Michael Zhou

Participating in trade show tours requires a healthy financial investment, a lot of time, and a great deal of planning. Trade shows are worth participating in because they allow you to show off your products to the right audience members, network, form partnerships, learn what the competition is up to, and get a better grasp of the industry. That said, running a successful trade show tour should be a top focus for any business. Even if one duck is missing from your row, all efforts could be performed in vain. Here are three tips to helping you have a fantastic trade show tour. 1- Find a Respected Trade Show Logistics Company When you work with freight logistics services provider specializing in trade show shipping for corporate and branded events, you are partnering with a team responsible for handling some very complex shipping and planning strategies. You will want to work with a company staffed with veteran agents whose specialty is to ship, store and deliver trade show displays and equipment in the right conditions to ensure your branded events go off without a hitch. Interview various companies and ask how their logistics concierge service offers custom freight solutions that can accommodate your needs. Avoid cookie cutter one-size-fits-all logistics companies, as their service quality can’t hold a candle to service providers that offer the white-glove touch. Your goal is to deliver memorable and valuable experiences to trade show attendees. Expect the same from the logistics company that will get you there. 2. Work with a Corporate Travel Booking Agent The idea of booking hotels and transportation for your various city visits doesn’t sound like rocket science, but if you skip the beat just once you can find yourself displaced, or staying in unsatisfactory accommodations that leave you stressed and unable to function at your fullest. Reach out to a travel agent or agency specializing in corporate travel. The best of the best can take your schedule and book the right accommodations close to your event locations while staying within your budget. They can also book transportation (if needed) and they even offer special services like dinner reservations and entertainment. 3. Be Smart when You Display First impressions are everything at trade shows; if you look great, traffic will enter your booth and engage with your team. That said, display smart: book a space on the trade show floor in a high traffic area, even if the cost is more. Don’t try to save a few bucks by booking the lonely corner spaces. Nobody likes to hang out in the shadows. Also, technology plays a huge role in keeping up appearances. People love technology, and when you have some bright and colorful LCD screen with interactive faces, people will be drawn to your booth where they will be motivated to engage with your tech. Whether attendees can take a virtual tour of your products, or customize one to meet their needs, offering playful tech options in your trade show booth will spark excitement, talk, and set you up to be the star of the show.

Our bodies are finely tuned to our environment in intricate ways – it goes haywire when you take the air routes. The light and dark rhythm of day and night gets disturbed and the body gets confused. If this is your first time traveling by plane, you can be drowned in agony with unexpected jet lag. Here we list out to you a holistic approach to coping with jet lag and to train yourself to better transition into a new time zone. How long are you going to stay? If you are just touring the US/ UK for four or fewer days, it is wiser to keep continuing your current sleeping habits in the foreign land too. It would be an enormous stress for the body to adjust back and forth in such short timings – so follow your home clock! If you are going to study or work for much longer, start preparing well in advance so you have ample time to bid goodbyes and get yourself prepared for the change of timings. If you are aiming for an F1 Visa, here is a useful guide to help you out! Pack your favorite sleeping companion Many of us have trouble sleeping in new environments. To ease this anxiety, pack something familiar from home, like your favorite pillow or your bedside clock and coffee mug. This will help you doze off without trouble. Which direction are you flying in? Surprisingly, the agony of jet lag has something to do with the direction you are flying and how long your trip is. Travelers flying east have worse effects than those going west – eastward travelers are ‘losing’ time and have to practice sleeping, eating and pooping earlier than usual. To train yourself, expose yourself to bright lights in the morning if you are going east; brighten your lights in the evening if you are traveling west. Two days before your journey... Avoid heavy, large or spicy meals from 24 hours before your flight. Dehydration is an important symptom of jet lag – to make up for it, sip water consciously every hour that you are in the air. Before your board your flight, adjust your watch to the destination time to prevent a ‘chronological shock.' In the plane... If it's night time in your destination when you are flying, plan for some shut eye during the flight. You’ll miss some great views from the clouds above, but trust us – you will not enjoy roaming red eyed for a week. Use eye masks, ear plugs and switch off all electronics to help you sleep. If your flight is over seven hours, you can use sleep aids – but only if your flight is that long. Reached your destination? If you reached your destination in the day, gear up and get outdoors. The sunlight has miraculous powers to alter your circadian rhythm and will naturally regulate your body system. Do not nap for longer than 30 minutes in the day – you will be wide awake in midnight and groggy the next morning. Continue with light, balanced and well-spaced meals for two more days. If you reached your destination in the night, buckle up for a good sleep. Thoroughly check your new room for any unwanted disturbances like bright night lamps or noises. You can take 3 milligrams of melatonin two hours before the destination’s bedtime to trick your body into thinking that it’s time for sleep. It will regulate your sleep cycle. Get a hot shower before bedtime to relax your muscles. It will also raise your body temperature and make you sleepy. While jet lag varies by person, you will be exhausted if you don’t listen to your body and respect it. Follow these tricks to begin your new role fresh and energetic!

Medical weight loss refers to a non-surgical science based methodology of losing weight which is carried out under the supervision of a medical practitioner. The professional guidance of the physician ensures that your weight loss program is done in a safe and healthy manner. The medical weight plan loss requires you to follow a personalized nutrition diet, exercise plan, and specific medication. You need to strictly adhere to a fixed diet plan even if you are supplied with a hunger suppressant. Fitness experts reckon that a fast weight loss does not in any way mean that you should go on an extreme diet fad. According to studies, our body tends to use fatty acids for fulfilling energy needs when it senses starvation. This situation isn’t good for our brain because it cannot use fatty acids directly as a fuel source. Also, using muscle mass for fuel by the body negatively impacts our metabolism and eventually the weight loss returns in pure fat. Therefore, it is recommended that in order to remain healthy, you must eat only the right foods in the right amount. In medical weight loss, exercise plays a vital role in burning fat which accumulates from the food eaten. As exercise converts fat into energy, the more you engage in different exercises, the more fats you metabolize. Cardiovascular conditioning, strength building, and flexibility training, in addition to nutritional management, are critical components of effective medical weight-loss programs. Apart from balanced nutritious diet and exercise, a medical weight loss program involves medication in the form of support prescriptions, medical assessment, and treatment plan for individual weight loss goals. Finally, a health coach will help patients identify and modify behavioral barriers to weight loss and help keep patients motivated to improve their health. The following are some of the better known medical weight loss treatments and procedures that hit the headlines recently: Contrave This is a weight loss drug developed by Orexigen Therapeutics Inc. Results of clinical trials show that it reduces weight as much as 17 pounds compared to a placebo. Contrave combines a drug to combat depression and smoking with a drug prescribed for alcohol and opiate addiction. This combination reduces the body’s craving for food. Glucagon and GLP-1 Peptide These two drugs are combined together in different proportions in order to target two body systems. One targets the body’s metabolism by speeding it up, while the other suppresses the appetite. A trial conducted in mice showed that a single injection reduced body weight by 25% and fat mass by 42%. Orlistat Orlistat was initially approved by Food and Drug Administration in 1999 as a prescription drug under the brand name of Xenical for treating obesity. In 2007, however, its lower-dose variation was approved for over the counter use under the brand name Alli. This drug can be consumed with meals containing fat, up to three times per day. In terms of availability, Alli is available over-the-counter, while Xenical is only prescribed for considerably overweight people. While the usage of this drug certainly adds to the number of pounds a user can shed, it also requires changes in diet and can have some unwanted effects on the digestive system. Phen-Pro Program The development of Phen-Pro was an attempt to find a miracle weight loss drug for a svelte body and lean muscle mass. It is a combination of two prescription drugs: Phentermine and Prozac (therefore the name Phen-Pro). Phentermine is used to suppress appetite by increasing neurotransmitters that curb hunger, while Prozac is an antidepressant generically known as fluoxetine. The combination of these two drugs reduces the side effects of either drug in the mix. Bariatric Surgery Bariatric surgery is performed for losing weight by restricting the amount of food the stomach can hold, which in turn causes malabsorption of nutrients. The most common techniques used in bariatric surgery are gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, adjustable gastric band, and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. It is being termed as a metabolic surgery because in addition to causing weight loss, it improves diabetes and lipid disorders. It is typically used in patients who are extremely overweight and who have the body mass index above 35. Liposuction Liposuction, also called lipoplasty, is a form of cosmetic surgery that breaks up and sucks fat from the body. It is most commonly used on abdomen, thighs, buttocks, neck, chin, upper arms, calves, and back. The procedure of liposuction is performed with the help of a suction device attached to an instrument called a cannula. The cannula is then inserted into fatty areas via tiny incisions. The excess fat lying between skin and muscle is then sucked using a suction pump and a large syringe. Liposuction, being a cosmetic procedure might enable a person to tone his or her body, but it doesn’t achieve significant weight loss. Final Words To sum up the overall concept of medical weight loss, it essentially is a proactive management of diet, fitness, medication, and healthy behavior conducted by a doctor or physician. Various medical weight loss programs require a thorough metabolic testing as well as medical diagnostics for monitoring physiological shifts.

A pinch of reality is enough to understand that no society is utopian in this world however we may expect them to be such. While the violence perpetrated on women is frequent in many parts of the world, even the American society is not free from this malaise as well. Domestic violence constitutes a significant part of crime against women in the United States. As per the recent data released by UNICEF, one out of every four American women has experienced violence by her partner at least once during her lifetime. The majority of domestic violence against women is carried out by their current or former boyfriends or girlfriends. This is, however, not to suggest that the husbands are not involved in these acts. Many thinkers believe, and rightly so, that domestic violence is an abomination in our society that needs to be addressed and curbed. It is an age-old phenomenon where male abusers consider women as weak, vulnerable and something that can be easily exploited. What is Domestic Violence? Domestic violence refers to the willful intimidation, physical/sexual assault or other abusive behavior used or perpetrated by one inmate against the other. The underlying component of domestic violence is the continuity of efforts by one partner to maintain power and control over the other. Domestic violence has a wide range of consequences such as physical and mental injury, psychological trauma and in some cases, death. The difficult and concerning part of an ongoing relationship is that it is not easy to determine when a person will become abusive. Once the abuse begins, the perpetrator becomes more and more aggressive over time. In many instances, the abuser may apologize or convince the victim not to repeat such behavior ever again. But the fact is such behavior only gets intensified as the time passes on. Sometimes the circumstances are quite opposite as women become more aggressive and turn out extremely violent. They are more likely to use weapons, ostensibly to defend themselves. Dave Wetzel of Bail Central Bail Bonds quoted “Domestic violence accounts for probably 30% of our total bail bonds. We also see the same couples over and over again it’s a big problem”. In What Ways Domestic Violence Impacts your Life Domestic violence has severe implications on the overall well-being of its victim; especially women suffer heavily in the immediate or long-term basis. They continue to suffer even after the relationship was long over. Domestic violence makes the victim suffer from depression, suicidal instincts and highly disenchanted for life. Even in less severe cases, the domestic violence negatively impacts the victim’s performance at the workplace. The situation becomes worse when the victim doesn’t have enough financial resources and therefore finds herself/himself trapped into the unwanted relationship. Immediate health impacts of domestic violence: · Physical injuries · Hearing or vision loss or both · Miscarriage · Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) · Homicide Long-term impacts of domestic violence: · Anxiety · Depression · Suicidal instincts · Post-traumatic stress · Alcohol or substance abuse · Sleep disorders · Deterioration of health What are U.S. Federal Domestic Violence Laws? The US Federal Domestic Violence Law is a statute that lays down the rules in aiming to punish the persons who cause emotional or physical harm to those with whom they share the close relationship. In 1994, the US Congress enacted a law named Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which makes domestic violence a crime. In almost all the states in the US, it is required that the conduct and relationship of an accused meet certain criteria. However, the interpretation of statutory provisions of different aspects of this crime varies state to state. For instance, in a particular state, the statute may prohibit any conduct that causes harm or threat of harm to the victim. While it will depend upon the nature and severity of the harm done, the conduct of the perpetrator will be considered as misdemeanor or felony. What are Civil Remedies for Victims of Domestic Violence? Legally speaking, any state is responsible for the personal safety of its citizens. The victims of domestic violence are conferred with the rights to pursue civil remedies that are created to keep them and their family members safe. So in light of this, the law has provided a well-known protection known as “Restraining Order.” Victims can avail these orders in all the states with the assistance of the courts. The main purpose of the restraining orders is to prevent the abuser within a specified distance from the victim. Depending on the severity of the abuse, the judges may include more provisions along with the restraining order. After issuing the restraining order, the criminal case against the perpetrator can be resolved in two ways – either the defendant can face the trial and fight the allegations leveled against him/her or can enter the no contest plea for more lenient penalties than would be imposed otherwise. Final Thoughts Notwithstanding the progressive societies that we live in today, domestic violence is still a deep rooted and regressive tradition everywhere. It is important to discuss because it need not necessarily results in a physical abuse, but its emotional and psychological implications on the victims can be much more serious. This aspect is generally overlooked by many people where the victim of domestic violence lives in a constant fear and intimidation. Therefore our progressiveness means nothing unless these ailments of our society are addressed and effectively curbed.

For many homeowners, having an underground oil tank on their property can lead to one problem after another. Whether it has a leak and contaminates the surrounding soil, leads to declining property values, or other issues, it's clear the tank needs to be removed as soon as possible. However, removing an oil tank buried underground is no easy task. If you have an oil tank buried on your property or suspect this may be the case, here are some suggestions as to what steps should be taken next. Residential Oil Tank Removal Steps Once it has been determined an oil tank is present on your property, there are several steps that will be taken by the tank removal professionals you've chosen. First, a technician experienced in the removal of buried oil tanks will come to your property to assess the situation and provide an estimate for the job to be done. After taking pictures of the property and gathering various measurements to determine the amount of oil left in the tank, the technician will provide an accurate estimate of the total cost of the job. Oil Tank Detection For many people who are planning to sell their home or are looking to purchase property, it sometimes comes as a great surprise to find out there is an underground oil tank buried on the premises. This can be particularly bothersome when the discovery of the tank causes a closing to be held up until the tank is removed and the soil around it is cleaned up and found to be contaminant-free, since this can lead to numerous unexpected expenses. Along with this, it should be noted that prior to obtaining a mortgage or purchasing insurance for your property a bank, insurance company, or attorney may require proof that there are no buried oil tanks on the grounds. Falling Property Values When an underground oil tank is found to be on a property, it can often be difficult to sell the property for a variety of reasons, one of which is falling property values. In these situations, potential buyers may be wary of making the purchase for fear of possible soil contamination or other issues that may result from an oil leak. To ensure this does not occur, it's imperative you make arrangements to have the tank removed as soon as possible. In some cases where an oil leak has occurred and the homeowner cannot afford the cost of cleanup, the property may be purchased by the oil tank removal company on an "As Is" basis, which releases the owner from future liability and allows the property to be sold as planned, with the understanding that the tank removal company will assume responsibility for soil remediation prior to any future sales of the property. Soil Remediation Needless to say, when an underground oil tank develops a leak, the ensuing soil contamination can lead to serious situations developing. However, while this sounds like a problem that may never get resolved, it can in fact be taken care of by utilizing the services of trained professionals. However, homeowners should be aware that soil samples of potentially contaminated soil should be taken only after it has been determined the tank is actually leaking and has been removed from the ground. To ensure you receive the services you need, trained technicians and inspectors will examine the tank upon removal, looking for corrosion holes. Along with this, they will examine the soil for signs of discoloration, any strong oil odors, and an oily sheen that may be present in groundwater. Therefore, it's imperative you ensure a subsurface evaluation is done by a licensed Site Remediation professional, who will see the project through from beginning to end. If it is determined that a leak has occurred, the site will be excavated to determine how much contamination has taken place, then the soil remediation is completed by being filled in with certified clean fill, followed by grading and then having grass seed and hay being put down. By making sure this process is followed, you will be assured of having property that will be free of any present or future contamination. While having buried oil tanks on your property can present numerous challenges, it is a situation that can be rectified in a much easier fashion that most people think. By working with trained professionals skilled in oil tank detection and residential oil tank removal, any problems you may encounter will be easily solved.

For many people, there's nothing better than a day spent shopping. And for those people who call Orange County home, there is no shortage of great places to spend a few dollars buying wonderful items for themselves, their families, and their friends. But with so many destinations from which to choose, Orange County residents can have difficulty deciding which places should be first on their shopping list. Whether it's a modern mall featuring the latest store that everyone is eager to visit, an antique mall where unique treasures can be found, or even a record store where visitors can seemingly step back in time to the days when vinyl was king, there's no shortage of incredible places to shop. If you're in Orange County and ready to shop until you drop, here are the top 10 destinations to put on your shopping list. Main Place Mall When Orange County calls, shoppers always head to Main Place Mall. As most people will attest, when it comes to Santa Ana shopping, there's no place better than Main Place. With an incredible diversity of stores, places to eat, and one of the best Santa Ana movie theaters that are always showing the latest blockbuster for adults or animated feature for the kids, Main Place Mall has everything shoppers could want and much more. Fashion Island Known as Orange County's premier coastal shopping destination, Fashion Island offers a variety of specialty boutiques, world-renowned department stores, and movie theaters that all add up to give customers a Santa Ana shopping experience unlike any other. Whether it's previewing the latest clothing collection at Bloomingdale's or spending time at one of the best Santa Ana movie theaters in Island Cinema, there's virtually nothing that can't be found at Fashion Island. Orange County Market Place When Orange County calls on families to have a weekend of affordable fun and great values, the Orange County Market Place leads the way. A unique swap meet attracting over two million visitors annually, shoppers can find virtually anything they're looking for, along with plenty of special events and entertainment. Roger's Garden If you want to bring beauty back into your home and garden, then a visit to Roger's Garden is a must. Whether it's selecting floral arrangements, collectibles, or a unique gift for your garden, you'll find it here. And if you work up an appetite while you're there, you can have a great meal at the Farmhouse Cafe and then attend an interesting seminar or workshop on floral arranging, cooking, gardening, or more. Shops--Chapman Antique Mall Located in one of Southern California's premier areas for antiquing, Chapman Antique Mall is home to 40 of the most respected antique dealers in the area. Whether you're looking for vintage paintings, antique clocks, or other items, you're sure to find your treasure at Chapman. Downtown Disney and the Disney Store If you love everything Disney, there's no better spot to visit than Downtown Disney and the Disney Store. Billed as the biggest selection of Disney merchandise on the West Coast, it guarantees you'll find toys, apparel, collectibles, and of course your very own pair of Mickey's ears. Or if you prefer, you can even create a one-of-a-kind souvenir, choosing from charm bracelets, necklaces, or key chains. Vintage Furniture Stores--Old Bones in Costa Mesa If you've decided to decorate your home but want something different, then it's time to visit Old Bones in Costa Mesa. Filled with a variety of mid-century furniture that will inspire you beyond your wildest dreams, Old Bones can have an impact on your home that you never imagined. Chairs, tables, storage, lighting, and more can be found here, along with prices that are considered very affordable. Bionic Records If you like that old-time rock 'n roll but don't hear those tunes much anymore on the radio, then pay a visit to Bionic Records in Buena Park. Filled with an amazing collection of vinyl records, you're sure to find your favorite artists hanging out at this store. So if you've lost that loving feeling with today's music, head to Bionic and find plenty of the old tunes waiting for you. Paris In A Cup If you love everything that is France, then you'll definitely love Paris In A Cup. Various types of treats, along with souvenirs and teas of various flavors, are available here. Whether you've traveled to Paris or not, chances are you'll find something here that will let you experience France at its finest. Orange Outlets The only outlet mall in Orange County, the Outlets at Orange has 120 outlet and value stores, guaranteeing you'll find exactly what you want. And along with the stores, you'll also find 25 restaurants and cafes, a movie theater, bowling, skating, and many more things that will guarantee a day of fun.

In today's world, more people are turning to indoor gardening as a way to not only grow beautiful flowers, but also give themselves plenty of delicious fruits, vegetables, and herbs to eat. A great option for those who live in homes that offer little outdoor space for a traditional garden, it's the perfect way to bring Mother Nature directly into your home. However, creating a tranquil indoor garden space can be difficult if not done correctly. In addition to being wonderful for those who love nature, it's also an ideal way to have a part of your home reserved for peace and tranquillity. One of the best ways to do this is by knocking down walls in the home and adding glass partition walls, which define the room and allow the indoor garden to flow into the rest of the home. For those who choose to do this project, the Sliding Door Company offers a variety of modern glass doors, glass wall partitions, and interior barn doors that are ideal fits for this home improvement project. Providing high-quality modern interior glass doors and wall partitions for homes of all types and sizes, they offer a variety of ways to take a room in your home and turn it into a tranquil indoor garden space. Windows in the Ceiling If you really want to let in a large amount of natural light, consider adding windows to your ceiling. To make sure you have a successful garden, be sure to do this in a room that is not cold, such as an attic or garage. Instead, choose a room that's warm and already has plenty of windows facing east and west, which will allow for maximum amounts of brilliant sunlight to shine in each and every day. Choose the Right Plants Just as it is with an outside garden, it's vital to choose the right plants for your indoor garden space. While some plants do great inside, others struggle mightily. Whether you want vegetables, berries, herbs, or flowers, some choices are better than others. For example, tomatoes, peppers, and carrots are great indoor vegetable choices, while strawberries and grapes are great indoor fruits. When it comes to herbs, basil, chives, and oregano grow well, while African violets and marigolds make great indoor flower additions to your garden. Watering System When it comes to giving your indoor garden plenty of water, there are several available options. However, the best one involves using fertilized water. If you're using a hydroponic system, having a water tank with fish in it will keep the water fertilized thanks to the fish's waste, which will naturally be an ideal mixture for your plants. To feed the water to your plants, use a pump system that lets the water filter down to the plants and drains the excess water back into the water tank. Temperature Needless to say, maintaining the proper temperature for your indoor gardenis crucial to success. One of the best ways to maintain a proper temperature is to use soil heat mats, which can heat the plants from the bottom up, regulating the soil's temperature. Along with the electric soil heat mats, using modern glass doors and glass wall partitions can let in plenty of additional sunlight, helping the room stay warmer as well. For many people who create a tranquil indoor garden space in their home, interior barn doors made of glass can also help more natural light shine in, keeping the temperature at its proper level. Fertilizing and Care Once you've got your garden planted and plenty of natural light shining in thanks to the modern glass doors and glass wall partitions, it's time to make sure you give it the proper level of care. To do so, make sure the soil temperature does not drop below 70 degrees Fahrenheit and be sure to transplant into larger pots as your plants grow. If you see any plants with brown spots, they're dying and should be removed to ensure they don't spread diseases to the other plants. And remember, supply the plants with nutrients by adding compost or fertilizer to the containers every few months, which will help them stay happy and healthy. Accessories and Decor Finally, after you've got your plants in the soil and everything looks great, consider adding some accessories and decor that will highlight your personality and create a theme for your garden. For example, if you are a student of world religions and philosophy, try adding Buddha statues to create a peaceful spot for meditation. Or if you prefer, add a few stylish fountains to create a soothing sound of falling water. Whatever your preference, remember that your indoor garden space should not only produce great foods and plants but also allow for plenty of relaxation along the way.