Seven Castles

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September 8, 2008

My wife loves to play piano! She really regretted missing the opportunity when she was young. It was two years ago that she started learning the piano at the age of about 50. However, she picked up some other musical instruments when she was a little girl and at least she has some basics. Now, she is able to fulfill her goal of doing something worthwhile and her childhood dream comes true!

She has been in a piano class as an outstanding student and a monitor. Start with the scales, and practice every single day till she is familiar with the melodies, rhythm and correct fingering. With practice, even her stiff finger joints become more agile. Though she is not likely to play as a pro, she feels pretty determined to take it seriously and learn it. Mostly she plays at home. She even took a fellowship exam of the second grade last month and her performance won the applause from the judges! After hearing her play, some of the relatives and friends have the urge to learn the piano. That is exactly as what someone said - you are never too old to play the piano. It might take a young child a year (on average) per grade, but a more mature student would reach second or third grade proficiency at a much-accelerated rate, especially if they, like my wife, are passionate and dedicated about learning. When you are older, you learn it faster, as you actually have the intention of learning it, not like when you were young, having your mother force you to play. Definitely, learning is a life long process and one cannot simply be "too old" to acquire a new skill set. So if your heart and desire warrants you to take up this musical hobby, then by all means pursue it with passion!

&bsp;

By the way, I just show you a secret here. I found something special by chance. It is a computer program called "Overture". You can find many piano pieces in *.ove format on the Internet (like the website of http://www.popiano.net/) and download the music you like. The program plays the music for you and you can learn to play them in a funny way! 

September 7, 2008

Alan Tam (born on August 23, 1950) is a Hong Kong Canto-pop singer and film actor. During the 1980s, he was famous for singing romantic ballads with modern arrangements. He was also renowned for singing fast songs; "Love Trap" is one of the many good examples. He is always the big brother in the entertainment circle and has contributed a lot as a singer and actor! That is why he is known as "Principal" as if he were the principal of the music industry.

He started his career with The Wynners, a band that had Kenny Bee among its members. He was one of the two lead singers in the band for many years. He enjoyed successes since late 1970s with Wynners and early 1980s when he went solo. His first album as a solo artist was "Naughty Boy" in 1979. An early success would be the song "Love in Autumn" first performed in 1984. He himself established a foothold on the Canto-pop scene with songs dating back to the late 1980s like "Embrace", "Flower in Water", "Half Dazed, Half Awoken" and the popular "Love Trap". He has been a legendary singer dominating the music scene then with songs often winning "Top Ten Songs of the Year" awards. Many of his songs remained greatest hits and are still widely played and appreciated by music lovers till to date.

He was also an actor in a number of films like Armour of God with Jackie Chan and Master Wong v. Master Wong that is a parody of legendary Canton kung fu exponent Wong Fei Hung. He also won the Best Leading Award in the Golden Horse Film Awards in 1981 with the film If I Were for Real.

The heyday of his singing career was not quite over in the early 1990s even in January 1988 he made an announcement that he would not accept any awards with competition involved. Even record sales can no longer compare to his record-breaking numbers in the 1980s due to the market environment and other reasons, he continues to release albums on an annual basis.

Record companies only recognize investment returns when they make new albums. In Hong Kong, it is the norm for young and famous singers to have new albums every year for a few years and then die down. He is the one and only one singer who can have new albums every year over 30 years. A lot of other famous singers in the same era like Sam Hui, Anita Miu, Leslie Cheung and others all held retirement concerts in the early 1990s, but somehow they all came back to the stage. For him, he has never mentioned about retirement. Until now, he is still active in new albums and concerts every year.

In 2003, he teamed up with fellow artist Hacken Lee for a world tour of over 90 concerts and both of them are known to collaborate on further concerts up to 2005. Since 2006, he has also been helping his godson Kelvin Kwan establish a career in the Hong Kong pop industry. In 2007, he was the recipient of the 30th Hall of Fame Award from Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong (CASH) for his 30+ years contributions to the Hong Kong and Chinese music industry. In 2008, he was elected president of the Artists' Guild in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong press frequently reported of a fierce rivalry with the late Leslie Cheung. Although both artists were at peace with each other, it was the fans that created the unnecessary spectacle of a musical feud. Nonetheless, in the late 1990s, both of the singers had brushed aside the previous doubts about their friendship and even appeared in galas and other special programs. In 1999, Leslie Cheung, together with other 17 singers, participated in the Album "Paying Tribute to Alan Tam" and collaborated to produce the single remix of his popular songs "Illusion" and "Foggy Love".

He has released more than 100 music albums with over 20 million copies sold throughout the world. He marked the record-breaking achievement as an artist with concert performances exceeded 200 shows in his music career.

His great talent, friendliness and awesome performance gained him wide followers spanning around the world. His medley of songs has melted many people's hearts too!

His Mandarin is pretty atrocious. I had to listen to some songs a couple of times before realizing that he was singing in Mandarin.

Being a founding member and captain of the Hong Kong All-Stars Soccer Team, he has successfully kept himself fit by continuing to play soccer four times a week.

September 6, 2008

Angie Chiu (born on November 15, 1954 in Hong Kong) is one of the best-known and favored actresses in both Hong Kong and Chinese mainland, most noted for her leading role in The Bund, opposite Chow Yun-Fat and Lui Leung-Wai.

She became an air stewardess for Japan Airline after graduating from high school in Hong Kong. In 1973 she entered the first Miss Hong Kong Pageant by Hong Kong's TVB, and was the first runner up. This introduced her to the entertainment industry. In the late 1970s she was one of the four hottest actresses for TVB. Her works included mostly kung fu TV series opposite Adam Cheng. Then came The Bund where she portrayed the heroine, considered her classic role. She also made TV series in Taiwan.

She is so famous in the 1980s and was there for a decade or so, and then came out again. If she had continued acting then, I think she would be more powerful than Lisa Wong or Dodo Cheng.

An interesting anecdote was that after she played the Goddess of Mercy, she got so religious that she let go of her fame and went to a monastery to become a nun.

She is definitely the most beautiful actress in ancient costume and her acting is excellent. She looked sweet and loveable in every of her series. She has three sons. After giving birth three times, she can still maintain her figure. She looks amazing still at the age of 54, as if she were in her 30s.

September 5, 2008

As a form of dancing/gymnastics, pole dancing involves dancing sensually with a vertical pole and is often used in strip clubs and gentlemen's clubs, although more recently artistic pole dancing is used in cabaret/circus and stage performance in a non-erotic environment. In a strip club setting, pole dancing is often performed less gymnastically and combined with striptease, and/or lap dancing between performers. The dancer(s) may simply hold te pole, or use it to perform more athletic moves such as climbs, spins, and body inversions. Upper body and core strength are important to proficiency, which takes time to develop.

Pole dancing had been the domain of nightclub strippers since the 1970s, but emerged (with clothes on) as a popular form of exercise, performing art and competition sport. In 2003, US talk show queen Oprah Winfrey trumpeted it as a new celebrity workout, and schools have since opened in the West in response to demand for classes with an artistic and athletic focus.

Devotees say it is a fun way to achieve total body conditioning in an encouraging, usually all-female environment. While other dance forms may focus on perfect technique, its emphasis is more on personal style and expression. With increased exposure, pole dancing is evolving into a legitimate art to some extent, mirroring the historic development of other dance styles, including waltz and even ballet. Characterizing the progressive nature of performing art, these forms were maligned until social values of the time caught up.

Pole dancing is now regarded as a recognized form of exercise and can be used as both an aerobic and anaerobic workout. Recognized schools and qualifications are being developed as pole dancing increases in popularity. Many people also regard pole dancing as a performing art, as seen in some modern-day circuses.

Gym membership has become increasingly popular with China's newly affluent middle class, who is keen to shape up in a country where obesity levels have risen with incomes over the last few decades on the tails of an economic boom. However, in China, pole dancing is associated with seedy bars and sex is still a taboo topic.

Pole dancing was brought to the Chinese mainstream in 2006, with a pole-dancing club in Beijing opened. Yet, the opening of China's first training course of pole dancing has aroused a wave of arguments on this issue. Those who support it believe it is a positive exercise and needs to promote, while moral crusaders claim this is pornographic, a form of corruption imported from the West, and needs to be prohibited. According to them, a great nation of long history and culture should not resort to anything Western without discerning the good and bad.

Some overseas pioneers of pole fitness are turning to China's ancient tradition of acrobatics as they fight the stigma of association with the sex industry. Pole dancing, the exotic blend of dance, gymnastics and acrobatics, gives a new look in China and becomes a fitness phenomenon striving to shake its blue image as it spreads through the cities. Even a pole dancing competition was staged, further boosting its local profile as more and more women (and some men) sign up for classes. Modern pole dancing echoes the feats of strength and coordination featured in Chinese pole, a specialist act of the country's acrobatic troupes in which performers (usually male) climb and tumble between tall, coated poles.

Pole dancing is still under controversy. It depends on the place where to dance it and the clothes they wear. It may have something to do with "body building" or be more for sex entertainment purposes.  

September 4, 2008

Business etiquette is fundamentally concerned with building relationships founded upon courtesy and politeness between business personnel. Etiquette, and especially business etiquette, is a means of maximizing your potential by presenting yourself positively.

Writing a business letter is not simply a matter of expressing your ideas clearly. The way you write a letter and the etiquette you employ may have a significant impact on your success or failure in business.

Failure to observe correct business letter etiquette can result in you adopting an inappropriate tone, causing offnse or misunderstandings, lack of clarity or purpose and hostility or soured relations.

The foundation of good business letter etiquette is "Think before you write". You should be considering whom the letter is addressed to, how and why. This will then influence style, content and structure.

While addressing the letter, always make sure you have spelt the recipient's name correctly. It may sound simple, but you would be surprised at how many people fail to do so. The recipient's name should include titles, honors or qualifications if deemed necessary. Many people use the "Dear Sir/Yours Faithfully" formula when addressing the receiver. Although this is acceptable for routine matters it is impersonal and should not be used when dealing with those you know, queries or complaints. With these the "Dear Mr.…/Yours Sincerely" formula should be adopted. Once a certain level of familiarity is reached it is not considered bad etiquette to use phrases such as "Kind Regards" or "All the best" at the end of the letter.

If the content of the letter is sensitive, personal or confidential it must be marked appropriately. Marking the letter "confidential" will suffice in highlighting this fact. If you only want the letter read by the receiver without the interception of a secretary or PA, mark it as "Private", "Personal" or "Strictly Confidential". If you have received such a business letter it is good etiquette to reciprocate and ensure that all future correspondence is kept at that level of confidentiality.

Proper business letter etiquette requires that a consistent and clear approach, combined with courtesy, be employed. As a rule of thumb, all business letters should be kept formal in style. Even when the receiver is familiar to you, it is advisable to maintain a certain level of business etiquette as the letter may be seen by others or referred to by a third party in the future. However, this does not mean you should use long or uncommon words to express yourself. This merely looks odd and makes the letter unreadable. It is best to read a letter first and consider whether you would speak to that person face to face in the same way. If not, then re-write it. Letters should be signed personally. It looks unprofessional, cold and somewhat lazy if a letter is left unsigned. However, having a secretary or PA sign on your behalf is not considered a breach of business etiquette.

Humor can be used in business letters but only when the writer is completely positive the recipient will understand the joke or pun. From a business etiquette perspective it may be wise to avoid humor. This is because firstly, the letter may be read during a crisis, after receiving bad news or on a somber occasion. Any other time the humor may have been appreciated but under these circumstances it may dramatically backfire. Secondly, the written word is open to misinterpretation. Your sarcastic or ironic remark may be taken the wrong way. Thirdly, it is possible that the letter may be read by a third party who may deem the humor inappropriate and pursue a complaint of some sort.

Good business letter etiquette calls for letters to be responded to promptly or within certain guidelines. This may normally be considered as five working days. If this is not possible then some sort of acknowledgement should be sent either by letter, fax, phone or e-mail. Always use reference numbers or clearly state the purpose of the letter at the top. This allows the receiver to trace correspondence and immediately set your letter within a context. When replying to points or questions the proper etiquette is to respond in the same order as they were asked.

As business letters are frequently an arena for disputes and conflicts, there exist some rules of business letter etiquette, which should be adhered to. Those initiating the dispute should explain your case clearly and simply, offer information, which may be helpful in settling the dispute, and indicate a time scale, by which they expect a reply. Businesspersons receiving the dispute should inform their colleagues who are likely to be affected, or who can offer assistance, stick to the facts of the case, and be patient and polite.

Always make sure you do a thorough proof read of your letter before putting it into the envelope to check for spelling and grammatical errors. There is nothing worse than reading a letter from a company containing such errors.

Most business "letters" are actually going to be e-mails. However, whether you are negotiating a major contract, submitting an invoice or settling a dispute, sometimes it can really be more appropriate to send an old-fashioned paper letter instead.

Using business etiquette in all matters and especially in business letters will ensure you communicate effectively, avoid misunderstandings and maximize your business potential.

September 3, 2008

Olympic fever overtook the country in August. It is great for us Chinese to hose a big event even though with all the controversial.

Honestly, I was not much into the Olympics, as I dislike the whole nation fussing about all the Olympic things.

However, the opening ceremony was so fantastic and the performance was so great. I was stunned when I realized that it was people under the movable-type printing (instead of mahjong) and the drummers were really awesome at keeping that unison! The whole stadium was a blast and that ending with the fireworks display is superb. Really amazing, this is the most beautiful opening ceremony I have ever seen.

I have been such a big fan of sports back from when I was a kid. It is always a toss-up as to which is my favorite though. I did not think the Olympics is that fun to watch, but I was for sure going to watch it if some ball games were in it! Men's basketball was more exciting and I was happy to see that the US Dream Team brought back the gold because they got the greatest players in the universe. I also like watching swimming (Michael Phelps in particular), and track and field (Usain Bolt and Dayron Robles' one-man-show).

Chinese athletes have a lot of spirit because they know the whole country is behind them and they are performing for their country, their family and their fortune. But I would not cheer China all the way - I would also cheer on any athlete showing talent and sportsmanship. To my surprise, China was ahead with the Gold, but U.S. still topped the Medal count. I think that it does not really matter who emerged as the winner in the end, what is important is that everyone, who had put in their sweat and tears for this long awaited event, got what he or she rightfully deserves.

Nowadays there is more than one way to watch the Olympics. Watching videos online is no longer a more convoluted option, and Internet TV is closer to more and more people, especially the young. Beyond YouTube, some other streaming Internet feeds are available. The office workers, who can neither go to Beijing nor watch TV at home, might watch the Olympic by cell phone.

September 2, 2008

Infrared sauna therapy is the buzzword among the health freaks these days. It has replaced the traditional form of sauna therapy, using infrared rays directly on the user instead of steam. An infrared sauna is a wooden room that contains several infrared heaters emitting radiant energy similar to the heat of the sun. However, the harmful ultraviolet rays are not emitted in while using the therapy. Dr. Tadashi Ishikawa developed the technology of infrared in the year 1965. The therapy helps in the detoxification process of one's body and it is also used for health and beauty needs. One of the popular infrared sauna therapies is far infrared sauna therapy

Infrared sauna therapy is a 30 to 45 minutes therapy that makes you fresh and energetic. Many people prefer to go for the therapy first thing in the morning.

One of the benefits of the therapy is the rejuvenation of skin. It could be used to treat acne, eczema, psoriasis and other skin problems. It helps in detoxification of your body through enhanced sweating that removes the toxic chemicals from the body.

The therapy is sometimes used on people with low body temperature, who are prone to chronic infections in areas of body such as sinuses, eyes, ears, throat, intestines and bladder. The therapy used on them is also known as fever therapy. The temperature of the body is increased to a certain level to enable the body to fight against bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites.

Many of the benefits one derives from various strenuous exercises could be provided by the therapy. Regular use of the therapy enhances blood circulation and also oxidation of the body tissues. Studies show, using the therapy could help in reducing high blood pressures, arthritis and allergies.

Heating the body powerfully shunts blood toward the skin to dissipate heat. This decongests the internal organs and greatly stimulates circulation. Sinuses, joints and many other tissues benefit greatly. Moreover, the therapy could improve male sexual function significantly

The therapy is used to treat tumors and mutated cells. Raising the body temperature of tumor patient is likely to kill the mutated cells or the tumor.

The therapy is best done under supervision, as saunas are powerful devices and monitoring your progress by a professional trained in sauna use is always advisable. Initially use this therapy only for 20 minutes once a day. Gradually, you could increase the timing to 40 minutes. However, if you are sensitive to heat begin the therapy with 15 minutes a day.

You should rest for at least fifteen minutes after a session. Take a shower and relax for some more time. This allows the body to readjust to the atmospheric temperature. Children and pregnant women should avoid the therapy.

If you are under some medication, you can continue the same even while undergoing the therapy. However, your medical practitioner should be aware of your therapy.

Initially, do not use the therapy for more than once a day. Your body has to get adjusted to the therapy. So slowly increase the heat and the amount of therapy time.

September 1, 2008

Computer games or console games, which do you prefer?

Computer games are definitely much more fun because of its online playing mode, better graphics and interconnected computers for more fun. You get to chat with friends and play together with hundreds/thousands of real people. Also, if it has a ranking system, you would strive to be the best like getting the best gears, becoming famous in the game, and being the best player. These days you could hook up your computer to a large HDTV and use controllers instead of being restricted to keyboard/mouse. The only problem is not all games come out for computers.

Console games are more commonly referred to as video games, played on a device specially made for game playing called a video game console. The player interacts with the game through a controller, a hand-held device with buttons and joysticks or pads. Examples of consoles include the Microsoft Xbox, Sony Playstation and Nintendo GameCube.

Console games would be absolutely beter with more innovative and creative games. They are much easier to use, with the controller instead of the keyboard/mouse, and they are good for lazy people - you get to play in the position you would like, whether you are lying, cross sitting unlike when you are using the computer. There is no pressure when playing; you are usually playing in a single-player mode. And new consoles are coming out every year, with many variations.

Both are good, but I prefer computer games due to extra customization and stuff I will not get over a console unless they make it a console upgrade too. And the full keyboard and mouse offer more complex game playing (plus you get shortcut keys on computers). However, I am not constantly distracted playing console games as I would be playing computer games, for there are so many other computer functions. I would love to see one day they cross the line between this console war and just release all games on all platforms and computers are also included.

Computer games can be played for long periods of time without getting bored. But portable consoles are good if traveling. Console games are less addictive, and more relaxing.

Sport games and RPG games would be better on consoles, whereas RTS (real-time strategy) and FPS (for which the mouse is very vital) are more suited for computers. Also the computer systems are overwhelmed by MMORPGs (massively multiplayer online role-playing games) like World of Warcraft (WOW), which is or one of the most popular genre of games these days. Shooting games like CS are better on computers as well.

Japanese consumers tend to purchase console games over computer games, with a strong preference for games catering to local tastes. In South Korea, computer games are preferred, especially MMORPG games and RTS games; there are over 20,000 PC bang Internet cafés where computer games can be played for an hourly charge. 

August 31, 2008

Aska Yang (born on April 4, 1978 in Taoyuan, Taiwan) is a popular Taiwanese singer and a member of the Million Star Gang.

During his college time at the National Changhua University of Education (NCUE), he attended numerous singing competitions at or out of the campus and won several championships. In 2007, he was a contestant on the show One Million Star, a singing competition that was broadcast on CTV. The show is one of the most popular Reality TV shows in Taiwan, equivalent to American Idol. His powerful and soul touching voice drew millions of music lovers and he was voted as the "Most Popular Contestant" of the first season of One Million Star via text messaging.

In the first season, he placed sixth. However, his participation in the contest was not without controversy. While competing in the contest, he populated his birth date as April 4, 1983 on his blog. After his continuous outstanding performances in the competition, the Internet forum discussion on his real age became heated, and the news media started to pay attention to this matter and reported it.

After the news media exposed his family member and reported his age, he expressed his intention of quitting the competition. The show producers attempted to retain him but failed. He acknowledged publicly his actual birth year was 1978 in front of the news media, apologized on the scene to the public, and withdrew from the competition to take responsibility for hiding his real age. He also admitted ID card photocopy forgery was his own act, and he did it to cover up the mistake he made on his age previously.

After an open investigation, the prosecutor considered him a minor offender who showed deep regret on his misconduct. The case was completed immediately after investigation with the "ease of prosecution" and the punishment of submitting a 500-word written confession as well as a 60- hour community service.

He and the other Top 10 finishers of One Million Star released their first album, Stars Reunion, under HIM International. The album ranked number one on the G-music billboard and Five Music at the same time. After releasing a second album with Stars Reunion, he became involved in a contract dispute with his agent. Because of the dispute, he only appeared in activities for public welfare and the community service as mandated by the Taipei district court. However, he never gave up his dream as a singer and hoped he could release his personal album after resolving the contract dispute. The contract dispute was resolved in November 2007. The dispute was in part resolved by the mediation of the legal team from the Taipei Women's Rescue Foundation. In appreciation, he committed himself to be a spokesperson for the Foundation.

Ultimately, after the dispute was resolved, he left HIM International for Warner Music. His first solo album involved the works of famous songwriters with songs written in diversified music styles. He accomplished an impossible mission to have the recording of 11 songs completed within three weeks. The solo album was officially released in January 2008.

Warner Music signed a contract with him for two years with three albums' production. Warner Music and his manager also have started planning to promote his music in the overseas and Chinese mainland's market.

With the huge popularity, he becomes the favorite among artists who received the most invitation to perform for New Year's Eve countdown concerts and the lunar year-end banquets. However, his agent only accepted three invitations among all.

He is one of the first singers, along with four other members of Million Star Gang in Taiwan music industry who performed on a paid concert without personal albums released. Prior to ticket sales, his fans contacted the organizer for wholesale tickets in huge demand.

His superb popularity kept him on top of the Internet Search list and related Internet websites. His blog reached three million visitor hits within two months. He broke the record of consecutive front-page appearances on Apple Daily, a popular newspaper in Taiwan with a paparazzi flavor.

His voice is really unique and he is funny on talk shows. The first time I heard his voice, I was very amazed. I am sure everyone who likes him feels the same way. I think he has come a long way since being called an "ape" but it is all about packaging I guess, and his stylist has done very well for him. I like his character as well, very genuine and shy, but can be hilarious sometimes... 

August 30, 2008

A woman goes to Italy to attend a two-week, company training session. Her husband drives her to the airport and wishes her to have a good trip. The wife answers: "Thank you honey, what would you like me to bring for you?"

The husband laughs and says: " An Italian girl!!!" The woman kept quiet and left.

Two weeks later he picks her up in the airport and asks: "So, honey, how was the trip?"

"Very good, thank you." "And, what happened to my present?"

"Which present? " She asked. "The one I asked for - an Italian girl!!"

"Oh, that!" she said, "Well, I did what I could, now we have to wait fornine months to see if it is a girl!!!"

August 29, 2008

A son or a daughter, what do you prefer? If this question was asked ten years ago, a majority of Chinese couples would give a definite answer: a son. In particular, some households in rural China did their best to give birth to a boy even at the risk of defying "one child policy" and being heavily fined. Chinese parents prefer boys to girls for a long history. In the countryside, parents prefer boys mainly because boys are good labor forces for the family. And passing down the family name is thought to be an important duty of a filial son, according to the Chinese tradition.

Today, a large portion of urban families prefer a daughter to a son because of the roaring house price in China's big cities. In Chinese culture, it is men who are supposed to raise the family and buy the real estate. Therefore, to raise a son means that the parents have to shoulder more financial pressure since it is the boy's duty to buy a home before marriage.

This is the future financial pressure after a boy grows up. If more and more parents want to have daughters only due to the financial pressures, then it is another sad story!

Raising a son is not as economical as raising a daughter! This is a truth not only in China but also in Britain. In Britain, a son will cost parents £7000 more to bring up than a daughter (from age 1-18 or 20). The reason why raising a boy cost more than raising a girl is that boys need to be kept in gadgets and sporting equipment. A boy or girl, neither one is considered obligated to care for their parents. In fact in America the young people are usually in debt while the older parents have much money. Certainly, in some cultures, sons are still thought to the only valid heir of the family. They seldom care about the economic costs. But, in some other cultures, the gender does not matter. It does not even matter if the heir is blood related or not. What matters is the love and concern for each other as a family.

One of my friends said that he would like to have a girl, as girls are just so much easier to deal with. He would be the happiest if he had a perfect angel that is smart and sweet. As for a boy, even though he loves the boy to death, the boy is just a pure evil at times! However, I have always seen myself as having a boy first. He could relate to me more, and it would seem like more fun raising him, talking to him and playing with him. Absolutely, I would be happy with either though and I believe that a daughter would be the hidden gem for me. I think both gender of children have a lot to offer and can be very rewarding.

It is better to love your child regardless of sex. Parents are mainly responsible for whom their child turns out to be. Today, parents are becoming investors in China - raising children is just like investment and all investors want to buy the stocks with high potentials or high growth.

August 28, 2008

Communication is a two way process, through which you impart your knowledge, express your feelings and convey your ideas. There are mainly three types o communication: nonverbal, verbal and written.

Nonverbal communication (NVC) is usually understood as the process of communication through sending and receiving wordless messages. Such messages can be communicated through gesture; body language or posture; facial expression and eye contact; object communication such as clothing, hairstyles or symbols. Speech may also contain nonverbal elements including voice quality, emotion and speaking style, as well as rhythm, intonation and stress. Likewise, written texts have nonverbal elements such as handwriting style, spatial arrangement of words, or the use of emoticons.

Your body language and eye movements send waves of various frequencies that convey the message. This could be one of the reasons that nonverbal communication occupies 70% space in the communication pie chart, whereas the other forms of communication occupy the remaining 30%.

Wordless communication speaks volumes. The experienced nonverbal communicators can read the nonverbal cues. There are times when you say something but your body communicates something else. Your facial expressions, your eye movements including eye contact, the posture of your body and also your gestures convey a lot more than you think. These are areas from where your nonverbal behavioral cues are read.

Nonverbal communication, empathy and emotional intelligence are interconnected. These are entwined and they determine the thickness of human bonding. Your eyes can speak and they can listen too. If you are capable of reading the nonverbal cues, you can decipher the meaning of message conveyed. Your eyes can convey your anger, joy, annoyance, happiness and fear. Your face reflects this also. If you are sad, how much ever you try to hide your emotion, it will be revealed.

You can empathize with another person through wordless communication. For instance, someone close to your friend is sick or meets with an unforeseen danger, it is not necessary that you have to comfort him with loving words. Your presence there is more than enough to comfort him. This is because you both have an understanding and here your body language and the expressions are similar to that of your friends. This is another classic example of nonverbal communication.

The gestures that are universal are nodding the head, waving when you meet someone familiar, and your hand movements. These convey messages and the nonverbal communicator can decipher them easily. Depending on the movement, the gestures can indicate whether you are comfortable or uncomfortable. However, gestures vary from nation to nation.

Nonverbal communication has received much attention in the areas of business presentation, sales and marketing, and the development of social skills. As a skill, it can be acquired and instilled through proper coaching and practice. It takes years of experience to be a good nonverbal communicator. Nonverbal communication is as vast as an ocean. There are many inlets and sublets to it. However, you can start your lessons by noticing things that happen around you. 

August 27, 2008

Bird eggs have been valuable foodstuff since prehistory, in both hunting societies and more recent cultures where birds were domesticated. Today, as a common food and one of the most versatile ingredients used in cooking, they are important in many branches of the modern food industry. The most commonly used bird eggs are those from the chicken. Duck and goose eggs, and smaller eggs such as quail eggs are occasionally used as a gourmet ingredient, as are the largest bird eggs, from ostriches.

Chicken eggs are widely used in many types of dishes, both sweet and savory. Eggs can be pickled, hard-boiled, scrambled, fried and refrigerated. They can also be eaten raw, though this is not recommended for people who may be especially susceptible to salmonella, such as the elderly, the infirm or pregnant women. As an ingredient, egg yolks are important emulsifier in the kitchen, and the proteins in eggs white makes all kinds of foams and aerated dishes possile.

Nutritionally, eggs are considered a good source of protein and choline. Choline is necessary for healthy cell membranes in all of your body, and will help your body keep homocysteine levels down. Choline is also good for your mental function and memory. The egg white contains protein but little or no fat. It is the healthiest bit of the egg. Eggs are also very high in cholesterol. They are both good and bad at the same time. Eggs are good for you, but if you have high cholesterol and you start eating a lot of the yolks, it turns into poison. The egg white helps nourish your skin and provides protein. It is part of the dairy group on the food pyramid so it has all the vitamins that the diary produces produce.

Preservation of edible eggs is extremely important, as an improperly handled egg can contain salmonella, bacteria that can cause severe food poisoning. The simplest method to preserve an egg is to treat it with salt. Salt draws water out of bacteria and molds, which prevents their growth. Immersing duck eggs in brine or coating them individually with a paste of salt and mud or clay makes the Chinese salted duck egg. The eggs stop absorbing salt after about a month, having reached chemical equilibrium. Their yolks become an orange-red colored solid, but the white remains liquid. They are boiled before consumption and often served with rice congee.

A century egg or thousand-year-old egg is preserved by fermenting an egg in a mixture of clay, wood ash, salt, lime and rice straw for several weeks to several months, depending on the method of processing. After the process is completed, the yolk becomes a dark green, cream-like substance with a strong odor of sulfur and ammonia, while the white becomes a dark brown, transparent jelly with a comparatively mild, distinct flavor.

They called me Prince Eggs many years ago, because I love eggs so much. I did eat them non-stop then. Eggs taste so good no matter how they are made: boiled, poached, fried, scrambled, steamed, or sunny side-up. We even use eggs to make sandwich and they are yummy while on bread. I also like egg slices in noodles or blood soup (my favorite) and I love salted duck eggs, thousand-year-old eggs and even omelets - I just love eating eggs whenever I see them! 

August 26, 2008

With the numerous technological advancements today, one of the biggest blessings to the field of communication is the cell phone. You feel so much at ease when you know that you can contact or update your loved ones about your whereabouts or seek help in an emergency. However, as there are exceptions to every scenario, cell phones tend to become a nuisance for the majority when an individual misuses it or is unaware of the basic "etiquette". It is harder to escape cell phone users. You are constantly irritated by some of the inane conversations you hear on the bus or train, or just walking down the street, and sometimes astonished at how some people broadcast some pretty personal details because they forget they are in public.

Cell phone etiquette comprises of a few simple guidelines of common courtesy when using a cell phone in public, designed to make public places enjoyable for all. It is important to understand that the general public is not interested in your private conversations, arguments, details, official business meetings or intimate information that is loudly discussed on your cell phone. Do not have sensitive or confidential conversations that can be heard in public For the benefit of every cell phone user, here are a few ground rules that spell "cell phone etiquette".

When you are in a public place like a shopping mall, theater, restaurant or even an elevator, keep your conversations brief. You can get back to the caller when you are in a private space and where your conversation does not disturb the people around you. When you are watching a movie in a theater with hundreds of other people, make it a point to switch off your cell phone or keep it in silent mode. Moviegoers do not buy tickets to be disturbed by loud cell phone users. Remember that cell phones should be switched off in movie theaters, playhouses, or any other public place that creates an atmosphere to elevate the imagination of the audience. People pay good money to be entertained, not for something that spoils the illusion.

Refrain from talking on your cell phone while driving. Multitasking on the road can be dangerous and can lead to accidents. If anything urgent, upsetting or distracting, stop the car and pull over to a corner of the road and speak. Do not talk and drive simultaneously. By doing that, you are risking the lives of many other people on the road while risking your own too. If you are talking and walking, stay aware of your surroundings or risk walking into traffic or losing your balance on stairs.

Turn off your phone before a job interview, presentations, official meetings or boardroom meetings. Leave it off at funerals, weddings or any place where a quiet atmosphere is mandated such as a courthouse, museum, library, and place of worship or any public venues. It is a question of being considerate and to empathize with other's needs and convenience as well. When it so happens that you need to answer an important call, ask the people around you "Do you mind if I make a call?" or "Can I answer this?"

Intimate public gatherings such as restaurants, public restrooms, waiting rooms, hallways, buses, subways are all places where a private conversation is not possible. In such places, when you are forced to stand close to others they are also forced to overhear your private conversations. At such times, you can practice good cell phone etiquette. You can put the ringer on silent or vibrate mode or let the call roll over to the voice mail. Alternately, if it is an important call that you must take, step outside or into a secluded area to return the call.

Do not make calls if you are in an area that is already noisy and will cause you to raise your voice. If outside noises are interfering with your call, find a quieter place. Many cell phone users tend to speak loudly. Little do they realize that there is a microphone in the gadget that is perfectly capable of hearing normal voice tone. Speak in a lower-than-normal voice, you will be heard by the caller, and not others in the room. When you are not heard, do not shout over the phone interrupting everyone around you. You may appear rude and uncouth to the onlookers. Get up and move to a secluded place or exit to the back hall to receive the signal or to make calls. At times, when you are not aware that you are loud, take your cue from the response of those around you. If the connection is bad, tell the caller that you will call back when you find a spot with better coverage. Short text messages (SMS) in silence are ideal in such situations.

Whenever a new communications technology becomes popular, it changes the way society is organized. Society has to invent rules for the polite way to use the new devices. Cell phone etiquette is really just common courtesy, but essentially about being considerate of others and to remain empathetic and conscious to other's needs as well as convenience.

August 25, 2008

Hot days make you hot. In summer, it is common for girls to wear something low showing their things. And most guys look at any chick that dresses sexy. Girls, if they look at your breasts, will you bust them? What about if your not wearing something low and they still stare at it? What is going through your mind?

I believe many girls like guys to look at them because it is the attention they want. Those girls who dress up with low cut tops enjoy being looked at the most, since that is the purpose of their dressing up sexy. They must get something if a guy is staring at it. They would be proud of what they have. I know some girls who do not mind when people check out their figures (most people would not check out a pair of big boobs on a fat chick or some washboard-bodied ones), so it is somewhat of a compliment.

Some girls might deny it but we all know that if she has got a look with a decent figure then there is nothing to be ashamed of. As for guys staring at those boobs, girls might be uncomfortable but it is better than no one looking at them. By all means, it is always nice to have some attention especially the guys you want attention from.

Girls dress to impress and be admired and it makes them feel good to do so. If they dress really sluttish, they just invite people staring at their ass, tits, etc. - they like the attention. If they worry about guys staring at their breasts when they are not wearing a bra under their shirt, then they should wear the bras.

August 24, 2008

Eva Huang is a Chinese actress, born (on February 11, 1983) and raised in Shanghai. She was born in an educated family; her father is a university professor, living and studying in the USA in the early 1990s and her mother works for a famous newspaper office as an editor in Shanghai. Her parents did not want her to pursue an entertainment career, but gave her full support after she insisted on choosing her path.

In 2001, she graduated from Beijing Film Academy. After that, she starred in a couple of low budget TV dramas. She is best known for her role as Fong, the lollipop girl in Kung Fu Hustle (2003), the comedic martial arts film that she starred, from which she shot to fame. The film was directed by and also starring acclaimed Chinese film star Stephen Chow, who has a knack of picking the most beautiful actresses. Her role of Fong, an ice-cream girl who was a humble, polite and most notably sweet girl who was mute, is unable to speak. She did not manage to show much of her talent and appeared less than 10 minutes in the movie. She plays the role of the romance in the movie of Stephen 's character Sing, the wannabe gangster out on his luck.

However, she did some naughty things that pissed off Stephen. She worked outside of her contract with Stephen's Star Overseas Company, including posing for FHM Magazine China, without her company's approval, but she accused the company of that they were forcing her to do something. She gained more press coverage later on when she was caught with the legal fight with Stephen's agency. Many had thought that it is the end of her entertainment career, but she fought hard and getting more exposures in commercials and some TV dramas. Her bravery and independence have won the hearts of many of her fans, and she is regarded as one of the most popular China artist these days. She has been actively working in between China and Taiwan production companies commonly leading strong female roles such as a beautiful martial artist or cop in TV and movies.

She has always managed to get good media exposure, and she showed great maturity in handling her legal case that was finally settled in early 2007 in her favor.

Though she is a cross-eyed chick, she is both cute and sexy, making guys daydream all day about her. She is such a unique beauty that she seems ten years younger. Her somewhat quirky beauty does not matter when she looks upon you. You would just forget about the world when she gives you that look! She is also good in