The URL is not valid and can not be loaded

Last night, my computer acted strangely. I couldn't get to any internet sites using my firefox browser. All I got was a blank screen with a pop up screen that said " The URL is not valid and can not be loaded". I tried to use Internet explorer but same thing happen.

I tried to disable the firefox toolbar extensions to see if the extension was causing the issue, but the problem still persist ie. I still got the invalid URL issue. So what I did was to use the System Restore utility of Windows and voila the problem was fixed. I guess, it must have been a spyware or something that had caused this problem, but no matter what it is, Windows System Restore utility is a great utility to put back your computer back to it's previous working condition.

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Travel Cancellation

I met a friend last week who told me that their supposed vacation trip to Scotland was cancelled due to the huge amounts of snow. He had book a trip to Scotland for his family (wife, 2 kids and himself) for 2 nights, but then the bad weather did not allow them to get to the train station for the 7:00 a.m. departure as the roads were impassable and it was just too dangerous to travel that they did not dare to risk it. So he lost about ￡400 for his prepaid trip expenses to Scotland.

You see, our vacation travel plans can be derailed for a variety of reasons. Once we have paid our deposit or full payment, what will happen if?
• We cancel our trip because one of our travel companion can not make it as he or she got sick?
• Our tour operator, airline or cruise line suddenly declares bankruptcy?
• suddenly our visa application was delayed
• Our return flight home was delayed for a few days due to bad weather

Above are just a few and there are a lot of possible reasons that may affect our travel plans. For these reasons, it would be a good idea to get a trip cancellation travel insurance that can protect us from the costs and inconveniences associated with bankruptcies, flight delays, tour cancellations, lost luggage and lost hotel reservations. A lengthy trip delay can cause us unexpected food and lodging expenses.

As for my friend, as he did not avail of any travel insurance package, he said, that he just thinks of it as losing a train journey and 2 night’s hotel accommodation rather than losing ￡400?


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Five (5) lessons about the way we treat people

1 - First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady.   During my second month of college, our professor  Gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student    And had breezed through the questions until I read The last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the  Cleaning woman several times. She was tall, Dark-haired and in her 50's, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question Blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if  The last question would count toward our quiz grade. "Absolutely, " said the professor.. "In your careers, You will meet many people.  All are significant.. They Deserve your attention and care, even if all you do  Is smile and say "hello.." I've never forgotten that lesson.. I also learned her Name was Dorothy.  2. - Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain  One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American Woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway Trying to endure a lashing rain storm. Her car had Broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car.  A young white man stopped to help her, generally Unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960's. The man Took her to safety, helped her get assistance and Put her into a taxicab. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his Address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a Knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a Giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A  Special note was attached.. It read: "Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway The other night. The rain drenched not only my Clothes, but also my spirits.  Then you came along..  Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying Husband's' bedside just before he passed away... God Bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving Others." Sincerely,  Mrs. Nat King Cole.  3 - Third Important Lesson - Always remember those Who serve.  In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, A 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and Sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in  Front of him. "How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked.  "Fifty cents," replied the waitress. The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and Studied the coins in it. "Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the Waitress was growing impatient..  "Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied. The little boy again counted his coins. "I'll have the plain ice cream," he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on The table and walked away The boy finished the ice Cream, paid the cashier and left..  When the waitress Came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the  Table.  There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, Were two nickels and five pennies.. You see,  he couldn't  have the sundae, because he had To have enough left to leave her a tip.  4 - Fourth Important Lesson. - The obstacle in Our Path.  In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a Roadway.  Then he hid himself and watched to see if Anyone would remove the huge rock.  Some of the King's' wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by  And simply walked around it..  Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did Anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of  Vegetables.  Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road.  After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the  peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the  person who removed the boulder from the roadway.  The peasant learned what many of us never understand! Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.  5 - Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts...  Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who  was suffering from a rare & serious disease.  Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had  developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness.  The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister.  I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes I'll do it if it will save  her."  As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed  next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing   the color returning to her cheek. Then his face  grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away".  Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.

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