Women Indeed

Meet the new faces of middle age

noreply@blogger.com (Dliya'ul Haq) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:21:00 +0000

Preventive health, active social life can extend your prime years

As an outreach coordinator for Central Wyoming College, Michele Burdick organizes "lifelong learning" classes, many of which help her fellow citizens in tiny Dubois (population 988) acquire new skills, improve their personal health, and strengthen their community. A transplanted Easterner to this cowboy and outdoorsman's paradise in the Wind River Mountains, Burdick, 62, walks her talk. Her time is about evenly divided among work (she's also a real-estate agent), fun (tennis, skiing, riding horses, hiking), community activism (she volunteers to promote recreation, tourism, and children's issues), and friends. "What I don't do any more is cook breakfast for Butch," she jokes, referring to her husband, Butch Burdick, a state brand inspector. "That woman disappeared when our kids grew up."

Meet the New Middle Age, as personified by Michele and a generation of women like her who are extending the prime of life, with all its rich emotional, intellectual, and spiritual potential, way beyond the short horizons that defined their mothers' middle years. Are you among them? If so, you know that a lengthy, vibrant "second act" rests upon two key pillars.

* The first pillar: a lifelong commitment to preventive health. This is where we come in. We've sifted through the latest research about how to remain physically strong, ward off diabetes and heart disease, preserve perceptual skills, and bolster an immune-boosting sunny outlook.
* The second pillar: an active social life. We're all aware of the protective benefits of emotionally satisfying relationships. Now, new research details the advantages conferred by happy friendships — advantages so powerful they reach even to people on the fringes of those friendships.

Exponents of The New Middle Age intuitively grasp this "power of the people." Several days a week, Michele and six close women friends arrange to go horseback riding, discuss poetry and novels, watch a video, or just sip wine. The payback: "I feel really energetic and alive," Michele says. "And I want to have that feeling for a long, long time."

Armed with knowledge her mother never had, she can trust that these good times will stretch out for years to come. We outline the building blocks of The New Middle Age here and show you how to imbue your second act with more personal contentment, joy, and vibrancy than you ever thought possible.

Building block: a strong heart
It's the engine that drives an active lifestyle, essential to your ability to maintain healthy muscles and bones, a sharp mind — even an upbeat attitude.

Your Mom's Middle Age: It was all about cholesterol. If it was normal, she'd ignore it; if it was high, she'd control it with a low-fat diet.

The New Middle Age: Get a heart scan after menopause.

Even women with normal cholesterol levels can have heart disease, so "talk to your doctor about getting a CT coronary artery scan," says Mehdi Razavi, MD, a heart specialist at the Texas Heart Institute. The test, which measures calcium accumulation in arteries (a predictor of heart attack risk), can spot trouble even when other tests, such as those that check cholesterol levels, are normal.

Building block: good vision
A sharp pair of eyes is key to getting up and down the mountain, so to speak — and reveling in all of nature's glory during the hike. Sadly, age-related macular degeneration, a disease that damages the retina, eventually threatens the vision of about one-third of people.

Your Mom's Middle Age: What will be will be. She — and her doctors — believed that AMD could not be prevented.

The New Middle Age: See better with supplements. Those with vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and zinc can slow vision loss by 25 percent in people with early signs of AMD, according to health economist David B. Rein, PhD, a scientist at the research firm RTI International in Research Triangle Park, NC.

Building block: comic relief
A good laugh is one of the easiest and most reliable tools for managing health-debilitating stress.

Your Mom's Middle Age: She laughed when she felt like it. Experts then thought a sense of humor was determined only by your genes — you're either cheerful or you're not.

The New Middle Age: Schedule regular "laughercise." Loma Linda University researcher Lee Berk, DrPH, has tested the effects of what he calls "mirthful laughter" by asking volunteers to spend time doing nothing more complicated than watching TV comedies. He found that even anticipating a laugh improves function of immune-enhancing hormones. Berk's latest study found that over the course of a year, the levels of good HDL cholesterol in volunteers participating in a mirthful-laughter group jumped 26 percent, while their levels of C-reactive proteins, a measure of inflammation linked to both heart disease and diabetes risk, dropped 66 percent. "We call it laughercise," he explains, "because the benefits of laughter are so much like those of physical activity."

Building block: stable blood sugar
For most people, type 2 diabetes is preventable — meaning the associated higher risks of heart attack, circulation problems, and dementia are, too.

Your Mom's Middle Age: She tried to eat complex carbs — whole grains, nuts, and vegetables — which studies then suggested was the key to preventing diabetes.

The New Middle Age: Focus more on total calories. "Losing weight if you're overweight is the single most important thing you can do," says William C. Knowler, MD, DrPH, a diabetes researcher with the National Institutes of Health. Osama Hamdy, MD, PhD, of the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, says overweight people should shoot for losing about 7 percent of their total body weight: "For most people, that's enough to cut their risk of developing diabetes in half."

Building block: keen hearing
Can you think of a finer late-summer night's activity than attending an outdoor concert on a lush greensward with friends? Unfortunately, one in three Americans has high-frequency hearing loss that diminishes the experience, according to a 2008 report in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Your Mom's Middle Age: She used earplugs — when she remembered. The only way to protect hearing, she thought, was to avoid sustained loud noises, a leading cause of hearing loss.

The New Middle Age: Eat your veggies. "We used to think hearing loss occurred when tiny hair cells in the inner ear were torn apart by vibrations from loud noises," explains hearing expert Colleen Le Prell, PhD, an associate professor at the University of Florida. "We now know that part of the problem is the accumulation of free radicals, which are toxic to hair cells." Animal studies show that antioxidants may neutralize free radicals, protecting against both short- and long-term damage. Researchers also just reported that 46 volunteers with age-related hearing loss improved their hearing at all frequencies after taking a combination of antioxidants for 13 weeks. Researchers don't yet know the optimal level or mix of antioxidants for hearing protection. Until they do, take a standard multivitamin and load your plate with antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables — and, of course, avoid very loud, sustained noises, says Le Prell.

Building block: close connections
They're not only fun to hang around with — real pals also evoke a host of positive emotions that bolster immunity.

Your Mom's Middle Age: She was all about family. She believed that family and marriage created the most important emotional bonds in a person's life.

The New Middle Age: Friends save lives. A Harvard School of Public Health study of more than 2,800 women with breast cancer found that those without close friends were 4 times more likely to die than women with 10 or more friends. A Swedish study reports that for heart attack prevention, having friendships is second only to not smoking.

Surrounding yourself with cheerful companions may be especially beneficial. In a surprising report last year, James H. Fowler, PhD, an associate professor of political science at the University of California, San Diego, showed that happiness spreads through social networks, affecting not only friends but also friends of friends. "Our research showed that a person is 15 percent more likely to be happy if a close contact is happy as well," he explains.

Building block: sturdy bones
A strong skeleton provides the foundation for an active lifestyle, essential to your ability to bike through wine country, tend your vegetables, and romp with your grandkids.

Your Mom's Middle Age: She got plenty of calcium and vitamin D, both of which are crucial to maintaining bone mass.

The New Middle Age: Add protein to the mix. "In addition to calcium and D, which are very important, you need a steady supply of protein to keep bones strong," explains Robert P. Heaney, MD, a professor of medicine at Creighton University and a leading expert on osteoporosis. He believes dairy products such as milk and yogurt are the best sources of calcium because they contain the whole suite of nutrients, including protein, that you need for healthy bones. Boosting vitamin D with supplements (take at least 1,000 IU daily) is particularly important as you get older, he points out, because the skin becomes less efficient at generating this crucial nutrient from sunlight.

Building block: deft balance
Skiing, tennis, biking, even ballroom dancing — all require excellent balance, particularly the ability to recover quickly from an unexpected bump or trip-up. One-third of older adults suffer tumbles, and serious falls can hamper your ability to remain active.

Your Mom's Middle Age: She walked and did light aerobics, believing just staying in reasonably good shape would suffice.

The New Middle Age: Lift and flex. "Exercises that promote balance, flexibility, and strength are equally important," says Bonita Lynn Beattie, a physical therapist and vice president for injury prevention at the Center for Healthy Aging in Washington, D.C. "Dance classes, tai chi, and yoga are all great activities for preserving a strong sense of balance." Also make sure you're getting adequate vitamin D. A study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that older people who took an 800 IU supplement daily had 72 percent fewer falls.

Building block: up-to-date vaccinations
Illnesses that can be prevented with vaccines cause almost 50,000 deaths a year in the United States and make many more people needlessly ill. Staying current is a proven lifesaver.

Your Mom's Middle Age: She thought immunization was for kids. Her outdated view persists today, according to a 2007 survey by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. The organization found that 40 percent of American adults wrongly believe that because they got shots as a child, they don't need to worry about vaccinations.

The New Middle Age: Get your shots. Only 42 percent of people ages 50 to 64 typically get yearly flu shots. Shingles, an excruciatingly painful disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus, strikes one in three Americans, yet only 2 percent of those age 60 and older have received the vaccine that can prevent the infection or reduce its painful symptoms. Tetanus-diphtheria boosters are recommended every 10 years — protection many people in middle age neglect. The next time you see your doctor, ask if you're due for any shots.

Peter Jaret

Privacy Policy

noreply@blogger.com (Dliya'ul Haq) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:07:00 +0000

I respect your privacy and I am committed to safeguarding your privacy while online at my site phattie.net. At phattie.net, the privacy of our visitors is of extreme importance to us. This privacy policy document outlines the types of personal information is received and collected by phattie.net and how it is used.

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According to Dr Megan Mathews, co-author of Radiant Health, Radiant Skin, we all have one of 10 skin types.

noreply@blogger.com (Dliya'ul Haq) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:19:00 +0000

Find out yours - and how to make the most of it

1 RADIANT
Smooth to the touch, with even colour, fine pores and few lines.
What to do? Just keep doing whatever it is you're doing. And try not to be too smug.

2 OILY
Oil protects skin, maintains hydration and slows ageing. But too much oil can results in breakouts.
What to do? Minimise your exposure to things that increase oiliness, such as heat and harsh cleaners. Use non-detergent cleansers and a light gel or lotion to moisturise. Exfoliate and apply a clay mask weekly.

3 DRY
Dull, thick, rough, cracked, flaky, itchy and dehydrated.
What to do? Cleanse with a soap-free, fragrance-free, pH-balanced cleanser such as Cetaphil Skin Cleanser, $8.95.

Moisturise well at night and in the morning. And sorry, but you should say goodbye to hot showers - lukewarm ones are kinder to your skin.

4 OVER- REACTIVE
The two main types of over-reactive skin: allergic and sensitive.
What to do? Follow the tips for dry skin (above); and, in addition, monitor the ingredients in all the skin products you use. Patch test all products before buying or using, and restore your skin's protective surface barrier by applying rich emollient moisturisers.

5 PUFFY
Puffy skin contains too much fluid, making it swollen, bumpy, stiff or sensitive to pressure.
What to do? Use light, gentle cleansers and moisturisers. Talk to your GP to find out possible causes and treatments for your puffiness. Massage, lymphatic drainage or dry skin brushing might help clear the retention.

6 RUDDY
Reddish with dilated capillaries, particularly on the cheeks, nose, chin and around the mouth.
What to do? Avoid external heat sources like steaming, sunbaking, heating and hot air-conditioning as much as possible. Use a light, hypoallergenic cleanser and moisturiser. It might be worth checking with your GP that there are no underlying causes.

7 PIGMENTED
A tendency to create spots or patches of extra pigment, normally caused by sun damage or hormones.
What to do? Use SPF30+ sunblock. Every day.

8 CREPE PAPERY
Baggy, dull, lined, thin and almost transparent.
What to do? Moisturising twice a day is key. Choose an emollient-rich product and exfoliate once a week to buff off dead skin cells, which can exacerbate the effect.

9 PHOTO-AGED
Thick, inflexible and deeply wrinkled.
What to do? Ask a dermatologist to examine your skin under UVB light to show up sun damage. Exfoliate with a gentle product to stimulate cell production. Be super vigilant about regular skin cancer checks.

10 MATURE
Dry, dull, porous, thick, pigmented and wrinkled.
What to do? Most mature skin thrives on rich moisturisers. Try a retinoid (vitamin A) treatment, which is the best anti-ageing option.

Pooja Sharma
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New Filipina World Champion!!

noreply@blogger.com (Dliya'ul Haq) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:17:00 +0000

In what could be a candidate for 2009 women's boxing "Fight of the Year" and "Upset of the Year", Bay Area's Female fighting Pride of the Filipino American community Filipina Rising sensation Ana "The Hurricane" Julaton wins her 1st World Championship againts Veteran World Champion Kelsey "The Road Warrior" Jeffries via 10 Round Majority Decision. Julaton wins the IBA SuperBantamweight World Championship in only her 5th professional victory, an accomplish like no other. Leading up to the fight Ana Julaton was a 8-1 underdog with the vast experience difference (Kelsey Jeffries 41-9-1 over a 10 year career) and Ana sporting a 4-1-1 record in less than two years of Pro boxing. This night was to belong to the Hurricane as Julaton showed poise and maturity by sticking to the gameplan despite Jeffries showing every rough tactic in the book (Head Butts, Low Blows, Elbowing and grabbing). With Julaton dominating the fight early with clean accurate power punching and lightning quick speed, the veteran did what a veteran fighter does and use roughhouse tactics to throw the less experience fighter off.

With Julaton's coach famed trainer Nonito Donaire Sr. by her side, he kept insisting on Julaton "Stick to the plan, your stronger than her, your faster, don't get caught up in all her cheating!" With that type of knowledge Ana went back to work in the later rounds snapping her Jabs and continuing to tattoo Jeffries with clean accurate power punching. Julaton ended the tenth round with a thunderous lead straight right to punctuate her victory. When the scores were read an emotional Julaton could not contain herself and burst in to tears thanking her thousands of supporters in a packed HP Pavillion who all stuck around for the victory to cheer on thier new World Champion!!!

mightygloves
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Afghan Women's Vote Hindered by Taliban and More

noreply@blogger.com (Dliya'ul Haq) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 10:08:00 +0000

Afghan women's participation is expected to be low in Thursday's national elections. Security fears and conservative customs are expected to hinder female voters, candidates and poll watchers.

KABUL, Afghanistan (WOMENSENEWS)--On a hot summer's day early this month, the loya jirga, or grand council, here in the capital was buzzing with activity.

Women--students, professionals and activists--milled around, exchanging stories, ideas and laughter, readying themselves for the fusion of two voter turnout efforts: The 5 Million Women Campaign and the 50 Percent Campaign.

The two campaigns, one focused on demanding the government secure women's right to vote and the other on ending discrimination and ensuring women's participation, came together in the face of worries that few women would make it to their polling places.

The activists face what are widely considered extreme difficulties.

While Thursday's elections are sometimes hailed as another step in Afghanistan's slow march towards democracy, a large section of the country's women stand in danger of being disenfranchised through a combination of increasing violence and a resurgence of conservative attitudes inhibiting women's political involvement.

The elections occur in the bloodiest phase of an eight-year conflict. The war has caused a 24 percent increase in the number of civilian casualties in the first seven months of 2009 compared with the same period a year ago, according to July 31 U.N. report that says actual deaths may be much higher due to difficulties collecting information.
Large Areas Off Limits

Large areas of the country are categorized as either under enemy control or at high risk for attack by insurgents. An official map obtained by Reuters in April showed half the country in this situation. Since then security has worsened, especially in the week before the elections with militants carrying out several targeted strikes in Kabul, including a suicide-bombing on Tuesday that killed seven.

Voter registration could not take place in several districts because of the presence or control of the Taliban. The government officially admits to 8 of the country's 364 districts being under Taliban control, but polling may not take place or may be severely compromised in many more.

While the increasing insecurity affects all voters, women are likely to be far more severely impacted, says Leeda Yaqoobi, deputy director of Afghan Women's Network, the umbrella organizations of over 70 women's groups that organized the loya jirga meeting.

"Security is one of the major problems that prevents women from voting on election day," she told Women's eNews.

In addition to the generally violent atmosphere, women's rights advocates worry about targeted attacks on women in the public sphere.

"Women participating in public life face threats, harassment and attacks," a July 8 U.N. report on violence in Afghanistan found, and contributed to an effective imprisonment of women in their homes.
Local Traditions Also Blamed

Despite a tendency to blame violence against women on the Taliban, the July report says women in public life have also been targeted by "local traditional and religious power holders, their own families and communities and, in some instances, by government officials."

In Thursday's provincial council elections, not enough female candidates were found to fill the 25 percent quota for women.

In Kandahar, for example, three women are running for the four reserved seats. None of these candidates was able to either live or campaign in the province because of the threats to them, according to the chairperson of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission.

A joint verification exercise of political rights carried out by this commission and the U.N. mission in Afghanistan found "women's right to vote appears to be at risk in insecure areas."

Within days of the election, despite several months of preparatory time, the country's Independent Election Commission had not been able to locate women to staff many of the polling booths in at least 8 of the 34 provinces in the country. It was sending out desperate appeals.

Without female staff at polling booths to assist and frisk women voters--a necessary security precaution--many women are likely to be unable to cast their votes.
Dangerous Travel Required

Polling booths in many of the insecure areas are also likely to be moved, forcing voters to traverse large distances through insecure territory, a hurdle more likely to discourage women.

In culturally conservative parts of Afghanistan women still are still required to have permission from their families to leave their home; participation in the polling exercise is not considered appropriate.

In some parts of the country this has been legally enshrined by the new Shia Personal Status Law signed by President Hamid Karzai in mid-July. Among other things, that law--governing the minority Shia Muslim community--makes it illegal for a woman to vote without her husband's permission, if custom dictates.

Vote tallies are unlikely to reflect the full extent of women's disenfranchisement. In conservative areas, men cast the votes of the women in their families, a practice that is accepted by polling staff in deference to the conservative attitudes.

"We will of course give our votes (voter registration cards) to the men," a young Pashtun woman in the eastern province of Nangarhar, bordering Pakistan, recently told Women's eNews. "We do not have permission to go out to vote."

Firebrand parliamentarian Shukria Barakzai fears such "proxy voting' may be widespread. "This is a concern, that in the name of women, men may vote," she said in an interview in Kabul.

In some areas the registration of women did not require photographic identity cards, creating the opportunity for massive forgery of registration cards, says Martine van Biljert, an analyst with the Afghan Analysts Network, a think-tank based in Berlin.

Biljert, who has spent several years working in Afghanistan, says "the absence of a credible voter registry, or any other reliable form of registry, and the lack of effective safeguards against multiple registrations has greatly facilitated the widespread incidence of multiple and proxy voting."

In the parliamentary elections of 2005, high female turnout was initially hailed as a sign of progress, but later attributed to the kind of fraud that may be repeated on Thursday.

Women's ability to vote is expected to depend on the local conditions.

In the village of Langarkhel in the Pashtun belt of Nangarhar province, for instance, no women were visible in the campaign rallies when presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah came to visit. However the provincial council candidate Abdullah Arsala, said a meeting of male village elders had decided that women could be allowed to vote.

Aunohita Mojumdar is an Indian journalist who has reported on the South Asian region for 18 years.

Aunohita Mojumdar

No refuge from sanitary woes

noreply@blogger.com (Dliya'ul Haq) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:13:00 +0000

Usha Pandita, 45, feels tired even after finishing the smallest of chores. But that`s not unusual for her. She suffers from Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). For her, it all began with abdominal pain, which she initially disregarded as routine until it steadily increased.

Usha then started to notice a heavy discharge and the feeling of being perpetually run down. That was when she visited the doctor. Tests confirmed she was suffering from PID -- the inflammation of the organs in the pelvic region because of infection. It is during menstruation particularly that the uterus becomes more susceptible to this condition caused by unhygienic conditions. Usha is one of the 10,000 residents of the Purkhoo migrant camp, which is among several camps set up on the outskirts of Jammu for the Kashmiri Pandit community forced to flee the Kashmir Valley when militancy gained ground in the 1990s.

From Kupwara, Usha and her family made their way to Purkhoo, which they have called home since 1990. Years have gone by and even militancy is on the wane, yet time seems to have stood still for the inhabitants of the camps.

STREE: A weekly women's magazine on Sify.com

Living in a one-room pigeon hole with a family of four can be trying in itself, but the lack of sanitation has only added to the woes. For women, in particular, it is horrifying. The Purkhoo camp has four phases and each phase has around 300 to 500 rooms. There are 10 toilets each for men and women. So there is one toilet per 150 men/women. The water supply lasts only an hour each day.

Every time Usha, who lives in Phase I, goes to the toilet, she walks about 150 metres. What`s more, she has to carry her wash water along. But there is only that much water she can carry. On numerous occasions the water is found insufficient to keep both herself and her surroundings clean. It is because of these abysmal facilities that she ended up with PID.

Veena Pandita, 40, also lives in the same deplorable environs of Purkhoo. She too has acute PID. Dr Indu Kaul, a well-known Jammu-based gynaecologist treating these women, explains that the symptoms for PID include abdominal pain accompanied by heavy discharge and backache.

She finds that in the case of women like Usha and Veena, PID continues for years. Usha, for instance, has been suffering from it for the last four years. The medicines don`t really help, as the toilet she visits roughly four times a day continues to be poorly equipped. Unfortunately, the medication includes heavy doses of antibiotics, the intake of which has major side effects.

When PID is deep-rooted, surgery is usually the final recourse. Usha has been recommended surgery but her financial condition doesn`t permit the procedure. `We still have four`kanals` (one kanal equals 605 sq. yards) left in Kupwara. We had our own chashm (well) there,` she recalls wistfully, adding, `I did not have to go to a toilet that was used by hundreds of others there.`

Care of Nanny

Purkhoo`s water supply, too, is contaminated. Residents complain that they have to replace their utensils every few months as they get coated with a white sediment. The pipes leak at multiple locations and so germs and dirt merge with the water. Near the toilets at Phase I, there is a water hole from which people draw out water to flush. But not only is the water filthy, it is difficult to draw it out, especially when there is a long line of people waiting for their turn to use the toilet.

Although help has been hired to clean the facilities once every two days, because of insufficient water and the sheer number of users, it is impossible to maintain a basic level of hygiene. Moreover, there is no electricity in the toilets, so going after dark is another hazard, especially for the women. That`s why the maximum number of cases of PID, in the city, come from these camps.

Dr Kaul says that while the national average of PID is six to eight per cent, the cases reported from the camps can be 15 to 20 per cent, which is extremely high. The most affected age groups are the adolescents and those above 35 years. Among adolescents, chronic PID can lead to loss of fertility, so the increasing trend is cause for alarm. Sarla Kaul, 28, who lives in the Mishriwalla camp, a kilometre from Purkhoo, suffers from Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). The sanitation situation here is worse than at Purkhoo as toilets for both men and women are common here and no one comes to clean them. Many toilets are simply holes in the ground.

Think Positiv+

Sarla has UTI, caused by poor hygiene and unsanitary conditions that make her vulnerable to other infections too. Lately, she has been suffering from menstrual dysfunction, with heavy blood loss and pain around her abdominal area. Expectant women are particularly vulnerable to UTI, as pregnancy causes hormonal changes that lead to the relaxation of the urethra, which if exposed to poor sanitary conditions is quick to contract infection.

UTI leads to anaemia, itching and swelling, which could eventually endanger the life of the child. It also often retards the growth of the foetus and results in stunted babies or those with low birth weight. That was the case of the baby of Rajni Raina, who is in her mid-20s and lives in Purkhoo Camp`s Phase II. Not surprisingly, Rajni had chronic UTI during her pregnancy. Once again, Dr Kaul points out that while the national average of UTI is about 10 to 15 per cent, it is about 20 to 30 per cent in these camps.

Besides this there are other water-borne diseases prevalent here. Shetu Pandita, 17, of Purkhoo, has been ailing from recurring Hepatitis for the last five years. As also Puneet Bhatt, 16, of Mishriwalla, since he was 10. According to the World Health Organisation, 80 per cent of such cases are caused by lack of safe water and sanitation. Five of the 10 top diseases of children are also related to water and sanitation. Dr K.L. Chowdhury says Hepatitis A and E are common in the camps. Again, among pregnant women, Hepatitis is particularly dangerous as it can put the lives of both the mother and child at risk.

The Third South Asian Conference on Sanitation held in New Delhi recently called for according priority to sanitation and reiterated that sanitation and safe drinking water are basic rights. Such declarations need to be translated into action if life is to improve for women like Usha and Veena, who are rendered without proper homes because of the politics of division and hate. Aditi Bhaduri

The Colors of Spring 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Dliya'ul Haq) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 07:12:00 +0000

Every season comes with its peculiarity. Every season changes the expectations, the hairstyles, the colors and the content of our wardrobes.

The fashion designers make their hidden magic in distinguishing the actual and modern length of the skirts, the materials used in clothing and the colors matching the seasonal mood.

For the Spring 2008 the color palette is following the classics. The affluence of the nature decorated and refreshed with additional brilliance gives the ability for experiments with different and unexpected color combinations.

Variations of the classical colors as bright red, sea-blue and eco-green will rule the fashion in the current season.

Most important is the dress colors to be in harmony with the fresh mood of the season.
Neutral shades are combined with shining bright tones, giving a unique fashionable look.

These are the basics for your spring-summer wardrobe.

The sea-blue is designer's favorite, but with more brightness and multiple layers. As much bright and shining as possible. Blue like the sea, like indigo, blue like the sky before beautiful sunset...

The color of yellow flowers is tempting choice for everyone who is in a little hesitation. It allows variable combinations, especially when talking about jewelries and shoes. Despite this using this color in your clothing carries unbelievable energy and good mood.

Bright red is traditionally spring favorite, and especially instigating is soft rococo red. It is a true classic - fascinating, provocative and grabbing attention.

But in this spring new ideas are born, new objectives and new wishes...

Violet tones of the spring crocus are another very good and favorite choice. They are true bearers of the spring spirit. The preferred for the cold season saturated purple becomes more soft, delicate and tender like the spring breeze.

Becoming actual again is the green, mostly the color of green daiquiri and less the eco-green. Good combination is made with the "rose mist" - delicate touch full of romance.

Another good choice for your dresses is the juicy soft color of the melon, especially combined with chocolate brown.

The color of croissant is true delicatessen for more tempting spring accents.

Indisputably the king color this spring is the olive green. It is a typical basic color and it is amongst the most current shades and the main participant in the cloth color combinations. Carries the mood of the awaken nature and the strength of a true classic.

Get in good mood following the nature and express it with your look selecting dresses in the fashionable fresh colors we recommend...

Stanil Dobrev
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Swimming with Dolphins in Hawaii

noreply@blogger.com (Dliya'ul Haq) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 11:11:00 +0000

Hawaii is a special place to swim with dolphins in the wild. The most common dolphins to swim with are the Hawaiian Spinner Dolphin or Spotted Dolphins. Hawaii is home to about 700–1000 Spinner Dolphins.

The Kona Coast on the Big Island of Hawaii is a favorite destination of people who want to swim with dolphins in the wild.

Although many species of Dolphins live here year round, the Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins are the most playful and curious. They feed offshore during the night and return close to shore each morning to rest and nurture their young. The pods number from a dozen or so up to 200.

One can find the dolphins traveling to one of their many resting areas, playing, leaping and spinning as they go. Once the dolphins reach these rest sites they begin to settle down and spend their day in a sleep state.

The Spotted Dolphins, the Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins and the rough toothed dolphins are usually found along the coast, sometimes intermingling with the Spinners.

You can have some of the best snorkeling on Maui, where, if your are lucky, you can have a good chance to meet up with the magnificent Spinner Dolphins and Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins.

Maui is called the fun capital of the Hawaiian Islands, with more than 100 kinds of activities to be enjoyed by land, sea or air. The Island of Maui begins atop Mauna Haleakala, a dormant volcano whose crater is big enough to hold Manhattan. Mauna Haleakala's slopes descend to 33 miles of pristine beaches, and then plunge into the waters off Maui's shores.

Hilton Waikoloa on the Big Island is the only legally registered operator with the United States government that is allowed to organize swim with the dolphin activity in the wild.

Thomas Morva
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Life Through Rose-er-Daffodil-Colored Lenses

noreply@blogger.com (Dliya'ul Haq) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 11:05:00 +0000

I was working diligently one day in our family room while my then 3-year-old twins were building towers with their Duplos blocks. I had promised to take them into the back yard as soon as I finished a particular section in a lengthy article I was working on.

Then I began hearing the ripping sound of Venetian blinds opening and closing, like a zipper, up and down. I told the boys to be patient, that we would be going outside soon.

After about the third time of telling the twins to please leave the blinds alone, my child’s comment stopped me in my track.

“Mommy!” Mickael-Josef exclaimed in his sweet little 3-year-old, high-pitched voice, “Look, look, the ‘schoene Blumen’. Look, they’re blooming. Look!” (which is kid German mixed with English, for “Look, Look, the pretty flowers are blooming!”)

Forgetting that I was getting irritated about the Venetian blinds, I stopped my writing to turn around to look outside.

Golden, bright yellow daffodils shone like brilliant crowns outside my window on our hill near the creek. Right next to my desk and I had missed them.

Now, I knew that the daffodils were up and budding and all that. But I had been very busy the past few days with work, and, even though the weather had been so spring like, my mind was focused not on flowers but on deadlines.

I had always wanted my own Daffodil Hill. When I was growing up in Corvallis, my friend’s mom used to take us in early spring to the outskirts of town to this hill covered with a blanket of golden King Alfred’s. We called it Daffodil Hill. I have pictures of Jeanie, Julie, Jennifer and me holding bouquets of daffodils and wearing big smiles, while a sea of the bright yellows graced the background.

And here a few decades later, it struck me that I was missing my very own daffodil hill in my very own yard.

I stopped my work, got my twins’ shoes on and told the boys that we are going outside to see the Schone Blumen, the daffodils. And those King Alfreds are stunning. My child had not only noticed that the daffodils are blooming, but that they are pretty. Life through the eyes of a child is sweetness.

We looked around the yard for signs of other flowers coming up, and then picked a bouquet of bright yellow daffodils to light up our dining room.

A few days after the daffodil episode, my 3-year-olds again raised their usual excited voices to tell me of something else I had missed this spring.

“Mommy, it’s a nest, way up high, in the tree,” they managed. Then Wesley dashed over to the refrigerator, explaining as he opened it his intention: “I need to get eggs to put into the nest.”

I smiled and explained to him that the birds would be laying their own eggs, then asked the twins to show me the nest in the tree. And sure enough, nestled up high in our tree by our deck, was a bird’s nest.

I don’t know how long that nest had been there or for how long the daffodils had been in their full glory, but these spring symbols that my little ones pointed out to me sure made me ask myself which lenses I was looking at life through. I had to ask myself which prescription my glasses were in.

Was I seeing life only through the tyranny of the urgent lenses? The lenses that make me rush through life, seeing only the work that needs to be done, and missing the beauty around me? Was I not seeing the little things in life because I was so lost in my busy schedule? Was I not taking the time to smell the proverbial roses?

I thought about children. When they want you to read them a book at a certain moment. Or when they sit down and begin telling you about happenings at school. Or when they want to shoot hoops with you on a sunny afternoon. Or when the littlest ones want to wrestle and be silly with you. Or when they want to sit on your lap and be held. It’s a moment. Just like the daffodils in full bloom. Blink and they’re drooping their heads.

It is sometimes only a moment. And I’m realizing that the moment is short and fleeting. The moment passes. Their sweet little voices and half sentences turn into adult-like conversations. They get busy with their friends. They change their interests.

And scenery changes as well. Daffodil Hill in Corvallis is now a concreted subdivision with large clone houses and narrow yards.

Children are like the daffodils. They won’t wait till you are ready to make time for them. They arrive in their own time. Children and daffodils and nests do not follow anyone’s schedule or timeline or deadline – they beat to their own drummer.

We just have to make sure we don’t miss them, before they fade away and are changed -- or gone.

Cornelia Seigneur
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Tips To Write Your Own Wedding Vow

noreply@blogger.com (Dliya'ul Haq) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:06:00 +0000

Amy JarmanIn your wedding ceremony, there are two things that make your marriage official. The first one is the exchange of wedding band. The second one, without any surprise, is the wedding vow. Your wedding vow reflects the love to your spouse. Some couple may choose to use the standard vows provided by church or other officials. Some other couples, on the contrary, may decide to write their own vows. This article will give you some tips when you are writing your own vow.

Confirm that you can use your own vows before your write it

You have to firstly confirm that you can use your own vows in your wedding ceremony. You need to consult the minister or registrar before you make the decision to write. It is certain that you have to use the standard vows if it is not allowed to use your own vows. It will be unwise to spend so much time on writing it and eventually you are not allowed to use or read it.

Write it from your heart

The best vow is a vow which tells your true feeling and story. When you are reading the vow, you are telling all the guests, and most importantly your spouse, about your true feeling. You have to bear in mind that you are not an actor in a movie and you do not need to make it like a touching story. The most touching story is a true story that expresses your feeling and love to your spouse.

Recalling the good old memories

You can recall some memorable stories. For example, if one of your friends helped you in your love affair, you may try to mention it in your vow. The advantage of doing this is that your vow can help to make a connection between your guests and your marriage. And at the same time it is also a way to say thank you to your guests.

Try to be humorous

When you decide to write your own wedding vow, it is assumed that the vow will not be an extremely formal one. You can be humorous when you are writing vow. You should bear in mind that reading a wedding vow can be quite boring to the guests. As a result a sense of humor may continuously draw the attention of them. Of course you will also need to read it with that sense of humor.

Practice reading the vow

It is always true that practice makes perfect. You will need to practice reading the wedding vow before your big day. It will be a pity if you have written a beautiful vow but you cannot read it smoothly.

Start writing the vow as early as possible

Concerning the time to write the vow, there is no doubt that it will be prefect if you can start to write once you confirm that you can use your own vows. You will certainly need some time to research and revise the vow. It will not be a good idea to write it in a rush. You should at least leave two to three months for yourself to write and revise the vow.

TM Lung
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SAHM Amnesia

noreply@blogger.com (Dliya'ul Haq) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Stay-at-home moms often complain that since having children, their minds have turned to mush and they often forget things. One of our moms, Krissy, told us, "I was appointed PTA vice president once. I set up an orientation meeting for the previous year's board and the incoming board. Everybody showed up for it -- except me!"

Yes, moms do forget things. We'll admit, there is truth to this, but it doesn't have to stay that way. Your mind is agile and efficient, and if you want to be more alert and have more intellectual stimulation, the only thing standing in your way is your own perceived limitations. Last year, Heather and her husband actually forgot their anniversary! It shocked both of them. Between work, the kids' school commitments, friends, and family, it was lost in the shuffle. Often forgetting a big event like that is a wake-up call that you need to give your schedule and organizational methods (and possibly your relationship with your husband) more attention. It is also important not to be too hard on yourself when you inevitably forget.

One MomsTown member, Fran, said, "I forget things all of the time. Now I finally understand why I sometimes thought my own mother was a complete flake when I was little. With the kids and all of our schedules, there just isn't enough room in my brain for everything anymore. Part of it is the fact that there is suddenly so much to do just to get through the day. So even when I remember what I am supposed to do at that moment, on the way to do that, I run into three or four things that demand equal attention, and before I know it, I've forgotten what my original task was."

Forgetting is just part of being a mom. That's a fact, but it can be curtailed by strong organizational methods. When you do forget, you can't beat yourself up for it. It's hard to remember every engagement your kids have, your obligations, your husband's obligations, your friends' birthdays, and even your kids' friends' birthdays. Frankly, it is impossible. But there are things you can do to avoid frequent forgetfulness. Organization is a key element of conquering forgetfulness. You can figure out a system for remembering your daughter's ballet recital, the school bake sale, your appointment with a new client, and everyone's birthday.

Some moms just have difficulty getting out of the door with everything they need. Said one mom, Lorie, "Once I'm out of the house, it's remembering everything that poses the problem. I can usually get all of my daughter's stuff together, but I sometimes find I am out and about and my list of stops is still sitting on the entrance-hall table."

Earlier in the book, we discussed getting an organizer as being crucial to your success and your commitments. Our program encourages and reminds you to be aware of treating your commitments and your life with professional respect in the most basic, simple ways. Grab your organizer and do the following:

Write reminders of all of your family's and friends' birthdays on your calendar. Note the actual day, but also write a reminder in two weeks ahead of time.

When you receive invitations to weddings, write the date on your calendar, but also write a reminder as to how early you need to book and schedule travel plans, accommodations, etc. If possible, this should be up to three months ahead of time.

As soon as you make doctor appointments for your kids or you, write them down.

Use brightly colored stickers to denote regular events, including:

Newborns' shots
Little League games
Ballet lessons
Dentist appointments

When you know you're going out, begin getting everything ready early. Put things by the door as you think of them. You can even begin doing this the night before if you have to leave early in the morning and know you need quite a few things for your errands.

As you work toward cutting down on the forgetfulness and having a more organized schedule you honor and respect, try to remember that mistakes happen and everyone forgets; even though you're a goddess, remember, you're also human!

Excerpted from MOMSTOWN GUIDE TO GETTING IT ALL by Mary Goulet and Heather Reider. (August 2005; $15.00US/$20.00CAN; 1-4013-0787-6) Published by Hyperion. Copyright (c) 2005 Mary Goulet-Rendler, Heather Reider. All rights reserved. Available wherever books are sold.

Mary Goulet and Heather Reider
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The Green-Eyed Monster: Are You Friends Really Happy For Your Success?

noreply@blogger.com (Dliya'ul Haq) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:07:00 +0000

Ideally, it should always be the way you’ve imagined it in your daydreams. You get the phone call you’ve been waiting for: the big live review, the hot music management company wants you to sign with them, the A&R rep from that major label is coming to your next showcase, or you were picked as one of the best unsigned musicians in the area. Your first thought is to share your good news with your best friends, your comrades, your fellow struggling musicians.

After all, your group of great friends has been chasing the musical brass ring together since high school: the ups and downs, the successes and failures, the hits and flops. Certainly, when you tell them of your latest big break, they’ll stand up and cheer, slap you on the back, raise their glasses in toast, buy you drinks until closing time. You are happier than you’ve ever been. You are going to be a rockstar with your awesome group of best friends by your side.

But what if your band of brothers or sisters, isn’t quite as happy for you as you’d expected when your share your big news with them? What if there’s more silence than cheering, more pouting than back slapping…what if you have to buy all of your own drinks at your celebratory event?

The following are a few tips that may help you to determine if your friends are more like the green-eyed monster than they are monstrously elated over your newest career success:

1. The Closet Seethe --- Nothing is more disappointing than sharing exciting news with friends only to have them stare blankly at you, wounded, as if the tidbit you just shared had been not of your good fortune but of their impending deaths. Silence such as this is almost always indicative of creative jealousy. Your friends are exhibiting the classic, “If you don’t have anything nice to say…” adage by simply saying nothing. The big fake smile and croaking of, “Great. I’m really happy for you” through clenched teeth only serves to make your friends seem more seething than when they were mute.

2. The Third Degree --- It’s your big day, supposedly, but some people always need to make it about them and nothing takes the excitement out of your big announcement like getting the third degree from your friends. When, “Wow! That’s terrific news!” gets replaced by, “Oh yeah? How’d you get that?” it may be time to start asking, “With friends like these, who needs jealous enemies?” Honestly, there are only two reasons that your friends are giving you the Third Degree: one, they want to know how you got what you got so they can follow the same course to get it for themselves or two, they want to find some special reason why the good fortune is happening to you and not them…like you slept with the magazine editor, the label guy is your cousin, or your blackmailed the management company into signing you on.

3. The Alpha Dog --- Clearly, there is an aspect of the artistic personality that craves being the center of attention. It is often that drive for fame and adoration that’s shaped some of history’s hugest popstars. So, don’t be surprised if your jealous friend squashes your elation with the announcement of his or her bigger news. If you win Best Songwriter in the city, then he/she’s won Best Songwriter in the country, in the world, in the galaxy, or in the universe. This is the kind of musician that constantly needs affirmation (from him/herself and others) that he/she is the hottest, coolest and most talented artist around. No matter how famous you get, you’ll always play second fiddle to the Alpha Dog…even if it’s just in his or her mind.

4. The Red Baron --- Don’t get used to the high of your good fortune just yet, because the Red Baron will shoot it down faster than you can say, “jealous loser.” No matter what your exciting news, the Red Baron will find a way to discredit it and reduce it to frivolity within minutes. Sadly, he or she will also do their best to convince everyone in your company that your great excitement is seriously lame by citing examples of his/her own experience in the same case (and how stupid it was) or that “friends” of his/hers have been where you are now and nothing much really came of it. Expect to be constantly disappointed with the Red Baron as a friend.

5. The Saboteur --- This is the jealous friend you need to watch out for. He or she may be all big smiles, back slaps, and free beer at the time of the announcement but secretly there’s a hidden plan hatching quietly under his/her luminous jack-o-lantern grin. Days after your spill your great luck, you may find that it is no longer happening. Either the source of your good fortune is now simply not interested or has found a better candidate on which to bestow the greatness of your former musical riches: your jealous friend, The Saboteur! Mum’s the word around this one.

6. The Beggar --- Probably, the most insidious of all of the jealous friends, the Beggar will fall apart seconds after the exciting revelation has left your lips. “Why, oh why”, he or she will exclaim, “Is this happening for you and not me? What have I done wrong? I’ve put years and years into this business and nothing ever happens for me!” There will be whining, cajoling and, of course, lots of crying. Crocodile tears will spill down the face of your jealous friend as he or she begs you to get him/her the same opportunities you have. There will be threats of “getting out of the business,” threats of never talking to you again because “I’m too much of a loser to be friends with a successful person like you,” threats of disappearing forever, running away, holding his or her breath until death ensues. By the time The Beggar is done with you, you’ll gladly hand over your new musical prize, just to get the begging to stop.

Unfortunately, we’ve all had friends in the music business just like this and although you may think it will pass, that they will grow out of it at some point, usually these personality types are here to stay. Any of these sorts of pals will drain you emotionally and creatively, backstab you at every turn, and definitely not look out for your best interests. In short these so-called “friends” are not your friends at all. Real friends support you through good and bad, and are genuinely happy for your good fortune even if the same level of success never comes to them. So, if any of your buddies fit one or more of the criteria above: get away from them, change your phone number, don’t answer your door, wear a hat, cross to the other side of the street when you see them…and then please, make some real friends.

heena Metal
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Using Sexual Energy in Our Daily Lives

noreply@blogger.com (Dliya'ul Haq) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:12:00 +0000

We generally understand sexual energy as an emotional tension, usually followed by a pleasant euphoric sensation when released. But instead, imagine allowing this energy to spread throughout your entire body and absorbing it energetically through all your cells.

When you are having sex, do you analyze what you are doing while in the middle of making love? I’m sure you have answered no! When children run around madly full of this vibrant pulsating energy (that we experience as sex) it spreads through their entire body and they express it as joy instead. Hence they have not begun to interpret and analyze it with their mind. The child doesn’t sit back and say, ‘I’m tired now, I want to have a rest’ during their play, as we do when sexual tension is released.

What we really have here is simply energy with only our own labels added on. As soon as a person comes into maturity this energy is polarized and sexual activity commences. It marks the beginning of the aging process simply because we separate ourselves from this wonderful joy - energy. When sexual energy spreads throughout your body, it gives you that orgasmic feeling. It energizes your body and prolongs enjoyment between yourself and your partner.

Sexual energy is an emotion that you can activate to get the full effect of energy. So are gratitude, love, appreciation, and acknowledgement emotions. If having sex can be compared to the lower notes upon the musical scale, then these other emotions like gratitude, love, appreciation, acknowledgement etc., would be the higher notes or chakras upon the scale. We all know how important these emotions are and how we crave to feel them. Imagine for a moment that if you cannot get these higher tender emotions communicated, it’s natural to go for the most commonly obtainable ones, the emotions you get from sex. (not sure what you’re trying to say here)

Recent research has shown that when the coccyx is stimulated in women who have never been able to orgasm, they easily begin to do so and enjoy a wonderful sexual sensation. We can now reclaim this energy by simply connecting to it using a simple exercise. But how do you maintain this sort of connection on a conscious level without actually having sex?

Exercise is one of the ways to energize your body using emotions. But what if you could have all these other sensations at any time instead of waiting for the only one you know you can get from sex?

To hook up to your joy at will using emotions as a way to open yourself to have more pleasurable all over sensations is like playing more than one note upon the scale which enhances your sexual experience as well.

One of these higher notes upon the emotional scale is gratitude. We forget to be grateful for many things in our life and instead focus on negative images. Another higher note is appreciation such as having an engaging hobby or enjoying the company of a special friend. Expressing to your partner what you value or treasure about them and sincerely communicating through your eyes along with taking the time to express your feelings will increase the whole sexual level between both of you because of how the other will receive your genuine expressions. This is what stimulates all the notes upon the scale and the whole sexual dynamic as you felt it long ago and is the key to this exercise.

This is the whole reason sex was so much more exciting at the beginning of our lives. We have just forgotten this priceless gift because we took it for granted way back then. The appreciation level is what ignites the body centers and is a feeling experienced at the heart centre (chakra), the main activator of energy. We are not consciously aware of this, therefore we lose it later on and the whole partner search has to happen all over again until we can learn how to do this on a conscious level.

Sharing feelings openly enables us to feel more deeply and experience a heart connection and loving relationship with others. Love is a cohesive force that acts as a rejuvenator for our whole system. It helps us maintain stronger health, gives longevity and greater joy, as well as makes relaxation, a sense of adventure and spontaneity more available in our daily lives. Connecting to your love energy consciously gives the body a re-charge, promotes deep inner healing and revives sexual pleasure warmth and connection with your partner.

It also enhances your creativity, enthusiasm and drive and has a positive effect on your self-esteem and confidence. It energizes your organs and gives you a greater sense of vitality all over

Hence when we act whole heartedly, it brings our whole life energy into greater focus enabling us to be more present to everything that happens in our life making the sexual experience better than ever before. It becomes a beginning to a whole new way of experiencing lovemaking and takes your energy to a whole new level as your personal wow factor!

THE ENERGY CONTROL TECHNIQUE acts like a switch that stimulates your enthusiasm by boosting your own sexual energy. It can be used in any area of your life. Health, career, relationships or even improve your golf.

It’s all about focus – whatever you focus your mind upon; you will draw that into your life…...

HERE ARE - SOME EXAMPLES OF ENERGY CONTROL

An insurance guy will get you to focus upon your worst fear, you buy into the fear game and he has sold you the insurance.

If you fear spiders let’s say, you will inadvertently focus on them.

By focusing on what you want or don’t want you draw that very thing to you in some ‘magical’ way, whether it’s positive or negative.

When ordering from the menu in a restaurant, you tell the waiter what you want and you expect to get what you have ordered. You don’t sit there wondering if he will bring you what you don’t want, do you?

I usually demonstrate in a seminar how to use our internal switch that stimulates our erroneous zones – similar to foreplay. It involves 4 simple steps. This is one of the steps you could try for yourself:

For ladies try massaging your nipples try not to go into the whole sexual fantasy, remember you are doing this for a different reason here. The reason is to feel how your body is going to feel with this nice feeling that you are causing to cascade throughout you own body. You can do this under a shower for a bit or upon waking in the morning.

For guys start the self pleasuring process, and allow yourself to feel how nice it feels, but with the object here to keep the energy flowing, not to ejaculate. Remember you are not masturbating.

When you succeed in recognizing that you are indeed feeling very different from when you first started, try holding onto this energy and taking this into your day. To learn how to do this successfully, come to the seminar where you will learn how to perfect this technique so it becomes a mood enhancer.

By acknowledging the divinity in one another we evoke that presence in ourselves and the other. This is the heart of all relationships - at a deeper level where lovers are equal opposites of each another.

Tatiana
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The Importance of Self Esteem In Relationships

noreply@blogger.com (Dliya'ul Haq) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:05:00 +0000

When it comes to entering and maintaining a successful relationship, people often times do not realize that resulting problems and conflicts in the majority of cases are not actually "between the two", but merely a reflection of their own personal issues.

A happy and stable person with high self-esteem will generally perceive any given situation much different than a person who is rather insecure and doubting himself.

No matter if it is emotional baggage of the past, traumatic (childhood) experiences, bad role models etc etc, the important thing is to become aware of negative communication patterns and then work on improving them.

Projection and manipulation are often times used as unhealthy means to "defend" and strengthen one's position.

This unfair attitude makes sound communication between partners very difficult as it creates uncomfortable feelings for those involved.

An open dialogue where both parties express themselves freely while feeling equally respected seems impossible at this point.

Therefore, a confident and positive person is much more pleasant to deal with; simply because he plays it fair and allows others to be themselves, too.

Creating a relaxed and positive atmosphere around them, he/she will be perceived as a strong, friendly and independent person making communication easy.

Of course, this is not only true within relationships, but in any area of life where people interact.

Therefore, it is vital for any healthy relationship to know how to increase self-confidence, get rid of emotional baggage and develop new and healthy ways of communication.

Ch. Zottnick B.A.
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How to Repair a Gas Stove

noreply@blogger.com (Dliya'ul Haq) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:04:00 +0000

How do you repair a gas stove when it breaks down in the middle of a dish you are whipping up? Or even before you've set that pot atop the burner? Can you determine beforehand if your gas stove has a problem and if that problem is within your (or will require) expert attention?

Compared to electric stoves, most problems with gas stoves are simple, mechanical and may be resolved with a few troubleshooting measures that you can do yourself. To repair a gas stove in your kitchen, you need only keen observation and common sense. Do-it-yourself, self-help, usually works, unless of course if at any time you smell gas, suspect a gas leak, and cannot identify where the leak is coming from. This is the time to get expert help.

On your own, here are a few tips to repair a gas stove:

What do you do when you have clogged burners? Your gas stove's burners have portholes around them through which gas is released and gets to the spark made by the igniter to light a controlled flame. Sometimes you will wonder why your burners are not lighting up even after several tries on your dial. Check out the burner portholes; they may be clogged so that gas cannot escape to reach the igniter. You can remove the burner top and grate, get the burner assembly with the portholes out, and check the clogs. In this case, you need only to clean those portholes, but do it by picking on each porthole with a toothpick or pin, making sure the hole is cleared but not deformed by your picking, brushing the holes to remove any leftover or residue, and then washing or brushing the burner completely. If this does not do it, get expert repair help already.

Can you adjust the flame setting or flame size? Ideally, you should see your stove's flame as bright blue in color and consistently burning. The blue color is the result of the proper mixture of the gas fuel and the surrounding air that assures you that the fuel is being burned efficiently. If the flame is of a yellowish or whitish color, there may be a problem with how the gas ignition is aerated or how air is mixing with the gas fuel. You not only get sooty pans this way; you also run the risk of gas being overly fed into the burner. To adjust the air and gas mixture to the safest and most efficient level, you can adjust the stove's pilot which is a screw valve located behind the control knobs. With a screwdriver, you can turn and adjust this pilot until you get a bluish flame to indicate you've reached the efficient air-gas mixture level.

Sometimes after cleaning and adjusting the pilot, you still cannot get an instant flame on your burners. You can also check the ignition this time. The spark ignition that is connected to your stove's control knob lights up the mixed gas and air to ignite a flame. The igniter is located either on the left or right side very near the burner. Examine the igniter and check for clogs or severed wire or damaged spark mechanism. Brush it to clean the clogs and reveal any damaged mechanism, which if there are any, can be bought and replaced easily. Some gas stove models use electronic igniters which over time also turn defective due to normal wear or tear. If so, then it may be time to replace the electronic igniter, too. Also, you can check if there is any cut wiring or exposed insulation in your electronic igniter; the module may be grounded and is not working properly.

When you smell gas and trace it to your gas safety valve, check out the valve for integrity as in there are no loose hose clamps or faulty valve gates. If after tightening these clamps and valves there is still a trace of gas odor, take your appliance to a competent repairman.

There may also be times you are pushed to panic levels when your stove emits more smoke than it used to. Before you panic, check your stove first for drip-buildup. Sometimes fat and grease drip and are accumulated on the burners and the burner drip pans. When touched by flame and burned, these drips create much smoke. You can simply remove those drip pans and clean away the drip-down grease, washing and drying those drip pans totally before your next use.

These are just some basic tips on how to repair a gas stove. However, for problems that you cannot accurately pinpoint, it is always best to let the experts handle it. Take your gas stove to the nearest repair shop when in doubt.

Stephanie Larkin
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Woman denies setting man on fire

noreply@blogger.com (Dliya'ul Haq) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:13:00 +0000

A Greek woman has appeared in court accused of setting fire to a British tourist in Crete after he allegedly groped her in a bar.

Stuart Feltham, 23, from Swindon, is recovering from second-degree chest and stomach burns in a private clinic.

Maria Fanoudaki, a 26-year-old student, said she poured a drink over Mr Feltham after he made inappropriate advances, but denied setting fire to him.

She faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison if she is convicted.

The trial in the town of Iraklion in northern Crete was adjourned until Monday.

'Absolute nonsense'

Ms Fanoudaki's lawyer Nikos Maniadakis said: "He fondled my client's breasts and buttocks and she poured her drink over him and left.

"Shortly afterward she heard cries and saw her friends trying to extinguish him."

The woman was charged with assault on Thursday after she turned herself in to police.

The story has made national headlines in Greece, where some have hailed the woman as a heroine.

Mr Feltham's parents have insisted reports their son sexually harassed the woman were "absolute nonsense".

Ian Feltham, 48, said his son was approached out of the blue by a complete stranger who threw accelerant over him.

Stuart Feltham was at a bar in the town of Malia at the end of a two-week holiday with five friends.

BBC