Facts That Every Driver Should Know About Car Exterior Lights

Illumination is an important safety feature for all types of passenger and commercial vehicles. Drivers should be aware of the need to replace or upgrade any of the exterior lights. When driving inside a vehicle, it's sometimes difficult to notice any minor lighting problems unless another person points out the issue. Improperly working lights might even lead to being pulled over by a police officer. It's illegal to drive with headlights that do not produce enough illumination at a certain distance.

Selecting the right type of lights requires some in-depth understanding of the technology. Most headlamps are powered by LED and HID mechanisms that produce reliable and intense illumination. The front lights of a vehicle should have the most powerful capabilities to illuminate the road ahead. Light bulbs for vehicles come with specifications that must be understood and met.

The maximum current rating is clearly labeled on every bulb that has to be installed for headlamps and other parts of a car's exterior. The typical current range for headlights is between 1.2 and 1.8 amps. Additionally, the voltage rating for light bulbs might be specified in a common range of 9 to 15 volts. Fuses in a car's electric panel could be easily burned out if improper connections are made between the power supplies and light bulbs. To control the heat inside headlamp bulbs, small built-in fans provide proper ventilation.

Color temperature is another common specification to check for in car lamps and bulbs. This parameter is given in degrees Kelvin, and it indicates a relative hot or cold appearance. For example, a color temperature of 5,000 K is usually yellowish in color. A much higher Kelvin rating is considered to have a "cooler" color such as blue or violet. Some LED bulbs actually do not come with any color temperature as they produce a distinct light that's not rated in degrees K. For any car light bulb, one of the most important specifications is intensity. The lumens rating gives a clear indication of a lamp's maximum brightness.

LED daytime running lights are designed to create relative soft illumination that is visible from far away. Such bulbs don't really illuminate the road but rather act as a warning to other drivers. Daytime light bulbs are usually programmed to turn on automatically based on visibility conditions during foggy and cloudy days.

Finding My Passion

A week after this French guy encouraged me to take medicine course; he gave me two hardbound books related to the course. Knowing that I cannot enroll for now, he told me to read the books so that I am prepared by the time I will be admitted to the university. He also told me to contact him so that he can send more books.

I admit I was excited with the thought that I will be studying again. But after evaluating myself, I guess I will not pursue it. The very reason is that it’s a long process to be a doctor, at my age I don’t think it’s practical to pursue it unless if it’s my obsession.

Sure it’s nice to be a doctor but to be effective you've got to have the passion to give your best service to your clients.

Ever since I am into arts… the more I want to pursue other than this the more I get frustrated because I cannot find myself having the interest with it. That happened to me when I took engineering course and masters in Information Technology. I have the degree and license but I cannot find the love and the burning enthusiasm with it.

What I want is the feeling of excitement as I woke up in the morning and having insomnia attack because ideas are flooding into my mind. I know I am more effective and I can deliver my best when I am like that.

For now, I am rekindling with my love for art. Slowly part of me that I thought died a long time ago is awaken again with the burst of colors of ideas… may I find my way back to where my heart is.

Should I Proceed to Take a Medicine Course?

I met this French Old Guy at work, nope he’s not a boyfriend wanna be, but he became a friend. Last Saturday he told me that he will see me as a doctor someday.  I laughed at him but it hit me! His words echoed in me, I was disturbed on that day fascinating that I am a doctor… thinking why I haven’t thought of it when I chose my career path. And to the point I researched the qualifications to enter in medicine school. It’s not too late.

Two days after that conversation, he handed me a brochure of a school and told me to take qualification exam this month. He said he’ll pay for my first and last course. I don’t know if he was serious or not. But I was elated at that moment. Until I realized I can’t do it for the fact that I am under work permit visa and we are not allowed to study in this country. He looked upset but I told him by next year I could possibly get my residency and enroll in school.

By the time he was leaving he was encouraging me to go for it as he said by age 31 I will be a doctor. And I paused, give him a big smile and told him, “Sir I’m already 31.” 

Now the question still lingers in my mind, should I proceed to be a doctor?

Seeking for a Change? Submit Great Idea to Aviva Community Fund!

This post brought to you by Aviva Community Fund. All opinions are 100% mine.
Let’s make a difference! We can do it by starting with our community with a simple project for the improvement of our neighborhood. And it could happen through the help of Aviva Insurance charitable program, Aviva Community Fund.

Aviva Community Fund will be donating $1,000,000 to create positive change across Canada. This is through a competition of different ideas. The campaign runs from August 15, 2013 through to January 2014.
Here`s is the timeline of the campaign:

•  Qualifying Rounds – From September 30, 2013 to November 25, 2013. (So hurry you still have a chance to submit your idea). They will be picking 90 ideas to qualify on the second round. All you need is to have big number of votes on your idea that will be posted in the Aviva Fund website. So promote it in all ways that you can think, use the power of social networking.
• Semi-Finals – December 2, 2013 to December 11, 2013. Add the budget and compete with the tope ideas from the qualifying rounds.
• Judging – December 18, 2013 to January 28, 2014. There will be 30 finalists that the judges will choose for the winner. Lucky winners will be announced on January 28, 2014.

It`s not yet late, you still have the chance to win so submit your ideas now. Remember November 25<sup>th</sup> is the last day of submission. And here`s a hint: getting an insurance broker to support your idea increases the chances of winning!

For more information Like Aviva Community Fund and Follow @avivacf!

I Was Locked Out

Usually I have a long list of what to do in my day-off. I know it should be rest day, but it’s only my day wherein I am condition to do other stuff aside from work and doing blogging stuff like laundry housekeeping, crafting and anything in between.

It was 7:00 pm already, my room is in total mess because I was crafting earlier that day; there is also one balikbayan box that I need to be filled when the dryer alarms, thus, I need to load another batch of laundry in the basement.

But when I got back upstairs door was locked. I was locked out!!! I don’t have a phone to call my sister and it’s freezing outside. Good thing the basement is open and there is a new sofa and TV for the new occupant that will soon to transfer in our basement. Another good thing I was washing my pillows so I have something to cuddle; it was so cold that night and I forgot to turn on the heater.

I was stuck for four hours in the basement, hungry and cold. I fell asleep for awhile; but awoken with the growling of my stomach. And I want to pee, but was scared because the bulb turned off as I entered the basement, ala Conjuring ang dating.

The agony ended when my sister arrived around 11 pm.

And then only to discover that the front door was widely open!!!!

Lesson learned:

I should have checked the other door. It’s cold outside but I will not die going in the other side of the house,

Always carry keys (this was actually my second time locked outside... haha), and 

Bring the phone.

Annoying Phone Call from Owtel

I was so tired last night so I went to bed around 8:00 but I was awakened with the ring of my phone from “unknown” number. I totally forgot to set the “do not disturb”on my phone. But because I was expecting a call from somebody I answered it only to find out it’s a call from an agent of Owtel. I was so pissed off because I can’t go back to sleep. That was 10:30 in the evening and I have to get up 4:30 in the morning. Probably I finally fell asleep at 2:00 am.

I understand the work of an agent that it is part of their job but hopefully they’ll check the time zone of the one that they’re calling. Besides there were many Owtel agents that have been calling me from time to time albeit I already said I am not interested with their service. Hope they will stop contacting me.

Meet Sansa

Hi everyone! I would like to introduce to you the newest member in our family – Sansa – named after one of the characters of “Game of Thrones”. She’s a mixed of collie, german shepherd, and labrador, so she’s expected to be a biiiiggg dog.

We got her last 13th of September through a local online garage Facebook fan page for free!

We were hesitant at first to get a dog especially that we have to house her inside our place. It would be a great work for us to maintain a stink-free and clean house. But we finally gave in and decided to own one – we love dog!

Surprisingly, Sansa is a smart puppy. She knows when she likes to poop. So everytime she cries we know we have to let her out. My sister bought a special mat where she pees. (I will make separate post about this mat, because honestly I am amazed with this product).

Her being playful and sweet is our stress reliever. She brings joy to us, especially to me since I am always left alone in our place.

Oh, by the way, her first name was Gunner thinking she’s a boy until my sister brought her to a vet today to schedule for an appointment. Haha….

Reality Hurts... But it’s Time to Act

Boyfie keeps picking on me on how I look now. He said I gained too much weight and my hair is getting longer which makes me look old. I am used to him because we usually tease each other on our looks. But that morning when he said those nasty words... I almost cried... reality hurts.

I don’t know why my face gets chubbier. I’ve never been conscious with my weight till he said that I gained. Now I try to control my rice intake as per his advice. Coz I ate rice more than as he does.

I also do face yoga massage, to help tone down and reshape my face to a younger me. Because boyfie said I look so stress because of my puffy eyebag. With the nature of my work, you’d really get eyebag. Hopefully this face yoga massage will help me.

As for my messy hair, I tried to keep it long because I want to style it differently. But boyfie said I don’t look good with it especially that I don’t know how to fix my hair. Oh! That hurts me much if he only knew. But I accept it as constructive criticism, albeit I didn’t talk to him for one day. Haha... I got my hair done, though I hate to spend $50, for boyfie’s sake. And after more than 2 decades of having a one length hair I finally tried side bangs. Which is not pretty bad, actually my co-workers said I look good at it. But the most satisfied is my boyfriend.

Stop Distracted Driving

This post brought to you by Insurance Hunter. All opinions are 100% mine.

Distracted Driving is one of the causes of accidents in the road. In fact according to survey 8 out of 10 accidents are caused by distracted driving; a very significant number that everybody should be aware of and do something to Stop Distracted Drivers.

Below is an info-graphics from Insurance Hunter blog about distracted driving. It concisely shows the types of distraction and some statistics.

 

Stop Distracted Driving - An infographic by the team at Stop Distracted Driving

As mentioned in Insurance Hunter blog post about distracted Driving, “Don`t become a distracted driving statistic”. Here are some tips on how we can prevent it:

• Driver should stay focus on the road at all times because accidents can happen in a split of second. It is discouraged the use of gadgets such as mobile phone and GPS. There are hands-free gadgets but then it can also cause distraction.
• I know there are instances that you need to operate gadgets. It happens to us many times when GPS was not working and it had to be refreshed. In cases like that other person (passenger) will operate the gadget. Or we come into full stop in a safe zone if the driver wants to operate it.
• Other things that should not be done while driving other than using of gadgets are: eating, drinking, reading, to name a few. It is clear that multitasking is not allowed when driving. I believe when you drive you should focus 100% using your sense of sight and hearing.
• If you are driving with your kids, see to it that you have all their needs and they are in condition to travel. Kids are said to be one of the causes of distractions. So to stop them from distracting you occupy them with something that they`d love to do while on travel such as movies, games, music, etc.
• When you drive see to it that you are in condition; not sleepy, not over thinking of anything, not in angst, or any emotion that could distract you. Presence of mind is very important in driving.  

Those are easy tips but are often overlooked by drivers. However there is a law in some provinces in Canada that was implemented for distracted driving. This somehow disciplened drivers to focus on the road and on the wheel.

 For more information about Distracted Driving visit Insurance Hunter blog. Help spread the awareness about it... because we value lives!

 

2nd Year in Canada

Two years ago when I arrived to this strange country, all I feel is excitement and happiness. For me it’s a new place, a new beginning.

Even how tired I am from a long travel, I was exuberated when my sister toured me into Rocky Mountains of Alberta for two days. I just arrived and I was exploring Canada by then. It was summer but I was wearing thick jacket at that time. I know I look ridiculous with my outfit. But I don`t care at all.

When leaves turned to yellow and withered, I was just so amazed with the beauty of the nature. It just getting colder and colder a sign that winter was coming.

I was looking forward for the first snow fall. I just can`t wait! When it snowed I immediately went outside and took photos. For me it is magical as the snowflakes fall.

For two years in a foreign country, I experienced lots of ups and downs. And as I stay longer I am sadden making me feels doubt if coming here is worth everything.

I know I just miss my family.

I remember when I left Davao two years ago; I saw my family’s teary eyes and their sad smiles. But I chose to ignore it. I don’t want to leave them with a heavy heart. Because the last time I left when I went to Manila for work, I cried so hard which made my father worried so much for me. So to keep them feel ease I showed to them a happy and excited me... but deep inside I was hurting so badly. It was a mix feeling of excitement and sadness actually.

Being away from my comfort zone, I grow and I learned more. It even brought me closer to my passion in arts and crafting. But one best thing, I learned to deal with different people. I met acquaintances whom I can share my views and feelings. They are my family here in Canada (aside from my sister) who shows there simple way of care and kindness. I thank them for being with me, for cheering me up when I feel so lonely, and for teaching me to stay strong despites adversities.

A bouquet of flowers from a friend, Dorothy. She simply brighten my 2nd year anniversary of staying here in Canada

Today, I celebrate my 2^nd year anniversary for I survived. I know there will be more exciting challenges coming and I widely open my arms to accept it and face it.

Hello August!

August is the birth month of my 4 cousins, 2 siblings, 3 nieces and my mom. So there’s like party in every week. And I’m missing these events in two years in a row.

I wanna go home this month especially on my mom’s birthday. Unfortunately I can’t. I feel so sorry for her. I know she wants us to be there in her birthday.

I wish I could easily go home even just for 2 weeks. It would be very expensive; but I’ll do some sacrifices if that means happiness for my mom. The only thing that hinders me are the paper works that needs to be done to secure for that re-entry visa.

Knowing my mom, I know she fully understands us if we can’t be there in her birthday.
I miss her… I miss them so badly.