the ladies way

How is Christmas Celebrated Around the World?

noreply@blogger.com (Ladybird) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 19:07:00 +0000

Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. This feast was created by the pope to promote Christianity and remove pagan festivals celebrated at the winter solstice.

During the IVth century, the pope decided to bring the Christmas day on December 25th.

Christmas has always been represented by religious ceremonies and gifts and
greetings exchange.

Here are some Christmas symbols:

* The Advent consists of a burning candle each Sunday four weeks before Christmas;
which symbolize the rebirth of light after the winter solstice.

* The December 24th Christmas Mass; which celebrates the birth of Jesus.

* The Christmas Crib; which symbolizes the birth of Jesus in Christian homes.

* The Christmas tree, a symbol from the pagan celebration and representing life.

* The Yule log; which represents the log that we put in the fireplace to warm up on Christmas Eve.

* Santa Claus, an American creation, inspired by the Christian Saint Nicholas (celebrated in Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and Alsace. This character wears a luxurious red cape, he has a long white beard and wears a red miter, he also holds a golden crosier. Saint Nicholas rewards good children while his companion Pere Fouettard/Black Pete punishes nasty children) and the elf Yule Goat, celebrated in Scandinavian countries.

Over the centuries, Christmas has evolved and Christmas Eve with our family, replaced the religious ceremonies.

The gift exchange: luxurious for the rich people and useful - sometimes only one orange - for the poor people, has been replaced by the modern marketing. People not only buys gifts but also spend lots of money in decoration items, food, drink...

The secularization of our society removed the true meaning of Christmas Time; which is, obviously, becoming a pagan feast.

Here are some countries which celebrate Christmas:

Belgium: Belgians have a festival especially dedicated to children; which is Saint Nicholas (Sinter Klaas) on December 6th. The Great Patron of Schoolboys, who is supposed to bring candies in their shoes, brings in fact toys by the thousands to our children.

In Belgium, Christmas is rather reserved for adults: the streets are decorated and illuminated, we decorate our houses, windows, gardens, Christmas trees. Belgium seems to forget that it is a Catholic country and closes more and more churches, therefore, the Midnight Mass on December 24th usually happens at 6 or 8 PM. We then eat with our family and at 12 PM we exchange our gifts. Children usually receive a book or some clothes.

Christmas Day has little meaning but practicing Catholic go to church. Belgian people visit their family on January 1st. In the Belgian Ardens, people celebrate December 31st and not Christmas.

France: Christmas is dedicated to children. The streets and the houses are decorated several weeks in advance. French people have lots of Christmas customs: Christmas Markets, the Christmas tree, the Christmas Dinner, PÃ¨re NoÃ«l, Christmas gifts, stories, songs, Christmas turkey, The Christmas Crib, the Yule Log, and so on. In Alsace, however, Saint Nicholas predominates on Santa Claus.

The Netherlands: They organize their St. Nicholas (Sinter Klaas) festival: the old bearded man traveling by boat and accompanied by many black aids, who distributes gifts to good children. Dutch people reserve the big gifts for Christmas Time because they profit for some great bargains after Sinter Klaas.

Germany: Christmas in Germany lasts two days. On December 26th they visit their family and their friends. Christ-Kind offers gifts to the children on December 24th families and friends. Germany has also a Saint Nicholas festival on December 6th.

Great Britain: Christmas is celebrated in England with enthusiasm. Children sing "Christmas Carols" in the streets, they eat the famous "Christmas Pudding" at the end the Christmas Dinner. In England, Santa Claus fills the English children socks with gifts. British people also exchange greeting cards; which are a British creation.

Spain: If Santa Claus has little importance in Spain (Magi distribute gifts to children on January 6th), Spanish people decorate the streets with lights during the month of December. The windows of the shops are filled with lots of gifts and Spanish celebrate the Christmas Evening with their family.

Portugal: Christmas Eve is a holiday. The Portuguese attend the Christmas Midnight Mass; which is the "Missa Do Galo." If there is no Christmas tree in Portugal, there is nevertheless a "Wooden Christmas".

Italy: Christmas lasts three days, from December 24th till 26th. However, Christmas traditions vary from one region to another one and, depending on the region it is Babo Natale (Father Christmas) or the "Gesu Bambino" (Little Jesus) who brings gifts on December 25th. The Italian Christmas dessert is "Panettone".

Scandinavian Countries: During the Christmas Dinner, Scandinavian people reserve a place for the souls of the deceased members of their family. Once they finish to eat, they read the bible. The whole family is singing Christmas songs and dance around the Christmas tree.

Other European countries: In Romania, on December 24th, there is a Christmas candle burning until the morning of December 25th. In Russia, Christmas Day happens on January 7th, according to the Orthodox calendar. In Greece the Christmas period begins on Christmas Eve and ends at the Epiphany. Christmas is less important than Easter.

USA: The Saturday after Thanksgiving, Santa Claus is coming to announce the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. American people love to celebrate Christmas and set up a decorated Christmas in their home. Children hang empty stocks empty on the fireplace and on the Christmas morning they find them filled with candy and small toys.

Canada: Houses, shops and streets are decorated with lights. Canadian people decorate their house with a Christmas tree, a Christmas wrap, a Christmas Crib... After the "Midnight Mass" people have a Christmas Eve with their family. Turkey and the Christmas log are the essential ingredients of a Canadian Christmas Dinner.

They send greeting cards to their friends and family who live far away.

South America: Peruvian people have Christmas parties but also learn to live better on christmas time. Their Christmas season lasts a full week. Mexican people celebrate Christmas with Las Posadas (pilgrimages representing the path by the Mary and Joseph). They celebrate the last Posada on the Christmas morning and then start the Christmas dinner. I Guatemala, immigrants have imported their German customs and the Christmas tree is essential but the Christmas gifts are reserved to the children. Gift exchange for adults is on January 1st.

Australia: Christmas happens during the summertime, so Australian people celebrate Christmas at the beach. People eat cold turkey and pudding.

New Zealand : If there are few decorations, New Zealand people organize Christmas parades and people sing in the parks. They also organize their famous "Christmas barbecue".

Japan: Christmas is merely commercial significance in Japan. This festival represents Saint Nicholas and it is an opportunity to offer gifts to small children.

China: If Christmas Day is not a holiday, Christmas is celebrated in Chinese cities. This festival was imported into this country by foreign missionaries. For the Chinese people who celebrate it, Christmas is a religious event.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Source:www.articlesbase.com

Red ocean

noreply@blogger.com (Ladybird) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:08:00 +0000

In a big blue ocean
where the dreams are swimming
he's been yearning to dive
yet to him feels like thieving

so instead he lies hidden
in the red sea's red bed
cause he feels there assured
that the time has no end

and his sight becomes thinner
there is nothing to see
in the deepest of depths
of this red, bloody sea

I who love him am scared
that the day is to come
when the boat he awaits
will show up and pass by

Dreams have soul and take revenge

noreply@blogger.com (Ladybird) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:12:00 +0000

The forest of hidden desires

Where you enter at your own risk

Where we throw away what we crave for

Where we abandon our love children

The babies grow up alone and turn to monsters

The longer we don’t visit them, the angrier they get

And then you go to see them

It’s your own hidden baby that attacks you

And rips your throat out

And you die in unspeakable pain

What comes back from the forest is a walking shell

Made of habit and entropy

Sad sleep love talk

noreply@blogger.com (Ladybird) — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 19:51:00 +0000

- I'm telling you I love him. I do.

- I know you do.

- I think I remember him telling me he loves me, too.

- You can't. He's mute.

- He's not. I've seen him talk to other people.

- You can't have. You're blind.

- I'm not.

- Yes, you are. Besides, you can't see someone talk. You can only hear them talking.

- I've heard him, then.

- Who was he talking to?

- I don't know. To people. To me.

- It wasn't him.

- It was him. I know his voice.

- He has no voice.

- He has a voice. A beautiful one.

- That was your voice.

- ...

- Everything you know about him is what I've read to you from the letters he has sent.

- To me?

- Oh, no... not to you. I'm sorry.

- This feels like a nightmare.

- Then wake up. Wake up!

Alright. I wake up. Same winter Saturday morning in June. Same cold. I feel tired, I feel so sad. I go back to sleep. Maybe this time he'll talk.

I'm going back to sleep, till summer comes.

The 15 Weirdest Things Ever Sold on Ebay

noreply@blogger.com (Ladybird) — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:42:00 +0000

By: Orion Kester

#15 Woman Sells Right to Name Her Baby

When Melissa Heuschkel couldn't decide what to name her fourth child, she turned to the auction site eBay. Golden Palace casino won the bid for $15,500. The baby was named Golden Palace Benedetto. Early 2005.

#14 Man Tries to Sell His Liver on Ebay

A man from Florida put his organ up for sale on Ebay. The bid went as high as $5.7 million before eBay pulled it from its site. Stating it's illegal to sell body parts on Ebay.

#13 JFK Shooters Window

Up for auction for the first time, the actual window and frame from the shooter's nest on the 6th floor of the Dallas Texas School Book Depository where Lee Harvey Oswald fired off those fatal shots that took the life of our 35th President of the United States - John F. Kennedy. 188 bids the winning bid was $3,001,501.00. February 16th 2007.

#12 Pretend Monster in a Childs Closet

A pretend monster that was in someone's child's closet. This was so the little one would be able to sleep at night. Details unkown.

#11 Ghost in a Jar

Yes, a ghost. In a jar. Well, why not? The ghost was, apparently, terrorising, the man who owned it, and so he decided to capture it and sell it on eBay to someone who might be able to give it a better home. By Jeff Cohen.

#10 Doritos Cheese Pope Hat

Golden Palace casino was at it again when they won this auction. There were 34 bids when Golden Palace bid $1,209 to win the auction. March 23, 2005.

#9 Britney Spears Chewed Gum

Someone picked up Britney Spears? Chewed gum at a London hotel and decided it'd be a great thing to sell on eBay. Oddly enough, they were right? They got $263 for it. A Britney fan probably has it framed in their house. By Jeff Cohen.

#8 Jesus Toast

The Seller accidentally burnt a piece of toast. Before he could throw it away, he noticed the face of Jesus on the toast. Starting bid was $.99 with a buy it now price at $200. Unfortunately no one bid on this item.

#7 Britney Spears Half Eaten Sandwich

Golden Palace Casino has purchased many weird things, like a half eaten egg salad sandwich which they purchased for $500 also for an additional $20 they also purchased a nibbled on corn dog by Spears' ex husband Kevin Federline.

#6 Virgin Mary Grilled Cheese Sandwich

A seller offered a grilled cheese sandwich upon which the Virgin Mary had appeared to her and the strange thing is, she genuinely seemed to believe it. This item, unbelievably, sold for $28,000. Some people just have too much money to waste, don't they? By Jeff Cohen.

#5 The Internet

If people can sell plots of land on the moon, then why can't someone sell the Internet? Someone did just that, for the bargain asking price of $1 million. Of course, it was all just a gag and it's unlikely that this Pay Pal transaction ever went through. But still, it would have been the deal of the century-the buyer was even throwing in free Internet access. By Rob Lee.

#4 18 Year Old British Girl's Virginity

An 18-year-old British girl sold her virginity on eBay? but it was bought by a businessman who kindly agreed to give her the money without actually taking the service. By Jeff Cohen.

#3 Wedding Dress

Nothing strange about selling a wedding dress, you might think? But this was the guy's ex-wife's wedding dress. And he modelled it, as well as writing a long screed about his ex-wife in the description. It sold for 3,850. By Jeff Cohen.

#2 U.S. Navy F/A-18
A HornetA state brokerage in Virginia sold a U.S. Navy F/A-18A Hornet jet fighter on eBay for just over a million dollars. It was, unfortunately, in pieces and so unusable, but they offered to put it back together and make it ready to fly for the low, low price of just another $9 million. By Jeff Cohen

#1 Broken Laser Pointer

The beginning of Ebay, the first auction ever. Pierre Omidyar wrote the code that evolved into what we know today as Ebay. Originally called AuctionWeb and hosted on the same server as Pierre's page about the ebola virus, the site began with the listing of a single broken laser pointer around September 1995. Though Pierre had intended the listing to be a test more than a serious offer to sell at auction, he was shocked when the item sold for $14.83.

Orion Kester owner of weird ebay auctions.

Source: http://www.articleclick.com/

Black is the crow; the dollhouse white

noreply@blogger.com (Ladybird) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:26:00 +0000

I’m looking at my new dollhouse.
Have you seen a lovelier one?
So white and clean and beautiful.
Sometimes looking at it brings tears in my -suddenly- blue eyes.

I didn’t really ask for it and maybe that’s the reason
why they gave it to me so eagerly.
Now everyone feels obliged to say
they’re happy for me indeed.

Even my image in the mirror is smiling to the gift,
for pain has no reflection.
Only the crow standing sometimes at my window,
the one that looks at me and sees enough,
says ‘you liar!’ and then it goes.

Shylar F.H.

How to Make a May-december Love Affair Work

noreply@blogger.com (Ladybird) — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 20:01:00 +0000

Author: Sharon Bell

It is not uncommon to find young persons falling in love with individuals that are a decade older than they are. Although you see such relationships in Hollywood and even in the movies, many are still unconvinced that such a strong passionate bond can truly occur between two people whose ages are too far apart. In fact, in some countries, marriages between the young and the old are still frowned upon and scorned.

A May-December love affair is not really a very easy relationship to enter into. Aside from the great divide when it comes to age, there are other important things that you have to consider such as interests, backgrounds, economic standings, intellectual levels, values and philosophies in life. However, if you feel that you are falling for a person who is more than ten years younger than you are, you really do not have to close your door immediately. Try to think hard about what you like in that person and carefully consider if you really could adjust to the situation. If you think you are ready to take the plunge, then read the following tips below to help you make your relationship work.

Know How To Communicate Effectively

In order for any relationship to work, communication lines should always be open. However, in this kind of marriage or affair, the older person usually dominates the conversation. If you want your relationship to work, you need to make sure that communication is a two-way street. Know how to express your feelings while being sensitive to the other person's need. Furthermore, you also ought to learn how to listen well. Simply hearing what your partner said is not enough; you need to understand it completely.

Compromise Is Key

You have to accept the fact in this kind of partnership, compromise is very important. It may be true that your young lover digs The Beatles or Elvis or you somehow can take the hip-hop songs, but there are still a lot of things that you need to compromise on. You must try to understand the pop culture of his or her generation and in the same manner, your lover should also aim to know more about your likes and dislikes. Although passion is an integral part of a romantic relationship, companionship is important in making such love partnerships to last.

Do Not Be Too Bossy

The older person in this type of relationship usually wants to take the lead. Although it may be perfectly fine on the part of the younger one, nobody wants to be bossed around all the time. Do not make a mistake of being a mother or father figure to your lover. Remember that you are not in a maternal or paternal relationship. Think of yourselves as equals and give your younger sweetheart some room to grow by valuing his or her opinion and occasionally handing over the reins.

Be Mindful Of Your Physical Appearance

Even if your partner says that physical appearance is not important, you still need to take it upon yourself to make sure you look attractive and beautiful. You also need to take care of your health and body because you will need to have the endurance and stamina to keep up with your younger counterpart.

You really should not dress like a schoolgirl or a hip-hop artist to look younger. All you have to do to avert the aging process is to take care of your skin, inside and out. You can achieve a youthful glow by eating a healthy and well-balanced diet and drinking plenty of water. Anti-aging moisturizers and beauty creams can also help keep your skin supple and wrinkle-free.

Source: Articlesbase.com

Ways to Say I Love you in Another Language

noreply@blogger.com (Ladybird) — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 19:24:00 +0000

Author: Garry Gamber

Have you been looking for romantic and provocative ways to say “I Love You” to your special partner? There are numerous different and creative ways to say “I Love You,” but have you ever thought about memorizing “I Love You” in as many foreign languages as possible?Imagine someone whispering to you “Je t’aime” or “Te amo” or “Aloha wau ia ‘oe.” You’d be intrigued, interested, and pleased, wouldn’t you? Well, try several foreign language translations of “I Love You” with a special person in your life and see what happens.

Afrikaans – Ek is lief vir jou

American – Have a beer

Australian – ‘ave another

Arabic - Ana Ahebak / Ana Bahibak

Cantonese – Ngo Oi Nei

Chinese – Gnoy oy na

Danish – Jeg eisker dig

Dutch – Ik hou van jou

English – I love you

Finnish – Mina rakastan sinua

French – Je t’aime / Je t’adore

German – Ich liebe Dich

Greek – S’agapo

Hawaiian – Aloha wau ia ‘oe

Hebrew – Ani ohevet ota

Indonesian – Saya cinta padamu

Italian – Ti amo

Japanese – Anata wa, dai suki desu

Korean – Sa Lang Hae / Na No Sa Lan Hei

Mandarin – Wo Ai Ni

Norwegian – Jeg eisker deg

Persian – Tora Doost Darem

Romanian – Te iubesc

Russian – Ya tebya liubliu

Spanish – Te quiero / Te amo / Yo amor tu

Swahili – Naku panda

Swedish – Jag alskar dig

Swiss German – Ch-ha di garn

Tagolog – Mahal kita / Inilbig kita

Turkish – Seni seviyorum

Vietnamese – Toi yeu em

Do some of the translations above look interesting? Pick out your favorites, then find a good pronouncing dictionary in order to get the sound of the phrase as accurate as possible.

After all, you don’t want “Je t’adore” to sound like “Shut the door.” That would have an entirely different meaning.

Source: Articlesbase.com

Sustainable Development: a History of Two Words and Few Facts

noreply@blogger.com (Ladybird) — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 13:35:00 +0000

Author: Marcela Amado

In 1987, the United Nations Environment Programme, led by the former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland, worked examining the position of the contemporary world and demonstrated with scientific data that the global society was destroying the environment and affecting wide segments of the worldwide population by submitting them to poverty. This analysis was published in a book named “Our Common Future”, based on the Brundtland Report conclusions. In this report, the term sustainable (or sustainable development) was used for the first time, defined as satisfying the needs of the present without compromising the generations .

The purpose of the Brundtland Report was to find practical tools for reverting the development and environmental problems. In order to achieve this, the commission destined three years to public hearings and received over 500 written comments, later on examined by scientists and politicians from 21 countries and different ideologies . As the book indicates. the work of so many people with different histories and cultures made necessary the strengthening of dialogue, which is why the result of this synergy is more than any of them would have gotten individually.

However, the concept that encloses the term Sustainable Development had been being gestated before the 1987 meeting. In fact, in June of 1972 the Declaration of The United Nations Conference at Stockholm was held, where the Human Environment and two fundamental aspects that compose it: the artificial and the native, we actively discussed. It is pertinent to highlight those conclusions that indicate the concern of the contamination index and the inequality in the necessary conditions for development. It is clear that even though the term Sustainable Development was not used until 1987, some worldwide events revealed the need to check the definition of development and construct a comprising, interdependent and equitable perspective.

The theme has been spread and debated in multiple scenes. After ten years of the United Nations Conference of 1972, in May of 1982, at Nairobi (Africa), another conference was held, whose central axis was the environment. Once again, the themes and topics that needed to be included in a new term were discussed: Sustainable Development.

The impact attained by the Brundtland Report at including this new term can be corroborated in the following United Nations Conference called the Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro, 1992. While in previous conferences the general theme was based on reflections and concerns, at the Earth Summit guidelines and goals were designed in order to protect our planet.

This is how, for the first time in humanity’s history, 180 countries represented at the Earth Summit joined on behalf of the Climatic Changes Treaty, to take measures that mitigate the effects that this produces, due to the increasing emissions of greenhouse gases. At present, there are 181 governments part of this treaty, who meet annually to analyze the advances and to continue looking for problems’ solutions.

At a later time, in 1997, all the countries compromised with climatic changes met in Kyoto, Japan, and established bases for the commitment of reducing emissions by 7% in the following decade, a commitment attained by the countries that met in Rio five years earlier. In 1998, the industrialized countries increased their emissions up to 10%; for example, the USA surpassed the limits over 20%.

In the same year of the Kyoto meeting, the second Earth Summit was held at the seat of the United Nations in New York. But when doing the balance between the established at the first Summit of Rio Janeiro and the achieved within the same, the result was discouraging. Although the agreements were reaffirmed, the drawn goals to stop the damage of the planet did not come true. In fact, the economic globalization had destroyed the advances obtained by Río's agenda, has established an exploitative worldwide economy and has exposed the natural resources to the voracity of the market. These are some current signs of warning :

• A lot of places in North America registered their warmer seasons or days at the end of the decade of 1990.

• Since 1980, Earth has registered 19 of its hottest years, 1998 being the warmest, with 2002 and 2003 as second and third, respectively.

• In 2003, the extreme heat waves caused over 20.000 deaths in Europe and over 1.500 deaths in India.

• Mosquitoes, which carry diseases, are propagating as the climate changes allow them to survive in areas that used to be inhospitable for them. Mosquitoes that can carry the dengue virus were restricted to heights of 1.000 meters, but they have recently appeared to 2.200 meters in the Andean Mountains of Colombia. Malaria, in higher areas of Indonesia, has also been detected.

• According to NASA, the polar icecap is melting at an alarming rhythm of 9% per decade. From the decade of 1960, the thickness of the arctic ice has decreased 40%.

• The current rhythm of sea elevation is three times higher than the historic rhythm and it seems to be accelerating.

• A recent study published in the prestigious publication Nature discovered that at least 279 species of plants and animals are already answering to global warming. The geographic zones of distribution of the species has moved over to the poles to an average rhythm of 6,5 km (4 miles) per decade and their sprouts are ahead in an average of 2 days before for each decade.

• During the past 25 years, some penguin populations have lessened 33% in parts of Antartica due to reductions of the winter habitat in the marine ice.

The hidden meaning of disagreements focuses on the tackling form of the problem. That is, all participating countries agree with the existence of the current problem of models of development; but no one coincides in the forms of implementing solutions. This is because such solutions require adjusting the economic growth to the welfare of the planet like an ecosystem, something that the Western modern society has never contemplated.

Since the surging of the term Sustainable Development in 1987, its significance has focused on the environmental sustainability, generating a domino effect of Global Summits and Meetings guided towards reaffirming the need to confront the same problem: The satisfaction of human needs is not sustainable in time in the way that future generations will not count with the same resources that we currently have.

With the meetings held ever since, we can highlight the 1998 Nobel Awards from 63 countries that elaborated a Manifesto reaffirming the climatic crisis of the planet in 1997, before the signature of the Kyoto Protocol in Japan. In the same year the Rome Agreement was celebrated, focusing on the correct use of fertile lands.

At a later time, in 1998 Expo Lisbon focused on the protection of the oceans. In 2000 the Climate Summit was held in La Haye, Netherlands, concluding once again that the goals had not been reached. In 2002, in Johannesburg, South Africa, another Earth Summit with similar conclusions was held. (http://www.gencat.net/mediamb/revista/rev33 cast.htm )

Although it seems incredible, the fundamental axis of all the debates has concentrated on agreeing on the way how contaminant emissions should be measured to determine if the established goals for its decrease have come true. Granted, though, not always those who offer the bigger force to this debate are the countries that most contaminate the planet.

An example of this is that, recently, a documentary was released, titled An inconvenient Truth, sponsored by Al Gore, who has played an important role in the political positioning of this subject in the United States. The documentary shows the backward movement of numerous glaciers by means of photos taken for several years, as well as a study carried out by researchers of the University of Berna Physic Institute and the EPIC that shows data of the Antarctican nucleus of the ice with concentrations of carbon dioxide—nowadays higher than during the past 650,000 years.

Likewise, the documentary reveals an investigation held by Dr. Naomi Oreskes (2004), which consists on a revision of 928 scientific articles related to the global climate change, published between 1993 and 2003. The investigation, published in the magazine Science, proved that each article either blamed global warming on men's actions or did not comment about it at all.

The scientific bases that document that our planet is on a critical and unprecedented phase are ample and revealing; today more than ever the awakening of an environmental conscience is necessary, based on a Sustainable Development perspective, to reach a balanced coexistence with the ecosystems that supports our life like species.

The improvement of the environment is a commitment of companies as well as citizens. In order to initiate this stage, big sacrifices, or difficult and innovative methods, are not necessary; the solution is simpler than we thought: it is in your hands. From your home, begin with these 10 things to do recommended by An inconvenient truth. (http://www.climatecrisis.org/pdf/10things.pdf):

1. – Change a Light
Replacing one regular light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb will save 150 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.

2. - Drive less
Walk, ride a bike, carpool or use mass transit more often. You will save one pound of carbon dioxide for every mile you do not drive!

3. - Recycle more
You can save 2.400 pounds of carbon dioxide per year by recycling just half of your household waste.

4. - Checks your tires
Keeping your tires properly inflated can improve gas mileage by more than 3%. Every gallon of gasoline saved keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere!

5. – Use less hot water
It takes a lot of energy to heat water. Use less hot water by installing a low flow showerhead (350 pounds of CO2 saved per year) and washing your clothes in cold or warm water (500 pounds saved per year)

6. – Avoid products with a lot of packaging
You can save 1.200 pounds of carbon dioxide if you cut down your garbage by 10%.

7. – Adjust your thermostat
Moving your thermostat just 2 degrees in winter and up 2 degrees in summer. You could save about 2.000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year with this simple adjustment.

8. - Plant a tree
A single tree will absorb one ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime.

9. – Turn off electronic devices
Simply turning off your television, DVD player, stereo, and computer when you are not using them will save you thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide a year.

10. - Become part of the solution
Spread the world! Encourage your friends to see An Inconvenient Truth and send them the following PDF document: Http://www.climatecrisis.org/pdf/10things.pdf

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

Famous reasons why he cannot be with you

noreply@blogger.com (Ladybird) — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 16:57:00 +0000

My best friend broke up a few weeks ago. She is an anesthesiologist and he’s a surgeon. They fell in love one night in the hospital, while trying to save someone’s life. (Ahh! so romantic!). Their relationship lasted 1 year and a half despite the many ups and downs. However someday she realized that she could not compromise her need for real communication and caring any longer and he admitted that he couldn’t give more, so she put on her shoes, she took some medicine books she had left in his house and left him.

Since that day we’ve spent hours talking, elaborating on the famous fear of commitment, trying to explain every word he said and every move he made in historical order, coming to the conclusion that a)she was too good for him and that scared him, b)he’s found another, c)he’s going through a tough phase and cannot “function” in a relationship, etc.

Does this remind you of anything?
Yes, it’s the famous family of the “why he cannot be with me” reasons that we come up with when someone does not want to be with us, or that someone comes up with when they don’t want to be with us…Let’s see some more:
d) He was ok, but maybe you asked too much, too soon
e) He was ok but maybe you should have shown him that you cared in a more straight way so that he could take you more seriously
f) He was influenced by his close friends, who happen to be single
g) You are very good-looking and he was so jealous that he was suffering so he decided not to care very much.
h) You’re extraordinarily smart and he feels threatened by a high IQ.
i) He had just broken up when you met him and he wasn’t really ready for a new commitment
j) He comes from a divorced family and is afraid of being hurt if he gets very close to a partner.
k) He was very old / young for you and he couldn’t cope with that, he is very sensitive and cannot ignore his social circle’s / family’s / friends’ comments.
l) He’s married and although he doesn’t love his wife anymore, he has to live with her for the children’s sake.
m) He likes you very much, but he has to focus on his career right now, so there’s no room for you in his life.

My dear female friends, do you REALLY need to know why? I mean REALLY? What you really need to know when someone doesn’t want to be with you, is that he doesn’t want to be with you. Otherwise, no matter what the problems are, he would be with you. Of course it’s somewhat useful to know the reason why a relationship didn’t work out, because there might be a chance here to know something about yourself and the way you relate to others, but you won’t find it in the above clichés.
Above all, don’t use those clichés to keep alive the hope that he will come back. Don’t keep yourself waiting for the day when the problem that didn’t let him be with you will disappear. Oh, please! Go on with your life –and that’s not a cliché- you should be ashamed of yourself, crying over and waiting for someone who doesn’t want you in his life. You owe it to you and to the people who love you to be happy every day of your life. You owe it to all the other women in the world, to give them a good example. Don’t waste your time and your tender heart on wrong relationships. If he was the right guy, he would be there with you. And OFCOURSE don’t you dare thinking that it was your fault that you two broke up. I forbid it, girls! Don’t forget to love yourself because some idiot doesn’t love you.

Take care,
Ladybird

Northern Eyes

noreply@blogger.com (Ladybird) — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 18:15:00 +0000

The sun is bright and hot. It stings my eyes. I close them and I see red behind my eyelids. I think, “I’m tired of making all the decisions my self. I need someone else to make the plan for the day”. You say, “Today we’re going to swim in Heronissos”, “Tonight we’ll have dinner at “Odos Oniron”. And I say “yes”. You decide everything and you chose all my favorite places. So relaxed for the first time in my life.

I see you in a jewelry shop for the first time. I’m trying a pair of earrings. You say, “You should buy them”. I say “maybe” and I leave.

The next days I see you almost everywhere. In ‘Botzi”, in “Argo”, in Vathy, while I’m having breakfast in “Rabagas”, when I swim in Platy Gialos. You invite my friends and me for dinner, and my appetite surprises you. I say, “I love Italian food” I say and you reply “I’ll cook for you tomorrow night”. And I say yes, and it’s funny because I had decided to say no.

We cook together very often in the small, isolated, white beach house you’ve rented in Vathy, and invite all the friends we’ve made on the island to come over for dinner. But every evening we go first to Kastro to see the moon rising, sitting on some rocks, at the most beautiful bar in the world, the name of which we keep as a secret, so that it will never be too well-known and crowded. I have a kitten on my lap and I play with it. I suddenly say, “You have to promise. You wont’ e-mail or text me, or call me after you leave”. You look at me with those northern eyes of yours and you say, “Of course I won’t”. And then you kiss me and we go home.

You wake me up in the middle of the night and you make martinis and we sip it half-lying on the beach. We don’t talk to each other at all and when we finish the drinks we make love and then we return to the house. We lie on the bed. You start talking to me in your language for a few minutes. Not just words, but long sentences, like you’re telling a story. I don’t understand anything. I laugh. You look serious. You pull me close and we make love again. I can see the first light of the day through our window.

I have bought a dark blue pillowcase; I love the contrast it makes with your hair. I have a white one. I put the timer of my camera on and now we have a picture, my dark head on the white pillow next to your blond head on the dark blue pillow.

I forbid you to use your shower gel or your perfume. I say, “You’ll use my shower gel and no perfume at all. I don’t want to smell your smell on a strange someday and get this Sifnos feeling again.” “It will break my heart” I think, but I don’t say it out loud.

Tonight we’re dancing bare-footed in the little bar in Kastro. I sing along “¿Como te voy a olvidar…”; you ask me what it means. I say, “How am I going to forget you”. You say “You won’t. I won’t”. You are so sweet.

I’m trying to drive my new car through the narrow streets of the island. I swear in Greek and you laugh. You are young, you are blond, you are beautiful, you are laughing out loud and I can clearly see the small child you once were. I give you the keys and now you drive. You hold my hand (oh, I love automatic cars!), I close my eyes, now I’m the child, I feel safe.

It’s your last day on the island. I’ll keep the house for a few more days. I say, “Please don’t leave anything behind. Not even a cigarette end in the ashtray. Like you’ve never existed.” You say “Don’t worry, I won’t”.

I’m driving you to the port. We’re not kissing and we’re not hugging. We had agreed on that. We say “goodbye”, I’m crying a little as I watch you getting on the boat. I drive back home and you haven’t left anything there. Then I find a half-smoked Marlboro in the ashtray. I hate you for that. I love you for that. Under the ashtray you’ve left a letter for me. I read it now.

Cycladic Art of Life...

noreply@blogger.com (Ladybird) — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 17:13:00 +0000

If you have been to the Cyclades I’m sure you loved the unique, minimal architecture, the blue sea, the clear waters, the transparent light, the small venues hidden in every corner of the small towns or villages.
Many film directors, photographers, painters have been inspired there and have used the cycladic scenery in order to create.
Cyclades are beautiful in their own special way. They are simple, but stylish, primitive in some places but impressive, wild and dry but also peaceful; they can really get into your heart.
Sometimes, in winter, when I feel stressed, tired and lonely, I think of my first time in Santorini, it was an off-season trip, the wind was blowing, I was walking in the alleys of Oia, all alone, not feeling lonely even for a second.

But what happens to those dream-like places when the summer comes? Anyone can go there. And they do. Happy couples, groups of teenagers, families, thirty-something female friends, men-only groups on their yachts …or if we wanted to elaborate a little:

1. Couples who hardly talk to each other during breakfast or on the beach, and you can see that sad boredom that only long relationships which lack real communication can create.(How many years can you have sex with someone you don’t deeply understand and who isn’t the mate of your dreams, without feeling like a walking corpse? Unless you are one of those persons, who get turned on by routine, monotony and dullness. Disgusting!)

2. Teenagers who spend like crazy loads of money daddy gave them and just want to get laid, with as many people as they can (it’s like a championship).

3. Groups of single female friends who pretend to enjoy their holiday, but they’re just desperately seeking for someone to marry. They lie on the sand, often fat, pale, with dyed blond hair, in outfits they think make them look sexy or something, looking around all the time, looking for Mr. “My mom likes him-rich -doctor-lawyer-businessman-must be blind -guy” of their dreams

4. Guys on yachts, theirs or rented, doesn’t matter, with large amounts of money in their pockets, very often inherited. They think “yacht + money = sex with every woman on the island”. After a few summers they understand that the above equation doesn’t work exactly this way, so they end up marrying a blond inheritor with a relatively flat personality and having two kids (never 1 or three, always 2) and then they become members of category 1 and 5 of course.

5. And then, there are families. You will find them mainly on the beach, where you want to lie on the warm sand, relax, forget all your worries, but shouts and screams coming from their adorable children just won’t let you. If the situation gets really wild, then their mother will drag them to the family’s towel and the screams will get louder and more dramatic.

If you fall into any of the above categories, please don’t come to Cyclades.

The islands are there for you to take just your best friends with you (if one of them is also your lover, you’re the luckiest person in the world), to wear only lovely, light, casual pieces of clothing, (for the ladies: for god’s sake, leave your high-heels behind), to wear expensive perfumes, to enjoy the sea without making noise or striking poses, to get enchanted by the breathtaking sunsets and the moonlight reflections on the sea.
Forget all your egoistic plans at all, be authentic, be simple and true, fall in love someone YOU like (not your friends or family) even if it’s meant to be only for the summer.
And if you take your family with you, remember to get to really know AGAIN your partner and your children. They are not furniture in your house and they are not decoration or accessories for your social life, they are part of you, try to communicate with them.

Take off, like an old shirt, your dull, wretched, ugly self and put on your new bright, free and charming “you”. Then come to live on the Cyclades like you’re living in a beautiful tv commercial.

Ladybird

My cigarette, my friend

noreply@blogger.com (Ladybird) — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 19:10:00 +0000

Don’t get me wrong. I know you're not good for my health, but you’ve helped me through a number of hard and good times and with that, nobody could disagree, not even those who screamed with joy when a smoking ban in all public places was decided recently by many European countries.

There were times when I didn’t have the faintest idea what to do with my hands, as I was utterly embarrassed.

Times when I was so bored I would have fallen asleep if I didn’t have a smoke.

Times when I just wanted to sit by my self in the dark, a while before dawn, with a glass of wine, contemplating the perfect night that I had just lived.

Days when I met a friend in the street, who I hadn’t seen for a long time and sat with them in a small French bistro to have a hot coffee and chat happily.

Nights when I was so sad that I kept forgetting to breathe and you reminded me to draw some air in together with your smoke.

Moments when I could nowhere find some honesty except for your pack: “Smoking can kill”.

Occasions where all the literature on bad smell related to you proved to be sooo wrong, e.g. kissing him after he’d had a cigarette and enjoying that spicy, bitter taste of fresh smoke in his mouth.

I have to say I can live without you in restaurants, bars and cafes. I really can. Besides, we can have our private moments at home, or at some good friends’ living rooms. But I don’t think I'm going to quit. After all, I’m not a racist, a homophobic, a pedophile, I don’t take advantage of other people, I don’t abuse animals, I don’t pollute the environment, I don’t cheat on my boyfriend, I’ve never supported a conservative party… I just smoke.

The Love Letter

noreply@blogger.com (Ladybird) — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 19:28:00 +0000

Author: Carol Norda

Imagine yourself back in the 16th or 17th century. You need to express to your lover how you feel and how you are longing to spend long, intimate moments together. How? There are no cellphones, telephones, e-mails -- nothing. Nothing to ensure communication save quill, parchment and perhaps an errand boy to deliver your passionate missive. The letter is full of desire and yearning. It conveys to the lucky recipient just how much you care and long to be in his or her arms.

As we are catapulted into the 21st century and envelope ourselves in all its modern comforts, we inadvertently leave behind some pleasurable traditions that would leave one trembling with excitement and anticipation - traditions that are worthy of preservation and cultivation. The art of writing a love letter should be nurtured and perfected when one wants the romance to grow and flower.

The love letter can fire the imagination of the one who is writing it as well as the one who receives it. The pleasure of imagining different ways to write about your love and passion is just part of the joy. Sharing that imagination with your chosen through the written word rounds out the experience.

A love letter need not be pages and pages of gushing mush, either. Think of whatever delightful, decadent, even naughty expressions that would ignite the mind and strike flaming anticipation in the body. Build up your vocabulary to include a variety of words to describe the intimacy or the sensual nocturnal games you could share.

The letter may describe what pleasures await when you next meet or feelings of love and tenderness. Take the time to tailor your letter for the moment. If a bit of romance is the order of the day, start your letter by using adjectives like darling, dear heart, my love. Go on to express tender feelings and how it is for you when you spend intimate moments with your chosen. It’s a marvelous way to set the tone for moments of soft, sweet, loving time together.

Perhaps a more primal experience is what’s called for. Strong words that send the pleasure points strumming with rapture would impart exactly the sort of nightly carnal delights that could be in store. Beginning the letter with words that flatter your chosen would let him know of what sort of naughty fun he can expect.

One scenario could be played out like this: You are leaving your love nest before your mate. You won’t see him until the day is done. Take your lipstick and write on the mirror what luscious delights are in store when you two next meet. An unfettered love letter scented with a fragrance you know him to enjoy, peeking out a pair of lacy undies it and left next to his pillow will have his mind reeling with possibilities.

Exploring this undervalued tool is a sweet way to weave romance, enchantment and desire with your mate. There are no boundaries within the imagination. Set it free and discover the joys of the love letter.

Source: ArticlesBase.com

About the Author:
Carol Norda specializes in dating tips for her website and newsletter. She covers many topics from flirting, meeting people to date, lovemaking and much, much more. Visit her website,
http://www.temptingkiss.com for more information.

Spice Up That Conversation for the Most Fulfilling and Intimate Relationships

noreply@blogger.com (Ladybird) — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 14:03:00 +0000

Author: Michael Douglas

Indulge his inner Superman
Every man secretly longs to play super-hero and save the day. That's why one of the best ways to get him talking is to ask for his help in solving a problem, whether it's a work snafu or a friendship crisis. Even if you're not looking for a solution, make him feel important.

Dream big together
It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day minutiae of life and forget to talk about big things like your innermost dreams. (Remember those?) But, it's super-bonding to talk and think about the future you're building together. Dreams are like big plans. Sharing them is a way of saying, "I am happy and want you right there with me in every step of the way."

Really listen
Hey, it's only normal to zone out after, 'How was your day?' But focus and you'll catch a tidbit that opens into a convo. One easy trick that will help you stay totally tuned in at that critical moment - repeat your partner's answer as a question. "Your meeting has been postponed again?" Saying his words aloud forces you to register their meaning, and practically guarantees he'll elaborate.

Chat him up in the car
Ever notice how your most surprising conversations happen on the interstate? It's no accident - guys are most likely to free-associate when they're partly occupied (even if it's just killing time until they get into the range of a good radio station). There's a reason: Men are more likely to open up when they don't have to make eye contact, confirm studies. In the male world, eye contact is confrontational. Looking straight ahead makes him feel more comfortable.

Drop a juicy tidbit
Here's a get-closer move you really wouldn't expect: Share a hot piece of gossip with him before you tell any of your girlfriends. While most men pretend not to care about other people's private lives, a recent study from the Society for Personality and Social Psychology found that guys actually eat gossip up more than women do.

Play "What if..."
Want to know him on a whole new level? Run a personality-revealing question by him. A few of our favourites: If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you choose? or If you had to eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Who knows, you may even pick up an insider gift tip or fresh date-night idea.

Bring up five happy things for every problem
Sure, it's important to get problems out in the open. But the happiest couples dwell much more on what's right in their little world than what's wrong. Research has found that the strongest couples actually make five times as many positive statements to and about each other and their relationship as negative ones. No need to keep a tally; just remember to keep the complaints to a minimum on a daily basis. And make a habit of hitting happy notes.

Feel-good moves
Why get hands-on with your man? Touching causes a physiological reaction - it gets oxytocin, the hormone that creates feelings of connection, flowing.

Hitch a piggyback ride
No instructions needed - just sneak up from behind him, throw your arms around his neck and hop on. Snuggling tight and nuzzling the back of his neck seals the deal.

Overlap your morning shower
Agreed: Sharing a shower is not sexy. But tag-teaming it - meaning you don't get out until your guy gets in - is far sexier than you'd think. Share a quick kiss before hopping out or invent your own special 'tag'. Not in a big rush? Even better: Lounge around until your husband is out of his shower, then open your towel and warm him up.

Flirt shamelessly... with your own man
The next time you two are at a crowded party together, or even lazing around one crazy Saturday afternoon, accidentally brush against him.

Get warm and cozy the old-fashioned way
So the air-conditioning made it a little chilly inside that restaurant or movie theater? Instead of wrapping yourself up and getting out of there, tell him "you're a bit cold, smother your face against his chest, and let his body heat get you warm.

Make TV time together a turn-on...
...by idly tending to a few unexpected erogenous zones on your guy's body. First, lightly trace delicate circles on each of his wrists. Next, let your touch wander to the tippity-top of each of his fingers.

Date-night makeovers
Date nights are great - until they start to get a little too routine. Solution: Break out of the Saturday-night-at-8 box. Trying anything new wakes up the brain, say researchers, "It releases dopamine, which gets you both excited."

Plan a top-secret, super-confidential date
One of you is always picking the movie or calling to make the dinner reservations. So bust out of the rut: Every Friday or Saturday for the next month or two, trade off surprising each other with hush-hush romantic outings.

Source:ArticlesBase.com

About the Author:
Michael Douglas is a relationship expert and he provides relationship tips and help for singles and married couples at his website www.womendatingmanual.com. Also, visit his latest updated section on dating and relationship articles where you can contribute your own thoughts and comments to be published online.

Lust at Face Value

noreply@blogger.com (Ladybird) — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 18:27:00 +0000

Author: Michael Douglas

A section of celebrities and socialites and a survey from an Australian university are now validating a whole new truth about the mutual attraction society - that women are driven towards men more for their face than for their muscles, and men too aren't too crazy about that perfect figure of women.

That means that the rush for a silicon implant can wait. And if you are from Mars, for the time being atleast, those daily workouts can be kept at bay. The bottomline? Do up your face, put on some make-up, but hey, wait. Also bring back that genuineness in your eyes, and the dream romantic date is sure to materialise.

Says singer and actor, Christine Albury, "It's so true. A face, more than a man's physical attributes gives an idea of what the man is. Face reflects the entire personality of an individual and a reason why girls look at a face before becoming a partner in love." Adds Shireen Mitchell "I go more by the presentability of a man before committing to someone. A face reveals a man's overall presentability to a large extent."

A great body in any case is a no-no for the tribe that belongs to the fairer sex. "I just don't go by a guy's body while choosing a partner. Someone who has a great body minus the nice aura is a sure no-no," says model Deepika Padukone. Even guys aren't gung-ho on a woman's body. "I pay more attention to the way a girl carries herself. Her conduct, her attitude, everything matters. I notice all these attributes in a girl before starting a courtship," says actor Jimmy Williams. "Her eyes, the way she talks, the manner in which she carries herself, plays a key role while settling for my lady love. A woman with an average body and a great charisma is a sure bet any day," says model Steve Miller. However, not everyone seems to agree to this new sexual attraction theory. Says actor and model James Thompson, "I want perfection in everything. A girl has to have a perfect body, perfect face and, of course, she has to know how to carry herself with style."

Actor Alan feels the same way, "I get attracted to women who are not just good looking but also have a nice attitude." Television sensation Susan Fuller however settles for a middle path. "A guy has to be a conversationalist to be my heart-throb. He has to have an ability to carry himself well. He should also be able to walk right, talk smartly and have a husky voice."

So all you guys and gals, what are you waiting for? Just follow your heart and you will surely find your soulmate with those perfect looks and attitude.

Source: ArticlesBase.com

About the Author:
Michael Douglas is a relationship expert and writes articles about love, dating and relationships. Check out his latest offerings, free advice and other related stories at his websites www.datersmanual.com and www.mendatingmanual.com

A Date With Love - Tips to Revive your Love Life

noreply@blogger.com (Ladybird) — Tue, 08 May 2007 14:36:00 +0000

Author: Michael Douglas

If you find yourself treating your partner with distant civility that makes you both look and feel more like colleagues than partners, it might indicate that monotony has got the better of your love life. When you spend a lot of time with one another in a long-term relationship, there is a tendency to start taking each other for granted, and so you stop making that special effort to keep your love life exciting.

You could try going back to what you started off with - a date. Remember talking nineteen to the dozen over a cup of coffee or holding hands during a movie? Revive that atmosphere, and you could rediscover the person you first fell in love with.

DATE YOUR MATE

Children, home, work, family - all of these make demands on your time. Soon, these take precedence over the time you spend together as a couple. The first time you plan a date, it might seem like an unnecessary chore for someone you see everyday, but take that time out. Make sure you're completely free - if you have children, get your parents to take care of them for a while. Switch off your phone or ensure that everyone in the office knows you're busy during that time.

WHAT, WHERE, HOW?

If you've done too much of the going-out-to-eat routine, make this date different. Go for a walk, to a movie or a concert. If you both share an interest, plan some activity around it. This has all the potential to turn naughty - make a meal together. Making a mess in the kitchen is as much fun as it seems in the movies!

THE OLD MAGIC

This date might not be as stimulating as when you first started going out. You'll have to make an effort to make this time special. It's the little surprises that fall by the wayside when both partners have busy lives. Get your partner flowers, or create a cosy ambience at home. Make or order something special for dinner. Try to talk about something you haven't discussed before. Don't let office problems intrude here - just try to discover something about your partner you never knew before. And more than anything else, have fun!

Source: www.articlesbase.com

About the Author:
Michael Douglas is a relationship expert and he has written several dating articles. He also provides dating tips and romantic ideas to help resurrect romance in your love life and relationships.

Online Dating 101: an Introduction

noreply@blogger.com (Ladybird) — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 17:14:00 +0000

Author: A. Hathaway

A rough guide for dating online, and avoiding fraud.

Welcome to the world of online dating. The Internet romance and match-making business has existed since the early days of the web, but only in 2000 did the industry become a major global industry. Internet dating website services have gone from an emerging market in 2000 to a full-blown competitive corporate industry with well over $2B USD in revenue at stake annually, as of 2006. As Internet usage and access continue to increase worldwide, as well as a decline in barriers to entry for new competitors, the industry is expected to continue to grow and attract new customers worldwide and maturing in 2010.

Who are the players in this market? Many names have done well establishing their brands early, such as Match.com, eHarmony, AmericanSingles, LavaLife and FriendFinder. Smaller and niche dating market sites continue to enter the game, as more and more Internet users are becoming more comfortable online, and therefore more comfortable with the idea of meeting someone special via the Internet. Success stories are out there, and so are the cases of fraud, international scams and big financial losses. More than ever, people are getting involved emotionally with someone they've never met, or someone who lives in another state or country. With this less personal contact comes the need for a professional background check from a confidential firm.

Buyer Beware: A few of the warning signs

Be skeptical and exercise caution if the individual:

1. Claims to be working, traveling or living in Nigeria.

2. Falls in love quickly, too quickly without reason.

3. Suddenly has an emergency, requesting financial aid.

4. Requests assistance with visa, airfare from Russia.

5. Requests financial assistance via Western Union.

6. Sends pictures that appear to be from a magazine.

7. Claims to be from S. Africa, Ghana or the Philippines.

Recommendations: The Basics

These tips could save you time, money and heartache:

1. Don't rush; take your time getting to know someone online.

2. Never give personal information to somone you've never met.

3. Never send money to anyone you have never met in person.

4. Use caution: Philippines, Colombia, Russia, Ghana, Nigeria.

5. If appropriate, use the phone to get to know the person.

6. If meeting the person, always meet in a public, safe place.

7. If progressing, obtain a professional background check.

Finally, the industry provides more options for more individuals around the world to find friends, romance and meaningful relationships. In this view, online dating is clearly beneficial to consumers. With this new market, however, comes new risks and safety concerns. There are many success stories that have helped fuel the growing trend of Internet dating. Unfortunately, this growth has also been equalled in the number of criminals and professional scammers seeking monetary reward. We stress the need for caution, and if progressing, to obtain the services from a reputable firm such as Wymoo International for assistance.

All the best and happy hunting,

A. Hathaway

Source: ArticlesBase.com

About the Author: A. Hathaway has 20+ years of experience in fraud prevention, foreign markets, international investigations and background checks. His ongoing travel experience consists of over 35 countries and 6 continents. He has worked as a consultant for investigative firms including Wymoo International and maintains his own blog.

Get Romance Into your Life: Feng Shui Tips to Enhance your Romantic Space

noreply@blogger.com (Ladybird) — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 17:07:00 +0000

Author: Michael Douglas

Feng Shui is the ancient Asian practice of object arrangement and space planning designed to bring balance and harmony into your environment.

Feng Shui fortifies a home with positive energy known as chi. The attainment of positive chi is both an art and a blessing to those who manifest that chi. The word feng means wind and shui means water. Each one is associated with good health and fortune.

If your love life needs a quick boost, you can use the art of placement to produce the romantic results you desire. Relationships need a proper environment to bloom. They need the balance of the five elements, too much or too little will find the romance withering.

Here are some Feng Shui tips to enhance your romantic space: The first thing you must do is remove clutter out of your romance area (generally this is the southwest area of your bedroom). This means you must remove trash, dirty ashtrays, dead plants and nothing should be stored under the bed.

Dust and cobwebs should be cleared away. Enhance your space with romantic colours, such as shades of pinks, reds and whites. For those who'd find this too feminine, maroon, greyish tones of pinks and whites can be used. The key is to not use any one colour so much that it overpowers the others. Other good colours include browns, lavenders and yellows.

If you keep flowers in the room (an excellent way to attract romance into your life), make sure they are always fresh. Silk flowers are an okay alternative, provided they are free of dust. But no dried flowers as they signify death. Also, make sure roses are dethorned. And yes, no cactii either.

In Feng Shui a Relationship Altar positively stimulates a relationship. Designate a special place in your romance area in which to put items that will encourage a healthy, loving relationship. Things to include in your Relationship Altar can include a heart-shaped pink crystal quartz, a pair of candles, or mandarin ducks.

Use the Pairs Principle to encourage love. That means two candles, two nightstands, two lights on top, two potted plants, two pillows, two chairs, etc. The Chinese symbol for love is the Mandarin ducks. They signify love, romance, fidelity, affection, and loyalty in love.

Your bed should be placed in a commanding position of the poor room. This is done to permit the widest possible vision. The door or entry to the room should be easily seen from the bed. And the head of the bed should be against a wall or a corner: If you have nightstands, make sure there's one on either side and that the bed is accessible on three sides to attract and keep a partner. The bed should not be placed under a window.

The bedroom is for sleep and intimacy. No one should come into your room without your invitation. There should be no distractions such as workout equipment, a television or things that remind you of work. It is good to hang pink (heart-shaped) crystals and wind chimes in a sunny window to attract good love energy (yang).

Pictures of you as a child, your children or other relatives should also be removed from the bedroom or romance area. This space should be reserved for couples and should only display pictures of the two of you.

Dim lights will give the room a warm, inviting feeling. No harsh fluorescents or high-wattage lighting should be allowed here.

While this is by no means the ultimate guide to Feng Shui for romance, it is a good start. These tips will give your relationship area the boost it deserves and your romance the fulfillment it requires. Alter your space and you will alter your love life...

Source: Submit Articles at ArticlesBase.com

About the Author:
Michael Douglas is a relationship expert and the webmaster of http://www.datersmanual.com where he provides free relationship advice for women and online dating tips for men to help couples and singles in building healthy and successful relationships.

Apple of Momma's Eyes - is your Man Glued to His Mother?

noreply@blogger.com (Ladybird) — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 18:37:00 +0000

Author: Michael Douglas

While daughters are more attached to their fathers, sons tend to be closer to their mothers. The maternal bond however, often can end up epitomising claustrophobia and insecurity for partners and wives. The dependency factor on the mother often spills over to basics like clothes and food, so much so that the new woman in the man's life constantly finds herself trapped in a relentless identity and space crisis. We explored the mindset of the so-called momma's boys.

A GUILT SYNDROME
Sons are always the apple of their mothers' eyes. So dotty are the mothers about their sons that even the mention of a girlfriend can spark a sudden reaction of loss and teary eyed. Which at times leaves the son with a sense of incessant guilt of putting his mother through extreme torture after all that she has done for him over the years. "When David first introduced me to his parents, I was certain nothing could go wrong. While his father remained in a state of comfort, his mother was visibly perturbed with my presence and when I offered to help her in the kitchen with the way he dinner, she almost went into a shell making her domain crisis very apparent. She later told him that she hadn't liked my offering help. I didn't do anything to incur her wrath but I think her sense of losing was so overwhelming that there was nothing else in the world she could care about. Shortly after the meeting David broke up with me. I realised he was such a momma's boy that he could not help behaving the way he did," says Donna Hughes, a doctor.

THE EGO HANG UP
Very often mothers induce their sons into taking decisions that may have no justification whatsoever. It is the sense of not being a part of the sons' decision from the beginning accompanied by a sense of 'how dare she think, she will occupy my place in his life'. "My marriage to my long standing boyfriend would have been a classic case of history repeating itself, with his parents having had a love marriage themselves. I thought his parents would understand our emotions and stand by us but what I got in return was completely different. His mother for no fault of mine took an aversion to me and drilled the same into him day and night. It did not end there, even his grandmother was apprehensive about my presence in my boyfriend's life. I couldn't gauge what the problem with the respective ladies was. I never really got an answer to that. He broke off with me almost instantly after hearing 'no' from his mom and grand mom and I was left brooding on why I had been struck with something so unfair. But I understood one thing, that he was a completely momma's boy. He did not ask his mom for a justification. I was convinced of not wanting to spend my life with someone so spineless. For all you know, at his mother's behest he could have walked out on me after our marriage had we taken the plunge," says Rebecca Jones.

FEAR FACTOR
Often more than the mothers, it's the sons who need to bear the blame for making their partners miserable by walking out of long-standing relationships, or by constantly comparing their wives to their mothers. Adit's mom had said a straight no to our marriage. At that point he broke up with me but I think his desire to be with me was so strong that he came back and we tied the knot. I thought my struggle had ended and I did not have to prove myself in anyway to him ever again.But I was sadly mistaken. Everyday was a new battle. His mother, who wasn't happy about the marriage for obvious reasons, made sure she would put me in a tight spot and ask him to make a choice and he would support his mother, abandoning me.After a year, I decided to put my foot down and walked out of the marriage. I knew he would never be able to emerge from the shadow of his mother's bosom," says Carolyn Ray, a software professional.

Found at ArticlesBase.com

About the Author:
Michael Douglas is a relationship expert and the webmaster of http://www.datersmanual.com/ where he provides relationship advice for women and free dating tips for men to help in building healthy and successful relationships.

Top Relationship Killers - How to Avoid the Pitfalls of a Failed Relationship

noreply@blogger.com (Ladybird) — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 19:27:00 +0000

Author: Michael Douglas

The dating world is often harsh and chaotic. Finding somebody who is worthy of your time can be a difficult and dirty job. Nonetheless, we are compelled to enter such an unforgiving world for the sake of the desired outcome: a good relationship. Once you've found such a gem of a person and settled nicely into a comfortable relationship, you don't want to throw it all away with a nasty mis-step. Below are some common relationship killers and how to avoid them.

Being critical
It is said that a little constructive criticism can be positive. This is the case, of course, for everybody except your girlfriend. Although suggestions are generally considered acceptable, particularly if she asks for them, put downs and unwarranted negative input are expected from her mother, not her lover. If you correct her, tell her how to dress or generally act as though you know best, she will feel self-conscious.

Becoming unkempt
Style is by no means infinitely important, but if you become shabby as soon as you're comfortable with her, she'll be sure to keep her distance. If she was attracted to you when you were wearing starched shirts, chances are that's what she likes, and she may stop being attracted to you if all you wear are t-shirts and dirty jeans.

Being snappy
The more serious you get, the more time you and her spend together. There's a chance that you might find some of her habits to be not as charming as you thought. So, you find yourself nagging her like she's your little sister. You act as though you're annoyed by her every move. You're not, of course, but you just feel comfortable enough to be blunt. Unfortunately for you, she probably won't accept this behaviour for a very long period.

Cheating
Physical cheating is never acceptable unless you and your girl have an agreement about such behaviour, or something like an 'open relationship'. But cheating isn't limited only to sexual misconduct - there is a second type of cheating that can be nearly as hurtful. And that's emotional cheating. This type of cheating applies to very serious relationships in which your girl would expect full disclosure and sharing. It just means that your girlfriend wants to feel like you trust her and confide in her. She doesn't want to be second-best. And if she is, she'll notice.

Being controlling
This one is age-old. Many people in relationships are control freaks. You get jealous of her guy friends. You tell her not to spend so much time gossiping with her girl friends. You tell her she spent too much money at the shoe store. Although women have a reputation for being clingy, they also enjoy their independence. Instead of demanding time, ask for it.
Judging her friends and family
If you find her friends, her sister and her mother annoying, you're going to have an awfully hard time. It's important to try to see what she sees in them. If you try to see the good things in them, you might actually start to like them.

About the Author:
Michael Douglas is a relationship expert and writes articles about love, dating and relationships. He also offers free dating tips for women and free dating advice for men at his website http://www.datersmanual.com

Ending your Relationship in Style!

noreply@blogger.com (Ladybird) — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 13:48:00 +0000

Author: Michael Douglas

There is only one thing worse than a broken relationship, dealing with it, especially for men. So we give you a few pointers on how to make sure that you come out of the break-up smelling of roses and also being credited with some sensitivity.

Nurture your relation ship like a career:
So you are one of those who don't expect your relationship, like your job to last for longer than a few months. In that case, make sure that you are on your best behaviour. Treat her well. In such a case you are always assured of a good reference in case a future conquest happens to be pals with an ex.

Spend, spend and then spend some more:
Women will overlook everything but not a cheapskate. Now we are not suggesting you spend all your savings wining and dining her in style. Take her out on intimate dates and surprise her with flowers from time to time. She'll appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Know when to say goodbye:
According to Woody Allen, a relationship is like a shark: "It has to constantly move forward or it dies." If you sense a dead shark on your hands, cut your losses and say your goodbye. Far too many men make the mistake of prolonging a bad relationship simply because they don't want to hurt their partner's feelings. However noble the sentiment, that only allows angst and resentment to build.

Don't play the blame game
So you are breaking up because she is a shrew or she is always suspicious. Fine but don't ever make the mistake of telling her so. You don't have to be a fall guy, you just have to be a gentleman.

Don't go back for some TLC
In the aftermath of your breakup, you'll likely find yourself lonely and bored. Don't go back for a one night stand with your ex thinking it would be no-strings attached. This will only create complications, for you never know what the other person is thinking. What if she feels that this could be a move towards reconciliation or what if you had second thoughts about getting back and she does not?

Avoid the drunken phone call
The only thing worse than going back for sex is calling your ex at 2:00 a.m. and begging her, for anything, from a night of passion to getting back together. Despite your best intentions, your drunken phone calls are a potent anti-aphrodisiac that make you sound just desperate.

Stay friendly following the breakup
Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu was clearly on to something when he advised: "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer." You'll never be "bestest buds" again, but by remaining friendly with your ex she is more likely to see you in a positive light. At the end of the day there's no better endorsement than a former lover who still sings your praises.

Be nice to her friends
Just because you have broken up with her does not mean you need to break up with the friends, especially the ones whose company you enjoy. Make an attempt to be cordial with her pals when you see them and try your best to take an interest in their lives. Who knows they might hook you up with someone else?

Resist the need to show and tell
It's only natural to want to gossip about your ex following a breakup. But gossip has a way of spreading and if hell hath no fury like a woman scorned then trust us, it is no better with a woman who find out you are telling all her secrets to the world. No woman wants to date a guy who kisses and tells.

Don't show off your next girlfriend
It's okay to run into the arms of another woman following your breakup, just don't rub it in your ex's face. If she asks if you're seeing someone, feel free to admit it, but don't broadcast every detail of your torrid new love affair. While you're out celebrating your single status, she might be finding it hard to come to terms with the break-up. So show some sensitivity.

Be positive
What if you don't have a dating history? The bad news is women distrust a grown man who hasn't dated as much as banks distrust clients without a credit history. The good news is every woman has a desperately single friend she's dying to set up. So, try your best to stay upbeat and positive. Speak well of women when you're in their company and show them the respect they deserve.

The most important lesson to remember in a relationship is to treat others the way you want to be treated. It might sound cliched but there is a reason why this rule has endured so well over the years. Give your girlfriend the energy and attention she deserves and in the end she'll remember you as "one of the good ones."

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesBase.com

About the Author:
Michael Douglas is a relationship expert and the webmaster of love-lectures.com where he helps you in fighting the heartbreak blues and provides tips to avoid a bitter break up. Here are some sure signs to know if you are about to get dumped so that you can take some immediate steps in order to avoid it.

Friend or Enemy?

noreply@blogger.com (Ladybird) — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 06:40:00 +0000

Author: Michael Douglas

You have often wondered how she manages to get the better of you most of the time. She gives you such strong toxic vibes that it puts a chemical factory to shame. She can be your next-door neighbour, a work colleague or even a 'supposed' friend. Welcome to the world of the friendly enemy or a 'frenemy'.

Professional pest...
You will encounter her at your work place. She is the beauty with brains who knows her way up the corporate ladder. No. matter how much you try, she is a step ahead of you professionally. You come up with a bright idea and before you tell your boss about it, she has not only had a brainstorming session with him, but has also started working on the concept. You can't wage a war on her, as this will further sour things. "Whenever she was better, I picked up my socks and worked harder. But when the negativity became too obvious to overlook, I amiably discussed it. If the issue had escalated, I would have approached my boss," says, Debra Hamer, group leader with a software company, on experiencing a 'frenemy' at 'her work place.

Social snoot...
She may be a common friend, husband's friend or your next-door neighbour. Her parties are inevitably better than yours and she is the better turned out at common social events. And to add insult to injury, she snubs you all the time, makes nasty comments and tries her best to tarnish your image. But since she is a part of your social circle, picking a fight would only create a bad impression about you! "I keep minimum conversation and have managed to develop a strong immunity towards her caustic remarks. And when it gets too much to handle, I give her a taste of her own medicine," opines actress Angie Hason.

Familial bond...
A part of the family tree, she may be your cousin, or your husband's relative or some obscure relative of your mother-in-law. At every family gathering, she is the centre af attention because of her pompous jewellery. To top it all, she bad-mouths about your housekeeping skills to every living relative. But inspite of all this, you have to put up with her sugar-coated dagger of words as you can't afford to displease your family. Says Shaina N.C., fashion designer and politician, "I avoid the person and appear magnanimous about it. Even then, if she is saying not-so-nice things behind my back, I don't go justifying myself."

Winning a lost battle...
Though it may be painful, try to see what you stand to gain from a toxic relationship like this. Instead of being bogged down by the negativity, take it as a boost to be a better individual. Healthy competition drives you to perform better and you can put this to good use. Don't take a remark absolutely verbatim. Before fretting over it, review it thoroughly to see if it holds some truth. If it does, then instead of feeling bogged down, take it as a learning opportunity for self-improvement. At work, if your 'frenemy' comes up with a good concept or idea, don't feel that you are a loser. Instead of trying to score over her, accept her competence. The mantra is to believe that both of you can come up with equally good ideas. Friends who tend to put you down are actually the ones who are suffering from insecurities. This should make you feel all the more confident about yourself.

Found at ArticlesBase.com

Is it Love or Lust?

noreply@blogger.com (Ladybird) — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 20:35:00 +0000

Author: Michael Douglas

There are zillions of lovers who swear that they had fallen for each other at the first sight. Whereas there are others who are not as lucky and so have dismissed love-at-first-sight as an unrealistic proposition. They contend it is a concept cooked up by romantics who need a plausible theory to air-brush that deadly sin stirring inside them. They insist that the tingle, that spark, that connection that you feel with a person upon seeing him or her the first time is most probably LUST. It is not, nor can it be, love. Love is built on compatibility, understanding, trust, security, respect... None of these aspects can be gauged at the first meeting, and therefore, by logical reasoning, your feelings, however powerful, can not be love at all.

Infatuation is the name

In the same vein, love at first sight is an excuse often trotted by people who either don't know, or don't want to admit that the pull of a sexual attraction can be that intense. This may well sum up the beliefs of most modern lovers. "I used to believe that love at first sight isn't such a sham as it is made out to be. His name was Jack and the first time I saw him, I was completely charmed. His good looks had an almost instantaneous magical effect on me. He was my neighbour's cousin and I used to eagerly await birthdays and anniversary functions in the neighbourhood in the hope of seeing him. In fact, on such occasions, I made sure I wore a short skirt or something sexy. I would make special efforts to speak in my accented english in front of him until one day I met another guy whom I knew for six months and got involved with him. Jack was out of my mind and my life. It's then I realised that love had a lot more to it than just physical attraction.

For many, love at first sight is just another way of saying infatuation. "I don't think there is any such thing as love at first sight. It's infatuation colour-coated as love. It's purely physical in nature. Love should not be dishonoured by comparing it with something as amorous desire," adds MNC executive Jess Jones.

There are others who also believe that it's an immature emotion felt by young teenagers. A guy may have the best looks in the world but may turn out to be the biggest cheater too. Eventually one realises the value of compatibility, steadiness, understanding and commitment in sustaining a relationship. You can't predict that a guy will share these with you at the first sight.

'tis true love

For every person who doesn't believe in this, there are others who will defend love at first sight with a dogged determination. They argue that physical attraction is the first step to any relationship. It could be the person's face, gait, hair or even butt that first attracts you to him/her. This is something called intution. "When I saw my girlfriend for the first time in school, I became completely lost in her eyes. She was new in the school and had an innocent look about her. I could feel my heart flutter with joy every time I saw her. There was an instant emotional connection. Although I couln't gather the strength to confess my feelings to her till much later, my love withstood the vagaries of time. As a friend and a classmate, I was well aware of her ongoing affairs but somewhere I still had the embers of hope burning bright. It was three years of passing out school, that I confessed my feelings to her, that too with the help of her best friend. She was hesitant initially but today we are a happy couple. It was truly love at first sight for me", says graphic designer Arun Vohra.

There can be love at first sight but the chances of success are as high or poor as the people involved in it. My brother met my sister-in-law and within three months they were married. I too married my husband in a similar fashion," adds model Jessica Simons.

You may call it the stroke of luck or destiny, the truth is there are many relationships that grew out of the so-called Cupid that struck at first sight as many as there are others that haven't worked out.

What's the difference between lust and true love?

- Lust actually occurs when you first meet someone and feel a special connection. It is based on sexual chemistry and is accompanied by a rapid heartbeat, sweaty palms and, for an unfortunate few drooling. It is more like an infatuation than enduring love. It could stem from both physical and a mental attraction.

- The main difference between lust and love is that lust often happens when there is little chance of forming a relationship. Lust is safe way to explore your feelings for someone who you may think is unattainable. This can closely resemble love, and if your feelings don't fizzle after you've snagged the object of them, then they can lead to love.

Found at ArticlesBase.com

About the Author:
Michael Douglas is a dating and relationship expert who currently writes for Love-Lectures.com where you can find love tips for romancing your love mate and dating tips for yet another successful date. Also, he offers love relationship tips to strengthen your love life and helps you in building healthy and successful relationships.

The Pursuit Of Happiness

noreply@blogger.com (Ladybird) — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 06:26:00 +0000

Author: Karen Lynch

We all want to be happy. It seems to be one of the constants in the human condition; we all strive to be happy.

Many of us look outside of ourselves for happiness. We look for someone else to make us happy in that magical and elusive relationship. We look for our work to make us happy as we chase the dream of career success. Some of us are waiting to be happy, waiting until we lose weight, waiting for that promotion, waiting until our ship comes in.

We spend our days in the relentless pursuit of happiness when we all have the keys now to being happy and we have always held the keys.

Happiness does not come from outside of ourselves. Happiness is an inside job. Just as
Abe Lincoln said back those many years ago, most people really are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. But there are some tools that we can use to increase our happiness and help us to find it inside of ourselves where it has been all along.

The first tool is the emotion of Gratitude. Begin to realize and reflect upon the things that you have in your life to be grateful for. Every one has things to be grateful for. It doesn't have to be a huge thing; sometimes the small things are the most rewarding. The clothes on your back, your senses that help you experience the world, the joy in a child's laughter, the random act of kindness performed by a stranger, all of these things are things to be grateful for. Reflect upon these wonderful things that you have in your life and feel the Gratitude. Really feel it, feel that wonderful joy of gratitude and reflect upon how lucky you are to be you.

The second tool is the emotion of Love. All of us love somebody. Friends, family, significant others, even pets, we all love somebody. So remember that person that you love and find a way to love them more, love them stronger, and love them bigger. What can you do today to make their life easier, more fun, and more enjoyable? What can you do for them? Don't ask what they can do to make you feel more loved or what they can do to make your life more enjoyable; that will not bring you lasting happiness. It may be wonderful and you may feel happy for a moment but that feeling will be fleeting compared to the happiness you feel when you open up your heart and do something just for them.

The third tool is the emotion of Awe. We live in an incredible Universe. There are a million things to feel Awe about. The absolute beauty of nature, the enormous advances we have made as a human race in the fields of medicine, technology and more. The fact that there is such abundance in the Universe that each and every one of us can be, do or have just about anything we want. The only true limitations are the limitations in our own minds. The freedom that can never be taken from us is the freedom of thought; nobody can determine what we think but ourselves. If we can think it, we can achieve it, we can dream it and we can enjoy those dreams, in our minds and in our lives.

So if you want to be happy, truly, truly happy, focus on these three emotions. Gratitude, Love and Awe, keep your mind on these and happiness will be yours.

Found at ArticlesBase.com

About the Author:
Karen Lynch offers Life Advice at her inspiring website LivethePower.