Even historians can get it wrong when they do research on the origins of Mother’s Day, pointing to Ann Reeves Jarvis, a 19th Century West Virginia woman who launched clubs that taught local women how to care for their children as the founder. But in fact, holidays honoring moms have been around since the days of ancient Greeks and Romans. These festivals paid homage to…
One of the most talked about new trends is the 4-day work week that’s becoming commonplace in the U.S. Four-day work weeks are also creating a new vacation niche for people with shorter work weeks. This emerging trend has spurred Laru Beya Resort on Belize’s Placencia peninsula to promote a 4-day getaway that is equally beneficial because short, intermittent getaways accomplish so many goals: Go…
If a beauty contest for crustaceans was held today, odds that a lobster would be named most attractive are very low. Lobsters don’t produce pearls like their oyster cousins, but they do have a distinction that makes them unique, according to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): “researchers have discovered that lobsters [aren’t scavengers]. They catch mainly fresh food (except for bait) which includes…
Once upon a time, couples wouldn’t dream of setting wedding dates outside the month of June, but like all trends, things have taken a turn, say Bride’s magazine trend trackers. And given news surrounding odd weather patterns and increases in temperatures, many brides are taking a pass on the months of July and August as well. May remains an extremely popular choice for couples. According…
How does it feel to sink beneath the surface of the water protected by the latest in scuba diving equipment and eager to see what everyone talks about when they describe this life-affirming experience? In a word: amazing. And once divers learn about the history that “buoys” this sport, they’re even more impressed. In 500 BC, the world’s first breath-holding techniques were demonstrated for the…
Does the process of planning an overseas trip make you feel so edgy, that just getting started feels intimidating? Perhaps you haven’t found the right guide for the job, because once you settle on a trustworthy one, you’ll find that there’s no need to calm your nerves. Every step you take will not only give you confidence but boost your mental health, writes National Geographic…
The word gateway is fraught with symbolism and applies to so many aspects of our lives, it’s a wonder we don’t use it often. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary says that gateways allow us to achieve desired goals, while techies are more likely to refer to a gateway when trying to explain a network node that connects two communications protocols. Those who consider themselves religious point to…
Dr. Elizabeth Scott knows a thing or two about FOMO, because she’s worked with folks who “suffer” from it every day. No clue what FOMO means? Consider yourself lucky. Fear of Missing Out may not be found in traditional tomes discussing psychological disorders, but it has become one hot topic, influenced by social media, notes Scott. “The fear of missing out, or FOMO, refers to…
How would you fare if you were asked to lay a round of lobster trivia? Browse these facts and victory could be yours: Lobsters have eight walking legs used to crawl forward, but they swim backwards. Each one has a “dominant claw,” just like left- or right-handed people. Lobsters can re-grow body parts in around five years. Lobsters smell with their legs but have poor…
Western Hemisphere folks who can’t get enough diving, snorkeling, and fishing, don’t want to travel to Australia to experience that nation’s barrier reef due to steep expenditures in money and time. Happily, there’s a remarkable reef off Central America’s coast, and if you’ve kept tabs on travel trends, you know that the Belize Barrier Reef offers visitors a vast marine ecosystem, making Belize the go-to…