A Spa Resort Weekend Break

A Weekend break is always a good idea for welcoming relief to rest a little from hard work and everyday life in the city. Many chose to ease themselves from the accumulated stress, time managed life and pressure that has built up during the weeks that have passed.

A typical Spa Weekend break will usually mean that you will be spending Friday night to Saturday afternoon/Sunday morning in a hotel or beach resort. These are typically the destination spots of travelers as it is here where you could relax without traces of busy, hectic city life. You can stay the weekend in hotels and beach resort because their relaxed and comfortable environment would ease out all your worries and strains from work; albeit temporarily for just a few days.

A perfect weekend break will include some treatments in the spa center, some for beauty and some for health, like energizing massages that will relax the body and increase the blood flow. Many of the spa resorts have large gardens and areas you can take long walks, spend quality minutes together with your significant other, and reflect on your life in a way that your busy everyday does not allow you. Naturally you will also find a lot of find restaurants and healthy dinning that can also be used to spoil yourself with the simple pleasures of life.

Today, resorts and hotels have changed for the better adding luxury and convenient edifices such as a spa room for the travelers to even enjoy their weekend breaks to a maximum. A spa break is today's what most would look for because it not only takes off your strain and stress during the weeks of working but eases out your anger and depression as well from your different encounters in life.

Although a spa weekend break could be costly, you can locate the kind of spa center or hotel/resort with spa services that would fit your budget. Spa weekend breaks are offered in different kinds of services which practically everyone could afford as prices vary depending on the location and kind of services. Locations also vary and depending on your requirement you could avail the treatment and service through a health spa centers, spa resorts, and health spa farms.

If you are going to take the weekend off in a spa center or resort, make sure you have researched enough so you can pick the right location which would cater to your specific need and preference. You can also bring along your children, as today there are spa centers that cater to younger tots. This way, not only you could cap the weekend away with relaxing and energizing moments but your child also could take a break away from his stressful school weekdays.

I have not really tried one of these...

Essential Fats

Did you know that some fats are essential to the body? Yes, there are some fats that our body cannot produce which means that we must get them from our food. Perhaps you've heard of omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. These are both considered essential and must be supplied by the foods we eat.

What do they do? Well, the omega-3 fatty acid, for example is used for the production of healthy cell membranes and for the production of a class of hormones called prostaglandins. You know how aspirin and acetominophen are anti-inflammatories? So are the prostaglandins that our bodies produce from omega-3 fatty acids.

Now, we need the omega-3's and the omega-6's to be in the proper combination to be most effective to us. Empirical evidence shows that the proper ratio is about 4:1 between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. What do you suppose our average diet gives us? About a 20:1 and up to a 40:1 ratio; not even close to the optimal ratio.

Why is the balance so out of whack? Well, our normal diets are rich in omega-6 fatty acids. We get them from meats, dairy products, and processed foods. We eat a lot of those foods on average. We get omega-3 fatty acids from certain vegetable oils such as flaxseed, canola, and soybean. And we get omega-3 fatty acids from cold-water fish such as mackerel, sardines, salmon, and tuna.

Eat more fish! You've heard that said before, and now you know why.

Especially the salmon. It is especially rich in the beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon , or any of the other omega-3 rich fish (but what tastes better than good salmon?) should be consumed at least once a week.

In order to get the omega-6 vs. omega-3 ratio in order, decrease your consumption of the saturated fat from meats and dairy products and increase your consumption of fish such as salmon.

Do you know how else you will benefit from increased consumption of omega-3 fatty acids? Your cholesterol level will improve. You see, the essential omega-3 fatty acids have the ability to help decrease your total cholesterol and your LDL cholesterol level. The LDL cholesterol is the so-called bad cholesterol. So you will improve your cholesterol levels by adding a better balance of omega-3 fatty acids to your diet. Not surprisingly, the omega-3 fatty acids can be heart healthy. Several diseases show improvement when patients increase their intake of these essential fats.

Eat well, take appropriate supplements, and stay healthy.

Beauty Sleep - Is It A Dream?

As women we know that a lack of sleep leaves us irritable; however most of us are unaware of the damage it may be doing to our skin? Besides being an essential component of a healthy lifestyle, getting 8 hours of sleep per night helps improve the texture and the luminosity of our skin. During the night the skin is restored from the harmful effects of daily stress. When we do not get the required sleep our skin suffers. This is especially noticeable in the fragile skin under the eyes. The under eye area is almost fifty percent thinner than the skin on the face. Sleepless nights leaves behind fine lines, dark circles or puffy bags. Cosmetic treatments can soften the effects of sleep deprivation but preventive medicine is the best cure. Eye treatments are limited in their ability and cannot reverse the stress that a lack of sleep will do to the skin.

Sleep experts say that we need 8 hours of sleep per night. However, the latest research shows that women average 6 hours and forty minutes of sleep during the week and 7 hours on the weekend. Besides the extra work that women have to contend with (helping with homework, laundry, cooking, etc.) and the many concerns that keep them from sleep, women are also be kept awake by - small children who wake during the night, teenagers coming home late, aging parents who get up during the night.

What can we do to sleep more peacefully and longer? Here are some hints:

1. Eliminate noise from your bedroom. Bedroom sounds should be low and consistent. Try earplugs.
2. Keep your room dark by using dark fabric on your windows. If that is not possible, try eyeshades.
3. The temperature of the room should be cool.
4. A relaxing bath before you go to bed will induce sleep.
5. Set a schedule to arise, no matter what time you went to bed the night before.
6. Turn your clock so you can't see the time if you wake up in the middle of the night.
7. Keep TV's and computers out of the bedroom, make it a place just for sleep and sex.
8. Get a queen-size mattress if you don't sleep alone. We need room to move.
9. Avoid alcohol before sleeping. While alcohol may help us fall asleep, it will also wake us in the middle of the night.
10. Avoid nicotine before going to bed because it is a stimulant.
11. Don' go to bed hungry or overly full. Have a snack early in the night.
12. Watch your coffee intake. Caffeine from coffee, tea, cola and chocolate can affect you for up to twelve hours.
13. If you fret during the night or if you think of something that you must do the next day, write it down so you can deal with it in the morning.
14. Try natural-fill pillows such as down or feather because they have the most adjustability. If you suffer from back pain put a pillow between your knees for a more comfortable sleep.

Happy Sleeping!!!!!

Exercise Balls

Exercise balls have become so popular that most fitness centers now offer hour-long classes using them.

We have some very high quality exercise balls with great accessories to keep your workout fun, challenging and dynamic. Many of them come with videos and/or instructional material to help you maximize your results.

It may look easy, but even elite athletes are using them to make run-of-the-mill exercises more challenging.

When you use a swiss ball to do crunches, for example, you're using more than just the abdominis rectus. Many other muscles have to help out, acting as stabilizers, and this makes the exercise much more powerful and effective than if you were on a mat doing simple crunches. The same goes for an endless list of traditional exercises. The exercise ball really is a great innovation to the fitness industry.

Here are a few benefits you can get from spending a half-hour a day working with an exercise ball:

• Develop muscle tone all over. When you're training one muscle group, another is helping to maintain balance, so you become toned up pretty quickly.
• Improve your flexibility. There are some great stretches you can do - especially for your back and abdominal region. When you limber yourself up, you feel taller and thinner.
• Make yourself more graceful. Working with a exercise balls trains you to balance yourself while you're in motion, a skill that really shows in every movement you make.
• Really work your body's core. Few fitness devices offer such effective exercises to tone the deeper abdominal muscles.
• Work at your own pace, to maximize your progress. Everything you do with an exercise ball can be modified to make it more or less difficult.

Exercise balls come in a variety of sizes, to accommodate people of different heights. Wherever necessary, we provide charts to help you choose the right size.

Article courtesy of Ideal Fitness, Inc. Visit them at www.shapeupshop.com.

The Top Ten Things You Dont Want to Hear About Losing Weight

(But What You Need to Know if You Want to Get Fit!)

10) No, you won't end up looking like the latest hot young model/singer/actress!

Let's face it: your body is your body. It's the only one you've got. Can you still look great? Sure! But there are some things you can't change. You can't make your legs longer or your feet smaller. You can't grow five inches or elongate your torso. You have what you have, so work with it! Concentrate on making a healthy and fit you instead of wishing you looked like someone else. You don't have to be perfect to be attractive. A strong, fit body as well as the self-confidence it brings can make any person attractive!

9) It's better to be muscular and weigh more than to be flabby and weigh less.

I've said it so many times: I'd much rather be 135lbs and muscular than 120lbs and flabby. I've been both, and 135lbs with a lower percent of body fat was definitely better! I was smaller, stronger and had much more energy. So, don't always seek that magical number on the scale, but look at your total body composition instead.

8) You can't get fit in a week.

Okay, well, you can, but only if you're one week away from being in peak condition and you keep working out. Otherwise, forget about it! If you want to look good for that class reunion or because you'll be in a bikini soon, then get moving way before that. Or better yet, get moving for your own health and not for "things" like reunions and bikinis.

7) You need to put some effort into it.

You want to get fit? You have to work at it. You have to plan it, you have to schedule it, and, most importantly, you have to do it. No excuses. Sitting on the couch, telling yourself you should be doing something will not burn up a lot of calories. If nothing else, get out there and start walking. And while you're out there walking think about a plan of action for a healthier you and get started on it today ? not tomorrow!

6) You need to exercise.

Can you lose weight just by diet alone? Sure, you can! But if you want to get fit, you need to exercise those muscles, including your heart. And that heart won't get any exercise if you're sitting on the couch, eating broccoli. Lose the weight that you need to lose and you'll just end up with a thin, but flabby, body. Get moving! Weight training is ideal, but if you're really not into weight training, find an activity you like to do that work all your major muscle groups.

5) You need to eat properly.

Putting aside any low carb/low fat/high protein controversies, the simple fact is, if you want a fit body, you need to nourish it. Protein, carbs and fat are important, but vitamins and minerals are key elements that your body needs, too. No matter what way of eating you're following make sure you're getting enough vitamins and minerals. Add a variety of fresh vegetables and fruit to your diet. The next time you go grocery shopping, linger around the produce section and not only pick out some old favorites, but experiment a little by trying something new!

4) You can't lose weight overnight.

You didn't gain it overnight -- or in two months -- and you're not going to lose it overnight -- or in two months. Think of getting fit as a train leaving the station: you start off slow, gather speed and then off you go! Patience is the key here. Look for consistent trends. If you're really not losing fat and getting stronger after a couple of months, then you need to sit down and honestly analyze what you're doing. Keep a journal to help you know how you're really eating and exercising.

3) You can't spot reduce.

Genetics will decide where the fat will come off. Doing 1000 crunches won't reduce your belly fat. Nor will 1000 leg lifts get rid of the fat on your inner thighs. Your body does not burn the fat it needs from the body part that you're exercising. Your body will burn fat much like an onion is peeled, a layer at a time, if you will. So, don't overdo it on the exercise for one specific body part and look to getting your whole body in shape.

2) There are no quick fixes.

That's right, you heard me. There are no quick fixes. None. Put all those pills, potions, contraptions and miracle diets in the garbage where they belong. Learn the basics about how your body gains muscle and loses fat, so you won't get sucked in by another scam again.

1) Fitness is a lifelong commitment!

So, you faithfully work out and eat properly and you've reached your goals. Now what? Well, now you've got to keep doing it for the rest of your life, that's what! You can't just work your way to being fit and then stop, because you'll end up exactly like you were before. Fitness is a lifelong commitment. And, you want to know a secret? It isn't easy! And anyone who says it is easy is trying to sell you something. Make fitness a lifelong ambition and you'll reap the rewards of a long and healthy life, filled with energy, strength and an overall sense of well being.

Is Blogging For You? Take This Quick Quiz

What Is A Blog Anyway?

The word 'blog' is a shortened version of 'web blog'. A 'web log' just means a log or diary-type entry on the web. So if you were away travelling on a round the world trip you might post a diary on a website so your friends and family could keep up to date with your progress. On this online diary, or 'web blog' you might also post photos for your friends and family to view.

And so - the BLOG was born. And it's really nothing more than that - a collection of thoughts and information from one individual to be read and seen by others.

So What Makes A Blog Different To A Website?

A blog is more immediate and informal. A blog doesn't have a homepage as such - it just has blog entries or 'posts'. The author or 'blogger' makes regular posts into the blog that are archived as new ones are added.

The main difference between a website and a blog is that a blog is designed to be added to much more frequently than a website. Some blogs are added to by their authors once a day or more! But it has to be said that such bloggers are in the minority.

**Is Blogging For You?

Well, it provides you with a unique opportunity to keep in close contact with a specific group of people. The CEO of a company may choose to launch a blog to keep in touch with staff members and shareholders. As a business-owner you might want to start a blog to let your customers or suppliers know what is happening in your business.

Blogs are not for everyone, so here's a few key questions to ask yourself.

** Question 1

Do you want to keep in close contact, on a one-to-one basis with a specific group of individuals?

** Question 2

Do you have the time to add a new and valuable information to your blog at least once a week? (Or can you pay someone to do this on your behalf?)

** Question 3

Do you find that people are always coming to you wanting more information about your product or services and that maybe posting regular updates on the Internet about this might free up your time to be spent on other activities?

** Question 4

Are you offering information products or services that you can provide 'tasters' of in a blog?

If you find yourself answering yes to most of these question then you should seriously consider starting your very own blog.

It's A Gut Feel Thing

Ultimately the decision comes down to whether you have things to say to others on a one-to-one basis. Unlike many websites you see out there, a blog is very much a person-to-person experience. A corporate blog wouldn't really work unless you had a face and name that people could put to all the posts.

It's also worth noting that a blog can be a two-way communication tool. Most of the blog software available includes options for readers to be able to post comments in response to what has been written. This can be an excellent marketing and research tool for your business if handled in the right way.

Whatever you do - don't take the decision to start a blog lightly. It can be a big commitment and once you've started out on that road there's no going back. People will be regularly checking your blog after you've publicised it and the pressure is then on to deliver readable material on a regular basis.

Quake shakes up the Net

By H. AMIR KHALID
amirk@thestar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: No Gmail, no Yahoo!, no blogs.

Malaysian Internet users woke up yesterday morning to a crawl on the so-called information superhighway that would have rivalled KL’s infamous traffic jams.

Local access to Internet services and websites hosted overseas came to a practical standstill after international links were disrupted by the earthquake that struck southern Taiwan on Tuesday night.

The earthquake damaged submarine cables that form part of the region-wide Asia Pacific Cable Network 2 (APCN 2), disrupting voice and Internet communications over much of Asia.

APCN 2 is a 19,000km-long fibre-optic cable network linking Japan, South Korea, China, Malaysia, Singapore, the United States, Europe and Australia.

The network has been up since October 2002 and is jointly operated by 26 Asian telecommunications carriers, including TM Bhd.

The damaged links are between Shantou (China) and Tanshui (Taiwan), and, Lantau (Hong Kong) and Chongming (China).

Internet service provider (ISP) Jaring said the disruption started at 3.45am yesterday, and warned users to expect congestion to and from overseas websites during peak hours.

TM Net said in a statement the disruption caused outages to several of its international transit and peering links.

The ISP said Malaysian Internet users would experience “some delay” in accessing content and websites hosted overseas, especially in the United States, Japan, China, Taiwan, South Korea and Europe.

Action is being taken to reduce traffic congestion by diverting traffic through backup links, it added.

TM Net made no estimate of how long it would take to restore normal access but wire reports, quoting other service providers in the region, said repairs to the damaged cables could take several weeks.

ISPs in several Asian countries also reported slow Internet traffic. Some regional telephony services have also been affected.

Most of the affected carriers said they were arranging al-ternative routes for their data, Internet and voice-call traffic.

Meanwhile, TM Net customers can call its Customer Interaction Centre at 1-300-88-9515 anytime, or 1-300-88-1515 between 8am and midnight, or e-mail custcare@tm.net.my.

There are an estimated 11 million Internet users in the country.

Related stories:
Bloggers feeling deprived after access throttled
Surf’s out for tourists trying to check e-mail
Asia markets shrug off quake
Mixed reaction to Taiwan quake

Internet access to overseas websites disrupted

Wednesday December 27, 2006

Internet access to overseas websites disrupted

PETALING JAYA: Local Internet access to overseas websites came to a crawl Wednesday after international links were disrupted by the earthquake in southern Taiwan.

Internet service provider (ISP) Jaring said the disruption started at about 3.45am Wednesday, and warned users to expect congestion to and from overseas websites during peak hours.

Internet service provider TM Net said the earthquake caused a fault on Asia Pacific Cable Network 2 links between Shantou, China and Tanshui, Taiwan, and between Lantau in Hong Kong and Chongming, China.

The disruption has caused outages to several TM Net international transit and peering links.

TM Net said Malaysian Internet users may experience some delay in accessing content and websites hosted overseas, especially in the United States, Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea and Europe.

Action is being taken to reduce traffic congestion by diverting traffic through backup links, it added.

TM Net customers can call 1-300-88-9515 or e-mail custcare@tm.net.my for further enquiries.

Related story
Communications cut off after powerful earthquake strikes southern Taiwan

Dhoom Machale and Crazy Kiya Re

My first attempt to share Bollywood videos with you folks. This is from the movie Dhoom2. Enjoy!

How to Turn New Years Resolutions into New Year?s Results

Are you ready to learn how to finally turn your New Year's resolutions into New Year's results? The key word here is "new", because you want to create "new" results. You must analyze your old year that has passed and your future, which means do not think "re-run/replay" instead think about forging forward into the New Year. In order to create "New Year" results, you must decide to analyze, develop and implement new action steps.

Invest about 60 minutes of uninterrupted time analyzing the last 12 months of your life. Examine exactly what you did over the last 365 days to create the results that you have now. Don't worry about these results and don't complain about them either. Simply analyze them and understand that you are exactly where you are today because of your actions over the past year.

That's right, your actions created your results in 2004. Your actions turned into personal decisions that produced the results that your are experiencing. Now, are you satisfied with your results in 2004? If not, then how do you turn your New Year's resolutions into results? You must implement *NEW* action steps.

Revelation:

New actions steps will create new decisions that will finally turn resolutions into New Results!

Analyze what you did every day to develop these new action steps. Look at your business. How large is your business? Have you prospected enough? Have you attended enough seminars? Have you invested enough money into personal self development? Are you a member of the motivational club? Have you taken advantage of all that's available for you to produce the results that you desire?

If you are not happy with your results from 2004, then just imagine where you will be at the end of 2005 if you continue to take the same actions and make the same decisions. It doesn't matter what kind of resolutions you make if you don't develop NEW daily action steps.

I challenge you to forget about those New Year's Resolutions; instead, analyze last year's results then develop and implement New Daily Actions that will lead to *New Decisions and produce New Results* for your New Year!

Sweet and Sour Pork

Sweet & Sour Pork is the most well known Chinese food abroad. According to a Cantonese chef, the primitive or the authentic cooking method of the dish is to add Cantonese pickled vegetables. When cooking, simply saut� the pickled vegetables along with the deep fried pork. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to find Cantonese pickled vegetables, so here I'll be pleased to introduce everyone a Sweet & Sour Pork recipe without the pickled vegetables but still tastes as delicious.

Ingredients:

a). For step 1 & 3:

• 300g (10 oz) pork tenderloin
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1/2 tablespoon cooking wine
• ginger juice
• cornstarch

b). For step 4 & 5:

• 1 small bamboo shoot
• 2 dried mushrooms (soaked)
• 1 small onion
• 1 small carrot
• 1 green pepper
• 2 slices pineapple
• 1 clove garlic
• 3 tablespoons oil

c). Seasonings for step 5:

• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 6 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup soup stock
• dash of monosodium glutamate

d). For step 6:

• 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons vinegar

Method:

Cut pork into bite size cubes

Marinate pork in soy sauce, wine, ginger juice for 15 minutes.

Add cornstarch. Coat pork with starch. Fry in 370�F oil till crisp. Drain.

Thin slice bamboo shoot. Cut pineapple in 6 sections. Slice mushrooms. Cut onion and green pepper in 8 sections. Slice carrot and cut into flower pattern for interesting look.

Heat oil. Add garlic, onion, mushroom, bamboo shoot, green pepper. Fry quickly. Add seasonings and soup stock from c). Bring to boil.

Thicken with cornstarch mixed with water. Add vinegar, Add fried pork, pineapple. Mix well. Serve while hot.

Cooking time: 40 minutes

Nutritional information:
Yield: 4 servings
Each serving provides:
Calories: 422.3
Protein: 18.1 g

Note: You may freely republish this recipe as long as author bio and active hyperlinks are kept intact. Thank you.

Jacklyn Chen - Webmaster of news-blogs.com, satellite info, and emobile-news.com. She is a full time mom who works very hard to make living with multiple web sites. For more information and articles about fine living, visit fine-living.news-blogs.com

Lighted Potpourri Jars

Lighted potpourri jars are a festive addition to any holiday decor. They are inexpensive, easy to make, and make great hostess gifts.

SUPPLIES:

1 package Christmas lights (20-bulb strand)
Wide-mouth canning jar
Potpourri
Holiday ribbon
Pinecones, small holiday decorations
Doily or holiday fabric cut to fit over the mouth of the
canning jar
Glue gun

DIRECTIONS:

Plug in light strand and see if any bulbs are burned out and need to be replaced. Arrange light strand and potpourri in canning jar while lights are on so you'll be able to get it just right and be able to see what it will look like when it's finished.

Place doily or fabric on top of jar, arranging the cord of the light strand so it's coming out where you want the back to be. Tie some ribbon around the neck of the jar to hold the fabric in place. When you get it arranged the way you like it, use the hot glue gun to glue the fabric and ribbon down in several places so it will hold.

Decorate the outside of the jar with festive decorations like pine cones or artificial holly berries. Craft stores have a variety of holiday decorations you can cut apart and re-arrange any way you like.

Experiment with different potpourri scents. The lights in the jar will warm up the potpourri and help the scent fill the room. These jars are very pretty and will look different depending on if you use clear or colored lights. These are great for last-minute present ideas or hostess gifts.

Coffee - Is It The Most Popular Beverage Of All Time?

Around 850 A.D it is thought that a lone shepherd and his sheep happened upon a strange and mysterious plant growing upon a secluded and forgotten hillside. Before he could stop them some of his herd had began to gnaw away at this unusual berry. After about fifteen minutes or so the herder started to notice that his sheep were behaving in an odd manner. Not only were they unusually alert but they also appeared to be extremely hyperactive. Now being a little weary and extremely tired the shepherd decided to try the berries and see if the end results would be the same for him as they had been for his flock. To his pleasant surprise the shepherd began to feel wide awake and he too became very alert. After a few hours had passed along came a wandering monk who, after being informed of the plants amazing qualities proceeded to scold the poor shepherd and lecture him on his foolish indulgence. After he had finished telling the shepherd just what a sinner he had been the monk set upon his journey but not before he had added a little something to his backpack and supplies.

Back at the abbey the monks decided to try this new magical stimulant. Soon the endless hours of praying became easy to endure. Coffee the beverage had been unleashed. Its widespread use first took hold in the Ethiopian regions before then moving on to the Arabian empire. Here it was to be held for many years as a sacred substance until it was illegally exported to the outside world by an Arab called Baba Budan. Word of its effects then began to spread and in a short while coffee was to become one of the most treasured commodities in our history. Today we drink a staggering 4 billion cups each and every year and there are many among us who would simply refuse to start our day without it.

Although coffee is mainly known as a sleep suppressant there are those who consider coffee to have many health benefits. It is thought that people who suffer from asthma and partake of the beverage have at least 25% less symptoms which may be due to a substance in coffee called theophylline. This is known as a bronchodilator and quite simply it is thought to help those who suffer with the disease to breath with a little more ease. Drinking coffee on a daily basis is also thought to help lower your chances of developing colon cancer by a figure also in the region of about 25%. This may be due to the fact that coffee helps to keep you regular. Coffee can do more than just help you get through your day.

Apart from the benefits that have just been mentioned it has to be said that simply drinking coffee as a beverage is a delight that cannot easily be surpassed. The amazing thing is that the average person has no idea of the varied tastes that this hallowed bean has to offer. One of the growing trends of recent years has to be the rising popularity of ordering coffee via the wonder we call the internet. Never before have we been able to sample such a wide variety of tastes, blends and aromas without having to endure the tedious trials of hiking around the city. I myself tend to place small orders but I always make a point to record the name, blend and of course exactly from whom I purchased.

Now that you are aware of the tale of the mystical beans I hope that if in the days to come you are considering visiting your local coffee shop you recall the story of the lowly shepherd and think about just what you might be drinking were he not to have wandered onto that bleak and lonely hillside. Why not take advantage of the internet and try the many different varieties and blends available. Not only will you impress your tastebuds, your friends will be grateful as well.

Cappuccino or latte?

Bollywood Fashion

Besides the movies, another thing that captivated my heart and yes, eyes are the very, very beautiful sarees and suits from Bollywood. The colours and sequins are so alluring!


According to a fashion catalogue, this suit here is called Hot Pink Pure Georgette Choli Suit. Though I may not not have the body shape to carry that off to such a gorgeous post, I can just imagine the brilliance of this suit at a formal wedding reception dinner or any of such former gatherings.


I am no fashion editor nor writer but I just want to share some of my passion for Bollywood fashion here. Nevertheless, the next ones called Salwar Kameez Suits are indeed what I wear in real life these days. Depending on the type of material and print, these Salwar Kameez Suits can be worn elegantly for formal occassions and with dignity even for the not so formal outings. These days, Bollywood is experimenting with the length of the "blouse" or Kameez. And Bollywood is also trying something new with the Salwar or "pants" of the suits.

My car was stolen :-(

***This account is related in the first person by Serena-blog owner.

About 5 days ago, my car, Proton Iswara WKA 3117 of about 5 year old was stolen. Yeah, right inside the apartment compound. When my husband first went to the carpark and couldn't find the car, his first thought was, "Hey, did I park the car somewhere else?" Then realization dawned on him that the car is missing, gone, zilch--STOLEN! Then he came back to the apartment and calmly informed me. "Darling, I think you know what has happened..." And yes, he was right. My first guessed hit the nail on its head. The car is gone. I was a little shocked and jolted literally from bed. So we gathered our thoughts for a while on what to do next.

We need to make a police report about missing car suspected of being stolen- well, that is what the report said later. Then we need to inform the insurance company. That took up almost half the day.

However, it was the reaction from friends and family that made the whole incident err...interesting though. Some were sad, shocked, experienced (as in saying calmly that the insurance will recover the loss), and there are also others that laughed (though not cynically) and pity as well.

As for me, well I now ride as a pillion rider on hubby's motorbike (photo included). Kind of enjoy the rides so far albeit the aches and pains of not being used to bike riding. My tuition classes need to be put on hold though...

Ah well...part of life!

The Importance Of Cell Phones In Modern Society

My "ancient" mobile phone-- Nokia 2650

Cell phones have become a necessity for many people throughout the world. The ability to keep in touch with family, business associates, and access to email are only a few of the reasons for the increasing importance of cell phones. Today's technically advanced cell phones are capable of not only receiving and placing phone calls, but storing data, taking pictures, and can even be used as walkie talkies, to name just a few of the available options.

When cell phones were first introduced to the public, they were bulky, expensive, and some even required a base unit that had to be transported along with the phone. Good reception was a major problem and in general, early cell phones could only be used in certain locations were the signal was particularly strong. As cell phone technology advanced, the difficult in using them became less of a problem. Today, cell phone reception has improved greatly due to the use of satellites and wireless services. As cell phones improved and became simple to use, the importance of cell phones increased accordingly.

Cell phones are the perfect way to stay connected with others and provide the user with a sense of security. In the event of emergency, having a cell phone can allow help to reach you quickly and could possibly save lives. However, the importance of cell phones goes way beyond personal safety. Modern cell phones are capable of internet access, sending and receiving photos and files, and some cell phones are equipped with GPS technology, allowing for use in most locations around the world and allowing the cell phone to be found or the user located in the event of loss or emergency.

Cell phone reception has become reliable and of high quality due to advances in wireless technology. Wireless service providers offer excellent packages and promotions for cell phone users. Finding a dependable service provider is no longer an issue for cell phone users. The expansion of the wireless service provider industry gives cell phone users a choice and the increased competition has caused a drop in prices of wireless cell phone service. The importance of cell phones goes way beyond the ability to make or receive phone calls. Cell phone users can instantly send data to the home or office, check for important email, use their cell phone as a PDA or calendar, and store photos which can be easily transferred to a PC or laptop computer.

Cell phone manufacturers have produced a wide range of cell phones, which sell for prices that range from very inexpensive to over one thousand dollars. The available options give users the choice of purchasing a basic cell phone to use simply for making calls, or choosing a complex, technologically advanced cell phone that can perform as many or even more tasks that a home computer. Over the past decade, the increasing importance of cell phones has made them almost a necessity for most people. Even remote and underdeveloped countries have some access to cell phone technology and wireless services.

The importance of cell phones has increased the competition in the wireless service provider industry, making cell phones very affordable and very easy to use. Cell phones have become almost a status symbol in addition to the convenience and security that comes from owning them.

Bollywood: Baabul

Balraj Kapoor (Amitabh Bachchan) is a rich businessman with progressive modern outlook towards life. For him, family, culture and values are of utmost importance. Shobhna (Hema Malini), his wife is more than just his better half. Together, they dote their only child Avinash (Salman Khan). For Balraj, Avinash is more of a friend than just his son. After spending many years abroad for

studies ...

Avinash then meets the pretty Millie (Rani Mukherjee) who is a painter. They fall in love and get married. They are blessed with a lovely child named Ansh. Rajat (John Abraham) a young musician and ... Balraj cannot bear to see Millie’s colourless life. He decides to find Rajat and asks him to marry Millie and help him bring back the colours back into her life. But ... Balraj Kapoor (Amitabh Bachchan) is a rich businessman with progressive modern outlook towards life.

For him, family, culture and values are of utmost importance. Shobhna (Hema Malini), his wife is more than just his better half. Together, they dote their only child Avinash (Salman Khan). For Balraj, Avinash is more of a friend than just his son. After spending many years abroad for studies ... Avinash then meets the pretty Millie (Rani Mukherjee) who is a painter. They fall in love and get married. They are blessed with a lovely child named Ansh. Rajat (John Abraham) a young musician and ... Balraj cannot bear to see Millie’s colourless life. He decides to find Rajat and asks him to marry Millie and help him bring back the colours back into her life. But ...

The official site: Baabul

Amazing costumes and stage decorations. Had to be an Indian to appreciate the storyline of a widow remarrying is against traditions though.

Fear of Rejection

Feeling uncomfortable in the stomach, cold sweaty palm, trembling of legs, losing the ability to think correctly when approaching a girl? Hate yourself for not able to overcome this problem? Oh? please do not feel so. Believe me, you are not the only one facing this problem. In fact, this is a very common problem in man. Everyone is just like you, not willing to admit it openly, having the fear of being laughed and mocked by others. But there's absolutely nothing wrong for feeling so.

Well approaching a girl, asking her out for a date isn't really as scary as you thought. For all you may know, the girl is just as or even more nervous than you. Some guys are born with the natural flair with girls while some guys are just born shy. But that doesn't mean that they can't do as good. In fact, shy men are whom most girls are looking for. It's a pity that all the good men are hiding up leaving the girls with not much of a choice but to hang out with the jerks.

So how can you overcome your fear? Well, this is something that I can't help you. You simply just got to make that first step, that very first attempt. Hmm? still feeling too nervous? Ok, perhaps we should take things a little slower. There's actually no urgent need for you to just walk up to a girl and ask her out for a date. Too sudden? You might just scare her off. But please, don't take for ages before someone else try to cut in the queue. I don't suppose you memorized your whole school textbook before going for your exams? It's the same thing, you don't need to wait till you fully overcome your fear before you approach a girl.

Hmm? anyway, I should believe that the both of you are at least like normal friends? Classmates? Colleagues or?? Whatever it is, grab any chance to get closer to her. Too shy to strike a conversation with her? Look her in the eyes, drop her a nice warm smile. Make her notice you, make her remember you, let her know that you exist! You be surprised, your eyes can actually work more wonders than to words at times. All these will eventually boost the chance of success when approaching her at a later date. She will naturally feel more comfortable with you than to be approached by a total stranger.

Ok, now that you have done all of what you can do, no more excuses from you! Stop hiding up, it's time to make your move. Now, I want you to follow very closely after me. Take a deep breathe, gather all your courage. She is sitting all alone on the bench under the tree. Slowly and steady, you walk towards her. Yes, step by step getting nearer and nearer. She turns and saw you approaching. Remember, she has seen you before, she knows who you are. Now look her in the eyes, smile at her. She greets you with her nice gentle smile. One final step, you stop in front of her. "Hi, what a coincidence to see you here", you say to her in a nice, friendly voice. "Busy with anything now? How about a little coffee together?" Smiling so sweetly at you she replies teasingly, "Your treat? Sure why not??"

Hey you still with me? Ha sorry, was just trying to play a little game of hypnosis with you. Did I fare horribly? Well anyway, it would really be so lovely if things were as what I had described? Why not? Why couldn't it be possible? You see, the problem with most people is that they always tend to create negative thoughts; creating an image of failure, an image of been rejected in their mind before things actually happen. Subconsciously, they have actually rejected themselves before anyone else could even reject them and yes, the likely chances is they will fail. Just like in soccer matches, when David Beckham scores from his spectacular free kick? If at the moment before he even lifts his feet, he was creating the image of ballooning away the ball over the goal post in his mind, you think he will score? So why not picture things the other way round, telling your mind; yourself that you are going to make it? It will definitely boosts your confidence and the chance of a success.

Hmm? hope you are feeling more comfortable and less nervous now? Well, the chance of being rejected is nonetheless still there. So what should happen if you really fail? You should learn to graciously accept the rejection. It's perfectly alright, my friend. At least you know you have tried? You finally pluck out that courage? There's nothing to feel ashamed of. Picture it this way; you are the one being approached instead. Approached by a girl that's not of your type. You would have rejected her as well, wouldn't you? But would you make fun of her, laugh and mock at her? I should believe not? Instead, you would have felt happy and thankful to her; it's just a pity that she's not your type of girl? That's exactly how the girl whom rejected you would have felt too; it's just a pity that you are not her type of guy. Nobody would be laughing at you, probably they would be admiring you for your courage instead.

Though you might be rejected but believe me, once there's a first time the rest will just come naturally. You might be sad and disappointed but once you get yourself back, you would have remembered that it wasn't as scary what you had thought. You would have probably already overcome a great deal of your fear. It's just like the first time driving out on your own after getting your license. For some unlucky ones, meeting up with a little accident. But that doesn't stop them from driving on? In fact, experiences were gained. So was confidence along the way, driving more smoothly, stepping even harder on the accelerator?

Well, rejection is part and parcel of life. It's not only in love that you get rejected. In life, you are faced with more rejections. Rejections from your work? Your boss? Your business associates? Even your own family? But that won't stop you from moving on in life?

Last but not least, there's one thing you have to accept. The fact that, you are a man! It's afterall still the guy's job to do the asking. You just gotta do it and I am sure you can do it yeah?

Rick Valens
Staff Writer
http://www.loveletterbox.com
Love Relationship Discussion Forum

By the way, I read an article about getting EVEN with an "ex" through online sites supposedly to warn other females about those philanderer types.

Bollywood: Dhoom2

Plot Summary for Dhoom 2 (2006)

Ali's (Uday Chopra) dream of becoming a police officer has come true. He is now ACP Jai Dixit's (Abhishek Bachchan) 'right hand man'. Together, they are trying to keep a tight leash on the crime in india. Little do they know what they are going to be up against. Enter Aryan - Mr. A (Hrithik Roshan) - A hi-tech international thief. After pulling off a series of impossible heists all over the world, his next target is Mumbai, India.

The case is given to ACP Jai and Ali. Helping them put the pieces of the puzzle together is ACP Shonali Bose (Bipasha Basu), Jai's college mate, now a police officer in her own right. For the last two years Shonali has been tracking these amazing thefts and is now an expert on this thief, who no one has seen. Once in Mumbai, Mr. A finds his match in Sunehri (Aishwarya Rai), a petty yet clever thief. She makes him an offer he finds very hard to refuse.

Another cool Bollywood movie I watched recently. Dhoom2 is a BLAST! Great dance and songs, lots of action. Simple entertainer kind of a movie.

Watsu or Water Dance

Watsu is a very soothing type of massage that takes place in warm, waist-deep water. Its name comes from a combination of the words “water” and “shiatsu.” It was developed by Harold Dull back in 1980, when he started applying Zen Shiatsu stretches to students floating in the warm pool at Harbin Hot Springs in California.

What Happens During a Watsu Treatment?

A spa has to have a special Watsu pool heated to the exact same temperature as your body. It should be private and quiet, like any other treatment room. Some spas have outdoors Watsu pools surrounded by walls, with cloth panels overhead to create a combination of sunlight and shade.

You and the massage therapist both wear bathing suits. You enter the water and while you sit on a step, she puts floats around your ankles. This helps your buoyancy. During Watsu the therapist literally cradles your body, with one arm supporting your knees, the other your back. One of your arms is wrapped around the therapist’s back, the other floats free.

She then twirls you through in the water, first one way then another, taking your body through a series of passive stretches and twists. Being held in the warm water is deeply relaxing.

What Are the Benefits of Watsu?

Watsu’s gentle stretches have a therapeutic effect on the body. The buoyancy and support of the water allow the spinal column to be moved in ways that aren't possible on land. Many people also find it works on an emotional level as well, promoting trust and connection.

Some people find that the first session is all about learning to trust the fact that someone is there to support you. Others are trying to overcome a fear of water. (If this is you, be sure to tell your therapist.) Others are able to fully relax and find it deeply soothing from the very first session.

For more information on Watsu or Water Dance

Music to affect mood

What can get you in the mood to work on a Monday morning? What can get you in the right frame of mind for a weekend of partying on a Friday night? And what can calm you down after a hectic nasty day when all you feel like doing is running around your house screaming like a banshee?

What can do all this? Drink? Drugs? Aromatherapy? No. The answer is music. Choose the right kind of music at the right time can really make a difference to your mood. Here are a few suggestions for artists and albums to help you feel relaxed, motivated, or euphoric and ready to dance the night away.

So, first off, relaxation. You're in your car on your way home from a pig of a day at work. The phone has never stopped, your co-workers have been a pain and you feel the mother of all headaches coming on. This is when you need a little help from Karen and Richard Carpenter. Classics like "Rainy Days and Mondays", "Yesterday Once More" and "We've Only Just Begun" are bound to chill you out and calm you down. If The Carpenters don't chill you out then why not try the classic album "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel. And if the likes of "The Boxer", "Bridge Over Troubled Water" or "The Only Living Boy in New York" doesn't chill you out, it's time for a vacation.

So Friday night finally arrives, you have a weekend of hearty partying ahead of you but you just can't get your groove on. What can you listen to that's going to get you dancing around your bathroom and strutting your funky stuff? The answer, of course, is disco music. And the best way to enjoy disco music is to buy a compliation CD that features all of the classic artists like Donna Summer, Earth Wind & Fire and Chic. For a more contemporary start to a weekend of wild partying, you could also try the wildly successful tunes of The Chemical Brothers' "Surrender" or the tunes of the ultimate superstar DJ, Fatboy Slim's "You've Come A Long Way Baby".

Finally, the hardest challenge, music to motivate on a Monday morning. What cds should you have in your car to get you buzzing and motivated for a week of work, eat, sleep, work? Answer - Heavy Metal. It might take some getting used to, but a good dose of Metallica's "...And Justice For All" will prepare you physically and mentally to face that pile of paperwork waiting for you in your office as if you were a death sports addict preparing to jump the Grand Canyon on a skateboard. If you find Metallica a little too harsh to start with, try their recent album "S&M" which is a live concert they performed with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra under the direction of film music legend Michael Kamen.

Of course, there are many other moods music can stimulate. For example, if you've just had an argument with a member of your family, I'd recommend something by Eminem.

But remember, use these tunes wisely and in appropriate circumstances. Getting down with one's bad self may be perfectly acceptable at a party, but might not go down as well at a board meeting or a funeral.

Holiday Spirit begins in You

Holidays and the start of a new year inevitably make us think about how we can improve ourselves, and have the life we want in the future. We make resolutions - I must lose weight, I will save more money - and then lose our way. That's because we aren't matching our resolutions with who we are inside. We're more likely to succeed if we work on discovering our inner, Real selves, appreciate who we already are, and then take a chance on custom-made changes, not one-size-fit all resolutions. Here are ten tips for making the new year better in a Real way.

1. Let your values be your guide -- There are plenty of people who will tell you what should be important to you, if you let them. Friends, co-workers, family, even the mass media, bombard us with opinions and ideas. Don't just accept what others say. Decide for yourself what matters most and let those values set your course.

2. Take a long-term view -- Bad habits, difficult relationships, and other disappointments don't develop overnight. Similarly, life doesn't get better in a moment. Change happens slowly, step-by-step. Have the patience to see it through.

3. Let Go of the "Shoulds" -- When you were a kid, you needed grown-ups to tell you what was right and wrong and what you should do in a given situation. As an adult you can make these choices for yourself. "Shoulds" produce resentment and anger. Instead, do what you know in your heart is right, and set your own standards.

4. Define Yourself as Beautiful -- Fewer than five percent of us believe we are beautiful, but whenever I meet someone, I can see something beautiful in her right away. You may not fit the mass media image of conventional, external beauty, but there are things that make you attractive. Remember, beauty is an inside job.

5. Let Go of Being Perfect -- As much as we hear that "nobody's perfect" it's awfully hard to believe. This is because what we constantly see in the media are air-brushed images of people who appear perfect and we come to believe it is a reasonable goal. When we fall short of perfect, then we feel like failures, just for being ourselves. This year, why not just forget that whole concept and replace it with "I don't have to be perfect." The truth is, the people who love you know that you have flaws and just don't care. You don't have to either...

6. Stop Competing -- Life is not a game to be won or lost. It is more like a dance that never ends. People who make life a competition live in fear of losing. But if you understand that there's no first prize and no finish line, only opportunities to grow and experience things, then that fear is replaced by appreciation and wonder. Try to think about growing rather than winning.

7. Try a Little Self-Empathy -- We all hope to be kind and considerate when it comes to others. But have you ever made an effort to think about yourself in the same way? Most of us spend too much time judging ourselves harshly. It's hard to be happy when you let that little voice inside you endlessly say mean and critical things.

8. Make Friends with Your Flaws -- When you stop believing in perfection, it's a lot easier to adopt a new view of those things people call flaws. In many cases, we can redefine these differences and understand them as gifts. What makes a mole a beauty mark? The answer is in your perspective. Why not adopt a perspective that honors all those things that make you different?

9. Listen to Your Body -- Many of us lead lives that are so fast-paced and stressful that we push ourselves to the point of getting sick. In most cases, our bodies send us signals -fatigue, aches, hungers - when it's time to slow down, rest and examine our emotions. We can avoid a lot of sick days if we pause to listen to our bodies and respond with gentle self-care.

10. Try New Things -- In the end, the important things in life are found in relationships and experiences. We feel good when we connect with others and take on challenges that allow us to grow. If you have always wanted to feel closer to someone you know, take the risk. And if you have longed to try something new - in the arts, your work, sports, or anything else -- give yourself permission to try. A little courage will bring you great rewards in the coming year.