Halloween Logo - Google Style, Not its Best!
I always look forward to Google’s logo during the holidays and special events. They are always creative and often fun. However this year’s Halloween logo in my opinion is not all that great.
Although the theme was appropriate for Halloween, with a haunted house feeling and the letters of the logo sporting the ghostly effect. I found the look and feel of it to be dull and somewhat boring.
This logo might of worked back in 2002, but this is 2007. What’s up with that? I also didn’t get the same feeling of fun like it has been in the past. Maybe Google’s creative theme is lacking some creativity.
Google Logo. October 31, 2007
Google Logo. October 31, 2006
Personal Core Values
For those that work in an office environment, you’ll be familiar with the term Corporate Core Values, which are philosophy and principles that guides the way a company does business. Core Values are meant to help a business succeed. Some organizations have core values just for the sake of having them but rarely practices it. Fortunately, I work for an organization that actually believes in its core values and it is constantly being practiced throughout the organization.
As part to of my Leadership training offered as a University course from the Organization I am fortunate to work for, we were given an assignment to look within ourselves and determine the personal values we have for ourselves. The guiding principles we use to live our lives day by day.
This exercise was a rewarding one for me. I didn’t find it difficult because I realize that I was already living my life based on these principles I have written down. What I found rewarding was seeing it on paper. I am now reminded that whenever I am faced with personal challenges to reflect back on the guiding principles that have taken me to where I am today, my personal core values. I wish to share them with you all.
- Imagine, dream and have visions of tomorrow – Than take action to turn those visions into reality
- Have faith and hope, but not to be confused with optimism, that with every challenge and question, has an answer and solution
- Be courageous and confident, even when the light is shinning on others
- Always think the best of others. Focus on their qualities and not their deficiencies
- Measure ones success by their character and not their assets
- With the right intention and motivation, continue to educate, support and assist family and friends who are in need
- Never forget where you came from. Never lose yourself. Be authentic. Be you
- Celebrate your successes with a piece of humble pie
- It’s about you, but it’s not all about you
- Love yourself
My Top Thirteen Halloween Movies
Halloween is right around the dark alley and what better way to celebrate than to hang out with friends or that special someone and enjoy a night of Halloween Movies. Unless of course you still find Trick or Treating, an event not to be missed by any means.
Here are my Top Thirteen Halloween Movies to watch this year, a mix of R-Rated, Comedy and Family Friendly movies. What are your favorite Halloween movies?
Alien
Beetlejuice
Candy Man
Carrie
Casper
Halloween
I (Still) Know What You Did Last Summer
Nightmare on Elm Street
Saw
Scream (1,2,3)
Scary Movie (1,2,3,4)
The Exorcist
The Nightmare before Christmas
Survival Guide for First Time Home Buyers
Buying your first home is one of the biggest purchases you will ever make in your life, so doing it right is the only way to go. For most first time buyers, this process can be overwhelming and sometimes scary. There are so many things to consider and various parties involved. Not to mention that having a comfortable financial resource is one of the key factors in a successful purchase.
It took me almost a year of searching for the right property until I made a decision that I felt confident and happy about. However the journey to that final decision was a rocky one. I was not 100% prepared and I made mistakes along the way, thankfully by the time it was all said and done it all worked out and was happy with the final outcome.
Here are a few things to consider to survive the overwhelming process of purchasing your first home…
Save, Save, Save - ‘To reduce the feeling of anxiety and secure yourself a successful purchase, make sure that you save enough money for the following:’
Pay Off Debt – It’s always good to free yourself from any financial obligations that you currently have before purchasing a home. Paying a mortgage on a property is not like paying rent. You have to consider many factors and future expense that may arise from the property that you recently purchased.
Down Payment – Typically needed to receive a mortgage from a financial institution. In Manitoba its 5% of the purchase price. Today you can receive a mortgage with no money down, however I don’t recommend this route.
Closing Cost – Needed to close the deal. These fees usually goes towards the Lawyers that handles all the paper work and the transfer of Titles.
Property Assessment – To get approval on the mortgage, an assessment is required by the mortgage provider. The price can range any where from $200 - $500.
Home Inspection – To avoid any future problems with the property, it’s best to get a home inspected prior to purchasing it. The price to get a home inspected can be anywhere from $500 - $1000.
Making an Offer – Have funds available for a deposit when making an offer on a property. You can make a deposit as little as $500, but the more flexibility you have on your deposit, the bigger the negotiating power you have. Most sellers feels comfortable and will likely chose your offer versus others if your deposit is fairly large, even if your offer is less than others.
Shop, Research and Negotiate - ‘The more knowledge you have the better you will feel. Also keep in mind that everything is negotiable.’
Mortgage Rates – You don’t necessarily have to receive your mortgage from your bank. You may find better rates from other financial institution. Shop around.
The Right Property For You – Make sure it’s the right property for you. It’s always good to have a few houses you are interested in lined up and viewed for comparison. It’s also a good idea to view the property more than once before making any final decision. Spend half a day inside if needed. Get the feel for it, visualize yourself living it. Make sure it’s right for you.
Do Your Research - When shopping for the right house, get all the facts and information you can get. Normally your Realtor will get you all the information you need and want about the property you are interested in. They can also get you information on the current homes around the neighborhood and what selling price they went for, this will give you a good idea on whether you are getting a good deal or not.
Negotiate Everything - When negotiating on a property, try and get as much as you can for as little cost as possible. Keep in mind that appliances and furniture can be negotiated. Also any future work that you think is necessary such as remodeling the bathroom, or replacing the floors is also negotiable. Be flexible on your possession date, the more flexible you have on the possession date, the more negotiating power you have.
And my number one rule when buying a property is, when in doubt don’t buy. You have to feel 110% confident in your decisions. Take your time.
You may feel a lot of anxiety during this process, which is normal. I also recommend that you research online for more resources on first time home buyers. I watched a lot of HGTV shows during the year I was searching for a home, you can learn a lot from those shows, especially if you are also planning on doing your own renovations. 
.