China pulled out all the stops in the cutlery department for its APEC welcoming banquet inside Beijing's "Water Cube" on Monday night, reports Sina, wowing foreign dignitaries with their excellent sense of design and trademark imperial yellow color—the food was probably alright too.
The winter season is all about citrus fruit and oranges in particular. That means a lot of hands will be stinky from orange rinds, and a lot of rinds will be thrown in a trash. Here are some unique uses for orange rinds that you may not have thought of!
CLICK HERE to read the rest of this very interesting post.
Thanks to Angela and Baba Mail for sharing this,
If you thought that objects and food stuffs has only one use, you'll be surprised by some of the new and effective uses for storing, keeping fresh, quick solutions and cleanliness tips you'll find here!
How do you make tomatoes ripen faster? How to neutralize the smell of onions? what you sprinkle the bottom of the candle so you don't have to clean wax later? What is the connection between citrus peel and brown sugar? 15 great tips!
An apple to make tomatoes ripen
If you're tired of waiting and would like to make your tomatoes ripe in half the time, put them in a bowl with an apple or two, and cover them up with plastic wrap.
Beans for wax
fill up the candle house with a layer of raw beans. It's not only a nice decoration, but the beans will also keep the candle steady and capture the wax drops.
Toothpick on scotch tape
Mark the end of the scotch tape by rolling it up with a toothpick at the end.
Orange Peel to conserve moisture
Keep the moisture and softness of brown sugar and prevent it from become rough lumps by adding a long and narrow orange peeling into the sugar vessel. .
Coffee filter to clean dust
Clean dust from the computer and television screen using a coffee filter. You won't even have to get it wet to use it!
Paper cloth to clean the shower doors
Remove insistent soap accumulation from the shower's glass doors by spraying a little water on a paper cloth, the kind used for the dryer and cleaning doors.
Eggshells to clean narrow places
Use a hard boiled eggshell to clean the hard to reach areas of bottles, jars and vases. Throw a few pieces of shell in the object, add hot water and a little bit of dish soap, and stir it well. The shells will scrape off that hard-to-reach dirt.
שימושים חדשיםPillow cover to clean the ceiling fan.
Slip an old pillow cover on the blades of the ceiling fan and then pull it backwards quickly to draw all the dust and dirt into it, without dropping them all over the floor.
Ginger to deal with pain
Calm down blisters and burns by swatting some fresh ginger juice on the aching spot.
שימושים חדשיםLemon to clean a grater
After you've grated soft cheese or other sticky foods, use half a lemon to get rid of the leftovers. Just use the soft side of the lemon on both sides of the grater and you'll see how easily it becomes clean again.
Nailpolish to fix a loose button
Smear a thin layer of transparent nailpolish on the center of the loose button, it will harden and keep it from falling.
Onion to get rid of the scent of mildew
Air out the smell of mildew from the basement or the tool shed with onions. Cut an onion in half, put half of it on a plate and leave it in the room for the night. The morning after, the air in the room will be cleaner and you won't even smell the onion!
Vinegar and salt against the smell of onion
However, you might be concerned of having that pesky scent of onions on your hands. A combination of vinegar and salt neutralizes the smell of onions. Mix the two materials and pour this on your hands to rub together until the scent is gone. Then wash with soap.
Pumice to clean a sweater
Take a rough pumice and gently rub it on any thick sweaters to get rid of little fibers and other junk.
Empty wine bottle to stabalize boots
Use empty wine bottles to keep tall leather boots stable, so they don't lose their shape in storage.
Thanks to Angela who shared this via email.
Nothing is more wasteful than food that hasn't been eaten and allowed to go bad. It's not only a waste of money but also a waste of good food that in other parts of the world would be worth more than gold. So as to not throw away good money after good food, here are some great tips to help you keep your foods fresh and tasty that much longer.
Carefully wrap the crown of a batch of bananas with cling film to block the air and extend their shelf life for 3-5 days more.
CLICK HERE for more.
Thanks to Angela for sharing.
Here's a wonderful article that has 89 genius solutions to simple problems.
Don't miss reading it.
CLICK HERE for more.
You don't have to understand Italian to follow the auctioneer:
A Chinese Ming Vase is up for auction. The bidding opens at a half-million Euros.
Bidding is brisk and each bidder is clearly identified as he the bid by 100,000 Euros. (The exchange rate at auction time was 1 Euro = $1.43.) Within seconds, the bid stalls at one million Euros, and the gasp from the crowd identifies the excitement that prevails. The successful bidder is the last one who bid one million , and the auctioneer counts down the bid, "Going once, going twice, and sold to the gentleman sitting in front of me for one million Euros."
Now, you are going to have to watch the video for yourself.The auctioneer is exuberant. The pace is fast. This is how an auction should be run. Note the excitement on the auctioneer's face after the final bid.
Aspirin Cardio: Auction - YouTube CLICK HERE.
Thanks to Mr TSK for sharing this post.
Whether we’re a vibrant Orange, or a peaceful Blue, our color preferences are a key to understanding our personalities. Find out what this color expert has to say about your favorite color. What does it reveal about who you really are?
White: Symbolic of purity, innocence and naivete, white has strong connotations of youth and purity. If you are an older person, your preference for white could indicate a desire for perfection and impossible ideals, maybe an attempt to recapture lost youth and freshness. It may also symbolize a desire for simplicity or the simple life.
Red: The color of strength, health, and vitality, Red is often the color chosen by someone outgoing, aggressive, vigorous and impulsive—or someone who would like to be! It goes with an ambitious nature but those who choose it can be abrupt at times, determined to get all they can out of life, quick to judge people and take sides. Red people are usually optimistic and can’t stand monotony; they are rather restless and not at all introspective, so they may be unaware of their own shortcomings. They find it hard to be objective and may blame others for any mishaps. Quiet people with a preference for red may feel the need for the warmth, strength and life-giving qualities of the color, or they blanket their true feelings under a sober exterior. Red is usually chosen by people with open and uncomplicated natures, with a zest for life.
Read more AT THIS LINK.
MEHGALAYA is a tribal kingdom in Assam.
It is jammed between Bangladesh and Bhutan.
It is near SHILLONG, the capital.
See the photos of the area under Shillong on the internet - very beautiful.
Cheerapunji is a town near by that gets the highest rainfall in the world!
The most successful execution / construction of living Bridges with a life span of many centuries in one of the most remote parts of the World.
Man making nature work for him.
I couldn't comprehend what they meant by a living bridge until I watched this.
Quite a unique concept for folks who have limited technical education, but seemingly have sufficient common sense to survive.
No civil engineering is involved at all.
CLICK HERE to watch the video.
Thanks to Angela who shared this link.
Do you struggle with procrastination?
You’re definitely not alone. For centuries, men and women have dealt with procrastination.
Countless sayings and books have been written to tease, poke at, and create a little humor over the topic.
However, procrastination can be crippling…
It can lead to one’s financial ruin, and has been known to destroy relationships.
Overcoming procrastination is the key to success in life, love, and anything you want to accomplish!
Use this quick guide to accelerate your success and don’t let procrastination steal your dream.
10 Steps to Take Charge of Your Life Now!
To overcome procrastination, you must embrace time management. If you are disorganized and don’t use a fixed schedule, then you give your procrastination demons room to maneuver and lure you in.
Stating something like, “I’ll do that later today,” is the recipe for not getting it done at all. It’s important to note, though, that time management is not the only key to overcoming this frustrating and sometimes crippling behavior.
These 10 steps will help guide you to be productive and accomplish more during each and every day.
Step 1: Analyze the tasks at hand
Determine what you have to do. The larger the tasks are in front of you, the more overwhelming they can seem. Can this task be broken down into smaller assignments?
You’ll discover that most can be done in segments.
Cleaning the yard after a long winter can seem like a major job, but if you break it down into cleaning the front yard one day, then the back the next, then it is no longer as intimidating.
Step 2: Set a deadline
You need to begin establishing a deadline for your tasks and stick to it. If you state that you will have the front yard cleaned by tomorrow, then make sure it is done.
Step 3: Find someone to hold you accountable
If you feel that you might still put off doing what you’ve established a deadline for, then find someone to hold you accountable.
When someone is looking over your shoulder like a boss, you can be inspired to stick to your schedule.
Make sure you choose someone whose respect you cherish.
CLICK HERE for more.
Here's a fantastic and powerful speech by Phillip Wollen. Thanks to Angela who sent this to me.
Everyone of us should watch and listen to this speech, think and act! Live long and prosper.
Enjoy this video speech on being a Vegetarian by former CEO of City Bank, Philip Wollen.
I am sharing this clip not to comment on anyone’s diet habits but because it is great to see how he speaks up for the silent animals, without the protection of Law. Our present laws only protect humans.
Enjoy THE SPEECH AT THIS LINK.
FULL DEBATE WAS HELD IN AUSTRALIA. Click THIS LINK TO WATCH THE VIDEO.
1. To remove a bandage painlessly, saturate the bandage with vodka. The stuff dissolves adhesive.
2. To clean the caulking around bathtubs and showers, fill a trigger-spray bottle with vodka, spray the caulking, let set five minutes and wash clean.
The alcohol in the vodka kills mold and mildew.
3. To clean your eyeglasses, simply wipe the lenses with a soft, clean cloth dampened with vodka.
The alcohol in the vodka cleans the glass and kills germs.
4. Prolong the life of razors by filling a cup with vodka and letting your safety razor blade soak in the alcohol after shaving.
The vodka disinfects the blade and prevents rusting.
5. Spray vodka on wine stains, scrub with a brush, and then blot dry.
6. Using a cotton ball, apply vodka to your face as an astringent to cleanse the skin and tighten pores.
7. Add a jigger of vodka to a 12-ounce bottle of shampoo.
The alcohol cleanses the scalp, removes toxins from hair, and stimulates the growth of healthy hair. Straight vodka gets rid of nits too.
8. Fill a sixteen-ounce trigger-spray bottle with vodka and spray bees or wasps to kill them.
9. Pour one-half cup vodka and one-half cup water into a Ziploc freezer bag and freeze for a slushy, refreshing ice pack for aches, pain or black eyes.
10. Fill a clean, used mayonnaise jar with freshly packed lavender flowers, fill the jar with vodka, seal the lid tightly and set in the sun for three days. Strain liquid through a coffee filter, then apply the tincture to aches and pains.
And silly me! I used to drink the s==t!
-Author Unknown-
Thanks to Angela who sent me this interesting article. Have a great day!
Recently, I visited a very old friend from the 1980's. She was not around and I spent some time talking to the brother instead. Honestly, I was taken aback when he told me that she was away in another country in a bid to recover from the untimely and tragic demise of her husband, both aged 40 years old. As we talked, I was quite horrified to discover that he passed away because of lymphoma - cancer of the lymphocytes, a type of cell that forms part of the immune system.
Wikipedia states that "Typically, lymphoma is present as a solid tumor of lymphoid cells. Treatment might involve chemotherapy and in some cases radiotherapy and/or bone marrow transplantation, and can be curable depending on the histology, type, and stage of the disease. These malignant cells often originate in lymph nodes, presenting as an enlargement of the node (a tumor). It can also affect other organs in which case it is referred to as extranodal lymphoma. Extranodal sites include the skin, brain, bowels and bone. Lymphomas are closely related to lymphoid leukemias, which also originate in lymphocytes but typically involve only circulating blood and the bone marrow (where blood cells are generated in a process termed haematopoesis) and do not usually form static tumors. There are many types of lymphomas, and in turn, lymphomas are a part of the broad group of diseases called hematological neoplasms."
He then told me that his late brother-in-law worked in a stockbroking company as an IT specialist and spent hours in front of huge computer screens.
*gulps*
After reminding him to ask her to call me when she returned to Penang, I went home. Along the way, I started googling for 'effects of exposure to computer screens' and visited a few websites. That is how I discovered Lloyd's web site which I visit everyday and that is why I only check my emails ONCE a day. For some of my emails, I only check them ONCE a week because I want to cut down my time spent in front of the computer.
If you want to contact me, please write to my OFFICIAL EMAIL ADDRESS as stated in my BLOG PROFILE HERE. I check my mails there regularly. If you write to other email addresses, I may not reply promptly as I check those mailboxes only once a week or maybe less frequently.
Why?
Well, you have to read Lloyd's Electric Sense blog to understand the dangers of using computers and mobile handphones. I thought I knew quite a bit already until I started reading Lloyd's blog.
He explains very clearly and sincerely why he started Electric Sense OVER HERE. He is the friendliest and most helpful blogger I know because he diligently tries to respond to comments and engages readers. His information is well-researched and clearly presented.
Certainly, Lloyd has changed my usage of the PC. Many friends and of course my family members had been telling me not to spend so much time and now they need not tell me any more. It is a reverse situation of ME telling them not to use wifi in homes, not to sit in from the the pc for extended periods, not to use mobiles etc.
This inspiring story is about Bruce Lee, a legendary martial art master.
“Bruce had me up to three miles a day, really at a good pace. We’d run the three miles in twenty-one or twenty-two minutes. Just under eight minutes a mile [Note: when running on his own in 1968, Lee would get his time down to six-and-a half minutes per mile].
So this morning he said to me “We’re going to go five.” I said, “Bruce, I can’t go five. I’m a helluva lot older than you are, and I can’t do five.” He said, “When we get to three, we’ll shift gears and it’s only two more and you’ll do it.”
I said “Okay, hell, I’ll go for it.” So we get to three, we go into the fourth mile and I’m okay for three or four minutes, and then I really begin to give out. I’m tired, my heart’s pounding, I can’t go any more and so I say to him, “Bruce if I run any more,” –and we’re still running-” if I run any more I’m liable to have a heart attack and die.”
He said, “Then die.” It made me so mad that I went the full five miles.
Afterward I went to the shower and then I wanted to talk to him about it. I said, you know, “Why did you say that?”
He said, “Because you might as well be dead. Seriously, if you always put limits on what you can do, physical or anything else, it’ll spread over into the rest of your life. It’ll spread into your work, into your morality, into your entire being. There are no limits. There are plateaus, but you must not stay there, you must go beyond them. If it kills you, it kills you. A man must constantly exceed his level.”
Taken from The Art of Expressing the Human Body by Bruce Lee, John Little
Thanks to Angela who sent me this very informative post. Who would have thought that toothpaste can be used for so many purposes! Have a nice day!
Although the primary use of toothpaste is to clean and improve the aesthetic appearance and health of teeth, there are also 26 other things that you can use it for. Every household has one and every household uses it at least twice a day. And because of the common availability of toothpaste, you can try everything below.
Remember, use only white toothpaste.
1. Removes stain from cloth
To take out all kinds of stain like ink or lipstick. Squeeze some on the spot, scrub and rinse.
2. Even out scratches on CD / DVD
If the screen freezes, take out the disc, put some toothpaste on it, scrub and clean it off.
3. Cleans diamond ring
Just squeeze a little on a used toothbrush, wet the ring, scrub gently, rinse and your diamond ring should be look sparkling new.
4. Cleans silver
Toothpaste can be used to polish any kind of silver. It really does bring out the shine in silverwares.
5. Placate burns
Right after you get burnt, put it on. It helps to relieve the sting.
6. Removes crayon from painted walls
Rub the marks with the toothpaste and a damp rag. Wipe with water to get rid of residue.
7. Remove carpet stains
Squeeze some onto the carpet, scrub, rinse and let it dry.
8. Relieves insect bites
Spread a little over either of these and you'll feel soothed and no itches. Mosquito, flea and ant bites work especially well.
9. Keep girl babies' bows in their hair
If they don't have much hair this is particularly useful. It doesn't pull it out, it just washes out.
10. Clean your nails
Teeth and nails are made of the same material. To clean your nails, squeeze some on top of a toothbrush, wet your nails and brush them thoroughly. Be amazed by the sparkle.
11. Clean shoes
Scrubbing toothpaste with a wet toothbrush over the boots, working shoes and rubber part of sneakers will work. It can also be used to remove scuffs.
12. Put up posters
You can use toothpaste to put up posters without damaging the wall. However, avoid using it for collector posters. It can damage the ink over time.
13. Use it to temporarily seal holes
Can be used as a spackle to fill nail holes. This sounds evil, but you can use it right before you move out of your rented apartment.
14. Clean around the bathroom
Use it to clean shower doors and rings around the bath tub. It has an abrasive so that is why it works good.
15. Clean your vehicle's headlight lenses
Put some toothpaste in a bowl with some water. Use a buffer pad and clean off fog caused by dirt and bugs hitting them.
16. Clean model cars
Hobbyists who collect and build model cars, robots and action figures can certainly use toothpaste to make them nice and shiny.
17. Remove scratches on your watch crystal
Dab some on the watch and scrub it with tissue.
18. Treat acne
Be very careful when using this. Use it at most once a week. Just dab a small amount on a pimple before bed, wake up and it will dry up.
19. Prevent fog in your swimming goggles
Just wipe it on, clean it off. Works well for me.
20. Clean piano key tops
A dab of toothpaste, a soft cloth and some rubbing will usually clean piano keytops and turn them white again.
21. Deodorize smelly hands
Wash your hands with a dab of toothpaste and it will remove smells like onions and other unpleasant odours.
22. Remove scratches on glassware
Polish with a squeeze of toothpaste. Your glassware should be shining in no time.
23. Remove beach tar
Getting that black beach tar on your feet can put a small crimp in your vacation, but it is easy enough to remove. Just rub it with some non-gel toothpaste and rinse.
24. Deodorize baby bottles
Works for sour smelling baby bottles. Scrub with toothpaste and a bottle brush and the bottles should end up smelling clean and fresh.
25. Cleans clothes iron
The mild abrasive in non-gel toothpaste is just the ticket for scrubbing the gunk off the bottom plate of your clothes iron. Apply the toothpaste to the cool iron, scrub with a cloth, then rinse clean.
26. Remove water marks from furniture
To get rid of those telltale watermark rings left by sweating beverages, gently rub some non-gel toothpaste on the wood with a soft cloth.
A California institute demonstrates how people can actually make their heart beat in a healthier way. Through its research, the Institute of HeartMath proves that health starts with love, and that love can reduce stress. It is a method that is used by hundreds of thousands of people worldwide and more than 100 organizations–from global corporations to hospitals to government agencies and schools. This simple method is changing the world. A report from Boulder Creek, California.
Jurriaan Kamp | June 2005 issue
All you need is love, sang John Lennon.
True, according to most people.
The only challenge: how do you create love?
A quite startlingly simple answer was found to that question in the redwood forests of Boulder Creek, California, south of San Francisco. Since 1991, the Institute of HeartMath has generated a large body of convincing scientific evidence that it is indeed possible to create love. HeartMath’s research shows that emotions work much faster, and are more powerful, than thoughts. And that—when it comes to the human body—the heart is much more important than the brain to overall health and well-being—even cognitive function—than anyone but poets believed. Its dominance inside the body is now clearly demonstrated. Thinking clearly with your brain is useful. But feeling positively from your heart provides an amazing boost to health and creativity.
Briefly re-experiencing a cherished memory creates synchronization in your heart rhythm in mere seconds. This increases the release of healthy, energizing hormones, while at the same time decreasing levels of damaging stress hormones, at the same time your immune system is strengthened, blood pressure decreases … and health and focus increase. Using a simple prescription that consists of a number of exercises that anyone can do anywhere in a few minutes—the details are coming shortly—HeartMath is successfully battling the greatest threat to health, happiness and peace in this world: stress.
Stress is the plague of our time, an epidemic that is spreading rapidly. The World Health Organization (WHO) raised the alarm 20 years ago, but things have only gotten worse. Every day some one million Americans fail to come to work due to stress. The European Union estimated in 2000 that the annual price tag of stress, in the form of healthcare costs and lost productivity, amounts to some three to four percent of the EU’s gross domestic product. Stress is one of the most important causes of high blood pressure, which afflicts one in three adults in Europe and North America and is the cause of many serious illnesses such as heart disease and stroke. Stress also lies at the basis of depression and burnout.
“The good news is that the negative effects of stress can be effectively countered more easily than people might imagine. This leads to better performance in every aspect of life. It is therefore a smart strategy for every organization to tackle this source of excessive costs and human strain,” according to HeartMath’s president and CEO Bruce Cryer.
That insight has now permeated many companies and institutions. Managers are sent to stress seminars. Yoga lessons are offered at company headquarters. And there are even companies that encourage their employees to take vacations. But these measures aren’t very effective as long as stress continues to permeate the corporate culture. The sense of relief from a yoga lesson or a weekend at the beach is often lost during the first chat with a frustrated colleague at the coffee machine. A successful anti-stress strategy provides results precisely at the moment the stress is experienced. This is what HeartMath does, which is why its client list now includes such leading companies as Hewlett Packard, Shell, Unilever, Cisco Systems, and Boeing.
HeartMath was established in 1991 by Doc Lew Childre. Childre had made a name for himself as a researcher and advisor to companies and scientific institutions. With the founding of HeartMath, he embarked on his mission to demonstrate that the heart was central to human health, success and fulfillment. While HeartMath’s techniques emphasize the importance of emotional self-management, HeartMath is no new age phenomenon. It is a research institute that in the space of nearly 15 years has published a large body of scientific research in established and respected publications such as the Harvard Business Review and the American Journal of Cardiology. Those publications support HeartMath’s central aim of presenting revolutionary scientific discoveries in a solid, “bullet proof” way. It has demonstrated significant cost savings for healthcare organizations struggling with staff turnover, and has shown significant health benefits in an array of studies covering congestive heart failure, diabetes, asthma, and hypertension. As Cryer says, “HeartMath is not based simply on belief. There are proven physiological reactions in how emotion, heart and brain interact.” In other words: HeartMath’s work is kept scrupulously free of the obvious potential for opportunism.
Which is admirable given that financing and survival issues have presented tricky challenges for the organization through the years. HeartMath’s location reflects this cautious strategy. The institute is located in a group of buildings on a lovely retreat-like setting in Boulder Creek, a town that is nearly impossible to find among the tall trees of the ancient Californian forests. Stress and Boulder Creek have little to do with one another, I realize, following a drive through the pouring rain. And yet the decision to locate HeartMath here was not so odd. Forty-five minutes down the road is a well-known hotbed of this “modern plague:” Silicon Valley.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE.
You may feel supported and encouraged by loved ones today. You may feel emotionally stronger because of this support, and you might be thinking about ways you can stretch yourself beyond your limits or take some risks.
You might also be working on raising your confidence level so you can take on bigger challenges.
Though having a strong network of support is important, you might also think about believing in yourself today.
Rather than relying on others to give you the courage to act, you may want to find your courage, conviction, and belief in yourself.
When you have readied yourself to move forward, your loved ones can add their support and encouragement to yours.
Developing a solid belief in our ability to succeed gives us the confidence and courage to take on bigger challenges in life. No matter how much encouragement we receive from others, we won't reach our full potential until we believe in ourselves.
Just like when we learned to walk, we began by believing we could take a single step. As our parents and guardians cheered us on, we gathered the courage to take another step and then another.
Though their cheers encouraged us, we wouldn't have tried if we didn't first believe in the possibilities ourselves. By choosing to believe in yourself and building your confidence today, you will gain the courage to move forward and take the steps that lead to bigger challenges and greater success.
Take care and God bless you and yours.
According to Wikipedia:
A baby boomer is a person who was born during the demographic Post-World War II baby boom between the years 1946 and 1964, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The term "baby boomer" is sometimes used in a cultural context. Therefore, it is impossible to achieve broad consensus of a precise definition, even within a given territory. Different groups, organizations, individuals, and scholars may have widely varying opinions on what constitutes a baby boomer, both technically and culturally. Ascribing universal attributes to a broad generation is difficult, and some observers believe that it is inherently impossible. Nonetheless, many people have attempted to determine the broad cultural similarities and historical impact of the generation, and thus the term has gained widespread popular usage.
Baby boomers are associated with a rejection or redefinition of traditional values; however, many commentators have disputed the extent of that rejection, noting the widespread continuity of values with older and younger generations. In Europe and North America boomers are widely associated with privilege, as many grew up in a time of widespread government subsidies in post-war housing and education, and increasing affluence. As a group, they were the healthiest, and wealthiest generation to that time, and amongst the first to grow up genuinely expecting the world to improve with time.
One feature of Boomers was that they tended to think of themselves as a special generation, very different from those that had come before. In the 1960s, as the relatively large numbers of young people became teenagers and young adults, they, and those around them, created a very specific rhetoric around their cohort, and the change they were bringing about. This rhetoric had an important impact in the self perceptions of the boomers, as well as their tendency to define the world in terms of generations, which was a relatively new phenomenon. CLICK HERE FOR MORE
Here is a list of what baby boomers could have been longing for in the 1960's compared to what they COULD be longing for now...:-)
P.S. I am a babyboomer...:-) born in the 1960's!
Baby Boomers : The '60s vs. the '90s - Author Unknown
Then: Long hair.
Now: Longing for hair.
Then: The perfect high.
Now: The perfect high-yield mutual fund.
Then: Keg.
Now: EKG.
Then: Acid Rock.
Now: Acid reflux.
Then: Moving to California because it's cool.
Now: Moving to California because it's warm.
Then: Growing pot.
Now: Growing pot belly.
Then: Watching John Glenn's historic flight with your parents.
Now: Watching John Glenn's historic flight with your children.
Then: Trying to look like Marlon Brando or Elizabeth Taylor.
Now: Trying not to look like Marlon Brando or ElizabethTaylor.
Then: Seeds and stems.
Now: Roughage.
Then: Popping pills, smoking joints.
Now: Popping joints.
Then: The president's struggle with Fidel.
Now: The president's struggle with fidelity.
Then: Killer weed.
Now: Weed killer.
Then: Hoping for a BMW.
Now: Hoping for a BM.
Then: The Grateful Dead.
Now: Dr. Kevorkian.
Then: Getting out to a new, hip joint.
Now: Getting a new hip joint.
Then: Rolling Stones.
Now: Kidney stones.
Then: Being called into the principal's office.
Now: Calling the principal's office.
Then: Screw the system!
Now: Upgrade the system.
Then: Peace sign.
Now: Mercedes logo.
Then: Parents begging you to get your hair cut.
Now: Children begging you to get their heads shaved.
Then: Take acid.
Now: Take antacid.
Then: Passing the driver's test.
Now: Passing the vision test.
Then: "Whatever"
Now: "Depends"
Thanks to Angela who sent me the following post.
Depending upon your definition, and whether or not you count Taiwan , there are “approximately” 196 countries in the world as of this writing. So while you may consider yourself to be a knowledgeable global citizen, and we’re sure you are, given the dynamic and complex nature of our planet there are certain to be at least a couple facts on this list that you will find surprising. Here are 25 things that you wouldn’t believe about these countries.
#25 Covers the most time zones – France
If you count everything, including overseas territories, then France claims the title by covering 12 time zones. The United States would be the runner-up with 11 and then Russia with 9.
#24 Most likely to disappear beneath the waves – Maldives
With all the talks of global warming and rising sea levels, it is the residents of the Maldives that have the greatest reason to fear. With an average height of around 1.8 meters above sea level their nation is the lowest on Earth.
#23 Most overweight population – Nauru
With over 95% of its population being overweight, the small island nation of Nauru is by far the fattest country on Earth. Its obesity epidemic is primarily attributed to the importation of western fast food that coincided with an increased standard of living in the 20th century due to the global popularity of its phosphate exports. It’s almost non sequitur…almost.
#22 Roads made of coral – Guam
Because Guam doesn’t have any natural sand, but rather coral, the island nation makes its asphalt using a mix of ground coral and oil rather than importing sand from abroad.
#21 Has 350 sheep for every person – Falkand Islands ( UK )
With only about 3,000 people the Falkland Islands are home to approximately half-a million-sheep. Not surprisingly wool is a major export.
#20 Oldest sovereign state – Egypt
This largely depends upon your definition of a sovereign state but if you are going by first acquisition of sovereignty then Egypt would be the first country in the world to achieve sovereignty based upon the formation of the first dynasty in 3100 BC.
#19 Most lakes in the world – Canada
With over 3 million lakes 9% of Canadian territory is actually fresh water and over 60% of all the lakes in the world are found within its borders.
#18 Least likely place to meet your neighbor – Mongolia
At 4 people per square mile Mongolia is the least densely populated country on Earth. Compare this to the Mong Kok district of Hong Kong that has the highest population density in the world with 340,000 people per square mile.
#17 Largest number of tanks – Russia
It is a strange title to hold, but Russia has by far the most tanks of any army in the world (21,000). Unfortunately for the motherland most of these outdated machines are tributes to its past, and although outnumbered (16,000), the United States has a much more advanced tank inventory.
#16 The land of no rivers – Saudi Arabia
Sounds a bit strange doesn’t it? For a country as big as Saudi Arabia there has to be at least some sort of flowing water. Well, there isn’t. Most of their fresh water comes from desalinization plants or underground reservoirs.
#15 Youngest population of any country – Niger
Generally the worlds youngest country is determined by calculating the portion of the population that is younger than 15. Presently it is Niger that holds this distinction with roughly half of its population having barely reached puberty (49%).
#14 Most diverse country in the world – India
In almost every category – culturally, economically, climatically, racially, linguistically, ethnically, and religiously India is either the most diverse countries in the world, or the runner-up.
#13 Fastest disappearing nation – Ukraine
With a natural decrease in population of .8% annually, between now and 2050 Ukraine is expected to lose around 30% of its people.
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The most important holiday for Chinese around the world is undoubtedly Chinese New Year -- and it all started out of fear.
The centuries-old legend on the origins of the New Year celebration varies from teller to teller, but they all include a story of a terrible mythical monster who preyed on villagers. The lion-like monster’s name was Nian (年) which is also the Chinese word for “year."
The stories also all include a wise old man who counsels the villagers to ward off the evil Nian by making loud noises with drums and firecrackers and hanging red paper cutouts and scrolls on their doors because for some reason, the Nian is scared of the color red.
The villagers took the old man’s advice and the Nian was conquered. On the anniversary of the date, the Chinese recognize the “passing of the Nian” known in Chinese as guo nian (过年), which is also synonymous with celebrating the new year.
Based on the Lunar Calendar
The date of Chinese New Year changes each year as it is based on the lunar calendar. While the western Gregorian calendar is based on the earth’s orbit around the sun, China and most Asian countries use the lunar calendar that is based on the moon’s orbit around the earth. Chinese New Year always falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice. Other Asian countries such as Korea, Japan and Vietnam also celebrate new year using the lunar calendar.
While both Buddhism and Daoism has unique customs during the New Year, Chinese New Year is far older than both religions. Like many agrarian societies, Chinese New Year is rooted in much a celebration of spring just like Easter or Passover.
Depending on where rice is grown in China, the rice season lasts from roughly May to September (north China), April to October (Yangtze River Valley), or March to November (Southeast China). The New Year was likely the start of preparations for a new growing season.
Spring cleaning is a common theme during this time, as many Chinese will clean out their homes during the holiday. The New Year celebration could even have been a way to break up the boredom of the long winter months.
READ MORE AT THIS LINK.
The Chinese New Year Story
Long ago, the world was not a safe place; monsters dominated the world. There was one horrifying monster that came out on the same day each year to eat people. This monster was named Nian, and the people marked the end of a year by his visits to the human civilization. That is where the Chinese word for year came from.
This monster was the most feared by the people because every time it came out, whole villages would be destroyed at a time. So, every time the monster came, people would huddle together in their homes and stay up all night, wanting not to be eaten. This happened for many years until a wise man thought up a plan to scare the monster away.
This man proposed that the people should light bamboo. The bamboo would crack and make a lot of noise, possibly scaring the monster away. The villagers thought this was a very good idea and started to light the bamboo. The noise was tremendous. The monster was scared by the loud noise and ran back to its cave without not eating any people.
The next morning, everyone was present. They were all elated. The people congratulated each other for executing the plan effectively. So, from then on, people stayed up late, lit firecrackers (to simulate the lighting of the bamboo), and congratulated each other when the new year came.
And that is why some say Chinese New Year is celebrated....
Wishing all my Chinese readers Gong Xi Fa Cai!
The past few days have been very busy days for me. For one, I started cooking again last week. I closed the kitchen when my boy left for further studies four years ago but I decided to resume my culinary pursuits for a healthier lifestyle. At the same time, the traffic problem in Penang has worsened and believe me, I have never been as impatient as I am today. Weaving my way around the congestion and avoiding double parked cars, drivers who stop inconsiderately at no parking areas or junctions have often made my blood oil, not forgetting those who overtake and zig zag their way down the road with no regard for the safety of others. In an effort to remain sane, I decided to search the net for ways to keep healthy and I discovered the following list which I hope will bring a smile or two to your faces. I resolved to do as much as I can to attain that natural high! Enjoy reading and have a great evening!
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50 Ways to Acquire a Natural High
1. Falling in love.
2. Laughing so hard your face hurts.
3. A hot shower.
4. No lines at the supermarket
5. A special glance.
6. Getting mail
7. Taking a drive on a pretty road.
8. Hearing your favorite song on the radio.
9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer.
11. Finding the sweater you want is on sale for half price.
12. Chocolate milkshake. (or vanilla! or strawberry)
13. A long distance phone call.
14. A bubble bath.
15. Giggling.
16. A good conversation.
17. The beach.
18. Finding a $20 in your coat from last winter.
19. Laughing at yourself.
20. Midnight phone calls that last for hours.
21. Running through sprinklers.
22. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.
23. Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.
24. Laughing at an inside joke.
25. Friends.
26. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.
27. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.
28. Your first kiss(either the very first or with a new partner).
29. Making new friends or spending time with old ones.
30. Playing with a new puppy.
31. Having someone play with your hair.
32. Sweet dreams.
33. Hot chocolate.
34. Road trips with friends.
35. Swinging on swings.
36. Wrapping presents under the Christmas tree while
eating cookies and drinking your favorite tipple.
37. Song lyrics printed inside your new CD
so you can sing along without feeling stupid.
38. Going to a really good concert.
39. Making eye contact with a cute stranger.
40. Winning a really competitive game.
41. Making chocolate chip cookies.
42. Having your friends send you homemade cookies.
43. Spending time with close friends.
44. Seeing smiles and hearing laughter from your friends.
45. Holding hands with someone you care about.
46. Running into an old friend and realizing
that some things (good or bad) never change.
47. Riding the best roller coasters over and over.
48. Watching the expression on someone's face as they open a much desired present from you.
49. Watching the sunrise.
50. Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another beautiful day.
The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want.
Ben Stein
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