Life Is What You Make It: July 2008

Pregnant and Depressed

Hormones, body changes and new emotions make you vulnerable to emotional ups and downs during and after pregnancy. Learn to spot the signs of depression so you can take care of you and your baby.

What is depression?

Depression can be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for short periods. But true clinical depression is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration interfere with everyday life for an extended time. Depression can be mild, moderate, or severe. The degree of depression, which your doctor can determine, influences how you are treated.

How common is depression during and after pregnancy?

Depression that occurs during pregnancy or within a year after delivery is called perinatal depression. The exact number of women with depression during this time is unknown. But researchers believe that depression is one of the most common complications during and after pregnancy. Often, the depression is not recognized or treated, because some normal pregnancy changes cause similar symptoms and are happening at the same time. Tiredness, problems sleeping, stronger emotional reactions, and changes in body weight may occur during pregnancy and after pregnancy. But these symptoms may also be signs of depression.

What causes depression?

There may be a number of reasons why a woman gets depressed. Hormone changes or a stressful life event, such as a death in the family, can cause chemical changes in the brain that lead to depression. Depression is also an illness that runs in some families. Other times, it's not clear what causes depression.

During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, these factors may increase a woman's chance of depression:

   * History of depression or substance abuse
   * Family history of mental illness
   * Little support from family and friends
   * Anxiety about the fetus
   * Problems with previous pregnancy or birth
   * Marital or financial problems
   * Young age (of mother)

After Pregnancy

Depression after pregnancy is called postpartum depression or peripartum depression. After pregnancy, hormonal changes in a woman's body may trigger symptoms of depression. During pregnancy, the amount of two female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, in a woman's body increases greatly. In the first 24 hours after childbirth, the amount of these hormones rapidly drops back down to their normal non-pregnant levels. Researchers think the fast change in hormone levels may lead to depression, just as smaller changes in hormones can affect a woman's moods before she gets her menstrual period.

Stress

We went for our usual walk today. The wind is blowing so hard and so cloudy , look like storm is coming or something. It's good to go for a walk to relieve some stress . I am stress emotionally and mentally. Sometimes I felt like giving up hope. But I have to kick and move on whatever life brings in everyday life. I know that life is not easy for some people (that include me). But I have to have faith and keep on believing that things will get better.

You probably asking your self(what is she talking about)? Every individual in this earth has their own problem in life. This is the only way I can let my emotion out by writing what's inside me. I feel like running and just scream until I dont have a voice no more. Feels like blaming someone or everybody, but I can't do that . I cannot blame anyone for something I did or vise versa. I tell my self ...just let it out, cry, cry so hard. Maybe tomorrow will bring us a new day and start of new life. That's how I feel!

Strong quake shakes Southern California

What is going on in LA? It's disaster! First they got hit by a fire, that fire is still going on. Now earth quake.
LOS ANGELES - A strong earthquake shook Southern California on Tuesday, causing buildings to sway and triggering some precautionary evacuations. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The jolt was felt from Los Angeles to San Diego, and slightly in Las Vegas. The 11:42 a.m. quake initially was estimated at 5.8 but was revised downward to magnitude-5.4 .
Thank God there is no major damage made.

Here is the picture of my daughter Avory participating activities. She is on the multi color top. Her partner was trying to put whip cream on her whole face . She had to have her face covered with whipped cream
and Justin her brother would then throw cheetoes at her face to have them stick on her face.
The team that collected the most cheetoes would win. Sound so fun huh!

This picture is also taken at the first day of camp. My son Justin is on the left side as you see, he doesn't stay clean, and take note that's the first day of camp.(LOL) My daughter Avory is on the far right side wearing a sweater with flash light.

Justin Leah Aubry Avory

Look like they are getting ready fro camp fire.

Here is the picture of my daughter and her friends. My daughter Avory is at the right side sitting with her friend Brianna the other two is Clara sitting next to Avory on the same chair, Natalie is with the dog. Natalie is sister to Brianna. This picture was taken at the first day of camp as well.

Here the picture of my son Justin on the first day of camp , while he is somewhat clean in the woods at Church Camp.

Church Camp

As I mentioned in my other blog that my kids attended Church Camp on the 21-27 of July. A bunch of church member came from places to attend church at Icicle river in Leavenworth WA. I used to attend. It's always fun to attend church camp. A lot of activities to participate in, some crafts etc.

I am going to share some pictures that they took while they are at camp.

Earlier this week I had share my daughter Avory's ( AJ ) picture here. Now I am sharing my son's picture. He is 11 1/2 years old. Seem not too long ago when he was a baby and he was just crawling. Now he is so independent in someways. And it's funny, he always tell's me on the phone every time i tell him something very important . Every time" I said never mind , you wouldn't understand", he always tell's me " Mom, I am eleven years old . I am not a baby anymore, you can talk to me". Sometime I just stop and tear up. I guess I just miss them so much. ( My kids are staying with their dad, if anyone is wondering). Anyway, that's my little guy, not a little boy any longer. But he will always be my little guy.

Be Acceptive of Other Religions

In this world today, there are many different religions out there. Each one is unique with its own rituals explanation of how the world works. Its easy to compare another religion with your own beliefs and find many differences between the two. However, if you find that these differences make your beliefs superior in your mind, it can cause a lot of problems with your friends, family and coworkers. By accepting other religions, your life could be a lot easier.
Accept That Everyone Is Different Because all people are different, everyone needs to make different choices to be happy. Your way is not the only way - just like you can't expect your music tastes or favorite food to appeal to all, you cannot expect that everyone will be drawn to your religion, or any religion at all.

Take A Step Back And Stop Criticizing Before you point out the "holes" in another person's religion or lack thereof, look at your own beliefs. Every religion has faults. Every religion has questions that can not be answered. This is why faith is necessary - to keep you from giving up when something doesn't make sense.

Think About Other People's Feelings Think about it: You're choosing not to accept someone based on religion, on their differing beliefs and morals. This is extremely hypocritical. You are making someone feel bad about themselves because they don't agree with you. Unless they are doing something seriously wrong like murder, rape, torture etc., you have no right to force your beliefs on them - unless of course you are perfect.Do not attempt to change them.

If you meet a person of another religion or no religion that is kind at heart, why try and change them? If you meet an Atheist that is honest, kind and pleasant and try to say he/she is a bad person because he/she does not believe in what you do, who is being irrational: you, or them?

Recognize Similarities In

ReligionAnother reason why hating a person based on religious beliefs is ridiculous is that almost all religions have certain similarities. Study the books of major religions carefully, and you will be surprised by the number of similar views and fables (with different characters, of course.)Learn About Religious Ceremonies. If you think a religious ceremony or practice looks odd, it before you wrinkle your nose at it. What does it represent? What is the symbolic meaning of all steps and objects involved?

Just My Luck

Well, PPP has released a bunch of task around 2:00-2:30pm PT . I tried reserving 3 of them but , by the time I click each one of them it's already been taken. It's just because this stupid computer I am using it is so damn slow. It's so prostrating. I guess it's just my luck. Well I try it again.

Choose a Mortgage Broker

      Buying a house can be a daunting task, and for a first time borrower you might not know all the ins and outs that are involved in taking out a home loan. A mortgage broker can help - they are the professionals that match your needs with a home loan from a selection of lenders. But it's important to choose the right broker - one who is knowledgeable, accredited, and covers a wide range of lenders.

Ask friends or colleagues for recommendations. You’ve heard it before; it’s not what you know, but who. Find friends who’ve made property purchases recently and get the details of their Mortgage Broker.

Do your own research via the Internet and telephone. Ask what deals mortgage brokers have on offer and if there are any conditions attached. Remember, this home loan is likely to be part of your life for the next 25 to 30 years so don’t be afraid to ask questions and compare offers.
If a Mortgage Broker offers you a special deal, ask about the special conditions. You know the old saying ‘if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is’. Keep that in mind when assessing deals and weigh up what’s right for you.
Internet Mortgage Brokers should make their offers in writing. Nothing is solid until it’s in black and white. Print out the pages with the offer and keep them filed for reference.
Make written notes of all dates, times, names and offers. Keep it all in one folder in case there is a dispute later and you need evidence to back up your claim. Remember, it’s their word against yours, until someone has a record of it!
Make sure the mortgage broker belongs to an independent complaints scheme in case anything goes wrong. This ensures you have an avenue to follow for any unforeseen disputes.
Check if the mortgage broker has an office. If so, go there to see how busy it is and how professional it appears. Anyone can start a business, but it takes a professional to make it work.
Remember, some lenders don’t have branches and only deal through mortgage brokers.

Don’t miss out on some good opportunities by ruling out using a mortgage broker.
Ask your mortgage broker on what basis they make their recommendations. Mortgage brokers are paid commissions to sell loans, so make sure you ask plenty of questions about the commissions they are paid.
Make sure you feel confident about the person who is organizing your mortgage. Go with your gut on this one – if something doesn’t feel right, chances are it isn’t.

The mortgage broker will conduct an interview with you to get all the relevant information, both in terms of the financial details of the proposed loan and your lifestyle and risk preferences. They will then use a combination of their own product knowledge and dedicated software to find the home loan that is the best match for you.

    Once the home loan has been settled (that is, when you have your money) the mortgage broker is paid a commission by the home loan lender in question. The commission fee is entirely separate from the fees associated with the home loan, and generally you will pay the same loan fees regardless of whether you use a mortgage broker or get the same loan product direct from a lending institution. After settlement, your mortgage broker will normally remain available to you to assist with any changes to the home loan you may require in the future, and answer any follow-up questions you may have.

           A good mortgage broker has all the necessary market information at hand to provide you with relevant options detailing the various loan products available.        They should also have the capacity to compare all the loans suitable to your particular situation. This is vitally important because it allows you to compare the features, fees, repayment schedules and interest rates of many different loan products at the same time, saving you countless hours of research.

          There's a number of things to watch out for when considering a home loan. The best thing to do is start reading everything you can so you're familiar with standard terms and what to expect from your mortgage. There's a wealth of information online and many websites now have online mortgage calculators to help you choose the right loan.

Accelerate A Mortgage Pay Off

A Mortgage is usually the largest debt anyone will ever take on in their life. The average homeowner will pay over double the price of the home when their mortgage is paid off. These strategies are listed from beginner to advanced respectively 1-4.

Make additional principal contributions when you can - This is the easiest way to reduce the amount of interest you will pay on the life of your mortgage. Most are not successful at this concept because of discipline. Take caution not to send in any money you will need back because with a traditional mortgage the only way to get additional principal payments back is to refinance.

Start a bi-weekly mortgage payment program - A bi-weekly mortgage payment program has you pay 1/2 of your mortgage payment every 2 weeks. This will roughly cut 7 years off of a standard principal and interest 30 year mortgage. A homeowner can accomplish this on their own by using a mortgage calculator or if a homeowner lacks discipline they can subscribe to services which can automatically withdraw the funds every two weeks.

Refinance to a lower interest rate mortgage - To save interest you can refinance to a lower interest rate mortgage. Be aware, even if you are lowering your interest rate you should continue to make the same payment as your existing mortgage to stay on an accurate payoff time. If you reduce your payment to the new payment of the new mortgage you could end up paying more in interest over the new 30, 40 or 50 year term.

Mortgage Cycle - Mortgage cycling is a concept made popular over the last decade in Australia and the UK. Mortgage cycling uses your existing first mortgage combined with a equity line of credit(LOC) second mortgage. The LOC will function as your primary checking account allowing you to deposit all of your income in the line of credit and pay all of your bills out of the line of credit. By making use of this idle money which would normally sit in a low interest bearing checking account a homeowner can save substantial amounts of interest. It is recommended to use a professional coaching service which guarantees its results.

If the mortgage interest paid each year is reducing your tax obligation, then you may benefit more from investing your extra dollars in a vehicle that compounds interest to you until your compounded interest investment's value reaches the balance due on your mortgage.

Always see a certified professional to review your situation and objectives. They are worth the expense.

Reducing your principal balance ahead of schedule may increase your taxable income by reducing your deductions.

Paying down simple interest debt early rather than investing those same discretionary dollars in compounded interest investments, may not be the shortest route to your goal.

Increasing the equity in your home by early principal reduction is certainly in the best interest of the lien holder (the bank), but may not be in the best interest of the home owner, since his "savings" or equity is locked up and not accessible to the homeowner, but does improve the bank's position by reducing his reserved requirements.

How to Build a Low Cost WiFi Antenna

Want to connect to distant WiFi access points (AP)? Build a directional WiFi antenna using off-the-shelf parts, no new software, and without opening your computer case. Major signal boost for about $US30

Get a USB Wireless LAN adapter "dongle". This is a small device, about the size of your thumb, that provides WiFi capability to computers without a wireless card. You will need this even if your computer has integrated wireless. For best compatibility, get one that includes the 802.11b and 802.11g standard. Check www.froogle.com or www.pricewatch.com for good prices- simple ones (quite effective close in) cost around US$15-20. Note that the shape is important - you want a small thumb-shaped device. However larger "squashed mouse" models ( ~ US$50-60)are often more sensitive & powerful,& although they may be harder to mount,usually work much better in more demanding setups.
Get a USB passive extension cable ($5). You want a Type A (male)to Type A (female)cable (~US$3-5).

This will connect the dongle to your computer's USB port. Because the antenna is directional, you'll need to position it (perhaps near a window) where it can have a pretty good line of sight view of the distant AP. So buy enough cable to get it there. You can link multiple extension cables together to a limit of 5m(15'),but active USB extenders (~US$10) allow further cable runs-which may even allow elevated outdoor antenna placement.
Get a mesh-covered dish. The easiest to use is an Asian "scoop" cooking utensil (shaped like a wok, but mesh) used to fry things - it's the perfect shape and conveniently comes with a long wooden handle! Other options include sieves,steamers,pot lids and lamp shades -as long as they are dish-shaped and metal. Any parabolic piece of metal mesh will work - bigger means a better signal, but harder to carry around. Larger options include discarded DirectTV dishes or mesh covered umbrellas, and although these should give more signal boost, mounting difficulties & wind resistance tend to make about 300mm (12") diameter the most practical.Flexible stalk desk lamps allow these to be neatly mounted & positioned.
Assemble the system by putting the WiFi dongle & cable in the dish with twist-ties,tape or hot melt glue. You want the dongle at the focal point "hot spot" apex of the dish - radio signals come in and bounce toward the center, a few fingers above the surface of the dish.

The best dongle location spot can be found by simple experiment,with aluminium foil reflection of sunshine particularly straightforward. You may need a short support stick to get the dongle off the surface of the dish into this position. Alternative support methods use string tied across the face of the dish like a spider web,hollowed out plastic garden hose fittings or even chop sticks!
Plug the WiFi dongle into your computer with the USB cable, and set that as your WiFi card using your network settings.
Aim your dish at the remote WiFi antenna you want to communicate with. Your WiFi is now quite directional, so getting the aim right is important- normally point the dish towards the remote antenna, although stray reflections from buildings etc may sometimes give good signals from unexpected directions.
Once you are connected, tune your dish by adjusting the position of the dongle while watching the signal meter on your computer. A program like NetStumbler can greatly help by giving you graphical readouts of signal strengths. Compared with inbuilt WiFi adapters,which are usually down at desk level (& screened by metal walls,partitions,vegetation or your body), even a simple elevated "wokfi" setup like this can boost signals and extend ranges enormously!

There are many popular ways to enhance WiFi reception. Most methods involve collecting the microwave radio frequency (RF) signal and getting that into the computer WLAN card. Since RF is very weak, this may be fraught with complications involving tiny wires & accurate measurements plus costly lossy coax cable & connectors. Our USB based approach puts the powered RF receiver (the dongle) smack into the dish "sweet spot",& thus avoids that whole costly mess! A wide mouthed plastic baby's bottle can make a convenient weather proof container for outdoor setups, but keep it out of the hot sun or your dongle may get "cooked".
This approach is suitable for other microwave radio technologies with a dongle adapter - Bluetooth & ZigBee especially- but won't work for infrared (or memory sticks!)

Many countries do not have WiFi antenna restrictions, but in the USA the FCC and other regulatory bodies may frown on building your own radio devices.

Thus, this advice is intended only for science fairs, and perhaps not actual use.

* USB Wifi Dongle
* USB extension cable (A to A, Male to Female).
* Dish-shaped metal cookware- experiment!
* Twist-ties,tape or hot melt glue etc.
* A short stick support,or plastic garden hose fitting.
* Signal auditing program on your PC (NetStumbler ?)

Cheap Cherokee Scrubs

Nursing is the number one booming job world wide. And it's one of the most high paying job. Becoming a nurse isn't that easy. You have to go through four years of schooling, you have to pass all the test to qualify to be one. Nursing is one of amazing job. The advantage of being a nurse is able to help people in need while making money.It's a challenging carer, to be a nurse you need to be a sympathetic person, caring patient. Nursing is often as stressful job.

Becoming a nurse doesn't come cheap. But once you made it all through all the requirement to become one, that's when the the beginning to earn some money. Since nursing job requires you to dress up in uniform. Buying a uniform cost money but worry not. Here is Cheap Cherokee Scrubs for nurses. Its affordable. You can shop by category. Brand name like Baby Phat. My favorite brand. For all the nurse out there , visit this link Cheap Cherokee Scrubs . And start shopping for your nursing uniform.

Save Money on Food

This page will give tips on saving money on food in a highly simple manner. These tips shouldn't give much hardship on people and it should help you save money. If the tips do not work, go down to the WARNING.

Share food. Usually at restaurants, food advertised for two people is sufficient for three. Don't pay for more than you need!
Clip coupons and then shop at stores which give double-coupon promotions (such as Kroger or Publix). These stores will double a coupon value up to 50 cents of its price. Some stores triple coupons!
Join a coupon swapping organization. This allows you to swap grocery store coupons with users in the same geographic area.
Learn how to make great-tasting dishes at lower cost staple food. Instead of roast beef sandwiches, eat peanut butter and jelly. Instead of steak, dine on macaroni and cheese.

o Create a grocery list and stick to it - Take a list to the grocery store, and stick to it. Try to buy products that cost the least per ounce.

Most grocery stores post the "price per ounce" of products under the cost of the product.
o Buy in Bulk - When buying food and other supermarket items, it is usually cheaper to buy in bulk, so whenever possible, buy large amounts of durable goods that you will need for sure in the future (24 pack of toilet paper, "family size" cereal, etc.). Wholesale retailers usually sell in bulk and at much cheaper prices than their competitors, so consider applying for a wholesale club membership, like BJ"s, Costco, Sam's Club, etc., Don't forget to account for the cost of membership and transportation -- these costs may outweigh the savings. If Smart & Final is in your area, try it: it's a smaller, no-membership janitorial & restaurant supply store.
Don't buy things only because they are cheap; buy things if they are cheap and you are going to use them.
Remember that while processed foods may seem cheaper and easier, they are actually a lot more expensive and a lot less healthy. Focus on buying cheap, healthy foods like beans, lentils, pasta, etc that are easy to make, healthy and cheap.
Learn to cook from scratch. Cooking from scratch is the cheapest (and best) way to eat. Learn to roll yesterday's leftovers into today's meal. Manage your refrigerator: never let anything go bad. Eat it or use it as an ingredient in a sauce, casserole, or soup. For example, old lettuce can be chopped and put into a soup, old salsa can be added to a curry, and old milk can be turned into a quiche. Of course, don't use anything that has actually gone sour or rancid.
Shop for grocery store baked goods early in the day, when the bakeries mark down their day-old items.
Shop for grocery store meat later in the day, when the meat department marks down the items about to go past the "sell by" date. This meat is perfectly safe and can be frozen for later use.
Consider buying private-label or "store" brands. In many cases, these rival the quality of the well known brands at significantly lower cost.
Check out "deep-discount" grocery stores who purchase overstocks and test market items from manufacturers. These stores offer a rotating stock, so items change daily, and you may have to adjust your shopping list. But you can save up to 40% on brand-name items by being flexible with your menus. The west coast's deep discounter is Grocery Outlet
Meat and other animal products can be very expensive. So remember that there are plenty of other options when it comes to protein. Meatless Monday is a public health campaign associated with the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health that encourages people to give up meat one day a week to cut their intake of saturated fat. Check out the site for meatless recipes!

Learn how to cook. If you enjoy cooking, you will be less likely to eat out, and you can enjoy healthier meals for less cost. EX:you spend $300/month on groceries. Thats only $10/day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
Try growing your own vegetables and fruit. Even if it's only tomatoes on a sunny windowsill in your apartment. Dry out the seeds of whatever you usually eat, on a paper towel is fine. For planting and growing tips, look at a seed packet (of the same type of plant) in the shop and memorise the instructions.
If you don't know how to cook go to the library and borrow cookbooks and magazines with simple recipes you can practise. It won't take much to make pasta, rice or beans taste nice.

If the above tips don't work for you, the last resort is to set a fixed budget on food per month. You will spend no more than that budget except if it is necessary.

My Baby Girl Avory

This is my little girl picture, was just taken last month. She is 8 turning 9 in January. She look all grown up. It's just 8 years ago when she was a little tiny baby. Months & days has gone so fast , sometimes I don't realized how fast they grow.

But no matter how she grow up. She is still my little girl.

I will be sharing my son's picture next.

It was a nice day yesterday . We got the chance to go walking at Green lake. Green Lake is always been crowded specially weekend. A lot of people go there for a walk, rollerblading or just to relax. Green Lake is one of Seattle’s most beloved parks. Its expanse of water and green space in the center of a dense urban neighborhood draws thousands of people daily from all over the city. The park serves as a natural preserve for hundreds of species of trees and plants, as well as numerous birds and waterfowl. The newly reconstructed 2.8-mile path around the lake provides a perfect recreational spot for runners, bikers, skaters and walkers. Many others use the athletic fields or visit the park for boating, picnics and swimming. We walked 4.16 miles. What's not to love about green lake. Greenlake is a fantastic place to go. Walk, rollerblade, bike, run, or
crawl around the almost 3 mile path that circles the lake and unless
it's late at night or pouring down rain, you won't be alone (and even
then, you probably won't be alone). It is a popular park for all of
these activities as well as having a "kiddie" wading pool, areas to
throw around the frisbee/baseball/volleyball/etc., and space to just
play around. The summertime finds this park crowded with visitors
planning to walk around the lake, boat on the lake (there's a rental
place for little boats), and otherwise enjoy outdoor activities/sports
at this cherished park.It was fun walking. It's good for your heart.

Everyone loves green lake. It's a great park. You can go there and
walk, bike, rollerblade, jog around the lake. Rentals for the most part
are reasonable. You can also play frisbee or other games on the grass.
There's also a great playground for kids. The only downside is that
it's not the best swimming because there's advisories at least once
each summer..because of algae blooms caused by ducks. Besides that,
it's an excellent park..and the water is pretty to look at.

Slow Monday

It's monday ,beginning of the week. It seems like today is slow day for me. Not only that, it's my laundry day. Sound fun ha! Well it's one of those duty around the house so it's just a normal choire . Plus I didn't have a chance to grab any oppss at PPP today. It's alright, better luck next time right? Aside from being slow. I got up grumpy today for some reason. I don't know why but I was and I still am. So I guess I am here blogging about it. Just one way to let the emotion out. It help to let what's inside you sometimes, specially, no one there to talk too from time to time.But everything is good otherwise, just starting my week and I hope tomorrow will be different.

It's all about Water Melon

A cool wedge of watermelon on a hot summer day? Refreshing, for sure.

But watermelon is more than just a seasonal treat. Here are three great health reasons to dig into this juicy fruit:

It's loaded with lycopene. Watermelon juice actually gave tomato juice a run for the money in a recent study of lycopene levels. That’s good news for your body, because early research suggests that lycopene may be a cancer crusher.

It can make your skin pretty. Watermelon is loaded with a key compound credited with helping skin's healing and regenerative processes. Say no more -- bring on the melon!

It's practically calorie-free. With fewer than 50 calories in every cup, watermelon is one smart way to satisfy a sweet tooth. And with a whopping 141 grams of water per cubed cup, watermelon will keep you hydrated, too.

Take Care of Your Skin

Your skin is a living organ that constantly regenerates itself.
The outer layer, called the epidermis, is as thin as a pencil line.
It consists of a protective layer of skin cells that continually
shed and give way to new cells. Below the epidermis are the dermis
and hypodermis, two layers that produce the oil and collagen, that
give your skin support, elasticity, and shine. Taking care of your
skin might be very important for you, so before you spend money on
skin products, it is important to know what type of skin you have
and what kind of care it needs.

Know your skin type. Generally there are four skin types: oily,
dry, sensitive and combination.

Dry Skin: If your skin has a strong tendency toward
dehydration, lacks oil, and has few breakouts if any at all, it is
considered dry. In more extreme cases, dry skin lacks elasticity
and can be extremely sensitive to the sun, wind, and cold
temperatures. Wash your face once a day with a rich, creamy
cleanser and warm water. Rinse with warm water and pat your skin
dry. Use toner to help with that tight and flaky feeling of
dehydration. Avoid toners and makeup that contain alcohol as
alcohol-based products have a drying effect on skin.

Oily Skin:If your skin is oily, it usually has a lot of
shine to it very soon after cleansing and the pores are generally
slightly enlarged. It is more prone to pimples, blackheads, and
whiteheads than other skin types and is coarser in texture. Your
skin tends to attract more dirt than dry skin, so wash your face
twice a day with a gentle non-foaming cleanser and warm water.
Rinse with warm water. Use an alcohol-free, hydrating toner to help
remove additional residue. Oil blotting sheets through out the day
can help control shine, and it takes as little as 3 minutes after
lunch.

Normal Skin: Some consider normal skin to be Combination
skin, but it is not. If your skin is marked by oily skin in the T
zone and dry, taut skin on the cheeks, and changes with seasons
(dryer in winter, oilier in summer) it is considered normal. Normal
skins can also be 'Normal-To's' as in normal to oily or normal to
dry. Wash your face with cleansers that are designed for your
normal/normal-to skin type. Wipe an alcohol free, hydrating toner
all over the face. Apply moisturizer more frequently to dry
skin.

Sensitive Skin: Please note that may have sensitive skin
AND normal, oily, or dry. If your skin has allergic reactions to
beauty products and is usually sensitive to the sun, wind, and cold
weather, it is sensitive. Sensitivity can show up in rashiness,
redness, inflammation, acne, and dilated capillaries. Look for
cleansers, toners, makeup, and moisturizers that are fragrance-free
and hypoallergenic. Cleanse, tone and moisturize with gentle
products everyday. The idea for your skin is to always choose
products with a soothing benefit. Some common ingredients to look
for are: chamomile, azulene, bisabolol, allantoin, lavender,
camphor, calamine, rosemary, thyme, aloe vera etc.

Combination Skin: Combination skin is truly two extreme
skin types on one face. These situations occur when there is acne
and a lot of oil in one area when the rest of the skin is generally
not producing oil and dry. Two common examples are a dry skin with
papular and pustular acne on the cheeks or a normal skin with
inflamed papular and pustular acne in the chin and mouth area. For
Combination skins, treat each area appropriatly as described above.
If the acne is severe, consult a dermatologist or esthetician.

Use homemade masks to moisturize your skin. They're easy to
make, and they really work! For instance, a mixture of grapes,
lemon and egg white is very helpful for oily skin and honey
promotes the healing of ulcers and burns.

Washing your face with plain refrigerated yogurt every night
makes most acne cases vanish within a few days.

Carefully choose your facial scrub to match your pore size. The
type and size of the grains in the face scrub can actually make the
difference between exfoliated and irritated skin.

Avoid stretching or pulling on the delicate skin near your eyes
when putting on creams or cosmetics. This delicate area shows age
markings like wrinkles much sooner than it should when subjected to
too much rough handling.

Never coat your entire face in foundation. Chances are, you
only need a little bit in areas you are most self- conscious

in.

Wash all cosmetics off as soon as you know you will not be
going out again and avoid wearing cosmetics whenever possible to
give your skin a rest.

Change the applicators and clean the brushes you use to apply
make-up on a consistent basis. Bacteria and oils can build up in
these places and then be spread back on the skin each time make-up
is applied.

Wash your pillowcase often and avoid wearing hair products to
bed. The combination of hair products and facial oils on the
pillowcase can cause blemishes.

Never pick at a blemish. Many poor results come of picking at
breakouts, such as scarring, infection, or permanant enlargement of
the pore. You are also more likely to get another breakout in the
same place over time.

Avoid touching your skin as much as possible.

Clean your cellphone and any other device that may come in
contact with your skin.

Oil blotting sheets can help absorb oil through the day so you
are not tempted to re-apply powder or foundation, or overwash your
face.

Vitamins are essential for healthy skin, especially vitamins A,
B,and C. Vitamin E helps to improve the complexion when applied
externally.

Over washing skin can make it red and sore.

Choose a sunblock specifically meant for your face as some
sunblocks can cause breakouts unless specifically designed for the
face.

Use caution when using any product containing acids or
peroxides such as acne creams and fade creams. These increase the
skins' sensitivity to sun and may cause redness and peeling.

Never allow anyone to 'pop' or otherwise break open a blemish.
This is a very unsafe practice as bacteria and germs can enter
through the broken skin.

Toner can dry out skin if used too often

Be a Great Basketball Coach

Tips on how become a basketball coach. Seattle Adult Basketball

Figure out what kind of coach you want to become: a middle school coach, a high school coach, a college coach, or a pro coach. You can only become a professional coach after gaining some experience elsewhere, so this article will not deal with that aspect of your job search.
Call your local school district and find out what kind of training and certification you will need.
Go to school and get all your degree and/or certification.
Be involved voluntarily. While completing school, help out with local sports teams which your county, or a church may sponsor. This will give you experience and will strengthen your resume.
Seek a position. After you have graduated and you are ready to apply for a position,check the web pages of the all local school boards to find out what jobs are available and what the particulars of employment will be.
Network all the time. Knowing the right people will help you land that job, so be sure to make plenty of contacts along the way as you do your volunteering, etc.

* If your players are playing badly, call a time-out and let them know without embarrassing them. Do not shout at them so the whole gym can hear.
* If players aren't playing hard, bench them for a couple of minutes so they get the point and see if another player will perform for the team. Get everyone competing for that first team spot!

Check this check. Women needs to pamper them self sometimes right girl? Anyway, I love shopping at Body Central . They the cutiest trends top ever. Not only that. It's cheap and anyone can afford it. I love their outfit. Here are the top that I really like . Girls if you want to shop at home , here is your chance to get the latest fashion, stylish clothing in affordable prices.

Phone Call From a friend of mine

I got a pleasant phone call from my best friend Dabawenya Babe today. We chatted for a while. catch up what is going on our lives.It was nice talking to her. We use to chat at yahoo IM all the time back home. But now that she is here in US, just a phone call away. It's kind of nice knowing that you have a friend to talk to even we are far away. But it was nice to catch up what was going on stuff.

By the way she put the domain I bought;)) thanks sis for doing that for me. I owe you a million buck( LOL).

Keep a Child Hydrated During Sporting Events

Adolescents and children sweat more than we realize, and as a result they lose a significant amount of body fluid, which contains sodium and potassium. This fluid needs to be replaced to prevent dehydration or more serious heat stroke.

Ensure that the adolescent or child drinks 15 to 20 oz of water or sports drink (Water is preferred) 30 minutes to an hour before an event.
Ensure adequate hydration. During the event, a child or adolescent needs to drink 4-6 oz every 20 minutes - this is around 4 to 5 gulps. This should be water to replace sodium and potassium lost during the activity.
Get the child or adolescent to drink an additional 10-15 oz of Gatorade after the event.

* Dehydration can cause serious problems and a lot of us adults don't stop to think how it can affect our children.
* Gatorade is a high endurance drink that is great to use during high humidity.
* Don't forget the water!

* During the athletic event, watch out for signs of dehydration:
o muscle cramping
o lightheadedness or dizziness
o rapid heartrate
* Soda, "bug juice", and other sugary drinks dehydrate you faster, like Gatorade.
* Drinking too much water over too short a period of time can lead to electrolyte and sodium imbalances, which can be fatal (see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperhydration.

In order to see images the way they were intended to be seen, your monitor might need to be calibrated. If you're a web designer, digital photographer, or graphic professional, this is especially important. You don't want to spend hours choosing the perfect subtle color scheme only to see a mis-matched mess on someone else's monitor or coming out of a printer. Here's how to calibrate your monitor so that what you see is what you get.
Monitor Calibration

Check the screen resolution. Choose the highest resolution available unless the text is too small. If you are using an LCD monitor, check the manual or box for the "native" resolution. Set your computer to this resolution.
Verify that your computer monitor is in high color or 24-bit mode. In Windows, check this by right clicking on your desktop and choosing Graphic Properties. On Mac, go to Preferences, then click on Displays and then choose Colors:Millions. If your display is in 16-bit color, there won't be enough color depth for the calibration process.
Let your monitor warm up for at least 15 (preferably 30) minutes before beginning the calibration.
Make sure that no reflections, glare or strong, direct light reaches your screen. The room doesn't have to be dark, but ambient light shouldn't interfere with how you see what's on the screen.
Print a test photo on a professional quality printer. Choose a daylight photo with a person who has natural skin tone and print it using the highest quality settings and top-quality glossy photo paper. Let it dry away from direct sunlight for a few hours so that the colors can set permanently.

Adjust your contrast and brightness controls. They are located either on the front of your monitor or in an on screen menu. Find a calibration test screen online by conducting a search. A free basic calibration tool can be found here.
7. Open the image file that you just printed.
Place the printed photo right next to the original image on the screen and compare.
Adjust the brightness, contrast, and color levels (red, green, blue) on your monitor until the image on the screen resembles the printed photo as closely as possible. This takes time and a good eye for color. Continue to the next step if you'd like to use software to calibrate your monitor.
Use basic software such as Adobe Gamma (if you have Adobe Photoshop 7 or below installed), QuickGamma (which is free), Apple ColorSync, or Monica for Linux to calibrate your monitor. To access Adobe Gamma, click "Start," "Settings" and "Control Panel." For all the software, follow the step by step instructions to perform the calibration. These will provide a basic calibration for, say, casual Photoshop users who don't print a lot of photographs.
Purchase specialized software used in conjunction with a colorimeter (a device that reads the actual color values produced by your monitor) if color accuracy is vital to your profession. Some calibration systems worth looking into are ColorVision Spyder2, the ColorVision Color Plus (great for home systems), Monaco Systems MonacoOPTIX, and Gretag Macbeth Eye-One Display.
Calibrate your monitor every 2 to 4 weeks for optimum visual accuracy.

* Have a professional calibrate your computer screen if you are uncomfortable doing it yourself or if you can not achieve your desired results. A recommended calibration service can be found online

* If you have more than one calibrating program on your computer, make sure that only one is running at a time or else there could be conflicts.
* Only use test prints made on true photographic paper from a commercial photo lab for monitor calibration. It is foolish to spend time calibrating you monitor when it is your printer that needs the adjustment. More often it is the printer that needs to be calibrated not the monitor. Do not trust the prints that you make yourself on your own printer. Each brand of printer will give different color results. So will different brands of printing paper in the same printer.

Spicy food is enjoyed the world over. In some countries, like Indonesia, spicy foods are even fed to newborns and only the dying are kept from enjoying everything the spices have to offer. Eating spicy foods will open up a whole new world of culinary delights to those who dare to venture.

To start your own journey into the world of spicy food, begin by:

Start with foods that are only slightly more spicy than what you are currently used to. As you eat these foods, note which spices you like, which you don't, and whether they cause any side effects.
Once you grow comfortable with the new level of spice in your food, move up to the next. As you move up, go with those spices, whether for heat or flavor, that you prefer.
Continue increasing the amount of spice in your food as you adjust to each new level. However, give yourself time to adapt to each increase in flavor and heat. As you do so, you will open up a wide range of food options you might never have considered trying.

* Do a bit of research on the different spices used in foods and their health hazards and benefits. For instance, cayenne pepper (which is very hot if overused) has been shown to improve heart health.
* If you eat something that is overly spicy, have a glass of milk handy. Milk will more effectively relieve the burn on your tongue than water. The reason for this is that the burn is caused by oils in the spices. Milk washes away the oils; water doesn't.
* Sugar is also useful for killing heat, although it isn't as easy to consume in large quantities as milk.
* Yogurt can also be pretty handy in cooling your stomach down after eating spicy food. It brings down the body temperature, making it easier for your body to handle the food and you will have fewer problems the morning after. Plain is best, but a cup of vanilla will do also.
* It can be helpful to incorporate new spices into foods that tend to mask or dilute the spice, like a sandwich or a soup.
* Spicy soups can speed up the adaptation process, due to the constant contact with the mouth.
* Bread, bananas, and strawberries can help reduce the "fire" from spicy foods.
* Take note that the spiciest parts of hot peppers is their veins and seeds. The actual flesh of the pepper is not very spicy. You too can be cool by chomping on the flesh of a habenero while your friend gets black eyes from not avoiding the white veins and seeds.

* Always wash your hands after handling spicy food directly. This is especially true after cutting raw hot peppers.
* If you will be handling large quantities of hot peppers that will be cut or sliced open, such as when making Jalapeno poppers, be sure to wear latex or rubber gloves. The active ingredient in hot peppers can permeate through the skin and cause a severe burning sensation for days!
* If you have any sort of health problem, such as ulcers, that might be aggravated by eating spicy foods, please talk to your doctor about the limits you need to put on this exercise.
* Do not allow any juice to get on your lips, eyes, or anything else sensitive as the burn can last at least 15 minutes.
* Overeating spicy foods can numb your taste buds, disabling your sense of taste for a while.
* When headed to the bathroom, be sure to wash your hands after handling peppers, especially if you are of the male gender.

How to Have a Great Conversation

The art of conversation takes practice, and is not as hard as you might think. It will take some knowledge, practice, and patience, and you can learn to relax and enjoy a great conversation.

Listen. This is the most important part of any conversation. You might think a conversation is all about talking, but it will not go anywhere if the listener is too busy thinking of something to say next. Pay attention to what is being said. When you talk to the other person, injecting a thought or two, they will often not realize that it was they who did most of the talking, and you get the credit for being a good conversationalist - which of course, you are!
Find out what the other person is interested in. You can even do some research in advance when you know you will have an opportunity to talk with a specific person. Complimenting them is a great place to start. Everyone likes sincere compliments, and that can be a great ice-breaker.
Ask questions. What do they like to do? What sort of things have they done in their life? What is happening to them now? What did they do today or last weekend? Identify things about them that you might be interested in hearing about, and politely ask questions. Remember, there was a reason that you wanted to talk to them, so obviously there was something about them that you found interesting.

Forget yourself. Dale Carnegie once said, "It's much easier to become interested in others than it is to convince them to be interested in you." If you are too busy thinking about yourself, what you look like, or what the other person might be thinking, you will never be able to relax. Introduce yourself, shake hands, then forget yourself and focus on them instead.
Practice active listening skills. Part of listening is letting the other person know that you are listening. Make eye contact. Nod. Say "Yes," "I see," "That's interesting," or something similar to give them clues that you are paying attention and not thinking about something else - such as what you are going to say next.
Ask clarifying questions. If the topic seems to be one they are interested in, ask them to clarify what they think or feel about it. If they are talking about an occupation or activity you do not understand, take the opportunity to learn from them. Everyone loves having a chance to teach another willing and interested person about their hobby or subject of expertise.
Paraphrase back what you have heard, using your own words. This seems like an easy skill to learn, but takes some practice to master. Conversation happens in turns, each person taking a turn to listen and a turn to speak or to respond. It shows respect for the other person when you use your "speaking turn" to show you have been listening and not just to say something new. They then have a chance to correct your understanding, affirm it, or embellish on it.
Consider your response before disagreeing. If the point was not important, ignore it rather than risk appearing argumentative. If you consider it important then politely point out your difference of opinion. Do not disagree merely to set yourself apart, but remember these points:

* It is the differences in people--and their conversation--that make them interesting.
* Agreeing with everything can kill a conversation just as easily as disagreeing with everything.
* A person is interesting when they are different from you; a person is obnoxious when they can not agree with anything you say, or if they use the point to make themselves appear superior.
* Try to omit the word "but" from your conversation when disagreeing as this word often puts people on the defensive. Instead, try substituting the word "and", it has less of an antagonistic effect.
Consider playing devil's advocate - which requires care. If your conversation partner makes a point, you can keep the conversation going by bringing up the opposite point of view (introduce it with something like "I agree, and..."). If you overuse this technique, however, you could end up appearing disagreeable or even hostile.
Do not panic over lulls. This is a point where you could easily inject your thoughts into the discussion. If the topic seems to have run out, use the pause to think for a moment and identify another conversation topic or question to ask them. Did something they said remind you of something else you have heard, something that happened to you, or bring up a question or topic in your mind? Mention it and you'll transition smoothly into further conversation!
Know when the conversation is over. Even the best conversations will eventually run out of steam or be ended by an interruption. Shake hands with the other person and be sure to tell them you enjoyed talking with them. Ending on a positive note will leave a good impression and likely bring them back later for more!
Make a good first impression. Smile, ask questions that require more than a yes/no answer, and really listen. Maintain eye contact and keep as friendly and polite as possible.

* If, after the conversation concludes, you come away feeling full of yourself there is a chance you maneuvered the talk to serve your own agenda and steam-rolled your counterpart. You used the occasion to show off your wit and knowledge. Try to keep from using a conversation to boost your ego.
* Always think before you speak. Do not take a long time to answer but listen well to keep on the right track with the conversation. Try not to make an embarrassing mistake, such as giving an opinion which may disrespect someone else. Choose your words carefully, but do not create pointless silences by keeping your conversation partner waiting for 5 minutes before you answer a simple question.
* Remember that sometimes if a conversation isn't going well, it might not be your fault! Sometimes the other person isn't interested in listening, or isn't willing to contribute. If they don't speak or listen, then it's their fault for having poor conversation skills, not yours.

* Choose carefully when asking personal questions. You do not want to venture into overly personal issues. Even if the other person might be willing to talk about it, you may end up learning things that you really do not want to know. You certainly do not want the other person to think afterward that you coerced them into revealing personal information.
* Be sincere! Compliments are great, but too much flattery is obvious and will reveal you as being insincere.
* Beware of topics that can be inflammatory - such as religion and politics - and don't venture into them unless you know the person has roughly the same convictions as you, or the circumstances otherwise allow for pleasant discussion. Again, it's fine to disagree and can be nice to talk about differences, but it can also be a quick step toward an argument.
* Try not to argue! You do not have to agree with everything someone says, but you do not have to tell them all about how you disagree. If you feel the need to explain an opposing viewpoint, express it simply and without putting the other person on the defensive. It is better to simply change the subject in a casual conversation than to get involved in an argument.
* Try not to nod or respond with "Yes" and "I see" so much. It might make the person feel that you are bored and may sometimes seem like you are rushing them along. Never say anything hurtful or offensive to the other person, this may project a bad feeling between you.
* If it is a planned conversation, try listening to the news in case you run out of thing to say; it is always a good solution.
* Also try not to cut the person off mid-sentence. It seems disrespectful and it makes it seem like you think that what you have to say is more important than what others have to say. Let the person finish their thoughts and then continue on with thoughts of your own.

Saving lives and protecting families...one newborn at a time.

In today's world has to many diseases out there that are contagious. Some are treatable and some are not. Are you an expectant Mom ? If so; maybe this this the right for you to think about preserving your baby's cord blood or the other term called cord blood banking. It is very important. Cord blood banking is an important topic for parents these days as the potential medical benefits of umbilical stem cells grow daily. There is a lot of families preserving their baby's umbilical cord blood. It's treat some diseases out there. Specially for your family member.We can save lives one at a time if you make the right chooses. Stem cells from umbilical cord blood are known to treat over 70 diseases, and have been used in over 8,000 transplants worldwide. In addition to the value of these stem cells today, research is ongoing for a number of potential medical miracles in the future. But making the decision to save your baby's cord blood takes thoughtful consideration. Once you've learned all the facts, you won't trust anyone else but Cryo-Cell Cord Blood Bank to preserve this potential medical miracle.To get some more information about cord blood bank just go to CRYO-Cell .Stem cell collection, processing & preservation: a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. To get enrolled click the link above and it will guide you through the better way of saving live.

Tag & Go

Wanderer got this tag from Loud and raw .
And Wanderer, passes this tag to me, thanks sis for this tag.

The rules are posted at the beginning. At the end of the post, the player tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leave a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?

• Working two jobs,studying part time at the same time. Taking care of my kids

2. What are 5 things on my to-do list today?

• Cook lunch
• Watch news
• Post on my blogs
• Talk to my kids
• Go for a walk later

3. Snacks I enjoy:

• Seasoned Fries ( yummy)
• fruits
• Salt and venigar potato chip

4. Places I’ve lived:

• Solano, Nueva Vizcaya
• Makati Manila
• San Jose City, Nueva Ecja
• Right now... WA State

5. Things I’d do if I were a billionaire:

• Build ashelter for homeless
• Help people who suffer form hurricane and flood
• Donate some money fro Sen Omaba's campaign
• Take a longgggggggggg vacation in a quiet place.
• Buy things I want (LOL)

6. People I want to know more about:

• My bestfriend Gladys.

Now I am tagging:

Confessions Of a Teenager
My Quiet Zone
Live it Up
Live laugh Love
BlogHeaven
A moment to Exhale

Was Lucky

Well, I log into my PPP account late today. But Luckily , I was able to grab some Opps they have release. I haven't have any opps taken from PPP for a few days now. But Today was my lucky day, considering I log in late. Thanks PPP for giving me the opportunity to take some task from you. I hope I get some more tomorrow ( wink, wink)

have you heard about zennioptical.com ? If not here is your chance to browse or shop your very own persicription glasses you ever wanted.Thier glasses are very stylish, passionable to wear. Prices are low, reasonable and affordable,high quality. They all have styles of frame and lenses you are looking for. Click on the above link and shop for the glasses you ever wanted to buy in the convenients of your home.

The best time to expose one's body directly to sun is up to 3.00 hrs after sunrise and from 3.00 hrs before sunset. Daily exposure during this period will turn your skin golden and is naturally healthy. Performing Yoga during this period facing the sun by wearing white cotton dress is a good practice. Exposing your skin directly to sunlight during other periods of the day is a kind of torturing your skin and should be avoided and is unhealthy. However, it is always safe and essential to expose the skin to indirect sunlight like under a tree shade.
Excessive sun exposure can cause sunburn, skin damage, skin cancer (the most common form of cancer), cataracts, and heat stroke. Take the right precautions to avoid these hazards and enjoy the sun safely.

1. Select an appropriate sunscreen.
2. Check your sunscreens SPF.
3. The SPF, or "sun protection factor" number, contrary to popular belief, does not signify how strong the SPF is. It tells you how long it will keep you protected (theoretically). For example: it is in how many minutes you burn x the number that tells you how long it should last (even though you should reapply often, say every few hours, or more often if you burn easily). So if you burn in 10 minutes of sun exposure without any protection, SPF 30 will keep you protected for 300 minutes (in theory!).
4. Keep in mind that SPF is not cumulative. Applying one SPF 15 sunscreen and another SPF 20 sunscreen may give you slightly better coverage, but it does not add up to SPF 35.
5. Look for both UVA and UVB coverage. This means that the sunscreen will block both kinds of damaging ultraviolet light.
6. Look for a PABA-free sunscreen. Para-aminobenzoic acid, or PABA, was used in sunscreens for a long time, but it can stain clothing and cause an allergic reaction in some people.
7. Choose a water-resistant sunscreen, if you will be swimming or sweating too much. No sunscreen is truly waterproof, so you should reapply the sunscreen frequently, according to package instructions.
8. Choose a sunscreen that suits you. Some daily sunscreens aren't as gooey or smelly as some of the heavy-duty outdoor sport formulations. Some sunscreens come in spray-on, roll-on, and stick formats. Some sunscreens come with built-in insect repellent. Some even temporarily turn your skin a different color! If you dislike wearing it so much that you don't, it will do you no good. Wearing sunscreen need not be unpleasant, so smell and try different sunscreen brands and styles to find the one(s) that are best suited for you.
9. The word "sunblock" is a misnomer. Sunscreen slows the effects of the sun on skin by absorbing, reflecting, and scattering UV rays, but it doesn't stop them.
10. Apply the sunscreen generously. If you're using a cream, the amount of sunscreen you should use is about the size of a regular golf-ball, or 1 oz.
11. Start ahead of time. Ideally, begin applying sunscreen at least a half hour before you go out. It takes approximately 20 minutes for sunscreen to become effective after it has been applied.
12. Use more than you think you need. Most people do not use enough sunscreen, stopping at somewhere between one fourth and one half the quantity applied to test sunscreens.
13. Don't just grease it on. Put a little on and rub it in. Then do it again and again, until you have a deep, penetrating layer of sunscreen. Do it right and you won't notice it at all and it will truly protect.#
14. Don't miss a spot! Be thorough. Put it on the most vulnerable areas: the entire face and forehead, especially the nose and tips of ears, back of the neck, backs of knees, and arms. Make sure to cover all skin that will be exposed. Don't forget the tops of feet, if you're wearing sandals. Have a friend help with hard-to-reach spots like backs and shoulders.
15. Keep your sunscreen relatively fresh. Expired sunscreen may not be as effective as recently-purchased sunscreen, but in general, any sunscreen is better than no sunscreen. If there's no expiration date, try it and see if it still works, or replace anything older than about three years.#
16. Cover up. Light layers of clothing work best, in light colors which reflect heat, rather than dark ones, which absorb it. Try a shell or tank top, and then wear a light camp shirt open over that. Natural fibers like cotton are coolest.
17. Wear the right hat for you. Choose a hat with at least a 3-inch (8 cm) brim all around. A hat will also help to keep you cool. Baseball caps leave the ears and neck exposed, so they're not the best choice for sun protection. A hat will also help to protect your eyes from glare.
18. Wear light-colored, loose fitting clothing. It will keep you cooler and help prevent sunburn by reflecting the sunlight. Be aware, though, that clothing may not block sunlight completely. In fact, an ordinary t-shirt may only be the equivalent of SPF 5. Look for clothing designed to block sun, even up to SPF 50, if you spend a lot of time outdoors.
19. Wear pick sunglasses. Choose sunglasses that block UV light and wrap around to block light from the side, too. If you're not sure whether your old sunglasses adequately block UV, ask an optometrist to have them checked. Long term exposure to UV light can lead to cataracts. Wear sunglasses in conjunction with a hat.#
20. Stay hydrated.Water is the best choice. If you'll be exercising heavily, a sports drink can help to replace electrolytes. Drink in proportion to how much you perspire, but remember that too much too quickly can harm you. It's best to take frequent, moderate portions. Too much sugar, as in soda, can undermine the benefits of the liquid, and alcohol can dehydrate you outright.#
21. Stay out of the sun. Especially between 10am and 4pm, stay out of the sun as much as possible. Finding a spot in the shade, carrying an umbrella or parasol, and scheduling outdoor activities to avoid those hours can help to minimize exposure.
22. Limit your total time in the sun. Roll up car windows and run the air conditioning rather than dangling your arm out the window. Glass blocks UV light reasonably well.

* Use the 5-S mnemonic to remember sun safety:

Slop on some sunscreen (at least SPF 30).
Slurp up some water.
Slip on a shirt—you can buy SPF 50 shirts and clothing now.
Slap on a sun hat—with at least a 3" brim all the way around, not a baseball hat.
5. Step into the shade.
* Use these tips in combination. That is, put on sunscreen, SPF-protective clothing, and a hat. Stay in the shade during the worst parts of the day.
* Remember that children need to be educated, not just greased up! Teach them why skin cancer is far and away the most common cancer, how sun damage causes it, and how to protect themselves.
* Keep sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat available. Leave them in your bag or vehicle so that they'll be there when you need them.
* Don't forget your lips, they can get burned too. Slather on a lip balm with SPF 15+.
* A T-shirt isn't always effective: the SPF of a plain White T-shirt can be as low as 5!
* Some fabric dyes are commercially available to raise the SPF of fabrics to as much as 30. Shop around if you spend a lot of time in the sun.

* Sunscreen is not a complete solution by itself, nor a license to spend unlimited time outdoors.
* It's possible to get sunburned on a cloudy day, and it's possible that the clouds will clear up during the day. Take and use sun protection even if it's cool and cloudy when you leave.
* It is possible to get burned through clothing. Clothing typically has between a 3-10 SPF. Wet clothing has even less. To be safe, apply sunscreen underneath clothing. However reapplying under clothing or under bathing suits can be cumbersome; therefore, an easier alternative might be washing clothes with a product that offers protection to clothes, such as Rit Sun Guard, which can provide an UPF (Ultra-Violet Protection) of 30 to clothes and lasts for 20 washes.
* If possible, you should purchase a sunscreen that is paraben-free. Parabens have been linked to breast cancer.
* When skiing or snowboarding, it is common to get a sunburn on your face. If you are planning to have some fun on the mountains, in any season, put on your sunscreen!

Many women around the world gets diseases in many ways.There are many ways we can do to prevent from getting diseases. When it comes to making major life decisions, there is no time like the present. And when it comes to something as important as collecting potentially life-saving stem cells found naturally in menstrual blood.For all the women like ; can act now while it's early to do the right thing. Here is some articles from CNNMoney
About C'LLE. C'elle's exclusive and revolutionary service provides women with the unique opportunity to collect and preserve vital stem cells that can be harvested from the body's menstrual fluid during the menstrual cycle.

As the Press Release:

Taking Control: Future Therapies for a Host of Serious Diseases May Be Found in Women's Menstrual Blood

July 07, 2008: 01:28 PM EST

OLDSMAR, Fla., July 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- With today’s hectic lifestyle, where most women are juggling careers, family, relationships, and a host of activities, the idea of possibly facing a serious illness in the future is not something that readily comes to mind -- especially when a woman is in the prime of her life. But what most women don’t know, is that the key to treating a number of possibly life-threatening diseases that she, a parent, a sibling or even her children may face in later years, such as osteoporosis, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, may be found within her own body -- in vital stem cells, which can now be harvested from her own menstrual blood.

Now, thanks to the revolutionary research and technology of C’elle, a service dedicated to providing women with a safe and easy method of collecting and preserving stem cells found in her menstrual fluid each month, even the busiest woman can take control of her future, right in the privacy of her own home. With C’elle’s non-invasive collection process, menstrual cells are processed and cryo-preserved (stored at a very low temperature) for potential cellular therapies that may be used in the future. These self-renewing cells one day may even be used for sports medicine or cosmeceutical treatments, such as anti-aging therapies.

"C’elle enables and empowers a woman to take control of her future health, and possibly of those genetically closest to her, in a fast, painless and stress free way," said Michelle Kay, Marketing and Sales Manager for C’elle. "We live in exciting times, as science and technology are discovering how extremely valuable menstrual blood stem cells really are, and the enormous treatment potential they represent for future therapies. C’elle’s ongoing research is supporting these promising findings."

For more information about C’elle, please call 1-877-892-3553 or visit www.celle.com.

Live Your Dark Chocolate Dream!

Are you craving for some chocolate right now? Well, I am. I'm the kind of person who Love's chocolate so much. In fact I think I am addictive to it. For all chocolate lovers out there. I am inviting you to come and visit the Chocolate Path ; it's a place where you can find a best dark chocolate,they have dark chocolate absolutely for everyone.Whether you prefer your chocolate sweet, dark and simple, with a little heat or even a twist.Their chocolate has the high quality chocolate at all time. For all chocolate lovers, this is the place you want to be. Finding the best dark chocolate you enjoy has never been easier but with Chocolate Path . You don't have to bumping into any hassle to find it. It Right here, just click the above link and it will guide you to the finest dark chocolate you ever find. They carry products with superb complex flavors and superior cocoa beans. Their selection also includes exotic, unique and unusual flavors: blue-cheese truffles or chocolate infused with pasilla and cayenne. Chocolate Path have the best chocolate. Come and enjoy shopping for the dark chocolate you have the taste of.

Breast Cancer Awareness

My older sister is a Breast Cancer survivor.I know it for sure that having a breast cancer isn't easy. It's hard to the victim and it's hard for the family. My sister was diagnose 6 years ago. She gone through mastectomy for several months and she gone reconstructive surgery after that.It was hard for her. There were times that she was loosing it. But with the encouragement from the family and standing by her for day after day helps her a lot. Faith in the Lord really help her make it through high tide of her life that moment.

We all know that has a lot of women around the world has gone through Breast Cancer. Some of them survive from it and some of them are still fighting for it. I encourage each everyone of you out there who is reading this post. To visit the link above . With every click you do each day, even just a click once a day, every day at The Breast Cancer Site? That's 365 chances each year to help a woman in need get the gift of early detection!

There are many ways you can help for Beast cancer . To find out more click the link .

A perfect center piece for an informal luncheon, or on a buffet table would be this Swan filled with fresh melons and grapes. Tea sandwiches, coffee and assorted cheeses would compliment the centerpiece.

Purchase a watermelon, in any shape you would prefer to see on the table.
Cut a thin slice from the bottom so that it will sit steady and not wobble over.
Draw the outlines for the swan as shown in the pattern image.
Use a sharp knife or decorating tool to cut along the lines of the pattern. Cut all the way through the rind when cutting the top portion that will be cut away.
Use care to leave the beak attached to the feathers for stability.
Use a knife to hollow out an eye.
Remove the top section by first cutting it into quarters.
Hollow the melon and trim the features so they are not too thick. Use a melon baller to remove the remaining melon.
Fill with approximately 1 cup of fruit salad, depending on the size of the melon. Serve any remaining fruit salad in another bowl or another carved watermelon.

* Have the whole watermelon at room temperature when you carve. The cuts will be easier to make when the watermelon is not cold. You can chill the watermelon in the refrigerator after cutting and before serving.
* Cut a small, thin, flat piece from the bottom of the watermelon before carving. This will make a flat base, making the watermelon more stable when carving.
* Draw the design on the watermelon rind with a fine/medium point waterproof marker or a sharp pencil before you cut.
* After you’ve drawn the design on the rind, insert toothpicks in key places to use as guides for your cuts.
* Use a sharp knife with a pointed tip – the sharper the knife, the easier and cleaner the cuts will be. Be careful!
* Consider using a channel knife for certain cuts and to hollow out larger areas.
* For better grip and to help protect your hands, use a fresh, new thick pair of gardening gloves with gripper palms.
* Choose a flat working surface on a solid base.
* For more detailed designs, draw a template first on a sheet of white paper with a marker or pencil. When finished, transfer the image to the watermelon surface by taping the paper to the melon and tracing along the design’s lines with a pencil, making the design right on the watermelon surface. Also, for more control, you might consider drilling a hole and using a coping saw to cut the rind.
* When attaching cut pieces on the watermelon to make your design, use round toothpicks or skewers. Flat toothpicks will often break due to weight of the piece or the thickness of the rind.
* Be creative and have fun!

* Watermelon
* Melon baller
* Knife
* Pencil

Deadly Bacteria

Germs may be too small to see, but don't let their size fool you: Certain bacteria are terrifying, causing more than 100,000 American deaths each year. To make matters worse, these microorganisms tend to mutate, becoming impervious to the drugs we've developed to defeat them. How can you spot killer bacteria before they colonize, invade, and multiply?

According to the Infectious Diseases Society, these potentially lethal microbes have exhibited the most harmful drug resistance.

Drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Resilient spherical microbes that colonize the skin or nostrils of about 20 to 30 percent of the world’s population, staph bacteria can also survive for a considerable amount of time on static surfaces, especially in warm and moist areas. The bacteria are often spread through skin contact and are harmless until they enter the bloodstream. Then they can cause infections as deadly as pneumonia, meningitis, or septicemia. Overuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of drug-resistant forms, such as methicillin-resistant Staphlyococcous aureus (MRSA), which can be treated with vancomycin, though recent strains that are less responsive to that antibiotic have surfaced. To protect yourself against MRSA, which causes 19,000 deaths annually according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), wash your hands frequently, use antibiotics properly, avoid sharing items that come in contact with the skin, and keep wounds clean and covered.

E. Coli: Commonly found in the lower intestine of humans and other animals, most E. coli strains are harmless, but certain strains, such as O157:H7, can cause life-threatening conditions such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (often requiring a blood transfusion and kidney dialysis), especially in young children, the elderly, and the immunocompromised. The O157:H7 strain is linked to the 2006 E. coli outbreak of fresh spinach in the United States. Fortunately, the likelihood of O157:H7 transmission can be reduced by carefully cleaning fruits and vegetables, thoroughly cooking meat, and washing your hands after using the bathroom.

Acinetobacter baumannii: Because it’s extremely drug-resistant and able to exist at numerous temperatures and pH levels, this bacterium poses a palpable threat in hospitals, where a majority of the people affected contract the bug. As with MRSA, A. baumanni is especially dangerous to people who are already ill. Causing pneumonia, meningitis, and blood and wound infections, it has a mortality rate as high as 75 percent. A. baumannii infections are often treated with polymyxins or imipenem, an antibiotic that carries a risk of seizures.

Fourth Of July Health Hazards

Fourth of July is a time for picnics, parades, and of course, patriotism. But for many Americans, the holiday ends very differently than it begins—with a terrifying trip to the emergency room. In addition to common culprits like fireworks and grilling, Independence Day injuries often arise from seemingly safe sources, such as foods, drinks, and fun in the sun.

Whatever your plans this holiday, beware the following three health hazards.

Fireworks: fireworks account for an estimated 10,000 emergency room visits every year, and over two-thirds of these accidents occur during June and July. What's more, firecrackers, rockets, and even sparklers can cause permanent damage to the hands, head, and face, as well as blindness. The best policy? Leave the fireworks to the pros—and focus on finding a safe spot where you can enjoy the display.

Grilling: Everyone loves outdoor cooking, but backyard-grilling accidents cause more than 2,000 fires, 300 injuries, and 30 deaths in the United States annually, the Insurance Information Institute reports. To prevent accidents at your holiday barbecue, check your grill hoses for cracks, brittleness, sharp bends, holes, and leaks. Always keep propane gas containers upright, and move gas hoses as far away as possible from hot surfaces and dripping hot grease. In addition, keep flammable liquids, like gasoline, away from the grill at all times.

Insect Bites: Insects may seem like a minor inconvenience, but in some cases, bites and stings can cause life-threatening reactions. Fortunately, there are ways to keep the pesky critters from spoiling your Fourth of July fun. Wear insect repellent with 10 to 30 percent DEET, reapply it after swimming or sweating, and check yourself regularly for ticks. If you're allergic to bee stings or spider bites, keep an epinephrine kit handy. Be sure to seek immediate medical attention if you experience serious symptoms following a sting or bite, such as shortness of breath, fever, chills, redness, excessive hives, muscle cramps, weakness, nausea, or vomiting.

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