Every year, my cousins from Australia pay us a visit. They stay for a whole month. We never really plan ahead all the things that we want to do, though we always find time to bring them to the beaches of California because they love swimming. This year, we were lucky enough to have enjoyed a one week stay in Laguna Beach. A family friend invited us to their five-bedroom luxury vacation home.

Whenever we need to travel long distances, our main problem has always been trimming down the stuff that we wanted to bring. My mom often complained that we were bringing practically the entire house no matter where we went. So this time, we did our best to follow the checklist that she prepared.

One of the essential items in my mom’s list was a collapsible wagon. When I asked what we were bringing it for, she said that it was for a lot of things. She said that the wagon was one of the most functional items in the list. It can be used for carrying and transporting items from one place to another. It can also be used as a table or tray. So if we wanted to stay by the beachside the whole day, we did not have to worry about going to and from the house from time-to-time just to get whatever it is that we need. We can bring everything we want to and then place them on the foldable wagon.

That was exactly what my sisters, cousins and I did on that trip. We spent most of the time sunbathing and building bonfires by the beach. And the collapsible wagon was with us the whole time! My mom was right, it is truly functional. It is the perfect out of town companion!

Every month, my boss asks me to re-arrange the office furniture. Sometimes, I do a little redecorating, too. One time, however, my co-workers told me about their problems regarding the office chairs, which were quite outdated already as they have not been replaced since two years ago. I told my boss about this and as he has always been understanding when it comes to his employees’ needs, he gave me the freedom to work on the problem.

I gathered my co-workers and asked them for suggestions on what I should do with the office chairs. Their answers were unanimous; they needed chairs that were friendlier to their back and their postures as many of them are already suffering from a mixture of back, neck and shoulder pains. The fact that we worked in front of the computer for eight or more hours a day does not help solve the problem.

So I decided to look for better alternatives to the traditional chair. In the course of my research, I heard about computer chairs that were made ergonomically. These chairs were made to conform with the needs of humans, so that even when seated, proper posture would not be difficult to achieve. These chairs, I learned, are also the best ergonomic chair especially in terms of providing support for the back and the neck.

I found several online and decided to check out some. I finally settled on one online shop that specialized in ergonomic furniture. I told my boss about it and after I explained the need for such chairs, he gave me the go signal.

My co-workers are now happier. And they’re all definitely feeling better! The best thing about it, though, is the fact that work efficiency improved and productivity increased. My boss has never been happier, too!

My boss loves the outdoors. Whenever his uber busy schedule permits him, he goes out of town with his wife and daughter and they go camping. Sometimes, if he cannot take the whole weekend off, he simply brings his family to the beach and they go surfing. One summer weekend, when things were a little slow in the office, he decided to take me with him in their small adventure.

We went kayaking. Now, here’s something you should understand. The closest thing to an adventure that I have experienced is going camping at our school grounds in 10th grade. And that was many years ago. So the kayaking thing was an absolutely new experience for me. Anyway, my boss assured me that there was nothing to worry about. His friend, who competed in kayaking events all over the country, was going with us.

True enough, on the way to our kayaking destination, my boss’ friend gave out some pointers. He also told us that we would be using inflatable kayaks as they are perfect for beginners like me. They’re easy to handle and easy to navigate. They may look vulnerable, but they’re actually made of really sturdy material.

Before we got into our inflatable kayaks, my boss’ friend advised us to check all our gears and necessities. He told us to bring a bottle of water, protection or cover from the sun and an extra t-shirt. He then assured me that we would be kayaking partners, so I had nothing to worry about.

Surprisingly, I enjoyed my first kayaking experience. I was nervous the first few minutes, and then the water simply calmed me and helped me relax. We kayaked for over an hour but I never felt tired or stressed out. I totally enjoyed every minute of my adventure!

For one reason or another, my boss, who is a single mother like me, entrusts everything to me when it comes to organizing events for her small company. There are only 35 of us in the company, so we really do not have the manpower to create a department for company events. What usually happens is that my boss gives me all the details of the event and I get to pick out around 10 co-workers who will work with me in organizing it. To date, I have handled around 15 company events, including 3 conventions.

In the beginning, it was quite difficult to balance my regular office responsibilities with the event organizing tasks. Eventually, though, I got used to the whole thing. In fact, putting up these events has become a fun adventure for me. I have also become quite an expert in many of the areas involved in event organization. For example, in choosing party rooms or party venues, I no longer need to consult with my boss. I already know which one is suitable for this or that event. I know which party hall is perfect for a small intimate dinner for clients, or which venue is best for a whole day company anniversary celebration.

Decorating the party hall is now a simple thing for me to do. Sometimes, our company events are themed. But my team members are already seasoned event decorators and it takes them only a few minutes to come up with creative concepts!

The best thing about this company event organizing thing is the fact that my contact list has become quite long. If I ever get tired of working in the office, it’ll be easy for me to put up my own event organizing company, and I’ll have my contacts list ready!

You talk about one amazement after another. Something that you have gotta see to believe

Historic Downtown

Nearly all of the city center buildings are nineteenth century or older; the topography and irregular street pattern (most streets are too steep and narrow for vehicles; many have steps in them) almost make one think of a medieval city like Toledo, Spain. The city, built on the site where silver was discovered in the 1530s, is crammed into a narrow canyon, with houses and churches perched on its nearly vertical walls.

The whole town is a museum; there are three seventeenth or eighteenth century ex-monasteries near the center, several other churches from the colonial era scattered here and there, and at least half a dozen other museums, nearly all worth visiting. Houses and streets, all of which built in colonial times are worth seeing on their own.

Cathedral: It is one of the most beautiful examples of Churrigueresque arquitecture in Mexico. It is an elaborately carved red-stone (cantera) structure that was built between 1730 and 1760. It is flanked by two towers with an exuberant ornamentation and has a notable facade that was richly sculpted but its once decorated interior was looted during the civil wars of the 19th and 20th centuries. Its coupula was reconstructed in 1836 and imitates that one of the church of Nuestra Señora de Loreto in Mexico City.
Church of Santo Domingo: Almost in front of the cathedral, on one of the corners of the Plaza de Armas, the Veyna alley lies, leading to the church of Santo Domingo that was built by the jesuits between 1746 and 1749 and has a beautiful Baroque facade. Splendid gold wood-carved altarpieces, all of them churrigueresque, and Francisco Antonio Vallejo paintings (XVIII) that represent scenes of The Passion can be found inside.
Exconvento de San Augustín is a former monastery from the XVII century. The main church is now used for conferences and cultural events; the monastery still houses the bishop’s offices.
School of La Compañía de Jesus: It shows a richly sculpted facade; the cloister is surrounded by halls whose vaults are decorated with cherubim.
Church of San Agustin: It has a plateresque facade decorated with a bas-relief.
Parish of La Virgen del Patrocinio: It lies at the summit of a hill (Cerro de la Bufa). It was built in 1728.
El Cubo aqueduct: It runs through the city. It was constructed more than 250 years ago.
Antigua Plaza de Toros San Pedro: This former bull ring, adjacent to the Aqueduct has been converted into a luxury hotel. Enjoy a walk around the ring, and if you feel like splurging a bit enjoy lunch or dinner at the Hotel’s restaurant, which has a commanding view of the ring.
Palacio de Gobierno and Plaza de Armas The square beside the Cathedral, interesting murals inside the Government Buildings.
Santo Domingo Church Located parallel to the Cathedral, Jesuit church.
Casa de Moneda
Palacio Legislativo Beside the ex-convento de San Agustín, formerly a church, now houses the state legislature.
Teatro Calderón Beside the Mercado González Ortega. Impressive facade.
Mercado González Ortega Nice, small market selling artesanship and other goods.
Jardín Juárez Beautiful small park beside a lovely square. Beside the University Museum.
Alameda Another garden, on the way back from La Mina de Edén, beside it is la Jardín de la Madre.
Templo de Fátima Impressive neo-gothic temple located on a hill above the Parque General Enrique Estrada
Parque General Enrique Estrada Beautiful park beside the aquaduct and the Templo de Fátima. Contains a beautiful fountain, a band stand and a number of places to sit and relax or have an enjoyable stroll.
Callejón de Alcaicería de Gómez Alley leading to Avenida Hidalgo from the Museum of Abstract Art.
Museums

Museo Rafael Coronel Set in a partially restored convent dating back to the 16th-17th centuries, this museum houses a large and diverse collection of masks drawn from several regions of Mexico and from other cultures around the world. Masks from different regions and eras are grouped together by themes and uses, including masks used in Carnival and in religious pageants, such as those commemorating the Reconquista. Particularly interesting is the alternate incorporation and subversion of pre-Hispanic symbols.
The Diablo room is not to be missed. Portions of the convent grounds that could not be restored have been converted into a garden, with crumbling walls, standing arches and greenery.

Museo Pedro Coronel located next to the “Santo Domingo” church, it houses a colonial-era library and a large eclectic collection of European, African, American, and Mexican art.
Museo Jose Alfaro Siqueiroz
Museo Francisco Goitia Museo Huichol is a small museum located across the street from San Augustín and exhibits crafts and other artifacts belonging to the Huichol culture, whose members still maintain a pre-Columbian lifestyle in the mountains between Zacatecas and Nayarit.
Museo de la Toma de Zacatecas Located a top of La Bufa, it houses weapons, documents, photos, and other artifacts relating to this decisive battle of the Mexican Revolution of 1910.
La Bufa

The Cerro de la Bufa, a mountain with a very distinctive shape, is located in the center of the city and, along the cathedral, is recognized as the city’s most recognizable landmark. The best way to get to the top is using the Teleferico (Cable Car) which takes you from from the Cerro del Grillo (Criket’s Hill) to the top of La Bufa. Once at the top of la Bufa don’t forget to visit:

The Museum of La Toma de Zacatecas (The fall of Zacatecas), displaying weapons, artifacts, pictures, and documents of this battle which took place during the Mexican Revolution.
From El Mirador you can enjoy probably some of the best views the city has to offer.
The Statues of Pancho Villa and his Liutenants. (You’ll see them)
The Capilla de Nuestra Señora del Patrocinio (Chapel of our Lady of el Patrocinio), the city’s patron.
If you are a little of an outdoorsy type you can hike to the summit of la Bufa which is indicated by the very large cross. It is not too hard to get to it if you find the right way (ask a local), but don’t try this alone.
Rotonda de los Hombres y Mujeres Ilustres (Mausoleum of the illustrious Men and Women). Nothing very exciting about this structure unless you are extremely interested in researching the history of the city, but since you are up there why not spend a few minutes here?.
Short Drive Away

Monasterio de Guadalupe Five miles away, in Guadalupe, Zacatecas, is the again-active Franciscan monastery from which missionaries were sent out to christianize the inhabitants of Texas, New Mexico, and California–it is the mother of the Spanish missions in the U.S. Much of the old monastery is a museum of colonial religious art, paintings by Indians trained in the European tradition. The paintings are amazing, and the architecture of the cloisters, the church and the Capilla de Napoli is unforgettable.
Museo de Zoquite 8 Miles south.
Ex-Hacienda de Trancoso 12 Miles south
La Quemada 34 Miles south

The question is how to create loyalty in a client. You come with a game plan, you come with good intentions, you come with confidence, and you come with knowledge. But even that is not enough. Dont forget the cousin with a temporary sales license, four hundred miles away. Even if in prospecting you did all the leg work, showed the client the advantages and disadvantages of several scenarios, the cousin must be paid. Some work that way, some dont. If its about money for the agent they might lose the listing. If its about the client the agent might agree to it, knowing they could do a better job than some one non-local. So the question comes down to work for the client or for the money. But it comes back to what the agreement says, in principle and in spirit. The agreement has at its core the fiduciary component.