The Senator’s family used to be frugal for years with the simple housewife Michelle taking care of the usual basic needs of the family and performing the usual basic function of the wife and mother in a home. Barrack’s Presidential victory has changed that usual family afair withh the changing of the usual Obama family repartee moving in to the Presidential Mansion known as the White House. Critically, it won’t be or should I say far from being called White Home for the black family (nothing racial though). The Presidential Mansion has changed with its new household, only to hope that it won’t go down deep into the psyche of the once usual home for the Obamas.

Going through airport security can be a harrowing experience. Lining up for the security checkpoint can consume a lot of time and setting on the metal detector alarm can be quite distressing. The following simple tips can be helpful to any traveler in avoiding delays and getting through airport security as quickly as possible.

The key to getting through airport security as quickly as possible is to be properly prepared. To avoid getting held at the checkpoint, refrain from bringing bottles of water or any kind liquid as these are prohibited. If you must carry liquids and gels, place them in containers less than 3 ounces and sealed in a one quart plastic baggie. It’s also a good idea to bring extra baggies in your carry on in case you forgot to store any items.

Put your wallet, keys, cell phone and change in the same pocket so you can get everything out and placed in a bin easily. Keep accessories to a minimum. Leave belts, bracelets and large metal jewelry at home. It’s advisable to remove any body piercing even before lining up.

Never even try to carry on scissors, pocketknives or any bladed weapons. Don’t try to hide ANYTHING illegal. They will find it. Also remember that any wrapped gifts you are carrying may be unwrapped by security.

My jet set friend, Shaun Olmstead, suggests shipping excess baggage ahead of time to your destination especially if you are traveling over a long period of time. Sending them by Fed Ex, for example, may even be less expensive. This alternative will not only save you money but also time at the airport.

Photographs are the best souvenirs of your vacations and trips to exotic locales. And you need not take a professional photographer to capture the best moments while basking in a Bahamas resort or sightseeing in Paris.

My jetsetter and photography enthusiast friend, Shaun Olmstead, share some helpful tips on capturing the right vacation moments.

If you want good pictures, you need to invest in a great camera. There’s no need for professional grade equipment to take personal photos, an easy-to-use point and shoot digital camera will do.

Make sure that batteries are always recharged take your camera wherever you go. And look for moments that speak about the trip as a whole. Example: traffic in Mumbai India is frenetic and unnerving– blurred shots of taxis whizzing by encapsulate that.

Experiment. Be adventurous with your angles and framing. Take stolen shots of your travel mates. Unscripted poses add interest to a photograph.

Know the rules of your destination. Get permission before taking photos in a temple or historical site.

Don’t worry about taking blurred or bad photos. Sometimes, they are more eye-catching than the clear ones.

If I had one dream that would be to spend at least a night in the Presidential Mansion (whoever the President is) do everything that I would normally do except that I would be doing it in the Presidential Mansion, awesome I should say, can’t imagine me in the Oval Office where it all happened hahaha, Monica Lewinsky surely had her dream come true. But what she had is not really what I had in mind it would be nice though but I would rather sleep and eat and be merry in the Presidential Mansion without feeling like a tourist harharhar. A dinner at the hall where the Presidents and the powerful allies endulge in food chats and debates. I must be day dreaming all the time when I’d have this chance. It would be a big bonus if I had Barrack beside all throughout the stay at the Presidential Mansion, and not in his suit but in his most comfy outfit for home stay at the Presidential Mansion.

Traveling to places with cultures totally different from what you’ve been accustomed to can be fun and exciting. But it can also get you into trouble if you are not careful. As the saying goes, “Ignorance of the law (or local customs and traditions, in this case) excuses no one.” So if you are traveling to some distant land you are not very familiar with, spend some time to research on the local customs of your destination to avoid committing cultural mistakes. Remember that disregarding local customs in some regions are prosecutable and punishable by law.

My jetsetter friend, Shaun Olmstead, helped me list down the customs and traditions of some travel destinations and provided useful tips to help would-be travelers avoid embarrassment and getting into hot water when traveling to unfamiliar territories.

You can be touchy and greet everyone with kisses when you are in Mediterranean countries but never do that if you are in Korea, Thailand, China, or the Middle East. In Qatar and Saudi Arabia, men and women are forbidden from interacting, let along touching. In Thailand, the head is considered sacred and patting a child on the head is unacceptable.

If you are too modest to appear naked, never enter public saunas when you are in Turkey and Scandinavian countries. A sauna is considered a place of purity and reflection, and wearing bathing suits, shorts and T-shirts, underwear, or any other piece of clothing is considered offensive.

Never refuse or immediately remove a lei when you are in Hawaii. Leis are more than just a stringed bunch of beautiful flowers, they’re a centuries-old cultural symbol of welcome, friendship, and appreciation in these islands. Refusing them or taking them off in front of the giver is considered highly disrespectful. If you are allergic to the flowers, explain so, but offer to put it in some place of honor, say in the center of the table, or on a statue.

Clearing your nasal passages in public is frowned upon in Japan. In fact, the Japanese are repelled by the idea of a handkerchief which they associate with Japanese word hanakuso which unpleasantly means nose waste. So opt for disposable tissues when in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Taking your shoes off before entering a house in London suggests that you are uncivilized but keeping your footwear on upon entering a home in Asia, Hawaii, or the Pacific Islands is considered rude. To be safe, follow this rule: If you see a row of shoes at the door, start undoing your laces. If not, keep the shoes on.

Would you rather stay at home and sulk than go to a mountain trip with friends or family? Do you consider road trips as ordeals rather than a fun activity? Do you associate zigzag roads with nausea and getting intimate with a plastic bag? You must be suffering from motion sickness! I should know, I used to suffer from this malady when I was a child. I abhor long trips that involve riding cars, boats and planes so I couldn’t be more sympathetic if you suffer from this disorder as well. But as I grew older and got the chance to travel more, I discovered several techniques on how to avoid or at least minimize the effect of motion sickness.

Be on the front seat. I’ve noticed that the closer to the front of the car you are, the lesser the effect of motion sickness. This is maybe due to the fact that when you are in front of the vehicle, you can anticipate the zigzag turns.

Look straight ahead. The front horizon doesn’t change much unlike the views on the side windows. Fast moving images of roads, trees, etc. can make you dizzy.

Yawn or do some deep, heavy breathing exercises. Or if the motion sickness is especially strong, do some forceful coughs. It should give you some respite or at least delay the inevitable until the vehicle can stop at an appropriate location. I learned this tip from my jet set friend Shaun Olmstead. It really works!

Try sucking on some ice as the coolness may tend to have a calming effect.

Get some ginger-related products such as ginger candy and ginger ale.

If you really have no choice, there are commercially available drowsy pills that will help to combat motion sickness.

A bad case of food poisoning (or traveler’s diarrhea) can ruin even a well planned vacation. The following tips can help backpackers and travelers prevent common food mistakes and avoid frequent trips to the toilet.

Vegetables are healthy but don’t eat even a single leaf of basil if you are not sure if they are well washed. Veggies like onions, tomatoes, and especially lettuce are almost impossible to clean well, so stay away from them. Opt for cooked vegetables instead.

Go for fruits with peels like oranges, bananas and mangoes and stay away from strawberries, apples, and grapes for the mean time.

Never drink juice or water unless it is bottled, boxed, or boiled. Stick to brand-name sodas to be safe.

Stick to well-known restaurants that have a large turnover. Unless you want to feast on yesterday’s leftovers.

If you are an adventurous soul who wants to try local delicacies, pick the ones which are popular with locals. I would suggest avoiding street food stalls if possible, but if you really must eat somewhere unsanitary, seek out a place that many locals seem to be frequenting. Don’t be tempted by fast service at an empty place, no matter how good it smells.

Bananas are a traveler’s best friend. My jet set friend Shaun Olmstead tries to eat bananas on a daily basis whenever he is on travel. While bananas won’t prevent a major episode, they will help your stomach weather smaller bouts of indigestion.

And just to be sure, don’t forget to carry Cipro and Imodium wherever you go. Make sure to take the proper dosage and use only in the worst of episodes in order to avoid developing a tolerance.

Lost luggage can surely dampen any traveler’s spirit. There’s nothing worse than arriving at your destination but you can’t even freshen up because your precious belongings didn’t make the trip!

My jet set friend, Shaun Olmstead, shares some valuable tips on how to avoid such unfortunate travel incidents and make your trip hassle-free:

Don’t leave without filling out your luggage tags, they are there for a reason! Write your name, home address, emergency contact numbers and destination. It’s also a good idea to put your calling card and a copy of your itinerary (and the hotel you are billeted at) inside the bag so the airline can locate you if it gets lost.

Be on time, avoid late check-ins. This is the most common reason luggage is lost or delayed, especially during the holidays.

Place your valuables and important travel documents in your carry-on bags. This way you can keep an eye and not worry about personal information being in the wrong hands.

List down everything you put in the luggage. If you can show the airlines the value there is no issue about the claim. It’s also wise to take a quick snapshot with your digital camera just before you zip the zipper.

Watch to make sure the luggage tags are going to the correct destination. Make sure you have a claim slip for each.

While the holiday season can generally be fun and exciting, it can also bring significant amounts of stress. My friend Shaun Olmstead particularly hates the shopping part because it can get tedious and tiresome. Fortunately, there are ways of reducing the stress and bringing back some of the joy.

Shorten your shopping list. Buy presents for only those who are important to you and limit the number of presents per person. You can also consider suggesting that everyone pick the name of one other person to buy a present for if you are part of a large extended family.

Avoid shopping on weekends when the crowds are most intense. It is best to shop on weekdays and during the daytime when the malls are less crowded.

Wear comfortable outfits and shoes when you shop. If you’re shopping directly from work, take along a pair of walking shoes to change into.

Plan which items to buy first and last. Buy the heaviest gifts last so you don’t have to carry them around.

If you are internet savvy, shop by catalog or online from the comfort of your home or office. This will save you an incredible amount of time, energy and gas.

Make arrangements with the store to wrap and ship your gifts if they are for people out of town. Nominal charge is definitely worth it as you will not to have to wait in long lines at the post office.

Give out home made gifts. Baked goods, homemade ornaments or other crafts make wonderful gifts and are a lot more meaningful to the people who receive them.

Start early. Buy or make your gifts far in advance. If you see something in a store that is perfect for your best friend, buy it then and there. Don’t waste time coming back next month.

It’s the season for giving once again and sometimes, shopping for gifts can get a bit stressful. Below are some gift ideas that would please any traveler.

Dreamsacks

Any neat freak traveler, like my friend Shaun Olmstead, would be delighted to receive a Dreamsack this Christmas. For your information, hotels don’t always wash sheets and comforters. Dreamsacks are designed to keep the creepy crawly bacteria, funguses and bugs off of you. They are basically sleeping bags made from thin sheets making them handy during travels. Most even come with a built in pillow because if the sheets are questionable, one doesn’t really want to even contemplate the pillows.

Relief Bands

This innovative gadget is a great help to motion sickness sufferers. Relief Bands are worn like a watch. The bands send a small electronic shock into the bottom of your wrist which counters the nausea impulse to your brain. Don’t fret coz it doesn’t hurt and it is a lot better than those puke bags in airline seat backs. And they are also good for boats and cars as well.

Japanese Paper Soap

Japanese paper soaps are must haves during travel. Taking bars of soap are a disaster. They never stay in their cases or wrapping resulting in soap suds and gunk everywhere. Japanese paper soap solves this problem without a mess. This product is very easy to use, it’s just paper with built in soap. Just wet your hands and rub a piece of the paper between them. Instant suds! When done, toss the paper into the trash. And their also biodegradable!