tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53175704267373444952024-03-13T22:49:21.519+08:00Let's Look At It This WayVanillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14784876340586142297noreply@blogger.comBlogger379125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317570426737344495.post-69409170973177745692013-07-14T18:10:00.000+08:002013-07-14T18:41:54.944+08:00A Visit to the North India - Darjeeling<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGV0UVRjAUeqFgxBlb3XEsbQvyS9WBl8U7X_MBQSMV5Fotun_U8keDGjocIrMm5w_nC_M0fDqM3OsQ_5QiZKZjSra0TA9HeTpa79DbzNpw1uWG0wA8hu8X4ARFF3t8Et3DylPB3tQn9t8/s1600/tumblr5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGV0UVRjAUeqFgxBlb3XEsbQvyS9WBl8U7X_MBQSMV5Fotun_U8keDGjocIrMm5w_nC_M0fDqM3OsQ_5QiZKZjSra0TA9HeTpa79DbzNpw1uWG0wA8hu8X4ARFF3t8Et3DylPB3tQn9t8/s400/tumblr5.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>North India: Darjeeling and Sikkim</b> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DTACOVP66IkkM_3Sq31ZJdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I visited the North India in March with a group of photography hobbyists. It was a noteworthy one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The flight from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore">Singapore</a> to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolkata">Kalkota</a> was uneventful. From there, a short domestic flight took us to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagdogra_Airport">Bagdogra Airport</a> where the journey to the North really began. From then on, we traveled in a car, hired with a driver.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">March to June is the best time to visit before the rainy season begins from June to September.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlKku4xz5qo1nvngWZHrcybxaaKiRm82a8d_RyjyfLAPfEoZDioe735UKjmLt-CJzYndxhOlb3hNqm0QSOvDm8dc_mN-q1gAVHt_vwFgE2SLszgqnTEyMZSvHstjBwusB9v0bck4g0gQ/s1600/tumblr5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlKku4xz5qo1nvngWZHrcybxaaKiRm82a8d_RyjyfLAPfEoZDioe735UKjmLt-CJzYndxhOlb3hNqm0QSOvDm8dc_mN-q1gAVHt_vwFgE2SLszgqnTEyMZSvHstjBwusB9v0bck4g0gQ/s320/tumblr5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>5-hr drive via winding road to Darjeeling</b> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ch4wnryh27V4fr58N__wCNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>First stop: Darjeeling</b><br />
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The car ride was a roller-coaster adventure. It went up and down the scenic Himalayan Range for about five hours before we reached the Darjeeling town. It may be puke-inducing for some.<br />
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Located on an average elevation of 6710 ft (2045 m), the weather is cool in March. Owing to its fine weather, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Raj">British Raj</a> set up their summer capital there to escape the southern heat.<br />
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The town was originally designed for a population of 10,000. It has now grown to more than 100,000. This has given tremendous pressure to urban infrastructure and caused environmental problems. Our car had to negotiate through very narrow roads and some of those were next to the edge of cliffs. Totally hair-raising at some point.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuYYf_dljF5cODuy5HHEA67Loz7ulNWu0K41bjRxl-BkLqbxYXqCQrAvlD9CJWN85BCY9IZKWZXbw4lFR9bpVVh4JViZPypQckNRaSyw2MBQ2Dvdhfa_cErrJY0ggQc6oz9wadDKiHRw/s1600/tumblr5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuYYf_dljF5cODuy5HHEA67Loz7ulNWu0K41bjRxl-BkLqbxYXqCQrAvlD9CJWN85BCY9IZKWZXbw4lFR9bpVVh4JViZPypQckNRaSyw2MBQ2Dvdhfa_cErrJY0ggQc6oz9wadDKiHRw/s320/tumblr5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>The prized Darjeeling Tea has often been called <br />
the "Champagne of Tea"</b> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yzgYIuVmt-hy1nIFfAwnM9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Tea Plantation</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Darjeeling is well known for its tea plantation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In 1839, a British surgeon, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Campbell_%28British_East_India_Company%29">Dr Campbell</a> started tea plantation there with seeds stolen from China. Legend has it that the British brought in tea farmers from China to help cultivate the tea. Today, the tea industry is one of the top two contributors to the Darjeeling economy. The other is tourism.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The prized <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darjeeling_tea">Darjeeling Tea</a> has often been called the "<i>Champagne of Tea</i>". I am no tea connoisseur but I thought it was quite convincing after just a few sips.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdzFLM5aXSgeVfnAXLpQ-CHrZHfR5pHjkxdJz9XL5iphvrO70lmVBtCbLVr-6ZwdIFWfPcZHc3gwtesVgkOPMC0fKtD2wmNFLQ4VKPfH6cnK17IQMcsz2bzvERaQefGAgPt_Gf0p-npM/s1600/tumblr5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdzFLM5aXSgeVfnAXLpQ-CHrZHfR5pHjkxdJz9XL5iphvrO70lmVBtCbLVr-6ZwdIFWfPcZHc3gwtesVgkOPMC0fKtD2wmNFLQ4VKPfH6cnK17IQMcsz2bzvERaQefGAgPt_Gf0p-npM/s320/tumblr5.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Vegetables peddler in Darjeeling</b> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/rAweETpj4EYTxIRVS59gn9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>The Darjeeling People</b><br />
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The phrase 'colorful and friendly' sums it all.<br />
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The town is a melting pot of various ethnic groups and majority of them are the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurkha">Gurkhas</a>. With Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity being the three largest religions there, we found many historial temples and churches.<br />
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The literacy rate in the town area is high and English is a commonly spoken language.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vBt01_8b8WueqXYpKOwczUaAT9WefO5LcslpeDG__qjtUOyeRPorNDk_XuPjAt1I6GxP0baWlqwfz-geTypGBQcA3nPZbk5iA243hWEmhgus1jdkaUE1_FhyphenhyphenbIDjatLGF4McCf6IgHA/s1600/tumblr5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vBt01_8b8WueqXYpKOwczUaAT9WefO5LcslpeDG__qjtUOyeRPorNDk_XuPjAt1I6GxP0baWlqwfz-geTypGBQcA3nPZbk5iA243hWEmhgus1jdkaUE1_FhyphenhyphenbIDjatLGF4McCf6IgHA/s320/tumblr5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>The Kanchengjunga, the world's third-highest peak, <br />
seen from the Tiger Hill </b>[<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/J5VSLO6KP3P7mwahIAiXz9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>The Mountains</b><br />
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The story would not be complete without the mention of the majestic mountains.<br />
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Located on the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himalayas">Himalayan Range</a>, Darjeeling is nicknamed 'Queen of the Hills'. About 11km from Darjeeling town, we watched the sunrise from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_Hill,_Darjeeling">Tiger Hill</a>. It was insanely chilly but well compensated by the awesome view. You would get to view the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kangchenjunga">Kangchenjunga</a>, the third highest mountain in the world from there.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZYLAsq15thvbL4uMfDqh3HiyC5VYxJJte2_wPVasKb-L5m36FLSYem-GbPHvYWsbmSZ7i9H__vh4SfiaMdSETPU9Mec4AhvtS_cxHa4fB4WJjrasIn27LAJZic7PjH9u_KGJA75YDzY/s1600/tumblr5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZYLAsq15thvbL4uMfDqh3HiyC5VYxJJte2_wPVasKb-L5m36FLSYem-GbPHvYWsbmSZ7i9H__vh4SfiaMdSETPU9Mec4AhvtS_cxHa4fB4WJjrasIn27LAJZic7PjH9u_KGJA75YDzY/s320/tumblr5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway aka the "Toy Train"</b> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/48zdF0CzFSRZb7M1X9dzytMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Transportation</b><br />
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The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darjeeling_Himalayan_Railway">Darjeeling Himalayan Railway</a> is affectionately known as the "Toy Train". To me, it is anything but a toy.<br />
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Built between 1879 and 1881, the railway is about 78 km (48 mi) long. Its elevation rises to 2200 m (7218 ft) at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghum,_West_Bengal">Ghoom</a> Station. That makes it the highest train station in India. The vintage tourist train that plies between Darjeeling to Ghoom still runs on steam locomotives.<br />
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The tourists would ride on the "toy train" with great amusement while the locals see it as a mode of inter-town transport. To the UNESCO, it has such outstanding universal value that they declared it a World Heritage site in 1999.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5xmwwv5YzAvt5tZtT0ChW922vvmwoNtkrwmk4Z8fyoakQ-zIrP_07mUcykeAyK840GYfDxM0fWogUfA16ZPlubfIju7uCFfE98o_hV6R6rOJ-YSL3PbB7BsH7qMO9HU5w_Hyix_nFS0/s1600/tumblr5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5xmwwv5YzAvt5tZtT0ChW922vvmwoNtkrwmk4Z8fyoakQ-zIrP_07mUcykeAyK840GYfDxM0fWogUfA16ZPlubfIju7uCFfE98o_hV6R6rOJ-YSL3PbB7BsH7qMO9HU5w_Hyix_nFS0/s320/tumblr5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Roadside stalls are within reach from the train</b> <br />
[source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DarjeelingTrainFruitshopCrop.JPG">wiki</a>]</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kSNIahiCipUNV47jRuFc5xkfYxFPiCrTNVsypibTnp849ukFN4_yuwtnTex9E8O_BYM0Rv2vOaiDozADNMhgu1g6cMxzk9mCVu9qeu0aTLjO0ZzdvI4Axwd38yoQ58xmFyKRWSH2NWs/s1600/tumblr5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kSNIahiCipUNV47jRuFc5xkfYxFPiCrTNVsypibTnp849ukFN4_yuwtnTex9E8O_BYM0Rv2vOaiDozADNMhgu1g6cMxzk9mCVu9qeu0aTLjO0ZzdvI4Axwd38yoQ58xmFyKRWSH2NWs/s320/tumblr5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Star trails above the St Andrew Church</b> <br />
[credit: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/YahuaTanPhotoWorks">Yahua Tan</a>] <b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Darjeeling is also a trekkers' paradise. Given more time, that might be the next best thing to do. The rest of the story can been 'read' from the photos in the North India <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/112049181411166377995/DarjeelingSikkimMar2013?authuser=0&feat=directlink">photo gallery</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Next stop: Sikkim</b></span><br />
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</span>Vanillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14784876340586142297noreply@blogger.com17Darjeeling, West Bengal, India27.0360066 88.26267510000002426.9228576 88.101313600000026 27.1491556 88.424036600000022tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317570426737344495.post-16681349726764162552012-11-18T20:36:00.000+08:002012-11-18T20:36:57.828+08:00How To Be A Boring Person<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dhmS1q2bJ1g/TOj__mL8bPI/AAAAAAAAZck/2SPPn1FSMMw/s1600/P4293705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dhmS1q2bJ1g/TOj__mL8bPI/AAAAAAAAZck/2SPPn1FSMMw/s400/P4293705.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Are you living in the Kingdom of The Bore?</b> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lcqboQUWSnhg7Km-y_wCz9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">How to be a boring person? I assure you it is not difficult.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Before I go further, take this quick question: On a scale of 1 to 10, "1" being "<i>I am totally exciting to be with</i>" and 10 being "<i>I am a true blue bore</i>", give yourself a rating. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Let me show you how you can work yourself towards the pinnacle of being a totally boring person. Check it out:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">15. Stay Uninformed</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We are in an era of 'information overload'. Be kind and don't kill yourself. You don't have to know what is going on. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">14. Don't bother taking care of yourself</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Go ahead and eat and drink yourself silly. After all, you only live once. Who has time for exercise?</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">13. Watch lots of soap opera</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Oh yes, those mind-numbing, satirical, slapstick and long-drawn drama. What other better ways to kill time?</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">12. Be a creature of habit</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Make sure you always eat the same food, do the same thing, shop at the same place and talk about the same stuff. Haven't you heard of the phrase "<i>tried and tested</i>"? </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">11. Stay indoor</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Stay clear from the elements. You wouldn't want to be drenched by the rain or tanned by the sun. Not to mention the wind and the snow, nature can be scary.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-prhDjYJEK6c/Tj6OX1C3FrI/AAAAAAAAhQ0/_sgzMoKuNRE/s1600/P8079428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-prhDjYJEK6c/Tj6OX1C3FrI/AAAAAAAAhQ0/_sgzMoKuNRE/s320/P8079428.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Are you a copycat?</b> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vcaDgYuX_AFQHD1yfFIhltMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">10. Be totally predictable</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Why make it difficult for people around you? Just stay the same all the time. No one needs surprises in life, pleasant or otherwise.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">9. Be a copycat</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It doesn't pay to be original. If others have done it, just follow (ie copy). Don't waste your time finding new ideas and creating new stuff.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">8. Don't participate in any conversation</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Be gracious. Let
others talk about anything they want. In turn, you would just talk about
yourself. It won't go wrong and you stand no chance in offending
anyone. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">7. Stay with your same old friends</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">They know you so well and you can continue to be yourself. There is no need to worry about social etiquette and they will love you just the same even if your right sock is pulled higher than the other. New friends are hard to come by. Don't even try.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">6. Stay serious </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Jokes can be funny but they can also be dangerously offensive. Don't be goofy. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-in65rCJNNX4/TpJSMkCLyKI/AAAAAAAAng0/MzjkFhhPIrY/s1600/PA102695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-in65rCJNNX4/TpJSMkCLyKI/AAAAAAAAng0/MzjkFhhPIrY/s320/PA102695.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Sit on the fence. It is safer.</b> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DNvjy7XSEg94FJbX5xWZYdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">5. Be a fence-sitter</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Wouldn't it be safe to just stay neutral? You would offend no one. Let others make the decision and you stay agreeable. Everyone will love you for never saying 'No' to them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br /><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">4. Don't ask questions</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Questions are dangerous. You may stumble on a taboo topic. Play safe and don't even ask questions such as "<i>how is your day?</i>" or "<i>do you keep pets?</i>"</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">3. Don't change your views</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Be consistent. If others offer differing perspectives, stay firm. Don't be swayed by new ideas. Old wisdom is the best.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2. Don't read</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Haven't you done enough of that in school? Who needs to read once college days are over? </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1. Don't learn new stuff</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I am sure you are already good at your job. Keep it that way and there is no need to learn anything new. You wouldn't want to be a Jack of all trade and a master of none. After all, things are changing so fast nowadays, why bother to chase after them?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d98q-DIYzAE/TxuNON8oUwI/AAAAAAAAq2I/x7Ht8NCFTic/s1600/PB283209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d98q-DIYzAE/TxuNON8oUwI/AAAAAAAAq2I/x7Ht8NCFTic/s320/PB283209.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Check your 'Boring Index'. Bring it down.</b> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6sYRNFW7yQUVSL9J2UVzGtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You didn't think I was serious, did you?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Seriously, am I describing you in any way? If you find yourself scoring high as a boring person, it is time to take stock of your life. I know it is not criminal to be a bore but you would rather not spend your one and only lifetime being one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I wouldn't.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Check out articles under the <a href="http://www.whatsayyouvanilla.blogspot.sg/search/label/Motivation">Motivation</a> label. They might help you bring down your '<i>boring index'</i> to a healthier level.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>Vanillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14784876340586142297noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317570426737344495.post-74332861326964699862012-06-09T13:03:00.000+08:002012-06-09T13:03:30.397+08:00Say No to 'Not Saying No'<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>1st step: Ask, why you don't say 'no'?.</b> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/aqtRdq70VB_hL5JeQk54F9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">pic</a>]</td></tr>
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How often do you say 'Yes' when you really mean 'No'? Are you doing so at the expense of yourself?</div>
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I guess these could be some of your reasons:</div>
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<li>You want to please.</li>
<li>You don't like conflicts.</li>
<li>You see 'saying-no' as being rude.</li>
<li>You don't want someone to think less of you.</li>
<li>You want to help.</li>
<li>You hate to disappoint. </li>
<li>You fear losing the opportunity. </li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H1p6fiBKv-c/TbEd_p6mk4I/AAAAAAAAbzc/SFl0xrWGTKk/s1600/P4225914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H1p6fiBKv-c/TbEd_p6mk4I/AAAAAAAAbzc/SFl0xrWGTKk/s320/P4225914.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>2nd step: Say, "It's OK to say 'no'".</b> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7YT0GIHnctyg3v1XZ80zJdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">pic</a>]</td></tr>
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You need to change your mindset about agreeing to everything. Saying 'no' is about respecting your own time and space. Saying 'no' won't get you into trouble but the way you say it might.</div>
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<b>When should you say 'no?</b></div>
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<i>1. When your plate is too full</i></div>
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You do not want to tip the balance. If you keep accepting one task after another, you are going to start showing your inability to do your best. Stretching yourself too thin is not good for yourself and those you intend to help. </div>
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<i>2. When it is against your value or belief</i></div>
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You are not obliged to help every other cause on earth. Others don't expect you to do so too. </div>
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<i>3. When you are not in the position to help</i></div>
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Give the matter a fair assessment. You may not be the best person to accept the task. Be ready to say 'no' and help the requester by giving alternatives.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SvtLpVH9-r4/TwMU9ZVrW-I/AAAAAAAApts/qvUKzBglwK4/s1600/P1024953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SvtLpVH9-r4/TwMU9ZVrW-I/AAAAAAAApts/qvUKzBglwK4/s320/P1024953.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>3rd step: When to say 'no'. </b>[<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ZDx6QG5NkGZAg0iF9gVO2tMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">pic</a>]</td></tr>
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<b>Dos and don'ts</b></div>
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<i>1. Do not feel guilty</i></div>
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Think of it as doing yourself and others a favor. Taking on too much and not doing your best is not a responsible act. If you decline to donate to a cause you do not support, others can understand. Surely you have the right to decide what to do with your time and money.</div>
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<i>2. Be honest</i></div>
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Out of desperation, you may be tempted to come up with excuses. Don't! You may call them 'white lies' but lies are lies. Besides, your ill-designed excuses may land you in trouble if it is later found out that they are untrue.</div>
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<i>3. Be polite</i></div>
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Saying 'no' does not mean being hostile. Say it sincerely and thank the requester for considering your involvement.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>4th step: How to say 'no'.</b> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/QJX3brUONtAiMngLHUNpOtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">pic</a>]</td></tr>
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<i>4. Offer alternatives</i></div>
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You may not be the only person who can execute the task. Consider someone else who can benefit from the additional exposure. Check with him or her and if it is appropriate, suggest their names as alternatives. </div>
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<i>5. Be persistent</i></div>
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Some requesters do not take 'no' for an answer. You would need to stay firm towards such unreasonable behaviors. If you do not draw your own boundary, you can't blame others for encroaching on your space.</div>
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<i>6. Give yourself time</i></div>
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When an immediate answer is not required, allow yourself some time to consider the matter before you decline. When you eventually say 'no', the initial impact on the requester would have been much cushioned.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>5th step: Don't abuse your right to say 'no'.</b> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7qugn22cfd3fw6KCq-lWZ9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">pic</a>]</td></tr>
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Finally, saying 'no' doesn't mean not saying 'yes'. Don't make 'saying-no' a habit and use it to wriggle out of situations you ought to face. If you say 'no' because you procrastinate, you are missing the point.</div>
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Be genuine. You want to do your best at all times. Saying 'no' is not a strategy to skive.<br />
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Let's sum it up in 5 steps:<br />
1. Find out why you don't say 'no'.<br />
2. Tell yourself it is OK to say 'no'. <br />
3. Know when to say 'no'.<br />
4. Learn how to say 'no.<br />
5. Don't abuse your right to say 'no'.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Related articles:</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">"<a href="http://tinyurl.com/88kbvrn">Don't be a People Pleaser</a>".</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">"<a href="http://tinyurl.com/3wmwg88">Procrastination is Best Left Till Tomorrow</a>" </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b style="color: red;">"Don't raise your voice; improve your argument." (Desmond Tutu)</b></span></div>
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<br />Vanillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14784876340586142297noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317570426737344495.post-63214134875543017982012-05-01T14:42:00.000+08:002012-05-01T14:42:40.306+08:00Reverse the Polarity - Stay Positive<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d98q-DIYzAE/TxuNON8oUwI/AAAAAAAAq2I/x7Ht8NCFTic/s1600/PB283209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d98q-DIYzAE/TxuNON8oUwI/AAAAAAAAq2I/x7Ht8NCFTic/s400/PB283209.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Learn to stay positive in a negative world. </span></span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6sYRNFW7yQUVSL9J2UVzGtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">[pic]</span></span></a></td></tr>
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I won't disagree if you say we live in a negative world. </div>
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Everyday, there seems to be more bad news in the media than anything encouraging. Good news, if any, tend to be greeted with some skepticism and suspicion. </div>
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Closer to you, your workplace, school or home may also be filled with negativity pits. You can fall in them easily.</div>
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Negativity is very contagious. It drains your energy and reduce the quality of your life. It is just like flu bug and you wouldn't want to catch it. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HfTt8_oPFrI/TntGMJN6rtI/AAAAAAAArbQ/1G4EqCJJNxA/s1600/P9221371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HfTt8_oPFrI/TntGMJN6rtI/AAAAAAAArbQ/1G4EqCJJNxA/s320/P9221371.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Staying positive in a negative environment is a life skill. </span></span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/v_PvzDHeDyt6x5t__MZ2ftMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">[Pic]</span></span></a></td></tr>
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Just how do you stay positive in a negative environment? </div>
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I do not have a quick fix and I would not promise that it is simple. All I can say is that, if you start doing something about it now, it will get easier. </div>
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There are 8 tips to start you off: </div>
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<b>8. Conduct self-check </b></div>
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Be aware of your own behavior. Are you participating in negative actions? Does your contribution to negativity help to fuel more negativity in you? Do you really feel good after indulging in some negative whining or is it just a temporary reprieve? </div>
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<b>7. Stay away </b></div>
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If the negative comments are directing at other people, choose not to participate. Being away from the gossip pot, you avoid being contaminated. </div>
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<b>6. Be constructive </b></div>
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If you think you can reduce the negative energy, stay on to help. Be positive. Your constructive comments can be empowering and make everyone around feel better. Be generous with praises but be genuine at the same time. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Train your ears to hear positive things.</span></span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/88k4Vo1JH2j8NKETltEs0NMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> [Pic]</span></span></a></td></tr>
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<b>5. Hear only the good things </b></div>
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If you choose to stay on to find out more, stay focused on your main objective. You want to know what you can do about it rather than making the situation worse. For every negative comment you hear, ask, "<i>how does it affect me and what can I do about it?</i>". </div>
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<b>4. Learn from criticism</b></div>
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If the negative comments are directed at you, accept it positively with a view to learn. Ask what you could have done to avoid triggering such comments.
See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/4rh8g66">Go Ahead, Criticize Me</a>". </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Criticism is not necessary a bad thing. </span></span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/obeKgLuqtJTB27ZSeblsntMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">[Pic]</span></span></a></td></tr>
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<b>3. Avoid self-blame </b></div>
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Negative comments aiming at you can be demoralizing. You will have nothing to gain if you bash yourself up. Instead, look out for things you can do better.
See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/273zbzu">How to Feel Better When Feeling Battered ?</a>". </div>
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<b>2. Beat the blues </b></div>
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Negativity can hit you really bad especially during the times when you are still learning how to cope with it. Meanwhile, pick up some survival tips. See
"<a href="http://tinyurl.com/4xxkdgy">Up Your 'Feel Good Factor'</a>". </div>
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<b>1. Do the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LOL%20">LOL </a></b></div>
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Even negative stuff can be funny if you know how to see the lighter side of things. A little humor goes a long way. Sometimes, it is a fine line between '<i>making our job fun</i>' and '<i>making fun of our job'</i>. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Your environment is as negative as you allow it to be. </span></span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/otxP6UrXU4qWJY8gHsTZd9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">[Pic]</span></span></a></td></tr>
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Keep negativity low and don't let it sap precious energy from you. Just like negative energy, positive energy can also be infectious. Start small and start wherever you are. See it grow and up the energy level around you and in you. </div>
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Staying positive in a negative environment is a life skill. Learn it early.
Your environment is as negative as you allow it to be.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will." (Zig Ziglar)</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>Vanillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14784876340586142297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317570426737344495.post-36056930939345275732012-04-15T23:10:00.000+08:002012-06-21T14:22:44.590+08:00Today I Don't Feel Like Doing Anything<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jqgqETPe70g/TwMUCs7pd8I/AAAAAAAApr0/-Uf9W7dpwNw/s1600/P1024950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jqgqETPe70g/TwMUCs7pd8I/AAAAAAAApr0/-Uf9W7dpwNw/s320/P1024950.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Some days you just don't feel just doing anything. </span></b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3sGzLSzUPChhYmrImivyKNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
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It is simple to understand why "<a href="http://www.seekalyric.com/song/Bruno_Mars/The_Lazy_Song">The Lazy Song</a>" by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruno_Mars">Bruno Mars</a> is popular. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Video below)</span></div>
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We all can relate to how on some days, we just don't feel like doing anything. We do not usually know why but we certainly wish we can do something about it. </div>
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There is nothing wrong with feeling that way. Even positive people need some '<i>pick-me-ups</i>' sometimes.<br />
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I have my fair share of such days and here are some of the things I would do to pick myself up. Try some of them and devise some of your own:</div>
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<b>10. Play your favorite tune</b></div>
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Music can alter your energy level. Pick something lively to spur your mood. Avoid any blue or sombre numbers. See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/np2t9m">Music : My Multivites</a>" </div>
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<b>9. Take a shower</b></div>
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Looking dowdy makes you feel down. Get a quick shower and do something to make yourself look refreshed. Your mood will change for the better.</div>
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<b>8. Work on your list</b></div>
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Take out your to-do list. Pick the easiest task and act on it. Your quick win will give you some energy to move on to the next task. See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/3zdo2ep">The Power of Small Steps</a>". </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Ky0fwp2IPM/T1xx-l7DZcI/AAAAAAAArWI/DerVnT4GMk0/s1600/P3105735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Ky0fwp2IPM/T1xx-l7DZcI/AAAAAAAArWI/DerVnT4GMk0/s320/P3105735.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Get out of the house for a short walk. </span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2cWGAy0m869KaYjARwnLvNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">[pic]</span></a></span></td></tr>
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<b>7. Leave the house</b></div>
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Bitching around in the house can only make matter worse. Get yourself out of the house and do something else. It doesn't have to be anything ambitious. A stroll along a quiet lane can do wonders. See <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">"<a href="http://tinyurl.com/4xxkdgy">Up Your 'Feel Good Factor</a>'"</span>.</span><br />
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<b>6. Exercise</b></div>
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This is too cliche, I know. There is a good reason why this appears everywhere. Do it and you will know why.</div>
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<b>5. Change what you say to yourself</b></div>
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The last thing you want to do is to further dampen your own spirit. Say empowering and positive things to yourself instead of something that makes you feel less worthy. See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/3md7osl">Self Dialog: Look Who's Talking? </a>" and "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/267bean">You Are Your Worst Enemy</a>". </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mGEruMUrapc/Ty0hH2C6oCI/AAAAAAAArVY/oA1TqEb67dc/s1600/P2045535.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mGEruMUrapc/Ty0hH2C6oCI/AAAAAAAArVY/oA1TqEb67dc/s320/P2045535.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Nature can be inspiring. </span></b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[</span><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gcDX8_HH4H3C0nxfK--P6dMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">pic</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;">]</span></td></tr>
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<b>4. Get some inspiration</b></div>
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Read an up-lifting short story or watch an inspirational video. Such a shift of perspective allows you to feel grateful and energized. See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/yd9223z">Picture Blog #4 : Still Complaining?</a>". </div>
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<b>3. Don't feel sorry for yourself</b></div>
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Wallowing in self pity is an indulgent behavior. Much time is wasted and nothing good comes out of it. Life does not beat you. You do. See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/273zbzu">How to Feel Better When Feeling Battered ?</a>" </div>
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<b>2. Get yourself a little "Me Time"</b></div>
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This is especially so for moms. Taking care of others begins with taking care of yourself. See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/6sdxuxl">A Little "Me Time" Goes A Long Way</a>". </div>
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<b>1. Smile</b></div>
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It costs you nothing but brings loads of benefits. Here are '<a href="http://longevity.about.com/od/lifelongbeauty/tp/smiling.htm">10 benefits of smiling</a>'.</div>
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There are many more ways to get back on track. Sometimes, a simple cup of good coffee would do the trick for me. It takes you to know you best. Do what you can to "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/5s4py94">Get Yourself a "Cheer Up' First Aid Kit</a>". <br />
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Instead of Bruno Mars' "The Lazy Song", I shall leave you to listen to Diana Krall's "<a href="http://www.allthelyrics.com/lyrics/diana_krall/pick_yourself_up-lyrics-46679.html">Pick Yourself Up</a>". <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Video above)</span></div>
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<i>Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again... </i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">You might also want to read:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"<a href="http://tinyurl.com/88kbvrn">Don't be a People Pleaser</a>" </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"<a href="http://tinyurl.com/yeycxoo">Don't Depress Problems of Depression</a>" </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"<a href="http://tinyurl.com/2agva5e">Monday Blues - No More</a>" </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"<a href="http://tinyurl.com/3wmwg88">Procrastination is Best Left Till Tomorrow</a>" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"<a href="http://tinyurl.com/27sqksm">The Power of Habit</a>"</span> </div>
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<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Act as if you were already happy and that will tend to make you happy." (Dale Carnegie)</span></b></blockquote>
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</div>Vanillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14784876340586142297noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317570426737344495.post-33713064476017548922012-04-07T13:21:00.001+08:002012-06-16T23:39:51.927+08:00Is Draw Something Really So Drawsome?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-NcYtYqis-m3_K3XcZ6DU7ee5MgWnUFPbh8ATmVOjwZS_6hu0oU-OxuRFu48VInqtu8Jvv7lGcvxd-li7MntZPQKdQ865N04BIMkN3NqUSFBAlenAjz0_oHtgZbGnOxSAkihUdV01CI/s1600/draw-something-iphone-app.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-NcYtYqis-m3_K3XcZ6DU7ee5MgWnUFPbh8ATmVOjwZS_6hu0oU-OxuRFu48VInqtu8Jvv7lGcvxd-li7MntZPQKdQ865N04BIMkN3NqUSFBAlenAjz0_oHtgZbGnOxSAkihUdV01CI/s400/draw-something-iphone-app.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Draw Something</i>, the insanely popular overnight hit.</span></span></b></td></tr>
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For the uninitiated, <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draw_Something">Draw Something</a></i> is a mobile app which allows you to...well, draw something.<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/draw-something-iphone-game-2012-2?op=1">Full tour of the app</a>)</span></div>
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Since <a href="http://www.omgpop.com/#/home">OMGPOP</a> released it on 24th Feb 2012, the game has surpassed 50 million downloads in 50 days. That makes it the fastest growing mobile games to date.</div>
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It is not surprising why <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zynga">Zynga</a> was willing to pay OMGPOP a staggering US$200 million for <i>Draw Something</i>, just a month after its release.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKY12tjWTbjgZhD0d7w-w9FusytrrzrvagAwIilj3EeLgOKCqfXG9fKgSi6_6pda9pn5f3kipjaxYKrjIlAP0-ACpjGhQVGX4Jd-iNWl_bUk9v57vBZV8S6GVOJXSZWOzT1llN9gUdYKU/s1600/zynga_draw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKY12tjWTbjgZhD0d7w-w9FusytrrzrvagAwIilj3EeLgOKCqfXG9fKgSi6_6pda9pn5f3kipjaxYKrjIlAP0-ACpjGhQVGX4Jd-iNWl_bUk9v57vBZV8S6GVOJXSZWOzT1llN9gUdYKU/s400/zynga_draw.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Zynga paid $200mill for Draw Something. (</span></span></b><a href="http://applenapps.com/app-news/zynga-buys-draw-something-creator-omgpop-for-200-million.html"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">pic source</span></span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">)</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<b>What is <i>Draw Something</i>?</b></div>
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It is a simple game which fuses the features of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pictionary">Pictionary</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anagram">anagram</a>. Players take turn to draw and guess. They earn coins for each correct guess and use them to purchase 'bombs' or 'colors'.</div>
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'Bombs' take away some letters making it easier to unscramble. Adding colors to the palette presumably will make doodles more expressive and fanciful. </div>
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Downloads are free. However, the paid version is ad-free and has more words. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjn3gDR4rsTDpGIDfBNXYmwOsG15t8Kw4V8w02LNm1LGfXkRwTaxheJtkH6Vx5m3ODheBpGKj65CnvBs0QLbi5gDSCaLFJsyNeL0SU3t-WB6ykTXHnAdMBCIUTF1GvSqyj2QhJe2t2GjQ/s1600/drawsome-raiders-215-400x500-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjn3gDR4rsTDpGIDfBNXYmwOsG15t8Kw4V8w02LNm1LGfXkRwTaxheJtkH6Vx5m3ODheBpGKj65CnvBs0QLbi5gDSCaLFJsyNeL0SU3t-WB6ykTXHnAdMBCIUTF1GvSqyj2QhJe2t2GjQ/s320/drawsome-raiders-215-400x500-00.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Millions are hooked on the games. (</span></span></b><a href="http://www.drawsomethings.com/drawing/215/raiders"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Raiders: pic source</span></span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">)</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<b>Is it really so 'Drawsome'? </b></div>
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I am one of the millions of players, attracted to the game and getting endless amusement from doodles of varying quality. </div>
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Drawing has never been my forte. However, <i>Draw Something</i> has attracted every other person on the street to come on board. I don't feel out of place nor intimidated playing it with my limited doodling ability. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7RDi1M1PspeIR7s7yyLjyBa3rjPHAA_zuPrnAEcMsP79_AO0Ay3yZln7jOmbH4pHiYOhG3hmiy44gOio5Ht_UT8_mvTKuO78rIU20LJO4eFY2HppIzfDXuGTmyfWFpobDerW0Op1jNE/s1600/drawsome-karate-35-400x500-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7RDi1M1PspeIR7s7yyLjyBa3rjPHAA_zuPrnAEcMsP79_AO0Ay3yZln7jOmbH4pHiYOhG3hmiy44gOio5Ht_UT8_mvTKuO78rIU20LJO4eFY2HppIzfDXuGTmyfWFpobDerW0Op1jNE/s320/drawsome-karate-35-400x500-00.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Simple caveman drawing is good enough. (</span></span></b><a href="http://www.drawsomethings.com/drawing/35/karate"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Karate: pic source</span></span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">)</span></span></b></td></tr>
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Personally, I find the game so simple that it hurts. Anyone who can draw like a caveman qualifies. However, as an online game, <i>Draw Something</i> is actually quite suckish.</div>
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Here's why.</div>
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<i><b>1. No one wins</b></i></div>
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There are no winners or losers in this game. It just goes on and on through the motion of drawing and guessing. After awhile, it gets stale.</div>
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This seems to defy the meaning of 'game' when the competitive element is missing.</div>
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<i><b>2. Lack commercial motives</b></i></div>
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Many online games lure addicted players to part with their real money. In return, they get a greater ability to perform in the game. This is not the case for <i>Draw Something</i>. You only earn virtual money to buy bombs or colors and there are no in-app purchases.</div>
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I suspect Zynga have something up their sleeves. I am waiting to see how the game will be revamped for greater sustainability.</div>
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<i><b>3. Lack player motivation</b></i></div>
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There is no level-up in this game. You keep earning coins rounds after rounds. You can only use them to buy bombs or colors which you don't really need. </div>
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The game keeps some statistics such as '<i>longest streak</i>', '<i>average guess speed</i>' and '<i>average draw speed</i>'. Interestingly, the '<i>longest streak</i>' does not go beyond 99. </div>
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Those stats are not really capable of motivating players to want to do more or better. They offer some bragging rights, at most.<br />
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<b><i>4. It is buggy</i></b><br />
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There are some bugs awaiting fixes. However, this is common with new online games. For example, your opponent may receive your drawing with letters from a different game.<b><i> </i></b> </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExU40PLbk-wAhMmdxL28qz7LJN28nCngD6WyyPv-b-I2xrp7OhJgAFDNSsJsCiuMNE7ee9cEehR64d0SRgVrHHRAV7vARGKPtueqiCg8iEYNeSyIyz1tEkGDkSgzFBvIkpQkDcc4Wbx8/s1600/Draw-Something-Drawings-Colors.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExU40PLbk-wAhMmdxL28qz7LJN28nCngD6WyyPv-b-I2xrp7OhJgAFDNSsJsCiuMNE7ee9cEehR64d0SRgVrHHRAV7vARGKPtueqiCg8iEYNeSyIyz1tEkGDkSgzFBvIkpQkDcc4Wbx8/s400/Draw-Something-Drawings-Colors.png" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Use colors for a reason. (<a href="http://www.gameteep.net/draw-something-review/">pic source</a>)</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<b>Be 'Drawsome'</b></div>
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If you are new to <i>Draw Something</i> or feeling a little bored with it, here are some tips for you. </div>
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<i><b>1. Use colors<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (for a reason)</span> </b></i></div>
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Use them to emphasize or differentiate. Unnecessary use of colors can only distract your opponent.</div>
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<i><b>2. Don't act like you are Picasso</b></i></div>
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It is a game, not a drawing contest. The idea is to get your opponent to understand you through your doodle. There is really nothing wrong with just drawing stick men. Unless you wish to irritate your opponent, don't spend time perfecting your drawing to match your desired art quality.</div>
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<i><b>3. Don't write</b></i></div>
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The game is named<i> Draw Something</i>, not '<i>Write Something</i>'. Respect your opponent's ability to guess and don't resort to writing anything on your drawing.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnE-muTJ_ppzchdg21OhWISe5j4z_iXW_S3aH5B8fRy-WTfPZEQwxfsYPKp7FzfmYXlfr6GG4L3yQA7Sn5lq2gIY4lpIGkTqhPHIlb1t100Ivj0a5qYEmoFOtRfbAGNNy4jXEd3vvgUWI/s1600/drawsome-poop-185-400x500-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnE-muTJ_ppzchdg21OhWISe5j4z_iXW_S3aH5B8fRy-WTfPZEQwxfsYPKp7FzfmYXlfr6GG4L3yQA7Sn5lq2gIY4lpIGkTqhPHIlb1t100Ivj0a5qYEmoFOtRfbAGNNy4jXEd3vvgUWI/s320/drawsome-poop-185-400x500-00.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Use arrows to guide. (</span></span></b><a href="http://www.drawsomethings.com/drawing/185/poop"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Poop: pic source</span></span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">)</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<i><b>4. Draw arrows</b></i></div>
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Use arrows to bring the point across. Point to the part of the drawing which lead to the answer. Use a different color for the arrows so that they do not look like part of the drawing.</div>
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<i><b>5. Break up the words</b></i></div>
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Some words are easier to draw if you break them up. For example, draw a 'cow' and a 'girl' in separate drawings, instead of a 'cowgirl'.</div>
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<i><b>6. Get online help</b></i></div>
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Clueless with the drawing? Take a screen shot and post it on social network platform such as Facebook. Help will flow in.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOjt3bri1CS4asREeUfDj-4C_BHjmhyphenhyphenanKTEO4kgaFrA1d_tHOk4iMVmnT5qO-KzLMdY5V0rN_xLlHhgU-tTxuhrKy-kRVpFu8Hw-t6spbvoq7dBtGYyIh4LCe2EfiqT1yZ1CkG9uKe8/s1600/DLSN2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOjt3bri1CS4asREeUfDj-4C_BHjmhyphenhyphenanKTEO4kgaFrA1d_tHOk4iMVmnT5qO-KzLMdY5V0rN_xLlHhgU-tTxuhrKy-kRVpFu8Hw-t6spbvoq7dBtGYyIh4LCe2EfiqT1yZ1CkG9uKe8/s400/DLSN2.png" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Don't write something. Draw! (</span></span></b><a href="http://absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?p=104606582"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">pic source</span></span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">)</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<i><b>7. Watch those letters</b></i></div>
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Tired of shuffling and run out of bombs? Take a screen shot of the given letters. Close the game and log back in. You will get a new set of letters. Repeat this a few times and look out for recurring letters. The answers would be from these letters. </div>
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<i><b>8. Skip game without pass</b></i></div>
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If you are stuck and want to move on to play with another player, you don't have to pass. Follow these steps:</div>
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<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click Home Button then double click Home Button.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Your app tray will go up and show some icons below.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Touch the Draw Something icon and hold for 5s.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Touch the red dot to close the app.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Double click Home Button.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Start the app again.</span></li>
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<i><b>9. Get new words</b></i><br />
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Struggling to chose one the three equally difficult words? You don't have to use a bomb to get new words. Follow the steps in (8). The set of words will be refreshed.<i><b></b></i><br />
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<i><b>10. Get Anagram help</b></i></div>
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Don't be too quick to use the bomb. Try an anagram solver and you may just hit the answer. There are many anagram solvers on the web. '<a href="http://www.drawsomethingwords.net/">Draw Something Words</a>' and '<a href="http://www.drawsomewords.com/">Drawsome Words</a>' seem to be made for this game.</div>
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<i><b>11. Use a stylus</b></i></div>
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Sick of drawing with your fat finger on the tiny smartphone screen? Try a stylus. Steve Jobs didn't believe in stylus. However, like it or not, stylus is making a comeback, thanks to <i>Draw Something.</i> </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6uJPkwpZombjOt-zPYISmuj-lPE9fJcnUepulSjcHOwikZeio01naB3xckHAVDxf-XtI0v7_aA4uxIF4Chx8iK0XqD5EYv28Ne89MtDTE1dbZo3wJ5ojFuLlaE6JDg1aZnl4qGXiYKQ/s1600/stylus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6uJPkwpZombjOt-zPYISmuj-lPE9fJcnUepulSjcHOwikZeio01naB3xckHAVDxf-XtI0v7_aA4uxIF4Chx8iK0XqD5EYv28Ne89MtDTE1dbZo3wJ5ojFuLlaE6JDg1aZnl4qGXiYKQ/s320/stylus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Stylus for touch screen (</span></span></b><a href="http://www.androidauthority.com/stylus-comeback-popularity-increasing-69779/"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">pic source</span></span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">)</span></span></b></td></tr>
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I consider tips 7 to 10 <i>cheats</i>. However, you may say that it's only a game. I shall leave it to you to clear your conscience. <br />
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I don't find <i>Draw Something</i> great in any spectacular way. However, 50 million players can't be that wrong. For now, there is no doubt that it has created a storm. The real question is in its sustainability. We shall wait for Zynga to <i>do something</i> to keep <i>Draw Something</i> going!</div>
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Before you go, take a look at these <a href="http://www.drawsomethinggallery.net/">great drawings</a> shared by some proud players. Have a good laugh and get some inspiration.</div>
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I wish you a 'drawsome' day!</div>
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Update:<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span id="goog_1013858419"></span>4 May 2012: <span id="goog_1013858424"></span><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2012/05/04/draw-something-loses-5m-users-a-month-after-zynga-purchase/">Draw Something Loses 5M Users a Month After Zynga Purchase</a> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1013858420"></span></a><span id="goog_1013858425"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">16 Jun 2012: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cbs-and-zynga-want-to-turn-draw-something-into-a-primetime-game-show-2012-6">CBS And Zynga Want To Turn Draw Something Into A Primetime Game Show</a></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>"I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination." (Albert Einstein) </b></span></div>
</blockquote>Vanillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14784876340586142297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317570426737344495.post-37608564701621557252012-03-18T23:27:00.000+08:002012-03-18T23:27:48.163+08:00Keep Dreaming, Babe!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ErxVzscqyXg/TQTou0au3hI/AAAAAAAAOoY/4H5HCNlpgTM/s1600/PC122389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ErxVzscqyXg/TQTou0au3hI/AAAAAAAAOoY/4H5HCNlpgTM/s400/PC122389.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">'Stop Daydreaming' is not a good advice.</span></b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4b2AnnlnrRd666RRsm6L5tMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I daydream a lot and I feel guilty at times.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I have my fair share of "Stop Dreaming" from concerned and irate teachers. I grew up thinking that, daydreaming is bad. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The truth is, there is no need to be so apologetic about it. I come to realize that.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here are my reasons why daydreaming is not necessarily a bad thing. You have my full permission to daydream as you run down the list:</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>8. You can't avoid it</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Psychologists estimates that we daydream naturally and we do so up to half the time during our waking hours. You either let it ruin you or make good use of it.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B-Ulsy-OI_Q/TpJUxz-xdxI/AAAAAAAAnOM/4GDzPEAa83s/s1600/PA102833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B-Ulsy-OI_Q/TpJUxz-xdxI/AAAAAAAAnOM/4GDzPEAa83s/s320/PA102833.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Manage stress. Take a short 'vacation'. </span></b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/et7pB-ev5OHBaqpF5ycSL9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>7. Relax and cope</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Daydreaming helps you to cope with the harsh reality. Didn't you feel good taking that five-minute 'vacation' in your mind while you were studying for tests?</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>6. Up productivity</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It sounds like an oxymoron but believe it, daydreaming can improve productivity. Take a short break and let your dull mind wander. See how a recharged mind can improve your mood. Go back to your chores and you will find yourself completing them within a shorter time.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>5. Relieve boredom</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Escape to a more exciting place when you are doing some boring routines such as driving through a traffic jam or chopping onions. The same can be done during some unproductive meetings.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hGsZdA2oriI/S27l9Wkw4vI/AAAAAAAAiZk/n2fZW6tVBZU/s1600/P2071255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hGsZdA2oriI/S27l9Wkw4vI/AAAAAAAAiZk/n2fZW6tVBZU/s320/P2071255.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Get fresh ideas with free-flowing minds. </b>[<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XiLcSBoPwSM-f0yzOP1SQ9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>4. Get new ideas</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You can achieve anything in your dream, I mean, daydream. Let your mind bring you to the level you hope to attain and see new ideas emerging as you weave through your dreams.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>3. Do it again, this time correctly</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We make mistakes. Instead of brooding over it and feeling sorry, try daydreaming. Bring your mind back to the scene and see how you could have done it differently.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>2. Be totally yourself</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We live a rather measured life in the real world. We control what we say and do. When you daydream, you are totally free to be who you would like to be. Amaze yourself with some of the hidden talents you might have. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>1. Find 'eureka moments'</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Sometimes you need a breakthrough and need to see things from a totally new perspective. Your wandering mind might just be your ride to the answer.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ll-gLAdk9Tw/TReC4AYZ7II/AAAAAAAAq9U/QiFJrfHXVB8/s1600/PC262968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ll-gLAdk9Tw/TReC4AYZ7II/AAAAAAAAq9U/QiFJrfHXVB8/s320/PC262968.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">For creativity, your mind needs to wander. </span></b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/rPIXWZa_Jg05ybX7Z-Z-l9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Daydreaming is not for all situations. I hope you know that. All I am saying here is that they are not entirely bad. Before I wrote this article, I had my moments of daydreaming, just to think of what to write.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The next time you daydream, write down your ideas before they dissipate into thin air. You will never know, something big may be coming your way.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Keep dreaming!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Similar article</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"<a href="http://tinyurl.com/42dyfz9">The Power of Doodling</a>" </span> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"You see things; and you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say, 'Why not?'" (George Bernard Shaw)</span></span></b></div></blockquote>Vanillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14784876340586142297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317570426737344495.post-24785987998220246612012-03-05T00:29:00.000+08:002012-03-05T00:29:44.190+08:00A Little "Me Time" Goes A Long Way<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DT2FSIgddhs/TtxKsV1oQ8I/AAAAAAAAob0/AuMXwjX0iTQ/s1600/PC034298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DT2FSIgddhs/TtxKsV1oQ8I/AAAAAAAAob0/AuMXwjX0iTQ/s400/PC034298.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Moms, learn the importance of "Me Time". [</span></span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/TY0BxyWGzHEXl9jQ9DKl6NMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pic</span></span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">]</span></span></b></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Moms, this article is for you...</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We live in a fast-pace world and everyone seems to be busy getting their endless tasks done. Amongst all, mothers seem to have the widest range of chores. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Moms, say <i>aye </i>if you agree)</span>.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My mom was a homemaker, a business assistant <span style="font-size: x-small;">(to my dad)</span>, an educator <span style="font-size: x-small;">(despite her lack of education)</span>, a cook <span style="font-size: x-small;">(of gourmet standards)</span>, the CEO, CFO and COO of our household.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I have always admired her ability to manage so much.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-woShwaw7iqc/Tb5OrM_PmmI/AAAAAAAAbTQ/osJA1Pw9aRE/s1600/P4306647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-woShwaw7iqc/Tb5OrM_PmmI/AAAAAAAAbTQ/osJA1Pw9aRE/s320/P4306647.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Moms fill their schedule to the brim - for others. [</b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/5h9DulFnt1dQkfFyoOQ46NMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pic</span></a><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">]</b></span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Fast forward to my time as a mother.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Compared to my mom, I am more educated and have much more means to get things done. Somehow, there is just insufficient time to do much of what I want to do. I guess having more resources is not the answer after all.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Many mothers are in the same boat.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>A mom's schedule</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Instinctively, a mom wants to do all the chores in the world if she thinks they are helpful to her family. It is therefore not surprising to find a mom's schedule being filled to the brim.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Typically, something very important is amiss: "<i>Me Time</i>". There is usually hardly anything dedicated to mom in a mom's time table.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_t6Unl6hrNo/TphvvUODq_I/AAAAAAAAnoE/e5wariVzBWg/s1600/PA112925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_t6Unl6hrNo/TphvvUODq_I/AAAAAAAAnoE/e5wariVzBWg/s320/PA112925.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Set time for yourself and yourself only. [</span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/X7az9bZp1kBwkmXd2m_EVdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pic</span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">]</span></b></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>What is "Me Time"?</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For a mother, "Me Time" is the time taken to do something for herself and herself only. No children, husband or other family members should be involved. Even if they are, the focus should be on mom.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So, moms, "Me Time" can be spent for your enrichment, social network, health or spiritual wellness.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Why is "Me Time" important?</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Even the best car in the world has stop at the gas station. "Me Time" is the time you recharge your energy. It allows you to put back what you have given to others. This is so that you can be ready to give more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FMqrs6VSJpI/S27ndMk72cI/AAAAAAAAqyk/b8piFvVFM4M/s1600/P2071336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FMqrs6VSJpI/S27ndMk72cI/AAAAAAAAqyk/b8piFvVFM4M/s320/P2071336.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"Me Time" can be a simple walk in the park. [</span></span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_1zg-tl7fHA8vtMG9EKxStMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pic</span></span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">]</span></span></b></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>What to do during "Me Time"?</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Some find this a tough question for they have not had much of a "Me Time" before.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The answer is simple: Do something that is outside your routine and let yourself be surprised by what you might experience.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here are some of the things you can consider:</div><ul style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Call an old friend and chat</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pamper yourself in a spa</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Have an afternoon tea with your pals</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Watch a play or movie</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Visit a museum</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Attend a health talk</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Read an inspiring story</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Do brisk walking in the park</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Write in a journal</span></li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The list goes on. If you don't feel like doing any of the above, you could just sit by the beach and watch the world go by.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There you go, "Me Time" is just time to do something simple for yourself. You do not need to rip your schedule apart in order to accommodate some of the above items.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aeqSO_S-tX8/Ttw8XqDkEzI/AAAAAAAAoSE/6usljqlGsdk/s1600/PC014150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aeqSO_S-tX8/Ttw8XqDkEzI/AAAAAAAAoSE/6usljqlGsdk/s320/PC014150.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Loving others begins with loving yourself. [</span></span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/28FRVKnn-NAc7qCsP4tvqdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pic</span></span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">]</span></span></b></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Why no "Me Time"?</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If it is so easy, why are so many moms not giving themselves any "Me Time"?</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Firstly, (1) they may not be aware of its importance. Secondly, even if they are, (2) they may not have the habit to do so. <span style="font-size: x-small;">See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/27sqksm">The Power of Habit</a>".</span> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">With this article, I hope you are done with (1). It is really just a matter of acquiring the right habit to weave some "Me Time" into your schedule. Check your schedule now and slot in some "Me Time".</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Taking care of others begins with taking care of yourself.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Do it now.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Self-love, is not so vile a sin as self-neglecting." (William Shakespeare)</span></b></div></blockquote><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div>Vanillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14784876340586142297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317570426737344495.post-64171364863038417212012-02-27T00:38:00.000+08:002012-02-27T00:38:18.586+08:00Get Rich, Now!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hqjQKM3gcHY/TwgymIvJ6oI/AAAAAAAAp7A/eh29aof7yIw/s1600/P1014837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hqjQKM3gcHY/TwgymIvJ6oI/AAAAAAAAp7A/eh29aof7yIw/s400/P1014837.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Richness in life is more than just having money.</b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> [</span><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gwoFT0mzg04x2QAe-gOLGNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pic</a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">]</span></span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What you want is not necessarily what you need.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You want the car your neighbor just bought; you want the watch you saw in the magazine; you want a pair of heels even though your wardrobe is bursting; you want to be able to have whatever you want...</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Is that what life is all about?</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In our endless pursuit of worldly things, we could have easily forgotten the essentials of life which are far more important than money. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S-S2M7xsyL4/TpTuLWmnQ_I/AAAAAAAAnmA/7y8_Kn64VTM/s1600/PA123047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S-S2M7xsyL4/TpTuLWmnQ_I/AAAAAAAAnmA/7y8_Kn64VTM/s320/PA123047.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Discipline: A key ingredient to healthy lifestyle. [</span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qx7Y-09JaBvgVOhT4AadB9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pic</span></a><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">]</span></b></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There is nothing very new here. Let's just take a moment to remind ourselves:</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>1. Health</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You need two ingredients to stay healthy: 1) knowing what the right actions are, and 2) the discipline to do the right actions.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For (1), rich resources can be found easily in this modern time. Few would have difficulties accessing basic information. It is 'discipline' or the lack of, that is often cited as the main culprit for an unhealthy lifestyle.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">To stay healthy, work hard on (1) and work harder on (2). </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/3kj2dc2">Choose Your Pain: Discipline or Regret</a>". </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>2. Habit</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A habit is a series of actions performed involuntarily and rather effortlessly. Bad habits are common obstacles in life. They can hurt your health or social life. On the other hand, good habits are empowering.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You need to kick bad habits and acquire good ones. Do not expect quick results. Start with being aware of your existing habits and take small but ceaseless steps to change your actions.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/27sqksm">The Power of Habit</a>" and "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/3zdo2ep">The Power of Small Steps</a>". </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2bE6LidXUYc/TtwQf0aLz9I/AAAAAAAAoI0/fCP8MncGtLM/s1600/PB293738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2bE6LidXUYc/TtwQf0aLz9I/AAAAAAAAoI0/fCP8MncGtLM/s320/PB293738.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Love what you do. Do What you love. [</span></span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/N6-IsDi41MeVkmnEfD9nLtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pic</span></span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">]</span></span></b></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>3. Work</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A rich life is no fluke. You have to work for what you want. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">'Work' is more than just what you do in your office and you should stop viewing it as a dirty word. Take control and you will not have to fight any Monday blues. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The mantra for this is, '<i>love what you do and do what you love</i>.'</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/2agva5e">Monday Blues - No More</a>" and "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/26n539m">To Quit or Not to Quit?</a>" </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>4. Gratitude</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Feeling grateful gives you positive energy. On the other hand, complains and grouses are dis-empowering.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Whining is not a necessity but a bad habit. Kick it.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/7l79c22">The Greatness of Small Things</a>" and "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/6clpxyn">Sometimes, I Forget...</a>".</span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BIqsaXUlY9Q/Ttw1DleRjeI/AAAAAAAAoRM/9QnrgV517yc/s1600/PC014105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BIqsaXUlY9Q/Ttw1DleRjeI/AAAAAAAAoRM/9QnrgV517yc/s320/PC014105.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Gratitude makes you rich. [</span></span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NhHPx3ZNJxwvv-l9-Qx2tdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pic</span></span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">]</span></span></b></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>5. Happiness</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Everyone wants to be happy. Many go looking for it or simply wait for it to come.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The thing is, '<i>happiness</i>' is here and now. This makes the phrase '<i>pursuit of happiness</i>' rather ironical. It is not something you seek but something you '<i>agree</i>' to have.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In short, '<i>happiness</i>' is a choice. You would have to make that choice to be happy.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/yhqvpds">Happiness is a Choice</a>" and "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/ychhtp7">Happiness Quotient</a>". </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>6. Wisdom</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Get wiser through lifelong learning. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In today's breakneck pace of change, you cannot afford to be left behind. The price of obsolescence is just too high.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Learning does not mean going to school. It simply means keeping up with things. It should take place during every waking moment.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You stop, you flop.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/yb82faq">Lifelong Learning - My Way</a>" and "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/242vun2">Learn And You Shall Be Taught</a>". </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sKgBZgNkK6Q/TpPcwzRvxuI/AAAAAAAAniM/8hiVw2Xfdn0/s1600/PA112927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sKgBZgNkK6Q/TpPcwzRvxuI/AAAAAAAAniM/8hiVw2Xfdn0/s400/PA112927.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Every man dies. Not every man really lives. [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XhcA3-Ywcwwf9SRtJ416ldMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></b></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Finally, let talk about money.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In a practical sense, you cannot live a decent life without money. However, having more money does not promise a happier life.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">No one argues about this. The problem is, as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zig_Ziglar">Zig Ziglar</a> has put it "<i>Money won't make you happy… but everybody wants to find out for themselves.</i>"</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/8xtoglx">I Who Have Nothing</a>".</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Many people have been there, done that. You have the choice of learning from them or falling into the same pit.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Your life is as you live it. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"Every man dies. Not every man really lives." (William Wallace)</span></b></span></div></blockquote>Vanillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14784876340586142297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317570426737344495.post-12449105678096890292012-02-20T00:30:00.000+08:002012-02-20T00:30:03.241+08:00The Greatness of Small Things<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yr7Fv9mK8M0/Tttm5SV99lI/AAAAAAAAoMw/IbcHt4ean88/s1600/PB283298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yr7Fv9mK8M0/Tttm5SV99lI/AAAAAAAAoMw/IbcHt4ean88/s400/PB283298.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Get simple pleasure from nature. [</b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/otxP6UrXU4qWJY8gHsTZd9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">Pic</a><b>]</b></span></td></tr>
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Great things do come in small packages.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">That is the problem. They are often so nondescript that you tend to overlook them. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Your ability to appreciate small things in life is essential. It helps to bring you happiness and improve your general well-being. Such appreciation fills you up and leaves you with little time to brood about things that don't matter years from now.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Why live a life looking forward to amazing weekends when you can pick up little pleasures in life everyday, all the time?</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The good news is, these small things are everywhere and often cost little or nothing. The bad news is, you may not see much of them until you make it a habit to notice them.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnmxWfnCmhdziMwX-S6lrTsqgSBA0TzxmbiG6mR1CIr2VG7LvkZSoCFXmK-oVWR71TtImqJsSv_2PJMgbEAv4P5BFGveCWm6BOhuNn4hLdevDyyFKiNJbmmoKArlVy70uif_Ezz53YZc/s1600/bookofawesome3d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnmxWfnCmhdziMwX-S6lrTsqgSBA0TzxmbiG6mR1CIr2VG7LvkZSoCFXmK-oVWR71TtImqJsSv_2PJMgbEAv4P5BFGveCWm6BOhuNn4hLdevDyyFKiNJbmmoKArlVy70uif_Ezz53YZc/s320/bookofawesome3d.jpg" width="221" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Little things can be awesome.</b> [<a href="http://1000awesomethings.com/book/">Source</a>]</span></td></tr>
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Neil Pasricha was going through a rough patch in life when he started his blog, '<a href="http://1000awesomethings.com/">1000 Awesome Things</a>'. He began to write about '<i>the free, easy little joys that make life sweet</i>'. That had made him feel better. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">His blog must have made his readers feel great too for it now attracts millions of hits. The posts have been compiled into '<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Book-Awesome-Bakery-Finding-Brilliant/dp/0399156518">The Book of Awesome</a>', which has remained a top seller for a long while. The '<i>1000 Awesome Things</i>' site has also won the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webby_Award%20">Webby Award</a> which recognizes '<i>excellence on the Internet</i>'. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pasricha started the site with post #1000 '<a href="http://1000awesomethings.com/2008/06/20/1000-broccoflower/">Broccoflower</a>' on 10 Jun 2001 . Since then, he posts an '<i>awesome thing</i>' every weekday, counting down to post #1 on 20 April 2012.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It did not take Pasricha much effort to write about '<i><a href="http://1000awesomethings.com/2008/07/17/981-wearing-underwear-just-out-of-the-dryer/">Wearing underwear just out of the dryer</a></i>' (#981), '<i><a href="http://1000awesomethings.com/2012/02/16/46-clicking-pens-with-really-strong-springs/">Clicking pens with really strong springs</a></i>' (#46), '<i><a href="http://1000awesomethings.com/2008/10/24/91-when-you-arrive-at-your-destination-just-as-a-great-song-ends-on-the-radio/">When you arrive at your destination just as a great song ends on the radio</a></i>' (#910) or '<i><a href="http://1000awesomethings.com/2009/06/18/741-when-a-big-chunk-of-ear-wax-randomly-falls-out-of-your-ear/">When a big chunk of ear wax randomly falls out of your ear</a></i>' (#741). </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ly4w-cxNVs/TpPkALEXuUI/AAAAAAAAnig/zH4AIHPl8Yg/s1600/PA112899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ly4w-cxNVs/TpPkALEXuUI/AAAAAAAAnig/zH4AIHPl8Yg/s320/PA112899.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">How many awesome moments in life have you missed?</span></b><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> [</span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/N33HWvYyBA_YjNVM60KujdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pic</span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">]</span></b></td></tr>
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Those are some of the 'no-big-deal's' in life which can make a whole big deal at that very moment in time.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Little sweet things happen to us from time to time. Few would even realize that they have come and gone, let alone savoring the moments.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">How many awesome moments in life have you missed?</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Listen to Pasricha's heartfelt <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/neil_pasricha_the_3_a_s_of_awesome.html">talk</a> from TEDxToronto in which he reveals 'The 3 A's of awesome')</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fNNl7eQyCr0cVzcd09ETyp2-j5paOgEAW2mrpkOLZIV5CybHeDkmaKjUni0R6mSzXYi5nSvXz-Gol8brBxLWOk8hMt0P-ki4EWC7fe4JXvpbeMelShkK_0zz9hT42y46uX3DCqrH5TU/s1600/bell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fNNl7eQyCr0cVzcd09ETyp2-j5paOgEAW2mrpkOLZIV5CybHeDkmaKjUni0R6mSzXYi5nSvXz-Gol8brBxLWOk8hMt0P-ki4EWC7fe4JXvpbeMelShkK_0zz9hT42y46uX3DCqrH5TU/s1600/bell.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Are you too busy for Joshua Bell's music? [</span></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Joshua_Bell.JPG"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source</span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">]</span></b></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Bell">Joshua Bell</a> is a Grammy Award-winning violinist. In an experiment initiated by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Washington_Post">Washington Post</a> in 2007, he became a 'busker' at a metro station in Washington DC. It was a cold January morning and Bell played incognito with his very intricate violin worth $3.5 million dollars. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For about 45 minutes, Bell played beautiful pieces which earned him fame and fortune. Of the 1097 people who passed by, only seven stopped to listen to him. The others? They were too busy with their daily routine.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Are you living your life just like one of 'the others'?</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Read the Washington Post <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html">article</a> and watch the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnOPu0_YWhw">video</a> on Bell's 'street performance')</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k188OK-OINA/TiFFMOi947I/AAAAAAAAfmQ/fs8SCqASRM8/s1600/P7168350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k188OK-OINA/TiFFMOi947I/AAAAAAAAfmQ/fs8SCqASRM8/s320/P7168350.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Many little things are actually 'big things' in life. [</span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WcTGodPPbfGOOaf4bqO799MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pic</span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">]</span></b></td></tr>
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In life, there are many things we can feel grateful for. These are not the latest sports car you have acquired or your priced jewelery. They are just some small things.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"<i>Enjoy the little things, for one day you make look back and realize they were the big things.</i>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Robert Brault) </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Allow the greatness of small things to bring you greatness in life. Learn to look out for them</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
I hope this article is one of the great little things you have had today.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Further reading:</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"<a href="http://tinyurl.com/6clpxyn">Sometimes, I Forget...</a>" </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"<a href="http://tinyurl.com/2fxro5l">The More The Merrier?</a>" </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies." (Mother Teresa)</span></b></div></blockquote><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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</div>Vanillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14784876340586142297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317570426737344495.post-13872916162518496102012-02-06T00:02:00.000+08:002012-02-06T00:02:02.858+08:00Anger Management is for Everyone<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O2Fd8pyKKx0/TtwpEYk_ZxI/AAAAAAAAoQA/WZS2IymeM6U/s1600/PC014031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O2Fd8pyKKx0/TtwpEYk_ZxI/AAAAAAAAoQA/WZS2IymeM6U/s400/PC014031.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Anger is a normal human emotion. [</span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mnfogLJoHMiGz0fPCx5I6NMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pic</span></a><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">]</span></b></span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We all get angry from time to time.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The scenes in the movie "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anger_Management">Anger Management</a>" make us laugh. However, it is far from funny if it should happen to us.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You may not have experienced such extreme emotional state seen in the move. But, whenever something or someone triggers that unexplainable 'anger button' in you, you would simply explode, just like anyone else.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Can you even control that? If not, can you at least reduce its occurrence?</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5b70VygMRMQ/TYGg5c6OiiI/AAAAAAAAVeA/KQMoO_9AN-Y/s1600/P3175161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5b70VygMRMQ/TYGg5c6OiiI/AAAAAAAAVeA/KQMoO_9AN-Y/s320/P3175161.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Anger is not a right. Neither is it wrong. [</span></span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VLkTa7wgGfbxj5XCjVMB69MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pic</span></span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">]</span></span></b></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>What is anger?</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Anger is a normal human emotion. There is nothing wrong with feeling angry. However, things can go really wrong if you are unable to manage anger.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Anger management</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">'<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anger_management">Anger Management</a>' is often seen as therapeutic sessions by trained personnel for patients who are constantly suffering from angry outburst.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">That leads us to think of '<i>anger management</i>' as something for someone who is 'sick in the head' and having some serious troubles. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Not quite. All of us get angry and it is just a matter of degree. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Let's face it, our emotion fluctuates. Just because we do not need professional 'Anger Management', it doesn't mean that we do not need to know anything about 'anger management'.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bEVGGZsg0dg/TF19jv7KnJI/AAAAAAAAqkI/DR0LQ4l5EIc/s1600/P7247186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bEVGGZsg0dg/TF19jv7KnJI/AAAAAAAAqkI/DR0LQ4l5EIc/s320/P7247186.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Anger releases energy. <br />
Learn to channel it constructively. [</span></span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_HA-BSlXXjWVJpkSxFDyidMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pic</span></span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">]</span></span></b></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Why do we get angry?</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It is often due to unfulfilled expectation. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Your mind anticipates an outcome and when that is not matched with the reality, pressure develops in your mind. Certain chemicals such as adrenaline are released and a surge of energy goes through your body. You become '<i>angry</i>'. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The energy has to go somewhere. When it is released in an unmanaged way, it can cause harm to someone or something. Alternatively, you can choose to suppress it and let the pent-up energy create a greater explosion sometime later.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The misaligned reality can be due to your own doing or that of others. It could be something within your control or it could be something totally out of your hands.<br />
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You need to know what causes you to be angry.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nWX0fS-JM-o/Trek-qqv-AI/AAAAAAAAltE/f_r196DSRhM/s1600/P9221371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nWX0fS-JM-o/Trek-qqv-AI/AAAAAAAAltE/f_r196DSRhM/s320/P9221371.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">'Anger' is the creation of your own 'thinking'. [</span></span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wwaZLlpHBUquyn3Wx1FhitMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pic</span></span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">]</span></span></b></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>The change begins with you</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You are angry because you set rules and are slow to change them. The world does not evolve around your rules. Not everyone knows and understands your rules. Even if they do, they decide in what way they want to be bound by them.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Before you do anything to change yourself, understand that 'anger' is the creation of your own 'thinking'. It is not caused by people or things around you.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You cannot control how others respond to you and you cannot control mother nature. However,you can control the way you think.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">When you control your mind, you control your life.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MnofIFfDzjU/TNpB3aodZEI/AAAAAAAAPBs/hm1q89bG2dI/s1600/P8218418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MnofIFfDzjU/TNpB3aodZEI/AAAAAAAAPBs/hm1q89bG2dI/s320/P8218418.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Anger is a manifestation of how you think. [</span></span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WXOE7SMxcPYtpyCXte5QUtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pic</span></span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">]</span></span></b></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>How do you control your mind?</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You think with your 'mental muscle'. Just like any other muscles, you need to exercise and build them so that they become strong enough to work well for you.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Thinking is a form of conversation with yourself. If you tell yourself good stuff, you believe in them over time. The converse is also true.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In short, think positive. <span style="font-size: x-small;">See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/3md7osl">Self Dialog: Look Who's Talking?</a>" </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g5Q1sSNe9Ys/To54BnsSswI/AAAAAAAAnXs/MeLBXjByE9k/s1600/PA071875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g5Q1sSNe9Ys/To54BnsSswI/AAAAAAAAnXs/MeLBXjByE9k/s320/PA071875.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Thinking is a habit. [</span></span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/FznWIJTtPnPUpA1pIZ8zj9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pic</span></span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">]</span></span></b></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Positive thinking is a habit</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So is negative thinking. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Some of us are aware that negative thinking is not helpful but are unable let that bad habit go. We let ourselves sink into that 'pit of despair' and wonder why the world is being so unfair. <span style="font-size: x-small;">See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/27sqksm%20">The Power of Habit</a>" </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A good habit can be acquired and a bad one can be kicked. If it seems too tough to do so, chop the chore into parts and handle one bit at a time. <span style="font-size: x-small;">See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/3zdo2ep">The Power of Small Steps</a>" </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YhsCN3nQVPk/Tr9tLS5xPrI/AAAAAAAAlwA/bqHjfDXkX5c/s1600/P4075490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YhsCN3nQVPk/Tr9tLS5xPrI/AAAAAAAAlwA/bqHjfDXkX5c/s320/P4075490.JPG" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A man is about as big as <br />
the things that make him angry. [</span></span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7qugn22cfd3fw6KCq-lWZ9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pic</span></span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">]</span></span></b></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Not everything is within your control</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Don't be a control freak on yourself or others. Learning to let go is not as difficult as it seems. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Focus your energy on <a href="http://tinyurl.com/yb82faq">lifelong learning</a> and try to "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/42b6lr2">Be a "Better Me" Everyday</a>". </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Very often, you are the main stumbling block in your life. You may be over critical with yourself and mostly in nonconstructive manners. Read "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/267bean">You Are Your Worst Enemy</a>" and see if you are being so.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">While you want to learn to be more flexible with your rules, you do not want to end up living by others' rules. Set your boundary right and "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/88kbvrn">Don't be a People Pleaser</a>". </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Start building your ability to manage anger today. Remember, "<i>For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.</i>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Ralph Waldo Emerson) </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Related articles:</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"<a href="http://tinyurl.com/3rdjzvu">Boost Your Self Esteem: You're Better than You Think You Are</a>" </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"<a href="http://tinyurl.com/3kj2dc2">Choose Your Pain: Discipline or Regret</a>" </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"<a href="http://tinyurl.com/4rh8g66">Go Ahead, Criticize Me</a>" </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"<a href="http://tinyurl.com/273zbzu%20">How to Feel Better When Feeling Battered ?</a>" </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"<a href="http://tinyurl.com/4xxkdgy">Up Your 'Feel Good Factor'</a>" </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"<a href="http://tinyurl.com/3bwgl2d%20">Up Your Patience Quotient</a>" </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">"A man is about as big as the things that make him angry." (Winston Churchill)</span></b></div></blockquote><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div>Vanillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14784876340586142297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317570426737344495.post-30145261688557525422012-01-30T00:54:00.000+08:002012-01-30T00:54:27.814+08:00Picture Blog #25 : Shadow Art - Darkness At Its Best<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWu90VPoFSd9kAbAxxYDo7tQnelThne95MCSHcLZNdb-3dSN2n4cwmnZCigAmeZGYuM4z5cnJTvT5TWFZp8PcDLiPSblAzH-3AKwm_tDPKbWcCMli1qguH_3MHCH2ctMgrlgE5y_88rDo/s1600/shadow20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWu90VPoFSd9kAbAxxYDo7tQnelThne95MCSHcLZNdb-3dSN2n4cwmnZCigAmeZGYuM4z5cnJTvT5TWFZp8PcDLiPSblAzH-3AKwm_tDPKbWcCMli1qguH_3MHCH2ctMgrlgE5y_88rDo/s400/shadow20.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">by <a href="http://www.fred-eerdekens.be/">Fred Eerdekens</a></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I covered <a href="http://whatsayyouvanilla.blogspot.com/2009/12/picture-blog-8-light-painting.html">Light Painting</a> in an earlier post in this Picture Blog series. Let's try Shadow Painting this time.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Very often, shadows are pieces of unintentional artwork that went unnoticed around us. In the case of shadow art, it is an art form where shadows are deliberately cast by a 3D sculpture, creating an artistic image.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Some call it the art of silhouette. I prefer to describe it as 'darkness at its best'.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">When the 3D sculpture is presented before you, you cannot imagine how its shadow is going to show up on the wall. It is only when the light comes on, you see an amazing imagination of the artist being 'drawn' on the wall.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here are some great masterpieces:</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiOPAec00X-scR20LBi9ozFRNVOOYfnTXH3eumUPnYwlKsG2molm6zb61vDglCRI75a_YcRlnPA9szTIFPCMRPZ1hjMIjP8SEwg_u13kuuh-44de-yacPIZgQcacq2xoM3rADUluGo7Q/s1600/shadow1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiOPAec00X-scR20LBi9ozFRNVOOYfnTXH3eumUPnYwlKsG2molm6zb61vDglCRI75a_YcRlnPA9szTIFPCMRPZ1hjMIjP8SEwg_u13kuuh-44de-yacPIZgQcacq2xoM3rADUluGo7Q/s400/shadow1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>by <a href="http://www.fred-eerdekens.be/">Fred Eerdekens</a></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikN22JjN85zny2qsTbTQZazgc-CwsupwMwo0AUGWihk7rzKbkwF0-H5xUpuFQu2ULMzWaA9Utb-V1z_iJ4n5Dv_cQJ2mXBBlt1yfZeuvXY0tpaYvBIk370w5_uhA8Ot0CYRWA74cG9ZNM/s1600/shadow11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikN22JjN85zny2qsTbTQZazgc-CwsupwMwo0AUGWihk7rzKbkwF0-H5xUpuFQu2ULMzWaA9Utb-V1z_iJ4n5Dv_cQJ2mXBBlt1yfZeuvXY0tpaYvBIk370w5_uhA8Ot0CYRWA74cG9ZNM/s400/shadow11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Noble_and_Sue_Webster">Tim Noble and Sue Webster</a></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmvMheag_bmE6TFqHOiCWkhXlONEfSvSUC6gcSzYjn1PBBt7iCTaEJCDTYx8JDgECs48fRpj7H8XPOPsl4KrExJ08GcN1pRo8k8ZxDKmeMNS-eE50IRSQmrIPVE55QKYhq-tnu-vDNKs/s1600/shadow2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmvMheag_bmE6TFqHOiCWkhXlONEfSvSUC6gcSzYjn1PBBt7iCTaEJCDTYx8JDgECs48fRpj7H8XPOPsl4KrExJ08GcN1pRo8k8ZxDKmeMNS-eE50IRSQmrIPVE55QKYhq-tnu-vDNKs/s400/shadow2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">by <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.118588208159458.15675.118587544826191&type=3">Rashad Alakbarov</a></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXM1nnCP5cmoZBjJrobLoqmImxqDAqafj37ZGbemxyXA51jASygswcJMvqZGNFUDFhrRUr8QukERrgOmAudHL910j2MdZCZbdhriTgEXsTYPFWrD1LQbepcJ8tV3vyyJUsMseUe0gT7eo/s1600/shadow8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXM1nnCP5cmoZBjJrobLoqmImxqDAqafj37ZGbemxyXA51jASygswcJMvqZGNFUDFhrRUr8QukERrgOmAudHL910j2MdZCZbdhriTgEXsTYPFWrD1LQbepcJ8tV3vyyJUsMseUe0gT7eo/s400/shadow8.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>by <a href="http://kumiyamashita.com/">Kumi Yamashita</a></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Tjp6gu0XgI-rLs6gPoJTqzAdM3DrzPSoQrW2guV6HxmuHea1k-wCrikwqmcaD5M2rR4YLQUrvbmV9MBCg_mA2pEW1fhHiJ8MEZRsxOXy6UGUXb9n762ryIbwxAu1NJs4HGWzJeEhL9k/s1600/shadow17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Tjp6gu0XgI-rLs6gPoJTqzAdM3DrzPSoQrW2guV6HxmuHea1k-wCrikwqmcaD5M2rR4YLQUrvbmV9MBCg_mA2pEW1fhHiJ8MEZRsxOXy6UGUXb9n762ryIbwxAu1NJs4HGWzJeEhL9k/s400/shadow17.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Noble_and_Sue_Webster">Tim Noble and Sue Webster</a></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia80awRBN5L9XIfe4Uml1BKMklsKEGxVP1OFeLPXJEx06aLdRoaJ0z9neIQ6LLHVaNYzz9t2Fizv1oelAKY6FeNU4tgMdyqkARx73JvduQh4KiTeLXi2HASkUGGMlWnqETw1SB_mEHifY/s1600/shadow10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia80awRBN5L9XIfe4Uml1BKMklsKEGxVP1OFeLPXJEx06aLdRoaJ0z9neIQ6LLHVaNYzz9t2Fizv1oelAKY6FeNU4tgMdyqkARx73JvduQh4KiTeLXi2HASkUGGMlWnqETw1SB_mEHifY/s400/shadow10.jpg" width="357" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shigeo_Fukuda">Shigeo Fukuda</a></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34dbxjVK7iMLtWGNHqd6GipJLuWEUwGITkgcI_tSOSYUgGfu2Or07G3G-4kbVWCQaknHNOKlmN6Ado1cH6q5cuzhjWVHrf8RlWdVoq_ebQTK_a9gUWSgqw4rkaTs8RKawQsYZfo8YWHU/s1600/shadow12.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34dbxjVK7iMLtWGNHqd6GipJLuWEUwGITkgcI_tSOSYUgGfu2Or07G3G-4kbVWCQaknHNOKlmN6Ado1cH6q5cuzhjWVHrf8RlWdVoq_ebQTK_a9gUWSgqw4rkaTs8RKawQsYZfo8YWHU/s400/shadow12.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">by <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.118588208159458.15675.118587544826191&type=3">Rashad Alakbarov</a></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfZZ6RKzp8ebuUj0-X-ahbFBuUGRhmdVYwApCU6cBD5p7klOYFUxvsQMv0XN105vHUfhNrhtHVajdBosV6IMM-AB5rEjvcdWQs68Of2p1xxc7kTqoZH8g2JAtnhdRVWnWSA_JGtNL6e0/s1600/shadow3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfZZ6RKzp8ebuUj0-X-ahbFBuUGRhmdVYwApCU6cBD5p7klOYFUxvsQMv0XN105vHUfhNrhtHVajdBosV6IMM-AB5rEjvcdWQs68Of2p1xxc7kTqoZH8g2JAtnhdRVWnWSA_JGtNL6e0/s400/shadow3.jpg" width="363" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Noble_and_Sue_Webster">Tim Noble and Sue Webster</a></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdRUECrPeaQ34j9fuH_I3lplNR4Z4ZqgQWxouAM4Y91uPnGQt3v4mvHwwIJ9vJsRQZtkxk1QHcuuefrP6eUnVakj28YOLcIGPTodv04MVTRF-dVlTDzfm2uWb6Eq_DUQmnfBmD35Y6Mw/s1600/shadow16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdRUECrPeaQ34j9fuH_I3lplNR4Z4ZqgQWxouAM4Y91uPnGQt3v4mvHwwIJ9vJsRQZtkxk1QHcuuefrP6eUnVakj28YOLcIGPTodv04MVTRF-dVlTDzfm2uWb6Eq_DUQmnfBmD35Y6Mw/s400/shadow16.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>by <a href="http://kumiyamashita.com/">Kumi Yamashita</a></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8TiKj_9ULuBB5M-X9Tm8trUkJsoAakC0z7v4Ky8rnMJdXVIm3FgW7EqZ-O74VVt5rx9kgdk1rPK7Qi6PHzYA0rmoFLCinAkttD959USbU2HNghXozlDobD1yLpVrlaxvlB9NZGRm9XU/s1600/shadow18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8TiKj_9ULuBB5M-X9Tm8trUkJsoAakC0z7v4Ky8rnMJdXVIm3FgW7EqZ-O74VVt5rx9kgdk1rPK7Qi6PHzYA0rmoFLCinAkttD959USbU2HNghXozlDobD1yLpVrlaxvlB9NZGRm9XU/s400/shadow18.jpg" width="370" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>by <a href="http://larrykagansculpture.com/">Larry Kagan</a></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9I7feKQNmInBsyaWpQogAUEyK6kyPECFzahvb3SQxo20NEoju-f3yKbR84zPbw4arwxAGZKu1RCk4yb7qwJb-ApJnQ0vxX6GKA-n_cFkhaqX877JX2ch8qdXH5yYvOKmPZv166z0nyfw/s1600/shadow9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9I7feKQNmInBsyaWpQogAUEyK6kyPECFzahvb3SQxo20NEoju-f3yKbR84zPbw4arwxAGZKu1RCk4yb7qwJb-ApJnQ0vxX6GKA-n_cFkhaqX877JX2ch8qdXH5yYvOKmPZv166z0nyfw/s400/shadow9.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Noble_and_Sue_Webster">Tim Noble and Sue Webster</a></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78y4SVxM6aaPBuRzpcfmmG5oFqCd7vLVbRNutz3vSCXJ5ZutzF4H2rw4YFbf9WiBk1nin0Z0vN-2LEsNXjN-5RjpYi3tFEFp2i73w8U69NJOXmPTpJuMFvmoZOf_Gew0YRSa7wbbPImY/s1600/shadow13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78y4SVxM6aaPBuRzpcfmmG5oFqCd7vLVbRNutz3vSCXJ5ZutzF4H2rw4YFbf9WiBk1nin0Z0vN-2LEsNXjN-5RjpYi3tFEFp2i73w8U69NJOXmPTpJuMFvmoZOf_Gew0YRSa7wbbPImY/s400/shadow13.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>by <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.118588208159458.15675.118587544826191&type=3">Rashad Alakbarov</a></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXp2EPXWfhV-R-3NSyTPh0Qz8ioMLIB8WHccyfu1igRSWYvqYCJOHb1mKquqWH8_VSLylZdU7LfFuH5nFxksXdQk-peYzKyxDCe_jobLZZ2Bzgo_dlgTV_ARvhn3ul5zBv-ewc2BPavA/s1600/shadow14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXp2EPXWfhV-R-3NSyTPh0Qz8ioMLIB8WHccyfu1igRSWYvqYCJOHb1mKquqWH8_VSLylZdU7LfFuH5nFxksXdQk-peYzKyxDCe_jobLZZ2Bzgo_dlgTV_ARvhn3ul5zBv-ewc2BPavA/s400/shadow14.jpg" width="322" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>by <a href="http://kumiyamashita.com/">Kumi Yamashita</a></b></span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjON9nZfqpIZus-DP5t7ZhV8ev35t75sI5OyHXMqi_ZtI3azrHjBkZAkhZ8cmZMy_np9bAvq_qUl1RYnzaKtZ-O8h2KTlttXYO__4RKIy4PK9qp-YkcUMxGa6rFrY-kfFpqOBref4bTcOs/s1600/shadow15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjON9nZfqpIZus-DP5t7ZhV8ev35t75sI5OyHXMqi_ZtI3azrHjBkZAkhZ8cmZMy_np9bAvq_qUl1RYnzaKtZ-O8h2KTlttXYO__4RKIy4PK9qp-YkcUMxGa6rFrY-kfFpqOBref4bTcOs/s400/shadow15.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>by <a href="http://www.fred-eerdekens.be/">Fred Eerdekens</a></b></span></td></tr>
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</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5WfzhK-TEAo5Pa2kuZvZr281ukDA0fv-GvH0SG9UzU238aM_PdqdCUVnx6uZp3swXM7iZCU71GI0GL4LTXEnKZtMTiBrkOudUWvOZsdR7-hXRiXokTM3ijzWFUctSqh7E7eaLFaFb5Q/s1600/shadow4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5WfzhK-TEAo5Pa2kuZvZr281ukDA0fv-GvH0SG9UzU238aM_PdqdCUVnx6uZp3swXM7iZCU71GI0GL4LTXEnKZtMTiBrkOudUWvOZsdR7-hXRiXokTM3ijzWFUctSqh7E7eaLFaFb5Q/s400/shadow4.jpg" width="286" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shigeo_Fukuda">Shigeo Fukuda</a></b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8oxVy__XQI-EDXZXMkWyE4o9eBSm-iH2hncDPUHxVeDm-TtkI4fmUAxtqmMj4d5PamrslkPKZzuNnjZPFfmnfTY1tgHcWyKfPmbCrMWaAMF4u9ts1yscJaxXImyE71Lf97wh7eGjQxI/s1600/shadow5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8oxVy__XQI-EDXZXMkWyE4o9eBSm-iH2hncDPUHxVeDm-TtkI4fmUAxtqmMj4d5PamrslkPKZzuNnjZPFfmnfTY1tgHcWyKfPmbCrMWaAMF4u9ts1yscJaxXImyE71Lf97wh7eGjQxI/s400/shadow5.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>by <a href="http://kumiyamashita.com/">Kumi Yamashita</a></b></span></td></tr>
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</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZWdDJSiiwMliN06lKtOGuEoh8dRq8dJ4_C8YIQz6PcyTq4PdzUSekE86g_mFUJ-ieb-yMvT-H8k79zFbi3DmRgVPV5d_g4FbGWP3B0RZZSSCV_5FLLD1FWbSvxq0-KS4g9zEM5ifLaA/s1600/shadow6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZWdDJSiiwMliN06lKtOGuEoh8dRq8dJ4_C8YIQz6PcyTq4PdzUSekE86g_mFUJ-ieb-yMvT-H8k79zFbi3DmRgVPV5d_g4FbGWP3B0RZZSSCV_5FLLD1FWbSvxq0-KS4g9zEM5ifLaA/s400/shadow6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Noble_and_Sue_Webster">Tim Noble and Sue Webster</a></b></span></td></tr>
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</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjyWgTcOSn0tyEcjljznDg80X_RnWPuSVvi-82UOXO3PEPuhlIUlQwaSESjiXM32k0OicMbk1eqW0YFf2Mrcun4aB_OWkv_-qM7MyDsxwTrgq8Wel-RvnEXcBM_Gop9o3abemEVuLCaY/s1600/shadow7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjyWgTcOSn0tyEcjljznDg80X_RnWPuSVvi-82UOXO3PEPuhlIUlQwaSESjiXM32k0OicMbk1eqW0YFf2Mrcun4aB_OWkv_-qM7MyDsxwTrgq8Wel-RvnEXcBM_Gop9o3abemEVuLCaY/s400/shadow7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">by <a href="http://kumiyamashita.com/">Kumi Yamashita</a></span></b></td></tr>
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</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ze6CTjSYUUaSwyhotx9fYIcOQaXj-7pwI_M6crKHNaKDYghh3rUbrub3ap7Bu60F-T5EJVcabCf36Sdz2PJI33mcaxXOKME_R3hEM2TiC2daOFOPDmz49K3JBANFCrLkKWu7qllqois/s1600/shadow19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ze6CTjSYUUaSwyhotx9fYIcOQaXj-7pwI_M6crKHNaKDYghh3rUbrub3ap7Bu60F-T5EJVcabCf36Sdz2PJI33mcaxXOKME_R3hEM2TiC2daOFOPDmz49K3JBANFCrLkKWu7qllqois/s400/shadow19.jpg" width="343" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>by <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.118588208159458.15675.118587544826191&type=3">Rashad Alakbarov</a></b></span></td></tr>
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</div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see." (Martin Luther King, Jr.)</span></b></div></blockquote><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div>Vanillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14784876340586142297noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317570426737344495.post-23988360074723770922012-01-23T00:26:00.001+08:002012-01-23T12:23:02.520+08:0010 Tips to Avoid Festive Bingeing<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-II9vyBpvElw/TxfU4e83H2I/AAAAAAAAqN0/ZZF4ZHTX1qE/s1600/P1195105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-II9vyBpvElw/TxfU4e83H2I/AAAAAAAAqN0/ZZF4ZHTX1qE/s400/P1195105.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This is the time to feast, wisely. [</b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-cR-13IplPDKYeCZ9ZmyJtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pic</span></a><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">]</b></span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The feasting has begun.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year">Chinese New Year</a> is celebrated over a period of 15 days. Typically, families and businesses arrange for get-togethers over meals. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore">Singapore</a> is a food paradize and it is even more so during festivals. You can expect great indulgence during this festive time. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/ybnhhlr">The 15 Days of Lunar New Year</a>")</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you are thinking of not falling prey to binge eating, this article is for you. Read it before your next party.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GQXJlC3qFVk/Txt-F8qFXXI/AAAAAAAAqNc/WWLRwNlZ5RA/s1600/P1225175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GQXJlC3qFVk/Txt-F8qFXXI/AAAAAAAAqNc/WWLRwNlZ5RA/s320/P1225175.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Spend more quality time with people, not food. [</span></b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YsPx2UN3ajknKgflGWZ5YdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">Pic</a></span><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">]</span></b></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>10. Do not over prepare</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Leftovers are traditionally seen as something good. It means you are wealthy enough to provide, in this case, over-provide. Symbolism aside, if you prepare the right portion, you do not have to decide if the leftovers should go to waste or 'waist'.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>9. Get enough rest</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Lack of rest can increase your stress level. Typically, a stressed-out person is more inclined towards binge eating. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/82q7mgn">It's Time to Chill Out, Not Stress Out</a>") </span> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>8. Learn to say 'No'</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I know, this may cause grandma to be upset. But I am not suggesting that you refuse her offer. You just need to know when to stop and say 'No' when the time comes. If saying 'No' gets too tough, distract and flatter her by asking for her secret recipes. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/88kbvrn">Don't be a People Pleaser</a>") </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cYKbV9Yr0vM/ThkKE3qOsaI/AAAAAAAAqOA/go24JarjjN8/s1600/P7048008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cYKbV9Yr0vM/ThkKE3qOsaI/AAAAAAAAqOA/go24JarjjN8/s320/P7048008.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">You are spoilt for choices. Indulge wisely. [</span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LSVEfQ38JHkO7NnT7_ZBB9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pic</span></span></a><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">]</span></b></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>7. No second helping</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">During the festive season, you are spoilt for choices. Take your time to sample. Avoid a second helping of your favorite cookies as it usually doesn't stop at two.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>6. Don't compensate with exercise</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If your strategy is to back up your binge eating with a more rigorous exercise regime, don't. This is likely to make you loath exercise especially if routine exercises don't come naturally or habitually to you.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>5. Eat something before you go</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Don't spoil your appetite by eating too much before the party. However, don't leave home feeling famished either. Otherwise, you will tend to gobble down the food as soon as you enter the house. Snack on something healthy beforehand.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>4. Watch where you station</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you choose to socialize over the serving counter, you are likely to pinch some food between your conversations. Instead, move away and hold your conversation else where. You can always talk about bonsai next to the flower pots or discuss about Picasso near the paintings.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0hgRbLVAik/TuzOEu0w3PI/AAAAAAAAqOc/pJ9IuUC6hGc/s1600/PC114447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0hgRbLVAik/TuzOEu0w3PI/AAAAAAAAqOc/pJ9IuUC6hGc/s320/PC114447.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Snack on something healthy before going for a party. [</span></span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/a-LXKapsb2_87a0WxxMq0NMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pic</span></span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">]</span></span></b></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>3. Be picky</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You have so much food but no extra space in the tummy. You need to be selective. Avoid food that you can get at any other time. Pick something special and not something off the supermarket shelves.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>2. Focus on people</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Not eating everything on the table doesn't mean you are deprived in any way. Focus the celebration on people rather than food. You have had enough poking in Facebook. This is time to catch up with friends and relatives in the real world. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(The article on "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/42deexe">Are You A Good Conversationalist?</a>" may help you)</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>1. Eat the right thing</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This is too cliche and we can go on and on about what is the right food to eat. In short, eat in moderation and watch your calories. I will just let Dr Aaryan Koura from the Singapore <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tan_Tock_Seng_Hospital">Tan Tock Seng Hospital</a> share more via this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOAT6uL6LF4&featur">video</a>.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">May the Dragon Year bring you wealth as well as health !</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Related articles:</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/4mxvoj4">"Lunar New Year Ang Pow 101"</a></span></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/6ou2s37%20">"Beat the Spring Cleaning Blues"</a></span></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/ybnhhlr">"The 15 Days of Lunar New Year"a</a></span></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/78aw7oc%20">"Wishing You A Blessed Year Ahead"</a></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://whatsayyouvanilla.blogspot.com/2012/01/reunion-dinner-feasting-together.html">Reunion Dinner - Feasting Together</a></span></b><br />
</div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">"When it comes to eating right and exercising, there is no 'I'll start tomorrow'. Tomorrow is disease." (Terri Guillemets)</span></b></div></blockquote><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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</div>Vanillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14784876340586142297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317570426737344495.post-73895257338573642332012-01-16T00:30:00.102+08:002012-01-16T02:29:28.161+08:00Reunion Dinner - Feasting Together<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kP2c66avCbo/TxKbhx46pnI/AAAAAAAAqCA/ShW2W81cXMQ/s1600/P1155090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kP2c66avCbo/TxKbhx46pnI/AAAAAAAAqCA/ShW2W81cXMQ/s400/P1155090.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Spring Festival: An important Chinese traditional celebration. [</span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7bhtlvO5e7bkhidpawN-_NMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pic</span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">]</span></b></td></tr>
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Tis the time to greet the spring.<br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year">Chinese New Year</a> is also referred to as Lunar New Year (農曆新年) or Spring Festival (春节). It is the most important celebrations according to the Chinese traditions <span style="font-size: x-small;">(23 Jan 2012)</span>. A reunion dinner (团圆饭) is one of the highlights or should I say, a must, for Chinese New Year celebration.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xkFZAMQdSHw/TTxSmPvmC0I/AAAAAAAAVg4/I6_ONjhYofI/s1600/P1233456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xkFZAMQdSHw/TTxSmPvmC0I/AAAAAAAAVg4/I6_ONjhYofI/s320/P1233456.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Reunion dinner brings everyone in the family together. [</span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2iYcF1QmdLKuURcNJ3FxvdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pic</span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">]</span></b></td></tr>
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Reunion dinner takes place on the eve (年除夕) of Chinese New Year. Family members who are away from home will make it back in time for the occasion. It is the time for everyone to catch up with each other. This is an important part of the Chinese traditions that helps keep the family bonded. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The feast is expected to be sumptuous. It is not only for a good time together but also to symbolize a good start of the new year.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0UCI2iHOKaM/TxEqgrNuWRI/AAAAAAAAqAs/iBVgE6ihosw/s1600/P1145065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0UCI2iHOKaM/TxEqgrNuWRI/AAAAAAAAqAs/iBVgE6ihosw/s320/P1145065.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Food: Its meaning comes before taste. [</span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wbbnMzE1UjgSsS5o-6B41dMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pic</span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">]</span></b><br />
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<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>What to eat?</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
It is important to include certain symbolic dishes in the reunion dinner.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
Symbolization is usually drawn from the name of the dish sounding similar to words that mean good luck, wealth, prosperity and the like.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k9xZjf_wfGY/ThkK_QL1dLI/AAAAAAAAfH4/ZaWSw4hANQM/s1600/P7048034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k9xZjf_wfGY/ThkK_QL1dLI/AAAAAAAAfH4/ZaWSw4hANQM/s320/P7048034.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Dumpling, symbolizes gold ingots. [</b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uT4UnBJWKDc823zkL2-efdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">Pic</a><b>]</b></span></td></tr>
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These dishes are pronounced differently in different Chinese dialects. We can expect their significance to vary among the various Chinese dialect groups. Some dishes may also be included because they shape like certain auspiscious items.<br />
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Here are some examples: <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Fish (鱼,余) - Surplus</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Meat balls (圆) - Togetherness</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Lettuce (生菜, <i>sang choy</i> 生财 in Cantonese)- Growth in wealth</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Bamboo shoots (笋,顺) - Smooth sailing</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sea cucumber (海参, <i>hoy sum</i> 开心 in Cantonese) - Happiness</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Green vegetable - Evergreen</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Lotus roots (莲,连) - Togetherness</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Fresh oyster (生蚝,升豪) - Rising to prosperity</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Dried oyster (<span class="st"><i></i></span>蚝豉 <i>hou si</i> 好事 in Cantonese) - Good things </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Long noodle - Longevity</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Black moss (发菜 <i>fatt choy</i> 发财 in Cantonese) - Wealth</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Abalone (包余) - Guaranteed abundance</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Dumpling (饺子) - Shaped like gold ingots</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Shallot (葱,聪)- Wisdom</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Celery (芹,勤) - Diligence</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Chicken (served whole) - Completeness</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Glutinous rice cake or <i>niangao </i>(年糕) - Promotion or progress</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Yusheng (鱼生 <i>lohei </i>捞起 in Cantonese) - Abundance.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Note: Yusheng is not a traditional dish for reunion dinner but it is definitely a tradition in the making.)</span><br />
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It is fine to finish every dish but one - the fish dish. Some leftover will be intentionally kept aside. This symbolize 'surplus' derived from the Chinese phrase '<i>nian nian you yu</i>' (年年有余) which literrally means , 'having surplus every year'. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K_zhrLX2osM/TxKdDar-YyI/AAAAAAAAqBU/duAX6oYSTlY/s1600/PC284727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K_zhrLX2osM/TxKdDar-YyI/AAAAAAAAqBU/duAX6oYSTlY/s320/PC284727.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>It is convenient to eat out but not always pleasant. [</b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MHRQxyLNjiczZjC-wHBVVtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">Pic</a><b>]</b></span></td></tr>
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<b>Eat in or out?</b><br />
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It is in the Chinese traditions to be home for the reunion dinner. Nothing beats having dinner at home and truly enjoy the warmth of the family.<br />
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However, in this fast-pace modern time, elaborate preparation for the feast is challenging. More people are loving the convenience of eating out. It has become so popular that advanced reservation is highly recommended especially at popular restaurants. In some restaurants in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore">Singapore</a>, diners are given time slots and are expected to complete their meals within the given time. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5V4NxboOtyc/TU0YEeHvYsI/AAAAAAAARgI/oBuIUC4gdH8/s1600/P2053761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5V4NxboOtyc/TU0YEeHvYsI/AAAAAAAARgI/oBuIUC4gdH8/s320/P2053761.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Yusheng, a tradition in the making. [</span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Yg523xCseiBPQI-yzoSSQdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pic</span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">]</span></b></td></tr>
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Restaurants are also competing to come up with innovative menus. Dishes are given prosperous sounding name and priced auspisciously, eg. S$388 or S$888. You will never find a reunion dinner package priced at $444. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(See <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numbers_in_Chinese_culture">Numbers in Chinese culture</a>)</span><br />
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There are only so many families a restaurant can take in at any one time. So, businesses have been quick in coming up with 'takeaway pacakges' giving the best of both worlds. You do not have to dine in a rush with so many strangers around you. However, this only works if you have sufficient room to accommodate everyone in the family.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uwdMOhJ4WXo/TXuQEOFEBaI/AAAAAAAAUfg/OQndpw1Q0o4/s1600/P3114988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uwdMOhJ4WXo/TXuQEOFEBaI/AAAAAAAAUfg/OQndpw1Q0o4/s320/P3114988.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Steamboat: An all-time favorite. [</span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_opt3anIn-CeLdyci7VrzNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pic</span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">]</span></b></td></tr>
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<b>Cooked dishes or steamboat?</b><br />
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Cooked dishes are wonderful as the ingredients can be prepared in many ways. However, you can only have so may dishes in one meal.<br />
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Steamboat (火锅) is a practical alternative to hold a reunion dinner. Everyone can add any imaginable ingredient in the bubbling broth, whipping up every possible combination of good luck and wealth in the soup.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vwf46lYD1OM/TUvdXY1XLbI/AAAAAAAAijI/ORtjvgUV62E/s1600/P2033685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vwf46lYD1OM/TUvdXY1XLbI/AAAAAAAAijI/ORtjvgUV62E/s320/P2033685.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Reunion dinners are being held earlier these days. [</span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/INOY7NGFRG1QJ_07DCHu19MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pic</span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">]</span></b></td></tr>
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Literally translated steamboat or <i>huoguo </i>means 'fire pot' in Chinese. It has its name originated from traditional steamboat which uses charcoal fire to heat the pot.<br />
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Traditionally, reunion dinner is also known as weilu (围炉) which means circling around the stove. From this, we can imagine how reunion dinner was held during the ancient time.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-guyfcs2WgsI/TbEfeUHF3VI/AAAAAAAAdpk/XFeHTeA6nrg/s1600/P4225893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-guyfcs2WgsI/TbEfeUHF3VI/AAAAAAAAdpk/XFeHTeA6nrg/s320/P4225893.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Traditionally, married daughters are excluded from reunion dinners. [</span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zWFHJsGG9-7klXKkkVCJ_dMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pic</span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">]</span></b></td></tr>
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<b>Eating with?</b><br />
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Traditionally, children away from home are expected to come back for the dinner. Married daughters will join their husbands and they will return home on the second day of the new year.<br />
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In <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore">Singapore</a>, <span style="font-size: x-small;">(694 km<sup>2</sup> / 268 sq mi)</span> nobody lives more than an hour away from another. Married children continue to visit their parents regularly. Given this, the significance of reunion dinner is somewhat reduced to an occasion to feast rather than a time to reunite. <br />
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Where possible, parents would want to dine with all their children, son or daughter, married or otherwise. As such, it will not be possible for every family to hold reunion dinner on the eve of the new year. Nowadays, reunion dinner begins a week or two before the actual day.<br />
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It is not too early to start feasting now. Happy reunion and wishing you a prosperous Dragon year! </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Related articles:</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/4mxvoj4">"Lunar New Year Ang Pow 101"</a></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/6ou2s37%20">"Beat the Spring Cleaning Blues"</a></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/82q7mgn%20">"It's Time to Chill Out, Not Stress Out"</a></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/ybnhhlr">"The 15 Days of Lunar New Year" </a></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/78aw7oc%20">"Wishing You A Blessed Year Ahead"</a></span></div><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">"In the end, life teaches us what is important, and that is family." (Stephen Covey)</span></b></div></blockquote>Vanillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14784876340586142297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317570426737344495.post-31718561572684129542012-01-10T00:15:00.000+08:002012-01-10T00:15:26.056+08:00Beat the Spring Cleaning Blues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNz0khyWBOs3Dig909hwbyCC7D-7zuOwDN9dK09Vb5NVEOHUcLsZw5z6Vsz_Hu8VsPJPULErVmldf-eRMjeW44VTAIiKSmXBLTeGqpl3jX7VfC9k-SCpg1K-5tvp0-pmqdZs9B6Cf4VP4/s1600/dragon.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNz0khyWBOs3Dig909hwbyCC7D-7zuOwDN9dK09Vb5NVEOHUcLsZw5z6Vsz_Hu8VsPJPULErVmldf-eRMjeW44VTAIiKSmXBLTeGqpl3jX7VfC9k-SCpg1K-5tvp0-pmqdZs9B6Cf4VP4/s400/dragon.gif" width="373" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If new year spring cleaning is on your to-do list, read on.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Traditionally, spring cleaning (春节大掃除) is done before Chinese New Year to welcome the new season with a clean house. This marks a new beginning with the hope to bring good luck.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The next Chinese New Year is only a couple of weeks away (23 Jan 2012) and there are loads of preparation to do. Traditionally, this is also the time to feel stressed out. With the sight of messy rooms, dusty shelves and unkept Christmas decorations, you just hope that you have another month.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Spring cleaning need not be a hair-pulling time. Take a look at a few pointers below. I hope the list will lessen your stress so that you can welcome the Dragon Year with a jolly mood.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>10. Spring cleaning - Outsourced</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If for some reasons, you are unable or unwilling to do the chores yourself, consider outsoursing. However, many cleaning companies would have their booking list filled up by now. Note this tip and make your reservation earlier next time.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OjvZ7idMvKA/Tuy4uEje3zI/AAAAAAAAp7s/PyT8PlAvheE/s1600/PC114400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OjvZ7idMvKA/Tuy4uEje3zI/AAAAAAAAp7s/PyT8PlAvheE/s320/PC114400.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Reserve spring cleaning service early. </span></span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7MQkW456zy_2XPQN9n91cdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">[Pic]</span></span></a></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>9. Spring cleaning - DIY</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The tips will be too long to be included here. Just google "spring cleaning tips" and you will find loads of information. The idea here is to work smart and not just work hard. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>8. Have a plan</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Draw up a plan on what needs to be done. Handle a few items each day and that will prevent a last minute panic attack. Very often, we feel stressed out just thinking about what needs to be done. Getting something done <span style="font-size: x-small;">(no matter how little)</span> brings on satisfaction and that helps to motivate you.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>7. Have a checklist</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In the interest of time, you want to be systematic and save effort. Have a checklist <span style="font-size: x-small;">(see <a href="http://www.ivillage.com/spring-cleaning-checklist-ivillage/7-a-219166">example</a>)</span> which you can use every year. Pick tasks based on the amount of time allocated for the day.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WDeS-Q62dC8/TUU2BLFPqiI/AAAAAAAARFE/eQuhgIuqWFw/s1600/P1303548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WDeS-Q62dC8/TUU2BLFPqiI/AAAAAAAARFE/eQuhgIuqWFw/s320/P1303548.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Plan spring cleaning tasks and handle <br />
them systematically. </span></span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6YRdGBfRECdnYSD4CfnJf9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">[Pic]</span></span></a></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>6. Stay healthy</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The tendency is to work doubly hard and if possible, into late nights. That is usually not worth the while. You may end up spending more time later nursing yourself back to health. Falling sick during the festive time means missing out all the good food and fun. Don't.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>5. Fight procrastination</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Tomorrow sometimes never come. No one enjoys spring cleaning <span style="font-size: x-small;">(you know anyone who does?)</span> but you have to do what you have to do. Put your acts together and throw your excuses aside. See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/3wmwg88">Procrastination is Best Left Till Tomorrow</a>". </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>4. Be disciplined</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ouch! The 'D' word hurts. But you need that in many things and that includes spring cleaning. Many people see 'Discipline' to be a big enemy which is hard to conquer. Get rid of that idea. 'Self Discipline' is a collection of good habits which you can build. Read more in "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/3kj2dc2%20">Choose Your Pain: Discipline or Regret</a>". </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O9lSTZAd7jc/TUuoUUaSorI/AAAAAAAARck/nk6xmUlGW80/s1600/P2043758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O9lSTZAd7jc/TUuoUUaSorI/AAAAAAAARck/nk6xmUlGW80/s320/P2043758.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Discipline is not a scary word. </span></span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VSumt8kZpW7YqNjcLQ7wVdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">[Pic]</span></span></a></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>3. Stop multitasking</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Contrary to popular beliefs, multitasking is in fact one of the main killers of productivity. You may think that you are getting much done. The truth is you are getting many tasks going but badly done. See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/28ql7vu%20">Farewell to Multitasking</a>". </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>2. Be motivated</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You need motivation not just for spring cleaning but everything else you do everyday. It is easy to feel unmotivated and you would need to know how to refuel. See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/29rk6qz">Get Your Daily Motivation</a>". </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>1. Cheer up</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Finally, if you are feeling down and can't get started, you need to fight the G Force and get up. You don't have much time left. See "<a href="http://whatsayyouvanilla.blogspot.com/2011/03/get-yourself-cheer-up-first-aid-kit.html">Get Yourself a "Cheer Up' First Aid Kit</a>". </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YnA_hyAv6gc/TTxx8CTSkYI/AAAAAAAARjw/YSO1pT_Ll-E/s1600/P1233456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YnA_hyAv6gc/TTxx8CTSkYI/AAAAAAAARjw/YSO1pT_Ll-E/s320/P1233456.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Multitasking is not a good idea</span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">. <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nlqh2pF92zwSVA-rK2Xli9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">[Pic]</a></span></span></b></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Most importantly, do away with the need for spring cleaning. Keep your house clutter-free and buy only what you need. That makes daily cleaning easy and there will be less need, or better still, no need for an annual spring cleaning.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Let's welcome the Dragon Year with a set of new habits.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Other similar articles:</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"<a href="http://tinyurl.com/82q7mgn%20">It's Time to Chill Out, Not Stress Out</a>" </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"<a href="http://tinyurl.com/27sqksm">The Power of Habit</a>" </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"<a href="http://tinyurl.com/3zdo2ep">The Power of Small Steps</a>" </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"<a href="http://tinyurl.com/4xxkdgy">Up Your 'Feel Good Factor</a>'" </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">"To think too long about doing a thing often becomes its undoing." (Eva Young)</span></b></div></blockquote><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div>Vanillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14784876340586142297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317570426737344495.post-63860492073844293842012-01-02T01:38:00.000+08:002012-01-02T01:38:41.436+08:00Flying with the Little One - 12 Tips<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2bE6LidXUYc/TtwQf0aLz9I/AAAAAAAAoI0/fCP8MncGtLM/s1600/PB293738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2bE6LidXUYc/TtwQf0aLz9I/AAAAAAAAoI0/fCP8MncGtLM/s400/PB293738.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Flying with children need not be a stressful experience.</b> <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/N6-IsDi41MeVkmnEfD9nLtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">[Pic]</a></span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I loathe long hauls, especially when I have to share the same trip with a wailing child<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (not necessarily mine)</span>.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I don't have much experience flying with young children. However, each time when there is a grouchy little one on board, I can totally feel the kind of stress the minder has to go through.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you have minded little ones on board, you would know what I mean.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W9SglsUAwIE/TIJmlB0gxHI/AAAAAAAApnI/dPgxItxh7Og/s1600/P9048940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W9SglsUAwIE/TIJmlB0gxHI/AAAAAAAApnI/dPgxItxh7Og/s320/P9048940.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>You need to be flexible when traveling <br />
with young children.</b> <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nI3-uRx3gTjqNmhIebMw59MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">[Pic]</a></span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Life for you and junior need not be that bad in the air. Take a look at some tips I have gathered from first hand experience and observation. I have also included what friends, relatives and some experts have shared.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You know your young traveling companion better. Be prepared to adjust along the way.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TpHFQ4pE_sY/TtxZPyrUwyI/AAAAAAAAoM4/qhsBCsZ9l1s/s1600/PB283241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TpHFQ4pE_sY/TtxZPyrUwyI/AAAAAAAAoM4/qhsBCsZ9l1s/s320/PB283241.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Let junior decide which toy to bring along. </b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/W2pL1wV50j_FS4rxw60UgtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">[Pic]</span></a></span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>12. Before the trip</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Get your child involved in the packing. Let him/her decide which toy to bring along. Explain to him/her the purpose of items packed so that he/she has some idea what to expect at the destination. For eg., let him/her know that you are packing a bottle of sunblock because you are bringing him/her to a sunny place.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>11. Ample time before flight</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Let your child have a great time playing at the airport. Build in sufficient allowance and give him/her time to run around. The child might be stressed out if you are rushing for time. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e-nIhC_u5rA/TdFhaWx49BI/AAAAAAAAbu4/ScRj1gRtzkA/s1600/P4306641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e-nIhC_u5rA/TdFhaWx49BI/AAAAAAAAbu4/ScRj1gRtzkA/s320/P4306641.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Bring only what is necessary on board. </span></span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bjyPx0CuSiFZbQ-kK2rbWNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">[Pic]</span></span></a></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>10. Don't bring too much</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Unless you are flying in style via the first/business class, do expect the economy class cabin to be squeezy. Bring what is necessary on board and don't carry loads of stuff as if you are migrating. You should be paying more attention to your child and not the luggage.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>9. Airport security</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The clearing process can be intimidating to young children. Take time to explain to your child the purpose and that the security personnel are not there to harm anyone. This is especially important to first time young travelers. You do not want to create a scene when he/she refuses to let teddy bear go through the scanner.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ymm-_66gzcA/Tar-FcMvkDI/AAAAAAAAZdU/d-mioTLeF-4/s1600/PC262952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ymm-_66gzcA/Tar-FcMvkDI/AAAAAAAAZdU/d-mioTLeF-4/s400/PC262952.JPG" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Explain to junior that teddy bear has <br />
to go through security checks. </span></span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bMSIt9cNpHNBBIJtM9clWtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">[Pic]</span></span></a></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>8. Boarding</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Most airlines allow passengers traveling with young children to board first. This makes a lot of sense. However, your kid may feel uneasy watching the crowd looking for their seats and stowing their luggage above their heads.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Boarding first is not necessarily a good idea. You might want to be the last instead. Let the rest settle down and you board just in time. Your child does not need to start his/her journey gawking at the chaos before taxiing. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>7. Stroller, to bring or not to bring?</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It depends. If your holiday involves some traveling on foot, do not expect junior to keep up. However, if you are just going to hop in and out of your rented car, a stroller might not be necessary.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you are bringing a stroller, have it folded and placed at the end of the jet-way before boarding. You will pick it up from the 'same place' at your destination. Don't forget to tag it.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ymX3ZAo7ZE/Tv6TWXWkaxI/AAAAAAAApnM/WLAyBu0KeO4/s1600/PC314807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ymX3ZAo7ZE/Tv6TWXWkaxI/AAAAAAAApnM/WLAyBu0KeO4/s320/PC314807.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Suckling some candies can help to reduce <br />
pressure in the ears. </span></span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/TrNmNOPmKugAGyx2NfQ9i9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">[Pic]</span></span></a><b><br />
</b></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>6. Food</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Your child may not like airline food <span style="font-size: x-small;">(who does?)</span>. Young children are less compromising when they are hungry. Bring along some handy snacks and let your child have access to their favorite food at all times. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It would be a good idea feeding them at the airport before the start of the journey. Get him/her some lollipops to suckle during take off and landing. That might help reduce the pressure in his/her ears.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Be sure to check the custom regulations before bringing any food items across the border.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>5. Give some assignments</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If your child is old enough, assign some tasks to keep him/her occupied during the flight. Let him/her have a drawing pad or a jotter book. He/she may draw or write about what he/she likes to see during the holidays. Nowadays, with gadgets such as iPad, your little one can have endless ways to be kept entertained.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RbXs1oVQMro/TUS-kaAn6sI/AAAAAAAAZTI/4LSedm8bsp8/s1600/PC122383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RbXs1oVQMro/TUS-kaAn6sI/AAAAAAAAZTI/4LSedm8bsp8/s320/PC122383.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Bring suitable gadgets to keep your <br />
child occupied. </span></span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2kE7g6vjROMrXdjazzi0L9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">[Pic]</span></span></a></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>4. Stay hydrated</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The air in the cabin can get very dry. Let your child take frequent sips of water during his waking hours. Some lotion for dry skin would come in handy too. Occasionally, wet his/her nostrils with your wet finger. A child with irritated nostrils will not be in a good mood.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>3. Sleep during flight</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This would be ideal. If it is within your control, plan your child's nap time such that it largely coincides with the flight time.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IBkFy6Bo2-4/S-KOyXyQOxI/AAAAAAAApns/85Qt_OhWnj4/s1600/P4304242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IBkFy6Bo2-4/S-KOyXyQOxI/AAAAAAAApns/85Qt_OhWnj4/s320/P4304242.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Keep the little one hydrated <br />
throughout the flight. </span></span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kkRt4R_UX8IDdwDJ-UdgldMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">[Pic]</span></span></a></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>2. Medication</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you are planning to get some medication for your child to ease motion sickness or aid sleeping, consult your doctor first. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>1. Watch your own behavior</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Little children are very sensitive. They can be become apprehensive and cautious in a new environment. Your child will look to you for assurance. If you are flustered, worried or frustrated, your child will not feel any better.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tT9Edg7wMQ8/THklZUmxeMI/AAAAAAAApnE/QAYcXgR6euY/s1600/P8288881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tT9Edg7wMQ8/THklZUmxeMI/AAAAAAAApnE/QAYcXgR6euY/s320/P8288881.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Your mood can affect your <br />
child's behavior. </span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kgQAQzeCTjdb5qa6l3J9RNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Pic]</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So remember, just relax and make the best out of any situation.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A holiday is not supposed to be stressful. Think through it, plan ahead, adjust along the way and always be prepared to abandon your plan.<br />
<br />
Have a great trip!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">"You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance." (Franklin P. Jones)</span></b></div></blockquote><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div>Vanillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14784876340586142297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317570426737344495.post-22817675820507181732011-12-26T00:30:00.003+08:002011-12-26T01:25:15.381+08:00It's Time to Chill Out, Not Stress Out<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mIfomvj7oYg/TqKQOx3-CMI/AAAAAAAAlJA/EzRZ253SogA/s1600/PA112975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mIfomvj7oYg/TqKQOx3-CMI/AAAAAAAAlJA/EzRZ253SogA/s400/PA112975.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Learn to avoid holiday blues</b>. [</span><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gPGug39lUPx2XynTegPnCdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pic</a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">]</span></span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Tis the season to be jolly...no, wait, not quite.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ironically, during this festive season, most people experience very high stress level. The reasons are aplenty. Here are a few common experiences and some of these may have hit your stress button:</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><ol style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Rushed - You are running out of time and you work feverishly to clear your work before your year end break.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cash trapped - You have a long shopping list and you feel the strain on your wallet.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lonely - The sight of family reunion, friends get-together or loving couples sparks a bout of loneliness in you.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Irritable - With all the hustle and bustle around you, you begin to feel an overdose of jingle bells and Santa Claus.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Brain drained - You run out of gift ideas but refuse to settle for the cliche.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Resentful - It's never your cup of tea to socialize and celebrate. You don't understand and resent all the excitement around you.</span></li>
</ol><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2vTFGxaPU20/To54bKJ3tyI/AAAAAAAAnX0/ftjVRdXS9ek/s1600/PA071882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2vTFGxaPU20/To54bKJ3tyI/AAAAAAAAnX0/ftjVRdXS9ek/s320/PA071882.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Life is not stree-free but you can do with less.</b> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RiZK-XZHUbOnX8B4VuWK9tMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There you go, you are stressed out and may have some of these <a href="http://www.new-you.tv/portal/web/new-you/stress_symptom_checker">stress symptoms</a>. While life is never stress-free, you cannot afford to leave it uncontrolled. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There are many ways to eliminate stress and they are not new to you. Let me put some of those together and hopefully the list is a timely reminder at this time of the year. Revisit it whenever you need a nudge.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wadPXm5H_IM/Tn8erGUVgyI/AAAAAAAAig8/bosperoYF58/s1600/P3245253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wadPXm5H_IM/Tn8erGUVgyI/AAAAAAAAig8/bosperoYF58/s320/P3245253.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Understand what stresses you.</b> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Mk6zVnjYM1doO-W8QAnQRdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>9. Know your stressor</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you do not know what bothers you, you do not know how to respond. Spend some 10 minutes to think about how you feel and why you feel that way.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>8. Check your commitments</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">List your commitments and consider how each of them add on to your stress level. Sort them in a descending order and delete from the top of the list.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>7. Have a 'do it now' habit</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Very often 'later' becomes 'never'. The more you allow your 'to-do' list to grow, the more you feel stressed. Read more in "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/3wmwg88">Procrastination is Best Left Till Tomorrow</a>".</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BjIuC3Cue6M/TuyWnTZHRFI/AAAAAAAApJc/AOq93evN2J4/s1600/PC014111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BjIuC3Cue6M/TuyWnTZHRFI/AAAAAAAApJc/AOq93evN2J4/s320/PC014111.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>Multitasking can be stressful and unproductive.</b> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gSz-SGFFzTVKajhGT_W0ldMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>6. Learn to single-task</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you have been duped to believe that multitasking is the way to raise productivity, think again. You might be one of the many victims who are so stressed out juggling from task to task at the same time. See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/lfj32b">So Clever ! You Can Multitask !</a>" and "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/28ql7vu%20">Farewell to Multitasking</a>".</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>5. Motivate yourself</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Stop blaming others for the lack of motivation. Let's face it, it would have to come from you. See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/29rk6qz">Get Your Daily Motivation</a>" and "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/2d4xxln">How to Kill Your Motivation?</a>". </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>4. Balance your calories account</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">How much must you eat and how much exercise do you need? I don't know! All I know is that you never take in more calories than you burn. I will leave it to the experts to give you tips on exercise and healthy diets. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BIqsaXUlY9Q/Ttw1DleRjeI/AAAAAAAAoRM/9QnrgV517yc/s1600/PC014105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BIqsaXUlY9Q/Ttw1DleRjeI/AAAAAAAAoRM/9QnrgV517yc/s320/PC014105.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Take time to feel grateful. </b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">[<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NhHPx3ZNJxwvv-l9-Qx2tdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>3. Be grateful</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Appreciating what you have gives you instant richness. Sometimes, you just need to remind yourself how much more you have compared to millions others and how good you are and can be. See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/6clpxyn">Sometimes, I Forget...</a>" and "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/4emc7yg">You Are in a Top Ten List</a>". </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>2. Choose happiness</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">That's right, choose, not pursue. The thing about happiness is that it is always with you. If you want to be happy, just be. See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/yhqvpds">Happiness is a Choice</a>" and "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/ychhtp7">Happiness Quotient</a>".</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>1. Quit your job</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hang on and don't jump in yet. I do not want to be responsible for a workplace exodus anywhere. This is an option albeit a drastic one but do it with your eyes open. See "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/26n539m">To Quit or Not to Quit?</a>" and you may not have to quit after all.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sNKYPa-CZ38/TQ7xDh8gvHI/AAAAAAAAPTM/D5XZcLRiFA8/s1600/PC192748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sNKYPa-CZ38/TQ7xDh8gvHI/AAAAAAAAPTM/D5XZcLRiFA8/s320/PC192748.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Stressed spelled backwards is desserts.</b></span> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4oxyg5nPWSuuh-1LJ090ZdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Our body is built to feel stress when danger is sensed. The Adrenaline rushes make our body works efficiently and it is important for a 'fight-or-flight' situation. However, when stress is sustained, our body will protest over time. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Take control of your life and manage your stress level. The colors of Christmas are red and green. Not blue.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="color: red;">"The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another." (William James)</span></b></span></div></blockquote><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div>Vanillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14784876340586142297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317570426737344495.post-11403869788893170832011-12-05T01:50:00.003+08:002011-12-05T01:53:22.205+08:00The Amazing Jelly Beans<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmfiWP3MpqbSBopGTrBIJ6lKaxApdQqwvaJBEb8tyPt8idcDqmxIO9E9xrpqr5a-qEHngwcUfI4nIPTP7SNNnab3HHr-MyAf608wJDheAmIDZaBQc8wtGx2s54rBhis3ozEvIjI0ezyM/s1600/Jelly+Bean+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="497" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmfiWP3MpqbSBopGTrBIJ6lKaxApdQqwvaJBEb8tyPt8idcDqmxIO9E9xrpqr5a-qEHngwcUfI4nIPTP7SNNnab3HHr-MyAf608wJDheAmIDZaBQc8wtGx2s54rBhis3ozEvIjI0ezyM/s640/Jelly+Bean+Pic.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>Jelly bean colors and flavors - Endless possibilities </b>[Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:JellyBellyBeans.jpg">Wiki</a>]</span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I am fascinated with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jelly_bean">Jelly beans</a>. Or should I say, with their colorfulness?</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Jelly beans are a type of bean-shaped candy with a jellylike center and a firm sugar coating. Honestly, I don't really like how they taste but when they come in loads, it is definitely a feast to my eyes.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Colorful and flavorful</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">No one knows the exact date of their birth but these colorful beans have been around for a long time. The first jellybean was created by an unknown American candy maker in the 1800s. An 1861 advertisement recommended sending jelly beans to soldiers fighting in the Civil War.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">From the 1970s, jelly beans were not only multi-colored but multi-flavored. Just take a look at Jelly Belly's <a href="http://www.jellybelly.com/fun_stuff/official_50_flavors_flavor_guide.aspx">Official 50 Flavors Guide</a> and you will be amazed by the choices available. Too boring? Try "<a href="http://www.jellybelly.com/fun_stuff/tropical_mix_flavor_guide.aspx">Tropical Mix</a>" flavors or "<a href="http://www.jellybelly.com/fun_stuff/cocktail_classics_flavor_guide.aspx">Cocktail</a>" flavors.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMtD65_U3F72EsWKDhY-YbXYEp-TqeSaO2t8ADrHoXZwGiRYtEq_x8vsUU5qCLHrWwcFovosLP10_JpmVGn-kLVvk4bfqG2F63G0It_Wei4wdI0a7OTLhvPRerXWwM3PLo9CNGTACSyI/s1600/bertie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMtD65_U3F72EsWKDhY-YbXYEp-TqeSaO2t8ADrHoXZwGiRYtEq_x8vsUU5qCLHrWwcFovosLP10_JpmVGn-kLVvk4bfqG2F63G0It_Wei4wdI0a7OTLhvPRerXWwM3PLo9CNGTACSyI/s400/bertie.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>Exotic or simply bad taste? </b>[<a href="http://i35.tinypic.com/wlacmu.jpg">Source</a>]</span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Jelly bean in the wizard world</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In "<a href="http://harrypotter.wikia.com/">Harry Potter</a>", the novel and movie, '<a href="http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Bertie_Bott%27s_Every_Flavour_Beans">Bertie Bott's Every-Flavour Beans</a>' encompasses any flavor you can imagine, including puke-inducing ear-wax flavor. Check out the <a href="http://www.mugglenet.com/info/other/beans.shtml">full list</a> of flavors.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>The jelly bean President</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The 40th U.S. President <span style="font-size: x-small;">(1981-1989)</span>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Reagan">Ronald Reagan</a>'s favorite candy was jelly beans. He began eating jelly beans in the 1960s when he gave up smoking and kept up the habit ever since.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">He kept a crystal jar full of jelly beans in the Oval Office and often offered them during Cabinet meetings. He once said, "<i>You can tell a lot about a fella's character by whether he picks out all of one color or just grabs a handful.</i>"</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8-i7CKj1Dw-Wm2V4DOaqRZURshOkfsMksEIizi1FWnZDfet47gGtkX0YaJqutmGnFAZDV8RWia8My5z1XHXx6dOKgiXBkAAuobPyZQEA_UNqm6i6R-dx9mU7hSj4DETwDjgvv2Wis9w/s1600/ginger+jb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8-i7CKj1Dw-Wm2V4DOaqRZURshOkfsMksEIizi1FWnZDfet47gGtkX0YaJqutmGnFAZDV8RWia8My5z1XHXx6dOKgiXBkAAuobPyZQEA_UNqm6i6R-dx9mU7hSj4DETwDjgvv2Wis9w/s400/ginger+jb.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">'Jelly bean portrait' of <i>Ginger</i></span></span></b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">[<a href="http://www.jellybellyportrait.shepherddigital.com/image/after/2011-11-05_25667.jpg">Source</a>]</span></span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Jelly bean art</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">President Reagan even has his own <a href="http://www.strangecosmos.com/content/item/100458.html">portrait</a> made of 10,000 jelly beans. It is displayed in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you do not have any jelly bean, you can create your own '<a href="http://www.whatsyourfavouriteflavour.co.uk/pages/beaches/bean-art-portraits.shtml">jelly bean portrait</a>' digitally. I had it done for our <a href="http://www.jellybellyportrait.shepherddigital.com/image/after/2011-11-05_25667.jpg">pet cat</a>. Try making one with your own photo.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Check out more <a href="http://www.jellybelly.com/Art_Gallery/bean_art_gallery.aspx">jelly bean art collections</a>.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdo4Yo_eabNvI5uUD1FcidMe75v9b-_cuTQCLxDtl1bE_5QN3SpJmi2WZGRfGLfDpFUQC0zW1lQCPSz1tnJ2zGJ9NU5EpJJXKbDB0e0txGu7eN_-Pm_lRlTiSuE-YWJtXJcFFEjDMZWF8/s1600/JB+MTV.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdo4Yo_eabNvI5uUD1FcidMe75v9b-_cuTQCLxDtl1bE_5QN3SpJmi2WZGRfGLfDpFUQC0zW1lQCPSz1tnJ2zGJ9NU5EpJJXKbDB0e0txGu7eN_-Pm_lRlTiSuE-YWJtXJcFFEjDMZWF8/s400/JB+MTV.bmp" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What can you do with 288,000 jelly beans?</b></span></td></tr>
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</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Jelly bean MTV</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What can you do with 288,000 jelly beans?</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It took 30 people, 1,357 hours over a period of 22 months, lots of dedication and creativity to produce a 'Jelly bean' MTV. They worked with singer <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kina_Grannis">Kina Grannis</a> and 288,000 beans for the MTV "<i>In Your Arms</i>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Watch <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOu0DuxFAT0">MTV</a>)</span>.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Catch <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cIH4MJAC2Tg">the making of 'In Your Arms'</a> as well.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Jelly bean and technology</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The popular <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_%28operating_system%29%20">Android operation system</a> was first released in Sep 2008. Since then, many updates have been added on. From Apr 2009, each version was codenamed based on dessert items in alphabetical order. Starting from Cupcake, we have Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb and the latest Ice Cream Sandwich.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There have been some unconfirmed suggestions that coming up next would be, yes, what else? Jelly bean! Time will tell if this is true. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(see <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/mobiledia/2011/09/12/google-works-on-android-jelly-bean-update/">article</a>)</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuEaJEfhrRxz84daswXUXinvJSOdCzYMlIeeT7jDnBoa_ZLzvN-W7jKv0lsj0JS-UmG4IVRIYccMENWiEy4pfbYUJKAXvq1NkbQgLZMc8YDL7LlIX52KMqlyAgh1UuRjuh64PyFefvEE/s1600/ice+cream+sandwich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuEaJEfhrRxz84daswXUXinvJSOdCzYMlIeeT7jDnBoa_ZLzvN-W7jKv0lsj0JS-UmG4IVRIYccMENWiEy4pfbYUJKAXvq1NkbQgLZMc8YDL7LlIX52KMqlyAgh1UuRjuh64PyFefvEE/s320/ice+cream+sandwich.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">What comes after 'Ice Cream Sandwich'? 'Jelly bean'?</span></b></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Celebrating 'Jelly Bean Day'</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">22 April every year is the '<a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/nationaljellybeanday.htm">Jelly bean Day</a>'. I have no idea why that is so. To me, everyday is 'Jelly Bean Day'.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Jelly bean quiz</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Let's take a leisurely closure to this sweet and colorful story by taking a quiz. Find out "<a href="http://www.quizazz.com/quiz.php/75045/Which-Jelly-Belly-Bean-Flavour-Suits-Your-Personality/">Which Jelly Belly Bean Flavor Suits Your Personality?</a>". Just for fun. Don't take it too seriously. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"The colorfulness of your life can be tainted by your monochrome mind." (<a href="http://tumblr.com/x8u418sd10">Vanilla Lenscape</a>) </span></div></blockquote><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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</div>Vanillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14784876340586142297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317570426737344495.post-62130710191767057092011-11-21T00:30:00.001+08:002011-11-21T00:30:01.153+08:00Hello Kitties!<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YUYG01w856Q/TAEFBdizAeI/AAAAAAAAnrI/wRPInHOJvmc/s1600/P5274747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YUYG01w856Q/TAEFBdizAeI/AAAAAAAAnrI/wRPInHOJvmc/s400/P5274747.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>"As every cat owner knows, nobody owns a cat."<br />
(Ellen Perry Berkeley)</b> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/O2TU3jYfquLWOnEfPay9eA?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This post is for all the cat lovers, cat haters and everyone who wants to know a little more about our feline friends.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Felis catus</i> or <i>felis domesticus</i>, is what domestic cats are known scientifically. To most of us, they are simply 'cats' or 'kitties'. Today, they are arguably the most popular pet in the world. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Dog lovers, chill!)</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3bvtAdIUigk/TshR8AzG8FI/AAAAAAAAnss/D_swacJAF7U/s1600/PA011038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3bvtAdIUigk/TshR8AzG8FI/AAAAAAAAnss/D_swacJAF7U/s320/PA011038.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>"Thousands of years ago, cats were worshiped as gods. <br />
Cats have never forgotten this. <br />
(Anonymous</b>) [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NXLn8vunk7dnN67g3UylKQ?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Cats and history</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Cats have been featured in human lives for thousands of years. Their history as human pets can be traced as far back as the Ancient Egyptian era. The word for cat in Ancient Egypt was "<i>mau</i>". This sounds similar to the universally known word of "<i>meow</i>".</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F-SZ5E1bMuk/TRWdFBdu25I/AAAAAAAAnrQ/Cdt8YHv8Kv0/s1600/PC252779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F-SZ5E1bMuk/TRWdFBdu25I/AAAAAAAAnrQ/Cdt8YHv8Kv0/s320/PC252779.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Cats 'meow' internationally.</b> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3XR9o0KZ_UH8Q-AK21Go7A?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Cats in various languages</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Besides "<i>meow</i>", cat is interestingly known by very similar names around the world. It is "<i>gatto</i>" in Italian and "<i>gato</i>" in Portuguese. The Vietnamese say "<i>meo</i>" and the Chinese say "<i>mao</i>"(猫). In Dutch, different names are given for male cats (<i>kat</i>) and female cats (<i>poes</i>). <span style="font-size: x-small;">(See 'cat' in <a href="http://user.xmission.com/%7Eemailbox/say_cat.htm">other languages</a>)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y7JEicFdx0o/Tsi7PIlveyI/AAAAAAAAnsE/rEwSM51lkx4/s1600/P8079486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y7JEicFdx0o/Tsi7PIlveyI/AAAAAAAAnsE/rEwSM51lkx4/s320/P8079486.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Cats can be taboo.</b> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/a6R0Dy9d6cuNYcTBGITrxg?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
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</div><b>Cats as symbols</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In many cultures and folklores, black cats are seen as a symbol of evil omens. This is the main reason why black cats have a lower chance of being adopted from shelters. In Thailand, the <a href="http://www.catbreedsjunction.com/korat-cat-breed.html">Korat</a> cat is seen as a symbol of good luck. In Japan, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maneki_Neko#Legends_and_stories"><i>Maneki Neko</i></a> is believed to bring 'fortune'.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lLXtneUWtU/Tj6PhcL6AmI/AAAAAAAAg-8/IJEn3uMazLY/s1600/P8079459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lLXtneUWtU/Tj6PhcL6AmI/AAAAAAAAg-8/IJEn3uMazLY/s320/P8079459.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Cats can be scary.</b> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/aWxitCia9mzMomKKDWfbKQ?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Cats as a phobia</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ailurophobia"><i>Ailurophobia</i></a> is a form of persistent, irrational fear of cats. Similar terms include <i>felinophobia</i>, <i>elurophobia</i> and <i>gatophobia</i>. Just like other forms of phobia, it is likely to be developed by earlier bad experiences.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdM1rpzDWlzqVAVojUzmWGNP-YW9hctJqrcgtb9DHs5MU_eIOBxbqbcgmryCc4vQ3WorbgKgLcM-SZCTQfi1As_QE4RQ8rbpaptS63mPMylOeqmacSUX00sHQb_8OnAFgKszNWCrNUZs/s1600/cat+hide+seek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdM1rpzDWlzqVAVojUzmWGNP-YW9hctJqrcgtb9DHs5MU_eIOBxbqbcgmryCc4vQ3WorbgKgLcM-SZCTQfi1As_QE4RQ8rbpaptS63mPMylOeqmacSUX00sHQb_8OnAFgKszNWCrNUZs/s320/cat+hide+seek.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Cats can be funny. </b>[<a href="http://icanhascheezburger.com/2011/11/16/funny-pictures-hide-and-seek-champion/">Source</a>]</span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Kats R Funny</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Apart from their usual regal and aloof image, cats are often being picked as elements of humor. You can find lots of <a href="http://miss-kitty.com/cathumor/m-jokes.html">cat jokes</a> in the Internet. "<a href="http://icanhascheezburger.com/">I Can Has Cheezburger?</a>" weblog featuring <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lolcat">lolcats</a> is probably one of the most visited feline sites.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATXZ0eV9yvdgqG4qbvgVgPnlSJHLhgJYHXkvavoWI7jl-YZh0ZFMIn5PdrxGHJ6kgj93AqHdBxpy_Ii5pQZzf63KJHSTyCVWz8h-vYfMATvCnE-tjFNVehpIaAC44MmchjnoWYuZfvqE/s1600/Puss_in_Boots_Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATXZ0eV9yvdgqG4qbvgVgPnlSJHLhgJYHXkvavoWI7jl-YZh0ZFMIn5PdrxGHJ6kgj93AqHdBxpy_Ii5pQZzf63KJHSTyCVWz8h-vYfMATvCnE-tjFNVehpIaAC44MmchjnoWYuZfvqE/s320/Puss_in_Boots_Poster.jpg" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Puss in Boots: Endless cat wits.</b><br />
[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puss_in_Boots_%282011_film%29">Source</a>]</span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Cats as fictional characters</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The recently released '<i>Puss in Boots (3D)</i>' movie <span style="font-size: x-small;">(watch <a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1209933-puss_in_boots/trailers/">trailer</a>)</span> has received largely positive reviews. The combo of feline and wits is just purrfect. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">That is but just one. There are countless other popular fictional characters featuring cats: <i>Figaro</i> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinocchio"><i>Pinocchio</i></a>, <i>Dinah</i> in '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_in_Wonderland_%281951_film%29"><i>Alice in Wonderland</i></a>', <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garfield"><i>Garfield</i></a> in '<i>Garfield the Movie</i>', <i>Lucifer</i> in '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinderella_%281950_film%29"><i>Cinderella</i></a>', <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doraemon"><i>Doraemon</i></a> from the Japanese animation, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hello_Kitty"><i>Hello Kitty</i></a> from Japan,<i> Tom</i> in '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_and_Jerry"><i>Tom and Jerry</i></a>' and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Aristocats"><i>Aristocats</i></a>, the Disney movie are just some examples. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y93Cyxkc43A/TTxnYJ-QEfI/AAAAAAAAnsM/sihp47hBZaw/s1600/P1233478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y93Cyxkc43A/TTxnYJ-QEfI/AAAAAAAAnsM/sihp47hBZaw/s320/P1233478.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Oreo: Our house pet</b> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/S5lL2Lxv_h5hZpSHVZ0NYg?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Cats as pets</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A pet is for life and it is the same with having a pet cat. There are <a href="http://www.ehow.com/info_8096383_pros-cons-having-pet-cat.html">pros and cons</a> and it is important that you do not introduce one into your life on impulse. Where possible, adopt. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(See "<a href="http://whatsayyouvanilla.blogspot.com/2011/07/pet-is-for-life.html">A Pet is for Life</a>")</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvKw1yF2Ivf8rt_t8oqJyyEES-r1sqBU5X4vmqF_lBoAwXOaYud4OhYIIckKPeQcS9tX13aygwKcEQNpHS6PxdARPXZN-Ub6jzI5HQJAqTrNnKz-04G6RNjZNbrZbxr7qqeFYAzd8NWM/s1600/maru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvKw1yF2Ivf8rt_t8oqJyyEES-r1sqBU5X4vmqF_lBoAwXOaYud4OhYIIckKPeQcS9tX13aygwKcEQNpHS6PxdARPXZN-Ub6jzI5HQJAqTrNnKz-04G6RNjZNbrZbxr7qqeFYAzd8NWM/s320/maru.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Maru: A famous Internet Star</b> [<a href="http://sisinmaru.blog17.fc2.com/blog-entry-1029.html">Source</a>]</span></td></tr>
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<b>Cats as Internet Stars</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Maru is a male <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_Fold">Scottish Fold</a> in Japan. His videos on YouTube have received millions of hits. He is known to love boxes and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XID_W4neJo">here</a> is one of his videos. Check out others. You will love them.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Nora is a gray tabby cat adopted from the shelter in New Jersey. She has become famous for 'playing the piano'. Watch her play on the keyboard in this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ860P4iTaM">video</a>.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In Singapore, Duke is a cat loved by many fans here and abroad. He was once a stray but now lives in an office. He has been a voice for other strays and has helped raise funds and awareness. Duke is taken care of by '<i>Minion</i>' and his fans are known as '<i>dukakis</i>'. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Read <a href="http://www.cnngo.com/singapore/none/duke-orange-singapores-most-watch-office-cat-063986">news</a> and <a href="http://dukeorange.posterous.com/">blog</a>)</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Cat quiz</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Finally, give yourself a simple <a href="http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/cat-quiz/">test</a> and find out how much you know about cats. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I barely pass)</span>.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"People that don't like cats haven't met the right one yet." (Deborah A. Edwards, D.V.M.)</span></b></div></blockquote></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div>Vanillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14784876340586142297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317570426737344495.post-4044108134635012552011-11-14T00:30:00.009+08:002011-11-14T19:04:13.999+08:00Don't be a People Pleaser<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H1p6fiBKv-c/TbEd_p6mk4I/AAAAAAAAbzc/SFl0xrWGTKk/s1600/P4225914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H1p6fiBKv-c/TbEd_p6mk4I/AAAAAAAAbzc/SFl0xrWGTKk/s400/P4225914.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">People-pleasers want to make others happy at all costs.<br />
Don't be one. </b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">[<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7YT0GIHnctyg3v1XZ80zJQ?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Do you find yourself agreeing to things you really do not want to do? Do you have difficulties saying 'No' to others? Do you feel uncomfortable about what others do or say to you but choose to say nothing?</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Your answers to the above questions give you a quick idea if you are having issues with personal boundaries. A simple <a href="http://www.aplaceofhope.com/boundariessurvey.html%20">test</a> can tell you more.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Healthy personal boundaries lead to <br />
healthy personal relationship</b> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/r72NQN__z7C6vJ6WIwQGEA?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>What are Personal Boundaries?</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Personal boundaries are the physical, emotional and mental limits we set to protect ourselves from being manipulated or violated by others. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">These limits, once communicated, serve as guidance on how others may act or speak in your presence.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>What they are not?</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Setting personal boundary may be mistaken as a negative behavior. It is seen as going against values such as selflessness and personal sacrifice. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Get those ideas out of your head!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On the contrary, it is a responsible act to have healthy personal boundaries. It is necessary as a prerequisite for harmonious and sustainable people relationship.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Dks1uSOK2c/S-KPDkT8rVI/AAAAAAAAlwM/8bKkIB1jsRw/s1600/P4304265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Dks1uSOK2c/S-KPDkT8rVI/AAAAAAAAlwM/8bKkIB1jsRw/s400/P4304265.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>If you don't say, they don't know.</b> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Mio46aHR0xeExKXevulUGg?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Why are Personal Boundaries important?</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Setting clear personal boundaries helps to establish healthy mutual respect and maintain good relationship. It is a win-win approach.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A healthy set of personal boundary boost self-esteem and happiness. It also helps us take greater control of our lives as we move on to meet the endless stream of life changes.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">See "<a href="http://whatsayyouvanilla.blogspot.com/2011/08/boost-your-self-esteem-youre-better.html">Boost Your Self Esteem: You're Better than You Think You Are</a>"</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>How to set Personal Boundaries?</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>4. Know your rights</i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Before anything else, you must believe that it is your right to set personal boundaries. Be honest with yourself on how you feel and what you think. Always have your own opinion while remaining humble and respectful towards alternative views.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You do not owe others more favor than others owe you.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YhsCN3nQVPk/Tr9tLS5xPrI/AAAAAAAAlwA/bqHjfDXkX5c/s1600/P4075490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YhsCN3nQVPk/Tr9tLS5xPrI/AAAAAAAAlwA/bqHjfDXkX5c/s400/P4075490.JPG" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>Enforce your boundary. Say 'No'. </b>[<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7qugn22cfd3fw6KCq-lWZw?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>3. Learn to say 'No'</i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you are a people-pleaser, you may find yourself constantly agreeing to requests and advances. If you habitually accommodate others, you find your own happiness index dipping. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I am not promoting a selfish behavior. Rather, you need to remember that if you do not take care of your own needs, you won't be well enough to serve those who deserve your time. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We all know this too well: A frustrated mom is far less than a great mom.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Learn to say 'No' without fear, guilt and anger.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>2. Know that you are important</i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You need to constantly remind yourself that your own feelings and needs are at no time less important. This reminder is especially relevant to women who behold traditional values of self-sacrifice.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Respect yourself and develop a strong sense of identity. Do believe in shared responsibility and reciprocity in any relationship. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-in65rCJNNX4/TpJSMkCLyKI/AAAAAAAAjLI/H8w3iC7oTz4/s1600/PA102695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-in65rCJNNX4/TpJSMkCLyKI/AAAAAAAAjLI/H8w3iC7oTz4/s320/PA102695.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You have to say where your boundary is. </b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">[<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ybKtWvj1VAPbYQOu0ucKDw?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>1. Learn to communicate your boundary</i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If someone crosses the line and makes you uncomfortable, you need to let him know. Keeping silence will send the signal that it is not inappropriate to behave in that manner. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There is no need to defend or argue. Simply communicate directly and gracefully while staying firm and assertive. Repeat yourself when faced with resistance or persistence.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Remember, once you give in, you are encouraging others to ignore your needs.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>You OK, they OK</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You are unique and have your own ideals. Take personal responsibility for who you are and be in charge of your own life.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">When you are well and good, you are ready to serve, with personal boundaries intact, of course.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Don't play victim. You are not one. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">"The way you treat yourself sets the standard for others." (Sonya Friedman)</span></b></div></blockquote><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div>Vanillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14784876340586142297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317570426737344495.post-10133379443770398162011-11-07T00:30:00.051+08:002011-11-07T00:30:00.165+08:00How to Meet People, Anytime and Anywhere<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sTrYN_PgRVM/TpPj4xbAyJI/AAAAAAAAjwI/TvRMlBt7Q6I/s1600/PA112897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sTrYN_PgRVM/TpPj4xbAyJI/AAAAAAAAjwI/TvRMlBt7Q6I/s400/PA112897.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>How to meet people: <br />
One of the most important skills you ever need.</b> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8RTs2pHl_RLFQ6-hwA2dtA?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">When we were little, adults would caution us not to talk to strangers. Are you still lugging that baggage and have problems meeting people? </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We grew up carrying with us a certain level of apprehension towards approaching a total stranger or people we know little about. Some of us moved on and learn to meet new people but others need some help.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The skill of knowing how to meet people can impact the quality of your social life and the bottom-line of your business. It is not effortless and neither is it beyond reach. With some practice, you can meet people anytime and anywhere. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here are some ways to meet people. Give them a try and find out what works for you: </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-siB6v1qHSUY/TkkgyQV4-TI/AAAAAAAAhak/sJVvHXRry5o/s1600/P7248916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-siB6v1qHSUY/TkkgyQV4-TI/AAAAAAAAhak/sJVvHXRry5o/s320/P7248916.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Make the first move proactively. </b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">[<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pKNqVZv49gAidkeVZ7DMiw?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>12 Have a proactive attitude</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This is one of the key success ingredients in meeting people. You are responsible for your own social life and you would need to work on it. From now on, take note of your meeting encounters and check who usually makes the first move.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>11 Build up self-confidence</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Self-confidence is the result of self-perception. They way you interpret information received from feedback and body language will affect the level of your self confidence.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">See "<a href="http://whatsayyouvanilla.blogspot.com/2011/08/boost-your-self-esteem-youre-better.html">Boost Your Self Esteem: You're Better than You Think You Are</a>"</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>10 Handle the fear of rejection</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The fear of rejection is worse than the rejection itself. It is usually a show-stopper. Before you make your first move, remind yourself that you have nothing to lose. So what if there is no reciprocity for your initial 'Hi"? Take some risk and don't anticipate rejection.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dy9ej-QuMWg/S971JCDIN-I/AAAAAAAAlr0/16oaYgytwDE/s1600/P4303828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dy9ej-QuMWg/S971JCDIN-I/AAAAAAAAlr0/16oaYgytwDE/s320/P4303828.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Small talks need not be superficial and boring. </span></b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Nv0tA2ZrBw-ZyH2ZbaqgGA?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>9 Learn to make small talks</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Some say small talks are superficial and boring. I prefer to describe them as light and harmless. Before you can plunge deeper into any relationship, you ought to begin from the shallow end. When making small talks, give everyone an equal chance to say something. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>8 Get ready something to offer</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This is a good leverage to approach other people. If you are good at something, you can offer some advice. If you bake, you can offer a little treat. Caution: I said '<i>offer</i>', not '<i>impose</i>'.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>7 Prepare self introduction</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It may seem easy talking about yourself but some preparation is recommended. Some of us tend to talk too much about self and others prefer to preserve total privacy. Be mentally prepared on what you want to say about yourself. You need not disclose everything but stay truthful in what you say.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Be prepared to offer something. </span></b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YPiN4nPEQn1j2bKDv5y1Ow?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>6 Be a good conversationalist</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Prolonged silence can be creepily awkward. A good conversationalist keeps things flowing and yet avoids being too domineering.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">See "<a href="http://whatsayyouvanilla.blogspot.com/2011/08/are-you-good-conversationalist.html">Are You A Good Conversationalist?</a>" </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>5 Respect boundaries</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We are talking about initial meetings with people who are total strangers or with little familiarity. You ought to observe some social norms and stick to the acceptable boundaries. For example, extended eye contact, excessive physical closeness and imposing personal questions are big no-no's.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>4 Be interested</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Have some curiosity and find out more about the people you meet. It is a thin line between being interested in a person and being intrusive. If you do not practice, you can't get better at gauging it.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">You need not be a Mr. Know-It-All.<br />
Some sensing of what is going on helps. </span></b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8QUdB6A8vN_4dKIwbpff6A?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>3 Be informed</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It can be embarrassing not knowing what is being said most of the time, especially when you are the only odd ball around. Do keep abreast of current affairs and issues that affect us.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>2 Be receptive</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Others may hold a different view, which may seem radical to you. While you need not agree to that, there is no justification to start an argument, however mild it might seem. If it gets too uncomfortable, you can always switch to other conversation topics. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>1 Learn to read body language</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The problem with body language reading is not the lack of expertise. Sometimes, we may be too self-absorbed that we fail to observe what others are telling us through body language. Do pay attention and take the cue to respond appropriately. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">You can meet people anytime, anywhere. </span></b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ceYa3cxPGNOrcKjFGehM6g?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Where to meet people?</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Anywhere! </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Classes, social events, public places, workplace, interest groups and volunteer works are just some avenues. I am talking about meeting real people, not those over the Internet. So, you would need to get out of your seat and start walking towards someone.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you plan to read up more, try these: </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/0671027034%3FSubscriptionId%3D19BAZMZQFZJ6G2QYGCG2%26tag%3Dsquidooa7123-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0671027034">How to Win Friends and Influence People</a> by Dale Carnegie</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Talk-Anyone-Success-Relationships/dp/007141858X%3FSubscriptionId%3D19BAZMZQFZJ6G2QYGCG2%26tag%3Dsquidooa7123-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D007141858X">How to Talk to Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships</a> by Leil Lowndes</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">"The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right place but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment." (Dorothy Nevill)</span></b></div></blockquote><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div>Vanillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14784876340586142297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317570426737344495.post-33237636097257514632011-10-31T00:30:00.026+08:002013-06-08T14:56:52.888+08:0010 Life Lessons from Dad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Everyone teaches me something. That includes my dad.</div>
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Dad was a traditional man, soft-spoken with occasional bursts of temper. Most of his advice and wisdom were not handed to me through direct words. I was sure they were there but I had to decode them. Some of the decoding took awhile, and some, many years later.</div>
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He seldom gave straightforward advice such as "<i>You ought to study harder</i>...". Come to think of it, he had never directly acknowledged my academic achievement of any kind. It was as if it would have been too arrogant to do so.</div>
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His rare advice in words were cryptic, like "<i>That is not the way</i>". I usually took the heed and tried some other ways to do the same.</div>
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Over the years, I realized that he has taught me much, in his own unique ways. Here are some:</div>
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<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Embrace 'now' before it becomes the past.</b> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3ovXChO_gdYILAfgSNt41g?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
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<b>Lesson 1: Everyday is worth celebrating</b></div>
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My dad was never too impressed with special celebrations such as birthdays. To him, '<i>Everyday in our life exists only once</i>'.</div>
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That is so true. Special occasions are indeed special for some reasons. But 'today' will never revisit.</div>
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I learnt to embrace 'now'.</div>
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<b>Lesson 2: Read widely and wisely</b></div>
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My dad read widely and as a child, I admired his wealth of knowledge. We would discuss anything from history to entertainment. </div>
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I remember bringing home a children magazine which was popular among the kids back then. In his usual nonchalant manner, my dad simply said, "<i>It won't teach you much</i>". Since then, I gave little attention to that magazine.</div>
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I learnt that some books are worth more than others. Always read something worthy.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Learn to see possibilities. <br />
Not obstacles.</b> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/QHg25nTr29KBftZIRpYE4A?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></span></td></tr>
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<b>Lesson 3: Be observant and see beyond the surface</b></div>
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Occasionally, I followed my dad on his work trips. I would wait patiently while he attended to his business. I knew that some 'mini tours' around the town were next on our agenda.</div>
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My dad was not a typical 'tour guide'. He would show me sights that were often overlooked. Once he showed me some barnacles along the river bank and said "<i>They are there all the time but you can only see them during low tides"</i>.</div>
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Many things are always there but it is really up to us to 'see' them. Very often, we look but we don't see. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(read "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/qsoxmp">You Look But You Don't See?</a>")</span></div>
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I learnt to look for 'barnacles' around me.</div>
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<b>Lesson 4: Walk into the alleys of life</b></div>
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When I traveled with dad, we walked a lot. It was a good way to feel the place and be close to him. He usually would not stick to the main road and I found myself weaving through alleys and lanes. </div>
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I did not like that but I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised by many unusual sights. I would not have seen them on conventional routes.</div>
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I learnt to try new 'routes' in life and welcome surprises.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>The alleys of life are full of surprises. <br />
Explore them.</b> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/dBp97PzubZd1233PXinhpA?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></span></td></tr>
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<b>Lesson 5: Everything has its good side</b></div>
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As a child, I hated my neighbor's dog, Napoleon. He was unfriendly and often terrified me with his hostile approaches. Just to clarify, I loved dogs and I still do. I just did not like Napoleon. </div>
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One day, on our way home, my dad brought my attention to a street sign. Sitting there was my most hated dog in his most unusual serene manner. Dad said Napoleon was a faithful dog and would habitually wait for the return of his owner at that time of the day.</div>
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Sometimes, we can get so caught up with our initial ideas about a person or something. We forget to see what could be good as well.</div>
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I learnt to see the good in people <span style="font-size: x-small;">(and dogs too, of course)</span>.</div>
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<b>Lesson 6: Earn your respect</b></div>
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We lived in a small town and my dad knew many town folks. I could see the respect they gave him and I could see why. </div>
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My dad was one of the most unassuming men I know. He was humble even though I knew he was superior to many in numerous ways. He earned his respect through his contributions, not status. </div>
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I learnt to earn the respect of others too.</div>
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You decide how you live your life.</b> [<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Z-inVSwKlcG-X1vUhXPJWQ?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></span></td></tr>
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<b>Lesson 7: Don't indulge in negative emotions</b></div>
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My dad was not the most patient man I know. I have seen how he would burst into flames and cause everyone around to be uncomfortable. I did not fully understand why but I am sure he had his reasons. </div>
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When we lose our cool, we always find our actions well justified. We give little thoughts to how unhelpful our actions might be. More often than not, some damage is caused.</div>
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I learnt that others do not owe me a living and I have no privilege to impose my foul emotions on them.</div>
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<b>Lesson 8: Dirty your hands</b></div>
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When I was in Primary <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Junior)</span> School, I used to ask dad questions found in my science text books. He would suggest, "<i>Try it out!</i>"</div>
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I remember he helped me magnetize a metal pin and we saw how it worked like a compass.</div>
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I learnt that life is a lab. I need to do some experiments to learn in it.<b> </b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Life is like a lab. <br />
Do some experiments in it. </b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">[</span><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LNzd5nUiEw4TeMUa6FRlOw?feat=directlink" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pic</a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">]</span></span><b><br />
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<b>Lesson 9: Parental advice isn’t always correct.</b></div>
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My dad did not know everything. He taught me what he knew but he might miss the point.</div>
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He had a certain way of learning a language and he believed that was good for me too. I was not gaining much mileage under his guidance.</div>
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We have different learning styles and I learnt not to copy learning approaches from others blindly. </div>
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<b>Lesson 10: Don't hold back</b></div>
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We were saddened by dad's untimely demise. I have always wondered what more he could teach me if he had been around awhile longer. </div>
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The answers will never be known.</div>
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I learnt that life is short. So say what you want to say and do what you want to do, now.</div>
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<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Everyday is the right day to celebrate. </b>[<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nI3-uRx3gTjqNmhIebMw5w?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></td></tr>
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Today is not Father's Day and why am I writing this? Just like what I have learnt from Dad, everyday is worth celebrating. Don't wait till the next Father's Day to celebrate who your father is, or was.</div>
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You might want to read up more <a href="http://dads.alltop.com/">dad blogs</a>.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Sometimes the poorest man leaves his children the richest inheritance." ~Ruth E. Renkel~</span></b></div>
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Vanillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14784876340586142297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317570426737344495.post-10110259200852537172011-10-24T00:30:00.003+08:002011-10-26T13:19:00.597+08:00What Happened to Your New Year Resolution?<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R-ZG2Gph_K4/TpPkkToBTtI/AAAAAAAAj0E/8YI52S8nLyY/s1600/PA112907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R-ZG2Gph_K4/TpPkkToBTtI/AAAAAAAAj0E/8YI52S8nLyY/s400/PA112907.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2011 is ending in about 70 days. <br />
Have you made good your new year resolution?</span></b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/oRFEeEkD8VBABESI8aFl1w?feat=directlink">[Pic]</a></span></td></tr>
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Before the start of this year, I shared <a href="http://whatsayyouvanilla.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-new-year-resolution.html">My New Year Resolution</a>.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Many of you would have made new year resolutions at that time too. In fact, you may have done so year after year. Right now, we have about 70 more days to the end of 2011. Have you made good what you have set out to do yet?</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hang on a moment, I think I heard some people saying "<i>What was my resolution again?</i>".</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9haO0Q2Uvsg/To54I_Q2HuI/AAAAAAAAiuo/XQotlyGWSpA/s1600/PA071879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9haO0Q2Uvsg/To54I_Q2HuI/AAAAAAAAiuo/XQotlyGWSpA/s320/PA071879.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">One of the most common reasons for failure <br />
is the failure to plan. </span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/veEpDA2HZMaqeZSOhm7sOQ?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Pic]</span></a></td></tr>
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<b>Most do not meet their goals</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you have forgotten about your resolution or eventually fail to meet your goals, you are not alone. Experts say that new year resolutions are <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/dec/28/new-years-resolutions-doomed-failure">doomed to failure</a> and 78% would have failed in their plans.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">One of the most common reasons for failure is the failure to plan.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Many new year resolutions are ambitious but simplistic. They lack execution plans and do not spell any start or end point. For example, if you shouted out loud on January 1st 2011 that you wanted to quit smoking, you were not making a plan. You were merely making a wish.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9AJvRF_2wc/TntEOZ9TnuI/AAAAAAAAikI/GGQ-lL3I50o/s1600/P9221339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9AJvRF_2wc/TntEOZ9TnuI/AAAAAAAAikI/GGQ-lL3I50o/s320/P9221339.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">You need real discipline to make <br />
good your resolutions. </span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/jYIl2qtlVreRyD_EOxy8GQ?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Pic] </span></a></td></tr>
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<b>Is your resolution a mere cliché?</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Take a look at a top-ten new year resolution <a href="http://pittsburgh.about.com/od/holidays/tp/resolutions.htm">list</a>. Usually, you will find personal health and wellness on the list. Many people make these new year resolutions year after year. It makes us wonder why they would ceremoniously make the same one without realizing that they have been missing it for years.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>You need discipline, not mood swings</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">To make good your resolution, you need discipline, real discipline. Winners take discipline as a tool to guide their performance. However, most people see it as a chore, a painful chore.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The bad news is that discipline can be painful. However, the good news is, you can practice so that the pain lessens or goes away.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">See <a href="http://whatsayyouvanilla.blogspot.com/2011/09/choose-your-pain-discipline-or-regret.html">Choose Your Pain: Discipline or Regret</a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wChsG-EWYQI/Tbbnwn8n1dI/AAAAAAAAdVs/Y5fnH4pPaQE/s1600/P4075579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wChsG-EWYQI/Tbbnwn8n1dI/AAAAAAAAdVs/Y5fnH4pPaQE/s320/P4075579.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">What you think is what you get. </span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/isk5KpsIvMjam-Z0qVOEBw?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Pic]</span></a></td></tr>
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<b>Your thoughts drive your actions</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What you do is a result of what you think. If you think negatively and always gravitate towards the downside of things, you will find yourself there most of the time.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In order to shape a positive mindsets, you would have to learn to do positive self-dialog. Each time you talk to yourself, you are in fact asking and answering a series of questions. The questions you ask and the answers you give go into your brain in a similar way how a programmer puts computing rules in a computer. Your actions and behaviors depend on how you have been programmed.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Say "<i>I am doomed to fail</i>" repeatedly, you would. Say "<i>I am sure I will overcome it</i>", you would too. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">See <a href="http://whatsayyouvanilla.blogspot.com/2011/05/self-dialog-look-whos-talking.html">Self Dialog: Look Who's Talking?</a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cxD5Hx9K8y4/TpJdJOPA0BI/AAAAAAAAjJw/ih_qFPjdwEQ/s1600/PA102639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cxD5Hx9K8y4/TpJdJOPA0BI/AAAAAAAAjJw/ih_qFPjdwEQ/s320/PA102639.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">G</span></b><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">et back on track each time you <br />
derail. </span></b><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">There will be obstacles </span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yH1sFNx4RGIKNdgGQY58Wg?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Pic]</span></a><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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<b>Be honest with yourself</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Let's face it, making a resolution does not magically make you lose 5 kgs. You would have to work on it. While doing so, you may constantly face difficulties and distractions. While I have suggested working on your discipline, I did not say you have to drive yourself up the wall. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Do expect to derail along the way. What is important is to come back on track. Set your mind to your end point and keep going. Sprinting may give you a good speed but you will lose steam before you get far. Taking consistent small steps can be more powerful.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">See <a href="http://whatsayyouvanilla.blogspot.com/2011/08/power-of-small-steps.html">The Power of Small Steps.</a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MBEnaEFF1Nw/To538r8JHeI/AAAAAAAAiu4/WQv_0A31CAM/s1600/PA071870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MBEnaEFF1Nw/To538r8JHeI/AAAAAAAAiu4/WQv_0A31CAM/s320/PA071870.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The journey of change continues. </span></b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/CA_ZFfOkyb6nbp70kDNI1Q?feat=directlink"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Pic]</span></a></td></tr>
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<b>The last lap</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You have 70 more days to the end of the year. It is never too late to start working on what you have set out to do.<br />
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70 days is not enough? Who says you can't have more?<br />
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Your plan need not be compartmentalized by artificial time line. If it is more realistic to have more than 70 days, give yourself that. Start working on it today. Since when you always have to start on January 1st and complete by December 31st? Time is seamless.<br />
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My new year resolution was to have none. What I really meant was I will make a commitment to change whenever and wherever, not just at the start of the year.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Forgotten your resolution? Fret not, you can <a href="http://www.moninavelarde.com/newyears/">generate new ones</a>. Nay, just kidding.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><blockquote><div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Work is hard. Distractions are plentiful. And time is short." ~Adam Hochschild~ </span></b></div></blockquote><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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</div>Vanillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14784876340586142297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317570426737344495.post-54776249855010366162011-10-17T00:30:00.017+08:002011-10-17T00:30:01.288+08:00Picture Blog #24 : A Thought A Day (Part 2)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_187383891" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9qaJnHRVik/TDl9AOgEAGI/AAAAAAAAfMA/dXN9GvrG-Us/s400/P7106620.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/7726069891/you-are-who-you-think-you-are-think-like-a">You are who you think you are. Think like a victor, not a victim.</a> </b></span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I shared <a href="http://whatsayyouvanilla.blogspot.com/2011/02/picture-blog-18-thought-day.html">A Thought A Day (Part 1)</a> earlier this year. Since then, 238 days have gone by and 238 daily thoughts have been gathered. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It is believed that we have about 50,000 to 70,000 thoughts on an average day and many of them are negative. If left unmanaged, they would shape negative habits and reduce our quality of life.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We need to be aware of our thoughts. While we can't rid all negative thoughts, we can have many more positive ones to influence our predominant mindset.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In this Picture Blog, I am merely putting down a tiny speck of what might have gone through my mind. Nothing is very new but it is always good to remind ourselves of the simplest and yet most often forgotten ideas.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I shall leave you with this quote and a collection of my daily thoughts taken from <a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/">Vanilla Lenscape</a>. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><blockquote><div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Your beliefs become your thoughts. Your thoughts become your words. Your words become your actions. Your actions become your habits. Your habits become your values. Your values become your destiny." ~Mahatma Gandhi~</span></b></div></blockquote><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EhJZxEzl5tw/S21m1SnrFSI/AAAAAAAAdGE/WlHOEPEn198/s1600/P2061152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EhJZxEzl5tw/S21m1SnrFSI/AAAAAAAAdGE/WlHOEPEn198/s320/P2061152.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/6251252159/dont-be-afraid-to-lose-before-you-win"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Don’t be afraid to lose before you win.</span></span></b></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rBGSI3tEnY4/TTvRlqi1iiI/AAAAAAAAfJA/P4lleyFCDzY/s1600/P5024666.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rBGSI3tEnY4/TTvRlqi1iiI/AAAAAAAAfJA/P4lleyFCDzY/s320/P5024666.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/7575527341/the-biggest-mistake-is-to-see-a-mistake-as-a"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The biggest mistake is to see a mistake as a mistake.</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lTRqFuW5UQs/Tety9GlpneI/AAAAAAAAdPk/VkJ-9HUsnHc/s1600/P6057176.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lTRqFuW5UQs/Tety9GlpneI/AAAAAAAAdPk/VkJ-9HUsnHc/s320/P6057176.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/10445265923/accept-that-you-are-not-perfect-do-your-best"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Accept that you are not perfect. Do your best nonetheless.</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tMxtTIm1MSE/TU1rSLX_ArI/AAAAAAAAWK0/jReU-UbPN9s/s1600/P2023605.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tMxtTIm1MSE/TU1rSLX_ArI/AAAAAAAAWK0/jReU-UbPN9s/s320/P2023605.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/4235130272/if-you-cant-do-great-things-do-small-ones-with-a"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">If you can’t do great things, do small ones with a great difference.</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CjVTWBzPraM/TSnZdyY32qI/AAAAAAAAUmo/ae-kaMCbOUQ/s1600/PC252861.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CjVTWBzPraM/TSnZdyY32qI/AAAAAAAAUmo/ae-kaMCbOUQ/s320/PC252861.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/3832622900/falling-down-is-a-given-getting-up-or-staying"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Falling down is a given. Getting up or staying there is a choice.</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PSpcwqvuZdY/THimzW8pWCI/AAAAAAAAfuo/0s1NFh5pbBM/s1600/P8288795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PSpcwqvuZdY/THimzW8pWCI/AAAAAAAAfuo/0s1NFh5pbBM/s320/P8288795.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/7973821949/would-you-rather-take-the-pain-of-discipline-or"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Would you rather take the pain of discipline or the pain of regret?</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zzRYqCF9ExU/ToaGgwFHGmI/AAAAAAAAisE/ocQwz4gAzJU/s1600/P8270293.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zzRYqCF9ExU/ToaGgwFHGmI/AAAAAAAAisE/ocQwz4gAzJU/s320/P8270293.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/11041068526/in-this-age-of-information-you-have-no-excuse-to"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">In this age of information, you have no excuse to be ignorant.</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eRY6OKnrsnU/TlN3HHQe77I/AAAAAAAAhjQ/03oLAQV4WIU/s1600/P8079566.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eRY6OKnrsnU/TlN3HHQe77I/AAAAAAAAhjQ/03oLAQV4WIU/s320/P8079566.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/9378538078/everyone-deserves-a-chance-to-be-free"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Everyone deserves a chance to be free.</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody> </table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UKi0-aF9Mew/TlED1iv5IrI/AAAAAAAAhq0/cG5T8nOpsO0/s1600/P8210184.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UKi0-aF9Mew/TlED1iv5IrI/AAAAAAAAhq0/cG5T8nOpsO0/s320/P8210184.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/9589191384/you-dont-have-to-the-the-best-you-just-have-to"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">You don’t have to the THE best. You just have to be at YOUR best.</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DfP-cnetAcI/ToZ6uZU-KUI/AAAAAAAAitA/B2q8llgBog8/s1600/P8110059.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DfP-cnetAcI/ToZ6uZU-KUI/AAAAAAAAitA/B2q8llgBog8/s320/P8110059.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/11127836055/if-you-wait-till-everythings-right-before-you-do"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">If you wait till everything’s right before you do your best, then you are not doing your best.</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KkMfvUNI88w/TIOkal3YC5I/AAAAAAAAfK0/swnVxinCLvg/s1600/P4253026.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KkMfvUNI88w/TIOkal3YC5I/AAAAAAAAfK0/swnVxinCLvg/s320/P4253026.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/7616168960/kind-words-cost-nothing-yet-they-are-priceless"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Kind words cost nothing. Yet, they are priceless.</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9z4ECZ50cZ4/TUmIlzi63iI/AAAAAAAAT9U/tvgHgqhUSC0/s1600/P2023612.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9z4ECZ50cZ4/TUmIlzi63iI/AAAAAAAAT9U/tvgHgqhUSC0/s320/P2023612.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/3703011203/lifes-like-that-by-the-time-youre-old-and-wise"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Life’s like that: By the time you’re old &d wise enough to focus on the right thing.</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lNyGFvBCqqo/TBZdeo39imI/AAAAAAAAh_k/mbzMucBFUfU/s1600/P6125477.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lNyGFvBCqqo/TBZdeo39imI/AAAAAAAAh_k/mbzMucBFUfU/s320/P6125477.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/10242009493/the-winners-in-life-are-those-who-think-they-can"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>The winners in life are those who think they can.</b></span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wChsG-EWYQI/Tbbnwn8n1dI/AAAAAAAAdVs/Y5fnH4pPaQE/s1600/P4075579.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wChsG-EWYQI/Tbbnwn8n1dI/AAAAAAAAdVs/Y5fnH4pPaQE/s320/P4075579.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/8388172274/we-become-what-we-think-and-believe">We become what we think and believe.</a></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k188OK-OINA/TiFFMOi947I/AAAAAAAAfmQ/fs8SCqASRM8/s1600/P7168350.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k188OK-OINA/TiFFMOi947I/AAAAAAAAfmQ/fs8SCqASRM8/s320/P7168350.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/7887749856/a-lifelong-learner-never-takes-a-break"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A lifelong learner never takes a break.</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FqGcZ0DE6VA/TjFHqzd6iUI/AAAAAAAAgCw/HXs3HodpciE/s1600/P7289132.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FqGcZ0DE6VA/TjFHqzd6iUI/AAAAAAAAgCw/HXs3HodpciE/s320/P7289132.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/10981947728/focusing-in-simple-things-in-life-can-be"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Focusing in simple things in life can be liberating.</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yYXsqIUS_Cw/TQRowErhcUI/AAAAAAAAOC0/gTBMNGSO7pA/s1600/PC122384.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yYXsqIUS_Cw/TQRowErhcUI/AAAAAAAAOC0/gTBMNGSO7pA/s320/PC122384.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/8342904346/nothing-is-more-ignorant-than-choosing-not-to-know"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Nothing is more ignorant than choosing not to know what you don’t know.</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wr77eVVi8ZE/TlyiOPzDHUI/AAAAAAAAh5g/C995HRGikvQ/s1600/P8300395.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wr77eVVi8ZE/TlyiOPzDHUI/AAAAAAAAh5g/C995HRGikvQ/s320/P8300395.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/9923400252/no-one-in-this-world-can-do-a-better-job-of-being"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">No one in this world can do a better job of being you than you.</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eZYnkgrj4As/TOkOaTA-9kI/AAAAAAAAVIw/85LDlxZHVIo/s1600/P5014587.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eZYnkgrj4As/TOkOaTA-9kI/AAAAAAAAVIw/85LDlxZHVIo/s320/P5014587.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/6625173725/negative-thinking-makes-you-tired"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Negative thinking makes you tired.</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uM1DQeUMYZg/S5HiPChWwfI/AAAAAAAAdSc/q1JM6WNh208/s1600/P3061705.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uM1DQeUMYZg/S5HiPChWwfI/AAAAAAAAdSc/q1JM6WNh208/s320/P3061705.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/6691012496/dont-just-wish-that-you-have-something-you-need"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Don’t just wish that you have something. You need to act.</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EI-E5I8Mouk/TSnV3XVdGgI/AAAAAAAAVaA/zNm-Cgf2KUA/s1600/PC262889.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EI-E5I8Mouk/TSnV3XVdGgI/AAAAAAAAVaA/zNm-Cgf2KUA/s320/PC262889.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/4065105789/every-tiny-step-forward-is-a-worthwhile-action"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Every tiny step forward is a worthwhile action.</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rglax1xXt7c/TkkA1uMKbBI/AAAAAAAAhV0/xfvoO4XQSRE/s1600/P8140183.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rglax1xXt7c/TkkA1uMKbBI/AAAAAAAAhV0/xfvoO4XQSRE/s320/P8140183.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/8954573613/your-presence-is-a-present-to-the-world-dont"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Your presence is a present to the world. Don’t forget to unwrap it.</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IbpojyKn3f8/TkFqfIUUmZI/AAAAAAAAg1E/1B_03Do-5BM/s1600/P8099942.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IbpojyKn3f8/TkFqfIUUmZI/AAAAAAAAg1E/1B_03Do-5BM/s320/P8099942.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/10600849804/when-angry-take-a-deep-breath"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">When angry, take a deep breath.</span></span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GOLr05nxqLI/TLcevvEW84I/AAAAAAAAJvg/b0viRVax7-Y/s1600/P9280185.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GOLr05nxqLI/TLcevvEW84I/AAAAAAAAJvg/b0viRVax7-Y/s320/P9280185.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/8738389277/for-each-failure-you-encounter-you-are-one-step"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">For each failure you encounter, you are one step closer to success.</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lLXtneUWtU/Tj6PhcL6AmI/AAAAAAAAg-8/IJEn3uMazLY/s1600/P8079459.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lLXtneUWtU/Tj6PhcL6AmI/AAAAAAAAg-8/IJEn3uMazLY/s320/P8079459.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/8868144058/everyone-looks-few-see"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Everyone looks. Few see.</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-piGkvTlOCHA/Tgm7AiHbJOI/AAAAAAAAe_A/-x99inXqF-c/s1600/P6287619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-piGkvTlOCHA/Tgm7AiHbJOI/AAAAAAAAe_A/-x99inXqF-c/s320/P6287619.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/7422029832/dont-use-a-lot-when-a-little-will-do"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Don’t use a lot when a little will do.</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Wv1xogPbbI/Tg8iCxTcKNI/AAAAAAAAeew/_llWyv4rBx0/s1600/P7027854.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Wv1xogPbbI/Tg8iCxTcKNI/AAAAAAAAeew/_llWyv4rBx0/s320/P7027854.JPG" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/9504233586/how-much-you-think-you-have-depends-on-how-much"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">How much you think you have depends on how much you think you need.</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody> </table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MQSoAPMNjxg/TZ4DE5qqF7I/AAAAAAAAY0Q/7pywTKaxk28/s1600/P4075581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MQSoAPMNjxg/TZ4DE5qqF7I/AAAAAAAAY0Q/7pywTKaxk28/s320/P4075581.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/4690951455/life-is-an-opportunity-capture-it"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Life is an opportunity. Capture it.</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sjjZxhfse9k/TgNiXvC7iXI/AAAAAAAAe2w/42j1cyEb8Us/s1600/P6227558.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sjjZxhfse9k/TgNiXvC7iXI/AAAAAAAAe2w/42j1cyEb8Us/s320/P6227558.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/7303004449/you-talk-because-you-have-something-to-say-or-you"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">You talk because you have something to say or you have to say something?</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wgRphcnueJw/TbFSy7EmYMI/AAAAAAAAaY8/GfWFASn7qrs/s1600/P4225830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wgRphcnueJw/TbFSy7EmYMI/AAAAAAAAaY8/GfWFASn7qrs/s320/P4225830.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/5336276182/spend-some-time-alone-every-day"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Spend some time alone every day.</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9AJvRF_2wc/TntEOZ9TnuI/AAAAAAAAikI/GGQ-lL3I50o/s1600/P9221339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9AJvRF_2wc/TntEOZ9TnuI/AAAAAAAAikI/GGQ-lL3I50o/s320/P9221339.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/10645335014/dont-wait-till-the-light-goes-out"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Don’t wait till the light goes out.</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qU-21zLDPgQ/TbEhdyI3bII/AAAAAAAAijw/ko98KatAppA/s1600/P4225869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qU-21zLDPgQ/TbEhdyI3bII/AAAAAAAAijw/ko98KatAppA/s320/P4225869.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/10770857598/you-are-in-charge-of-your-attitude"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You are in charge of your attitude.</span></span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mnBFrnsRMF4/Tb5Wf0yuB3I/AAAAAAAAapU/UNOUVROay08/s1600/P4286161.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mnBFrnsRMF4/Tb5Wf0yuB3I/AAAAAAAAapU/UNOUVROay08/s320/P4286161.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/6355443025/stop-bitching-around-life-is-what-we-make-of-it"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Stop bitching around. Life is what we make of it.</span></b></a></td></tr>
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</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHfp4t81IWc/TbEdjgAtXuI/AAAAAAAAijk/3D7lkwEy5LI/s1600/P4225913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHfp4t81IWc/TbEdjgAtXuI/AAAAAAAAijk/3D7lkwEy5LI/s320/P4225913.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="center" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption"><a href="http://vanillafoto.tumblr.com/post/10896830231/sometimes-i-suddenly-understand-something-ive"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sometimes, I suddenly understand something I’ve understood all my life but in a new way.</span></b></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Images taken from: <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Vanillafoto"><span class="gphoto-context-current">Vanilla's Gallery</span></a></b></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Vanillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14784876340586142297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317570426737344495.post-81971780760790274442011-10-03T00:30:00.006+08:002011-10-03T00:30:00.762+08:00Picture Blog #23: Wise Words<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j5D4roaI90o/TohVMfmJRdI/AAAAAAAAiqQ/5pFskHTidRE/s1600/P4025334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j5D4roaI90o/TohVMfmJRdI/AAAAAAAAiqQ/5pFskHTidRE/s400/P4025334.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/AcpWvlS_Lgw6XC6YDrhwDg?feat=directlink">Pic</a>]</span></b></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Words of wisdom can make you wiser, if you use them wisely.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I learnt that everyday, an average person has about 60,000 thoughts. Only a small part of these thoughts are shared. Most of them dissipate and are never known ever again.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Quotable quotes are documented words taken from usually fairly well-known people. They are used to inspire, to teach and to remind. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On an average, about 80% of our thoughts are negative. It is therefore not surprising that some quotable quotes are not as encouraging. Some are even depressing and misleading. We would have to use quotable quotes carefully and within appropriate context.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here are some of my favorite quotes. I hope some may find you at the right moment and give you a dose of much needed motivation.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PA9xuIU54SA/TodRqdzjqwI/AAAAAAAAilA/S-Xr0GvsdlQ/s1600/P8270281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PA9xuIU54SA/TodRqdzjqwI/AAAAAAAAilA/S-Xr0GvsdlQ/s320/P8270281.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bQe6cgYLUD4Ea51hIv7_pw?feat=directlink"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Pic]</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NR93a-K_ZVY/TofCw9nbFAI/AAAAAAAAilM/0l73m0fDf6I/s1600/P4075548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NR93a-K_ZVY/TofCw9nbFAI/AAAAAAAAilM/0l73m0fDf6I/s320/P4075548.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/fxxVxzQdCdfRKT1MPrYWD2G4c6dJ_TYTiQ7PJbuLuNI?feat=directlink"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Pic]</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H3ktv3YxPEA/TogGm6_L0pI/AAAAAAAAimE/KQFNVErBJ_w/s1600/P8300398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H3ktv3YxPEA/TogGm6_L0pI/AAAAAAAAimE/KQFNVErBJ_w/s320/P8300398.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xPEkw7UM_m1OdmZUApf2Mw?feat=directlink"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Pic]</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6nR3qj51btU/TofIurjkVyI/AAAAAAAAimI/4TSfFqeAG1U/s1600/P4075523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6nR3qj51btU/TofIurjkVyI/AAAAAAAAimI/4TSfFqeAG1U/s320/P4075523.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bnY5O4YX4DuIQzx02fuQHw?feat=directlink"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Pic]</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CmOByuYALCo/TogTcdDzCiI/AAAAAAAAimU/JtjDb3khHOk/s1600/P6266384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CmOByuYALCo/TogTcdDzCiI/AAAAAAAAimU/JtjDb3khHOk/s320/P6266384.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/112049181411166377995/CreepyCrawlies?feat=directlink#5487386605901192674"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Pic]</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xMvA6ClNKPI/TogVv6N7u4I/AAAAAAAAimg/kkHDikBJdz0/s1600/P5014501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xMvA6ClNKPI/TogVv6N7u4I/AAAAAAAAimg/kkHDikBJdz0/s320/P5014501.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qDwpA5BmI02tm42ZNjdRlw?feat=directlink"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Pic]</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X2zJRG8nv-g/ToggUgBb_sI/AAAAAAAAinU/HzvwyBl6sm0/s1600/PC262927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X2zJRG8nv-g/ToggUgBb_sI/AAAAAAAAinU/HzvwyBl6sm0/s320/PC262927.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GQFjQ9AQftocHo7R9jiJag?feat=directlink"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Pic]</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Mynk9O13oA/TogiYJ_imuI/AAAAAAAAing/mvKkZYifUdQ/s1600/P2264808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Mynk9O13oA/TogiYJ_imuI/AAAAAAAAing/mvKkZYifUdQ/s320/P2264808.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/SsKxqq6sm1Ha8ytQYLuVMA?feat=directlink"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Pic]</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymqf1KnKeM8/TogpXDnqa9I/AAAAAAAAin8/Wk_OFfJPgbE/s1600/P4253145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymqf1KnKeM8/TogpXDnqa9I/AAAAAAAAin8/Wk_OFfJPgbE/s320/P4253145.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2FfBI__8XWJ0HcN9AOMuWA?feat=directlink"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Pic]</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-01N1YYCeLGQ/TogqqZzEIiI/AAAAAAAAioI/rME7cNnkrmM/s1600/P9119448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-01N1YYCeLGQ/TogqqZzEIiI/AAAAAAAAioI/rME7cNnkrmM/s320/P9119448.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/H8eNGsx6oVqDivldCLl9Xg?feat=directlink"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Pic]</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BDrCyk-o9TE/TogtxrrpduI/AAAAAAAAioY/K52ksp8wdEs/s1600/P8218405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BDrCyk-o9TE/TogtxrrpduI/AAAAAAAAioY/K52ksp8wdEs/s320/P8218405.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3ovXChO_gdYILAfgSNt41g?feat=directlink"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Pic]</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wk88Ivl0mow/TohtUJKQHSI/AAAAAAAAirI/4ljVoydveZ0/s1600/P9269684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wk88Ivl0mow/TohtUJKQHSI/AAAAAAAAirI/4ljVoydveZ0/s320/P9269684.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RanuqQl0cqN9r8IRBrI7pg?feat=directlink"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">[Pic]</span></span></b></a></td></tr>
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</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kXfZ_OQGFRk/Togwczg1mXI/AAAAAAAAiok/dPQNkn2QJyQ/s1600/P4263259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kXfZ_OQGFRk/Togwczg1mXI/AAAAAAAAiok/dPQNkn2QJyQ/s320/P4263259.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3ovXChO_gdYILAfgSNt41g?feat=directlink"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Pic]</span></b></a></td></tr>
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</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZB_lKcoDmxg/Tog3urDn8DI/AAAAAAAAios/CkbZhktQoAU/s1600/P4263310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZB_lKcoDmxg/Tog3urDn8DI/AAAAAAAAios/CkbZhktQoAU/s320/P4263310.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/a_d609o1RLw_274LkGjSuQ?feat=directlink"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Pic]</span></b></a></td></tr>
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</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q_F4AOAC8sk/TogKflvPKTI/AAAAAAAAimA/l9CKcGu3yKc/s1600/P4075452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q_F4AOAC8sk/TogKflvPKTI/AAAAAAAAimA/l9CKcGu3yKc/s320/P4075452.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/W7I-UQZYpvN7ks0obo9lfg?feat=directlink"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Pic]</span></b></a></td></tr>
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</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zCME4uJKfUU/TofJg8zR50I/AAAAAAAAimM/FQ8tzMu693o/s1600/P4075609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zCME4uJKfUU/TofJg8zR50I/AAAAAAAAimM/FQ8tzMu693o/s320/P4075609.JPG" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8HsJhHWh1zoJws-Jhi8H-w?feat=directlink"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Pic]</span></b></a></td></tr>
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</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uym5nhD6MeI/TogZBkPZg8I/AAAAAAAAims/OTh-FImQwyc/s1600/P4296324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uym5nhD6MeI/TogZBkPZg8I/AAAAAAAAims/OTh-FImQwyc/s320/P4296324.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vETLlP8MmTxD_g30rJY_Jg?feat=directlink"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Pic]</span></b></a></td></tr>
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</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jJ_W8LOPtcQ/TogbZEXGj5I/AAAAAAAAim4/96s4Wuud-a8/s1600/P2194740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jJ_W8LOPtcQ/TogbZEXGj5I/AAAAAAAAim4/96s4Wuud-a8/s320/P2194740.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/R1sEafWiQAIDwOOtMla3ng?feat=directlink"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Pic]</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tg6oTH8PJiA/TogcmJ7BG0I/AAAAAAAAinE/pS1pdXBYB3A/s1600/P1233381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tg6oTH8PJiA/TogcmJ7BG0I/AAAAAAAAinE/pS1pdXBYB3A/s320/P1233381.JPG" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/05DT9CHLUWhdLErPl134DQ?feat=directlink"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Pic]</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e2YH6RPNSkY/Togkb86Dr3I/AAAAAAAAin0/-hRLncqTnIw/s1600/P9290483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e2YH6RPNSkY/Togkb86Dr3I/AAAAAAAAin0/-hRLncqTnIw/s320/P9290483.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/CWQ3-Ijzd78GRhESXY5Q1A?feat=directlink"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Pic]</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dap8kSg6cSM/Toh2pBWFuTI/AAAAAAAAirU/qXgSstY8tUs/s1600/P4225830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dap8kSg6cSM/Toh2pBWFuTI/AAAAAAAAirU/qXgSstY8tUs/s320/P4225830.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/88k4Vo1JH2j8NKETltEs0A?feat=directlink"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Pic]</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-seciInIbgFc/TohoKhTcbhI/AAAAAAAAiq4/C18swajawO8/s1600/P9221339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-seciInIbgFc/TohoKhTcbhI/AAAAAAAAiq4/C18swajawO8/s320/P9221339.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/jYIl2qtlVreRyD_EOxy8GQ?feat=directlink"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Pic]</span></b></a></td></tr>
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</div><blockquote><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Quotes are nothing but inspiration for the uninspired." ~Richard Kemph~</span></b></div></blockquote><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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</div>Vanillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14784876340586142297noreply@blogger.com1