Just Shoot 'eM and Run!!!

Everyday Quotes

2011-09-10T05:21:00.001-07:00

Great quotation

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Today's Quote

2011-09-04T06:32:00.001-07:00

Great quotation

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Inspirational Quote

2011-08-02T20:19:00.001-07:00

~Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear, the blind can see~
::: Mark Twain :::

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Life Quotes

2011-07-25T11:06:00.000-07:00

Darkness within darkness. The gateway to all understanding.

::: Lao-Tzu :::

How to Avoid 7 Common On-the-Job Mistakes

2011-07-24T07:39:00.000-07:00

Heather Huhman, On Monday June 27, 2011
Impress your employer by avoiding the following mistakes:

Mistake #1: Being unavailable

It's inevitable that, at some point, your supervisor or co-workers will approach you and ask for your help on an outside project or assignment. Although it might be tempting ignore those emails or say no to additional work, don't. You might think that no one will notice if you don't help with extra work, but they will. And, although it's not technically in your job description, more companies today must do more with less--meaning each employee needs to be flexible and multi-skilled. Make yourself indispensible by pitching in on other assignments when possible. (Of course, don't overextend yourself to the point where you can't get your normal work done.)

[See 12 Common Work Email Mistakes.]

Mistake #2: Failing to dress to impress

Some of the best job advice I've heard is to to always dress at least one step above your current position. It helps others picture you working above your current position and makes you look extremely professional. You're not just an intern/entry-level professional, you have the potential to be so much more--so act like it.

Mistake #3: Trying to complete every task to perfection

No one is perfect. And while doing projects to the best of your ability is something you should strive to do, it doesn't mean you'll never make a mistake or do something incorrectly. If you make a mistake, own up to it and correct it. Remember to not lose sight of the overall goal by focusing too much on the little details. You could potentially miss deadlines and quality of your work--not to mention drive your co-workers (and boss) crazy.

Mistake #4: Waiting for feedback

Many workplaces still don't give employees feedback more than a few times per year. If you wait around for feedback for several months, you're doing yourself (and your organization) a disservice. Instead of waiting for your supervisor to come to you, ask to set up a quick meeting to discuss your progress thus far and any improvements you could make. Bring up specific projects you've completed and ask for feedback on things you were unsure about. This way, you know where you stand in your position and at the company--before a formal performance review comes across your desk.

[See How to Mesh In-Person and Online Networking.]

Mistake #5: Hiding out at your desk

Even if you're doing spectacular work, you could be overlooked if you sit at your desk each day and avoid interactions with co-workers and upper management. When you need a break, head over to the break room or cafeteria and interact with other workers in your office. Not only will this help reduce stress on the job, but you'll have the potential to make some great professional relationships, too.

Mistake #6: Not asking questions

Some people think asking questions is a sign of weakness. But when you're unsure how to complete a task, it can be hard to do it the right way the first time without clarification. When assigned a new project, ask any questions that might come up right then and there. You might also want to inquire about how your success will be measured and how often you should update your boss on the progress. Your supervisor would much rather that you ask questions now in order to avoid potential problems later.

[See Why Loving Your Work Matters.]

Mistake #7: Ignoring the corporate culture

When you first start on a new job, it's important to take note of cultural differences from previous workplaces. What does everyone wear on a daily basis? How much socialization goes on during the workday? Do employees tend to come in early or stay late? What is the typical mode of communication for the office? Assimilating to the culture is a great way to fit in quickly at the organization and get along with other employees.

What other mistakes have you made on the job? How did you avoid those mistakes in the future?

Heather R. Huhman is a career expert, experienced hiring manager, and founder & president of Come Recommended, a content marketing consultancy for organizations with products that target job seekers and employers. She is also the author of Lies, Damned Lies & Internships (2011) and #ENTRYLEVELtweet: Taking Your Career from Classroom to Cubicle (2010) and writes career and recruiting advice for numerous outlets

COPD

2011-06-02T06:19:00.000-07:00

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using COPD:

Headache; nausea; upset stomach.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these

SEVERE side effects occur when using COPD:, Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blood in the urine; bloody vomit; diarrhea; dizziness; excitability; fast breathing; fast/irregular heartbeat; flushing; increased thirst or urination; irritability; muscle twitching; pounding in the chest; restlessness; seizures ; stomach pain; trouble sleeping; vomiting.

Side Effects by Body System - for Healthcare Professionals

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects have included palpitations, tachycardia, extrasystoles, flushing, hypotension, circulatory failure, and ventricular arrhythmias.

Endocrine

Endocrine side effects have included hyperglycemia and inappropriate ADH syndrome.

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, hematemesis and diarrhea.

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included headache, irritability, restlessness, insomnia, hyperexcitability, agitation, muscle twitching, and generalized clonic and tonic convulsions.

Renal

Renal side effects have included albuminuria, diuresis and both gross and microscopic hematuria.

Dramatic Asthma Relief

2011-06-01T06:14:00.000-07:00

by Susan Milar

Generic name: Budesonide

Brand names: Pulmicort, Rhinocort

Side effects: Facial edema, rash, herpes simplex, nervousness, nausea, nasal irritation, dry mouth, hoarseness, wheezing, nasal pain, delayed growth in children

Long term use: Glucose intolerance, psychiatric disturbances, cataracts

Generic name: Beclomethasone
Brand names: Beclovent, Vanceril, Becloforte, Beconaise

Side effects: Irritation of the throat, coughing, hoarseness, candidiasis in the region of the oropharynx or the larynx.

Long term use: Depressed pituitary-adrenal functioning, osteoporosis.

Generic name: Flunisolide
Brand names: Bronalide, Aerobid-M, Nasalide, Rhinalar

Side effects: Nasal burning and stinging, aftertaste, hoarseness, sore throat, cough, wheezing, Candida (yeast) infections, change or loss of sense of smell or taste, nausea, headache, diarrhea, allergic reaction (including rash, hives, itchiness and bronchospasm)

Long term use: Permanent loss of sense of smell and/or taste

Generic name: Fluticasone
Brand names: Flonase or Flovent

Side effects: Dry nose, nose bleeds, candida yeast infections in the mouth, hoarseness, sore throat, serious cortisol suppression, growth suppression in children, eosinophilic pneumonia, eosinophilic vasculitis, Churg-Strauss syndrome, vasculitic rash, worsening pulmonary symptoms, cardiac complications, increased risk of glaucoma

Generic name: Salbutamol or Albutrerol
Brand names: Ventolin, Easyhaler, Diskhaler, Proventil

Side effects: Suspected to be a co-factor in asthma deaths, tremor, inner agitation, heart palpitation, muscle cramps, headaches, premature contractions during pregnancy, psychotic reactions.

Generic name: Salmeterol
Brand name: Serevent

Side effects: Liver dysfunction and damage, increased heart rate, blood pressure, heart beat irregularities, chest pain tremor, nervousness, worsening of bronchospasm (life-threatening), allergic reactions: skin rash, hives, swelling, bronchospasm, and anaphylaxis (life-threatening), worsening of diabetes and lowering of potassium, potentially fatal heart complications.

Generic name: Prednisone, Prednisolone
Brand names: Adasone, Cartancyl, Colisone, Cordrol, Cortan, Dacortin, Dellacort, Delta-Dome, Deltasone, DiAdreson, Econosone, Fernisone, Liquid Pred, Meticorten, Orasone, Panasol, Paracort, Parmenison, Prednicen-M, Prednicot, Predniment, Rectodelt, Sterapred

Side effects: Systemic corticosteroid effects such as hypercorticism and adrenal suppression, Cushing's syndrome with moon face, truncal obesity, acne, psychiatric disorders, menstruation disorders, osteoporosis, muscular atrophy, and other myopathies,hypertension, edema, hyperglycemia, cataracts, glaucoma, aseptic bone necrosis, pancreatitis, delayed wound healing, sleep disturbances, nycturia, nausea; gastrointestinal bleeding, dermatrophy, cerebral pseudotumor, congestive heart failure, convulsions, impaired wound healing

*To discontinue use, prednisolone, or prednisone must be reduced gradually if the therapy lasts longer than one week. Work with the prescribing physician!

Generic name: Theophylline
Brand names: Theo-dur, Respbid, Slo-bid, Theo-24, Theolair, Uniphyl, Slo-phyllin

Side effects: Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, trouble concentrating tachycardia, palpitations, extrasystoles, headaches, tremor, nervousness, excitability, sleep disturbances, gastroesophageal reflux

Long term use: Dangerous complications mostly affect the heart (arrhythmias) and the central nervous system (convulsions) and are frequently lethal.

Generic name: Zileutron
Brand names: Leutrol, Zyflo

Side effects: Changes in liver functioning

Long term use: Liver damage (yellowing of skin or eyes, unusual tiredness, abdominal pain)

Generic name: Zafirlukast
Brand name: Accolate

Side effects: Headache, infections, nausea, diarrhea, numbness, tingling, pain, worsening respiratory symptoms, liver damage (yellowing of skin or eyes, unusual tiredness, abdominal pain); Churg-Strauss syndrome: can be very serious; if dose is reduced watch for the following symptoms: fever, muscle aches, pains and weight loss.

Long term use: Liver damage (yellowing of skin or eyes, unusual tiredness, abdominal pain)

Generic name: Montelukast
Brand name: Singulair

Side effects: Headache, abdominal pain, rash, dyspepsia, dizziness, diarrhea, sinusitis, and ear ache, gastroenteritis, cough, nasal congestion

Editor's note: I recommend Susan's method for anyone with nasal congestion, asthma, or allergies who would like to try a non-drug approach. Click here to visit Susan Millar’s website to learn more about her asthma and allergy discovery.

5 Reasons to Skip Your Workout

2011-05-31T08:33:00.000-07:00

By Lucy Danziger and the staff at SELF
May 10, 2011

Sometimes a good sweat session is just what the doctor ordered: Exercise has been shown to help ease menstrual cramps, joint pain, headaches, stress and depression, for starters. But if you’re not feeling up to your workout, your body might be trying to tell you that it needs a break. Here are five science-backed reasons to throw in the towel (for today).

Something hurts

There’s the g

ood, normal kind of postworkout pain—the achy soreness you feel for a day or two after you’ve pushed your muscles a l

ittle harder than usual or tried something new—a

nd the bad kind that feels like more of an ouch and lingers, explains SELF contributing expert Lisa Callahan, M.D., codirector of the Women’s Sports Medicine Center at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. If a pain persists longer than 72 hours, causes swelling at the site, keeps you up at night or hurts more when you exercise, it’s time to sit on the sidelines and call your doc.

You’re sleep-deprived

Insufficient zzz’s could be as devastating to your well-being as lack of exercise, says James B. Maas, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. “Your body uses sleep to restore itself both physically and mentally, yet people continue to put it off as if it’s optional,” says Maas. If you’ve been falling short of the seven to eight hours of nightly shut-eye experts recommend and feel downright exhausted when your alarm goes off in the morning, hit

snooze and leave your workout for another day. Bonus: The extra rest will give you more energy to punch through that last mile or set of reps when you do hit the gym again.

You feel dizzy, thirsty or clammy

These are signs of warm weather injuries like heatstroke and exhaustion, cases of which are up 133 percent in the pa

st decade, a study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine warns. Heatstroke can happen even on mild days, so always keep water handy, and if you start to feel the above symptoms, rest, drink up and call it quits for the day. Better safe than sorry!

Your stomach’s been feeling queasy

A little bit of indigestion is no biggie, but if you’re throwing up or experiencing severe diarrhea, you’re already on your way to dehydration and exercise will only make it worse. A 12-hour bug causes most upset stomachs, so you should be fine after a day in bed (or in the bathroom). Just be sure to drink plenty of clear fluids in the meantime.

You have a fever

If the thermometer reads above 100 and you feel exhausted or achy all over, you could have the flu, so trade your gym clothes for your PJ’s and get thee to bed! You’ll likely be too zonked to work up a non-fever-induced sweat anyway. Plus, you’re contagious a full day before you have any symptoms and for the first few days after symptoms strike, and I’m betting your fellow gymgoers don’t want the flu any more than you do. So rest up, drink plenty of fluids and don’t even think about those sneakers until your fever breaks and you’re feeling normal again.

The new Self Challenge Drop 10 program is here! Join us in dropping the winter weight and you'll feel great for summer. Plus, this year we will email you the menu and workout plan free, every day.

Make Your City #1 on our Healthiest Cities List! Sign up now for our Healthiest Cities program!

Get SELF on your iPad!

What is the treatment for eczema?

2011-05-20T23:25:00.000-07:00

The goals for the treatment of eczema are to prevent itching, inflammation, and worsening of the condition. Treatment of eczema may involve both lifestyle changes and the use of medications. Treatment is always based upon an individual's age, overall health status, and the type and severityof the condition.

Keeping the skin well hydrated through the application of creams or ointments (with a low water and high oil content) as well as avoiding over-bathing (see "Can eczema be prevented?" section) is an important step in treatment. It is recommended to apply emollient creams such as petrolatum-based creams to the body immediately after a five-minute lukewarm bath in order to seal in moisture while the body is still wet. Lifestyle modifications to avoid triggers for the condition are also recommended.

Corticosteroid creams are sometimes prescribed to decrease the inflammatory reaction in the skin. These may be mild-, medium-, or high-potency corticosteroid creams depending upon the severity of the symptoms. If itching is severe, oral antihistamines may be prescribed. To control itching, the sedative type antihistamine drugs (for example, diphenhydramine [Benadryl], hydroxyzine [Atarax, Vistaril], and cyproheptadine) appear to be most effective.

In some cases, a short course of oral corticosteroids (such as prednisone) is prescribed to control an acute outbreak of eczema, although their long-term use is discouraged in the treatment of this non life-threatening condition because of unpleasant and potentially harmful side effects. The oral immunosuppressant drug cyclosporine has also been used to treat some cases of eczema. Ultraviolet light therapy (phototherapy) is another treatment option for some people with eczema.

Finally, two topical (cream) medications have been approved by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of eczema: tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel). These drugs belong to a class of immune suppressant drugs known as calcineurin inhibitors and are indicated only in patients over 2 years of age. In January 2006, the FDA issued a black box warning stating the long-term safety of calcineurin inhibitors has not been established. Although a causal relationship has not been established, rare cases of malignancy have been reported with their use. It is recommended that these drugs only be used as second-line therapy for cases that are unresponsive to other forms of treatment and that their use be limited to the minimum time periods needed to control symptoms. Use of these drugs should also be limited in people who have compromised immune systems.

Is Eczema Contagious?

2011-05-20T23:21:00.000-07:00

Eczema is due to a hypersensitivity reaction (similar to an allergy ) in the skin, which leads to long-term inflammation. The inflammation causes the skin to become itchy and scaly. Long-term irritation and scratching can cause the skin to thicken and an have a leather-like texture.

Eczema is most common in infants, and at least half of those cases clear by age 3. In adults, it is generally a long-term or recurring condition. Eczema tends to run in families.
People with eczema often have a family history of allergic conditions like asthma , hay fever , or eczema.

The following can make eczema symptoms worse:
* Dry skin
* Exposure to environmental irritants
* Exposure to water
* Stress
* Temperature changes

How Do You Sleep...?

2011-05-18T07:32:00.000-07:00

What your sleeping position says about you ...

Foetus

Those who curl up in the foetus position are described as tough on the outside but sensitive at heart. They may be shy when they first meet somebody, but soon relax. This is the most common sleeping position, adopted by 41% of the 1,000 people who took part in the survey. More than twice as many women as men tend to adopt this position.

Log

Lying on your side with both arms down by your side. These sleepers are easy going, social people who like being part of the in-crowd, and who are trusting of strangers. However, they may be gullible.

Yearner

People who sleep on their side with both arms out in front are said to have an open nature, but can be suspicious, cynical. They are slow to make up their minds, but once they have taken a decision, they are unlikely ever to change it.

Soldier

Lying on your back with both arms pinned to your sides. People who sleep in this position are generally quiet and reserved. They don't like a fuss, but set themselves and others high standards.

Freefall

Lying on your front with your hands around the pillow, and your head turned to one side. Often gregarious and brash people, but can be nervy and thin-skinned underneath, and don't like criticism, or extreme situations.

Starfish

Lying on your back with both arms up around the pillow. These sleepers make good friends because they are always ready to listen to others, and offer help when needed. They generally don't like to be the centre of attention.

The remainder of those in the poll said the position they fell asleep varied or did not know.

Professor Idzikowski also examined the effect of various sleeping positions on health. He concluded that the freefall position was good for digestion, while the starfish and soldier positions were more likely to lead to snoring and a bad night's sleep.

Professor Idzikowski said "Lying down flat means that stomach contents can more readily be worked back up into the mouth, while those who lie on their back may end up snoring and breathing less well during the night. "Both these postures may not necessarily awaken the sleeper but could cause a less refreshing night's sleep."

The research also found that most people are unlikely to change their sleeping position. Just 5% said they sleep in a different position every night.

For reference : click HERE

Sleep Techniques

2011-05-16T07:08:00.000-07:00

This sleep technique is similar to counting sheep, however it is far more effective as you will see in a minute:

Step 1:
Once you’re ready to sleep, ensure that your bed and bedroom is dark, comfortable and not too warm. It’s best to lie on your back for this. So get yourself in a comfortable position and close your eyes.

Step 2:
Now begin to breathe deeply and slowly. Listen to each slow inhale and exhale. On each exhale, feel your body sinking down into the bed. Feel your body heavy and tired. Continue this until you feel relaxed from head to toe.

Step 3:
Now it’s time to begin with some affirmations. Imagine a calm and soothing voice and tell yourself ‘You feel sleepy and tired’ and ‘You will sleep better and better every night’ Feel free to adapt and change the affirmations. Just ensure that you use positive language.

Step 4:
Now continuing with your deep, slow breathing, begin to count up on each exhale. Working from your head to your toes, relax a part of your body on each exhale. Imagine and feel your body heavy and sinking deeper into the bed. Continue this until you reach your toes.

Step 5:
You may find that you lose track when counting. This is a good sign that you’re drifting, if this happens, don’t worry exactly where you were, just continue roughly where you left off. If at the end you are still awake, don’t panic! You can’t expect miracle cures.

This is just a simple sleep technique that helps your conscious mind drift and your subconscious to take over using your imagination. Alternatively you can also try a natural sleep aid, if you feel that you need a little help.

Rihanna's Quote

2011-05-15T06:20:00.000-07:00

“Feels so good being bad.
There’s no way I’m turning back.
Now the pain is my pleasure cause nothing could measure.”
~ Rihanna (S&M Lyrics) ~

Are You On the Rebound?

2011-05-12T07:57:00.000-07:00

Click HERE to do a quick and easy 20 question quiz to help you decide if you're ready to love again or merely on the rebound.

*I scored 20 out of 20.. and i'm ready for it though..

BackPain

2011-05-12T07:54:00.000-07:00

Back pain is said to be the most common cause of disability in persons under the age of 45. Back pain can have many causes; it can be as innocent as a simple muscle spasm to a more sinister condition such as a protruded/herniated lumbar disc (slipped disc). Additionally, it is said that at least 80% of the population will experience back pain sometime in their life time. These are alarming statistics and it does not look as though things are going to get better any time soon. The US government is now calling back pain the next epidemic!

Now, the good news is that as horrible as it can get, back pain is a treatable condition; without drugs, injections or even surgery. In fact, even the world renowned Mayo Hospital in Rochester, New York is recommending to their patients to exhaust all non-invasive methods before even thinking of surgery.

Research has shown that back pain is mechanical in nature, and mechanical problems need mechanical solutions as opposed to chemical or surgical ones. Back pain usually occurs when there is an imbalance or weakness in the supporting muscles and ligaments due to improper weight bearing activities, or a sedentary lifestyle. Eventually, this weakness causes the spine to shift and put abnormal strain on the intervertebral discs that separate them, ultimately leading to a disc bulge or herniation (slipped disc). This irritates the sensitive nerves of the lumbar spine, leading to pain, weakness, numbness and tingling.

Typically, patients will wait to see if the pain goes away on its own. Sometimes it does, but usually it doesn't; and just because the pain went away, don't be fooled into thinking the problem has gone too. Some patients may visit a physiotherapist to treat their low back pain. This may or may not help since physiotherapists treat muscles and ligaments and not much more. If the problem is more severe, physiotherapy will not benefit the patient much, and if the therapist is not properly trained or the facility is not updated, you may actually get worse. Other patients may visit a Chiropractor to receive a series of adjustments to realign the spine and take pressure off the nerves. This has been proven through research to be very effective, however, Chiropractic alone will not be enough to stabilize the condition, since it does very little to treat spinal discs.

At Chiropractic Specialty Center, we will properly diagnose your condition and effectively treat and stabilize your low back. We have highly skilled and educated Chiropractors and physiotherapists working together using state-of-the-art medical equipment that offers effective rehabilitation option to correct, strengthen and stabilize your low back condition. We utilize a combination of physiotherapy, chiropractic and NSD Therapy™, a non-surgical decompression therapy designed to treat even the most difficult and challenging conditions such as a disc bulge or herniation. It is very important to note that spinal decompression therapy is much more advanced and more effective than traction. Unfortunately, many doctors out there are pawning their low end traction units as a decompression unit. Please do not be fooled by these imitations! Only true decompression therapy, in conjunction with Chiropractic, Physiotherapy and spinal rehabilitation, can you truly correct and stabilize low back pain. Chiropractic Specialty Center in KL is the only center in Malaysia offering NSD Therapy™!

Read More here

Sleepless Nites

2011-05-12T07:04:00.000-07:00

Most of us have experienced a sleepless night at least once in our lifetimes. There are many factors that can contribute to a sleepless night; worry, stress and anxiety are common problems. Financial issues, relationships and work can all create unwanted emotions and thoughts that can affect our daily lives as well as sleep.

Stress, anxiety and worry can be caused by minor factors, but yet these can have detrimental effects on our emotional behavior; being stuck in traffic, having a bad day at work, going to an interview, taking a test and something as little as burning toast can build up unwanted stress during the day.

A sleepless night is nothing to get alarmed about. It's often difficult to let go of thoughts at night. Often when we are able to tackle the cause of worry or anxiety we are able to rest at night. It's important that we do tackle the cause of the problem quickly as prolonged experience of sleeplessness may become a learned habit and develop into insomnia.

For the insomniac a sleeplessness is an all too familiar occurrence. Insomnia sufferers usually complain about having disturbed, insufficient and non-restorative sleep, and generally:

have difficulty falling asleep.
have difficulty staying asleep.
have difficulty going back to sleep after waking up at night.
feel drowsy or tired on awakening in the morning.
feel excessively tired or sleepy during the day

Many people find it difficult to let go of worrying or troubling thoughts at night. If you try not to think of a pink elephant, you'll probably think of one. If you try to get an annoying pop song out of your head, you'll probably fail. And if you have to try and fall asleep, you're probably already suffering from insomnia. Fact is sleep isn't supposed to be forced; it's a natural process which just happens.

Often an insomnia sufferer will try to relax, but slip into the mode of thinking random thoughts involuntarily, only to get frustrated and find that they are even more awake. On other nights they may feel that their mind empties however they struggle to relax physically enough to fall asleep. They may feel tense and irritable.

The Bull - Taurus

2011-05-01T07:17:00.000-07:00

April 21 to May 21
Traditional
Taurus Traits

Patient and reliable
Warmhearted and loving
Persistent and determined
Placid and security loving

On the dark side....

Jealous and possessive
Resentful and inflexible
Self-indulgent and greedy

MAD World

2011-04-25T07:53:00.000-07:00

I'm loving it.

2011-04-17T08:54:00.000-07:00

Nonsexual Touch in Your Marriage

2011-04-17T07:56:00.000-07:00

By Sheri & Bob Stritof, About.com Guide

When we are standing in a line at a movie theater or waiting for a seat in a restaurant, Bob often puts his hand on my shoulder. When we are walking, we hold hands. When I see that he is tired, I give him a quick neck rub. Just stroking his forehead brings about a sigh of satisfaction.
We are firm believers in the importance of nonsexual touch in marriage.

What is Nonsexual Touch?

Here are more examples of affection and nonsexual touch in marriage:

Holding hands both privately and in public.
Nonsexual massage of neck, shoulders, back.
Hugs.
Sitting close to one another both privately and in public.
Kisses, especially unexpected kisses.
Holding one another.
Cuddling, snuggling.
Walking arm in arm.
Stroking.
Reaching across the table to touch hands.
Simple caring and tender gestures such as resting your hand on your spouse's leg.
Putting your hand on your spouse's shoulder.
Gentle caresses.

Why is Nonsexual Touch Important in Your Marriage?

Nonsexual touch and other signs of affection strengthens your marriage relationship, creates a comforting and calming atmosphere in your home, builds trust between the two of you, and deepens your intimacy with one another.
Do not let nonsexual touch become a thing of the past in your marriage!

Mengenang Arwah Din Beramboi - Al Fatihah

2011-04-01T08:24:00.000-07:00

Lawak arwah membuatkan aku ketawa dan gembira setiap pagi, dan kini aku ketawa sambil mengalirkan airmata kerana sering terkenangkan beliau..

Al-Fatihah buat kenalan lama ku, Mior Ahmad Fuad Badri @ Din Beramboi yang telah pergi buat selama-lamanya pada 2hb April 2010, semasa aku berada di SMC . Semoga RohMu dicucuri rahmat...Aminn....

Great Expectations : 7 Lies about Marriage

2011-03-31T07:45:00.000-07:00

Couples therapist and author John W. Jacobs, M.D., has found a pattern in the people he counsels: Their expectations of marriage are often so unrealistic that even the strongest of relationships doesn't stand a chance. In this excerpt from his book All You Need Is Love and Other Lies about Marriage, he explains what he calls "The Seven Lies of Marriage":

LIE #1: All you need is love.

The reality is that marital bliss is a myth. Unconditional love, necessary for babies and small children, doesn't--and shouldn't--exist between marital partners. We live in a culture that stresses a preoccupation with personal happiness above all. As long as we raise our children, especially girls, to believe that marriage is the solution to life's problems and essential for personal happiness, we will continue to have many couples marrying with little appreciation for the true difficulties and complexities of married life.

Couples come to my office deeply shocked: "We love each other so much. Why are we so unhappy?" Myths that suggest that romantic love is sufficient to create marital bliss leave people unskilled in developing and unprepared to manage sustained intimate relationships. As wonderful as love is, love doesn't conquer all, and alone it certainly won't prevent or solve your marital problems. For that, you need to understand the nature of marriage, learn specific skills and accept that regularly applying these skills requires diligence and hard work.

Lie #2: I talk all the time; my spouse just doesn't listen.

The reality is that most of us talk ourselves to death, but we actually communicate very poorly. We live in an era that encourages us to be open about our feelings but doesn't teach us how to differentiate between helpful and harmful feelings. Very few of us know how to speak or listen effectively. Television talk shows are filled with marital experts who advise us to "tell it like it is" and be "brutally honest" so our partners will know how we really feel and what we really need.

The truth is that brutal honesty too often encourages brutality more than honesty. Spouses use their version of the truth to bludgeon their partners into submission.

Books such as John Gray's Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus and Deborah Tannen's You Just Don't Understand do an excellent job of explaining how men and women's communication styles can differ. However, I have found that problems in communication go far beyond these stylistic differences. Communication problems often hide serious differences in values, interests, goals and desires.

Even when spouses learn how to "communicate" with each other effectively, they are often surprised to find that they have major differences that are difficult to resolve. So, improving communication alone is not the solution to most marital problems. It is only the first step.

Lie #3: People don't really change.

Of course, the couples who come to my office tell me they want to change. (More often, what they really want is for me to change their spouse, whom they see as the one really in the wrong.) However, many people today believe that deep down, people can't change all that much or that nothing in a marriage can change unless both partners change. These incorrect and pessimistic beliefs sabotage efforts to improve the marriage.

The truth is that most people go about trying to change their relationships in unproductive ways, get frustrated by the results and then claim that this outcome proves that people don't change. Also, many of us are so fearful of real change that we run for the escape hatch rather than commit to the hard work involved in getting what we say we want. And even if one partner is adamantly set against change, there's a lot the other partner can do to foster change in the marriage anyway. Change is always possible.

Lie #4: When you marry, you create your own family legacy.

You may live far away from your family of origin, but now that you have your own family, their grip on you is tighter than ever. When we become husbands, wives and parents, the models we saw and leftover conflicts we experienced within our families of origin emerge from our psyches and take over our intimate relationships.

Our grandparents were likely to live close to their parents (if not in the same house), see each other often and stay personally involved in each other's day-to-day lives. Today, in our highly mobile society, we tend to live farther from our parents. Paradoxically, their influence may be greater than ever; because they're not around, we're less likely to be aware of how we unthinkingly act in line or in opposition to the way they raised us.

It's especially shocking to find that your family seriously influences you if you have consciously chosen to behave differently from them. Spouses who don't appreciate the power their original families exert on their values and styles tend to have particularly tenacious problems in their marriages.

Lie #5: Egalitarian marriage is easier than traditional marriage.

In the newer, egalitarian model of marriage, the expectation is that while not every chore will be split fifty/fifty, family responsibilities should be divided fairly, and decision-making power will be shared. The husband in this model respects his wife's work and shares in family life, never insisting on being in control based on financial earnings or gender. Equality in theory is wonderful; in reality, spouses in trouble often are conflicted over gender role expectations and responsibilities.

Men tend to feel unappreciated for what they do well, that is, for working hard away from home and for any chores they agree to do in the house. Likewise, women who work away from the home and then return to care for their households and children often feel equally unappreciated for their extra work.

In The Second Shift, sociologist Arlie Hochschild makes the point that women are caught in a "stalled revolution." Seventy percent of married women work outside the home and then return to huge responsibilities at home with minimal or no help from the average husband or from social institutions. Many working mothers are overworked and exhausted, and some ultimately become bitter about their overburdened lives. Hochschild believes that the stress on marriage caused by the pressures of this "stalled revolution" is central to women's dissatisfaction with modern marriage and will not be resolved until men fully accept their share of household responsibilities.

The confusion over gender-role expectations, the mutual feeling of insufficient appreciation and the unresolved resentment this fosters between spouses are killing many marriages.

Lie #6: Children solidify a marriage.

Let's speak the unspeakable: Children are an enormous threat to your marriage. It's very, very difficult to admit that the children you love so much can drive a wedge into your life as a couple, especially if one of the reasons you got married in the first place was to have a family. However, the reality is that in a world where married partners already work too hard and don't spend enough time with each other, the addition of children to your life usually eats up the remaining physical and emotional energy you had for each other.

Even when you love your children fiercely, even when you thought you were prepared for the tremendous dislocation they would cause (who hasn't heard a million stories about the sleepless nights with newborns, the perils of toddlers, the terrors of teens?), your natural devotion to your children will tear your marriage down to its bedrock. If you have a child with any kind of additional difficulty--a physical or mental disability, a challenging temperament, ADHD--you will have to fight that much harder to save your marriage.

Let's just say it: If you want to preserve your marriage, your children cannot always come first. As counterintuitive as it may sound, in your marriage, your spouse must come first, not only for your sake but also so that your children can grow up within an intact family.

Lie #7: The sexual revolution has made great sex easier than ever.

The veil of secrecy surrounding sex has been ripped away. The best-seller list is plump with books on how to get and give great sexual pleasure. Magazines offer the latest tricks of the trade. Even the toniest literary journals sport ads touting instructional videotapes. Men and women regularly confess their sexual issues on talk shows; there isn't any problem too embarrassing to discuss. Television entertainments put sex front and center; characters discuss their sex lives and add new partners as readily and casually as they change wardrobes. Thanks to the invasion of the media, from the most seemingly innocuous sitcom to the steamiest porn video, your life is saturated with images of beautiful people having great sex all the time.

So if sex is everywhere, and if information about how to have it is more readily available than ever, why aren't you having more fun in your own bed? It's because the two of you are never really alone there; those ubiquitous images of everyone else having great sex have paradoxically made it more difficult for you to relax and have a satisfying sex life. Even if you joke about these unrealistic portrayals of people who are never exhausted by the toll of work and children, whose waistlines are never threatened by the twin specters of Krispy Kreme and advancing age, and whose libido is never dimmed by a partner's bad breath or the mountain of unpaid bills on the dresser--you are still powerfully influenced by them.

They make you feel that you or your partner can never measure up, that there's someone out there who's more attractive to you or will be more attracted by you, and that you are missing out because everyone else is having more fun than you are. They make you believe that the natural evolution of a relationship, from the dazzling fireworks of infatuation and early courtship to the steadier, calmer flame of a mature partnership, represents loss of pleasure and acceptance of the mundane.

"I don't debate with liars" ~Evo Morales

2011-03-26T07:38:00.000-07:00

I will just ignore, because i do not want to spoil my day and waste time with a person. Not all compulsive liars have an underlying mental illness; some people lie to get ahead, to make themselves look better or just to evoke an elaborate reaction. Treatment involves the person seeing a counselor to discuss the reasons behind the fibs, role-playing to practice telling the truth, and then homework assignments to try outside of therapy. Homework assignments may consist of having to resist the urge to fib a certain number of times in a week, and then reporting to the therapist how he or she did. With practice, the person may be able to break the addiction of telling lies.

It's All about 'MOON'

2011-03-24T07:29:00.000-07:00

18 Things Your Feet Say About Your Health

2011-02-23T07:04:00.000-08:00

By Paula Spencer, Caring.com
Thu, Feb 03, 2011

Want to make a simple, ten-second check on the state of your health? Sneak a peek at your feet.
"You can detect everything from diabetes to nutritional deficiencies just by examining the feet," says Jane Andersen, DPM, president of the American Association of Women Podiatrists and a spokeswoman for the American Podiatric Medical Association.

The lowly left and right provide plenty of insightful data: Together they contain a quarter of the body's bones, and each foot also has 33 joints; 100 tendons, muscles, and ligaments; and countless nerves and blood vessels that link all the way to the heart, spine, and brain.
Unresolved foot problems can have unexpected consequences. Untreated pain often leads a person to move less and gain weight, for example, or to shift balance in unnatural ways, increasing the chance of falling and breaking a bone.
So when the feet send one of these 18 warning messages, they mean business.

8 Things Your Hair Says About Your Health
1. Red flag: Toenails with slightly sunken, spoon-shaped indentations
What it means: Anemia (iron deficiency) often shows up as an unnatural, concave or spoonlike shape to the toes' nail beds, especially in moderate-to-severe cases. It's caused by not having enough hemoglobin, an iron-rich protein in the blood cells that transports oxygen. Internal bleeding (such as an ulcer) or heavy menstrual periods can trigger anemia.
More clues: On fingers as well as toes, the skin and nail beds both appear pale. The nails may also be brittle, and feet may feel cold. Fatigue is the number-one sign of anemia, as are shortness of breath, dizziness when standing, and headache.
What to do: A complete blood count is usually used to diagnose anemia. A physical exam may pinpoint a cause. First-step treatments include iron supplements and dietary changes to add iron and vitamin C (which speeds iron absorption).

2. Red flag: Hairless feet or toes
What it means: Poor circulation, usually caused by vascular disease, can make hair disappear from the feet. When the heart loses the ability to pump enough blood to the extremities because of arteriosclerosis (commonly known as hardening of the arteries), the body has to prioritize its use. Hairy toes are, well, low on the totem pole.
More clues: The reduced blood supply also makes it hard to feel a pulse in the feet. (Check the top of the foot or the inside of the ankle.) When you stand, your feet may be bright red or dusky; when elevated, they immediately pale. The skin is shiny. People with poor circulation tend to already know they have a cardiovascular condition (such as heart disease or a carotid artery) yet may not realize they have circulation trouble.
What to do: Treating the underlying vascular issues can improve circulation. Toe hair seldom returns, but nobody complains much.
3. Red flag: Frequent foot cramping (charley horses)
What it means: The sudden stab of a foot cramp -- basically, the hard contraction of a muscle -- can be triggered by fleetingcircumstances such as exercise or dehydration. But if it happens often, your diet may lack sufficient calcium, potassium, or magnesium. Pregnant women in the third trimester are especially vulnerable thanks to increased blood volume and reduced circulation to the feet.
More clues: Charley horses tend to rear up out of nowhere, often while you're just lying there. They can be a single sharp muscle spasm or come in waves. Either way, soreness can linger long afterward.
What to do: Try to flex the foot and massage the painful area. You may also be able to relax the muscle by applying a cold pack or rubbing alcohol. To prevent cramps, stretch your feet before you go to bed. Then drink a glass of warm milk (for the calcium).
4. Red flag: A sore that won't heal on the bottom of the foot
What it means: This is a major clue to diabetes. Elevated blood glucose levels lead to nerve damage in the feet -- which means that minor scrapes, cuts, or irritations caused by pressure or friction often go unnoticed, especially by someone who's unaware he has the disease. Untreated, these ulcers can lead to infection, even amputation.
More clues: Oozing, foul-smelling cuts are especially suspect because they've probably been there awhile. Other symptoms of diabetes include persistent thirst, frequent urination, increased fatigue, blurry vision, extreme hunger, and weight loss.
What to do: Get the ulcer treated immediately and see a doctor for a diabetes evaluation. Diabetics need to inspect their feet daily (older people or the obese should have someone do this for them) and see a healthcare professional every three months.
5. Red flag: Cold feet
What it means: Women, especially, report cold feet (or more precisely, their bedmates complain about them). It may be nothing -- or it may indicate a thyroid issue. Women over 40 who have cold feet often have an underfunctioning thyroid, the gland that regulates temperature and metabolism. Poor circulation (in either gender) is another possible cause.
More clues: Hypothyroidism's symptoms are pretty subtle and appear in many disorders (fatigue, depression, weight gain, dry skin).
What to do: Insulating layers of natural materials work best for warmth. (Think wool socks and lined boots). If you also have other nagging health complaints, mention the cold feet to your doctor. Unfortunately, however, aside from treatment with medication in the event of a thyroid condition, this tends to be a symptom that's neither easily nor sexily resolved.
6. Red flag: Thick, yellow, downright ugly toenails
What it means: A fungal infection is running rampant below the surface of the nail. Onychomycosis can persist painlessly for years. By the time it's visibly unattractive, the infection is advanced and can spread to all toenails and even fingernails.
More clues: The nails may also smell bad and turn dark. People most vulnerable: those with diabetes, circulatory trouble, or immune-deficiency disorders (like rheumatoid arthritis). If an older person has trouble walking, sometimes the problem can be traced to the simple fact that as infected nails grow thicker, they're harder to cut and simply go ignored to the point of pain.
What to do: See a foot specialist or your regular physician for care and treatment. In serious cases, over-the-counter antifungals are usually not as effective as a combination of topical and oral medications and the professional removal of diseased bits. Newer-generation oral antifungal medications tend to have fewer side effects than older ones.
7. Red flag: A suddenly enlarged, scary-looking big toe
What it means: Probably gout. Yes, that old-fashioned-sounding disease is still very much around -- and you don't have to be over 65 to get it. Gout is a form of arthritis (also called "gouty arthritis") that's usually caused by too much uric acid, a natural substance. The built-up uric acid forms needlelike crystals, especially at low body temperatures. And the coolest part of the body, farthest from the heart, happens to be the big toe.
"Three-fourths of the time, you wake up with a red-hot swollen toe joint as the first presentation of gout," says podiatrist Andersen.
More clues: Swelling and shiny red or purplish skin -- along with a sensation of heat and pain -- can also occur in the instep, the Achilles tendon, the knees, and the elbows. Anyone can develop gout, though men in their 40s and 50s are especially prone. Women with gout tend to be postmenopausal.
What to do: See a doctor about controlling the causes of gout through diet or medication. A foot specialist can help relieve pain and preserve function.
8. Red flag: Numbness in both feet
What it means: Being unable to "feel" your feet or having a heavy pins-and-needles sensation is a hallmark of peripheral neuropathy, or damage to the peripheral nervous system. That's the body's way of transmitting information from the brain and spinal cord to the entire rest of the body. Peripheral neuropathy has many causes, but the top two are diabetes and alcohol abuse (current or past). Chemotherapy is another common cause.
More clues: The tingling or burning can also appear in hands and may gradually spread up to arms and legs. The reduced sensation may make it feel like you're constantly wearing heavy socks or gloves.
What to do: See a physician to try to pinpoint the cause (especially if alcohol addiction doesn't apply). There's no cure for peripheral neuropathy, but medications from pain relievers to antidepressants can treat symptoms.
9. Red flag: Sore toe joints
What it means: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a degenerative joint disease, is often first felt in the smaller joints, such as the toes and the knuckles of the hands.
More clues: Swelling and stiffness usually accompany the aches. This pain tends to be symmetrical; for example, it happens simultaneously in both big toes or in both index fingers. RA develops more suddenly than degenerative arthritis, and attacks may come and go. Women are almost four times more affected than men.
What to do: A full workup is always needed to pinpoint the cause of any joint pain. For RA, there are many medications and therapies that can minimize pain and preserve function, though early diagnosis is important to avoid permanent deformity. (In the feet, the toes can drift to the side.)
10. Red flag: Pitted toenails
What it means: In up to half of all people with psoriasis, the skin disease also shows up in the nail as many little holes, which can be deep or shallow. More than three-fourths of those with psoriatic arthritis, a related disorder that affects the joints as well as the skin, also have pocked, pitted nails.
More clues: The nails (fingers as well as toes) will also thicken. They may be yellow-brown or have salmon-colored patches. The knuckle nearest the nail is also likely to be dry, red, and inflamed.
What to do: A variety of medications can treat both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and can restore the nail bed surface in many cases, especially if treatment begins early.
11. Red flag: Being unable to raise the foot upward from the heel
What it means: "Foot drop" (also "drop foot") signals nerve or muscle damage that can originate well north of your feet -- as far as your back or even shoulder or neck. Certain chemotherapy drugs can also cause trouble lifting the front part of the foot while walking or standing.
More clues: There may be pain and numbness as well, though not necessarily. Sometimes the pain is felt in the upper leg or lower spine, where a nerve is pinched (by damage or a tumor). In some cases, the foot drags when the person walks. It's rare for both feet to be affected.
What to do: Report this serious symptom to your doctor. Foot drop can be completely reversible or permanent, depending on its cause and treatment.
12. Red flag: Dry, flaky skin
What it means: Even if your face or hands tend to be powdery-dry, don't dismiss this skin condition on your feet. You don't have to be a jock to contract athlete's foot, a fungal infection that usually starts as dry, itchy skin that then progresses to inflammation and blisters. When blisters break, the infection spreads.
(The name comes from the moist places the fungus thrives -- places athletes tend to congregate, such as locker rooms and pools.)
More clues: Athlete's foot usually shows up between the toes first. It can spread to the soles and even to other parts of the body (like the underarms or groin), usually due to scratching.
What to do: Mild cases can be self-treated by bathing the feet often and drying them thoroughly. Then keep the feet dry, including using foot powder in shoes and socks. If there's no improvement in two weeks or the infection worsens, a doctor can prescribe topical or oral antifungal medication.
13. Red flag: Toes that turn patriotic colors
What it means: In cold weather, Raynaud's disease (or Raynaud's phenomenon) causes the extremities to first go white, then turn blue, and finally appear red before returning to a natural hue. For reasons not well understood, the blood vessels in these areas vasospasm, or overreact, causing the tricolor show.
More clues: Other commonly affected areas include the fingers, nose, lips, and ear lobes. They also feel cool to the touch and go numb. Women and those who live in colder climates get Raynaud's more often. It typically shows up before age 25 or after 40. Stress can trigger Raynaud's attacks, too.
What to do: See a doctor about medications that can widen blood vessels, which reduces the severity of attacks.
14. Red flag: Feet that are really painful to walk on
What it means: Undiagnosed stress fractures are a common cause of foot pain. The discomfort can be felt along the sides of the feet, in the soles, or "all over." These fractures -- they often occur repeatedly -- may be caused by another underlying problem, often osteopenia (a decrease in optimum bone density, especially in women over age 50) or some kind of malnutrition, including a vitamin D deficiency, a problem absorbing calcium, or anorexia.
More clues: Often you can still walk on the broken bones; it just hurts like heck. (Some hardy people have gone undiagnosed for as long as a year.)
What to do: See a foot doctor about any pain. If, for example, you've been walking around Europe for three weeks in bad shoes, your feet may simply be sore. But a 55-year-old sedentary woman with painful feet may need a bone-density exam. An X-ray can also reveal possible nutritional issues that warrant a referral to a primary care provider.
15. Red flag: Toes that bump upward at the tips
What it means: When the very tips of the toes swell to the point where they lose their usual angle and appear to bump upward at the ends, it's called "digital clubbing" or "Hippocratic clubbing" after Hippocrates, who described the phenomenon 2,000 years ago. It's a common sign of serious pulmonary (lung) disease, including pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer. Heart disease and certain gastrointestinal diseases, such as Crohn's disease, are also associated with clubbing.
More clues: Fingers can be clubbed as well as toes. It can happen in just some digits, or in all.
What to do: Treatment depends on the underlying cause, so report this serious symptom to a doctor. (Physicians are also well trained to look for clubbed digits during exams.)
16. Red flag: Shooting pain in the heel
What it means: Plantar fasciitis -- a fancy name for inflammation of a band of connective tissue (fascia) running along the bottom (plantar) of the foot -- is abnormal straining of the tissue beyond its normal extension.
More clues: The pain starts when you take your first steps in the morning and often intensifies as the day wears on. It's usually concentrated in the heel (one or both) but can also be felt in the arch or in the back of the foot. Running and jumping a lot can cause it, but so can insufficient support. You're at risk if you go barefoot a lot or wear old shoes or flimsy flip-flops, have gained weight, or walk a lot on hard surfaces.
What to do: If pain persists more than a few weeks or seems to worsen, have it evaluated by a podiatrist. Stick to low shoes with a strong supportive arch until you get further advice and treatment (which may include anti-inflammatory drugs and shoe inserts).
17. Red flag: "Phee-uuuuw!"
What it means: Though smelly feet (hyperhidrosis) tend to cause more alarm than most foot symptoms, odor -- even downright stinkiness -- is seldom a sign something's physically amiss. (Whew!) Feet contain more sweat glands than any other body part -- half a million between the two of them! And some people are more prone to sweat than others. Add in the casings of shoes and socks, and the normal bacteria that thrive in the body have a feast on the resulting moisture, creating the smell that makes wives and mothers weep. (Both sexes can have smelly feet, but men tend to sweat more.)
More clues: In this case, the one olfactory clue is plenty.
What to do: Wash with antibacterial soap and dry feet well. Rub cornstarch or antiperspirant onto soles. Toss used socks in the wash; always put on a fresh pair instead of reusing. Stick to natural materials (cotton socks, leather shoes) -- they wick away moisture better than man-made materials. Open up laced shoes after you remove them so they get a chance to fully air out; don't wear them again until they're fully dry.
18. Red flag: Old shoes
What it means: Danger! You're a walking health bomb if your everyday shoes are more than a couple of years old or if walking or running shoes have more than 350 to 500 miles on them. Old shoes lack the support feet need -- and footgear wears out faster than most people think, foot specialists say.
More clues: Blisters (too tight), bunions (too narrow), heel pain (not enough support) -- if you're having any kind of foot trouble, there's at least a 50-50 chance your shoddy or ill-fitting footwear is to blame.
Older people are especially vulnerable because they fall into the habit of wearing familiar old shoes that may lack support, flexibility, or good traction.
What to do: Go shoe shopping.

FOODS THAT HELPS U SLEEP

2011-02-21T06:47:00.000-08:00

Should you let yourself have that midnight snack if you're having trouble sleeping and you think hunger might be part of the problem? Here are five foods that can actually help you drift off:

Can't Get a Good Night's Sleep? 5 Surprising Reasons

1. Cherries. Fresh and dried cherries are one of the only natural food sources of melatonin, the chemical that controls the body's internal clock to regulate sleep. Researchers who tested tart cherries and found high levels of melatonin recommend eating them an hour before bedtime or before a trip when you want to sleep on the plane.

2. Bananas. Potassium and magnesium are natural muscle relaxants, and bananas are a good source of both. They also contain the amino acid L-tryptophan, which gets converted to 5-HTP in the brain. The 5-HTP in turn is converted to serotonin (a relaxing neurotransmitter) and melatonin.

3. Toast. Carbohydrate-rich foods trigger insulin production, which induces sleep by speeding up the release of tryptophan and serotonin, two brain chemicals that relax you and send you to sleep..

4. Oatmeal. Like toast, a bowl of oatmeal triggers a rise in blood sugar, which in turn triggers insulin production and the release of sleep-inducing brain chemicals. Oats are also rich in melatonin, which many people take as a sleep aid..

5. Warm milk. Like bananas, milk contains the amino acid L-tryptophan, which turns to 5-HTP and releases relaxing serotonin. It's also high in calcium, which promotes sleep.

Bila Rindu - Adibah Noor (OA - BDB)

2011-02-05T08:47:00.000-08:00

Take Care of Your Knees

2010-12-05T00:49:00.000-08:00

Although collateral ligament injuries often occur during sports and are difficult to avoid, there are several steps you can take to improve the overall strength and flexibility of your knees:

Manage your weight — Every pound in excess of your normal weight puts three or four additional pounds of pressure on your knee every time you take a step.
Keep your legs strong — The hamstrings, in the back of the thigh, and the quadriceps, the muscles in the front of the thigh, are crucial shock and impact absorbers. These muscles must be kept strong and flexible to protect the joint surfaces in your knee.
Stretch your muscles — Stretching before exercising should be a regular part of your warm-up; however, it is important not to over-stretch. Never push or pull on your leg with your hands while you are stretching, and avoid squatting during your warm-up, which can put stress on your knee joint.
Wear proper shoes — Well-cushioned, well-fitting athletic shoes can reduce the impact of the load exerted on the knees.
Ease into shape — If your activities require twisting and turning such as racket sports, skiing, soccer and basketball, don't assume you can play yourself into shape. Make sure you are in good physical shape before you play.

Ref : Health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or health care provider. We encourage you to discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you may have

Koran-burning Florida pastor will cancel plans if Obama calls as 2nd pastor plans burning

2010-09-09T10:18:00.000-07:00

NEWSCORE
Last Updated: 11:56 AM, September 9, 2010

As U.S. President Barack Obama condemned a Florida pastor's proposed public Koran burning, another minister planned a similar demonstration to mark the anniversary of Sept. 11, The Tennessean reported Thursday.

Rev. Bob Old of Springfield, Tenn. -- just 30 miles (48 km) north of Nashville -- said he intended to set fire to a Koran at his home Saturday and post a video of the burning Muslim holy book online.

"If they want to have their religion, they can have it somewhere else," Old reportedly said of Muslims.

"I believe that other religions are a threat to our faith and our beliefs," said Old, who heads an evangelical ministry called Disciples of Christ, though he was once pastor of two Baptist congregations in Tennessee. "People may say that I am crazy, but I am not."

Meanwhile, other Tennessee religious leaders denounced the minister’s plans.
"The guy is a nut," Rev. Larry Herbert of Faith Covenant Church in Springfield told The Tennessean.

"This is crazy. I am sorry that anyone who names the name of Christ would do this."
Amir Arain, spokesman for the Islamic Center of Nashville, told the paper he hoped Old would change his mind before Saturday.
"We will pray that God gives him wisdom," he said.
The local controversy over Old’s plans comes amid a national controversy over Rev. Terry Jones’ proposed public Koran burning in Gainesville, Fla.
Obama said in an interview broadcast Thursday morning that the burning in Florida would be a "recruitment bonanza for al Qaeda," to which Jones responded that he would reconsider his protest if he received a call from the White House.

Read more: CLICK HERE

Symptoms Of Fibroids

2010-05-10T07:40:00.000-07:00

For many women, fibroids cause no problems. More than half of women with fibroids do not know they have them until their doctor tells them so.

The most common problems caused by fibroids are:
•Heavy or long menstrual periods. Periods may last more than seven days and menstrual flow may be very heavy. Some women find they need to change sanitary napkins or tampons so often that they cannot function normally during their period. Heavy menstrual flow can sometimes lead to anemia.

•Pressure on other organs. Large fibroids may press on organs in the pelvis.

◦If fibroids press on the bladder, a woman may feel the urge to urinate frequently. She may pass only small amounts of urine and she may feel as though she has not completely emptied her bladder.

◦If fibroids press on the bowel, she may feel constipated or full after eating only a small amount of food.

◦If fibroids press on one or both ureters (the tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder), they may partially block the flow of urine. A woman may not be aware of this because it often isn't painful. Over time, however, this kind of blockage can lead to kidney infections or other serious kidney damage.

•Pain in the pelvis. The pressure of large fibroids on other organs may cause pain in the pelvis. Sometimes, if fibroids do not get the blood flow they need to sustain themselves, they degenerate or die. This may cause severe pain lasting for days or weeks. Pain may also occur if the stalk of a fibroid twists, cutting off blood supply to the fibroid. Rarely, a fibroid may become infected and cause pain

Need To Know
Problems like those caused by fibroids can also have other causes. It is important to rule out these other possible causes of any problems a woman is having. For example, an imbalance of hormones may cause heavy periods. A bladder infection can cause a frequent need to urinate.

How to Tell if Someone is Using You

2010-02-14T21:11:00.000-08:00

At one time or another, you've probably suspected that someone who you thought was your friend or even a family member was using you. It's never a good feeling when you find out that someone you love or care about does not feel the same way about you and is in fact using you only for their own benefit. This can be very upsetting, especially when you first discover the truth. Here are some clues you can look for to discover if someone is just using you rather than truly being your friend.

Step 1
You meet the person when he asks you to and he has a friend or two with him. Instead of going with you to your assigned function, he tells you that he will be along shortly and just to go ahead. Then he never shows up.

Step 2
She never wants you to meet any of her family or friends and makes excuses when you push the point. She also paints a picture of friends and family that are not so good

Step 3
He always wants you to do favors for him but then when you need him, he is nowhere to be found.

Step 4

She never wants to take you home but instead insists on spending all your time together at your home. She is always showing up at your home looking for a meal, a favor or just to insinuate herself into your life whenever she wants to no matter how inconvenient it is for you.

Step 5
He behaves like an angel around your friends and family. He's affectionate and kind to you in front of them. He compliments them and pours on the flattery doing his best to make them like him. However, as soon as your family and friends have left, he begins treating you as he always does--badly.

sources : By Regina Paul

Causes of Water Retention

2010-01-31T08:18:00.000-08:00

Some well-known causes of water retention include heart or kidney problems. These are due to a reduced ability of the heart or kidneys to do their job, and can cause severe swelling of the legs and ankles.

Weak circulation in the leg veins is probably the most common cause of water retention in legs and ankles. This occurs in pregnancy and causes swellings like those shown in the video. In older people this problem may also result in varicose veins.

A blockage or congestion of the lymphatic system can cause a type of water retention known as lymphoedema (lymphedema), which is common after some types of surgery, for instance. People who spend a lot of time immobile, e.g. those in hospital beds, wheelchairs, or on long-haul flights, even “couch potatoes” can develop water retention because without regular movement, it is difficult for your lymphatic system to drain excess fluid out of your tissues.

Premenstrual water retention is also common, and is caused by the hormonal changes of the menstrual cycle.

Salt
One of the main causes of water retention is eating too much salty food. The main component of salt is sodium, which the body dilutes with water if too much of it is present. Salt makes you thirsty, and your body will hold on to this water. Reducing the amount of salt in your diet will help you to release a little water retention but not usually more than about 2 lbs in weight. Even a relatively salty diet, although it can be harmful in many ways, will not normally cause gross water retention.

Lesser-known Causes

Hormones and Medicines
High levels of certain hormones can also make your body hold on to water. These include insulin, which is needed to process sugar; cortisone, which is produced when you are under stress; and the female hormones oestrogen (estrogen) and progesterone. The water-retaining effect is caused by the effects which these hormones have on sodium levels in your body, and on the hormones which govern how your kidneys work. Certain prescribed medicines such as the contraceptive pill and some painkillers can affect levels of these hormones.

Water retention which is caused by hormones can be spread around the body but often affects your tummy most of all. Women can also get water retention in the breasts, which causes breast tenderness and swelling.

Wastes and Toxins
Cellulite, which mostly affects women’s thighs, is a form of fat complexed with retained water. Sometimes it holds so much water that it is swollen and painful to the touch. Metabolic wastes and toxins such as pesticides which the body cannot easily release tend to be stored in this fat. It is thought the causes of the water retention in cellulite are either irritation and swelling due to
these toxins, or results from the body’s attempt to dilute them.

Low-Calorie Diets
If you have water retention you are very likely to be overweight. But overweight people tend to go on a low-calorie diet. A low-calorie diet will unfortunately not get rid of water retention - it can actually make it worse, especially if you eat less than 1,200 Calories a day for months or years. This is because you may not have enough protein in your blood to draw excess water out of your tissues. This type of water retention can cause generalised puffiness but if severe can give you a swollen tummy.

Histamine
Histamine causes water retention leading to bloating and tummy swelling. If you have ever been stung by an insect or developed an itchy red lump after a mosquito bite, you will be familiar with the effects of histamine. Histamine widens the joins between the cells which line your smallest blood vessels, known as your capillaries. This makes them leak both water and protein into your “tissue spaces” - the area surrounding the cells of tissues such as flesh, organs and intestines. If the protein cannot be removed from your tissue spaces, it will stay there, attracting water.

Poor digestion and taking antibiotics can cause changes in your intestines which lead to a lot of histamine being produced in this area. Sometimes eating yoghurt and probiotics can help to reduce this problem, but if it has been going on for some time these measures may not be effective on their own.

Drinking less fluid will not cure water retention. One of the causes of water retention is dehydration due to not drinking enough water.

Many types of water retention can respond to dietary measures. The Waterfall Diet has been designed by British nutritionist Linda Lazarides to help release excess water weight as quickly as possible. It can also help to treat health problems associated with water retention, such as swollen legs, arthritis, high blood pressure and PMS.

What is Osteoporosis?

2009-11-14T06:45:00.000-08:00

Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by the loss of the normal density of bone, resulting in fragile bone. Osteoporosis leads to literally abnormally porous bone that is more compressible like a sponge, than dense like a brick. This disorder of the skeleton weakens the bone causing an increase in the risk for breaking bones (bone fracture).

Normal bone is composed of protein, collagen, and calcium all of which give bone its strength. Bones that are affected by osteoporosis can break (fracture) with relatively minor injury that normally would not cause a bone fracture. The fracture can be either in the form of cracking (as in a hip fracture), or collapsing (as in a compression fracture of the vertebrae of the spine). The spine, hips, and wrists are common areas of bone fractures from osteoporosis, although osteoporosis-related fractures can also occur in almost any skeletal bone.

Risk Factors Several groups of children and adolescents are at risk for poor bone health, including:

• Premature infants and infants with low birth weight who have lower than expected bone mass in the first few months of life.
• Children who take medications such as steroids to treat respiratory diseases such as asthma.
• Children who have cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, and inflammatory bowel disease. These conditions make it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients appropriately.
• Adolescent girls who have minimal, delayed or irregular menstrual cycles because of strenuous athletic training, emotional stress, or low body weight.
• Children with cerebral palsy and other conditions that place limits on physical activity, especially those who take chronic medications for seizure control.

Prevention:

Many more studies are needed on ways to maximize peak bone mass in girls and boys. Parents and children alike can benefit from following these suggestions:

• Make sure you get enough calcium and vitamin D throughout your life.
• Exercise regularly, using resistance and high-impact activities.
• Eat a healthy diet and follow a healthy lifestyle.

reading reference : http://www.medicinenet.com/osteoporosis/article.htm

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00330

What Is A Stroke?

2009-08-23T06:20:00.000-07:00

A stroke is, literally, a "brain attack." A stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery (carries blood from the heart to the body) or a blood vessel (moves blood through the body) breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain.

Strokes can be classified into to main categories: ischemic and hemorrhagic. An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain becomes blocked and impairs blood flow to the brain. Brain cells and tissue begin to die from lack of oxygen and nutrients within minutes of the blockage occurring. About 80% of strokes fall into this category.

A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when an artery supplying the brain ruptures and bleeds into the brain. Brain cells and tissues do not receive oxygen and nutrients when a rupture occurs. Irritation and swelling of the surrounding tissues can also occur due to pressure build up. About 20% of strokes fit into this category.

Ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes are each broken down into two categories. For more on these categories, visit the Ohio State University Medical Center.

Risk Factors
Anyone can have a stroke. Man or woman, old or young. There are certain risk factors that can increase the likelihood of having a stroke.

Read more: http://disabilities.suite101.com/article.cfm/stroke#ixzz0P0oBd4IL

Pharyngitis

2009-08-08T08:21:00.000-07:00

Pharyngitis is a common condition which we will probably all suffer from at one time or another; for many several bouts are likely throughout life.

What Is The Pharynx And Pharyngitis?
The pharynx is described as the area between the back of the nose all the way down to your voice box (the larynx). Like other parts of the throat, the area can become inflamed quite easily and in most cases pharyngitis is simply known as a sore throat, though it may itself be a symptom or consequence of other disorders.

Causes Of Pharyngitis
Pharyngitis is almost always caused by a viral infection. These are very common and usually manifest in conditions such as influenza, a common cold or as a symptom of more serious illnesses that attack the immune system.

In a few cases it may be caused by a bacterial infection, commonly strep throat which can be quite serious if left untreated, however these forms of infection occur a lot less than those of a viral nature.

Symptoms Of Pharyngitis
The most common symptom is to experience pain or discomfort in the throat. Occasionally this may affect swallowing making eating and drinking uncomfortable.

It is also likely that you will have an increase in temperature which is common when the body is fighting infection and viruses like flu. As pharyngitis is usually accompanied by a cold it is likely that you will also feel congested and suffer from post-nasal drip which happens as the nasal secretions trickle down the back of the throat causing a nasty taste and sensation and sometimes a tickle.

Treatments For Pharyngitis
Most people will be able to manage their symptoms at home with no medical assistance. Warm fluids that are soothing on the throat can help, avoiding very hot drinks as these may harm the inflamed tissues or make your discomfort worse.

Basic pain relief such as paracetamol or aspirin can help ease your pain or headache; paracetamol is also useful for helping decrease a high temperature.

If you have noticed white spots or pus at the back of your throat, you have a high temperature that will not lower even with the use of paracetamol taken regularly for a few days or your pain is making it almost impossible to swallow fluids, please see your GP as you may need antibiotic therapy.

Rest your voice and try and get plenty of sleep to prevent the infection from spreading to your larynx and causing laryngitis or even to other parts of the anatomy. If you are having difficultly breathing or you or you notice a rash developing, seek medical advice urgently as you may have an underlying condition that can be very damaging.

Preventing pharyngitis.
Pharyngitis may not be preventable in all cases but the risk can be lowered for some. Do not share eating utensils or cups with those with a sore throat and avoid sharing towels or other household items whilst they have a sore throat or cold.

Keep your immune system healthy by eating a healthy diet containing all the essential vitamins and minerals and make sure you are always well hydrated, especially during the winter months when the viruses that cause a sore throat are more virulent. During the cold weather wear a scarf to keep the tissues of the throat warm with a good blood supply and well oxygenated.

Sore throats are very common and rarely cause long term damage as they usually resolve themselves in a few days. However if symptoms persist please see your doctor as your may need a prescription to help your body fight the infection.

sources from : throatproblem.uk

Results Anugerah Planet Muzik 2009

2009-07-18T20:22:00.000-07:00

As i browsed thru gua.com.my, i finally saw the list of Anugerah Planet Muzik 2009 nominees. I really hope for the best!!.. Good Luck All..!!
After watching APM a while ago, here's the results.
KEPUTUSAN ANUGERAH PLANET MUSIK 2009 [ MSIA, INDON, SPORE ]

Persembahan Vokal Terbaik Dalam Lagu Untuk Artis Baru Lelaki (Best Vocal Performance In A Song By A New Male Artiste):

Afgan – Terima Kasih Cinta
Aizat – Hanya Kau Yang Mampu (WINNER)
Dirly – Sampai Ke Ujung Dunia
LoBow – Kau Cantik Hari Ini
Nubhan – Ada Untukmu

Persembahan Vokal Terbaik Dalam Lagu Untuk Artis Baru Wanita (Best Vocal Performance In A Song By A New Female Artiste):

Aura Kasih – Mari Bercinta
Ayu – Hanya Di Mercu - (WINNER)
Cinta Laura – Hey Baby!
Nana – Lafaz
Stacy – Aku Stacy
Yuna – Dan Sebenarnya

Persembahan Vokal Terbaik Dalam Lagu Untuk Duo / Kumpulan Baru (Best Vocal Performance In A Song By A New Duo / Group):

D’ Masiv – Cinta Ini Membunuhku
Hello – Ular Berbisa
Hujan – Pagi Yang Gelap
Kotak – Beraksi
ST12 – P.U.S.PA. (WINNER)

Kolaborasi Terbaik Dalam Lagu (Best Collaboration In A Song):

Be’te – Dewiq Feat. Ipang
Bersamamu – Malique Feat. Dunia Arif
Hikayat Cintaku – Glenn Fredly Feat. Dewi Persik
KepadaNYA – Taufik Batisah Feat. Hady Mirza
Mantera Beradu – Malique Feat. M. Nasir
Sujud – Mawi Feat. KRU

Artis Lelaki Terbaik (Best Male Artiste):

Afgan – Confession No. 1 (WINNER)
Aizat – Percubaan Pertama
Reshmonu – Harapan
Taufik Batisah – Suria Hatiku
Tompi – My Happy Life

Artis Wanita Terbaik (Best Female Artiste):

Bunga Citra Lestari – Tentang Kamu (WINNER)
Misha Omar – Misha Omar
Mulan Jameela – Mulan Jameela
Nikki – Hawa
Siti Nurhaliza – Lentera Timur

Duo / Kumpulan Terbaik (Best Duo / Group):

Andra & The Backbone – Season 2
Hujan – Hujan
Kotak – Kedua
ST12 – PU.S.PA
Yovie & Nuno – The Special One - (WINNER)

Lagu Terbaik (Best Song):

Dia Milikku – Yovie & Nuno (The Special One)
Laskar Pelangi – Nidji (Laskar Pelangi Official Soundtrack) -WINNER
Matahariku – Agnes Monica (Sacredly Agnezious)
Pagi Yang Gelap – Hujan (Hujan)
Terima Kasih Cinta – Afgan (Confession No. 1)
Terserah – Glenn Fredly (Glenn Fredly Private Collection)

Album Terbaik (Best Album):

Confession No. 1 – Afgan (WINNER)
Hujan – Hujan
Kedua – Kotak
Percubaan Pertama – Aizat
The Special One – Yovie & Nuno

Artis Singapura Paling Popular (Most Popular Singapore Artiste):

Aliff Aziz
Fauzie Laily
Hady Mirza
Hyrul Anuar
Imran Ajmain
Merah
Nurun Nuwarrah
Sleeq
Taufik Batisah (WINNER)
The Sallys
Zaibaktian

Artis Malaysia Paling Popular (Most Popular Malaysian Artiste):

Aizat (WINNER)
Anuar Zain
Bunkface
Estranged
Faizal Tahir
Hujan
Mawi
Meet Uncle Hussein
Misha Omar
Siti Nurhaliza
Stacy
Yuna

Artis Indonesia Paling Popular (Most Popular Indonesian Artiste):

Afgan
Agnes Monica
Bunga Citra Lestari
D’Masiv
Gita Gutawa
Hijau Daun
Kotak
Nidji
ST12
The Changcutters
Ungu
Yovie & Nuno (WINNER)

Artis Serantau Paling Popular (Most Popular Regional Artiste)

Singapore: AhliFiqir, Aliff Aziz, Hady Mirza & Taufik Batisah
Malaysia: Faizal Tahir, Hujan, Meet Uncle Hussein, Siti Nurhaliza -(WINNER)
Indonesia: Afgan, Agnes Monica, Nidji, ST12, Yovie & Nuno

Lagu Singapura Paling Popular (Most Popular Singapore Song):

Andai – Merah
Berserah – Taufik Batisah
Gelora Jiwa – Raven
Impianku – Didicazli Feat. Sleeq (WINNER)
Kau Ingin Ku Miliki – Nurun Nuwarrah
Lafaz – Nana
Lelaki Baru – Zaibaktian
Novela Cinta – Ross Revalina
Pilihan Aku – Sleeq
Rela Setia – Didicazli
Sementara – Cradle
Teman Istimewa – Taufik Batisah

Lagu Malaysia Paling Popular (Most Popular Malaysia Song):

Hanya Kau Yang Mampu - Aizat (WINNER)

Lagu Indonesia Paling Popular (Most Popular Indonesia Song):

Kuil Cinta - Slank (Winner)

Anugerah Penghargaan Khusus

Dik Doank [details can be found here]

Anugerah Khas Anugerah Planet Muzik 2009

GIGI

Free Slurpee Day 2009 Coming to a 7-Eleven Near You

2009-07-11T10:24:00.000-07:00

7-Eleven is Hosting a Free Slurpee Day on Saturday, July 11, to Celebrate Their 82nd Birthday

Free Slurpee Day 2009 is almost here, as 7-Eleven hosts their annual birthday. Free Slurpee day 2009 is taking place on July 11th (7/11) and will celebrate the 82nd birthday of the convenience stores. The free Slurpee day will take place at all participating 7-Eleven stores where
Free Slurpee Day 2009 Coming to a 7-Eleven Near You customers will be able to enjoy a free Slurpee on the house. Free Slurpee day 2009 will be a great way to beat some of this summer heat, and a chance to enjoy the air conditioning of a local 7-Eleven store, as well as a nice slushy treat.
Read more here....

R.I.P. Jacko

2009-06-30T22:01:00.000-07:00

Carol Burnett Show

The Carol Burnett Show is a sketch comedy television show starring Carol Burnett, Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, and Lyle Waggoner. It originally ran on CBS from September 11, 1967 to March 29, 1978 for 278 episodes, and originated from CBS Television City's Studio 33 (also known as the Bob Barker Studio).

Season 7 (1973–1974) - guest artist was the Jackson 5, where Randy & Janet Jackson still a small kid.

Michael Jackson, 50, legendary 'King of Pop' dead in Los Angeles

2009-06-25T19:44:00.000-07:00

BY David Goldiner DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Updated Thursday, June 25th 2009, 6:59 PM

Pop icon Michael Jackson died Thursday after being taken to a Los Angeles hospital in cardiac arrest, officials said. He was 50.
The "Thriller" superstar was unconscious and not breathing when Fire Department paramedics were summoned to Jackson's Bel Air home by a 911 call at 12:26 California time.
They desperately tried to resuscitate the faded King of Pop as a cherry-red ambulance sped him to UCLA Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
"You've got to save him!" aides to the star screamed as he was wheeled into the hospital on the stretcher, the Web site TMZ.com reported.
Jackson's mother and his sister LaToya were seen rushing into the hospital, apparently after he had already died.
The cause of death was unknown. The Los Angeles County coroner said an autopsy would be performed Friday.
Jackson's ex-wife, Debbie Rowe, said through her lawyer she was "inconsolable" at the news.
"I lost my little brother today and part of my soul went with him," music mogul Quincy Jones said as tributes began pouring in.
In a sign of Jackson's enduring magnetism, crowds of mourners gathered outside the hospital within minutes of the news breaking.
Rev. Al Sharpton flashed a 25-year-old snapshot of Jackson and himself during a press conference outside the Apollo Theater in Harlem.
"We thought we'd see him moonwalk one more time," Sharpton said.
Jackson's death capped a life of dizzying superstardom and bizarre scandal and ended his bid to make a comeback with 50 sold-out concerts planned for London this summer.
He was training for the upcoming gigs with Lou Ferrigno, the star of the TV show The Incredible Hulk.
Longtime Jackson family lawyers Brian Oxman accused unnamed "enablers" of pushing the star too hard physically as he prepared for the tour.
The music legend burst onto the pop scene as a child star with the Jackson 5 nearly four decades ago. The group from Gary, Ind., produced hits like "ABC" and "I Want You Back."
He became the world's most popular musician when he went solo in the '70s. Once a sure-fire hit machine, he holds the record for the biggest-selling album with "Thriller."
He also wowed fans with monster hits like "Billie Jean" and "Beat It."
Millions of fans imitated his famed moonwalk dance and he was known worldwide as the Gloved One for his trademark handwear.
But personal and professional woes have eclipsed his talent for years.
He was acquitted in 2005 of molesting a young fan at his Neverland Ranch and caused an uproar by dangling one of his three children out of a Berlin hotel window in 2002.
His latest recordings suffered from tepid sales and a rumored comeback album never materialized.
Jackson's first wife was Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis, whom he married in 1994.
It was a match made in showbiz heaven but they split less than two years later.
He later married Australian Debbie Rowe and they had two children, Prince, 12 and Paris, 11, though she gave up her parental rights.
A third child, Prince Michael II, was reportedly born with the help of an anonymous surrogate mother.
Jackson had faced serious financial problems in recent years as sales wilted. Some reports said he was as much as $500 million in debt.
He faced certain foreclosure on Neverland until he managed to refinance the mortgage on the 270-acre spread.
Some analysts said he could make more than $200 million from this summer's concerts in Britain.
Jackson moved with his kids to Bahrain in the Persian Gulf after his molestation trial, but returned to Los Angeles in recent months.

6 Essential Flat-Belly Foods

2009-06-24T06:41:00.000-07:00

By David Zinczenko, with Matt Goulding - Posted on Fri, Jun 19, 2009, 12:57 pm PDT

It's summertime - are you in swimsuit shape?

Even if you've spent the past months dieting yourself into fit form, a few poor food choices each week can quickly add up to a juggernaut of jiggle well before Labor Day. Don't believe us? Consider the caloric damage of typical summer activities—weekly backyard BBQs provide pounds of juicy burgers topped with gobs of high-calorie condiments; ice cream dates offer options of double and triple scoops, smothered in sugar-packed and fat-blasted toppings; and seasonal drink choices (the kind you add umbrellas to and sip from faux-coconuts) guarantee you'll wash it all down with hundreds of extra calories. Not exactly flat-belly fare.

That's why Eat This, Not That! has developed this list of six essential summer foods. The more of these bulge-battlers you eat, the better your chances of keeping those abs flat throughout this skin-baring season.

QUINOA
Per ¼ cup:
170 calories
2.5 g fat
7 g protein
3 g fiber

For starters, anytime you choose a whole-grain product over one made from nutrient-stripped white flour, you wage war against belly fat. Penn State researchers found that dieters who ate whole-grains lost twice as much belly fat as those who stuck to white-flour products—even though they'd consumed the same number of calories. What's more, quinoa contains twice the belly-filling protein as regular cereal grains, fewer glucose-raising carbohydrates, and even a handful of healthy fats. So start your day off with a cup of cooked quinoa combined with a ½ cup of milk and ½ cup of blueberries—microwave for 60 seconds, and you have a delicious (and slimming) alternative to your traditional oatmeal. Bob's Red Mill Organic Quinoa won "Best Grain" in Men's Health's Best Foods Awards 2009.

GREEN TEA
0 calories

Catechins, the powerful antioxidants found in green tea, are known to increase metabolism. A study by Japanese researchers found that participants who consumed 690 milligrams of catechins from green tea daily had significantly lower body mass indexes and smaller waist measurements than those in a control group. It's safe to say that green tea is one of the best beverages for your health—a stark contrast to any of these 20 unhealthiest drinks in America. Avoid those belt-buckling drinks at all costs.

KEFIR
Per cup:
174 calories
2 g fat
14 g protein
3 g fiber

Think of kefir as drinkable yogurt, or an extra-thick, protein-packed smoothie. In either case, this delicious dairy product is a belly-blasting essential. Beyond the satiety-inducing protein, the probiotics in kefir may also speed weight loss. British scientists found that these active organisms boosted the breakdown of fat molecules in mice, preventing the rodents from gaining weight. The researchers still need to prove the finding in humans, but there's no danger in downing probiotic-packed products. We like Lifeway Lowfat Blueberry Kefir—it contains L. casei, the same probiotic used in the study.

AVOCADO
Per avocado:
322 calories
29 g fat (4 g saturated, 20 g monounsaturated)
13 g fiber
4 g protein

Never fear this full-fat Mediterranean-diet staple: It's teeming with healthy monounsaturated fats (also found in olive oil), which have been linked to lowered LDL cholesterol levels and weight loss. In fact, a recent longitudinal study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that the healthy-fat Mediterranean diet was more effective than a diet that avoided fats altogether—so go ahead and indulge!

EGGS
Per 1 large scrambled egg:
102 calories
7 g fat (2 g saturated)
7 g protein

A British study found that people who increased the percentage of protein-based calories in their diet burned 71 more calories a day (that's 7.4 pounds a year!). Jumpstart your metabolism as soon as you wake up with a protein-rich breakfast of scrambled eggs. (Go to eatthis.com for other great no-diet weight-loss secrets.)

GRAPEFRUIT
Per grapefruit:
104 calories
4 g fiber
2 g protein

A grapefruit a day in addition to your regular meals can speed weight loss. The fruit's acidity slows digestion, meaning it takes longer to move through your system, and you'll end up feeling fuller, and more satisfied, for longer. And the vitamin C-packed grapefruit works to lower cholesterol and decrease risk of stroke, heart disease, and some types of cancer.

The Best Fast-Food Meals Under 500 Calories

2009-06-18T04:35:00.000-07:00

By David Zinczenko, with Matt Goulding - Posted on Mon, Jun 15, 2009, 10:56 am PDT

Kara DioGuardi in bikini

2009-05-23T06:35:00.000-07:00

Kara DioGuardi in bikini banned and removed in youtube?? She did it for the producer though, reason being is for the charity. Kara DioGuardi sang Vision of Love a duet with Katrina Darrell at the American Idol finale. She has a great voice.. and of course far way better than Katrina Darrell.

Anyway..., Kara has better body (in bikini) than Katrina Darrell (the bikini girl). Watch the video guys..!!

Kris Allen takes the `American Idol' title

2009-05-21T01:08:00.000-07:00

By LYNN ELBER, AP Television
Wed May 20, 7:28 PM PDT

Kris Allen's smooth vocals and boy-next-door image propelled him to "American Idol" victory Wednesday, turning the theatrical powerhouse Adam Lambert into the most unlikely of also-rans.

"I'm sorry, I don't even know what to feel right now. This is crazy," said a stunned Allen, 23, of Conway, Ark.

As host Ryan Seacrest said in announcing the result of the viewer vote, "The underdog, the dark horse, comes back and wins the nation over."

Read more ....

Anyway... Adam Lambert is my 'wholelife idol...' yeahh!!
Arrghhh!!! why?? why??? why Kris Allen??

bitter heart

2009-05-19T13:01:00.000-07:00

sun rays

come down as seen

when they hit the ground, children spinning

around till they fall down down down,
i wait for you its been two hours now your still somewhere

in town your dinners getting cold i rest my case you are always

this late, and you know how much i hate waiting around round

round, bitter heart bitter heart tries to keep it all inside,
bitter heart bitter heart shadows will help you try to hide

bitter heart my bitter heart is gettin' just a

little fragile,bitter heart bitter

heart of

mine

note: she sounds like yuna. yunalis (huhuuu)

Yes..He is..!!

2009-05-16T03:44:00.001-07:00

Goodbye Danny

2009-05-13T01:03:00.000-07:00

'American Idol': Danny voted off; Kris and Adam are final 2...

I used to like Danny Gokey, but it was then. NOW I hope that Adam Lambert will be the Next American Idol., and he will!! There's no such thing as AF MASUK... hahahhahaha! or AI IN danny..?? Eeewww!

If I Can`t Have You, Adam Lambert Version

2009-04-21T19:46:00.000-07:00

photo : courtesy of website

sang by: Adam Lambert [the most gorgeous 'goth' looking err..guy]
original singer : the Bee Gees

Don't know why I'm surviving ev'ry lonely day,
when there's got to be no chance for me.
My life would end.
And it doesn't matter how I cry,
my tears of love a waste of time.
If I turn away...

Can't let go and it doesn't matter how I try
I gave it all so easily to you my love,
To dreams that never will come true
Am I strong enough to see it through
Go crazy is what I will do

(chorus)
am I strong enough to see it thru?
Go crazy is what I will do...
if I can't have you, I don't want no other, baby,
if I can't have you...uhuhhh...ahhh!
If I can't have you, I don't want no other, baby,
if I can't have you...uhuhhh...ahhh!

And it doesn't matter how I try;
I gave it all too easily to you, my love.
To dream and never will come true...

(chorus...)
(repeat till end: If I can't have you...)

W.T.F [flurge]

2009-04-18T23:39:00.000-07:00

i finally found out what 'flurge' means.. i got the meaning from 'google search'..hheheee. just wanna share with you guys. happy reading.. huarghh..! for more, get it here [By chasingLeonora / Apr 19, 2009] ok.

Flurge is a verb. It means a cross between flush and purge.
Example of using the word "Flurge"
"I flurged the wax from my ears."
source: urbandictionary dot com

argghh!! isn't it sounds erghh!! eeeeyucks!! wut the 'FLURGE'!!! hey! pic courtesy of tis blog http://scatteredjoy.blogspot.com

According to Urban Dictionary,
Flurge is - A cross between flush and purge. The usage is defined as “I flurged the wax from my ears.”
What is interesting though that people hear the word somewhere and think its either Flurg, or Flirge, or Flerge, or Flerg.

Italian scientist, turning 100, still works

2009-04-17T01:28:00.000-07:00

I read the news from here

ROME – Rita Levi Montalcini, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist, said Saturday that even though she is about to turn 100, her mind is sharper than it was she when she was 20.
Levi Montalcini, who also serves as a senator for life in Italy, celebrates her 100th birthday on Wednesday, and she spoke at a ceremony held in her honor by the European Brain Research Institute.
She shared the 1986 Nobel Prize for Medicine with American Stanley Cohen for discovering mechanisms that regulate the growth of cells and organs.
"At 100, I have a mind that is superior — thanks to experience — than when I was 20," she told the party, complete with a large cake for her.
The Turin-born Levi Montalcini recounted how the anti-Jewish laws of the 1930s under Benito Mussolini's Fascist regime forced her to quit university and do research in an improvised laboratory in her bedroom at home.
"Above all, don't fear difficult moments," she said. "The best comes from them." "I should thank Mussolini for having declared me to be of an inferior race. This led me to the joy of working, not any more unfortunately, in university institutes but in a bedroom," the scientist said.
Her white hair elegantly coifed and wearing a smart navy blue suit, she raised a glass of sparkling wine in a toast to her long life.

Rubella (German measles)

2009-04-13T05:11:00.000-07:00

The rubella virus is transmitted by the respiratory route. A red rash and light fever might occur in an infected indivitual; the disease can be asymptomatic. Congenital rubella syndrome can affect a fetus when a woman contracts rubella during the first trimester of her pregnancy. Damage from congenital rubella syndrome includes stillbirth, deafness, eye cataracts, heart defects, and mental retardation. Vaccination with live rubella virus provides immunity of unknown duration.

Symptoms of Rubella

2009-04-11T05:17:00.000-07:00

Typical symptoms of rubella are a mild rash, swollen and tender glands (especially behind the ear, at the back of the neck, and under the skull), and a slight fever. Also, some adolescent girls and adult women get joint pain (arthritis), especially in the small joints of the hands.

Swollen glands in the neck area are common with many viral infections. The glands that are most affected by rubella are those located behind the ear and at the back of the head. The degree to which they become swollen and tender is unique to rubella.

Sometimes a rash is the only symptom of rubella that young children develop. Older children and teens may have fever, eye pain, sore throat, and body aches. They may or may not get a rash.
Symptoms of rubella, especially pain and swelling at the joints, may be more severe in adults than in children. Joint pain (more commonly seen in women) may take as long as a month to go away.
The rubella rash is mild, starts on the face, and spreads to the neck, the chest, and the rest of the body. It may first appear as a mild blush before it develops into a more pinpoint rash with distinctive spots. Rubella infection without a rash is also common. Even if you do not have a rash, you are still contagious.
Complications, such as infection of the brain (encephalitis), can arise from rubella. Encephalitis from rubella is very rare but serious.
A fetus that becomes infected with rubella during the first trimester is at risk for miscarriage, fetal death, and birth defects.2 Up to 90% of fetuses exposed to rubella during the first 11 weeks of pregnancy develop congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).2 This syndrome can result in serious birth defects. Hearing impairment is the most common, although cataracts and glaucoma, other eye problems, heart defects, brain problems, mental and physical retardation (stunted growth), and bone disease may also occur.

Other viral illnesses and conditions can cause symptoms and rashes similar to rubella. For this reason, rubella may be confused with:

Mild cases of scarlet fever, an illness that most often occurs in children ages 2 to 10 who have recently had strep throat.
Measles, also called rubeola or red measles.
Fifth disease (parvovirus B19), a contagious and usually mild viral illness that is common in children.
Roseola, a mild viral illness that affects young children. It often starts with a sudden high fever of 103°F (39.4°C) to 105°F (40.6°C) that lasts 2 to 3 days.
Infectious mononucleosis (sometimes called "mono"), a viral illness usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. Mono is most common in adolescents and young adults.
Allergic reactions to medicines.
Some stomach and intestinal viral infections, such as stomach flu (gastroenteritis).

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

2009-04-09T06:40:00.000-07:00

1. Throw out non-essential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay 'them'

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.'
And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love , whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next country; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is. 10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER :
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

p/s: txs zebratz for your email!!

More or Less.. make your own Way ..!

2009-04-03T08:59:00.000-07:00

(1) ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

(2) TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

(3) THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

(4) FOUR. When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.

(5) FIVE. When you say, ' I'm sorry, ' look the person in the eye.
(6) SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
(7) SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.

(8) EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.

(9) NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.
(10) TEN.. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

(11) ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.

(12) TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.
(13) THIRTEEN .. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'

(14) FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

(15) FIFTEEN. Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.
(16) SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
(17) SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.

(18) EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
(19) NINETEEN. W hen you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

(20) TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.

(21) TWENTY- ONE. ; Spend some time alone.

Transformation

2009-03-28T08:50:00.000-07:00

Konsert Akademi Fantasia is now moving towards week 4 now. . So, as we seen… transformation..hmmphf!! Anyway, i really adore Anggun..before & after..!

Setiap kali bermimpi ( Everytime I dream )
Aku menunggu datangnya kamu ( I’m waiting for your back )
Setiap kali ku tahu ( Everytime I know )
Kau buat hati ku tersipu ( You embarrasshed my heart )

Walau cuma sekejap ( Althought It just for a while )
Gelisah hilang, dan mungkin lenyap ( The worried escaped, and might be it lost )
Setiap kali terjadi, engkau membuatku terpana ( Everytime it happends, you make me interest to you )

Yang aku mau hanya dirimu ( What I want is only you )
Kau seorang ( You’re the only one )
Yang aku mau jadi milikmu ( What I want is to be yours )

Winner Indonesian Idol - 2008

2009-03-24T00:26:00.000-07:00

mamat ni muka biasa-biasa jek.. tp suara?? winner dowh...akademi fantasia kita ada tak mcm ni punya suara?... uhuks

Top 5 Indonesian Idol - 2008

2009-03-23T00:51:00.000-07:00

mamat ni lak.. poyo smacam... berjaya stakat Top 5 jeks... tak tau mana silapnyer... maybe dia punya rambot kut...

Watch Your Diet

2009-03-20T23:27:00.000-07:00

Calorie-wise:

The Best
Dairy Queen wins with 2.69 calories/gram
Jack in the Box is close behind with 2.71 calories/gram

The Worst
McDonald's it is, with 3.25 calories/gram

Those stats may sound like just a few calories' difference, but that's a 21% difference, which adds up since a large serving tends to be around 190 grams.

But there are other stats to look at...

Here's the zero trans fat team:

Burger King
Carl's Jr.
Dairy Queen
McDonald's
Wendy's

This one is the trans fattiest: Jack in the Box

How about saturated fat?

The Best
Dairy Queen (0.018g saturated fat/gram of fries)

The Worst
Arby's (0.037g saturated fat/gram of fries)

Also remember that a good deal in dollars, doesn't translate to your diet, and a "large fries" means something different to everyone:

Large Fries Serving Sizes
McDonald's: 154g
Carl's Jr.: 184g
Wendy's: 184g
Burger King: 194g
Jack in the Box: 236g

Did He....?

2009-03-12T09:05:00.000-07:00

Don't Wanna Miss A Thing

2009-02-21T15:50:00.000-08:00

i miss u.....

Even if a day should go by without saying that miss you, may there never be a moment gone by without you knowing that I do. I miss you in every beat of my heart, in every blink of my eyes, in every seconds of time and in every moments of the day. Your absence in my life has caused me so much pain and I keep on bearing it until I got to know that the only way I can enjoy your love is by appreciation your loneliness."I MISS YOU"

Kisses unleash chemicals that ease stress levels

2009-02-14T02:47:00.000-08:00

By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, AP Science Writer Randolph E. Schmid, Ap Science Writer

CHICAGO – "Chemistry look what you've done to me," Donna Summer crooned in Science of Love, and so, it seems, she was right. Just in time for Valentine's Day, a panel of scientists examined the mystery of what happens when hearts throb and lips lock. Kissing, it turns out, unleashes chemicals that ease stress hormones in both sexes and encourage bonding in men, though not so much in women.

Chemicals in the saliva may be a way to assess a mate, Wendy Hill, dean of the faculty and a professor of neuroscience at Lafayette College, told a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science on Friday. In an experiment, Hill explained, pairs of heterosexual college students who kissed for 15 minutes while listening to music experienced significant changes in their levels of the chemicals oxytocin, which affects pair bonding, and cortisol, which is associated with stress. Their blood and saliva levels of the chemicals were compared before and after the kiss.

Both men and women had a decline in cortisol after smooching, an indication their stress levels declined.

For men, oxytocin levels increased, indicating more interest in bonding, while oxytocin levels went down in women. "This was a surprise," Hill said.

In a test group that merely held hands, chemical changes were similar, but much less pronounced, she said.

The experiment was conducted in a student health center, Hill noted. She plans a repeat "in a more romantic setting."

Hill spoke at the session on the Science of Kissing, along with Helen Fisher of Rutgers University and Donald Lateiner of Ohio Wesleyan University.

Fisher noted that more than 90 percent of human societies practice kissing, which she believes has three components — the sex drive, romantic love and attachment.

The sex drive pushes individuals to assess a variety of partners, then romantic love causes them to focus on an individual, she said. Attachment then allows them to tolerate this person long enough to raise a child.

Men tend to think of kissing as a prelude to copulation, Fisher said. She noted that men prefer "sloppy" kisses, in which chemicals including testosterone can be passed on to the women in saliva. Testosterone increases the sex drive in both males and females.

"When you kiss an enormous part of your brain becomes active," she added. Romantic love can last a long time, "if you kiss the right person."

Lateiner, a classical scholar, observed that kissing appears infrequently in Greek and Roman art, but was widely practiced, despite the spread of skin disease at that time by facial kissing. And there was a potential for social faux pas by kissing the wrong person at the wrong time.

Overall, the science of kissing — philematology — is under-researcherd, Hill concluded.
___

On the Net: AAAS: http://www.aaas.org

I love UPIN & IPIN

2009-02-11T18:16:00.000-08:00

Click at the image to download 5th Episode

B.I.C.Y.C.L.E

2009-02-10T07:18:00.000-08:00

Do you wanna know what is it all about? hehehhee... yeah Upin & Ipin 4th Episode, Part II get it here if you missed watching it at Channel 9

WOG - World Of Gang

2009-02-08T05:19:00.000-08:00

Geng the Movie ...Geng Pengembaraan bermula.. ha apa lagi? jom serang pawagan berdekatan.!

if nak tengok promo click sini EP1 Layan episod 1 saaaaaaaaaaampai 3. Movie starts 12th February 2009. See u there!

Like a Fairy Tale

2009-02-02T05:46:00.000-08:00

Poem by : © By Mcquade

There once were two young girls
Who had everything

Because they had each others love
Which was more than just a fling

They spent years together
Holding hand in hand

Swimming every ocean
Walking any land

They were inseparable
And so much in love

Heaven was where they were
And no longer seen above

Until one dreadful day
The arguing had started

One was very sad
When the other departed

Her heart was then broke
They knew it was a mistake

But one wouldn't go back
Too much was at stake

She was afraid to be hurt again
So she hurt the other instead

Knowing it was a selfish act
She just wanted to be dead

So one night the trigger was pulled
With it pressed hard into her chest

She no longer felt the regret
Her heart will now rest

Even with a broken heart
She was able to move on

Everyone knew it was still tough
She couldn't hide the cries before dawn

For a long time after
She wished for one more night

That her lover would return
To assure everything will be all right

Use a food pyramid that’s actually based on the latest and best science.

2009-01-31T00:22:00.001-08:00

We can’t look at a pyramid these days without thinking of food and healthy eating. There was the U.S. government’s Food Guide Pyramid, followed by its replacement, My Pyramid, which was basically the same thing, just pitched on its side. The problem was that these efforts, while generally good intentioned, have been quite flawed at actually showing people what makes up a healthy diet. Why? Their recommendations have often been based on out-of-date science and influenced by people with business interests in their messages.

But, there’s a better alternative: the Healthy Eating Pyramid, built by the faculty in the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health. Based on the latest science, and unaffected by businesses and organizations with a stake in its messages, the Health Eating Pyramid is a simple, trustworthy guide to choosing a healthy diet. Its foundation is daily exercise and weight control, since these two related elements strongly influence your chances of staying healthy. The Healthy Eating Pyramid builds from there, showing that you should eat more foods from the bottom part of the pyramid (vegetables, whole grains) and less from the top (red meat, refined grains).

Beer O'Clock: Talking when drunk

2009-01-28T05:09:00.000-08:00

THINGS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:

1. Innovative
2. Preliminary
3. Proliferation
4. Cinnamon
THINGS THAT ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:

1. Specificity
2. Anti-constitutionalistically
3. Passive-aggressive disorder
4. Transubstantiate
5. Antidisestablishmentarianism

THINGS THAT ARE DOWNRIGHT IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:

1. Thanks, but I don't want to have sex.
2. Thanks, but I don't want another drink.
3. Sorry, but you're not really my type.
4. Kebab? No thanks, I'm not hungry.
5. Good evening, officer. Isn't it lovely out tonight?
6. Oh, I couldn't! No one wants to hear me sing karaoke.
7. I'm not interested in fighting you.
8. Thank you, but I won't try to dance, I have no coordination. I'd hate to look like a fool!
9. Where is the nearest bathroom? I refuse to pee in this parking lot or on the side of the road.
10. I really must be going home now, as I have to work in the morning.

APA ADA PASAL DENGAN TULISAN?

2009-01-24T22:47:00.000-08:00

Ada orang yang bentuk tulisannya tidak pernah berubah ubah sejak dari dulu lagi. ..itu menandakan bahawa dia juga seorang yang sukar untuk berubah. Maknanya dia lebih suka mengekalkan personaliti dirinya yang sedia ada sejak dulu. Sebaliknya jika tulisannya sering berubah-ubah, bermakna dia sentiasa mengalami pembentukan dan pembangunan personaliti
dirinya malah dia juga bersikap individual.

Dari segi membuat sebarang keputusan, orang yang tulisannya tidak berubah sejak dulu lagi lebih tetap pendirian dan lebih tegas. Manakala mereka yang sering berubah corak tulisan mereka dikatakan lebih mudah untuk berubah fikiran. Bukan bermaksud mereka ini tidak berpendirian langsung tapi keputusan mereka itu masih boleh dipengaruhi oleh orang lain.

KECONDONGAN TULISAN

* TEGAK
Sekiranya tulisannya itu tegak saja bermakna dia seorang yang rajin, bertanggungjawab, pandai bergaul dengan orang lain dan sikapnya amat menyenangkan. Dia juga mampu membuat keputusan dengan wajar dan tepat.

* CONDONG KE KANAN
Orangnya bersikap terbuka sama ada dalam pergaulan biasa atau hubungan cinta. Namun dia ini juga sentiasa memerlukan bantuan dan tunjuk ajar daripada orang lain dalam apa juga yang dilakukannya. Dalam erti kata lain, mereka ini kurang yakin dengan tindakan yang diambil dan memerlukan pendapat dan pandangan orang lain untuk menyakinkan diri mereka sendiri. Mereka juga mudah ditimpa perasaan cepat bosan jadi sebab itu cukup pantang kalau mereka kena tunggu lama!

* CONDONG KE KIRI
Wah! Rupanya dia ini seorang yang sensitif walaupun mungkin dari segi luaran nampak dia ini seolah-olah tak kisah sangat. Selain itu, dia juga seorang yang amat berhati-hati dalam apa juga yang dilakukannya kerana dia tidak mahu timbulnya sebarang penyesalan di kemudian hari nanti. Walau bagaimanapun jangan tak tahu, mereka ini seorang yang cukup setia kepada orang yang dicintainya! Cayalah!

BENTUK TULISAN

* LEBAR
Ia menandakan bahawa dia seorang yang aktif dan suka melibatkan diri dalam pelbagai persatuan dan pertubuhan. Selain itu dia juga gemar mengembara sambil bercuti. Tapi nampaknya dia ini kurang bijak dalam menjaga hati teman-teman.

* TULISAN KURUS
Ternyata dia akan melakukan perkara-perkara yang hanya digemarinya saja.

* TULISAN BERSEGI EMPAT
Otak matematik rupanya dia ni.

* TULISAN BULAT
Ini menandakan dia seorang yang suka bergaul dan penyayang.

* BERSAMBUNG
Pemikirannya berdasarkan logik.

* BERCERAI CERAI
Segala tindakannya lebih cenderung mengikut gerak hatinya saja!

JARAK TULISAN

* TULISAN JAUH
Sekiranya dia mempunyai jarak antara tulisan agak jauh, bermakna dia sukar didekati dan tak suka orang lain terlalu rapat dengan dirinya. Bukan apa, jika dia mungkin akan bersikap mengongkong atau bergantung pada orang-orang yang rapat dengan dirinya itu.

* TULISAN RAPAT
Memang mudah untuk berdampingan dengan dia ini kerana dia juga berfikiran terbuka.

RUANGAN DI TEPI
Perhatikan ruang yang ditinggalkan pada muka surat itu.

Sekiranya:

* RUANG KIRI KANANNYA SAMA

Jarak ruang di kiri dan kanan muka surat itu adalah sama besarnya, bermakna dia seorang yang berfikiran optimistik.

* RUANG MUKA SURAT SEBELAH KIRI KECIL
Itu menandakan dia seorang yang amat sensitif sebenarnya!

* RUANG MUKA SURAT KANAN KECIL
Sememangnya dia seorang yang rajin namun sukar membuat pertimbangan yang sewajarnya.

* PENUH SATU MUKA SURAT
Ternyata dia seorang yang amat tegas dan mempunyai banyak ide bernas yang boleh dikongsi bersamanya

Six Reasons We Have Bad Dreams - By: Brie Cadman

2009-01-20T07:02:00.000-08:00

No one likes being jolted awake from a deep sleep, especially when what riled you up was an assailant, a snake in the bed, or being engulfed by flames. Bad dreams—or worse, nightmares—aren’t just annoying; when reoccurring, they can disrupt a good night’s sleep, and sometimes, life.

On the spectrum of dreams, missing an important exam or showing up naked to work pales in comparison to nightmares, which are defined as bad dreams that wake the sleeper. They occur during rapid eye movement (REM) late in the evening and because we jerk awake during them, we usually remember all too clearly the fear, anxiety, and horrors.

Though more common among children, nightmares and bad dreams happen throughout life. But is there anything we can do to prevent the bad things from creeping into our sleep? 1. Anxiety and Stress
Anxiety and stress, often as the result of a traumatic life event, are sometimes the cause of nightmares and bad dreams. According to the International Association for the Study of Dreams (IASD), a major surgery or illness, grieving over the loss of a loved one, and suffering or witnessing an assault or major accident can trigger bad dreams and nightmares. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is also a common cause of recurrent nightmares.

Not all nightmare triggers have to be traumatic, however. Everyday stressors, such as job or financial anxiety, or major life transitions such as moving or divorce, can also cause nightmares.

2. Spicy Foods
When and what we eat may affect our nighttime rest, if not our tendency toward bad dreams. A small study published in the International Journal of Psychophysiology had a group of healthy men eat spicy meals before bed on some evenings and compared their quality of sleep on nights where they had non-spiced meals. On the spicy nights, the subjects spent more time awake and had poorer quality sleep. The explanation is that spicy food can elevate body temperatures and thus disrupt sleep. This may also be the reason why some people report bad dreams when they eat too close to bedtime. Though few studies have looked at it, eating close to bedtime increases metabolism and brain activity and may prompt bad dreams or nightmares.

3. Fat Content of Food
Though far from conclusive, some research has indicated that the more high-fat food you consume during the day, the greater the chance that the amount and quality of your sleep may suffer. A small study published in 2007 in Psychological Reports found that the dreams of people who ate a high amount of organic food differed from those who ate “junk foods.” The authors hypothesize that certain foods may negatively influence dreaming. 4. Alcohol
Though alcohol is a depressant that will help you fall asleep in the short term, once its effects wear off, it can cause you to wake up prematurely. Excess consumption can also lead to nightmares and bad sleep; nightmares are also a common occurrence for those going through alcohol withdrawal.

5. Drugs
Some drugs, including antidepressants, barbiturates, and narcotics, can cause nightmares as a side effect. For instance, a 2008 study published in the journal Pyschopharmacology looked at ketamine, a drug used in anesthesia and recreationally, and found that compared with a placebo, ketamine use resulted in more dream unpleasantness and increased the incidence of bad dreams. Similarly, anyone who has traveled to a country where malaria is endemic may have taken Lariam and had some interesting nightmares associated with it. Nightmares usually cease once the drug is cleared from the system.

6. Illness
Illnesses that include fever, such as the flu, can often trigger nightmares. And other sleeping disorders, including apnea and narcolepsy, may also increase the incidence of bad dreams and nightmares.

While bad dreams and nightmares are considered normal responses in dealing with everyday experiences, the IASD recommends consultation with a therapist if they last in intensity and severity. But trying to eliminate these six factors first may be the best place to start in your quest to sweeten your dreams and chase the nighttime demons away.

Lesson in Logic

2009-01-17T10:32:00.000-08:00

If your father is a poor man,

it is your fate but,

if your father-in-law is a poor man,

it's your stupidity.

I was born intelligent -

education ruined me.

Practice makes perfect.....
But nobody's perfect..... .
so why practice?

If it's true that we are here to help others,

then what exactly are the others here for?

Since light travels faster than sound,
people appear bright until you hear them speak.

How come "a b b r e v i a t e d" is such a long word?

Money is not everything.
There's Mastercard & Visa.

Behind every successful man, there is a woman
And behind every unsuccessful man, there are two.

Every man should marry.

After all, happiness is not the only thing in
life.
The wise never marry.
and when they marry they become otherwise.

Never put off the work till tomorrow

what you can put off today.

"Your future depends on your dreams"
So go to sleep

"HARD WORK never kill anybody"

But why take the risk
"Work fascinates me"
I can look at it for hours

God made relatives;
Thank God we can choose our friends.

The more you learn, the more you know,

The more you know, the more you forget

The more you forget, the less you know
So.. why learn.

A bus station is where a bus stops

A Train station is where a train stops...
On my desk, I have a work station....

what more can I say........

BITCHOLOGY

2009-01-16T07:59:00.000-08:00

When I stand up for
myself and my beliefs,
they call me a
bitch.

When I stand up for
those I love,
they call me a
bitch.

When I speak my mind, think my own thoughts
or do things my own way, they call me a
bitch.

Being a bitch
means I won't
compromise what's
in my heart.
It means I live my life MY way.
It means I won't allow anyone to step on me.

When I refuse to
tolerate injustice and
speak against it, I am
defined as a
bitch.

The same thing happens when I take time for
myself instead of being everyone's maid, or when I act a little selfish.

It means I have the courage and strength to allow myself to be who I truly am and won't become anyone else's idea of what they think I "should" be.
I am outspoken,
opinionated and determined. I want what I want and there is nothing wrong with that!
So try to stomp on me,
try to douse my inner flame, try to squash every ounce of beauty I hold within me.
You won't succeed.

And if that makes me a bitch ,
so be it.
I embrace the title and
am proud to bear it.

B - Babe
I - In
T - Total
C - Control of
H - Herself

B = Beautiful
I = Intelligent
T = Talented
C = Charming
H = Hell of a Woman

B = Beautiful
I = Individual
T = That
C = Can
H = Handle anything

17 Signs when you love someone

2009-01-10T03:56:00.000-08:00

SEVENTEEN:
You look at their profile constantly.

SIXTEEN:
When you're on the phone with them late at night and they hang up, you still miss them even when it was just two minutes ago.

FIFTEEN:
You read their Texts and Mms Over and over again.

FOURTEEN:
You walk really slow when you're with them.

THIRTEEN:
You feel shy whenever they're around.

ELEVEN:
When you think about them, your heart beats faster but slower at the same time.

TEN:
You smile when you hear their voice.

NINE:
When you look at them, you can't see the other people around you, you just see him/her.

EIGHT:
You start listening to slow songs while thinking about them.

SEVEN:
They're all you think about.

SIX:
You get high just from their scent.

FIVE:
You realize you're always smiling when
you're looking at them.

FOUR:
You would do anything for them!

THREE:
While reading this, there'll be one person in your mind this whole time.

TWO:
You were so busy thinking about that person, you didnt notice number twelve was missing

ONE:
You just scrolled up to check & are now silently laughing

Patrick Swayze Opens Up About Pancreatic Cancer

2009-01-08T01:00:00.000-08:00

Actor Says He's 'Going Through Hell,' Took Experimental Medication

Jan. 7, 2009 -- Patrick Swayze has tried an experimental drug as part of his pancreatic cancer treatment, and he says he's not giving up despite grim odds.

Swayze, who starred in the films Dirty Dancing and Ghost and is filming a new TV show called The Beast, talks about his pancreatic cancer in an exclusive interview with ABC. Swayze tells Barbara Walters that he has stage IV pancreatic cancer that had already spread to his liver when it was diagnosed in March 2008.

"I'm going through hell, and I've only seen the beginning of it," Swayze says in interview excerpts posted by ABC.

Swayze, 56, also says that surviving five years is "wishful thinking," but that living two more years "seems likely, if you're going to believe the statistics." And he defines "winning" as "not giving up."

Swayze didn't have surgery for his pancreatic cancer because the cancer had already spread when it was diagnosed. His treatment included aggressive chemotherapy and an experimental drug called vatalanib.

Here are answers to questions about Swayze's pancreatic cancer.

What is stage IV pancreatic cancer?
In stage IV pancreatic cancer, the cancer has already spread beyond the pancreas, explains Gagandeep Singh, MD, FACS, director of the Liver and Pancreas Center at the John Wayne Cancer Institute in Santa Monica, Calif.

Singh is not treating Swayze.

What is the typical prognosis for stage 4 pancreatic cancer?
"Five-year survival is almost unheard of," Singh says. "But the flip side is that there are two to three percent [of patients] who do make five years.

"Each person should not treat themselves as a number -- that I have a 97% chance of dying from this disease because it's disseminated. Maybe I'm in the 2% or 3% that is going to survive five years," he says.

Singh notes that those five-year survival rates are based on data that dates back 20-30 years, and since then, new drugs have debuted.

"Now, the buzzword is targeted therapy," Singh says. He explains that in targeted therapy, drugs target a certain receptor or protein that is particularly abundant, or overexpressed, in a tumor.

Besides chemotherapy, Swayze took an experimental drug called vatalanib. What does that drug do?
Vatalanib inhibits tyrosine kinases, which are enzymes needed for cell growth, cell proliferation, and cell differentiation.

"What inhibition of this does is you're stunting the growth of the tumor," Singh says. "You're preventing it from getting more aggressive, with the hope that it ultimately dies and goes away."

He points out that vatalanib is still being tested and isn't available yet.

What else is in the pipeline for treatment?
"There are probably at least 100 to 150 new drugs that are in the pipeline," says Singh, adding that most experimental drugs are used with chemotherapy when other treatments fail.
What else is in the pipeline for treatment? continued...
"Stage IV therapy predominantly is chemotherapy-based, at the present time," he says.

"Cancer cells are very smart," Singh says. "The example that I use in a lot of talks is that they're going on a freeway. ... if you're going by one main freeway and the freeway is blocked, you can take an alternative freeway to get there. And if the alternative freeway is blocked, then you can take multiple surface routes to get there."

It's the same thing with cancer cells, Singh says. "You think you can block one gene and hope that these cells are going to not grow any further? Well, they're smart enough to find an alternative route to get to the other end."

Singh predicts that in the next decade, cancer treatment will be a matter of using several therapies -- surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and gene therapy or immunotherapy, if it's available.

"We don't have a magic bullet," Singh says.

Swayze has been working hard throughout all of this. How typical is his case?
"I don't know the extent of how much [cancer] was there in the liver" when Swayze was diagnosed," Singh says. "If he had no response to the chemotherapy, clearly he would have progressed. If Patrick has a good response to this, then he's in the fortunate group."

The odds aren't good, but Singh knows of patients who have lived longer than predicted. Singh says that several years ago he met a man who was a seven-year survivor of pancreatic cancer that had already spread when it was diagnosed. The man asked Singh to tell his story when he lectured on pancreatic cancer.

"I don't know whether he's still alive -- that was three years ago -- but it's a good success story," Singh says. "But in reality, most of these people are not around that long."

Swayze talks about the fragility of hope in the interview. How have you seen patients maintain hope in the face of pancreatic cancer?
"To give treatment to a patient who has pancreatic cancer, you have to give them hope before you start," Singh says. Without a little bit of hope or something to look forward to, "it's crushing not only them, you're crushing the entire family. ... I think it is very, very important to give a positive message, even though we know this is a fatal disease."

Swayze says he's smoked for decades and has cut down but not quit because it won't change his prognosis. Is he right about that?
"Nobody is going to endorse that he should continue to smoke," Singh says. "But I think realistically, if he cuts down smoking, is his survival going to improve? No."

Singh points out that there is a "definite relationship" between tobacco use and pancreatic cancer risk. "The overall risk is approximately five times higher than the normal population if you use tobacco," he says

Depression Glossary

2009-01-05T01:13:00.000-08:00

Antidepressant. A drug used to treat depression. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are one common class. It includes drugs like Celexa (citalopram), Lexapro (escitalopram), Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine), and Zoloft (sertraline.)

Anxiety disorder. A chronic condition that causes anxiety so severe it interferes with your life. Some people with depression also have overlapping anxiety disorders.

Bipolar Disorder. A type of depression that causes sometimes extreme mood swings between depression and mania (or hypomania.) This condition used to be called manic depression.

Dysphoria. An emotional state marked by anxiety, depression, and restlessness.

Dysthymia. A type of chronic depression that is less severe than major depression. It can also last for years.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). A treatment for depression that uses electric current to create a brief, controlled seizure. It is safe and often effective for depression that hasn't responded to drugs or therapy.

Hypomania. A milder form of mania.

Major Depression. The medical diagnosis for depression that lasts for at least two weeks and interferes with daily life. It causes symptoms like low energy, fatigue, and feelings of hopelessness.

Mania. A symptom of bipolar disorder, mania is a period of intense happiness, irritability, or recklessness. It is so extreme that it interferes with a person's life.

Mood stabilizers. A class of drugs used to treat some types of depression, like bipolar disorder. They include lithium and some drugs originally used for seizures called anticonvulsants.

Neurotransmitter. A chemical in the brain, like serotonin or norepinephrine, that sends messages between brain cells. Medicines that treat depression often alter the levels of these chemicals.

Panic attack. A sudden feeling of intense fear or anxiety, accompanied by physical symptoms, that isn't triggered by real danger. Panic attacks are common in many anxiety disorders.

Postpartum depression. Depression that affects women who have recently given birth.

Psychotherapy. A way of treating a mental or emotional disorder by talking with a therapist. It may also be called "talking therapy" or "talk therapy."

Psychologist. A professional who specializes in the treatment of mental or emotional disorders. Psychologists typically use psychotherapy to treat people with depression and other conditions.

Psychiatrist. A medical doctor who specializes in treating psychological disorders. Since psychiatrists are doctors, they can prescribe drugs like antidepressants. Some also use psychotherapy.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Depression that occurs seasonally, usually starting in fall or winter and ending in spring or early summer. It is often treated with phototherapy, which is regular exposure to special lights.

click here for more INFO

J.Lo, Anthony Near Breakup

2009-01-04T04:54:00.000-08:00

(Newser) – J.Lo and Marc Anthony were spotted Tuesday night feeding each other meatballs and kissing at a Beverly Hills restaurant, but US Weekly isn't buying: the tab suspects the show of affection is an effort to stem rumors of a crisis in their marriage: Both have been galavanting around solo sans wedding rings in recent weeks, and complaining about each other to pals. He says she's making him miserable, she says he's too controlling.

“He’s very, very controlling of her,” a friend tells US. “The skirts aren’t as short. You don’t see so much of that booty anymore.” Lopez, who used to adore Anthony’s machismo, is now more interested in motherhood. She also blames him for her career going “down the tubes,” says another pal. El Cantante, in which the duo co-starred, grossed a mere $7.5 million—half the salary Lopez once earned per movie

Dick Clark, 79, is still rockin' New Year's Eve

2009-01-01T05:09:00.000-08:00

By JEFF WILSON
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Four years after a stroke, Dick Clark is relishing the prospect of another New Year's Eve celebration, determined to appear for his 36th year in Times Square. And he's hardly surprised by the current state of the music industry he helped build — he predicted this, after all.

Clark, who turned 79 last month and has been in front of the cameras for 61 years, said in a recent interview by e-mail that his involvement in "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2009," diminished though it may be, is a labor of love and "not really a job."

"Obviously, I'm not able to be as actively involved as I used to be out on the street, up on a platform and interacting with the crowds in Times Square" in New York, Clark wrote. "Thank goodness my friend Ryan Seacrest is able to handle that end of the activity on the show these days.

ABC-TV's 3 1/2-hour live extravaganza will include performances by Natasha Bedingfield, Fall Out Boy, Jesse McCartney, Ne-Yo, Pussycat Dolls, Solange and Robin Thicke. Fergie hosts the Hollywood segments.

Clark woke up with right-side paralysis on Dec. 6, 2004 — "Your life changes overnight," he said. (Regis Philbin filled in for Clark on the New Year's Eve show that year.) Clark still uses a walker or wheelchair, and speaking is difficult.

"I am one of the fortunate ones who survived and have been minimally impaired, so I'm just thankful I'm still able to enjoy this once-a-year treat of bringing in the New Year."

The "American Bandstand" icon and longtime producer of the American Music Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards and Golden Globes has long considered them "my television kids."

He's also watched their ratings plummet in recent years.

"There was a time when they attracted a huge audience," Clark wrote. "The audiences have dropped off as the years have gone by because of increasing television competition.

"What we are seeing is more and more talent and less emphasis on people getting awards. Television's award shows have now become gigantic showcases for variety."

Clark was there at the birth of rock 'n' roll ("American Bandstand" kicked off July 9, 1956), and he's watched dramatic changes in the music industry. Not that those changes would come as much of a surprise.

"I can remember writing an article several years ago where I let my imagination run wild," Clark wrote. "I said we'd see the day when music is delivered directly to our homes, and delivered to us in some form of wireless communication.

"The fun of actually holding a record in our hands will disappear and we'll all have our own individual library of our favorite songs that we'll listen to at home, at work, in the car wherever we happen to go."

These days, Clark divides his time between his Malibu home and Burbank office. There's an hourlong therapy session each morning, then he answers mail and phone calls, attends meetings and reads.

The day ends with his devoted wife Kari.

"My wife and I may join friends for dinner at a restaurant, attend a movie or just grab a bite to eat by ourselves away from home," Clark wrote. "Occasionally, we'll attend a music concert. Recently we've seen Barry Manilow, Bette Midler, Frankie Valli and Cher."

O. J. Simpson Found Guilty in Robbery Trial

2008-10-04T04:54:00.000-07:00

By STEVE FRIESS
Published: October 4, 2008

LAS VEGAS — O.J. Simpson was found guilty late Friday on all 12 counts stemming from a confrontation in a hotel room last year, including armed robbery and kidnapping.

The verdict, which comes 13 years to the day after Mr. Simpson was acquitted in the highly publicized murders of his ex-wife and her friend, concluded a four-week trial that many have seen as a proxy for those unsatisfied by that 1995 outcome.

Mr. Simpson now faces 15 years to life for the kidnapping charge as well as a minimum of at least another 10 years in prison on the other charges. His attorney, Yale Galanter, said he would appeal.

The football Hall of Fame inductee showed little emotion as the verdicts were read and the judge denied him bail. As his sister, Carmelita, wept and fainted in the front row, he was led away in handcuffs. Mr. Simpson is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 5.

“He’s extremely upset, extremely emotional,” said Mr. Galanter of the demeanor of his client after being removed from the courtroom. “We knew this was going to be very difficult, we knew the jury was going to be very difficult, we knew the jurisdiction would be very difficult.”

Clark County District Attorney David Roger, the lead prosecutor in the case, said his office would not comment on the case until after sentencing. None of the jurors spoke to the media on Friday.

The charges arose after Mr. Simpson led five cohorts on a raid of a Palace Station Hotel-Casino room and departed with hundreds of memorabilia items related to the sports careers of Mr. Simpson and three other athletes.

The items were in the possession of two memorabilia dealers, Bruce L. Fromong and Alfred Beardsley, who were led to believe that a prospective buyer was coming to browse the goods. Instead, Mr. Simpson and his group burst into the room. According to several witnesses, at least one gun was brandished.

The presence of a weapon adds years to the minimum sentences for nine of the 12 charges, which also included conspiracy to commit robbery and kidnapping, burglary, robbery, assault and coercion.

The jury of nine women and three men deliberated for 13 hours, mulling weeks of testimony as well as hours of surreptitious audio recordings of the planning and execution of the event by Thomas Riccio, a memorabilia auctioneer who arranged the confrontation.

There were no blacks among the jurors, a concern of the defense that Mr. Simpson’s attorneys said would likely be part of an appeal.

Convicted alongside Mr. Simpson, 61, was Clarence Stewart, 54, one of the five men who accompanied Mr. Simpson in the raid. Mr. Stewart faces the same sentences.

Throughout the trial, Mr. Stewart’s attorney E. Brent Bryson asked repeatedly for Mr. Stewart to receive a separate trial because associating with Mr. Simpson was poisonous to the defense. Each of his severance motions was denied.

“If there was ever a trial in the history of American jurisprudence that should have been severed, it was obviously this trial,” a stunned and dazed Mr. Bryson said. “There’s a spillover effect here. There’s a gentleman by the name of O.J. Simpson who was sitting across the table. Mr. Simpson has a certain history that followed him into the courtroom and, unfortunately, it engulfed Mr. Stewart also.”

Mr. Simpson’s defense was that he sought only to retrieve personal keepsakes such as ceremonial footballs from his Hall of Fame N.F.L. career and photographs of his family that were taken from his home years ago. Mr. Roger told the jury that he should have filed a civil lawsuit to regain the items if they were, in fact, stolen from him.

“We don’t want people going into rooms to take property,” said Mr. Roger in his closing arguments on Thursday. “That is robbery. You don’t go in and get a gun and demand property from people.”

Four of the 24 witnesses who testified were the other men who had accompanied Mr. Simpson and Mr. Stewart, all of whom have accepted plea deals from prosecutors in exchange for testimony. Two of them, Walter Alexander and Michael McClinton, carried guns in the incident, and one, Mr. McClinton, testified that he did so at Mr. Simpson’s request.

Mr. Simpson said he did not know that the two would carry weapons and never saw any guns displayed during the incident.

sources from: nytimes

2008-10-03T04:58:00.000-07:00

The newly married man Usher has drawn himself into a controversy with his new video "Trading Places". Mediatakeout out forth allegations saying the love scenes in his video were far too steamy. The Usher Trading Places video directed by Chris Robinson sure is quite hot.

A source said Usher's intimate acts with the woman were disrespectful to his wife Tameka Foster who's rumored to be pregnant
SO.. WHAT?? LET HIM BE..IT'S HIS MUSIC VIDEO AND HIS FANS STILL LOVE HIM DOWH...!! laaalallLallalLlLLlalallalaa.a.lalala.a..

Upin & Ipin - Episod Anak Bulan

2008-09-06T08:11:00.000-07:00

Upin & Ipin - Episod Tadika

2008-09-05T07:20:00.000-07:00

Virgo is August 22 - September 23,

2008-09-01T07:09:00.000-07:00

VIRGO AND ARIES
Virgo can be intrigued by Aries's audaciousness, but Virgo's prudent ways soon clash with Aries's colorful personality. They have difficulty communicating, because Virgo wants to talk and Aries wants to act. Their arguments will probably be more passionate than their lovemaking. Aries will think Virgo is inhibited; Virgo will consider Aries impulsive and wild. Aries likes a flamboyant social life. Virgo is happy with quiet, intellectual friends. Aries is also the type to bring out Virgo's worst habits of nit-picking and nagging. Exit romance.

VIRGO AND TAURUS
Virgo is analytical while Taurus is sensuous, but Taurus's strong passions can spark Virgo. If that happens, they make lovely love. Practical, down-to-earth, satisfied with the tried-and-true, these two have much in common. Both try to build for a secure future, both are homebodies, both share a fondness for money. Virgo's rational approach and Taurus's persistence are also a good moneymaking combination. Auguries couldn't be more promising.

VIRGO AND GEMINI
They are attracted to each other because of a mutual interest in intellectual ideas. Both have active minds, but the rapport ends there. Gemini's amorous nature Is too impulsive and unstable to suit Virgo. Gemini dismisses Virgo as a stick-in-the-mud. Virgo considers Gemini irresponsible and adolescent. Gemini needs freedom to pursue its varied interests. Virgo resents this, and will nag and try to dominate. Gemini will soon stray to other lovers.

VIRGO AND CANCER
A stimulating affair, for they arouse each other's beneath-the-surface sensuality. Cancer isn't too forceful, which suits Virgo fine. And the little attentions won't be neglected, which suits Virgo even better. Cancer is affectionate and sentimental, and that makes Virgo feel secure. This couple also likes money and domestic comfort, and Cancer's dependency fits perfectly with Virgo's protectiveness. On the downside, both tend to be overcritical. On the upside, each draws the other out of its shell.

VIRGO AND LEO
Highly physical Leo takes it as a personal affront if Virgo doesn't match its leonine ardor. Virgo's passive and reserved nature frustrates Leo and leads to quarrels. Virgo isn't quick to hand out praise, and Leo lives on nothing but. Leo is a spendthrift, Virgo is careful with pennies. They're both very independent, but Leo exhibits this in a temperamental way while Virgo is very private. Virgo simply will not be dominated by tyrannical Leo, and always has its guard up. This affair has a shorter life than a May fly.

VIRGO AND VIRGO
All is smooth sailing as long as these perfectionists curb their instincts for finding fault. Actually, they bring out the very best in each other. They are responsible, sensitive, intelligent, and take love seriously. They also share passions of the mind, and will never bore each other. important things in Both think that there are more' life than sex; they may end up just talking in bed. There will probably be a continual contest over who is leader, but they have too much else in common for that to matter.

VIRGO AND LIBRA
Libra is too frivolous and shallow for Virgo's taste. Libra enjoys spending money, going to parties, and being the center of attention. Virgo criticizes and makes Libra feel unloved. Libra may tap Virgo's hidden sensuality but their personalities are altogether too different for real compatibility. Virgo will try to curb and dominate Libra's fickle and outer-directed nature. Virgo is reserved and practical, and Libra views this as a personal rebuff. Libra will soon drift away in search of more fun-loving companions.

VIRGO AND SCORPIO
Sensual Scorpio keeps trying to entice Virgo into ever bolder sexual adventures. But Virgo is pleased because Scorpio is also possessive and fiercely loyal, which makes Virgo feel loved and protected. They also admire each other's minds. Virgo is logical, intellectual, analytical. Scorpio is imaginative, visionary, perceptive. Each sometimes has trouble expressing real feelings: Scorpio is volatile but secretive; Virgo is self-restrained and reserved. There may be some conflict about who runs things, but Virgo's willingness to compromise keeps Scorpio tractable.

VIRGO AND SAGITTARIUS
These two are like the grasshopper and the ant. Sagittarius's free spirit has nothing in common with hardworking Virgo. Sagittarius has a reckless gambler's spirit, while Virgo carefully builds for future security. Both are intellectual signs but the way their minds work clashes with each other. Sagittarius is expansive and extravagant, while Virgo prefers a simple, ordered, and unpretentious life. Sagittarius considers Virgo's sexual attitudes rather prudish, and won't stay long in one bedroom anyway.

VIRGO AND CAPRICORN
A harmonious pair. Capricorn's ambition and drive for success meshes well with Virgo's perfectionism and energy. Both are diligent, disciplined, and have a sense of purpose. They admire one another and take great pride in pleasing each other. Both need respect and approval (though neither will confess this), and each intuitively gives the other exactly that. Sexual compatibility becomes a mutual achievement; in lovemaking, though, Capricorn usually takes the lead. [ i like...! i like....]

VIRGO AND AQUARIUS
They are both rational, intellectual, and tend to view love in the abstract but the similarity ends there. Aquarius has venturesome ideas and thinks Virgo unresponsive or cold. Actually, each has a distant quality: Virgo is cautious about emotional giving; Aquarius's thoughts are in the far-off clouds. Aquarius is interested in other people, in causes, and in setting the world right. Virgo seeks personal achievement and financial security. Aquarius is outgoing, inventive, a visionary. Virgo is reserved, prudent, and very practical about its ambitions. This couple may not even make it as friends.

VIRGO AND PISCES
To Virgo, love means security and mental compatibility. To Pisces, love is a sweeping, all-enveloping emotion. At first Virgo is powerfully attracted to Pisces, as opposites often are: sentimental, in-love-with-love Pisces is very intriguing to Virgo, and Pisces is fascinated by Virgo's incisive, analytical mind. However, disillusion quickly sets in. Pisces's extravagance, secretiveness, and dreaminess frustrate pragmatic, orderly Virgo. Also, Virgo isn't likely to adapt to some of Pisces's sexual preferences.

Tallan Latz or T-MAN, 8-year-old guitar wiz encounters opposition

2008-08-13T01:26:00.000-07:00

ELKHORN, Wis. -- When Tallan "T-Man" Latz was 5, he saw Joe Satriani playing guitar on TV. "I turned around to my dad and said, 'That's exactly what I want to do.' "

Three years and countless hours of practicing later, 8-year-old Tallan is a blues guitar prodigy. He's played in bars and clubs, including the House of Blues in Chicago, and even jammed with Les Paul and Jackson Browne. He has a summer of festivals scheduled and has drawn interest from venues worldwide.

And what, you might ask, would a kid not even in the third grade have the blues about? The state of Wisconsin for one, and some possibly jealous older musicians for another.

An anonymous e-mail sent to state officials complained that Tallan was too young to perform in taverns and nightclubs because of state child labor laws. His booking agent even got an anonymous letter threatening her with death if she keeps booking him.

When Tallan's father read him the state's letter saying he couldn't play clubs anymore (he can still play festivals), the boy's response -- like his music -- seemed beyond his years.

"He goes, 'It's not how many times you get knocked down but it's how many times you get back up and go forward,' " Carl Latz said his son told him.

sources frm :heraldextra.com

History of DoughNuts...a.k.a. Donuts

2008-07-31T10:08:00.000-07:00

i found out that the website for big apple donuts & coffee is still under constructions.. maybe you guys cud juz go to sarawak outlet and get more interesting stories...

Doughnuts: A Definitive History
By Mr Breakfast

The Early Years

Doughnuts have been around for centuries. Archaeologists turned up several petrified fried cakes with holes in the center in prehistoric ruins in the Southwestern United States. How these early Native Americans prepared their doughnuts is unclear.

Because of the inherent difficulty of deriving recipes from fossils, most historians begin discussions about doughnut history with the mid-19th century and the first recorded doughnut recipes. At this time doughnuts were known as olykoeks, or oily cakes, and it's primarily the Dutch who are credited with taking sweet dough balls and frying them in pork fat.

It was pilgrims from Holland who brought olykoeks to America. These doughnuts of our forefathers were usually prepared with apples, prunes or raisins in the middle. There was a problem with doughnuts back then. When the olykoeks were pulled from the frying kettle, the centers were rarely fully cooked. By inserting a filling that needed only to be warmed, a temporary solution was achieved. But how was the doughnut ever to be cooked evenly in the center?

A Hole In One

There is a very popular half-truth in doughnut lore centered on a very real sea captain and his mother. In 1847, Elizabeth Gregory was known in her New England circle to make a very fine olykoek. Her secret was to add a hint of nutmeg and fill the center with hazelnuts or walnuts. She even had a special name for her creation -- dough-nuts. (A more plausible explanation of the name is far less exciting, early recipes instructed amateur chefs to create "little nuts of dough" and place these balls into the hot oil.)

As legend has it, Mrs. Gregory sent her son Captain Hanson Crockett Gregory on one of his sea voyages with several dough-nuts and her recipe to make more. It is here that one legend branches off into several versions. In one variation, Captain Hanson found himself having difficulty steering his ship and holding his dough-nut at the same time. The quick-thinking swabby impaled his dough-nut on one of the spokes of his steering wheel. Satisfied with his new dough-nut holder, he ordered his cook to henceforth prepare all dough-nuts with holes in the center.

Another variation of the legend might be easier to swallow. Simply stated, the Captain didn't like the nuts and he poked them out. Acting on his Captain's request, the ship's cook created all subsequent doughnuts with the centers removed using the top of a round tin pepper box as a cutter.

Did Captain Gregory invent, as he stated to the Boston Post, "the first dough-nut hole ever seen by mortal eyes"? We may never know. However, we can be sure of the positive changes that happened to the doughnut during the cooresponding period in time. Olykoeks with holes in the center cooked far more evenly and the novelty of the new-found "doughnut-shape" would soon propel the doughnut to a popularity derserving of myths and legends.

During World War I, the doughnut had already achieved status as an American favorite. Young American men fighting oversees were served doughnuts by grateful Frenchmen as a reminder of the food back home.

By the 1920's, doughnuts were being mass-produced. Their association with breakfast was only just beginning and the doughnut was more popular as a snack in theaters. To satisfy the growing demand for doughnuts in one New York neighborhood, a Russian expatriate named Adolph Levitt created the first doughnut machine. By 1934, the same year that the World's Fair in Chicago declared the doughnut "the food hit of the Century Of Progress", Levit was pulling down twenty-five-million dollars annually for the sale of his doughnut machines to bakeries.

The 1940's and 50's, saw the advent of doughnut chains such as Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and Dunkin' Doughnuts. As coffee became more of a staple in bakeries across the country, the perception of the doughnut as a breakfast item became more prevalent. There seemed to be no stopping the oily cake.

Hard Times

But alas, at the height of civil rights turmoil and our nations tribulations as the so-called "policeman of the world", so too did the doughnut face its share of troubles. The popularity of "fancy cakes" seemed to obscure what a doughnut actually was. The German bismarck had gained incredible momentum as a top-seller in bakeries. Glazes of every imaginable flavor, color and texture relegated the original olykoek to the rank of "plain doughnut" and even that was often confused with sugar-glazed raised cakes.

Just as the number doughnut shops grew exponentially in the 1940's and 50's, corner shops hawking something called a bagel grew in the 1970's and 80's. Being washed aside by the tide of bagel popularity, doughnuts, whatever they were, were being seen as the backwater hick cousin to its city-slicker alternative. But worst of all, the doughnut was being called unhealthy.

Pay no mind to the fact that a bagel with cream cheese has over 450 calories; the doughnut was called out time and time again for it's average 300 calories per cake. So, what was a doughnut to do?

Wait.

The Return Of Comfort Food

In the 1990's, America traded in its leg warmers for more comfortable shoes. Computer-driven pop was replaced by, of all things, guitars. As the cocaine buzz of a confused era wore off, we sought comfort from simpler things. And what was simpler than a doughnut?

In 1998, Winchell's House of Donuts in Pasadena, CA created the world's largest doughnut. It weighed 5,000 pounds and stood 95 feet in diameter. While it was made to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Winchell's, the giant apple fritter symbolized something more. It had been 150 years since Elizabeth Gregory sent her son to sea with a special batch of olykoeks. Like Captain Gregory's voyage, the journey of the doughnut into modern times had its share of turbulent waters, but the doughnut survived.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts went public in 2000. By the end 2001, its stock price had increased fourfold. The following year, their earnings grew 49%. As internet company after internet company failed, the doughnut remained a symbol of prosperity. Analysts can argue that Krispy Kreme's stock has been selling far above the company's estimated earnings, but nobody can argue with the sweet smell of a doughnut shop in the morning.

Future Archaeologists may one day find the fossilized remains of our own doughnuts. "Native Americans ate oily cakes", they will write. The doughnut will outlive us all.

Steps to Develop Forgiving and Forgetting in a Relationship

2008-07-27T09:17:00.000-07:00

Step 1: In order to increase your ability to forgive and forget, you need to recognize what this behavior involves. Answer the following questions in your journal:

a. What do you mean by ``forgiving and forgetting in a relationship?''

b. Have you ever been forgiven in a relationship? How did it feel?

c. Has anyone ever brought up something from the past to remind you

how you hurt a person? How did that make you feel?

d. What role do you feel forgiving and forgetting has in your relationships? How

could you improve?

e. How has the absence of forgiving and forgetting affected your current relationships?

f. What are the signs of the absence of forgiving and forgetting in your relationship with your: (1) family of origin, (2) current family, (3) significant others, (4) spouse, (5) children, (6) parents, (7) relatives, (8) friends, (9) co-workers?

g. What beliefs block your ability to forgive and forget? What would be necessary to change these beliefs?

h. What new behavior do you need to develop in order to increase your ability to forgive and forget?

i. What role does the existence of spirituality play in your ability to forgive and forget? The lack of it?

j. Who do you need to forgive? What do you need to forget?

Step 2: Now that you have a better picture of what is involved in forgiving and forgetting, you are ready to extinguish blaming behavior.

Letting Go of Blaming

It is easy to point the finger of blame at others for the pain you have suffered. This activity is intended to get you to point the finger of responsibility at yourself, to be better able to forgive and forget when you feel hurt by another's behavior. Answer the following questions in your journal:

(1) List an incident for which you are unable to forgive a person(s), and therefore are unable to forget.

(2) How much energy, creativity, problem solving capability, and focus on growth is sapped from you whenever you recall this hurt?

(3) What feelings come to your mind and body as you recall this hurt?

(4) How would you describe your role in this event? In what ways were you the victim, perpetrator, enabler, martyr, bystander, instigator, target, scapegoat, distracter, peacemaker, people pleaser, or rescuer?

(5) Why do you feel strongly over what happened and how you were treated?

(6) What did this event or happening do to your self-esteem?

(7) How dependent on others were you (or are you) to help you feel good about yourself? How positively self-affirming were or are you? Why do you need this person's affirmation to make you feel good about yourself? What beliefs about yourself were threatened by what happened to you? Reinforced?

(8) How willing are you to declare yourself independent of the need for others to reinforce you and make you feel good about yourself? What blocks you from declaring this independence? What fears do you have of letting go of the need for others to make you feel good about yourself? How does this relate to your inability to forgive or forget in the incident listed in Step 2(1)?

(9) What value is there in blaming the person(s) listed in Step 2(1) for the hurt and pain experienced? How responsible are you for the feelings of hurt and pain? How do these feelings relate to your dependence on others to make you feel good about yourself? How do you control your feelings of pain and hurt? What would change in your feelings about this past incident if you accepted the responsibility for your own feelings and perceptions? How do your irrational beliefs interfere in your ability to resist blaming others for pain and hurt you experience?

(10) Look back at the past incident and the person(s) involved; reframe your thinking and feelings about it:

Who was responsible for my reaction to the incident?
Who was responsible for my feelings about the incident?
Who was responsible for my inability to forgive the person(s) involved?
Who is responsible for my inability to forget this incident?
How can I forgive the person(s) involved?
How can I put this incident behind me?
How can I forgive myself for being dependent on others for feelings of being worthwhile and good?
How can I avoid being so hurt when something like this happens again?
What do I gain by blaming others for my feelings?

What can I do when I feel hurt and pain? Where does the finger of responsibility need to be pointed?

Step 3: Once you have learned how to let go of blaming in that one incident, repeat Step 2 addressing all the past or present incidents of hurt in which you need to forgive the people and forget the incidents. (See Step 1j)

Step 4: When you have exhausted your list of people you need to forgive and events you need to forget, you will be on the road to forgiving and forgetting in relationships. If you have problems in the future, return to Step 1 and begin again.

Behaviors Needed to be Able to Forgive and Forget

2008-07-26T09:13:00.000-07:00

In order to forgive and forget, you need to practice:

Letting go of past hurt and pain
Trusting in the goodness of mankind
Trusting in the goodness and mercy of God to take over for you
Letting go and letting God lead you during a hurtful time
Believing in God's infinite justice and wisdom
Letting go of fears for the future
Allowing yourself to be vulnerable to growth
Taking a risk
Letting go of hostility and resentment
Working out your anger
Reducing competition
Overlooking slight relapses or steps backward
Developing a personal spirituality
Developing an openness to the belief that people can change
Developing trust in others
Facing conflict head on, resolving it on the spot
Open, honest and assertive communication with others concerning hurts, pains, and offenses experienced
Seeking professional help when necessary to resolve the distance and coldness in a relationship
Recognizing your part or role in setting up hurtful experiences
Identifying and replacing the irrational beliefs that block your ability to forgive and forget

Beliefs Shared by People who Refuse to Forgive or Forget

2008-07-25T09:12:00.000-07:00

I was hurt so much; how could you ever expect me to forgive and forget that.
I never deserved the treatment I received, and I do not believe that forgiving and forgetting is deserved in this situation.
I am sick because of that treatment; how can I ever forgive or forget that?
There are people who are inherently evil, and they are despicable. No forgiving or forgetting will ever change that.
People are vicious and cruel, and you always need to protect yourself because of that; so why try to forgive and forget what they have done.
It is a sign of weakness to forgive and forget.
It is just ``giving in'' to the others' power and control to forgive and forget.
There are some things you can never forgive and forget.
I never forgive, I just get even.
Revenge is the best way to heal wounds.
Don't cross me and I won't cross you; but if you do cross me, watch out!
Only God can forgive and forget, though at times I don't believe He does either.
What has happened in my life is God's seeking revenge for all the evil I have done in the past.
I have done nothing for which I need to be forgiven.
It is easy to say, ``I'm sorry.'' You can never trust anyone who says, ``I'm sorry.''
You are just seeking my forgiveness so that you can come back and hurt me again.
You do not deserve any kindness, compassion or forgiveness for what you have done to me; I'll see to it that you are never able to forget it!
All people who do wrong deserve the worst life has to dish out.
I resent everyone who has hurt me, and I believe that this makes me a stronger person so that I will not be hurt again.
Anyone who could treat another person that way is undeserving of being forgiven, loved, or cared for.

Signs of the Absence of Forgiving and Forgetting

2008-07-24T09:10:00.000-07:00

Lack of forgiving and forgetting in a relationship can result in:

Irreconcilable differences between people
Indifference toward one another
An emotional vacuum in which little or no emotions are shown or shared
Chronic attacks or angry outbursts
Addressing or interacting with one another disrespectfully
One-upmanship: competition as to who can out do whom in terms of eliciting sympathy, compassion, or understanding from outsiders
Seeking revenge from one another
Pitting the parties in the relationship against one another through coalitions and taking sides
Chronic recalling and reminding of past hurts and offenses
Suspicions about the others' motives, behavior, attitudes, beliefs
Chronic depression
Chronic hostility
Name calling, belittling and demeaning one another
Responding to present behavior as if they were past behavior
Unwillingness to change and/or unwillingness to seek the help necessary to change

Negative Consequences of the Absences of Forgiving and Forgetting

2008-07-23T09:07:00.000-07:00

In the absence of forgiving and forgetting, the partners in a relationship run the risk of:

Continuously being hurt with pain and suffering going unresolved.
Unresolved guilt and remorse for offenses committed.
Chronically seeking revenge and paybacks from one another.
Being caught up in unresolved anger, animosity, and bitterness.
Defensive, self-protective, and distant behavior.
Blaming, negative and non-growth oriented behavior.
Being stuck in a battlefield stockpiled for future offensive attacks.
Being lost in a festering wound that never realizes the revitalization of healing.
Secretive and non-communicative behavior.
Fear over making a mistake or of having the mistake revealed.
Being overwhelmed by fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of non-approval, low self-esteem, fear of conflict.
High stress.

What is Forgiving and Forgetting in a Relationship?

2008-07-22T20:59:00.000-07:00

Forgiving is allowing another person to be human for faults, mistakes, or misdeeds. Forgetting is putting these behind you; they are no longer brought up and no longer remain a barrier to your relationship.
Forgiving is letting another know that there is no grudge, hard feelings, or animosity for any wrongdoing. Forgetting is the lack of further discussion, with no ongoing negative references to the event.
Forgiving is letting the other person know that you accept as genuine the remorse and sorrow for actions or words that hurt or disappointed you. Forgetting is promising that this deed, whether of omission or commission, will not be brought up again.
Forgiving is accepting the sincerity of penance, sorrow, and regret expressed over a grievous personal offense; making it sufficient to clear the air. Forgetting is your commitment to let go of anger, hurt, and pain over this offense.
Forgiving is giving a sign that a person's explanation or acceptance of blame for a destructive, hurtful, or painful act is fully accepted. Forgetting is the development of a plan of action between the two of you to heal the scars resulting from the behavior.
Forgiving is the highest form of human behavior that can be shown to another person. It is the opening up of yourself to that person to be vulnerable to being hurt or offended in the future, yet setting aside this in order to reopen and heal the channels of communication. Forgetting is equally as high a human behavior; it is letting go of the need to seek revenge for past offenses.
Forgiving is the act of love between you and a person who has hurt you; the bandage that holds the wound together long enough to heal. Forgetting is also an act of love; in rehabilitation therapy, helping the wounded return to a full, functional, living reality.
Forgiving is the God like gift of spiritually connecting with others, touching their hearts to calm the fear of rejection, quiet the sense of failure, and lighten the burden of guilt. Forgetting is the God like gift of spiritually touching others' hearts with the reassurance of a happy and full life with no fear of recrimination, remonstrations, or reminding of past offenses.
Forgiving is the act of letting go of temporary ill will, disappointment, or the disgust that arises from the break in your relationship. Forgetting is bridging this gap in the relationship, eventually strengthening it against such a break in the future.
Forgiving is an act of compassion, humanity, and gentleness by which you let another know that she/he is indeed a child of the universe upon whom a variety of graces and blessings have been showered and that current or past offenses need not be a barrier preventing goodness and worth to shine through. Forgetting is the act of encouragement, support, and reinforcement by which you assist the other person to rebuild, reconnect and re-establish a loving, caring, healthy relationship with you, others, and the world whereby gifts, talents, and skills are freely appreciated and shared.

image : credit to twosidesserenity

text sources frm: forgive-forget

Am I a Passionate Lover...?

2008-06-29T22:02:00.000-07:00

CAPRICORN

The passionate Lover.

Love to bust.

Nice.

Sassy.

Intelligent.

Sexy.

Predict future.

Irresistible, awesome kisser.

Loves being in long relationships.
Great talker.

Always gets what he or she wants.

BY FAR the BEST in BED.

Very sexy. Coolest.

Extremely fun.

Loves to joke.

Loves to be your first so you'll never forget.

Smart.

Capricorn - Your year ahead : Part II

2008-06-28T09:43:00.000-07:00

Loot:

Moneymaking opportunities will arrive suddenly, and disappear again just as quickly. Be prepared to move like lightning near February 7th, when a Solar Eclipse helps you find a job related to broadcasting, electronics, or research. Work that involves film, health care, or shipping is also favoured. A windfall in the form of an inheritance, insurance payment, alimony cheque, or prize winning could arrive in the two weeks following August 1st. Be prepared for a source of earned income to dry up after the Lunar Eclipse on August 16th.

Luck:

2008 may prove to be one of the luckiest years of your entire life. There's never been a better time to enter contests of skill, promote your ideas, and challenge authority. Horizon widening opportunities involving education and travel will be especially lucky. You might also get a chance to build a lasting institution, design a home, or run for political office. Ultimately, you can find success in virtually anything you try, as people will be very receptive to your ideas. Don't take your good luck for granted, however. Like Cinderella, your glass coach will turn to a pumpkin once 2009 rolls around!

Capricorn - Your year ahead : Part I

2008-06-27T21:52:00.000-07:00

Life:

For the past few years, spiritual matters have transformed the way you look at life. Perhaps you've felt isolated from the rest of the world. Maybe you've been searching for the meaning of life. It's even possible that contact with prisons, hospitals, or government bureaucracies have prompted you to lobby for humanitarian changes to these institutions. While this phase has been rewarding, it's also been exhausting. Happily, 2008 begins a new chapter for you. You'll be able to assert your authority more readily. Instead of asking permission, you will put plans into action with a minimum of fuss. Coming to terms with life and death issues will make you a stronger, more confident person. Welcome to a whole new you!

Love:

Your wit, charm, and good looks are sure to attract admirers wherever you go between January 25th and February 17th. If you don't have a lover, you could easily find one between May 1st and May 24th. Someone with a beautiful voice could captivate you at a garden, gourmet restaurant, or bank. If you already have a lover, offer a beautiful token of your affection during this blissful period. A romantic vacation is favoured from August 7th to August 30th; you could have an especially good time in a place that affords lots of natural beauty, like Tuscany, the Napa Valley, or Provence. November 13th through to December 7th gives you another opportunity to realise the full power of your considerable sex appeal.

Love & Hate

2008-06-26T06:25:00.000-07:00

THERE’S A THIN LINE BETWEEN LOVE & HATE,

THAT LINE DIRECTION IS SEALED BY FAITH...
THE LOVE YOU FEEL MAY NEVER BE SEEN,

CAUSE THE ONE YOUR LOVING THINKS YOUR MEAN...
IS LOVE HATE, OR IS HATE LOVE?

THIS IS OFTEN A QUESTIONED

BUT NEVER MENTION...
I LOVE THEM WITH ALL MY HEART,

BUT SOMETIMES THAT LOVE HAS TORN ME APART...
THE HATE THEY GAVE ME CAN’T BE MISTAKEN,

IT ALONE CAN ONLY CAUSE ME TO RECKON...
RECKON WHERE DID I GO WRONG,

THEN WONDERING HOW TO HELP US GET ALONG...
THERE’S A THIN LINE, I NOW KNOW IT’S TRUE,

BUT DOES ANYONE KNOW JUST WHAT TO DO...
WHEN YOU CARE SO MUCH THAT IT MAKES YOU HATE,

THEN START TO BELIEVE THAT YOU MADE A MISTAKE...
FOR LOVE SHOULD NEVER BE TURN TO HATE,

BECAUSE HATRED IS TRULY A LIVING MISTAKE....
Poem written by: Ticara

The Chemistry of Love

2008-06-22T04:55:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of chemicals racing around your brain and body when you're in love. Researchers are gradually learning more and more about the roles they play both when we are falling in love and when we're in long-term relationships. Of course, estrogen and testosterone play a role in the sex drive area (see How Sex Works). Without them, we might never venture into the "real love" arena.

That initial giddiness that comes when we're first falling in love includes a racing heart, flushed skin and sweaty palms. Researchers say this is due to the dopamine, norepinephrine and phenylethylamine we're releasing. Dopamine is thought to be the "pleasure chemical," producing a feeling of bliss. Norepinephrine is similar to adrenaline and produces the racing heart and excitement. According to Helen Fisher, anthropologist and well-known love researcher from Rutgers University, together these two chemicals produce elation, intense energy, sleeplessness, craving, loss of appetite and focused attention. She also says, "The human body releases the cocktail of love rapture only when certain conditions are met and ... men more readily produce it than women, because of their more visual nature."

Researchers are using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to watch people's brains when they look at a photograph of their object of affection. According to Helen Fisher, a well-known love researcher and an anthropologist at Rutgers University, what they see in those scans during that "crazed, can't-think-of-anything-but stage of romance" -- the attraction stage -- is the biological drive to focus on one person. The scans showed increased blood flow in areas of the brain with high concentrations of receptors for dopamine -- associated with states of euphoria, craving and addiction. High levels of dopamine are also associated with norepinephrine, which heightens attention, short-term memory, hyperactivity, sleeplessness and goal-oriented behavior. In other words, couples in this stage of love focus intently on the relationship and often on little else.

Another possible explanation for the intense focus and idealizing view that occurs in the attraction stage comes from researchers at University College London. They discovered that people in love have lower levels of serotonin and also that neural circuits associated with the way we assess others are suppressed. These lower serotonin levels are the same as those found in people with obsessive-compulsive disorders, possibly explaining why those in love "obsess" about their partner.

Types/Stages of Love: Lust and Attraction

2008-06-21T14:57:00.000-07:00

There are three distinct types or stages of "love":

Lust, or erotic passion

Attraction, or romantic passion

Attachment, or commitment

When all three of these happen with the same person, you have a very strong bond. Sometimes, however, the one we lust after isn't the one we're actually in love with.

Lust

When we're teenagers, just after puberty, estrogen and testosterone become active in our bodies for the first time and create the desire to experience "love." These desires, a.k.a. lust, play a big role both during puberty and throughout our lives. According to an article by Lisa Diamond, entitled "Love and Sexual Desire" (Current Directions in Psychological Science, vol 13 no. 3), lust and romantic love are two different things caused by different underlying substrates. Lust evolved for the purpose of sexual mating, while romantic love evolved because of the need for infant/child bonding. So even though we often experience lust for our romantic partner, sometimes we don't -- and that's okay. Or, maybe we do, but we also lust after someone else. According to Dr. Diamond, that's normal.
Sexologist John Money draws the line between love and lust in this way: "Love exists above the belt, lust below. Love is lyrical. Lust is lewd."
Pheromones, looks and our own learned predispositions for what we look for in a mate play an important role in whom we lust after, as well. Without lust, we might never find that special someone. But, while lust keeps us "looking around," it is our desire for romance that leads us to attraction.

Attraction

While the initial feelings may (or may not) come from lust, what happens next -- if the relationship is to progress -- is attraction. When attraction, or romantic passion, comes into play, we often lose our ability to think rationally -- at least when it comes to the object of our attraction. The old saying "love is blind" is really accurate in this stage. We are often oblivious to any flaws our partner might have. We idealize them and can't get them off our minds. This overwhelming preoccupation and drive is part of our biology. We'll go deeper into the chemicals involved in attraction in The Chemistry of Love. In this stage, couples spend many hours getting to know each other. If this attraction remains strong and is felt by both of them, then they usually enter the third stage: attachment. HAPPILY MARRIED EVER AFTER...

Kanye Booed at Bonnaroo

2008-06-16T15:53:00.000-07:00

by:Josh Grossberg

The Bonnaroo boobirds were out in full force for Kanye West this weekend.

The Grammy winner walked onto the festival stage nearly two hours past his scheduled 2:45 a.m. performance time Sunday morning and was greated by bleary-eyed fans' chorus of boos and chants of "Kanye sucks."

West was originally set to kick things off at 8:15 p.m., but because he wanted to make the most of his Glow-in-the-Dark Tour's lighting show, the hip-hopster's camp asked to push back the gig to 2:45 a.m. following Pearl Jam's show.

However, the Seattle grunge rockers' gig lasted an hour longer than planned, with Eddie Vedder and bandmates not wrapping until 1:15 a.m. Then there was an extended break while Pearl Jam's roadies disassembled the band's stage and West's crew set up his own elaborate backdrop, a glow-in-the-dark spaceship along with undulating black platform and raised video screen.

Organizers posted a message via Jumbotron that the "Can't Tell Me Nothing" rapper wouldn't be taking the stage until 3:15 a.m., then 3:30. When 4:15 a.m. rolled around and still no West, the antsy crowd began hurling glow sticks at the stage and screaming anti-West sentiments. Bonnaroo officials didn't help the matter, not informing festivalgoers why the changeover was taking so long.

West finally made his entrace at 4:30 a.m., but by then, many exhausted attendees had had enough and returned to their tents.

Apparently, they didn't miss too much.

Judging by online reviews, West's performance didn't stand out from the 150 acts performing at the four-day musical campout. In fact, it was a yawner.

"He was two hours late, cut his show short, didn't once acknowlegde the crowd that waited two hours on an already late show, not even a wave goodbye...I'm no longer a Kanye fan, huge disappointment," one fan wrote at the music blog Stereogum.com.

"It's not the stage hands' fault; that stage was set up for well over an hour before Kanye decided to grace us with his presence," wrote another attendee on VillageVoice.com. "The next time he holds that finger up and proclaims himself as #1, I hope someone tells him what he can do with that finger."

Per festival reports, West failed to even acknowledge his tardiness.

The bad vibes carried over to Sunday's daytime slate, when during his set pedal-steel guitar virtuoso Robert Randolph groused about West's behavior, prompting fans to reprise the "Kanye sucks" chant.

What Makes us Fall in Love?

2008-06-13T10:50:00.000-07:00

We all have a template for the ideal partner buried somewhere in our subconscious. It is this love map that decides which person in that crowded room catches our eye. But how is this template formed?

Appearance

Many researchers have speculated that we tend to go for members of the opposite sex who remind us of our parents. Some have even found that we tend to be attracted to those who remind us of ourselves. In fact, cognitive psychologist David Perrett, at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, did an experiment in which he morphed a digitized photo of the subject's own face into a face of the opposite sex. Then, he had the subject select from a series of photos which one he or she found most attractive. According to Dr. Perrett, his subjects always preferred the morphed version of their own face (and they didn't recognize it as their own).

Personality

Like appearance, we tend to form preferences for those who remind us of our parents (or others close to us through childhood) because of their personality, sense of humor, likes and dislikes, etc.

Pheromones

The debated topic of human pheromones still carries some weight in the field of love research. The word "pheromone" comes from the Greek words pherein and hormone, meaning "excitement carrier".
In the animal world, pheromones are individual scent "prints" found in urine or sweat that dictate sexual behavior and attract the opposite sex. They help animals identify each other and choose a mate with an immune system different enough from their own to ensure healthy offspring. They have a special organ in their noses called the vomeronasal organ (VNO) that detects this odorless chemical.
The existence of human pheromones was discovered in 1986 by scientists at the Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia and its counterpart in France. They found these chemicals in human sweat. A human VNO has also been found in some, but not all, people. Even if the VNO isn't present in all of us -- and may not be working in those who do have it -- there is still evidence that smell is an important aspect of love (note the booming perfume industry). An experiment was conducted where a group of females smelled the unwashed tee shirts of a group of sweaty males, and each had to select the one to whom she was most "attracted." Just like in the animal world, the majority of the females chose a shirt from the male whose immune system was the most different from their own.