Found Not Lost

Public speaking has always been a stressful event for me. I took speech courses, signed up for Toastmasters, and still I get major anxiety attacks every time I have to speak in front of an audience. This doesn’t do well for me especially in the type of job I have. I often have to conduct meetings, give presentations and train people. Usually, during these times, I go through a gamut of symptoms from trembling hands, chills, tremulous voice, sweats, and shortness of breath. I try to combat the symptoms on my own; I try to exercise deep breathing and meditation and just sheer will, but often not very successful.

I recently learned of AbsoluteCalm, a supplement that claims to lower your stress response. It is made from magnolia extract which is supposed to be rich in phytochemicals honokiol and magnolol. I know, I get lost when I start hearing chemical names too. Basically though, what those things do is they alleviate stress and produce a calming effect. They claim to be non-addictive and they will help calm your nerves without making you sleepy.

Of course, as with any supplement or drug, you should always check with your physician before taking them, especially if you have other health conditions or are taking other drugs for those conditions. Learn more about Absolute Calm by visiting their website.

Our room (Hotel Fox / Copenhagen, DK)

Originally uploaded by Hannes™

My daughter forwarded me this cool hotel room in Copehagen called Hotel Fox. According to their website, the newly launched hotel commissioned 21 international artists in the fields of graphic design, urban art and illustration to transform their hotel into an exciting and creative lifestyle hotel.

Each of the 61 rooms in the hotel is an individual piece of art. “From wacky comical styles to strict graphic design. From fantastic street art and Japanese Manga to simply spaced out fantasies. You will find flowers, fairytales, friendly monsters, dreaming creatures, secrets vaults and…” lots more.

They promise you’ve never seen anything like it. My daughter is surely excited, she would love to stay at this hotel for vacation! And when she checked it out, the prices to stay there are quite reasonable.

Summer vacations, when I was a kid, were always memorable even if we didn’t go anywhere for vacation. Nowadays, children, I think are more jaded. They have to have a bigger and better vacation this year to top the one from last year. I hope my girls aren’t that way though. We try to raise them to appreciate what they have no matter where they are. Sure, there are many vacations we’d like to take, but we can’t always afford to have one every year.

Last year, we had our big family vacation in Las Vegas. You wouldn’t think there are many family friendly things to do in Las Vegas, but there really are! That was one of the best vacations we’ve ever had, and yes even with the heat and all. The kids, from 3 to 66 had a great time. During the day, there was plenty to keep the kids busy from the great pool to the various attractions like tours to Hoover Dam, games at the Adventuredome, local museums including Madame Tussauds, which, I have to tell you is very interesting indeed. In the evening, it’s the grown up’s turn to be entertained from fine dining options, first rate shows and of course the casinos.

Of course, if Las Vegas is just not your cup of tea, Trusted Tours and Attractions can help you find just the right destination. “They offer discounted tickets to the best sightseeing tours in 23 cities across America.” For instance, with the soaring gas prices this year, we are looking to staying close to home so we’ve been looking at things to do in Atlanta and neighboring cities. Visit Trusted Tours and check their online travel guides.

Sign up for the Trusted Travels Enewsletter and enter to win a handheld GPS. The offer ends June 30th, 2008, so get on over there!