Currently Unemployed? Looking for a Fresh Start? Here's an Opportunity You Simply Can't Pass Up!!!

So you don't have to be a rocket scientist to know that traveling is what most people would opt to do if they were out of work!

Our current economic climate is icky and we are constantly bombarded with headlines about the job market worsening! A few hours ago, the Associated Press released an article titled, Jobless claims indicate economy remains weak, and just 24 minutes ago UK Yahoo! News published Job market slump continues. Day in and day out, that's all we read and hear about on the news!

While most people patiently wait for the economy to stabilize, some people are actually taking advantage of this changing job market to pursue their dream career! That's not a bad idea considering that 7 out of 10 Americans would change jobs tomorrow if wishing could make it so.

After the success from Australia's Best Job in the World campaign, there have been a couple of "copycat" campaigns such as The Next Best Job in the World (which has been suspended due to “unforeseen events,” whatever that means!!! Booooo Mason Horvath Elite Travel Experiences!) and Taiwan's Best Trip in the World contest (ended June 30, 2009).

So if you are looking for a new career involving travel, here are two hot opportunities you may want to consider:

* Lastminute.com: One lucky winner will have the opportunity to spend 60 days traveling to eight cities across three continents, collecting over 32,000 miles! All you have to do is submit a photo from a trip you took, along with a review (200 words or less) of your experience here. The deadline for the One Heck of a Summer contest is July 15, 2009.



* TheBigTrip.com: Spend 15 weeks traveling the United States as a travel correspondent! All travel expenses will be paid along with a $50,000 salary. Submit a 60 to 90 second video here explaining why you are the perfect candidate. Deadline for entries is November 1, 2009.


Good luck to everyone! BTW - each winner gets to bring a friend along with them (Ahem, clearing my throat), so uh keep me in mind yeah?

American Expats Celebrating 4th of July in London

What is an American Expat living in London to do this Fourth of July? I don't know about you, but I can't bare to celebrate Independence Day without a barbecue, fireworks and other Americans!

Whether you're looking for a picnic at the park, boat party on the Thames River, or a late night getting your freak on at the clubs, here are some events to consider:

The London Expat American Meetup Group will be hosting their 7th annual 4th of July Picnic at Battersea Park! The event is FREE of charge all day and everyone is welcome. They will set up in the grassy area in front of the Pump House Art Gallery, which is rented for the event and will have two fully stocked bars in operation as well as clean toilet facilities. There will be softball games and impromptu frisbee playing. Guests are encouraged to bring American footballs, volleyballs, kites or just bring a blanket and a bottled water (which is all you really need)!

(Over 900 people showed up to last year's event)

Or if you're looking for some "sun-drenched" (if we're lucky) fun on a boat filled with local musical talent, you should check out the Green Man on the Boat Party. From 2pm to 7pm, the all-inclusive cruise up the Thames River promises a little debauchery and some of the finest musical happenings including newcomers 6 Day Riot and folktronica artist James Yuill. Tickets are available for £20 plus booking fee, click here to purchase.



But if you happen to be a night owl, the APT Bar is offering a £5 guest list if you RSVP here. Open until 4am, guests are encouraged to sport red, white or blue (or all three)!

Any of these events tickle your fancy? If not, check out Time Out London's comprehensive list of Yankee-themed celebrations!

Let's hope the sun decides to keep us nice and thirsty all weekend long. Have a happy Fourth of July!

Flickr Slideshow: Banksy Versus Bristol Museum

"This is the first show I've ever done where taxpayers' money is being used to hang my pictures up rather than scrape them off," Banksy was quoted by the BBC as saying. "This show is my vision of the future." (Reuters, June 12, 2009)

When I first heard Banksy would be exhibiting his work in Bristol, I knew I'd find a way to get there. This opportunity does not come along too often, and for me to be living in England when it did, I knew I had to make it happen.

The National Express Coach (£18 return ticket) from London to Bristol took 2.5 hours, the (uphill) walk from the bus station to Bristol Museum took approximately 20 minutes, and the queue to get inside the exhibit was one hour! It was worth the trip, no doubt! The exhibit is FREE -- a great way to bring some business to Bristol and showcase the city as a funky, hip destination.

Banksy's work is brilliant. He conveys such strong controversial messaging using the simplest images.

"Banksy, who is rumored to hail from the Bristol area, but has never revealed his full identity due to ongoing legal complications, is mounting the show as a salute to the city, which supported his early street career," according to a PR company representing Banksy, which it said came directly from the artist, explaining why he was staging the show in Bristol.

These are three of my favorite displays. The Chicken McNuggets and fish sticks are creepy --- you can bet I won't be eating them any time soon!

Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Cuban Revolution at the Barbican: Free Musical Performances

La Habana. Photo: Petra Richterova ©2007.

If you enjoy sipping Cuban rum, listening to Cuba's hottest musical talent, and watching troupes dance to invigorating drum beats, you won't want to miss out on Havana-Cultura, a series of musical events celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Cuban Revolution. Havana-Cultura will be hosted at London's famous Barbican Centre, the largest performing arts centre in Europe!

On Saturday, June 27th, Havana-Cultura will be offering FREE pre-show musical performances by Yoruba Andabo, Changui de Guantanamo, and jazz violinist Omar Puente starting at 2pm.



The ticketed show (£10-20) is a triple bill of Cuba's finest artists, featuring leader of the nueva trova movement singer-songwriter Pablo Milanes, Harold Lopez Nussa, and Son del Tropico. The show begins at 7:30pm.



The FREE stage pre-show performances on Sunday, June 28th will include Son del Tropico, Chacon y su Timba, Charanga del Norte and Leo Duany & Tumbao Tivoli.

And starting at 7:30pm, the ticketed show (£10-20) will showcase Cuba's biggest, funkiest dance orchestra Los Van Van, and Yoruba Andabo, a company of singers, percussionists and dancers performing original West African music styles preserved since the 16th and 17th centuries!

I don't know about you, but just listening to the music by these talented, extraordinary Cuban artists makes me want to shake my bon-bon!

Hope to see you there with a Mojito in hand!!!

Click here for a map of the Barbican Centre located at Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS. Nearest tube stations are Barbican, Moorgate, St Paul's, Bank, Liverpool Street and Mansion House.


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Banksy Exhibit: Bristol Museum (June 13th - August 31st)

Check out this trailer for Banksy's Exhibit at Bristol Museum! (See below)




Banksy (Robert Banks) is considered the most provocative and politically controversial graffiti artist of all time, and that's why we love his work so much!

"Banksy's stencils feature striking and humorous images occasionally combined with slogans. The message is usually anti-war, anti-capitalist or anti-establishment. Subjects include rats, monkeys, policemen, soldiers, children, and the elderly." - Wikipedia



The exhibit opened on Saturday, June 13th and will run for 12 weeks ending on August 31st. Admission is free and open from 10am to 5pm every day. Bristol Museum is located at Queen's Road, Bristol BS8 1RL.

Click here for directions.


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Some of his work may be a bit disturbing and upsetting (especially for young children), but his crafty work demands appreciation and praise, whether you agree with his messaging or not.

(Thanks for bringing this up to my attention Juan. Wish you could be here to join me at the exhibit.)

No Durian, No Music, No Talking, No Littering, No Jaywalking, No Peeping and No Urinating Allowed in Singapore!

I'm surprised there wasn't a sign for "No Breathing"

I studied abroad at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and remember my first impression of this city/country/island/state was not all too positive.

This "fine" city made front page news for the caning of Michael Fay, an 18-year-old American charged with theft and vandalism. Before leaving to Singapore, we were briefed on the strict rules and policies, i.e. no gum chewing, jaywalking, littering, spitting, etc.

To my surprise, my Singapore experience was amazing! I loved every minute of it and would recommend it to anyone, especially if it's their first time visiting an Asian country. Singapore is an Asian country with strong western cultural influences, i.e. McDonald's and Starbucks available throughout island. Although English is the official language (and language of instruction), many Singaporeans speak Singlish.

So please don't let these signs deter you from visiting Singapore...

Photo Credit

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Last, but not least....No Studying! (My personal favorite)

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What were we supposed to do if we weren't allowed to study? Trust me, it wasn't difficult to figure out what to do with ourselves, especially since Singapore is central to Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam! Traveling by bus was cheap and convenient!

Check out this video (below) produced by a former colleague from Norway, Kjartan. We both lived in Hall 14 and he was crafty enough to create this wonderful video to share with the rest of the students in the study abroad program!

Wedding: My Favorite 'First Dance' Video

I love it when couples don't take themselves too seriously on their wedding day. I get it, your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, but c'mon, lighten up a little and have some fun. There's no better way to entertain your guests than with a surprise like this (watch video).

The couple in this video show off their dancing skills during their "first dance" to a little bit of Jack Johnson and Michael Jackson --- the perfect combination of romantic music for your fairy tale wedding!