Billshrink.com

I have been dealing with a ridiculously high cell phone bill lately. Considering I don’t have a “smart phone” just a phone, I have been paying upwards of $90/ month to talk and text. I read about BillShrink.com in a magazine. This site takes your cell phone information (minutes, text, overall usage, contract, etc.) and come up with the best cell phone plans for YOU! I was very impressed when it came up with 5 different plans that would save me money.

I used it to research a new cell plan, but BillShrink.com also has programs to help you finding the best credit card, gas stations and bank accounts for your personal needs. Everyone needs a little BillShrink in their lives.

BillShrink

CRAZEDlist.org: All of Craigslist on one site

Have you ever wanted to search multiple cities on Craigslist? If you are looking to buy a new car or pair of ski’s and want to search the Bay Area, Sacramento AND Reno, you use to have to do a separate search for each location.

NOW, you can go on Crazedlist.org, choose what locations you want to search and the site will create one search on one page. You can check separate cities, states and regions. Very cool.  Check it out.

 

Substitute Teaching: Oh the flexibility

My dream job: A job where I can work as much or as little as I want.

With a Bachelors completed and some effort, Substitute teaching is a job for the gypsy in us all. To substitute teach in California you have to complete a couple of steps. Once you jump through these hoops and get signed up with a district, you’re in. What you

As a substitute you can expect to fill in for anyone and everyone in a school system. I have worked in the teen mother center with 4 infants on my lap, advanced high school chemistry class and as an elementary reading specialist. Depending on which school district you sign up for, you will make from $90-$120/day. Here is what you usually need to become a substitute teacher in California public schools.

1) a Bachelors Degree (you will need to get an Official Transcript from your undergrad to submit with your application

2) a passing score on your CBEST (California’s Basic Educational Skills Test) You can sign up for this test on http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/CAW-exams.html and it costs $40

3) a recent TB Test. You can get this test at most doctors or urgent care centers. It is a two appointment test (usually 3 days apart) and will cost about $20

4) patience to fill out all the paperwork many school districts need.

Good Luck!

Fish Tacos Anyone?

Never knew South Lake Tahoe was the Fish Taco capital of the world? Well, now you know. Beautiful lake, snowy mountains and fish tacos. It seems as though every restaurant in town not only has these tacos on their menu, but has special nights dedicated to their existence. Here is a weekly guide to the discounted grilled, fried, cajun and blackened fish tacos of the south lake basin.

Monday: $2 Fish Tacos @ The Fresh Ketch (www.thefreshketch.com)

Tuesday: 2 tacos for $2.95 @ The Cantina (www.cantinatahoe.com)

Friday: $3 Tacos at Riva Bar and Grill (www.rivagrill.com) or $1 Tacos at Chevy’s 

Saturday: $2 Tacos @ Steamers Bar and Grill

Freshies Restaurant & Bar: Dining with Pirates in Paradise

Would you usually choose to eat at a Hawaiian themed restaurant nestled in a minimall between a Pirate store and Baskin Robbins? Probably not. However, like most things in South Lake Tahoe, Freshies Restaurant, is not what it may seem. This local institution and local secret has some of the best food around the lake. Freshies can take you away from the mainland with their awesome “Fish Tacos”, “Rippin’ Red Curry” or “Hawaiian Spare Ribs.” The food is fresh, the staff is friendly and the price is fair. In the summer there is open seating on the roof and in the winter , they offer half priced soup on big powder days. Bring on the Freshies!

Oh,…and on your way out, don’t forget to buy that Pirate flag you have always wanted.

Freshies Restaurant & Bar 3330 Lake Tahoe Blvd, Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Pollstar.com: One Stop Concert Shop

Have ever found out that your favorite artist played last night and you missed them? Or do you want to find a fun concert to go to when your best friend is visiting?

Well, it is the one and only website for every concert go-er. Pollstar.com makes finding when and where your favorite artists are playing with a super user-friendly website. You are able to input an artist or group you like and Pollstar will show you a) if they are on tour and b) the dates and locations they will visit. It is also possible to search for cities and venues and see all the upcoming shows in “San Francisco” or “The Warfield.” Finally, a neat feature on the site allows you search for an artist like Ben Harper the site and receive other artists that you may be interested in like Ani DeFranco or Widespread Panic.

Bargaining: The dance to know.

In India, bargaining and shopping go hand in hand. Before I left for our trip, I read in multiple books that this skill was one to be used. Coming from a culture where bargaining is not the norm, It was hard to know exactly how to do it. I had the first part down. Walk up to a vendor, find something you like, ask how many rupees it was and then…and then… then what?!?!?

At this point back home, I would say thank you and walk away if I didn’t like the price. In the beginning, I did just that and vendors would start bargaining with themselves as I walked away. “Ohhh wait! You don’t like 100 rupee. How about 80? I’ll give it to you for 80!” As I took more steps they would keep going. “Ok. Ok.. How about 60? 60 is a good price!” This was happening to all of us and we thought it was quite funny. Not only had we ever really had to bargain, but we had never seen shopkeepers bargain with themselves. We slowly started to realize that bargaining was part of the deal, with our participation or not. So we started to learn the skill.

Once a merchant gives you a price (say 100rps), you go back at them with another price that is about 50-60% below (40-50rps.) At this, the seller will act horrified and as though he would never concede and will come back at you with a price that is about 20-30% of the original price (80rps.) Never stay at your original offer, or the sellers will think you are rude and dismiss you. You may stand your ground, but ALWAYS give a little to show respect. So, at this point you can offer 45-50% below the starting price (55rps.) The shop keeper will then talk about how long it took to make the said item, and what good quality it is and so on and then move more towards your offer. Bargaining is like a dance, with both participants constantly moving toward each other. There will be a point where you meet in the middle, the sale is done, and you move on to dance with your next partner.

Himalayan Sunrise

The first morning we were in Darjeeling, we got up at 4am, had some tea and drove to Tiger Hill to catch the sunrise. At first I thought we may be the only few who decided to get up this early, but I soon realized that practically the whole town would be joining us. Our Nepalese guide, Bizoy, who has lived in Darjeeling his whole life, accompanied us. We followed the train of packed cars to this famous hill outside of town, bundled up and pushed our way past other tourists (mostly Indian) to wait in the dark.

Slowly, the atmosphere began to light up and the surrounding landscape began to reveal itself. As the sun slowly rose, it cast the most beautiful pink light on the Himalayan mountain range. The snow-covered Kanchenjunga, the 3rd highest peak in the world, was visible. I have never seen a mountain range like the Himalayan. It was jagged, white and stunning. Our guide, Bizoy, said that on a very clear day you could see Mt. Everest from where we were standing. Along with all the other sunset peepers, we were trying to catch how magnificent the sight was with our cameras and soon realized this was an impossible feat. We retreated down the hill trying to keep the image etched in our brains.

Darjeeling

Darjeeling is a tea, but more importantly, it is a city in the very northeastern tip on India. The British originally settled this city as a refuge from the southern heat experienced in cities such as Kolkata and Delhi. Once here, they recognized lands cool climate and tea growing potential and created an economy based growing and exporting this famous light black tea.

Perched in the foothills of the Himalayas, this city is the definition of a hilltop town. Almost every building is built on steep hills or cliffs, all the roads are at an incline and it is almost impossible to find a plot of land flat enough for a soccer field. The roads are an endless web of switchbacks and it was here in Darjeeling where I first began to admire one of our many Indian drivers. The terrain of this city made for every building, shanties and mansions alike, to have million dollar views of the surrounding foothills, peaks and hillsides filled with tea shrubs. We ended up driving most places, but the majority of people who inhabit the city walk everywhere. They were kids coming and going to school, porters carrying loads on their backs, locals shopping along the steep streets and people passing time in the local parks.

Indian words of wisdom

“When God closes one door, he opens the other 99.”

“Hurry, Burry spoils the curry.” Roadside posting discouraging fast drivers.
“Better to be 15 minutes late in this life, than 15 early in the next.” Our guide, Bizoy, about rushing in life.

“Be good, Do good.” Bizoy summing up all world religions.