Millionaire Tycoon: Tips and Secrets

I'm being addicted to Millionaire Tycoon. I'm now on the Paris level and I just stopped for a while to write this post.

Basically, Millionaire Tycoon is a board game on iPhone/iPod Touch. Its goal is to eliminate the computer players by making them go bankrupt. Like in Monopoly, you have to toss the dice, walk the necessary number of steps and you can purchase land and upgrade buildings. Each time another player lands on your property, you get paid for rent.

I find that the items of Millionaire Tycoon makes it so much fun and exciting. Some items include DIRECTIONAL ARROWS that can control the direction of the players at corners, BOMB that makes a player lose 3 turns, DEMOLISH that destroys the property on the land and ATTORNEY that lets you own land and property of another player. Cool, huh?

The game also has a stock trade system that can help increase your funds at the bank.

Millionaire Tycoon Tips and Secrets that I can share with you:

• Trade Stocks - when you make smart decisions, it can really help add additional funds.
• Get a lawyer! I found the lawyer very helpful in the game. When you land on a particularly annoying property that drains out your cash, get your revenge by having your attorney get it for you. I usually save it for the big properties like the hotels. I let the other players upgrade the building them I get them. Harharhar!
• It is possible to estimate the dice if you concentrate enough. You can pretty much estimate the number to be lower or higher. If you can't, just purchase the dice control. It's pretty important because:
• A few houses on the same block costs more! The fewer steps you take on a block, the higher chance you have in making a combo score - higher payment from other players.
• ... that is why a car on Paris can be a blessing and a curse
• Still, having big buildings on 2 adjacent blocks is simply wonderful.

Will update you for more as I get through with the game =)
If you have any questions or tips you want to share, just put it on the comments section. Happy playing!

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The Wordpress Design Quest

I'm on a quest to learning Wordpress Design and it ain't that easy for me who is a PHP and CSS idiot. I think I'm learning the whole concept of PHP and CSS. I just need to understand the structure now.

I followed the Wordpress Tutorial I found, but the result was with little success. I got the essential parts right - basically you just need to understand what the codes are all about and copy-paste the given codes to the appropriate files and other places. I guess, if you understand the concept and is not so much of a coding beginner like me, it's going to be so much easier. After reading some other tutorials and studying other templates, I think I'm getting it. Like I said, some understanding of PHP and CSS is what I need to do now.

I wonder, can I just convert an HTML/CSS design to a Wordpress theme? I found that it is possible. I'm better at design and HTML than coding raw PHP so maybe I can do that and learn in the process. I'm going to try that and see how it will work for me. Stay tuned!

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My Journey to Online Part Time Jobs

Although a lot of my fantasies include going back time and changing everything since I was in first grade, I obviously cannot do that. So I'm kinda moving on.

Back when I was in highschool, I got so interested in HTML and making websites that I actually self-studied how to code HTML. I never got to study it in school and regrettably, in college, but I'm still very interested in it. I've never forgotten the basics and now I'm using some of my knowledge in some of my work. I believe that if I really want to learn something, I can self-study it and not spend fortunes going to special classes.

Now that I'm looking for some new skills to aid me in getting part-time jobs - if not full time work - I decided to learn how to create Wordpress themes.

That's now. It wasn't the first idea that came to mind when I started thinking of upgrading my skills and do some online part time jobs.

• Logo Design - I thought that it's easier to make logo designs since I figured it's easier to do than writing jobs. I had knowledge in Photoshop and did some online tutorials when I discovered that I actually need to learn how to use Adobe Illustrator. I did some online tutorials and basically had a feel of it. HOWEVER, looking at tons of existing logo designs by professionals and amateurs told me that I need more and more skill, practice and loads of creative energy. What I lack is some creativity. I'm more of a technical person, really.
• Paid Blog Posts - I have an existing blog that I can use for paid blog posts. I was a member of PayPerPost which didn't go so well because I abandoned my blog after a while. I got some opportunities so I thought, maybe I should try it again. The problem now is that there are so many bloggers out there with a .com domain name and advertisers think that those who are not self-hosted are not really serious bloggers. Although I am willing to self-hosted, I feel that it's not the right time yet. I already have plans for a proper self-hosted blog but I still need to test myself. My paid blog membership still exists and will jump right at it when opportunity comes.
• Freelance Job Hunt -  I've heard a lot of success stories on Odesk.com so I tried to get some jobs off it. I've finished a few exams several months ago. But I haven't had a job from it. Maybe my bid was too high? or maybe the employers were turned off by the fact that I am a noob? But the search continues.
• Wordpress Theme Design - And we come to the NOW. I'm not a complete idiot when it comes to site design so I thought maybe I can design wordpress themes and sell them. I can sell it for a few dollars. I've just started and I now that I will need to go along way because 1) I'm a beginner at CSS and PHP and 2) I've never done this before. But as I said, I will try my best to get into it. I have install a localserver on my computer for testing purposes and now I need to learn how to code from scratch. 

I will be making some posts on some tips I learned along the way (and some tips I learned from others) regarding the 4 bullet points above. I may give you tips on where to get tutorials and downloads. I hope you guys wish me luck!

Are there any other online part-time jobs that you know? Can you suggest some tips on how I can earn online? (I don't like PTCs, though)
-

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Things My Mama Told Me: Choose your Friends!

Sometimes, just how mothers talk to us, right? With an exclamation point. There is one point in our life when our mothers would usually yell at us, no matter what they’re saying.

Anyway, there you go. Choose your friends. And I hated this before because my mother never really liked any of my friends. She only liked those who were at the top of the class. If they weren’t she’d be skeptical about them and how were they going to contribute to my life.

Yes, I didn’t listen to my mom. Although those kids who were at the top of my class were my buddies when we started, slowly I was left behind. Maybe it was a bit of rebellion that I experienced when I didn’t want to study so hard and just be a normal kid like everybody else – playing and not breathing to get the grades. While I still belonged at the top of the class, I chose to be friends with someone else.

Now that I’m older, I look at those people who topped the class and I didn’t choose to be friends with. They are now lawyers, entrepreneurs, engineers and traveled the world. And I’m stuck in a cubicle, thinking about the next gig I could find.

Looking at them, I thought, I should have stuck with them. I probably got their successful vibe and their thirst for excellence. Or their mere electromagnetism for luck. I am smarter than some of their friends but even they have good lives.

Most people will probably tell you – choose your friends to avoid drugs, chemical abuse or other bad influences. We hear them over and over and sometimes we don’t hear them anymore.

But I’m writing now, telling you to choose your friends because good friends can actually do some good in your life. If you want something to happen to your life, stick with people who have the same goal as you do. It’s good to have peers who you can walk with in that direction. They can be good support and they can also be some healthy competition along the way.

Right now, I’m looking for people who I can begin walking with to the direction that I want and people who can hoist me up somehow. I am no genius and I’d love to listen to friendly mentors.

Tips in Summary: Choose your Friend to Success!

1. Choose your friends according to the direction you want your life to go to. You want to be successful? Have successful friends or friends who also want to be successful.
2. Choose your friends early in life. Friends are also habit-forming. If you form your good habits early on, you have more time to develop and improve.
3. Choose your friends for networking and healthy competition. Successful friends know successful people who can lead you to your own success. Yes, there’s too much success in this section because if you surround yourself with success, your attitude will be geared towards it!

How did you do with your friends? Share your story!

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Things My Mama Told Me Series

It's really weird that now that I'm turning 25, I realize a lot of things that my mama told me when I was a lot younger

• things that I didn't really follow
• things I followed only because I had to then stopped when she's not around
• things that I thought was totally pointless because a lot of people have been doing them so why couldn't I
• things that I didn't do only because I wanted to have my own way
• and all those things she said I didn't do but I wish I had

So I will be making a "Things My Mama Told Me" series because I think that most of what she told me are really cliche for mothers. Many sons and daughters must ignore those things because, right, they're cliche and we thought they only say it because that's their role in this world. Unfortunately, another fact of life is that, "It's a cliche for a reason."

You can add more! Just drop them on the comments box =) 

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5 Really Important Things to Do Before Turning 25

In less than 20 days from now, I’ll be turning 25. For the past years of my life, I really paid little attention to my birthday. I was never really excited and never really anticipated anything. Recently, I thought that it’s really sad that I’m almost apathetic to my birthday while others celebrate, party hard or can hardly sleep thinking of surprises and presents from loved ones. It’s a little inevitable though during birthdays that one is taken to a little journey back thinking about the life behind.

I’ve always told myself, I don’t have regrets - I’m never going to have any regrets no matter how many mistakes I make in my life - simply because I believed that even mistakes are destined to happen to make me what I am in the present. However, as the day I turn 25 grow nearer, the more I unconsciously let my mind slip to the past and ask myself, “What if?”

What if I obeyed my mother and stuck with my best friends in grade school who were always in top class? Looking at their Facebook profiles today, they all became what they had dreamed of: lawyers, business consultants, engineers, doctors, etc. - and I’m still dealing with myself.

Some say the first 25 years of your life is meant for all the mistakes you have to make: dilly-dallying, procrastination, cutting classes, fake IDs, under age driving/drinking/smoking, casual sex and parties. As someone, turning 25, I’d rather say that the first 25 years is so crucial and should never be taken for granted. While others suggest that you do all the crazy stuff before turning 25, let me advice differently:

5 Really Important Things to Do Before Turning 25

• Know thyself.
• Figure out what you really want to do with your career before you step on college.
• Take several moments in your first 25 years to sit down and objectively think about all the things your mother and/or father told/nagged you about. You’ll pick helpful ones along the way.
• Learn how to manage your money. Soon when your parents stop giving your allowance, you will be left to manage on your own. You will be faced with bills, student loans, mortgages, rent, etc. It’s VERY IMPORTANT to learn how to manage your money early on. Save when you can.
• Yes, make mistakes. Have a hundred bucketloads of fun with your peers. Party hard. Laugh hard. At 25, when you have no stories to tell, you will also regret that.

In less than 20 days, I’ll be turning 25. With this blog, I am embracing the fact that there are several things I regret and wish I did. But moving on, I hope that others following my years would be wiser before turning 25.

To my present now, I will be taking on a little time travel and ask myself, “What will my future self regret so I can be here to change it now?” I'll let you know.

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How to Stay Focused on One Task

Employees and students alike are easily overwhelmed by the load of work and tasks that are needed to be done every single day. It becomes difficult to focus when the sole thought of the whole burden freezes the mind on “I can’t do it” mode. The tasks pile even more and the harder it is to finish. When this happens, here are some tips that you can follow to relax your mind and be able to finish your work without the extra and unnecessary stress.

1. Write a list of all the tasks that are needed to be done. Looking at the list could be overwhelming at first but it will help you to organize and not forget anything. List by priority.
2. Write the first task on the list on a separate sheet of paper. It could be a sticky note. Place the note somewhere you can easily see and be reminded off. It could be in front of your computer. Remember: Only 1 task is on the note and keep the rest of your list.
3. Focus on that 1 task and forget the others for the meantime. Do not stop and do not start with a new one until you’re done with that 1 task.
4. After 1 task, get your list and cross out the task that you have finished. Repeat step 2 for the second task. Don’t throw the first note yet. As it piles, it will remind you of the tasks you have finished which can give you encouragement as you progress.
5. Relax. Take a break. Have a light snack or exercise a bit. Everything will be done soon and on time when you focus and relax.

Repeat the process until all tasks are done.

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Full-Glass-Empty

Is the glass half-full or half-empty? When I was in fourth grade, I chose half-full - only because my seatmate gave away the secret behind the psychological question. Even after I raised my hand with those who chose to be positive, I still kept thinking, is it really half-full or half empty? God knows I spent a few minutes staring at the glass drawing on the chalkboard until the teacher erased it.

If the glass is full to its brim, then what if it spills and leaves me with nothing? Yes, the glass is full but I have to guard it really well because somebody might drink it. My glass is full of water - why do I only have water? Why can’t I have a glass full of soda… or beer? Why do I have to have water and others have my favorite fresh mango shake in theirs? My glass is full but I only have one glass.

If the glass is empty to its butt, then I can fill it to the brim. In fact, I can choose whatever I want to fill it with. Maybe I’d fill it with money than some beverage, what d’ya think? If the glass is empty… oh well, I still have a pitcher of ice cold iced tea in the fridge, just give me a sec. If I’m in the middle of the dessert and I have an empty glass, I could break the glass and use it to cut open a cactus for water.

If the glass is half-empty/half-full, do you have more or do you have less? I guess it really doesn’t matter whether it’s full, half or empty. Your mind will find ways to be thankful or ungrateful - however you choose. It’s your choice.

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