stocks, or some other investment that returns above the average rate of inflation (currently 3%-4%).
   • Tips

• Work on eliminating any debt you may have. When you have a high debt load, you're making someone else money; what you pay in interest is their paycheck. The sooner you repay your loans and debts, the sooner you stop giving your money away.
• Start analyzing your decisions from the perspective of a firm. In economics, a firm's goal is simply to maximize profit. Well-run firms spend money only if they can expect to make more money from their investment, and they allocate their resources to the most profitable use. You're not a firm, of course, and you have other considerations, but if you make the majority of your time and money decisions by choosing the options that promise the highest return on investment, you'll likely earn more money, and that's good news for your shareholders (you and your family).

Warnings:

Global Forex Trading Free $50,000 Practice Account With Real-Time Charts, News & Research! www.Forex.com

High Yield Investments How do the rich get richer? We'll pay you to learn real estate www.world-finances.com

Secret Money Making Club Reveals all the proven methods and shows you how to make lots of Money www.MaverickMoneyVault.com

Killer Affiliate Guide 'Year of the Affiliate' the new bible for affiliate marketers affiliateguide.uwcblog.com/

Hide these ads

• Beware get-rich-quick schemes. Millions of people still get caught up in them. If it's too good to be true, it's truly no good. People who know how to get rich are busy getting rich. They are not advertising methods to get rich.
• 
  Don't lose sight of what's really important to you in your quest for money. Sure, you may be able to make more if you work longer hours, but will you and your family get to enjoy the extra money? Money can do a lot of things for you, but don't work yourself to death - you can't take it with you.

How to Make Money Fast

Need a little extra cash in a hurry? Follow these steps and you're bound to have a fuller pocket by the end of the week. It may not be much, and it may not be reliable, but your options are limited if you're short on time. Later, you can read up on long-term ways to make money. Otherwise, hurry up and follow these steps so you can make money ASAP!

Steps

1. 

   
   Consider day labor. There are employment agencies that specialize in this type of arrangement, and you can get paid at the end of the workday. The jobs you find through an agency can vary, but are usually in construction, factories, offices, and manufacturing. An alternative to finding day labor is to go where other day laborers meet (usually street corners or parking lots) and wait for employers (building contractors, landscapers, home owners and small business owners). If you go the non-agency route, you might get paid in cash. You can also check your local newspaper or internet classifieds to find quick labor gigs, like painting, mowing, or moving work. When considering a day labor opportunity, keep in mind that less formal arrangements could result in you not getting paid or worse, you getting injured without any kind of compensation.
2. 

   
   Sell something. Dig out that old guitar you never play, those CDs you don't listen to anymore, or your antique toy collection. Go to the pawnshop, put an ad on local internet classifieds, or hold a yard sale in front of your house or on a busy street corner (just display the item with a big sign announcing the ridiculously low price). Price items at half of what somebody would be able to buy them for anywhere else, and you may be able to sell them within an hour or two. You can also sell items online at web sites like eBay, Amazon and Craig`s list.
3. 

   
   Fill out surveys online. Companies who want to know what’s on the minds of their customers are willing to pay for your opinion. Online surveys won’t make you rich, and won’t allow you to quit your day job, but you can make a little extra cash. When choosing between surveys, read the fine print. There is usually an asterisk near the "you won" part. This means you have to do something like buying stuff before you even get to talk about your prize. Don't fall into these sorts of traps, they're ridiculously difficult and not worth it. In general, the more companies you sign up with, the more survey requests you’ll receive in your email and more opportunity you’ll have to make money.
4. 

   
   Become a street performer. If you can dance, play music, or tell jokes, you can probably get some cash by performing in public. But don't do this unless you are actually good at it. Put together a good act and find a place to perform. Give people a dose of live entertainment, and hopefully they'll reward you with tips.
5. 

   
   Panhandle. A panhandler is a person who depends on the spontaneous charity of strangers for their survival. If you really need the cash, you might swallow your pride and decide to ask for help. Make a sign, find a good location, ask politely for money, and say thank you. Cyberbegging is becoming increasingly popular, and there have been some amazing success stories, but these are the exception rather than the rule. While there are some sites on which you can beg just by putting up a brief ad, if you're looking to make any substantial money you'll probably have to build your own site and invest the time and money into it to make it successful.
6. 

   
   "Donate" plasma. Plasma is a component of blood, and the process is similar to donating blood. You're not permitted to actually sell your plasma, but you can be compensated for your time spent donating (and essentially, it's like selling your plasma). Your blood is drawn, the plasma is separated, and the red blood cells are returned to your body. You can make US$20-30 per visit and give plasma twice a week, but you must weigh at least 110 pounds, be between the ages of 18 and 59, and be in good health.^[1] Many college students do this to make extra cash.^[2] If you haven't been to the doctor in a while, this may be a good way to get a free health checkup.^[3]
7. 

   

   One person's trash is another's gold mine.
   Recycle. Broke because you bought too much soda? Turn the old cans into cash by bringing them in to be recycled. If you don't have your own cans, go looking for them in trash cans or along busy roads, especially rural roads. Call up several recyclers to compare prices. If you live in a state with a bottle or can deposit system, you may be able to get 5 or 10 US cents per container. Other scrap metals are also worth something, so if you've got a big pile of scrap in your backyard or you know of an illegal dumpsite, you can pick it up in your truck and anywhere from 1 or 2 cents per pound for scrap steel to considerably more for metals such as copper or aluminum.^[4]
8. 

   
   Open a lemonade stand. Especially if you're a kid, a lemonade stand or baked goods stand can bring in good money in one day. If the lemonade isn't selling, or you want to diversify, sell cookies and brownies as well. The important thing here is to find a good location, like the main entrance to an apartment building, outside a shopping center, on a busy corner near your house, or outside one of your parents’ workplaces (if you're a kid; otherwise you might get in trouble).
9. 

   
   Enter sweepstakes. By choosing sweepstakes carefully, you can increase your likelihood of hitting the jackpot (or at least getting a few useful freebies that you can sell, as mentioned above). Search the internet-- there are even internet databases, some free and some by subscription only, that can clue you in to hundreds or thousands of sweepstakes. Sweepstakes with smaller prizes can be great because you generally have a more realistic chance of winning. Don't, however, waste your time entering a sweepstakes for a prize you don't want and can't easily sell for a good profit. Enter as many times as possible. The more times you enter, the better your odds. It's as simple as that. Before you send in a million entries, however, make sure you know how many entries the rules allow you.
10. Become a moving advertisement. Creative marketing companies might be willing to pay you to get their name out there. Some interesting strategies that people have gotten paid for:
    
    
    
    
    
    • Turning their car into a moving advertisement; there are companies with bumper sticker programs as well.
    • Wearing t-shirts, clothes, costumes that advertise a business.
    • Temporary tattoos on the forehead, a pregnant belly, and other parts of the body.

TWD (Slacker Style) - World Peace Cookies

That's what's left. Or, rather, that's what was left this morning when I took the pictures.

I think there are about 8 or 9 of them left in this picture. There are fewer now. I sent three off with Alex for a snack at school. He also had one after breakfast. I'm weak. And I had two a little while ago. Or three.

Intensely chocolatey, kind of shortbread-like in texture, and with little bits and pieces of chopped chocolate throughout...these cookies deserve a far better post than my puny offering today.

But it's all I've got this time around. Yesterday got away from me and I completely forgot to write the post. Not just didn't do it - I forgot.

I baked them, but no pictures, and then no post.

As I said, these cookies, Dorie's World Peace Cookies, chosen by Jessica of cookbookhabit, deserve far more than just my few words and my pathetic pictures.

So go check out all the other TWD members and their posts. And then go to Jessica's site and get the recipe (or buy the book and get the recipe that way!) - and bake these cookies.

World Peace, indeed.

I know I'm feeling pretty loving toward the rest of the world right about now.

Fashion evolution

I wish my mother would have kept her wardrobe back in 1975. She had all the essential pieces of her time - bell bottoms, trapeze dresses, platform shoes, military gear. She, like many other retro-fashionistas, shamelessly threw away their trendy garments as soon as they no longer made a radical statement. Who knew those oldies would become goodies once again? I would kill to have her originals in my closet circa 2007.

Fashion trends are secular. They come back to haunt our style every few years or so, re-emerging as a more tailored approach to the authentic predecessor. Here’s a tribute to my favorite trends from fashion’s history.

40’s - The Cocktail Dress became “the perfect dress for the ever popular cocktail party.” Deemed too conservative for the 60’s & 70’s, the cocktail dress has evolved into the must-have “little black dress” of today.

50’s – Rebel with a Cause was the uniform of youth culture. James Dean/Marlon Brando, in a white t-shirt, leather jacket, and Levi’s. Need I say more?

60’s – Miniskirt. British designer Mary Quant gave us the mini at 30 cm in length. Our boyfriends still thank her.

70’s – Sportswear. Farrah Fawcett appeared on Vogue’s cover in April 1977 skateboarding in Nike “Senorita Cortez” running shoes. This was the first trend for activewear as fashion.

80’s – Power Suit for ‘Yuppies’. Although the original power suit was boxy with big shoulders, it taught us how to “Dress for Success” as did the book by John T. Molloy.

90’s – Grunge. Dirty, disheveled…how to roll out of bed and into fashion. Many still do!

Giorgio Armani Collection

Giorgio Armani looked towards the East for this season’s collection. Exotic silks, pagoda shoulders, Asian silhouettes with updated interpretations of Chinese floral and cloud motifs were seen throughout the collection. Colors ranged from sedate charcoals and taupe to dramtic lapis blue and reds. Embroidered motifs and knotted tassels embellished garments as well as the handbags. Purse shapes ranged from flat, larger clutches to scalloped evening pouches and delicate beaded bags. Marco Polo returned from China inspired by what he had seen. This Italian designer may also echo the sentiment.

Bodylook Style World for a sensual trade fair experience

Bodylook has ended its creative “withdrawal phase” and kicks off the coming summer event with an all-new look. “Progressive, contemporary and sensitive – this is our new Bodylook. This signature style will be something you can see and experience – starting with a new logo through to all communication measures and the event itself,” explains Kirstin Deutelmoser, Director of Bodylook.

The consumer and their style worlds as targets of the trade and industry’s every deed and action are at the focus of the new concept. Forming out of these goals are eventful Bodylook worlds where top national and international brands will easily find their place. Each world has its own character and its own atmosphere underlined by special stand constructions and clear definitions.

Commenting on this Project Manager Angelika Grammozi said: “We offer our exhibitors an attractive staging and story for the presentation of their collections. Awaiting visitors is a pool of ideas arousing all the senses.”

The largest of the new worlds is called Downtown reflecting the economic centre where most things happen. Found here is the world of commercial and influential brands. A wide range of exhibitors that are demanding, quality-conscious, consumeroriented and established will be showcasing their collections here. A clear, arena-like structure featuring high stand constructions towards the outside and low constructions and concept stands towards the inside characterises the appearance of Downtown.

Visitors to Boutique Hotel can look forward to luxurious collections. Checking in here will be high-quality brands for demanding tastes with glamorous elements and sophisticated design. This area exudes discreet luxury with an atmospheric concept area in the style of an exquisite, star-rated hotel.

Welcome to the recreation ground of creativity – Playground. This is where unconventional, progressive and lifestyle brands will find their new home. It is an experimental arena for innovative ideas and action, for trying out something new. The new concept stands made of cardboard invite you to live out new ideas. At Candy Shop a touch of seduction hangs in the air. Awaiting visitors in the shop for those sweet things in life are attractive complements to the range from little erotic accessories through to seductive collections.

Networking, relaxation and enjoyment are all possible to the same extent at UNION SQUARE. The central point uniting everything. The catwalk and media concept is currently being reworked. Here, too, you can look forward to something new. For Bodylook, as the most important international specialist platform in Germany, partnership a very great priority. Which is why invitation management has been intensified as a dialogue between the trade fair and exhibitors.

Bodylook visitors registering early online enjoy free admission. A Bodylook hotel with special rates for visitors and exhibitors can now be booked. The updated Innovation Forum and the Bodylook Party for the entire sector round off the range. Currently the Bodylook team is presenting its new concepts to the industry at various showcase events. Acceptances have already been received from:

Bad Hersfelder Dessous with Chantal Thomass, Christian Lacroix, Galliano, Gattina and Kenzo ? Bruno Banani ? Calvin Klein ? Eva B. Bitzer with Fürstenberg ? Glumann ? Je suis ? Lejaby Group with Lejaby, Elixir and Rasurel ? Maryan Mehlhorn ? Premium Bodywear with Olaf Benz and Manstore ? Simone Pérèle ? Susa ? Riedl ? Rösch with Rösch, Blanche Fleur, CreativeCulture, Daniel Hechter and Féraud Paris From 26-28 July 2009 and in parallel to CPD sumerge yourself in Hall 12 of Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre in the world(s) of Bodylook. The international trade fair for body, beach, legwear and accessories.

Bodylook

Hanoi - Halong - Chi Linh Star Golf - Hue - HCM city - Vinhlong - Dalat - Song Be (9 days/ 8 nights)

Duration: Tour code: Tired and bored ? Want more fun and less stress ? Live every minute to the full. Let travel with Hanoitourist to famous Golf courts and beautiful places in Vietnam.

Package Price Tour type 1 pax 2 pax 3-5 pax 6 pax and up Standard $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0

Description

Day 1: Hanoi arrival (B/L/D) Guide and car pick up guests at Noi Bai international airport then transfer to the city. Visit Temple of Literature - the first University in Vietnam and in a vestige of the Confucian Cultural centre, Ngoc Son temple, Hanoi Old Quarter. Enjoy Water Puppet Show. Dinner at the restaurant. Overnight at the hotel. Day 2: Hanoi - Chi Linh - Hanoi (B/L/D) Breakfast at the hotel then transfer to Chi Linh Star golf for playing golf (18 holes). Free for lunch at the restaurant in Chi Linh. Back to the city in the afternoon for dinner and overnight in Hanoi. Day 3: Hanoi - Halong - Hanoi (B/L/D) Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for Halong Bay - the World Heritage Site listed by UNESCO for its 'outstanding natural beauty'. Arrive in Halong city, transfer to the pier for a boat trip on the bay to explore Thien Cung cave and Dau Go grottoe. Have seafood lunch on board. In the afternoon, transfer back to Hanoi. Have dinner at the restaurant. Overnight at the hotel. Day 4: Hanoi - Hue (B/L/D) After breakfast, take the morning flight to Hue - Imperial Capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasties from 1802 to 1945. Visit Royal Palace, then a boat trip on Perfume river to visit Thien Mu pagoda and dinner at the local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel. Day 5: Hue - Ho Chi Minh city (B/L/D) Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh city in the morning. Pick up guests at Tan Son Nhat airport. Ho Chi Minh city tour: Reunification hall, War exhibition, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Opera House, the central post office, China town. Dinner at the restaurant with traditional music. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city. Day 6: Ho Chi Minh city - Song Be golf (B/L/D) Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Song Be golf resort. Free for playing golf at Song Be Golf Court. Have lunch at the local restaurant. Back to Ho Chi Minh city in the afternoon. Have dinner with the Vietnamese tradition wedding show. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city. Arrive in Dalat, transfer to Dalat Palace Golf. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city. Day 7: Ho Chi Minh - Dalat (B/L/D) Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Dalat, about 300km from Ho Chi Minh city. Have lunch at the local restaurant. Arrive in Dalat, transfer to Dalat Palace Golf Court. Free for playing golf. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Dalat. Day 8: Dalat Golf - Ho Chi Minh city (B/L/D) After breakfast at the hotel, continue to play golf at Dalat golf course. Have lunch at the local restaurant. Visit Dalat Railway Station (the old one with French style) before drive back to Ho Chi Minh city. Dinner at the restaurant. Overnight at the hotel. Day 9: Ho Chi Minh city - Vinhlong departure (B/L/D) Breakfast at the hotel. Morning excursion to Vinh Long province where you can enjoy a boat trip on Mekong Delta river to visit Cai Be floating market, observing the behaviour of the local people along the both river banks, local houses producing pancake. Have lunch at the local restaurant. Back to the city for the evening flight back to home. For updated pricing, please contact Hanoitourist to be offered. Include: Hotel as above mentioned with twin beds room (ROH) - A/C coach - English speaking guide, entrance fee, golf fee for 18 holes (1 round), visiting boat in Halong and Vinhlong, tourist insurance. Exclude: Single room, international & domestic air ticket & airport tax, beverage (Beer and wine), insurance fee, individual expenses, tip for guide and driver or over weight luggage and other services are not mentioned in the program.

Equatorial hotel Ho Chi Minh City

Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City is an ideal place for staying if you are going for a trip to Vietnam. Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City is a 5 Star business hotel with 333 guest rooms, various bars and restaurants and famous for providing excellent business and conference facilities to its guests. This hotel in a way is ideal for staying when you are in Ho Chi Minh City.

Location of Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City

It is best if you are coming to the Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City to land at the Tan Son Nhat Airport. It is just 7 kilometers away from the hotel. So it is ideal for the tourists planning to stay at this hotel to land at this airport. You can visit the various sightseeing spots from the Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City which are Thien Hau Pagoda, Reunification Palace, Ben Thanh Market, Binh Tay market and An Dong Market.

Room Facilities at Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City

Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City has 333 rooms which are divided into various categories like Deluxe Rooms, Executive Deluxe Rooms, and Equatorial Club Deluxe Rooms. There are Equator Club Executive Deluxe Rooms too and various categories of suites which are Executive Suite which are 4 in number, 2 Senator Suite and 1 Presidential Suite. Whichever room you choose you would find a color television with satellite connection, mini bar and telephone in every room.

Hotel Amenities and Services at Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City

Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City provides excellent dining facilities to the guests through the Orientica Seafood Restaurant & Bar where you can get fresh sea food as well as very good alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages. Chit Chat at the Café is another restaurant where you can have food and drinks either ala carte or in buffet system. Chit Chat Corner is the ideal place for having tea or coffee or refreshing fruit juice or smoothie.

Businessmen prefer Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City to any other hotel in Vietnam because of the excellent business and conference facilities offered by it. Here you would get the Grand Ballroom, Ballroom A, Ballroom B, Meeting Room 1, Meeting Room 2 and Meeting Room 3. All these rooms come with color television, microphone, LCD projector, VCR player, CD player and white board. At the business center at the hotel you can get services like printing, faxing etc.

At Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City there is no dearth of leisure and recreation facilities. Here you would find a swimming pool with sunken pool bar for you and a children pool for your kids. A sauna and a Jacuzzi are the other options provided by the hotel. A fitness freak should ideally hit the gymnasium where you would find all the necessary equipments with full gusto. Step Aerobics Studio is another option provided by the hotel. Other facilities include hair and beauty salon with spa treatment as well as the massage center.

You would love the other facilities like 24 hour reception with friendly staff, basement parking facility for your car, airport transfer services, city shuttle and a gift shop from where you can buy souvenirs for your friends and family at the Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City.

At the Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City you would get facilities such as express check in and check out, shoe shine service, overnight ironing service, a complimentary taxi voucher every day, complimentary fruit basket and complimentary admission to Equinox Fitness & Leisure Center.

Facility

[More Images]Hotel Amenities and Services at Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City are incorporated keeping in mind the needs of the guests. Therefore whenever you visit Vietnam you would surely opt for the Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City.

Dining at Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City

Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City provides excellent dining options to its guests. Here you would get Orientica Seafood Restaurant & Bar at the second floor where you can not only have excellent sea food delicacies prepared in front of you by expert chefs but also choose the best variety of alcoholic or non alcoholic beverages from the extensive collection at the bar. Another option provided for you is the Chit Chat at the Café. As the name suggests this is the ideal place to unwind yourself at the end of the day and socialize. The restaurant offers both a la carte and buffet systems of dining and here too you get very good collection of both alcoholic as well as nonalcoholic beverages. If you want to have your favorite steaming cup of coffee or tea along with snacks then head towards the Chit Chat Corner either in the morning or in the evening. You would just love the Rainforest Smoothies and the exotic fruit juices. Those of you who do not want to visit the restaurants can ask the room service to bring in the food for them in the rooms.

Business and Conference at Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City

Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City offers excellent business and conference facilities and thus the business community visiting Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam gives priority to this hotel over the other. There are various meeting and conference rooms in the hotel which are Grand Ballroom, Ballroom A, Ballroom B, Meeting Room 1, Meeting Room 2 and Meeting Room 3. Various equipments that you get in these rooms include color television, microphone, LCD projector, VCR player, CD player and white board. There is a business center at the hotel where the business traveler guests get all the services they require like printing, faxing etc.

Fitness and Recreation at Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City

Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City is popular among the tourists coming to Vietnam also because here you would get varieties of leisure and recreation facilities too. Not only can you enjoy yourself at the swimming pool with sunken pool bar but your children would also love to play with water in the children's pool. Those who want to rejuvenate themselves for the hectic schedule ahead should go to the sauna and have a steam bath. The Jacuzzi is another excellent recreational option provided by the hotel. If you are a fitness freak and fear that you are gaining weight after having the delicacies at the restaurants then hit the gymnasium with full gusto. Other option includes a Step Aerobics Studio. There is a massage center also in the hotel where you should visit for a refreshing massage. If you want to go for a makeover then no other place is ideal than the hair and beauty salon of the hotel which provides spa treatments too.

Other Facilities at Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City

At Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City you can also avail the facilities like 24 hour reception with friendly staff, basement parking facility for your car, airport transfer services, city shuttle and a gift shop from where you can buy souvenirs for your friends and family.

Those who stay at the Equatorial Club Rooms at the Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City enjoy various facilities such as express check in and check out, shoe shine service, overnight ironing service, a complimentary taxi voucher every day, complimentary fruit basket and complimentary admission to Equinox Fitness & Leisure Center.

Hotel Facilities Baby Sitting Beauty Parlour Boutique(s) Car Rental / Car Hire Conference Facilities Gymnasium Laundry Cleaning Service Outdoor Swimming Pool Parking / Car Park Sauna Wakeup Service Room Facilities Air Condition Hairdryer Minibar Non Smoking Guestrooms Telephone / Direct Dial Television Voltage 220/240

Room

[More Images]

Elegantly designed and tastefully furnished, our rooms and suites provide guests with contemporary surroundings and comforts. Non-smoking floors available.

The hotel offers 333 rooms and suites are elegantly designed and tastefully furnished, providing guests with contemporary surroundings and comforts: IDD phones, satellite TV and in-house movie channels, in-room safes and fire-alarm system, hair dryers, mini-bars, newspaper, 24-hour room service, coffee & tea making facilities.

Enjoy exclusive privileges on the executive floors. Enhanced with reception facilities, express check-in, a lounge with a bar and featuring butler service.

Deluxe Room
The hotel offers 211 rooms either queen bed or twin beds rooms, city views or pool view, area in 32 m2. The rooms are large in size and well equipped with sanitaly fitting to ensure you a pleasant stay.

Executive Deluxe
The hotel offers 33 rooms either queen bed or twin beds rooms, city views or pool view, area in 38 m2. All rooms are large and eqquipped with all comforts to provide you with complete relaxation for your stay pleasure.

Junior Suite
Rooms in 64 sq metres. All rooms are equipped with 1 king size bed and premium room amenities. Guests are entitled to full club facilities and services.Only smoking rooms available. All rooms are equipped with a wide selection of modern standard amenities to ensure you a pleasant and memorable stay.

Executuive Suite Rooms in 70 sq metres. All rooms are equipped with 1 king size bed and premium room amenities. Guests are entitled to full club facilities and services. Smoking and non-smoking rooms available. The rooms are large in size and well equipped with sanitaly fitting to ensure you a pleasant stay.

Senator Suiite
Rooms in 102 sq metres. All rooms are equipped with 1 king size bed and premium room amenities. Guests are entitled to full club facilities and services.Only smoking rooms available. All rooms are large and eqquipped with all comforts to provide you with complete relaxation for your stay pleasure.

Presidential Suite
Rooms in 128 sq metres. All rooms are equipped with 1 king size bed and premium room amenities. Guests are entitled to full club facilities and services. Only smoking rooms available. All rooms are exquisitely furnished and equipped with a wide selection of modern standard amenities to ensure you a pleasant and memorable stay.

Club Floors
Rooms at Club Floor Enjoy exclusive privileges on the executive floors. Enhanced with reception facilities, express check-in, a lounge with a bar and featuring butler service. Equator Club Lounge serving all day refreshments and evening cocktails.
* The images shown are for guidance purposes only.
You may stay in a room wich is different from the examples shown.

Location

[More Images]

Enlarge the mapThe Location of Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City is ideal for you whether you have come here for business or for spending a vacation with your family and friends. It is because of the convenient location of the hotel that you can explore the hotel to the fullest. Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam is located at the heart of the Ho Chi Minh City and surrounded by various tourist attractions as well as restaurants and bars.How to Reach Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City
Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City can easily be reached from the Tan Son Nhat Airport since it is just 7 kilometers away from the hotel. So it is ideal for the tourists planning to stay at this hotel to land at this airport. You might ask the hotel authority to arrange for your transport or you can take a shuttle and come directly to the hotel. It will take you just 20 minutes to reach the hotel from the airport. You would find the hotel located between the waterfront and Cholon.

Nearby Attractions of Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City

If you want to explore the various sightseeing spots of Ho Chi Minh City then you should stay at the Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City. This is because if you take a shuttle then within 10 minutes you can reach the various sightseeing spots of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. The places that you should visit on your trip to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam include Thien Hau Pagoda which is an 18th century temple of Ho Chi Minh City. This temple which is dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea is a must visit place because of its architectural beauty. It is located just 1.5 kilometers away from the Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City.

Within 2 kilometers of the hotel you would find the Reunification Palace which is the now a War Museum and was the former residence of President Diem. For those who love to shop there is no other place better than the Ben Thanh Market where you name a thing and get it too. Binh Tay market and An Dong Market are a bit far away from the hotel at a distance of 11 kilometers but are also good places for shopping. Notre Dame Cathedral and Cu Chi Tunnels are the other places which you would love to visit.

The location of the Hotel Equatorial in Ho Chi Minh City is in fact a major reason behind its popularity among the tourists traveling to Vietnam.

Places of Interest within Walking Distance Place Distance Walking Time Nearest Station: Hoa Hung Station 5 Km. _ Min. Places of Interest within Driving Distance Place Distance Driving Time Nearest Fair Site: Re-unification Palace 2 Km. _ Min.

Caravelle Hotel, Hotels Ho Chi Minh City

Caravelle Hotel Saigon's premier hotel is composed of two buildings, the original 10 floor Caravelle Hotel, and a new 24-floor tower added in 1998.

Caravelle Hotel prides itself on offering traditional refinement in an ambiance that is welcoming, warm and offering luxurious modern living in sophisticated and understated elegant surrounds.

Among the amenities common to all of the hotel's rooms are IDD phone lines, fax machines, satellite TV, VCR, CD players, mini-bar, tea and coffee-making facilities as well as an in-room safe.

Guests to the Caravelle need not go far to immerse themselves in an array of mouth-watering cuisine as well as refreshing beverages. Menu ranges from international specialty buffets of the Port Orient Restaurant to the fusion of gourmet food at the Asian Reflections Restaurant.

Guests can enjoy light drinks with a view by simply strolling over to the Lobby Lounge or the Pool Bar for light snacks. For a perfect combination of live music, city views, good food and relaxing drinks, the Saigon Saigon Bar is the place to be, offering al fresco dining at its liveliest.

Perfect for the fitness buff or for those simply looking to indulge, the hotel's well-equipped health club, spa and fitness centre are the ideal venues to work up a sweat or pass the time, not mention the hotel's inviting tropical lagoon pool.

Meeting facilities good for up to 600 persons as well as a business centre providing secretarial support round up the Caravelle's array of offerings.

Located amidst a myriad of markets, shops, entertainment and business opportunities, the Caravelle enjoys a prime city centre location just 12 kilometres from the Tan Son Nhat International Airport, a mere 15-minute drive away. The famous Opera House is a minute's stroll away, while the Saigon Market can be reached by a five-minute drive. Room Rates (in US$)(Please contact us with check in and check out dates for availability and price)

In this Thursday, file photo, Actress Lindsay Lohan attends FEARnet's 2nd anniversary party at The Cellar Bar, in New York. Beverly Hills police say an arrest warrant has been issued for Lohan and they believe it involves her 2007 drunken driving conviction. Police Sgt. Mike Foxen said Saturday, March 14, 2009, that a court issued the warrant on Friday but he said he...

Picking up the pieces, Madonna style

Until recently, the pop star's name meant little in a Malawi that had no TV a decade ago. Even now, all these boys know is that a rich white woman ensconced in a nearby luxury lodge is the cause of the hubbub near their village. "Madonna, Madonna," they yell.

On her third trip to Malawi since 2006, when she started a charity to help the country's poor and orphaned children - one of whom she later adopted - Madonna is expecting a judge to permit her to adopt a second Malawian child, Chifundo "Mercy" James, 4.

Critics have accused the singer of using her fame and fortune to speed up the adoption and say the little girl would be better off raised by her extended family. Madonna has maintained she is following standard procedure. This week she received the endorsement of a top Government minister.

Over the past week, Madonna and her entourage have travelled in three four-wheel-drives, drawing large crowds during visits to a day-care facility funded by her charity and to an orphanage where her adopted son, David, 3, once lived.

International photographers and television crews have set up daily stake-outs along the road to Kumbali Lodge, where Madonna has been staying in an oasis of charming chalets not far from the capital - and just a stone's throw from a scruffy village of the same name.

Sometimes the paparazzi wait under shady acacias near the presidential palace beforeguards move them on. Mostly, though, it is long hours spent on a dusty dirt road, watching village life go by. Then, at the first sign of the star's convoy, doors slam shut, engines rev and the chase begins.

The group of young boys, who scrounge empty plastic bottles from reporters, have little concept of Madonna's fame and wealth. But they can see the fuss she has created, and it is a source of great entertainment.

They break into belly laughs as photographers, long used to the indulgences of the celebrity circuit, use their teeth to strip bark off sticks of sugar cane and suck the sweet fibres inside.

The boys do not speak much English and the photographers - from France, Italy, Turkey and elsewhere - do not speak Chichewa, an official language in Malawi. But one language they all understand is soccer. Soon a rather deflated orange ball is produced and a game - with very flexible rules - is on.

This is a deeply Christian nation where a strict dress code banning trousers for women and long hair for men was enforced until the mid-1990s. Western pop music is seldom heard on radio stations, which play mostly African tunes and reggae.

The scene played out on the road to Kumbali Lodge illustrates this former British colony's battle to break the cycle of poverty and corruption that afflicts so much of Africa. To get there, one takes the Presidential Way that leads out of the capital, Lilongwe, toward the manicured lawns of the $US100 million ($140 million) presidential mansion built by Hastings Kamuzu Banda, who ruled Malawi for three decades after independence in 1964. He was ousted in the country's first multiparty election in 1994.

His successor, Bakili Muluzi, who faces corruption charges for allegedly siphoning $US10 million ($14 million) from donor countries into his personal bank account, refused while in office to live in the mansion while his people lived in poverty.

The incumbent President, Bingu wa Mutharika, whose face graces numerous billboards in his bid to be re-elected in next month's election, has no such objections.

The road to Madonna's lodge eventually disintegrates into a deeply rutted muddy track surrounded by corn fields, which cuts through the rundown village of Kumbali - a collection of crumbling mud huts, their roofs a patchwork of dried palm leaves. Here, men cycle past on old bicycles loaded with scraps of building material or passengers they are ferrying the five kilometres to Lilongwe.

One young girl of about 10 stood out during a visit there on Wednesday. Tall and scrawny, she was dressed in a dirty white T-shirt and a scrap of faded yellow-patterned cloth wrapped around her waist. She was struggling with an enormous bundle of wood she likely spent all morning gathering. Eventually, she managed to tie a rope made out of leaves around it. Then, with the help from another girl, she hoisted the load onto her head and walked off into the long grass.

She returned later with a bucket of water balanced on her head and swept the road clear of sugar cane debris with a broom of leafy branches. She was last seen strapping another woman's baby to her back and disappearing down the road.

In endorsing Madonna's adoption bid, Malawi's Child Welfare Minister, Anna Kachikho, noted that children like this one have benefited from the singer's charities, which have helped 25,000 youngsters in a country of more than a million orphans, half of whom lost their parents to AIDS.

If wealthy Westerners such as Madonna adopt even one, Kachikho says, "it's one mouth less" for Malawi to feed.

Associated Press

FINLAND: Quality - Finnish style

In common with the rest of the higher education world, Finland has embraced 'quality' in its universities. Finns prefer to use the term 'evaluations' rather than 'quality audits' and their national university agency for such matters is the Finnish Higher Education Evaluation Council.

Its audits began in the second half of 2005 and it is hoped that all 20 universities and 26 polytechnics will have been audited by the end of 2011.

FINHEEC, as it is known, is described as "an independent expert body assisting universities, polytechnics, and the Ministry of Education in matters relating to evaluation". Review panels comprise national and international experts, with secretarial and other support coming from the council's permanent staff.

The council's aim is to improve Finnish higher education institutions and their international competitiveness through evaluations. It supports quality work, provides benchmarking data and improvement recommendations, and disseminates information on best practice. It produces national data enabling the international comparison of higher education institutions by policy-makers and students.

From the universities' point of view, the most important of the council's activities are evaluations of higher education institutions' quality assurance systems: the methods, processes and mechanisms that institutions use to maintain and improve the quality of their education and other activities. These audits commenced in the second half of 2005 and it is hoped that all 20 universities and 26 polytechnics will have been audited by the end of 2011.

Institutions win the council's seal of approval for six years, provided their quality assurance system as a whole and the quality assurance related to their basic mission (education, research, interaction with and impact on society and regional development) are adjudged to be adequate.

Not all universities get through their audits successfully and those that don't are required to saddle up for another round of evaluation the following year. Of the 10 university audits conducted so far, two universities failed to make the grade.

The University of Tampere, home to about 14,500 students 170 kilometres to the north of Helsinki, was one such university. It could perhaps feel a little unlucky: the evaluation group recommended a 'pass' but, based on the detail in the review panel's report, the council decided it should fail. Now Tampere must prepare for round 2 in 2010.

The other one to miss the mark was the 14,300 student Helsinki University of Technology (HUT), which is also required to face the judges again next year. This result must have caused one or two red faces, because HUT is the major player in a three-way merger to create Aalto University - the one the government hopes will become a 'world-class university'.

In its report, the review panel noted significant gaps in HUT's quality assurance system and so failed the university. Fortunately, one of the other mergees, the Helsinki School of Economics, came through its audit with flying colours while the third party to the creation of Aalto University, the University of Art and Design, is yet to have its evaluation.

Because the overriding purpose of all evaluations is to help institutions improve their activities, the council also supports them in designing their own quality assurance systems. For example, the University of Helsinki received a 'pass' but decided to put itself through a private evaluation of the management and leadership of its education in 2008.

This will be via a 12-member international panel chaired by Professor Eva Åkesson, Vice-Rector of Lund University in Sweden. The evaluation noted a number of institutional strengths and good practices but not everything was perfect. The panel produced 43 recommendations for university-level improvements and found it had too many vague targets, too many key performance indicators and too many working groups with unclear roles.

As a response, Helsinki is reviewing its decision-making structures at all levels. As University World News reported last year, radical higher education reforms are to be considered by the Finnish parliament. If the proposed University Act is passed, universities will become separate legal entities and matters to do with funding, staffing, buildings and governance will cease to be as tightly regulated as they are now.

Helsinki has decided to take this opportunity to examine a revision of its administrative structures.

More information on the Finnish Higher Education Evaluation Council can be found at www.finheec.fi. Several documents explaining the process in Finnish, Swedish or English can be downloaded.

* Dr Ian Dobson is Helsinki correspondent for University World News. An Australian scholar currently based in Finland, he is editor of the Australian Universities Review and an honorary researcher with Monash University's centre for population and urban research in Melbourne.

Shoes

via fnart.tumblr.com