the air

At the beginning of this month, I knew that I would be busy with work and some school related tasks. What I did not count on was the amount of work I would need to do for NIU’s IIE chapter. We just bought a new site and are now in the process of updating it and customizing it to our preferences. To be honest, since we don’t have a webmaster right now, I am doing most of the modifications myself. It should come as no surprise to anyone that I am using the Joomla! framework for the site since it is very easy and very powerful.

Due to my busy work schedule and the need to work on IIE related stuff, I’m realizing that I have very little time to devote to my blog. By no means is this blog in danger of falling apart and dying, but it does mean that until my work ends, I don’t foresee much free time. Most of my free time is during the weekend and I am using that free time to work on IIE things so that I have less to do once school starts. Now that this is my last year, I know for a fact that I am going to be busy with projects and plant tours. Hopefully I can balance being the President of IIE and a full-time student.

Give me a few moments and I will definitely have some great posts ready to go. Who knows, I might even have a contest in the works

No Comments »

How many of you are truly satisfied with your mobile wireless carrier? I’ve been with Cingular (now AT&T) for the past two years and although I don’t have any issues, I feel as if I’m not getting the most out of my wireless carrier. In fact, I spend almost $110 per month for services that would cost much lower if I were in Europe or Asia. Finally, a company in the US is stepping up to the plate and doing something beneficial for the consumer.

Google vs. AT&T, Verizon & the FCC

Coming soon is a bid for the 700 MHz being held by the FCC. This spectrum was previously used to deliver analog TV signals, but they have since been switched over to digital signals. Google’s CEO, Eric Schmidt, sent an open letter to the FCC outlining Google’s plan for the spectrum and their commitment to the bid by offering at least $4.6 billion. So what does Google’s plan entail?

1. Open applications: Consumers should be able to download and utilize any software applications, content, or services they desire
2. Open devices: Consumers should be able to utilize a handheld communications device with whatever wireless network they prefer
3. Open services: Third parties (resellers) should be able to acquire wireless services from a 700 MHz licensee on a wholesale basis, based on reasonably nondiscriminatory commercial terms
4. Open networks: Third parties (like internet service providers) should be able to interconnect at any technically feasible point in a 700 MHz licensee’s wireless network

And That Means What?

To put in plain English, Google wants you to be able to access any website or call anyone using any service or device you want. They don’t want to restrict the consumer in making any choices. For example, T-mobile is not allowed to have their customers use the GSM 850 MHz band in certain markets because AT&T is the exclusive owner of that frequency. Hence, it is possible that certain T-Mobile customers may not be able to enjoy service where GSM 1900 does not exist. Google’s plan would change all that and allow any service provider to operate within the 700 MHz frequency.

Google’s plan is designed with the consumer in mind. Google already offers many of their services free of cost because they are able to rake in billions through online advertising. If Google wins, they will add another source of revenue and enjoy even more money. It’s about time a company stood up for consumers and won. It’s time we let the FCC know that we want more choices and more freedom than what we have right now.

Source: TechCrunch

No Comments »

Earlier, I had written about how I was able to lose 20 pounds. So now that I have lost all that weight, how can I make sure that I keep it off? It seems that most people who lose weight are unable to successfully keep that weight off. Furthermore, they have trouble resisting the very foods they stayed away from earlier because of the feeling, “one bite won’t hurt.” Contrary to popular belief, I will go ahead and challenge that thought and suggest that that one such bite will definitely hurt.

Stick To Your Diet

About five years ago, I set about losing weight because I felt unhealthy and too tired. At the time, I weighed about 210 pounds at the beginning of May and by the end of my summer vacation - end of August - I was already at 168 pounds. Now that was a remarkable feat but not something I care to repeat because of some harmful health effects. And as you may have already figured out, I regained most of the weight and had to lose it again. So there you have it, I was unable to keep the weight off. This was because I allowed myself to indulge in those very foods I had avoided (e.g chocolate, soda, etc.)

When you select an effective diet and you happen to lose the weight, you should continue sticking with that diet because it is what works. Changing your diet will undoubtedly bring about effects which could be undesirable. For some, it is perfectly acceptable to indulge in those unsavory cravings occasionally, but I must digress. Unless you have mastered the art of self-control, you should not allow yourself to succumb to temptation. Rather, take the time to stick with your diet and continue leading a healthy lifestyle. However, if you must indulge, be sure to compensate by altering your exercise schedule or your diet temporarily. Take whatever steps are necessary to avoid messing with your diet, but do realize that sometimes you will have to compensate to ensure you keep your diet off.

Educate Others and Discuss Your Story

Everyday we all hear about how leading a healthy lifestyle will promote a longer life and better emotions about ourselves. Companies themselves are releasing products that claim to work wonders, in junction with an exercise regiment. It seems to me that most Americans are overweight and are only becoming larger due to the fact that our lifestyle is far more comfortable than the world. There is nothing wrong with that picture, until we allow ourselves to realize that such a lifestyle is also promoting greasy foods. As such, most of us tend to make unhealthy choices for the sake of comfort and ease. That is why it is extremely crucial for all of us to sit down and discuss our stories of how we have accomplished our own healthy goals.

Teaching others how to lose weight and lead healthier lifestyles will help us all spread the word about why and how its important. Who would say no to having more energy, more choices, and more fun? Let’s face the facts, we all need a truth campaign for weight loss and healthy lifestyles. I know for a fact that I want to live a long and healthy life so that I may see my great-grandkids and know that my life is complete. Life is something very valuable and it is up to us to make sure we live it to the fullest. Here’s to a healthy you and healthy life.

No Comments »

I know it has been some time since I’ve posted on my blog, but I find it extremely difficult to write a post during the week. Much of the blame can be attributed to the intense work-week that I have to endure. Working ten hours a day really leaves me drained and unable to find the time to devote and write a quality post. I have long been a firm believer that any post should be of the highest quality and illustrate the ideas and thoughts of the writer lucidly.

Harry Potter returns

On that note, I have spent the past 24 hours feverishly reading “Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows”. The line at the local Borders store was the longest I have ever seen for any Harry Potter book. I forgot to take my digital camera so I regret the inability of mine to post any pictures. If I had to place a guess, I would estimate that there were about 450 or more people. The store employees had us line up outside at approximately 11:30 PM and started distributing the books by 12:01 AM. By 1:15 AM, the time I left with my copy, the line had dwindled down to just 150 or so. If you ask me, that is a remarkable pace of processing customers.

I will not waste precious memories by spoiling the plot of the story or even post a review of the book. However, I will discuss what I felt after reading the book without revealing any of the details of the text. The book is remarkably different from the tones of the 5th and 6th books. Those books resonated a dark tone that immersed the reader into the dangerous parts of Harry’s mind. The last book, however, strays from the dark tones and revels in illustrating how Harry combats his inevitable showdown with Voldemort but also his personal convictions. I think that J.K. Rowling has done an excellent job of answering many of the questions that lingered after every book. At almost 800 pages in length, you can rest assured knowing that most, if not all, of your questions will be answered. After reading the book, I felt as if I had just finished a marathon because I was happy that the story was over and that there were no more books to look forward to. However, I do secretly wish that Rowling would continue writing Potter books for the years ahead. Who knows, maybe she will.

A search has begun

For some reason, I have a desire to renew my soul-searching expedition. However, this time, I wish to seek answers that reflect upon humanity’s own way of thought and our harmonious relationship with our environment. To put it frankly, this is a quest of spiritual guidance that does not revolve around a particular God or religion, but rather seeks to invoke the spiritual energy within me. How I will go about finding the answers I have will not be easy nor will I be satisfied in the short haul. However, I am taking steps by reading some of Paulo Coelho’s works and trying to understand the deeper philosophical messages hidden in is stories. Certain events that occurred this past Friday have given birth to a desire that yearns for an educational experience that is above the material desires of many. Perhaps I may be developing a passion for an understanding of the purpose behind my own existence. I’m not having a mid-life crisis, but I am searching for answers that can help me quench my undying devotion to learning as much as I can about life.

No Comments »

At the beginning of this year, I vowed to lose some weight and get back in shape. I had mentioned that I wanted to lose at least 20 pounds by the end of the year. I’m glad to say that I accomplished this goal half-way through the year and am working hard to ensure I can maintain my new weight level.

I started out the year weighing in around 205 pounds and by the start of May I was at 190 pounds. Although that sounds like a 15 pound drop, it was due to the fact that I had started working out consistently but I could not drop anything further. This is when I decided to change another aspect of my regime and drop weight faster. As of today, I weigh about 178 pounds and am still dropping weight and feeling healthier day by day.

Here’s What I Did

• Run about 1.5 miles for 4 - 5 days a week
• Play tennis for about 1.5 - 2 hours 2 times a week
• Eat healthier by watching the amount of calories being ingested per day

Watch What You Eat

The most important thing I realized while trying to lose weight is the need to watch what you eat. The problem with many people is that they work out daily but eat poorly throughout the day. Too many people drink soda or juices with high calorie count. Many of these people also eat “snacks” that are loaded with excessive calories and claim that they are healthy (e.g. cereal bars). The golden rule to remember is Burn more calories than you eat per day. For the most part, that’s all you need to remember.

Avoid Soda and Juice

You know that can of Coke or Pepsi is bad for you? Those drink have about 140 calories per can or serving. Did you know that the juice you drink also has a similar amount of calories per serving. So don’t drink soda or juice. If you want to drink soda, drink diet and if you don’t like the taste, get used to it. And be sure to buy “light” juice because it will have fewer calories. While the Atkins promotes low carbs, I promote low calories. In my opinion, carbs are very important and low carbs are best for couch potatoes. In my opinion, and from my experience, the best way to lose weight is to exercise and ingest fewer calories daily.

Always Exercise

No matter how effective your diet plan is, it will never be as good as it can be if you were to combine it with a good exercise regimen. So how do you develop a good program? If you’re like me and can’t afford a personal trainer, the solution is extremely easy. You just have to remember to choose exercises that require you to breathe greatly such as running/jogging or playing basketball. All I did, for the most part, was just run everyday and pretty soon (within a week or so) I was seeing results that were motivating me. Weight training should not be done until you feel comfortable with a current exercise plan. I suggest running for about two weeks before adding weight training to your agenda. This allows your body to adjust to the running environment and helps it transition to other tasks much easily. I’m no expert, so be sure to consult a professional before starting any new diet or exercise plan.

Never give up because every small step you take brings you that much closer to realizing the results you want/need. Most of the time, you don’t have to spend any money to lose any weight. In fact, you could actually end up saving tons of money because you’ll be eating less unhealthy foods and living a healthier life-style. What are some steps you are taking to lose weight or attain a healthier lifestyle? What has worked for you in the past and what has not worked?

1 Comment »