Living, Work and Social Distancing

Posted on April 20, 2020June 23, 2020 by Julie Tsai

I hope all is well with you, your family, and friends, as we count the days of the COVID-19 quarantine.

I have been asked by several friends and colleagues about my opinion on the current and future state of the real estate market.

Moving forward, I speculate that most will approach the market in search of a sanctum that will accommodate not only their living needs but professional and recreational as well. In this case, more square footage and private outdoor space will be in high demand.

In reference to buying and selling in this current market, both parties must be aware that standard negotiation tactics will change, and may need to entertain offers that reflect their needs rather than the bottom line, and for that, I am here to assist.

In the meantime, I have provided you with a list of fun activities to pass the time during this period of “Social Distancing”.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Stay healthy and positive. We’ll get through this together!

Top 10 Things To Do While

“Social Distancing”

1. 1. 1. 1. Have a Game Night
        
        31 Fun Games for Family Game Night
        
        10 Best Adult Party Games That’ll Make Any Game Night

Download fun game apps such as:

- - - - Heads Up
        
        Family Feud Live
        
        Fibbage
        
        Piccolo

2. Get Ahead of Spring Cleaning

Take this time to declutter and reorganize your home or apartment!

6. Start Spring Home Maintenance

7. Brainstorm Ideas for Home Improvement Projects

- - - - New Kitchen Trends
        
        Houzz Compact Patio Ideas
        
        Boost Curb Appeal With Shutters
        
        Add Seasonal Planters and Window Boxes

8. Workout at Home

9. Get Rest + Strengthen Your Immune System

- - - - 7 Mistakes That Can Weaken Your Immune System (and How to Fix Them)
        
        Coronavirus Resource Center
        
        Facts (and Myths) About Boosting Your Immune System

Source: Compass

10 Ways to Manage Home Schooling for Your Children

Posted on April 3, 2020June 21, 2020 by Julie Tsai

With schools being closed and children now being homeschooled, it can be difficult to manage your daily routine (along with work) and still find time to ensure your kids are learning and staying active. Ranging from science and language to music and math, here are 10 programs and classes that will make learning fun for your children.

1. Scholastic Learn at Home Projects

Scholastic has started a Learn at Home series, which will keep children learning even though schools are closed. Each day, Scholastic will add four different learning experience videos to their website for different grade levels. Click here for the Scholastic Learn at Home Projects.

2. Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems

Children’s author Mo Willems has been releasing “Lunch Doodle” videos on The Kennedy Center’s website, which encourages children of all ages to draw and write with him. Be sure to have crayons, paper, pens or pencils ready and join Mo Willems each weekday at 1 p.m. Click here for the link to Mo’s videos.

3. Khan Academy

Created by experts, Khan Academy’s library of trusted, standards-aligned practice and lessons covers math K-12 through early college, grammar, science, history, AP®, SAT®, and more, and it’s all free! Students practice at their own pace, first filling in gaps in their understanding and then accelerating their learning. Click here to visit Khan Academy

4. Live Children’s Book Reading by Josh Gad (Olaf)

Josh Gad, the voice of Olaf from the Frozen franchise, has been reading children’s books via his Twitter account. Since Frozen 2 was just released, this is the perfect way to wind down the day and get your kids ready for bed. Click here for Josh Gad’s Twitter profile.

5. Prodigies Music Online Classes

Prodigies Music offers online classes and activities for children to teach them musical skills through video lessons, worksheets and sheet music. Children will learn how to sing in tune, understand music notes and how to play an instrument. Click here to sign up.

6. NGAkids Art Zone

The National Gallery of Art presents NGAkids Art Zone, an interactive and informative way to introduce art and art history to children. It features activities like creating animated portraits, decorating 17th-century dollhouses and making three-dimensional geometric shapes, which will entertain your children while they learn about art and art history. Click here to access NGAkids Art Zone.

7. Online Language Classes

Conjuguemos teaches students how to learn a new language through different types of interactive activities, quizzes and games. They offer these courses in Spanish, French, German and Italian, just to name a few. Click here to sign up and get started.

8. Daily At Home Science Experiments

Club SciKidz have been posting daily science or cooking experiments that are safe for children to try at home. These experiments are interactive and will help viewers learn more about elements, matter, sound and more. Click here to access these at home science experiments.

9. Bamboo Learning through Amazon’s Alexa

Bamboo Learning has integrated voice-based learning through Amazon’s Alexa, making it easy for kids to learn since almost everyone has this tool in their homes. They have a variety of different tools that will educate children on subjects ranging from math and reading to music and history. Click here to enable these tools to your Alexa.

10. Kid-Friendly Workouts

Sworkit, an at home fitness program and app is now offering kid-friendly workouts to help your kids stay active while at home. Ranging from warm-ups and strength to agility and flexibility, these videos are sure to keep your child engaged and occupied. Click here to get started.

Source: Compass

Looking to Volunteer Virtually?

Posted on April 3, 2020June 21, 2020 by Julie Tsai

In these challenging times, small acts of goodness are more important than ever. See below for a few ways to virtually extend a hand to those in your community – all from the comfort of your own home! Together, we can show how much #CompassCares.

Get Started Today!

UPchieve is a free, online platform that connects low-income high school students in the US with live, volunteer coaches (that’s you!) any time they need it, especially during this time of school closures. The volunteer experience is ultra-flexible so you can help students from anywhere with an internet connection!

Career Village provides students with free personalized career advice from real-world professionals. On a mission to democratize access to career information and advice for underrepresented youth, professionals answer questions from any laptop or smartphone, giving students the inspiration and education they need to make better decisions about their futures. Volunteer virtually to answer questions from students who want to be you when they grow up!

The Trevor Project is a national 24-hour, toll-free confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth. TrevorChat & TrevorText volunteers are trained to answer online messages or texts from young people who are struggling with issues such as coming out, LGBTQ identity, depression, and suicide. TrevorChat & TrevorText volunteers must undergo a 40-hour virtual training and serve a minimum of a one-year commitment, with three to four 3-hour virtual shifts per month.

Translators Without Borders aims to close the language gaps that hinder critical humanitarian efforts worldwide by offering language and translation support for humanitarian and development agencies, and other non-profit organizations on a global scale. TWB depends on volunteers who are fluent in at least one language other than English to translate millions of words for medical texts, crisis response, or other engaging projects!

The Smithsonian seeks to engage the public in making their collections more accessible through digital technology. “Digital Volunteers” can take on important assignments to expand access to the Smithsonian’s massive collections and can participate in a variety of research programs. Learn more about the Smithsonian Institution’s WikiProject or become a citizen scholar through the Smithsonian Transcription Center.

Hire Heroes USA helps US military members, veterans and military spouses find new careers. You can help with mock interviews or career counseling via phone or video to make a real difference in the lives of military families with your expertise and energy.

Missing Maps is an open, collaborative project in which you can help to map areas where humanitarian organizations are trying to meet the needs of parts of the world that are vulnerable to natural disasters, conflicts, and disease epidemics. Join thousands of others in coordinated humanitarian projects to map OpenStreetMap and support communities in need

Crisis Text Line is a 24/7 national crisis-intervention and counseling service conducted exclusively through SMS text. Volunteers provide emotional support to texters who are dealing with a wide range of issues– bullying, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and more. Prospective volunteers go through screening and a lengthy self-paced training. Once completed, volunteers sign-up to take one four-hour shift each week for a year.

Be My Eyes is a free mobile app with one main goal: to make the world more accessible for blind and low-vision people. The app connects blind and low-vision individuals with sighted volunteers from all over the world through a live video call.

5 Tips For Working From Home

Posted on March 20, 2020June 20, 2020 by Julie Tsai

1. Location, Location, Location

Try to find yourself a dedicated and comfortable spot to work that you can associate with your job and leave when you’re off the clock — that means get off the couch, and definitely out of bed.

Click here for more info.

2. Bring The Outdoors In

If you do not have any greens in your designated work from home location, consider adding some indoor plants to create a more inviting and creative space. Plus, they make your home‘s air healthier!

Check out the link here for some ways to freshen up your home décor with a touch of green.

3. Repurpose your commute

A major perk of working from home is ditching the commute. Use this time in the morning for a workout, self-renewal, or family time.

4. Show your face

When possible, use video over the standard conference call to help create more interactions and avoid loneliness.

Checkout video conferencing resources such as Zoom, BlueJeans, Skype, or Lifesize.

5. Create lists

Every night before your go to bed or in the morning create a list of what you will deliver by the end of the day.

If you don’t have a physical notepad handy, I LOVE the “Google Keep” in G Suite. Keep offers a variety of tools for taking notes, including text, lists, images, and audio.

Tag: Lifestyle