Plan your vacation on Google Maps

Google maps is not just for finding directions, but one can also plan a vacation. One of my favorite destinations is St. George, Utah. It has beautiful scenery, adventurous hiking trails, and yummy frozen custard. I made a custom map on Google Maps. Just click on the red "Create a New Map" button and begin by adding layers, creating driving directions, and points of interest. If you're not sure if you want to go there, Google has images to help you decide. Check out my map below. Also, if you don't want to use your data for map searches, this video shows you how to download maps for offline use.

Android Central "How to download Google Maps data for offline use" Online video clip. YouTube 6 Jul 2011. Web 16 Feb 2016. 

What's for dinner?

Google Images

Planning a party? Wondering about food choices? Or perhaps, you want to arrange meals for an ill neighbor. Google Docs and Forms can help. Yes, Google can help you improve communications. Last week, I received an email with a link to a Google Spreadsheet. My friend and neighbor, Julie, is battling cancer, and her sister set up a spreadsheet for neighbors, friends, and family to sign-up for meals and times to take care of Julie. I thought Julie's sister a genius. We all know who is helping when, and what was brought for dinner the night before, and therefore, Julie's family won't be eating lasagna two nights in a row.

So, if you are in need of helping a neighbor, planning a party, or just want to send out a survey, it can easily be done. Google Forms allows one to seek answers from anyone who will fill out your survey. Are you curious about what pizza toppings people like? I was too. I sent a from with questions about food choices to my classmates, and ten responded. It was then possible to put these answers in a Google spreadsheet and create the following charts. After putting the information in a spreadsheet, highlight the information you would like in a chart, and then go to Insert and then Chart. Columns, pies, and lines are just some of the choices to create a chart. I picked a pie - you know, pizza pie. It just seemed fitting. You can also customize the font, colors, and headings.

And to add a chart to a blog, under File, click Save as a Web Page. Then just copy the embed code and place it under a new posting in the HTML tab.

Give it a try. It just might improve your communications. Once you get all of that down, you might just try some of these tricks from Lifehack.

A template, a resume, and quite possibly, a job

Need a job? Google Drive can help. Well, they don't guarantee employment, but if you're in need of a resume, they can help. Google Drive offers a variety of templates. Just follow the format and you'll know what to include. If you are still unsure, BYU offers a variety of sample resumes. But, be careful, one typo could cost you a job. Need a laugh? This site offers some funny resume mistakes.

A calendar in about 8 clicks . . .

Pearls before Swine Comic Strip. 23 Dec. 2011. Google Images. Web. 30 Jan 2016.

Do you want a calendar on your blog? A to-do-list? Or even your bucket list? It is quite easy.

Go to the settings in your Google Calendar. Click the Calendar Tab. If you have more than one calendar, click on the one you would like to embed. Find the "embed this calendar" section. Copy the code. Open a new post on your blog and click the HTML button. Paste the code. And that is it. I did it on the first try. That is how easy it is.

Good luck!

And just a note on spacing. It won't happen in the HTML page. To add comments or instructions to your calendar post, click on the "compose" tab. You will then be able to space things out like you'd like.