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Four Ways To Avoid Eye Strain

Have you ever felt your eyes watering in the middle of a reading spree? Do you get blurred vision or headaches after hours of working in front of a computer? You might be suffering from eye strain. While it’s usually not serious, it is also something you shouldn’t take lightly. Below are four ways you can avoid eye strain:

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Image source: Pexels.com

1. Use a bigger font instead of going near the screen

Did you know that a computer screen should be 16 inches away from your eyes? I was also surprised when I found out about this. Eye doctors suggest increasing the text size or reading books in larger print to help the eyes focus better.

2. Reduce glare

Instead of adjusting the brightness of your phone, why not use your gadgets in a room with better lighting? If your computer screen or phone is the brightest light in your surroundings, it might cause eye fatigue. If your eyes feel a bit dry, try blinking a few times and adjust your screen’s brightness. If you’re the type who likes reading in a dark room, at least have a bright lamp behind you that will help your eyes adjust and prevent the light from shining in your eyes.

3. Do the 20-20-20 rule

Basically, this rule is about taking a 20-second break from looking at a screen every 20 minutes. During this time practice focusing by looking at an object that is 20 feet away. Aside from being an eye exercise, the 20-20-20 rule is also a great way to relax the eyes even for a short time.

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Image source: Pexels.com

4. Reduce screen and reading time

These days, most people tire their eyes out by reading or using their phones before bed. However, this is not advisable. Having the right amount of sleep is still the best rest for the eyes. Even if you can’t sleep yet, close your eyes or let the eyes adjust to the room’s darkness.

Ron Ozer here. I’m an aspiring author and journalist currently studying English and American Literature at the New York University. When I’m not reading, I often spend my time visiting museums and iconic New York City neighborhoods. For more of my musings, visit this page.

 

Beating The Jitters: Travel Preparation Tips

Nailing down all the aspects of travel depends on how well one has planned it. While some may argue that spontaneous trips prove to be more fun and exciting than planned ones, having an organized trip never hurt anybody.

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Every trip starts with a little research. A traveler must learn about their destination to prepare for it. With visas and tickets in check, the next best thing to do is to scout for places to stay. Guaranteeing the availability of a room or a house would prove to be a wise move as no one would one to spend a night on the streets in a foreign land.

With a well-managed cash flow, one can avoid almost all travel-related problems. For domestic trips, it’s still better to hit the bank before embarking on a journey to save on ATM fees. When traveling overseas, check the website of the airport of entry if there are available ATM services within or near the area to be sure when in need of local currency. Flying to smaller airports in developing countries could mean the absence of such bank services; in such cases, it’s advised for travelers to purchase local currency in advance.

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The first and last days are the most critical periods of one’s travel; plan them. On the first day, having a place to drop off belongings and knowing which attractions are nearby would afford one to have a calm welcome. For the final day of travel, keeping an organizer with a “Going Home” label would be very helpful as It can keep passport, tickets, house and car keys, and other necessities in just one location.

Seasoned traveler Ron Ozer lists Israel as his favorite travel destination. Aside from exploring the world in search of new adventures, some of his interests include playing the guitar, playing poker, and snowboarding. For more travel-related updates, subscribe to this blog.

Tips On Improving Snowboarding Techniques During The Summer

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Summer can be a bummer for snowboarding enthusiasts because there are limited options where they could practice the sport. However, even during the “offseason,” there are ways to improve one’s snowboarding techniques. Some examples are the following:

Visit the gym: Snowboarders can improve by regularly working out in the gym. The elements that should be given focus are endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility. Aerobic exercises can also condition the cardiovascular system. It is recommended to ask gym trainers to tailor a program specifically for snowboarding.

Image source: thesnowcentre.com

Try similar sports: To keep from getting rusty in the sport, other sports similar to snowboarding could be a summer alternative. A perfect example is skateboarding; not only is it easy to learn for those who already know how to snowboard, it is also relatively inexpensive and can be practiced anywhere. Skate parks are scattered across various cities. Other exciting alternatives are surfing and wakeboarding, but those require a visit to the beach.

Head to an indoor snowboard park: This should be done occasionally, though, as it can be costly. But even a few visits to these parks or domes over the summer can help in the retention of muscle memory.

Ron Ozer holds a stellar academic and professional record, having graduated from MIT and worked in prominent financial institutions in the U.S. His hobbies include snowboarding, playing poker, and traveling. Learn more about Mr. Ozer by visiting this website.

How To Prepare For Your Trip To Jerusalem And More

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As with almost all trips, one’s journey to Israel should be planned. The Holy Land is a small country, and one of the world’s most exciting and diverse destinations. The majestic beauty of its hills and valleys, the uncanny calmness of the Dead Sea, and more, can be experienced with little to no hassle with prudent trip preparations.

U.S. citizens traveling to Israel won’t need a visa unless they will be staying in the country for more than three months from their date of arrival, and all visitors should hold a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date they are leaving the country.

It must be noted that Israel is a land where sharing food is a big thing. Travelers must visit the country with the knowledge that Israelis love to share food and that ordering a main dish for oneself, to be consumed alone, will raise some eyebrows.

Rules with regard to food count for religious people. Restaurants offer “kosher” food, which means they abide by the rules of religion: not mixing dairy with meat. Younger generations may not be sticking by this rule anymore, yet it would behoove the traveler to be grounded on such cultural rules.

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While Israel is in the grips of political issues, security remains paramount. Expect long lines at airport security and more or less 30 minutes of questioning before entering and leaving Israel. It remains a place of conflict.

It’s best to prepare a budget with enough wiggle room to enjoy the country to the full. Food, hotel, transportation, and others aren’t cheap in Israel.

Ron Ozer was born in New York. He was valedictorian of his class at Tenafly High School in Bergen Country, New Jersey. Well-traveled, Ron Ozer lists Israel as his favorite travel destination. Follow this Twitter page for links to similar articles.

The Top Poker Players Of Early 2018

Poker has gained unprecedented popularity in the past few years as more and more tournaments, and cash games get TV coverage and social media streams. There are many certified legends in the game, from Johnny Chan and Doyle Brunson to the two Phils (Hellmuth and Ivey). Below are the still semi-obscure ones making waves in 2018. Fedor Holz This young German poker pro has already earned live earnings of over $26.5 million, making him the all-time top money-earner from Germany. That he has come in the top three of every live poker match save two games since 2017 is outright impressive. Fans are waiting for Holz to burst into the WSOP scene this year.
 
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Justin Bonomo Vegas-based Bonomo has earned a WSOP bracelet in 2014 and garnered over $17 million in earnings in live games. Apart from these, he is also an important, outspoken voice in the community, calling out PokerStars on a refund loophole that allowed players to make more than they paid when online servers crashed. Koray Aldemir Like Holz, Aldemir is among the new group of German poker pros currently dominating high-roller events worldwide. Last year, Aldemir reached the final table at various venues including in Vegas, Los Angeles, Barcelona, Panama, and the Bahamas. Aldemir is a psychology student based in Vienna.
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Stefan Schillhabel Schillhabel just won the Triton Super High Roller Series in Macau, taking home $752,446 in prize money. This is his second win since an impressive run at the PokerStars Championship at the Monte Carlo Casino in April 2018. MIT graduate Ron Ozer loves traveling. His other hobbies include playing the guitar, poker, and snowboarding. For more on Ron’s hobbies and interests, check out this blog.

A primer on the most popular variants of poker

There was a time when playing poker was as simple as drawing five cards each and determining which player had the better hand. However, as it has become more popular, different kinds of variations were also developed. The most well-known are the following:

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Image source: thoughtco.com

Texas Hold’em

Used in most competitions held worldwide and on online game or gambling sites, Texas Hold’em is where every player is given two “hole” or “pocket” cards each face down with three initial “community” cards named the “flop” face up. A round of betting is held, after which, a fourth communal card, the “turn,” is revealed. This cycle happens for one last time, revealing the “river,” or the fifth communal card.

Rounds of betting are then made, with the players attempting to make the best five-card combination out of their pocket cards and the community.

Omaha

Omaha Hold’em is similar to Texas Hold’em, but the main difference is that every player is dealt four hole cards instead of two. There are also five communal cards, but instead of having just three of them revealed at first, every card is already face up. The five-card combination should contain two cards from the players’ pocket and three out of the community.

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Ron Ozer has had an exceptional academic and professional record. He loves traveling, and considers playing the guitar, playing poker, and snowboarding his favorite pastime activities. Learn more about Mr. Ozer by visiting this website.

Tips for the beginning poker player

Poker is a fun and complex card game that requires much from players, from reading opponents and bluffing to the efficient management of bets. Hereunder are some tips that the uninitiated player should consider, especially to avoid losing quite the amount in money games.

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One is to not to call all-in pre-flop bets in cash games. This essentially reduces your chances of winning to a coin flip. Only do this when your hand is really good, like an ace and a king, or if you really are low-stacked. Otherwise, be smart enough not follow what professional players seen on TV are doing, as those are often tournament setups. Keep in mind that those who raise all-in in cash games often most likely have a pair or high ace-paired cards, to begin with.

Another tip is to never overplay your hand. Always read what the next flopped cards reveal, even if you already have, say, two pairs at the onset. Do you see a potential flush or straight? If so, watch intently how your opponents behave. In short, never regret folding if you feel that you’ve been outdrawn.

Finally, be especially aware of the power of bet sizing. Ideally, when you have a great hand, your bet size should be small enough to solicit a call, yet large enough that you cut down the pot odds for anyone drawing to a hand better than yours. Remember that your betting pattern is part of what your opponents read, so don’t make irrational or too transparent bets.

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Ron Ozer graduated from MIT after finishing his studies in three years. Among his hobbies are traveling and playing poker. More of Ron’s interests here.

Travel tips series: Save money with these hacks

Who doesn’t love traveling? There is a certain exhilaration in exploring new places that very few other endeavors share. Being privy to mysterious cultures while visiting historically significant spots does leave a mark on a person’s life. But like everything worth having, the experience of travel comes at a price. Sometimes, it’s a very steep price, especially if the whole trip involves first-class travel and accommodations. Fortunately, there are some ways to shave off dollars while traveling.

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For people on a budget, choice of accommodation can help a lot. Nowadays, there are cheaper places than hotels. Hostels and apartments on an average cost less. Hospitality exchanges have also popped up to provide tourists even less expensive rates.

Many seasoned travelers highly recommend packing only the things needed for the trip. Traveling light is another technique that people have learned to enjoy. Not only does it eliminate the hassle of having to carry around a lot of luggage but it also lessens the chances of being charged for excess weight.

Two things that people are often warned about before going on a trip is transportation and food. To avoid spending much, travelers should learn the public transport system of their destination. As much as possible, avoid taking taxis. Another thing they should avoid are restaurants near tourist hotspots. These places charge way more than ordinary eateries.

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Ron Ozer is all about traveling. In fact, his favorite destination is Israel. For more travel tips and updates, click here.