Kat – Page 10 – Katrina Karen

Welcome to KatrinaKaren.com

April 4, 2018

by Kat with No Comment Business Creativity Writing

I finally completed the move to a new website after a few weeks of trying to figure out how to implement the changes. I am now starting from scratch in terms of SEO (search engine optimization) but I did not give much thought to SEO in the previous blog so not much harm was done, I think. I hope I have placed enough preventive measures against vulnerabilities in my new website. Having gone through website rebuilding, I can always create a new one should this one encounters a problem in the future. (This is not a sound advice for those setting up their websites. This is me trying to play cool and unfazed over stressful matters like website downtime, hackers, trojans and viruses. So do not take my word for this. Always have a backup and maintenance plan.)

Let me walk you through the website and let me be your tour guide. The first part of the homepage is a slider. The front page opens with a slide of my current mantra: Dream. Create. Love. Repeat. On the right side of the header, there are links to the different pages of the website.

When viewed on devices with smaller screens, the menu can be found on the upper left part of the header.

The slide automatically shifts to another one but you can also click on that arrow button to swipe to the next slide. The next slide introduces me, the website owner, and what this website is all about. When you click the “Read more”, a window opens with my about-me page. I wish I had a newer photo and had photo shoot specifically for the site. I no longer look like this person in the photo. I was thinner and younger in this photo. On second thought, let’s stick to this photo. Ha!

The next slide has a link to my art portfolio. I am happy that I was able to set this up. I was too lazy to set it up in the previous website because the main page was already the blog itself. I was trying to figure out how to incorporate it with theunstressed.com. Now that it is KatrinaKaren.com, it is all about me so it is easier to include my art. (That sentence sounded so narcissistic but you get the drift.)

I hope you also noticed my logo. It is k-squared for the double “K” in my name. My father taught me my signature when I was kid so I always sign with k-squared even before I learned what squared in Mathematics meant. I guess I was pre-destined to major in Math in the future. (Yes, I have a Mathematics degree which I now conveniently use in estimating pixels and ratios in art.)

If you scroll down my site, you can read my recent blog posts. I was able to get my blog posts from the old blog. I am just glad I was able to retrieve seven years of writing so you may find some of my photos marked with theunstressed.com. I will not be editing some of those photos. I am still in the process of checking broken links. I had 380+ posts. I don’t know if I have the time to change the watermark of the photos inside those 380+ posts.

If you are not much of reader, you can follow me on Instagram and just view my photos.

Or you can also subscribe to my Youtube channel for travel, recipe and art videos. I am still thinking if I should start vlogging. Ha!

And if you like to receive updates, you can subscribe to my newsletter and follow my social media accounts.

That’s it. I wish I can do a lot more in terms of design and functionality but this will do for now. I hope you like the new design. You can always send me a message if you find a glitch or ask me any question in general. You may also leave a comment below.

Thank you for visiting KatrinaKaren.com!

The Birth of a Domain: How an Error Led Me to Create a New Website on my Own

April 3, 2018

by Kat with 4 Comments Blogging

At the start of March this year, I found myself scrambling to fix my old blog. Some spammy content was showing up on the search results redirecting my blog to some foreign websites when you try to search it through Google. I wore my techie hat (I was an IT specialist for 11 years!) for days looking for ways to troubleshoot the errors. I guess I realized there was a reason why I left that job. It can be frustrating to keep on fighting against an unknown enemy. I scoured for ways to fix it and the option of hiring an expert would cost me hundreds of dollars. So my idea of a fix would be creating a new website.

I made light of the situation by telling a friend that I am shifting to a new domain since my old domain, TheUnstressed.com, was already causing me stress. I could no longer live up to its name. The truth is: I could not afford to hire experts. Ha! Poor me. I know I could not wallow in self-pity and helplessness. I decided to just create a new website. I have been wanting to redesign my previous blog but life always gets in the way. I hired someone to design my previous blog because I could not find time to learn how to do it on my own. I saw this situation as the necessary push.

If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.

I saw this as a learning opportunity. I already know how to get a domain name and a hosting service. I developed and managed TheUnstressed.com for almost 7 years so I knew my way around building the site. I just was not too keen with the necessary software and plugin updates with the different tools being used in my site thereby exposing it to vulnerabilities. I learned the lesson the hard way. But there was no use crying over spilt milk. I had to move forward.

I asked a few friends on possible domain names that would fit my personality and the blog. I told them of the initial domain names that spoke to me. I said that I wanted something that has “project” on the name since this website is a personal project. I also wanted something with a positive adjective. I spent days churning up names and searching them if they were available for sale. Some domain names I wanted were pretty expensive. I thought of “thehappyconfettiproject”. It embodied the positive vibes I wanted for my website. I learned that it is better to have a shorter domain so I searched if “happyconfetti” still exists. Yes, it does but for a jaw-dropping $3,395.00!

After much consideration, I resolved to just use my name. No domain name describes me better than my given name, KatrinaKaren. I can almost hear Dr Seuss: “”Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.” Now I am just too happy I was not named, Katrina Jane or Katrina Ann. Thank you, Mama and Papa, for my very affordable name. Hahaha!

After I finally bought my domain name, the long process of creating this website followed. It took more than a week to get it right (or into a design I can live with). I finally have a website without hiring someone else to do it for me. If you are interested in developing a website, these two Youtube videos helped me a lot: Link1 and Link 2. I will write more about the process in future blog posts. Let me know if you have questions on the process, I will try to answer as best as I can.

Living it Up in Libjo

March 30, 2018

by Kat with 2 Comments Travel

I always look forward to visiting new places especially those off-the-beaten-path types. These places are not usually teeming with tourists so I feel like I own the place. (Yes, I have a very active imagination. Didn’t I say I was a dreamer?) So when an opportunity to visit Libjo in Dinagat Islands came up, I was thankful that I had no important activity in my calendar. I thank my friend, Bryan, for inviting me to talk about blogging and photography to high school students there. I had a wonderful time living it up in Libjo.

Libjo is a municipality in Dinagat Islands. Dinagat Islands is a province in Caraga Region in Northern Mindanao. To get there from Butuan City, we traveled by bus to Surigao City, took a jeep to the port and rode the boat for Libjo. The boat ride took us almost 4 hours.

Libjo is a charming little town with so much potential for tourism. We had time to just stroll around the town and the introvert in me just loved the peacefulness of the surroundings: no traffic, no crowd, no pollution.

This is the park and government center in Libjo. Children of all ages hang out at this park.

We walked further to reach an area overlooking the sea.

From this vantage point, I get to see these views. This is a great reward after walking a few kilometers.

There is a fishing boat docked below.

Libjo has rice fields that looked like small terraces.

Awesome, isn’t? Wait till you get to the beaches.

Beach hopping was part of the workshop so that the students can get some inspiration with their writing and practice photography.

So we hopped on a boat and we passed by this view on the way to our first beach.

Don’t you want to just hang out here and relax?

How about sipping buko juice and scooping the yummy meat afterwards?

Say hi to my friend, Bryan, who made this trip possible. Thanks, Bry!

Libjo has white sand beaches with wide shoreline that we have enough space to jump…

… and do some yoga.

How about some quiet time in the blue lagoon?

I love hanging out in the grass under the coconut trees.

Oh, the students had fun, too. I hope they learned something from this workshop.

My heart is full. Even for a short time away from the city life, I get to live a little better.

I will be back, Dinagat!

5 Things You Should Know About Starting a New Workout Routine

March 1, 2018

by Kat with No Comment Health

Before you start a new workout program, there are basic things you need to know about workout procedures. If you are training as an athlete, training for an event or for weight loss, these are the basic tips you need to bear in mind. Preparation for the workout is very important. If you meet the basic Pre workout requirement, you will easily achieve the results that you seek. Doing so will enable you to regularly train and achieve the results. You should train for at least three days per week in order for the workout routine to yield results.

Here are 5 things you should know about starting a new workout routine:

Choose a proper meal plan

Having a meal plan helps you to eat a healthy diet. A proper diet and regular exercises are the two key aspects of weight loss and keeping fit. You cannot ignore the importance of diet if you are thinking of starting a workout program. A diet rich in proteins is recommended. Green vegetables and plenty of fruits are also good for you. You should also include wholemeal carbohydrates for energy supply. You should also include appropriate supplements.

Set clear goals

If you set clear goals then you will work out towards the goals and you will achieve them. Do not set unattainable goals. This will only lead to disappointments. With clear goals, it becomes easier to design a good workout program. Do not rush the process. If you are working out to lose weight or training to keep fit for athletics, remember it will take time. You should be patient.

Minimize chances of injury

You can do this by preparing well for the workout. Taking the appropriate supplements before a workout can help minimize your chances of injury. You should however not be afraid of intense workouts. The major cause of injury during a workout is due to a high-intensity workout. You may suffer some soreness, tight muscles and stiffness at some point. With time your body acclimatizes and you no longer feel the pain.

Level up your exercises

You should start with low-intensity workouts. As the program advances, you can increase the intensity of your work out. You should not do the same sets every time. This is one way through which you can get a new boost of motivation when you try something new. Having a partner for moral support is also highly recommended. This will also help you to keep on track.

Post workout recovery

After intense workout, you should rehydrate your body by taking plenty of water. You should also eat healthy snacks and appropriate supplements. Ensure that you get enough rest as well so that you are relaxed on your next workout session.

These are the five important tips you need to bear in mind when starting a workout program. It is a good idea to invest in appropriate workout gear. Ensure that you stay focused and motivated. You should continuously challenge yourself and keep up the workout routine. If your goal is to keep fit, then you will achieve it if you follow these tips.

5 Tips to Clearing the Air of Your Home

February 16, 2018

by Kat with No Comment Good Finds

Did you know that indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than the air outdoors, primarily due to a lack of proper ventilation?

An increased presence of toxins happens because of different reasons:

– Smoking or indoor fires, from stoves, fireplaces and other cooking activities.

– Mold and asbestos, which can develop in areas like your carpets under damp, warm and dark conditions.

– Higher levels of carbon monoxide and radon, which are both toxic gases

All of these can have severe adverse effects on your health, contributing to severe asthma, lung cancer, and other complications.

Regulating the quality of air inside your home is essential to leading a healthy lifestyle.

How do you do it?

Using air fresheners and other similar products to cover up damp or stale air only adds to the overall pollution inside the house, as they only mask the effects of pollutants instead of getting rid of them.

Instead, here is what you can do.

Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Using low VOC paint on indoor walls and installing carbon monoxide detectors in every room is the first step towards ensuring better air quality. However, there are many other methods you can employ to cleanse the air in your house such as:

2. Improve Indoor Ventilation

Open your windows! Install trickle vents or exhaust fans to regulate the air, especially in your kitchen and bathrooms to reduce the risk of mold and similar problems caused due to an increased moisture content in the air.

Go in for Natural Purifiers

Beeswax candles and salt lamps are 100% naturally occurring substances, which act as natural air purifiers when burned as well as help elevate the atmosphere of the room.

Purchase Air Purifiers

You can also buy an electronic purifier, for faster more effective air purification. These devices can filter out even the smallest of particles for fresh, helping you get clean breathing air inside your home. And they are cheap too, so you wouldn’t really feel any pinch on your pocket.

Cleaning is Important

Your central heating system, ventilators, air conditioners and dehumidifiers collectively called the HVAC system require frequent cleanup and maintenance. Carpets, rugs, and furniture that catches a lot of dust also need to be dusted and often cleaned to avoid dust mites, especially if you have pets!

However, do look to reduce your dependence on cleaning products, as they contain strong chemicals such as bleach, hair sprays, deodorants, and nail polish indoors. Often, they include VOCs, chemicals known not just to affect your health but the environment as well.

Focusing on Your Daily Habits

Having plants inside the house can help by naturally decreasing the carbon dioxide content in the air as well as adding a natural, fresh and pleasant aroma to the room.

In a nutshell, some lifestyle changes can make a good difference.

– Do not smoke indoors

– Clean the carpets; they can be dirt magnets

– Take off your shoes before entering the house and use a doormat

These simple tips can help reduce the amount of air pollutants and improve your health by fresh, clean breathing air.