iPhone

Smartphones are know the leading phone type on the market. They hold a 70% share and are quickly becoming a necessity not just a nice toy. One of the most popular phones is the iPhone for Verizon or Sprint. The iPhone is from the ever improving and popular Apple products. What makes the iPhone such a popular phone is that it is more than just a phone, it is everything. The iPhone can do everything from listening to music, to checking email or even banking. The iPhone can help you pay bills, remind you about appointments or even just pass the time. With the addition of the app store to your smartphone there is nothing you can't do. The app store gives users the ability to get any app at any time, right at their fingertips. 

Even though the iPhone is innovative and new, it does have a downside. The iPhone is very vulnerable to damage. The phone has been known to break from the shortest of drops; from as little as just a few inches off the ground. The way to avoid this problem is to get a trustworthy durable case. Don't always go for the case that is the prettiest or looks the best. Keeping the iPhone safe should be a top priority. Two cases that are recommended are the Otter Box and the Life Proof case. Both cases are very durable and can withstand almost anything. The Otter Box, runs for around $40 and protects it from the most normal everyday bumps and bruises. The Life Proof case is more durable and can withstand the harshest of days. It is waterproof and can take a tall drop from not your ordinary heights. The case is so waterproof that you can get waterproof headphones to get with it, so that taking your phone in the shower is now an option. 

Overall, if you are fairly careful with your phone and usually take care of it the Otter Box is the case for you, but if you are accident prone and tend to buy new phones every few months, go for the Life Proof case. It runs for about $70 but is worth the purchase to keep the valuable phone safe.

Car Sense

There are colleges and universities all over the country, but the one thing that all college students can relate with, no matter where they are, is being smart and trying to save money. One thing that college students need to be knowledgeable about is looking for and buying used cars. Brand new cars are shiny but they are also expensive and a bad investment on a young person. A new car loses half its value as soon as you leave the lot. So it is much smarter to go with something that is used and wont decrease in value as soon as you buy it. 

There are many things that someone needs to look into when they are looking for a used car. The most important thing that you need to look into is the Kelly Blue Book value. Kelly Blue Book is a website that will tell you the value of any vehicle out there. All you need to know is some basic information about the vehicle. Information such as mileage, year and condition. If the KBB value says a car is worth $5,000 dont accept a price that is over, especially if its a significant amount. Some car owners have an emotional attachment to their vehicles and think that it is worth much more than it essentially is. Always consult KBB before buying a car. 

www.kbb.com

New TV Shows

In todays world, television is filled with everything under the sun. But as we all know, reality TV trumps it all. From the Jersey Shore to The Hills, reality TV is the king of prime time. But amidst all of the junk that fills the prime time slots, there are some quality shows out there.

Two shows that really showed promise were Swamp People and Storage Wars. These two shows combine a good balance between comedy, interesting facts and a new perspective on things. 

Swamp People takes you deep into the swamp land of Louisiana and gator hunting. These hunters live off the land and make a majority of their money hunting gators and selling them. You follow them on their small boats as they wrestle gators into the boats with them. You get a unique look to see how some people live their lives. Sometimes we forget that, amongst the big cities and highways, some people still live off the land and can survive without credit cards and cell phones. 

Storage Wars is new type of show that focuses on people buying storage units that are being auctioned off. The idea is to pay less then what you think is in it, but unfortunately it is more complicated than that. The main characters that you follow on the show, have quite the ego's and never let the other get the units easy. The show is interesting because you get a new look on history and find out things about unique pieces of history. From everything to famous paintings to 1950's TV's, the units have it all. 

If you are looking from something new and interesting to watch on TV then these two shows wont disappoint. After both getting great reviews on their first seasons, their second seasons are off and running. 

Christmas Candies

Sometimes Thanksgiving gets all the credit for great meals and fancy dishes. Although that may be well deserved, Christmas can also bring great dishes. Christmas may not have the classic turkey, as a main dish. But Christmas does bring much more candies and goodies. From Christmas cookies to gingerbread houses, the December month brings lots of sugar and sweets to the holidays. 

There are an endless amount of creations you can make with Christmas cookies. Cookies are a great way to help fill a party tray at and gathering. They can also come in a variety flavors, which is great for people who may have any type of allergies. 

Another great dessert for the holidays is fudge. Fudge can be made in a variety of ways and one of the pluses of fudge is that it stays good for a very long time. When made in bulk and kept in a sealed container or in the refrigerator it can stay good for an extended period of time. 

Just because Thanksgiving is over, don't let your creative cooking abilities rest. Check out this website that has some more great ideas for food over the holidays!

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Roast-Christmas-Goose/Detail.aspx

Winter Jam 2012

Winter Jam, one of the largest Christian concert tours, was started 17 years ago by the Grammy nominated Christian group NewSong. It takes place at the beginning of every year and it is a 47 city tour.

 Winter Jam 2012 promises to be the biggest lineup yet. Skillet will be headlining the tour along with groups such as Sanctus Real, former Newsboys lead singer Peter Furler, Kari Jobe, Building 429, Group 1 Crew, Dara Maclean, For King & Country, and We as Human. Also, Brock Gill the Illusionist will be there along with national speaker Nick Hall. For those Veggie Tale lovers, Bob and Larry will be making an appearance as well! If you want to go, be sure to catch the tour as it comes through your area. Here are some dates for the month of January:

1/7/12-Raleigh North Carolina

1/8/12-Charlotte NC

1/12/12-Orlando Florida

1/13/12-Jacksonville FL

1/14/12-Tampa FL

1/15/12-Atlanta GA

Be sure to visit www.jamtour.com for more concert dates in February and March. It costs $10 at the door.

Still looking for something to do for New Years? Take a look at Rocking in the New Year!

Exam Survival Guide

Available at AllPosters.com

The clock is counting down as the semester is coming to a much anticipated, much needed end. Projects and papers are due and final exams are looming around the corner. We've come up with the Exam Survival Guide to help you make it through the worst two weeks of the semester, the last two.

Step 1: Take care of your body.
We've all heard the slogan on the above poster, and it becomes our mentality when working on a deadline, but remember that you'll be dead quicker if you don't take care of your body. Get plenty of rest! Take mid-day naps if you need to, but rest is a vital part of proper brain function. It is also what turns short term memory into long term memory. And when you wake up, get something to eat, something healthy. Your car needs gas to run, right? Guess what, your body also needs fuel to maintain strength. And an empty stomach can be really distracting.
Step 2: Plan.
Set up a plan for how, where, and how long you're going to study. You'll be more likely to actually study if you plan it out and set aside time solely for exam preparation. Then stick to that plan. Also if you spread it out and take study breaks, then your brain won't be on information-overload and you will be more likely to remember what you've studied.
Step 3: Study!
Start studying NOW! That's right, don't wait until the night before the exam to study. Get a head start and look over the material now so that it will be easier to remember later. Even if it's just 5 minutes at a time, do what you can. Switch out between subjects if you get tired of one, then come back to it later.

Tools:

• A loud, working alarm clock. And don't hit snooze. If you sleep through your finals, all that studying will be for nothing!
• Coffee, coffee, and more coffee. You can substitute for hot tea, but make sure it is caffeinated.
• A water bottle: To keep you hydrated. Caffeine is wonderful, but it can dehydrate you. Your body is mostly water, and you can get headaches, backaches and more if you don't drink enough water.
• A pillow. If you're going to be burning long hours in the computer lab or library, you may as well get comfortable.
• Snacks. Pick up a couple of your favorites to munch on. We suggest mini carrots and grapes. They are healthy, bite sized and will help you stay awake.
• Index Cards. They can be helpful when studying to write down cues and use them as flash cards.
• A #2 pencil. Why? Why does Indiana Jones always carry a whip? Why does James Bond always have a gun? Why does House always carry his cane? Because you just never know. 
• A deck of cards. Solitaire or other card games can be really good for quick study breaks to help your mind relax.

Have suggestions for the Exam Survival Guide? Leave a comment and let us know how it can be improved. Also let us know what your favorite study snack is!

Read the fall issue of Venture Magazine for tips on how to stay healthy and set good habits in college.

Star Wars: The Old Republic

It has been seven years since LucasArts put out Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords. Finally, on Dec. 20, the newest game in the series, Star Wars: The Old Republic will hit the shelves. From the looks of it, gamers will not be disappointed.  In this newest iteration, players will be able to choose their own fate and either serve the good side of the force in The Jedi Order or The Galactic Republic, or succumb to the temptations of the dark side and serve The Sith Empire or The Sith Lords. Classes include: Trooper, Smuggler, Jedi Knight, Jedi Consular, Bounty Hunter, Sith Warrior, Imperial Agent, and Sith Inquisitor.
If you want to see the latest on this much anticipated release, visit www.swtor.com.   Here is a little preview!

Make your own Latte!

There’s just something about fall that makes you want a pumpkin spice latte. Unlike pumpkin pie and leftover turkey, lattes never get old. Unfortunately, waiting in line at a coffee shop can take a small eternity, and it can get pricey if you want more than one this season. The good news: It’s super easy and inexpensive to make your own, and you don’t need any fancy machinery. If you enjoy the luxury of living off campus and have a full kitchen, great, but you can make your own pumpkin spice latte in your dorm room with just a microwave and coffee maker. 

Last month, in Fall is a Time for Lattes, we asked you to submit your recipes. The winning recipe was sent to us by Randi in Virginia, and is featured below. Randi won a free one year subscription to Venture Magazin! We tried her recipe and we love it, and we hope you’ll love it too.

Ingredients:

2 cups milk

2 tbsp canned pumpkin

2 tbsp sugar

2 tbsp vanilla extract

½ tsp pumpkin pie spice

 (To make your own pumpkin spice, combine: ¼ tsp cinnamon, 1/8 tsp cloves, 1/8 tsp nutmeg, and a small pinch of ground ginger)

1-2 shots espresso (about ¼ cup of espresso or ½ cup of strong brewed coffee)

Directions:

Dorm Room:

In a microwavable bowl, stir milk, pumpkin and sugar, then microwave on high heat for 1.5 to 2 minuets. Remove from microwave and stir in vanilla and pumpkin pie spice. Then whisk the mixture well with a fork. Pour into two coffee mugs, then pour coffee on top. For extra yummy goodness, top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon*.

Off Campus:

In a saucepan combine milk, pumpkin and sugar. Cook on medium heat and stir until steaming. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and spice. Pour into a blender and process for 15 seconds until foamy. (If you don’t have a blender, whisk the mixture well with a fork or wire whisk.) Pour into two coffee mugs. Pour espresso (or coffee) on top. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle cinnamon*. 

*You can substitute the cinnamon with nutmeg.

Also check out our article, Better than your Grandma's Cooking for fresh food and fall fun.

Thanksgiving, followed by Pushing and Shoving

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and the scene in most homes will be very similar. Families will gather round the table for a feast of delicious foods like turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, carrots and my favorite, green bean casserole, followed by yummy desserts like pumpkin or blueberry pie. Each person will say something for which they are thankful. The evening will be spent in high spirits, whether it be playing games, watching football or just hanging out with family. But it is after the day is done and the leftovers stored away, that the mischief begins.
People will betray the contentment they so readily swore mere hours ago. Shopping malls and retail outlets will be crowded with people lurking at the doors so they can be the first to get those items that their families, who were satisfied earlier that day, suddenly can't live without, such as a new video game or that bigger, better television. And when the doors finally open, they will push, shove and trample one another like ravenous animals.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with people wanting to buy loved ones nice things, however, it does not give them a right to abandon common courtesy and civility. Most importantly, it does not portray the love of God. So, if you choose to join the crowds and wait for stores to open so you can get the good deals, remember to have fun and treat others with kindness. After all, people are far more important than stuff.

Rocking In the New Year

Many college students will be heading home for the Christmas season, enjoying time with family, eating large amounts of food, decorating and taking decorations down. After Christmas is over, it is time to just chill and relax. Don't want to just sit around the house for the rest of the break? If you love loud, rocking, Christian music, then get tickets for Liberty University’s Winterfest. Liberty holds this event annually, entertaining thousands of people with awesome band lineups.
Switchfoot, Skillet, Red, Tenth Avenue North, Hawk Nelson, Finding Favour, Group 1 Crew, Anthem Lights, Trip Lee and Family Force 5 will be performing. Winterfest is taking place December 30-31, 2011 at the Vines Center at Liberty University.
Along with all the great concerts, Liberty’s Snowflex Center, a year round ski slope, will be open and anyone can go skiing, snowboarding or tubing on Liberty’s revolutionary artificial snow turf. Swimming, ice skating and rock climbing will also be available. For information and ticket prices, visit www.libertywinterfest.com.

Weekend Forecast and Activities

November in many states, means ice and snow attempt to bar the outdoors for adventure. However, November in the South East is an extra month of fall weather, with plenty of sunshine left to enjoy.
Here's the weekend forecast for a few major cities. We've also provided a few ideas for fun weather-appropriate activities in your area.
No matter where you are, Saturday morning should be great wether for Ultimate!

Richmond, VA
Friday: Sunny; high of 50 degrees.
Saturday: Mostly sunny; high of 58.
Sunday: Partly cloudy; high of 68.
We suggest: Grab a helmet and and go biking. Check out Richmond Area Bicycling Association for more info on how to connect with other cyclists. For other activties in the Richmond area, here's a directory of Fitness and Outdoor Activities.

Nashville, TN
Friday: Sunny; high of 57
Saturday: Partly cloudy; high of 62
Sunday: T-showers; high of 65
We suggest: With all the leaves changing color, this weekend is a great opportunity to visit Radnor Lake and enjoy the weather. Have a picnic and throw around the football.
Sunday is going to be rainy, so invite friends over and host a movie night.
For a list of more FREE activities, check out the Nashville Visitors Bureau.

Charlotte, NC
Friday: Sunny; high of 49
Saturday: Partly cloudy; high of 58
Sunday: Partly cloudy; high of 67
We suggest: Grip some rock at Crowders Mountain State Park. Not only is it a good climb, but the views are amazing.
Also look at Charlotte's Got A Lot for more events.

Atlanta, GA
Friday: Sunny; high of 53
Saturday: Partly cloudy; high of 61
Sunday: Mostly cloudy; high of 69
We suggest: Get out of the city and go hiking. Georgia Trails has a list of hiking trails in the Atlanta area. If you're not sure which one to pick, Southern Hiker is a great resource offering reviews of different hiking trails and more.
Also take a look at the Atlanta Outdoor Club. They plan a whole list of outdoor activities every month, and it's free to join.

Orlando, FL
Friday: Fair; high of 75
Saturday: Partly cloudy; high of 80
Sunday: Partly cloudy; high of 83
We suggest: Wekiwa Springs State Park. Go swimming, kayak, canoe, ride a bike, ride a horse. There's a ton of things to do. After the sun sets, stop by the Festival of the Seasons in Downtown Disney.
If you have money to blow, there is always the usual string of theme parks like Disney World, Sea World, , Universal, or even Pirates Cove for a little adventure golf. For more ideas, look at http://www.visitorlando.com/.

Before the Fellowship

Many of us remember the Lord of the Rings trilogy when it was released several years ago. The movies enthralled viewers and many have read the books now because of the success of the theatrical versions. For those of us who have read the books, we know that the LOTR trilogy is not the beginning of the story. J.R.R Tolkien wrote a book called the Hobbit, based on the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, Frodo’s uncle. Now, Peter Jackson, the director of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, is in the processing of filming the Hobbit. It is slated to be released December 14, 2012.
Fans will be pleased to know that many actors from the Lord of the Rings trilogy have returned to star in the new film. Actors such as Sir Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood, Cate Blanchett, and Hugo Weaving, as well as many others, will be reprising their roles in the Hobbit film. If you want to be kept up to date on the latest buzz from the set of the Hobbit, make sure to go online and search for the production diaries that have been released. The video below is the latest production diary. Also, go to www.imdb.com and www.the-hobbit-movie.com for more information.

Better than your grandma's cooking!

As college students, healthy eating is one of the last things on our minds. Our time and energy is concentrated on bigger things, like our facebook status, our roomates hygene and whether you really need to turn the heat on in your apartment during winter.

When you think of healthy eating, dollar signs may appear in your mind's eye, and deciding between the $.05 pack of Top Ramen and the $2.00 bag of apples is an easy choice. But the truth is, there are many options for college kids to still eat well and not break the bank, starting with a local farmer's market or orchard.

At a farmer's market individuals sell their harvested fruits and veggies at a reasonable price and offer students the chance to still get fresh, healthy foods without blowing their budgets. Not only are farmer's markets and orchards great places to find good food but they also are an oppurtunity for students to have a little fun. Check out this Orchard in Virgina I recently visited. There were hundreds of options from fruits and veggies, to canned jellies and sauces.

 

Ultimate Weekend

"Beep, beep, beep!" the alarm yelled at 8am. After a full Friday night, this is not the sound anyone wants to hear on a cold Saturday morning in November. Groggy, I pushed off the covers, pulled on my cleats and headed off to play in an Ultimate tournament that lasted from 9am to 4pm. It was a long day, but proved to be well worth the effort--even for a night-owl like me. Ultimate (often called Ultimate Frisbee) is popular sport and has recently been catapulted to a college craze that students participate in weekly. Whether you want a full-scale, cohesive army to battle in tournaments, or just want to have a low key pick-up game with friends, Ultimate is a great way to have fun and get your blood pumping.

If you've never seen it, here's your chance. Below is a video from the Ultimate College Nationals last year.

To get involved in the national tournaments, check out USA Ultimate College Division.

Giving Thanks

Celebrate Thanksgiving and remember all the things you're thankful for by making a Thanksgiving Tree! It's also a great way to bring fall indoors and decorate your dorm or appartment for the season. It's fun to make, especially while sipping on a yummy Pumpkin Spice Latte.

1. Get a branch from outside that will fit in a vase or glass. (We used a glass milk bottle.)
2. Cut out Maple leaves from red, yellow, and orange construction paper. (Or you can buy autumn leaves from A.C. Moore for $5.50)
3. Hole punch each leaf and tie a string (preferably brown string) through it to make it an ornament.
4. Write one thing you are thankful for on each leaf. (Skip to my Lou suggests writing one nice thing you've done on the back of the leaf.)
5. Hang the leaves on the branch and voila!

Camera Tricks

Have you ever seen those pictures with light trails and wondered how to make them look like that? Here's a great tutorial on how you can do just that! Also check out our example on facebook and let us know what you think!
http://digitalphotobuzz.com/slowing-down-your-shutter-speed

Fall is a time for Lattes

Fall is well underway and for me, that means two things: scarves and coffee. Don't forget to grab a Pumpkin Spice Latte before they snatch it from the menus. If you want this seasonal treat without the pricey cost of coffee shops, then you can purchase the syrup and make your own. If you already make your own, submit your recipes to venture340@gmail.com. We'll test them out and feature the winning recipe in a blog on November 27th. Also, the winner will receive a one year subscription to Venture Magazine for FREE!

Highs and Lows

I received a 93 on my last English paper, which I was pretty proud about until our test grade was posted. College life is full of highs and lows like that. If you aren't careful, one bad grade or one wrong decision can leave you feeling terrible and make you forget all of the right choices you've made or good things that you've done. Today, we've provided an excerpt from L.B. Cowman’s devotional book “Streams in the Desert.” In this book, Cowman presents a different Bible verse each day along with an application of the verse in our lives today. In the devotion below, Cowman talks about not letting failure overshadow successes—something that’s easy to do in college.

Fresh Touch with God

"And the ill favored and lean-fleshed [cows] did Eat up the seven well favored and fat [cows]…and the thin, [heads of grain] swallowed up the seven rank and full [heads of grain]" (Gen. 41:4, 7).

There is a warning for us in that dream, just as it stands: It is possible for the best years of our life, the best experiences, the best victories won, the best service rendered, to be swallowed up by times of failure, defeat, dishonor, uselessness in the kingdom. Some men's lives of rare promise and rare achievement have ended so. It is awful to think of, but it is true. Yet it is never necessary.

 S. D. Gordon has said that the only assurance of safety against this tragedy is "fresh touch with God," daily, hourly. The blessed, fruitful, victorious experiences of yesterday are not only of no value to me today, but they will actually be eaten up or reversed by today's failures, unless they serve as incentives to still better, richer experiences today.

 "Fresh touch with God," by abiding in Christ, alone will keep the lean kine and the ill favored grain out of my life.  --Messages for the Morning Watch

Taken from the devotional book “Streams in the Desert” by L.B. Cowman.