Where in the world is Dominica? We are in the Caribbean at an island called Dominica at the port of Rouseau on Domingo. Frankly speaking, I had never heard of the island of Dominica prior to this trip around the world on Semester At Sea so everything we learned was new to us! Dominica named a, “Best Trip of 2011″ 20 Best Trips of 2011 — National Geographic. Looking for an out-of-the oridinary destination for your next vacation? Check out these 20 top trips, hand-picked by National Geographic Traveler editors as the best of 2011. The name Dominica came from Christopher Columbus when he re-discovered this Island on Domingo. It was Sunday so the name stayed with a minor twist from the original Spanish word for Sunday.  We are here on Domingo or Sunday and absolutely everything is closed ex... 01/19/2011

Thinking Globally Acting Locally is the theme of the Spring 2011 Semester at Sea Voyage. The participants are learning about the new term "glocal."  Taking the lessons we are learning from around the globe and applying the message to our local community is taking us "glocal." Traveling around the world with a group of 605 college students, 66 lifelong learners and 70 TOP EDUCATORS has built up HIGH expectations of a “transformational” voyage. Speaking with new people every day at meal time creates opportunities to learn and share with one another like none other we have ever experienced.  Taking classes, observing in the Field  Programs, listening to speakers who are on the ship to share how they are making a difference in the world one  person at at time and explaining how they accompl... 01/18/2011

Glocal #1 Thinking Global Acting Local It's Carra Riley here live from Nassau, Bahamas on my voyage around the world! The vision for me in this trip is to “Connect The Dots Around The World.” I had no preconceived idea of how any of the dots would start to connect but they have already started to come together. Your comments and input will be invaluable as I post on my blog with a stream of consciousness writing along with just sharing what I am thinking and the observations I am making from exactly what I am experiencing. The “bar of expectation” for many businesses and services is a moving target today and we have had our experience with this two times in the first day of travel.  As the world economy is changing the fight for the discretionary dollar is actually going to the street w... 01/10/2011

The Beginning: Where In The World Is Carra Riley? It’s 4 a.m. in the morning….. la..la…la.. Elton John sings on in my mind.  My husband Tom and I are in the airport in Charlotte, North Carolina in Charlotte Douglas International Airport . Carra writing first blog post for SAS The reality of the journey of a lifetime became crystal clear as we took off from Phoenix, Arizona just after midnight, January 9, 2011. We are on our way to Nassau, Bahamas to embark on the MV Explorer with the Spring 2011 Semester At Sea voyage. As we taxied down the runway and the lift of the engines took us high above the desert development in the dark of the night, the vision of our world and our expectations of this life changing adventure began to form in my thoughts. I could see the engineered design of the... 01/09/2011

Let The Games Begin: Play "Where In The World Is Carra Riley?" Carra Riley is a writer, speaker, small business and real estate consultant going on a 104 day voyage around the world on Semester at Sea with her husband Tom. They live in Williams, Arizona and are taking their local community with them as they travel from the East to the West. This is the announcement post of the new INTERNATIONAL game... Where in the world is Carra Riley? The Theme of the Spring 2011 voyage is  "Global Interdependencies: Thinking Globally Acting Locally" "Glocal: Someone who is able and willing to think globally while acting locally to improve the human condition and the planet we inhabit."                     Williams, Arizona IS an International melting pot with visitors coming from all over the world a... 01/07/2011

Thank You Activerain For Teaching LOCAL Awareness! Spending the last two years creating blog posts and videos about my community has been a rewarding activity.  Not only have I gained an appreciation for everything our area had to offer I became involved with the community leaders and am now ready to take that activity to the next level... Going "GLOCAL!" Global Interdependencies: Thinking Globally, Acting Locallly "Glocal" is a great word for 2011. It really resonated with me because of activerain and the progressive vision for teaching the importance of localism  in our communities. I can now connect the dots of world economics and how it comes right back down to our local communities where we live, work and play. Thank you activerain for opening my eyes to the bigger picture and bein... 01/04/2011

Do you want to make this the year to GO GREEN and share the passion to help clean up the environment? Taking small steps in our individual lives can make a difference in the world and the resources we are using up. The concept of "Pay It Forward" can be an all inclusive term when sharing things that are good and can help others.  As we share with one another we are paying it forward in many aspects of our daily lives. Each year as I clean up the Christmas decorations and gather up the cards I take time to cut off the written area  and create post cards with the clean section which is usually the top with the graphic on the other side. The Re-purposing of the Christmas card begins at that point.   A Thank you note can be written on the left side of the post card with the address on the r... 12/26/2010

Last Minute Gift of Ingredients! Yes, you read that right.. Why not give the gift of ingredients for a special food dish! Try this idea with any fun food you make and want to share a recipie and the ingredients with.  Put your creative hat on and think about what you cook that everyone loves, then go get the ingredients, print out the recipe and put it in a bag. No matter what the event, birthday, Christmas, Valentines day this idea works and is something the receiver can use and think of you with warm thought while preparing!  Try it, you'll like it! Time for Christmas gift giving is running out and this might be your answer!  A gift bag and the grocery store! Simple, then you are all set to give the gift of ingredients!   What are some last minute "gift ingredients" you can think of? 12/22/2010

Cooking With Carra! I know, I know.. what is that crazy Carra doing now?  Creating some Cosmic Chili for Christmas and New Years! It's always a good time in the Cosmic Cow Pie! Check out the Cow Tips to making great Chili for a big group!    Quick Cosmic Chili 6 or 7 15 oz. cans of different chili 1  10 oz. can diced tomatoes and green chilies 1  4 oz. can diced hot green peppers 1  15 oz. can stewed tomatoes pureed in the blender 1.5 lbs. hamburger browned 1 large white onion sauteed 1 pkg. Chili seasonings 1/4 cup sugar 1 16 oz can V-8 juice 2 cans water Be sure to bake some cornbread.. add creamed corn to your mix or some cream cheese for chewy cornbread.  Try green chilies for some southwestern spice! Watch the video for chili directions....or wing it.. Cooking with Carra is a creat... 12/20/2010

Christmas in Williams, Arizona. Looking for a place to make wonderful winter memories!  Come to Williams, Arizona and enjoy the Polar Express, Bearizona and the Grand Canyon. This time of year you might experience a dusting of snow or a huge flurry of snow but snow or no snow you will love the festive lights and decorations that really make Williams a winder wonderland.   The stores are open with delightful Christmas cheer and the restaurants have food to tickle your fancy. Come and share Christmas in Williams, Arizona. 12/19/2010

Christmas Weekend Project! Looking for some fun this weekend and want to create a festive Christmas centerpiece? Go out in the forest and gather some greens and pine cones.. zip over to the Dollar store for some ornaments and sizzle then create a masterpiece in a very short time..Don't have a forest.... try a Christmas tree lot and ask for some broken branches! Look through your extra Christmas items and start thinking out of the box... what can you decorate the greenery with? Find some old ornaments and attach them with twister ties. It all starts with some branches in a large vase.. Don't have a large vase?  Try Ross Dress for Less, The Dollar Store or Kohl's.  A small waste basket would also work.. a paint can can be decorated.. be creative, it's fun and you can SAVE $$$   I hope you... 12/17/2010

2011: What Direction Are You Going?                                     "Survival 201: Do you have what it takes?"  was a post I shared last week. The information was for a 6 hour planning workshop for the Prescott Area Association of REALTORS in Prescott, Arizona.  There were several requests for a summary of the class so I decided to share a few of the ideas we came up with for marketing in 2011.  2011 will continue to be a changing market in many areas of the United States.  Taking this fact and incorporating the concept into seminars or webinars on a quarterly basis will keep your clients up to date with the most current events taking place in your area. It also gives the agent something to be talking about when engaging in conversation both in person or in a social media venue.  Cr... 12/13/2010

Pay It Forward to our Heroes with a Holiday card this year. The American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes are sponsoring Holiday Card program for the fourth year.  Holiday Mail For Heroes. If you would like to send a card to a soldier you need to get it in the mail by December 10, 2010!    There are some rules so read on!                                  Do... Include your heartfelt sentiments and sign all cards Entitle cards with generic terms such as “Dear Service Member, Family or Veteran” Limit cards to 15 per person or 50 for school class or business group Bundle groups of cards in single, large envelopes Don’t... Send letters, care packages or monetary gifts Include personal information such as home or email addresses Use glitter – excessive amounts can aggravate health issues of wounde... 12/05/2010

Thanksgiving Thoughts! Pondering the importance of the National Day of Thanksgiving unites us with thoughts of peace and gratitude. Thanksgiving started as a harvest festival and is primarily celebrated in America and Canada.  It is a holiday to express thankfulness, gratitude, and appreciation to God, family and friends for which all have been blessed. Traditionally, it has been a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest and loving relationships. Did you know.....Thanksgiving in the United States was observed on various different dates throughout history?  It was not until December 26, 1941 that President Franklin D. Roosevelt, after pushing two years earlier to move the date up to give the country an economic boost with a longer Christmas selling season, signed a bill into law, wit... 11/20/2010

Who Were You Nice To Today? Part 2 in a 3 part series of learning questions. What Did You Learn Today?  Part 1 of a 3 part series of learning questions. Who were you nice to today, seems like a simple question. When our days are filled with rushing around to meet deadlines and obligations this concept might slip through the cracks. The message in this three part series is just a reminder to think about three simple ideas that will make the world a better place simply by asking three questions a day. What did you learn today? Who were you nice to today" How am I better today than yesterday? Applying this thought behavior modification with family or friends to be accountable with one another makes it a lot of fun to do.  There is a new accountability group in Active rain called Pay It For... 11/13/2010

What Did You Learn Today?   Part 1 of a 3 part series of learning questions.  What did you learn today is the first questions in a series of three, to help with the evolution in today's changing Universe.  The questions can be easily shared with family members and support groups of any kind.  I can honestly say there is not a day goes buy that I do not learn something by reading blog posts and participating in cyberspace with social media.  The atmosphere to grow is inviting and makes learning fun.                                             Think about how easy it would be to fly at the altitude of success by simply learning ONE concept a day!  To embrace this philosophy one must first stop being ANGRY about all the new information which must be embraced.  Once you build that bridge an... 11/07/2010

Serious Stuff About Drugs and Mexican Prisons Have you ever thought about how people get involved in being drug smugglers?  How an ordinary person could get caught up with a drama hook so big they risk everything for drug money? Please join me with Lisa Walker the co/Author of "The Mirror Maze: A Norweigian Man's Story of Five Years in Mexican Prisons"on my blogtalkradio show Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. Arizona Time same as Mountain Daylight time.  Call into 347-994-1903 or join us in the chat room with questions. Lisa will share the thoughts and transformation one of her family members went through traveling down the drug path. Check out the Book trailer     One readers Amazon book review explains what you can look forward to.   4.0 out of 5 stars Redemption of a Tortured So... 11/05/2010

                                                            No Guts!  No BLue Chips!                        Let's talk about getting "out of the comfort zone" to generate some blue chips.                                              It takes guts, knowledge and the right connections to make changes when others are afraid. As a real estate consultant, I am encouraging existing home owners wanting to move up, to do it now.  Many families are reorganizing with the employment changes where children and grand children are coming to live with parents. Why not buy a bigger house and enjoy the change while the prices are down.  Individuals who purchased a home in 2002 or before could be in the perfect equity position to move up now too!  Do you want that two or three car garage or the den and 4... 10/23/2010

                                The Bar Of Expectations... Do We Have A Responsibility To Raise It?                                                                                    Do you want to just step over this or help raise the bar? Unemployment is at one of the nations all time high levels.  Well educated people who can read, think and reason are all over the work place applying for the same jobs as hundreds in hopes of maintaining their homes and food for their families.  The law of supply and demand should be in effect now with having such a large supply of workers to fill the small amount of job openings.  The workplace should be filled with cordial, helpful and professional workers. Consumers should NOT accept substandard service and if you do not say anything, you are addi... 10/19/2010

Credit Card Fraud!  Are you prepared? I really do not like to be chicken little shouting "the sky is falling" but I have too many friends and family who who have been touched with some type of credit card fraud recently and I thought I would share some ideas to help you be prepared in the event someone hijacks your credit card number. Today, I received a call from MasterCard asking me if I had purchased $2,621.82 at the Apple store in Georgia. Since I was sitting at my computer in Williams, Arizona when they called I was able to say "absolutely not."  Evidently, someone was trying to purchase (probably a big deal mac laptop or two Ipads) with my card number at Apple.  I only have 1 card and it was in my wallet so that meant someone had the nerve to present the card number and try to get... 09/23/2010