by | Oct 18, 2018 | Travels |
It is the desire of millions across the globe to become citizens of the Land of Opportunities – The United States of America. There are various through which citizens of other countries can do this and the most common and probably the one that attracts the masses is through the Green Card Lottery.

Every year, the US Immigration department allows people to make applications which will then be taken through very tough scrutiny to determine who will be given citizenship and who will be denied the opportunity. Since just a limited number of slots is ever available, and millions of people around scamper for them, being considered and getting the Green Card is usually a huge achievement for many people.
It is never easy, but getting it will make a whole lot of a difference due to the various benefits it comes with. Here is a brief look at some of the benefits and why so many people dream of being successful with their applications-:
Sponsor your immediate relatives to the United States
Who wouldn’t want their wife and kids to join them in the United States? With the green card lottery program, successful applicants now have a chance to sponsor their immediate family members to the United States. But don’t think that getting the green card will now be a free path for every member of your immediate family. According to the US Immigration department, only a parent, spouse or unmarried children under the age of 21 qualify as immediate family members. For extended family members, you can’t sponsor them directly under this provision, but you can use the Preferred Family category to help them come to the United States.
Get a quality education for less
It is a fact that the United States has some of the best universities in the world and the programs they offer are some of the best in the world. It is because of this reason that we see so many people apply for scholarships to the United States and scamper towards any opportunity that can allow them the pleasure of attending some of the top learning institutions in the world. With the Green Card Lottery program, successful applicants now have a chance to get a quality education for less, and in most cases, at lower rates than what they would have spent to get similar quality of education in other countries or in their home countries.
The reason for this is because most of the vocational schools, colleges, and universities in the United States consider Green Card holders as in-state residents who will be charged slightly lower fees considered to out-of-state or international students who might sometimes pay up to 50% more than the in-state students. This means that if you were to go the United States as an international student on further studies, you will pay more than someone from the same country as yours, but who in the country courtesy of the Green Card.
Take part in the country’s politics
America is considered as the father of democracy in the world, and so many countries have adopted their systems of governance for their own. It is natural and an appropriate thing to get concerned with the politics of the place or country you live in, and with the Green Card, you may take part in the local politics in certain ways. Though only natural born citizens are allowed to cast votes for the various electoral posts, as an immigrant, you can contribute to the local politics in any other way, including channeling contributions to your preferred candidate or political party. This is one way of having your voice heard and taking part in the governance process which will always affect you in a number of ways.
Easily get in and out of the country without hassle-free
With the recent changes in the immigration laws and the terror threats the United States keep receiving on a daily basis, getting in and out of the country is extremely difficult unless you are a citizen. But things get a little bit easier for Green Card holders who in a way are now considered as citizens of the United States.
Green Card holders are permanent residents of the United States and so they will not be treated like foreign students or holders of temporary visa. This is perhaps one of the greatest attractions of the Green Card lottery since millions of people from all countries and from all walks of life desire to have the ability to get in and out the country as they wish. There are so many benefits that come with this privilege.
You qualify for social security benefits
The social security system in first world countries like Canada and the United States is very good, and this brings a lot of confidence to the elderly in the society because they know that their welfare will be well taken care of. It is pleasing to note that Green Card holders also qualify for such benefits mainly because they are considered as permanent residents of the United States.
For example, if you are a Green Card holder and you have lived and worked in the country for a period of ten years, you are eligible to claim your retirement benefits, and any other benefit that natural US citizen is entitled to. Canada also has almost a similar system, and this is one of the reasons why those who miss out on the Green Card are normally interested in how to get to Canada, even if it is through Canada eta. You can found out more about getting Canada visa here.
Better career prospects
There are a plethora of career opportunities available to Green Card holders compared to non-foreign immigrants, and this is without a doubt one of the greatest allures into the countries. There are so many opportunities available in the United States, and accessing them can be a bit of a problem if you are not a citizen. Just like most countries in the world, the United States wants their own to get best, and so you could become a beneficiary by becoming one of their own, and this is possible by winning the Green Card Lottery.
* sponsored post *
by | Oct 7, 2018 | Accessories, Fashion |
Hi Lovelies,
It feels like summer is still in the air; but the calendar says it’s fall.
I wanted to share one of my wedding anniversary gifts from my hubby.

The Hattie Drawstring bag
He blessed me with the Dooney & Bourke Florentine Large Hattie Drawstring Bag. I had watched PecanTannedBeauty, a fellow Youtuber and handbag aficionado, talk about the bag. I knew I wanted to get it, but it is a higher-priced bag. The bag retails for $428.00; but thankfully, my hubby was able to get it on sale from ILOVEDOONEY. No, it’s not a Birkin and it doesn’t need to be. This bag is just simply beautiful and shows great craftsmanship. My hubby was able to purchase the bag in Ginger. The color is warm and reminds me of a milk chocolate color. It is so different than the Florentine Toscana Front Pocket Satchel, which is also in Ginger. That one is more a caramel color.
The bag’s dimensions, found on Dooney.com — Height 13.5″ x W 6.5″ x Length 11.5″
One inside zip pocket. Two inside pockets. Cell phone pocket. Inside key hook. Strap drop length 17″. Top drawstring closure. Lined. Feet.

Dooney and Bourke Hattie Handbag
Designer and Founder, Peter Dooney, notes on the Hattie, from Dooney.com
Detail One
Italian Florentine leather that develops a rich patina over time.
The handbag gives off luxury and chicness. Work it when you walk into the room with this bag.
Detail Two
Braided Leather drawstring closure.
Detail Three
Signature double-sided Dooney logo lock.
Detail Four
Iconic green micro suede leather detailing.
Detail Five
Contrast red zipper tape.
Detail Six
Lined with durable butter-soft genuine leather.
The handbag is a luxurious bag, like fine luggage. It has become a favorite for me to wear this fall and winter. This bag will be wonderful to wear for all the four seasons.
Being able to purchase this bag on sale was a great find. We were able to save over one hundred dollars off of the retail price. Score!

by | Oct 4, 2018 | Pets |
As a pet owner, we try our best to make sure that they are happy and healthy. The only problem is that it’s not that easy for them to let us know when something isn’t quite right – and they depend on us to understand their body language and ensure that they get treatment.

Vinny
While giving them a lot of love and snuggles certainly helps, there are a few health concerns you won’t be able to get rid of that easily, but knowing about them will help a lot. Make sure that your dog avoids these health problems by looking at the list below. That way, you can feel confident that you’re doing everything you can for your pet.
Focus on the long walks
Every dog needs a couple of long, good walks every day. It should be common knowledge by now, seeing that humans have kept dogs for quite some time, but some owners seem to think that a big backyard is sufficient.
Even if your dog is able to run around in the backyard as they please, they still need to explore new environments and sniff around as they should. Two to three walks of around half an hour each should do, but it depends on the breed of your dog as well – some of them requires more exercise than others.
Both behavioral issues and health concerns can be eliminated as long as your dog gets enough exercise.
Look at their teeth
Many dogs end up with dental problems at some point in their lives. You may notice a bit of bleeding from their gums, for example, when they chew on their toys – or you might spot some brown marks on their teeth as they grow older.
Luckily, there are a lot of ways to prevent this, though, and you’ll be able to find many varieties in pet shops; Trudog spray me is a great option as it makes it easy to take care of your dog’s teeth. Simply spray it on your dog’s teeth and it will help to keep their mouths clean.
Remember hydration
Many of your dog’s health concerns can be reduced if you remember that they need a lot of water. They’re not always as interested in water as they are in food, though, and might need a bit of help from their owners to remember hydration; try to soak their pellets in water from time to time so that they get that much-needed water through their meals.
And, of course, ensure that they always have a lot of fresh and clean water available at all times. It should be changed around every two hours, by the way, according to this article so that it doesn’t go stale.
If in doubt: Ask the veterinarian
Finally, the best thing to do for your pet if you’re concerned about their health is to simply take them to the veterinarian. Dogs should go for check-ups, in any way, and it’s much better to head over there a bit too often rather than not going often enough.
Just like it can be difficult for us to book those doctor’s appointments unless we’re quite sick, we also tend to put off the trips to the veterinarian. It’s not the most pleasant trip for your pet, that’s for sure, but as long as they have you there to keep them safe, they won’t dread it so much.
Give them a treat while going through their check-ups so that they associate the trip with something slightly positive.
Having a pet is a big responsibility and it’s up to us to spot the signs of illness and general discomfort. Try to keep an eye on your dog’s mood and behavior, in general, and make that trip to the vet if you’re ever in doubt.
by | Oct 4, 2018 | Pets |
Greetings Family and Friends,
I would like to introduce you to the newest member of our family. Please meet, Giuseppe Josiah Augustus.
We call him Seppe!

Giuseppe Josiah Augustus — “Seppe” at nine weeks old
Seppe is an eleven-week-old tri-colored beagle we adopted a couple weeks back. He was born July 19th and comes to us from a local beagle breeder. We wanted to share a few photos of him. In the coming weeks, we will have more stories to share.

Seppe with his new family!

by | Sep 27, 2018 | Fitness |
One of the lesser-known symptoms of pregnancy is insomnia, which is characterized by the inability to sleep. You may find that while you feel physically and mentally tired, when you try to actually grab 40 winks, nothing much happens.

Insomnia is incredibly difficult to deal with at the best of times, but it’s all the more challenging during pregnancy. In an effort to assist all expectant moms, below, you’ll find a simple guide to insomnia during pregnancy and – most importantly – the steps you can take to manage it.
Why do pregnant women experience insomnia?
There’s no specific biological reason for why insomnia happens, but we do know it’s common. Studies have shown over 70% of women will experience insomnia during their pregnancy. The issue is most prevalent in the third trimester, which suggests physical comfort may be a contributing factor, but this is theory rather than established fact.
Can insomnia be treated medically?
There may be options available to you, but many conventional treatments for insomnia are not suitable for pregnant women. However, if your insomnia is particularly concerning, then it’s always worth consulting with a doctor for their advice. It is likely they will suggest lifestyle changes rather than medical remedies, but it’s still worth double-checking, especially if physical discomfort is contributing to your inability to sleep.
What lifestyle changes can help to ease insomnia during pregnancy?
There is no “right” way to treat insomnia; what works for some pregnant women won’t work for others, so unfortunately, there’s no tried and true approach that will guarantee results. As a result, you may need to try a few different things in an effort to ascertain what works for you. Here are a few of the most common suggestions:
- Exercise during the day. Provided your prenatal medical team are happy for you to exercise, of course.
- Get up during the night. If you can’t sleep, the idea of getting out of bed may sound counterproductive, but many people find it is preferable to struggling to sleep and getting more and more frustrated. It may be beneficial to amuse yourself for an hour or so by reading a book, playing a new strategy game for mobile devices, or watching TV – remember to wear orange glasses or use a blue light filter if your preferred activity involves looking at a screen.
- Clear your mind before attempting to sleep. It can be helpful to write down a list of tasks you need to do the next day, or any thoughts that have been whirring through your mind, before trying to sleep. Many pregnant women find this helps them to feel reassured, which in turn improves their ability to sleep.
- Change your sleeping position. If you are struggling to sleep due to discomfort, then changing your sleeping position may be beneficial. If you are struggling to sleep on your side, you may find that a body cushion or pregnancy pillow is beneficial in easing this.
In conclusion
Hopefully, the tips above should help to ensure that you are able to get the rest you need during pregnancy. However, if you continue to experience issues with insomnia during your pregnancy, then it’s best to speak to your doctor for further advice.
Follow!