http://ja-nae.net/blog Adventures In: Experimentation, Imagination & Sophistication Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:43:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 en hourly 1 http://ja-nae.net/blog/break-the-rules http://ja-nae.net/blog/break-the-rules#comments Wed, 05 Oct 2011 13:57:15 +0000 Ja-Naé Duane http://ja-nae.net/blog/?p=4608 New adventures and opportunities do not always show up at your door step. Sometimes, you have to break the rules and get out of your comfort zone in order to find them. Here's how.]]> http://ja-nae.net/blog/break-the-rules/feed 1 http://ja-nae.net/blog/a-brief-guide-to-becoming-a-spy http://ja-nae.net/blog/a-brief-guide-to-becoming-a-spy#comments Wed, 17 Aug 2011 13:18:58 +0000 Ja-Naé Duane http://ja-nae.net/blog/?p=4505 Don’t laugh, but I dream about being a spy. Maybe it’s because of my love for travel, or maybe it’s because of all the James Bond movies my dad used to watch with me, but no matter what I achieve, I keep coming back to this fantasy. I have always dreamed of living an exotic life of travel and intrigue, and being a world-class spy is the epitome of this lifestyle. But while fictional characters like James Bond and Jason Bourne glamorize and dramatize the life of a real-world spy, the reality is that there truly are spies among us, working to collect information and fighting for national security. I recently had dinner with an old friend who–”in a previous life”, as she puts it–worked in the field. While she’s sworn to secrecy about specifics, we did have an good chat on the more interesting aspects of the life. So whether you are seriously considering this life path or just indulging in daydreams, here are the skills I learned are necessary to become an effective spy. Learn Another Language – Although English is the universal language, being fluent in at least one other language is essential for any spy.  Not only so [...]]]> http://ja-nae.net/blog/a-brief-guide-to-becoming-a-spy/feed 0 http://ja-nae.net/blog/tools-to-help-you-learn-a-language http://ja-nae.net/blog/tools-to-help-you-learn-a-language#comments Tue, 09 Aug 2011 14:15:55 +0000 Ja-Naé Duane http://ja-nae.net/blog/?p=4466 It’s been way too long since I’ve been out of the country, but with the Artist Retreat around the corner, I’m really getting excited. A few of the attendees (Are you one of them? Would you like to be? Contact me for more information!) asked me how to learn a language and learn it quickly.  It’s a great question. That’s why I rounded up some great language apps that will help you kick your second or third language into high gear: Tweets: Twitter is  understated as an educational tool. Twitter allows you to learn new languages and practice them a little bit. Click here a compilation of some “linguistic twitterers”. LiveMocha.com – Livemocha divides a language into courses, units, and lessons.  Lessons are divided into four types of activities: learn, review, write, and speak. What’s nice is that you can also make flashcards from the content in the lessons, or you can make your own flashcards.  There is even a chat feature, so you can connect with people learning the same language you are. Babbel — If you’re looking for something that you can use on both your computer and smart phone, Babbel fits the bill. It provides exercises and [...]]]> http://ja-nae.net/blog/tools-to-help-you-learn-a-language/feed 1 http://ja-nae.net/blog/7-travel-tools-for-any-productive-trip http://ja-nae.net/blog/7-travel-tools-for-any-productive-trip#comments Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:22:45 +0000 Ja-Naé Duane http://ja-nae.net/blog/?p=4444 In just a few short weeks I will be traveling to Italy for the Artists Retreat.  I can’t wait to join together with artists to be inspired, and work with others like myself who are making their dreams and ideas come to life.  Being in Italy for a week is a dream, but even though I’ll be in a beautiful foreign country, I know I still need to be productive.  Here are some tools and gadgets I use to make sure travel doesn’t stop me from being industrious even while overseas. Apple iPad — What a great way to have everything you need at your fingertips, while not straining your bicep muscles carrying all your luggage AND a heavy laptop.  The iPad is incredibly versatile and will allow me to tweet, read, write, and stay in contact while I’m away. Apple MacBook Pro 13” — I have nothing against PCs or netbooks, but my MacBook and I have taken many successful trips together, so why mess with a perfect partnership? It’s not as small as a netbook, but just as convenient and is perfect for those times when I need more than what my iPad can give me, such as when I [...]]]> http://ja-nae.net/blog/7-travel-tools-for-any-productive-trip/feed 1 http://ja-nae.net/blog/how-to-jump-off-a-roof http://ja-nae.net/blog/how-to-jump-off-a-roof#comments Fri, 10 Jun 2011 12:30:34 +0000 Ja-Naé Duane http://ja-nae.net/blog/?p=4322 Have you ever wanted to jump off a roof? You’re not alone. During parkour training, they teach you how to do it and successfully. What is Parkour? According to Wikipedia, Parkour is the non-competitive sport of traversing mainly urban landscapes by running, climbing and jumping. Participants run along a route, attempting to navigate obstacles in the most efficient way possible, using only their bodies. Skills such as vaulting, rolling, swinging and wall scaling are employed. Parkour can be practiced anywhere, but areas dense with obstacles are preferable and it is most commonly practiced in urban areas. Parkour Basics Watch this video to understand so basic positions and moves: Now, while using these basic principles, here is guide on how to jump off a roof: 1. Cue Motivation Music: Before you begin, get your ass-kicking soundtrack in place. Here are a few crowd sourced ideas: Meron Langsner’s pick: Emily Torres’ pick: Naomi Pierce’s pick: And of course, who could forget the song during the Ocean’s Twelve “Laser Dance”. 2. Run: In order to gain speed to leverage later, give yourself enough runway to get a running start. 3. Jump Forward: When jumping, jump forward. This will allow you to attain momentum horizontally and further your reach. 4. Leg Extensions: As you’re approaching the ground, [...]]]> http://ja-nae.net/blog/how-to-jump-off-a-roof/feed 1 http://ja-nae.net/blog/the-traveler-how-to-haggle-like-a-pro http://ja-nae.net/blog/the-traveler-how-to-haggle-like-a-pro#comments Fri, 03 Jun 2011 14:41:09 +0000 Ja-Naé Duane http://ja-nae.net/blog/?p=4280 In many countries, if you are looking to buy something then you are expected to haggle. It is a part of the culture. It is much easier than you may think to get a deal and According to America’s Research Group, consumers who haggle are successful 80 percent of the time, and not just while traveling. So, are you ready to start haggling? Here are 9 Ways to Haggle Like a Pro: 1. Do Research: If you are buying something off of a vendor cart, more often than not there will be one or more cart that has the same item. Shop around and see who has the best price before you start to negotiate. 2. Be Nice: Shop owners remember who’s friendly to the staff and are more willing to haggle with someone who has been pleasant than someone who has been rude. Remember, a smile goes a long way. 3. Know the Inventory: By observing the inventory in a market or store, as well as what people are drawn to, you can easily see what sells and what doesn’t sell as well.  The biggest deal will come from the items that don’t fly off the shelf or are not well placed for [...]]]> http://ja-nae.net/blog/the-traveler-how-to-haggle-like-a-pro/feed 0 http://ja-nae.net/blog/why-drinking-coffee-is-great-for-you http://ja-nae.net/blog/why-drinking-coffee-is-great-for-you#comments Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:42:45 +0000 Ja-Naé Duane http://ja-nae.net/blog/?p=4245 My name is Ja-Naé and I drink coffee. A lot of it. There is something about the smell of a fresh brewed cup; the warm liquid sliding down my throat; and the invincible feeling that I could conquer anything after having my first cup in the morning. Are you with me? On my birthday a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to do a coffee tasting hosted by Starbucks of their newest Reserve coffees. To discover notes like I would in a wine; to identify subtle differences between the smell of my cup of Sumatra Tapanuli and how it mixes with my taste buds; it was indeed an adventure. I am so grateful to Shashi Bellamkonda, Katie Kotchka, and Starbucks for this fantastic great gift (click here to read the Capital Cooking review by Eric Wilkens). After the tasting, I became curious about my beloved cup O’Joe. Just how good is coffee for you? Should I really be drinking 3-4 cups a day (yes, it’s true)? The short answer is yes. Here are a few reasons to drink coffee on a daily basis: Health Benefits:  Web MD states that a growing body of research shows that coffee drinkers, compared to nondrinkers, are: less likely [...]]]> http://ja-nae.net/blog/why-drinking-coffee-is-great-for-you/feed 4 http://ja-nae.net/blog/how-to-create-your-own-luck http://ja-nae.net/blog/how-to-create-your-own-luck#comments Wed, 25 May 2011 13:48:42 +0000 Ja-Naé Duane http://ja-nae.net/blog/?p=4175 You know the saying, “Some people are just lucky,” right? We’ve all heard it. My friend Dan is definitely one of those people. No matter what he does, it always works out for him. Do you know anyone like that? “I find that the harder I work, the more luck I have. -Thomas Jefferson. The truth is “luck” is just a characteristic in success people and here is how you can create your own luck: I. Position Yourself: Lucky people will constantly put themselves in a position to be “lucky”. They show up to the table, they connect and they tell others what they need. They know nothing will happen if they just sit back and wait for it. II. Prepare: Lucky people usually prepare for the great things that happen to them. Whether it is doing creative investigation work to network with the right people or taking facts and skills learned at an earlier time and applied to a new situation, lucky people always prepare for situations. III. Solutions: Lucky people know that there is more than one way to make things happen, so they are constantly in search for ways for things to go there way. And if they cannot find a solution, [...]]]> http://ja-nae.net/blog/how-to-create-your-own-luck/feed 1 http://ja-nae.net/blog/how-to-be-curious http://ja-nae.net/blog/how-to-be-curious#comments Wed, 18 May 2011 15:07:03 +0000 Ja-Naé Duane http://ja-nae.net/blog/?p=4060 Do you shy away from the unknown or do you welcome the unexpected? Ever since I was a little girl I have thrived on curiosity and questioning things. However, many colleagues I know in business stick like glue to the familiar. They rely on the routine things that have served them in well in the past, and avoid anything new and different. This attitude can maintain stability, but if you’re not curious you are doomed to the same experiences without ever growing in business or in life. This article by Donald Latumahina at Lifehack tells of the virtues of curiosity.  Curiosity gives you a fresh perspective, allowing you to discover fresh ideas. Being curious makes you more observant and opens up new worlds and possibilities you wouldn’t otherwise consider while also adding the spice of variety to your life. Some of my best ideas for projects, as well as some of my best adventures, have come from stepping outside of my comfort zone and following my curious nature. For these reasons, curiosity should be a quality you cultivate. So here are some things you can do to be more curious in your life: Do Not Ignore the [...]]]> http://ja-nae.net/blog/how-to-be-curious/feed 2 http://ja-nae.net/blog/how-to-live-anywhere-and-love-it http://ja-nae.net/blog/how-to-live-anywhere-and-love-it#comments Tue, 17 May 2011 13:23:36 +0000 Ja-Naé Duane http://ja-nae.net/blog/?p=4106 We all dream about living somewhere else, right? Even if we love where we live now, it is the romantic notion of trying something new, something exotic. Am I right? I posed this question on Facebook this morning, “If you could move anywhere, where would you go and why?” Here are some of the answers: “I live where I most want to be. Not sure why anyone would do otherwise.” -Michael Troiano Though I agree with Mr. Michael, I am somewhat nomadic in nature and like to test out places before I decide to hang my hat and call somewhere home. Why? before I commit to a significant move, I want to know that I can be equally as happy in my new location as I am in Boston. For the freelancers out there, here are 3 ways to discover new cities and which location would make you happiest. I. Air BnB: The beauty of being a freelancer is that you can work from anywhere. So, why not sublet your place out and try out a new city for a month. I love using Air BnB because of the built in community component, rating system, as well as the variety of housing possibilities. You can [...]]]> http://ja-nae.net/blog/how-to-live-anywhere-and-love-it/feed 7