4 Best Places for Year-Round Sunshine

Maybe you live in Juneau, Alaska, and can’t take the darkness any longer. Or maybe you’re looking for the best places to retire and decided to work on your tan in your golden years. Either way, we have you covered, with data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to give you a scientific foundation for your future plans!

4. Key West, Florida

Okay, confession time: Key West didn’t actually make the top four of the NOAA list (that honor goes to Phoenix). Instead, it places at 12^th. But we included it here because, unlike the cities ranked above it, it’s the only one on the East Coast.  

Now down to the nitty gritty: Key West, which is the southernmost location in the continental US, has an annual average of 76% sunshine during daytime hours. Blending southern charm with Caribbean culture, the gorgeous tropical weather and foliage please just about everyone. And for those who enjoy more than just soaking up the sun in a lush location, you can visit sites that range from pirate shipwrecks to the former haunts of literary icons like Ernest Hemingway.

3. Las Vegas, Nevada

Yes, that Las Vegas. As it turns out, Sin City gets 85% sunshine during their daylight hours, making it a great place for more than just its nightlife. Plus, it’s a place where there’s always plenty going on city center, but that’s spread out enough that you can enjoy a more serene lifestyle on the edges—such as suburbs like Boulder City where there is no gaming—meaning there’s something there for everyone, whether you aim to let the good times roll down the strip or let sleep take you by the pool.

2. Redding, California

If you’re looking for sunshine as well as plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy it in, then Redding is the place for you. Besides having 300 or more sunny days every year, the city is cradled on three sides by millions of acres of state and federal lands, providing ample places for hiking and  camping. But more than that, TIME magazine titled Redding the Unofficial Capital of kayaking—and lots of other watersports abound, too, like fishing—and there are loads of natural wonders to marvel at, including the bubbling pots of Lassen Volcanic National Park and the Lake Shasta Caverns. In short, Redding will grant you glorious sunshine and plenty to do in it.

1. Yuma, Arizona

If sunshine is what you want, sunshine is what you get, and in spades—because Yuma, Arizona holds the Guinness World Record for the sunniest city on Earth. About 91% of their yearly daylight hours are pure sunshine, and for those of you who worry about the humidity, Yuma is the least humid city in the US. That gives you 4,055 hours to soak up the sun without feeling like you’re wading through Vaseline.

There are plenty of options if you’re looking for sunshine that can appeal to almost anyone. Whether you’re a snowbird or just looking for a bright new start, there is a place out there for you—and we’ve delivered the top choices that hopefully made your hunting just a little easier.

The Majestic Mayon Volcano and My Mother Dear

Mama just turned 63 this month and I missed her even more.  I wish I could go back home and  stay with her for a while.  It's hard being away for so long.  I have been encouraging my Mom to come over but she doesn't want to.  She said that she might  not be able to  survive the long flight and seeing the  winter scene here, she said she would  sure not survive living here.

I am glad to see  new photos  of her and other family at my sister's facebook page.  This was taken yesterday at my paternal  relatives place.  Mama and my two siblings have visited them.  The volcano you see on the background is the Mayon volcano, a very active volcano in Bicol region.  I kind of relate my Mom to this volcano because  she is very active and never want to stop  doing things.  

My nephews and nieces are getting so big.  I don't think they will  know me when we visit and they were born when I was here already.  

Job Hunting

I copied this collage from my sister's Facebook page.  She is currently looking for  work this month.

I hope and pray that 2016 will be a good year for my youngest sister.  She was a little bummed that her 2015 did not end up on a good note.  She was laid off from her job so now, she is looking for a new one. Hopefully,  her application  will be accepted so she won't get depressed.  I wish you good luck Nhe!

Not Just A Fashion Statement

While you're on a boat in the middle of a lake or another body of water, you might think that everything will be fine and that there aren't any kind of risks involved. However, anything is possible, and if there is an incident where you fall from the boat into the water and can't swim, then one of the marine life jackets that are on board could save your life. 

At any time while on the water, just like on the road, there could be an accident involving another boat. There could be an issue with the boat hitting debris that is in the water that the driver can't see. Any emergency could result in being in the water. The life jacket can help to save your life as well as others who are on the boat. It helps to keep you afloat if you don't know how to swim or if you don't have the strength to swim in the water on your own because of an injury. 

You might think that you can swim just fine, but if you are in the water for an extended period of time or there are a lot of waves in the water, then it can make you tired faster than you realize. The life jacket can give you the support that you need even if you are one of the best swimmers that you know. If there are children on the boat, then the jacket can help to keep them above the water and sometimes help calm their fears of being off the boat. 

If it's cold in the water, then the jacket will help to keep you warm. In most cases, you will usually be in your bathing suit while in the water, so there isn't a lot of material that is there to keep your from getting cold. In the event that you are being swept away in a current or if you are below the surface of the water, the life jacket will get you positioned in the direction where you need to be while in the water until you can get help or get back to the boat.

Overseas Call/Talk with Mama

My youngest sister went home to be with Mama this past Christmas.  I wish I could be with Mama every Christmas!  I sent Mama some money for Christmas but  she said she will be using it to  repair the damge at the house that the typhhoon caused.  I was going to call  them  on Christmas but there was no signal there and they  also had a black out  ever since the typhoon hit.   So I waited for  them to come to  the city  before I called.

Glad to see Mama again even on pictures.  To hear her voice makes me cry, I want to hug her but I can't.  My sister said that they really miss us as well.

I wish I could convince Mama to come over here.  She is still refusing to entertain the thought of flying.  I hope we could visit the Philippines soon.  I am missing them terribly!  It's been  years since I last seen them.

Great Friend

I am so grateful for  friends like Ate Chay.  She does a lot of things for us  and even  treat my fmily like her own.  She is one of those people I admire the most because she and her husband raised their four kids really well.  Two of her older kids have graduated in college and  have  jobs and  that is something  so admirable.  I wish that I could  give Ate Chay a break and teat her  a good vacation, that would be nice.  Of all the things that she does for us, she deserve  a good break.  

Thank you Ate Chay for  doing things  for my family, we love you!

Future Plan

Ifeel bad for myyoungest sister, she is hving a rought time  right now.  Her contract to the school has ended  last month so she is trying to find another job.  ON top of that, she is also bummed out that she did not pass the licensure exam for teachers.  I told her to hang in there and  just keep  thinking positive.  God always has a plan for every one of us so   she will be okay as soon as she dosn't give up pursuing her dreams.

My husband  told me that I could petition my sister here so I will look into it and seehow long will it take for me to  petition her.  I asked her to send me  some documents and I hope that she would consider it.  Maybe, I could  encourage my MOm to come over if my sister  is here with me too.