"When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money."
~ Susan Heller

"Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability."
~ Sam Keen

"There is no need to go to India or anywhere else to find peace. You will find that deep place of silence right in your room, your garden or even your bathtub."
~ Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

"Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world."
~ Ada Louise Huxtable

"This art of resting the mind and the power of dismissing from it all care and worry is probably one of the secrets of energy in our great men."
~ Captain J. A. Hadfield

How many of these Canadian questions can you answer correctly?

1) Which province produces the most maple syrup?

2) What does CBC stand for?

3) What province is directly to the west of British Columbia?

4) What is the provincial flower for Ontario?

5) The St. Lawrence River does not touch which province?

6) How many gold medals did Canadians win at the Montreal Olympics?

7) Which Canadian province has Butt, Head and Brain?

8) How many national parks are contiguous in the Canadian Rockies?

9) What is Canada's only walled city?

Answers at the bottom of the newsletter

Phone: 1-800-913-1961 info@apccanada.com

Typically this newsletter is focused on tips for being more effective at work and on providing you with the latest news on the upcoming Administrative Professionals Conference. However, in honour of summertime, this issue offers 2008 APC information and a bit of fun with articles ranging from beauty to summer reading to household projects and a vacation checklist. We hope you enjoy them!

Breaking APC News!

We’ve just confirmed our 2008 APC Keynotes — and we think they will be some of the best ever! First is Canadian icon, author and activist—Margaret Trudeau. She has led a rich and interesting life, raising five children and traveling the world extensively. In 1971, she became the youngest Prime Minister's wife in Canadian history at the age of 22. Since then, she has become an activist for mental health issue and for the poor, and she has written two books about her struggles to overcome a bipolar condition.

Margaret Trudeau	David Chilton	Cheryl Pounder
Michael Kerr	Linda Edgecombe

2008 attendees will also hear from The Wealthy Barber David Chilton. The best-selling author’s new speeches aren’t about money. They’re about believing in yourself, overcoming mistakes and, most importantly, they’re about perspective. And we’ve confirmed Olympic Gold Medal hockey player Cheryl Pounder; humorist and energizer Michael Kerr; and motivator Linda Edgecombe.

For more information go to www.apccanada.com.

Niagara Falls is an ultimate tourist destination and a premier conference location. The Niagara Falls and Great Gorge attractions, botanical gardens, wineries, shopping and historical sites makes Niagara Falls, Ontario a spectacular venue for the 8th Annual Administrative Professionals Conference!

Niagara is among the most accessible destinations in the world, with two area airports to choose from – Buffalo International (30 minutes away) and Hamilton Airport (45 minutes away). Niagara is also just a one-hour drive from downtown Toronto.

APC 2008 Conference attendees will receive special discounted rates at the beautiful Sheraton on the Falls Hotel and the connecting Brock Plaza Hotel during the Conference! Book early for great discounts. We hope to see you there next April!

Meet the 2008 APC Advisory Council

In addition to the input we get from each year’s attendees and surveys we take throughout the year, we rely on each year’s Advisory Council to provide suggestions and feedback on the APC program. We’d like to thank the following for their commitment to the 2008 APC:

Sharon Fleary, Administrative Assistant
Investment & Trade Division
Ministry of Economic Development & Trade
International Trade Branch

Lisette Fudge, Administrative Support Manager
SaskTel

Sheila Miller, Secretary
Case Management Unit & Personal Support Services
Six Nations Health Services

Fae Newton-Nixon, Senior Administrative Assistant
Canadian Egg Marketing Agency

Divina Pereira, Executive Assistant/Training Coordinator
AGFA Health Care

Sandra Walker, Executive Administrative Officer
Deputy Minister Office – Labour

Donna Woo, Administrative Coordinator
Learning and Teaching Centre
British Columbia Institute of Technology

Honorary Member
Kathryn Hodder, Business Unit Leader
The Canadian Management Centre

Even though Beauty is More than Skin Deep

Summer sun and heat can be hard on your skin and hair. Here are a few corrective treatments you can make at home. This cooling mask is great for soothing a sunburnt face. Ingredients:

- 1 tbsp natural yogurt, room temperature (NOT lowfat or non-fat)
- 1 tsp runny honey (microwave for a few minutes to soften hardened honey)

Combine mixture then apply to face. Let sit for 15 minutes. Wash face with steaming washcloth. For dry skin, use an extra tsp of honey. For oily skin, add a few drops of fresh lime juice.

If you swim in a chlorinated pool regularly, try this treatment at home to keep chlorine damage to a minimum.

- 1 egg
- 1 eggshell's worth of olive oil
- 1 quarter of a peeled cucumber

Blend the egg, olive oil and peeled cucumber in a blender.

Spread evenly through your hair, leave on for 10 minutes, then thoroughly rinse. For best results, continue this treatment monthly.

A Few Home Improvement Projects

Want to create a great looking porch retreat? Dig out those old pieces of furniture stored in the cellar or look for good looking pieces at estate sales. Sand, tack, and prime them, then paint with a few coats of marine paint that can take abuse. You might try a peaceful blue and white look.

If you have metal outdoor furniture that needs re-painting—or can find some shapely used pieces, ask if your local auto body repair shop will sandblast and paint them for you. They have an amazing choice of colors and the finish lasts for years!

If you would love to update your kitchen but can’t afford to remodel, try a few of these quick and relatively inexpensive facelifts; paint (new paint is the least expensive way to get a lot of impact!); change the hardware on the cabinets for an up-to-date look; replace the counter tops; buy one of the newest looks in sink and faucet or change the lighting. (For example, large old track lights can be replaced by a sleek newer version.)

Explore these sites…

For everything from home design to recipes, de-cluttering ideas, book reviews, beauty tips and job effectiveness suggestions:
www.hgtv.com
www.onlineorganizing.com
www.blogher.org
www.ivillage.com

Summer Reading: Non-fiction

Candice Olson on Design, HGTV Books, 2006

Candice Olson is one of the top interior designers in North America. Multitalented and energetic, Candice toured the world as a member of the Canadian national volleyball team while also earning her degree from the University of Calgary. She then moved to Toronto to attend the School of Design at Ryerson University. Her style incorporates creativity, practicality, and timelessness to create sophisticated yet accessible designs. With her trademark humor and sense of fun, Candice shares design secrets and dozens of practical tips to help readers plan and execute successful room makeovers. Includes decorating ideas, tips, and advice to update and reinvent living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, basements, and more!

The Camera Phone Book: How to Shoot Like a Pro, Print, Store, Display, Send Images, Make a Short Film by Aimee Baldridge and Robert Clark; National Geographic, 2007

Already revolutionizing audiovisual communication, cell phones with cameras are a trend that will only grow—and who better than National Geographic to create a how-to book aimed making the most of those photos you snap? This generously illustrated nuts-and-bolts guide treats camera phones as genuine cameras instead of novelties. You will find practical tips on taking great shots and learn to access the events, advice, and opportunities for the burgeoning camera phone community. Featuring the technical savvy of Aimee Baldridge and the creativity of National Geographic photographer Robert Clark, a camera phone pioneer, this compact reference combines expertise with superb examples, all at an inexpensive price.

A Perfect Mess: The Hidden Benefits of Disorder—How Crammed Closets, Cluttered Offices, and On-the-Fly Planning Make the World a Better Place by Eric Abrahamson and David Freedman; Little, Brown and Company, 2007

Here’s the book those of us who are disorganized—or who “organize” things into stacks and piles—have been waiting for! This book examines how messy systems can be more effective than highly organized ones. It also takes the position that being overly-neat not only has hidden costs in terms of hours that could be spent doing other work, but it turns out that the highly promoted advantages may not even exist. The authors argue that moderately disorganized people and businesses may often be more efficient and more creative than the obsessively neat. Chock-full of examples, the chronically messy will love the stories, and those of us who feel guilty that we aren’t more organized will get some relief.

For the Organized…A Vacation Checklist

Of course, you have a list of everything to take and everything you need to take care of before you go. But who hasn’t forgotten something? Run through this checklist to see if you have all the bases covered!

Things to Do in Advance

 Get information about where you are going, including maps, articles and books on attractions, advice from those who have been—either via the Internet or those you know.
 If traveling by car, get it serviced. Get tickets, and make reservations. If traveling abroad, check to see what documents are required and whether you need any inoculations.
 Arrange for pet care or boarding; be sure pets have necessary vaccinations.
 Arrange to have the house, mail and lawn cared for.
 Be sure that you will have enough prescription medicine. Order if required
Planning to rent a car? Check your auto insurance and credit cards to see if you're fully covered where you're going. You may not need that supplemental insurance offered.
 Buy extras you might need:
       Sun Screen
             Insect Repellant; first aid kit
             Medicines, Anti-nausea pills
             Money/passport bag
             Power converter
             Entertainment for kids, yourself during travel time.
             Camera batteries/film; other batteries
 Stop the mail and newspaper; update voice and email. Pay bills.
 Get money and/or traveler's checks.
 Put name and destination phone number or destination address in luggage.
 Remove non-essentials from wallet or purse. Do not forget to take proof of medical insurance, however. Break in any new shoes or equipment you are taking.
 Record phone numbers for reporting lost or stolen credit cards, passport or debit cards and put them in a location other than your purse or wallet. Record emergency phone numbers to leave with neighbors, relative, or pet boarding facilities

• If you are divorced or traveling as a solo parent, get a notarized letter from your children's other parent authorizing you to take them out of the country--otherwise airlines may not let you board. If you are traveling as a solo parent or with children other than your own, get a notarized letter from the children's parents authorizing you to travel with them and make any necessary medical arrangements, etc.

Don’t Forget to Bring:

 Tickets; passports; ID you will need at the airport or at cross-points.
 Reservation confirmations
 Contact lenses, lens case, and extra solutions
 Prescription medicines; extra eyeglasses or lens prescription
 Umbrella or raingear
 Camera

• Bring a bag for dirty clothes; bring assorted plastic bags for items you may want to bring back, snacks, etc. If you plan to bring back souvenirs, leave some room for them in your luggage or bring a folding tote.
• Pack kids' carry-on backpacks with their help. Always put in a few surprise snacks and new toys. Also include a change of clothes for the kids. Don’t forget reading material.

As You're Leaving:

 Close and lock all windows; adjust heat or air conditioning. Clean out the fridge and dispose of all garbage.
 Unplug small kitchen appliances (toaster, can opener, coffee maker), computers and TV/stereo.
 Turn off water to external faucets; turn off water to washing machine (especially if your hoses are old!)

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

For its 7th Annual Health Beauty Awards, Self magazine asked over 1000 readers to identify their favorite products. Readers tested approximately 1,200 beauty products, which were limited to those released in the last 12 months. Here are some of the winners and the approximate cost:

Best Anti-Aging Cleanser: Dove Energy Glow, $5.

Best Anti-Aging Moisturizer: Lancôme Platineum with SPF 15, $132  Note: While it was the most expensive product on the reader survey, one participant said she saw results after using it just a few times. Alternative recommendations include Oil of Olay’s Regenerist line.

Best Body Scrub: Mark Self Mineral Body Polish, $8

Best Anti-Aging Body Treatment: Nivea Body Moisturizer, $9

Face Sunscreen: Clarins Day Screen With SPF 40, $37

Best Body Self-Tanner: Almay Sunless Tanning With SPF 15, $10

Best All-Around Shampoo: White Rain Blossom Shampoo, $4

Best Hair Repair Treatment: Redken Silk Fuel, $16

Best Lip Gloss, Neutrogena Moistureshine, Lip Soother, SPF 20, $7 

Brainteaser answer:

1) Quebec
2) Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
3) There is none.
4) Trillium
5) Alberta
6) Zero
7) Ontario
8) Four because Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay and Banff National Parks are connected.
9) Quebec City

If you got fewer than four correct, join the club! If eight or more were correct, do you work for the government or did you Google™?