Laguna Niguel, CA

If you think its fine to slack off on the sunscreen in winter because the sun isn't as strong, your wrong.

The sun's rays are just as harmful when the temperature drops. UVB rays may be weaker, but you shouldn't pass on wearing sunscreen. The glare from the snow, buildings, and even sidewalks can make short wave UVB waves, which burn you, up to 80% more intense. UVAs, which cause skin cancer, remain the same year round. You acquire the same about of UVA damage when your outdoors on a rainy day as you would on a sunny beach day in the summer.

So, wear sunscreen! Yes, even if its gloomy out!

And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection!

Best Regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI GREEN

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

www.michaelcarusorealestate.com

With many Americans without a job, its forcing people to reexamine their career path. Advice from Rick Smith, author of The Leap, "You'll be most fulfilled and successful if your duties merge your strengths and passions."

Rather than job hopping, pass on these 3 low-risk steps to help friends and family, or yourself, choose a career:

1. Determine your strengths: find the sweet spot between your talents and interesrts. Based on your passions, look into such careers you may flourish in.

2. Test-Drive your dream: To find out if the career you're looking at is right for you, pursue projects in our office or outside that use your talents. You might even try volunteering. You won't know until you try

3. Gain experience: if the career you are test driving seems like a good fit, try to transition into it at the workplace by building your reputation and showcasing your talents. Or help a friend or peer out with something you want to get in to so they can see your talents, pass along your name, and you'll be gaining practice all at the same time.

If you are still having trouble, www.colorassessment.com helps you discover what career you may flourish in and www.vocationvacations.com provides you with condensed, few day internships. Good luck!

And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection!

Best Regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI GREEN

2007 President Orange County Association of Realtors

www.michaelcarusorealestate.com

Sesame Street, The children's television show home to Cookie Monster, Elmo and Big Bird turned 40 today.

My kids watched this when they are young and it is amazing to know that their kids may be watching it too. Sesame Street is shown in 140 countries and has helped millions of children learn to count and read.

To celebrate, Michelle Obama was featured on the show today.

Happy Birthday Sesame Street! From all of us at the Michael Caruso Real Estate Group!

Best Regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI GREEN

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

www.michaelcarusorealestate.com

949-753-7900

November 9, 1989 we all watched the fall of the Berlin Wall. It was a night of joy, celebration, and great momentum for the future.

On the 20th anniversary, thousands of people are joining world leaders Germany today to remember the night when a euphoric wave of people swept away the Berlin Wall and began the end of the Cold War. And this anniversary is a reminder that we need to help others find freedom. Liberate them of their repressive regimes and take greater strides toward global progress.

While most of you won't be celebrating today, let's reflect. Do you remember where you were or what you were feeling when the wall fell? Please share!

And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection!

Best Regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI GREEN

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

www.michaelcarusorealestate.com

Visit CNN.com for a Berlin Wall anniversary special feature.

Photo: AP, BBC News

We blog to share information, build relationships, network, and do more business. And a lot of us blog to get points. Those precious Active Rain points.

So, given that you get all the points your supposed to and there are no technical difficulties, can you guess what’s the most points a person can get in a year for basic blogging?

(Not including comments received on your blogs, featured posts, invitation points, contests, spam reporting, and staff awarded bonus points as that can be almost infinite.)

a. 405,600

b. 352,000

c. 257,400

I will post the answer later! Good luck.

And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection!

Best Regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI GREEN

2007 President Orange County Association of Realtors

www.michaelcarusorealestate.com