A woman married and had 13 children. Her husband died. She married again and had 7 more children. Again, her husband died. But, she remarried and this time had 5 more children. Alas, she finally died. Standing before her coffin, the preacher prayed for her. He thanked The Lord for this very loving woman and said, "Lord, they are finally together." One mourner leaned over and quietly asked her friend, "Do you think he means her first, second or third husband?" The friend replied, "I think he means her legs."

 

Light therapy (or photo-therapy) is the exposure to light ¨C whether it is daylight or light using different kinds of lights (like lasers, fluorescent lamps and LEDs) for a specific amount of time or at a specific time of the day.

 

The therapy has found many uses in different areas. For example, it is used to treat a variety of skin diseases and it is used to treat mood and sleep related disorders as well.

 

It has been known since a long time that sunlight helps cure the bacteria that cause acne. The visible violet light present in the sunlight activates a porphyrin that damages and kills the bacteria that cause acne. And this process does not cause any tanning or sunburn. However, during the course of this treatment, it is important to protect the eyes from the light, as this may be harmful to the chemicals in the retina.

 

One of the common problems of people suffering with psoriasis is skin inflammation. Narrow band ultraviolet B rays are given as a therapy on the skin surface inflamed. The ultraviolet rays help suppress the inflammation on the skin.

 

It has been found that infrared light releases nitrous oxide in the blood stream that increases the circulation of blood in the area where the light is directed. This is very helpful for people, who due to various diseases such as diabetes find it very difficult to heal wounds on the surface of the skin. This is also helpful for patients suffering with neuropathy, ulcers, and for patients whose blood circulation is improper.

 

People with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) go into depression like states during the winter months. This is seen in places where the amount of daylight is very less in these seasons (countries near the North Pole, for instance). The cure for these people is full sunlight. So, light boxes that replicate sunlight conditions are used for these patients. These use artificial illumination to recreate the fully lighted atmospheric conditions normally present in sunlight.

 

For a non-seasonal kind of depression, the therapy has shown interesting results in the treatment of such patients as well. A similar kind of treatment method is followed for treating these patients as with the people affected with SAD. The results are faster compared to the use of anti-depressants.

 

People suffering with delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS) have problems sleeping and often end up falling asleep way past midnight and thus have difficulty waking up in the morning. In these cases the light must be provided as soon as the patient wakes up. The therapy is useful for the people suffering from DSPS because it causes dawn simulation.

 

It has been seen that exposing the person suffering from jet lag to light at appropriate times before, during and after the air travel can actually reduce the effects of jet lag and help the body to adjust easily to the time differences. NASA has even used this process to train its astronauts for late night launches.

 

Heliotherapy is a very popular term used to describe the therapy, and is used in spas and such places that use various forms of the therapy to provide tanning beds and booths and even tanning lamps that use both ultraviolet and infrared rays of light for providing treatment to their customers.

 

In the therapy, you sit with your eyes open in front of a light box - a small, portable device that contains fluorescent bulbs or tubes. The light box emits a type and intensity of light not found in normal household lighting, so simply sitting in front of a lamp in your living room will not relieve the SAD symptoms. The therapy mimics outdoor light and causes a biochemical change in your brain that lifts your mood, relieving SAD symptoms.

 

The therapy may be helpful for you if you do not want to take medications such as antidepressants; if you cannot tolerate the side effects of antidepressants; if you have tried antidepressants but they have not been effective; if you want an alternative to psychotherapy; if you are pregnant and concerned about the effects of antidepressants on your developing fetus; or if you lack insurance coverage for mental health services. The therapy may be helpful in treating conditions other than SAD. However, it should not be a substitute for standard treatment.

 

However advantageous the therapy may be, there are certain times when the therapy is not advisable. It has been observed that exposure to too much light can cause skin damage as well as destroying the amounts of vitamins A and C in the skin, and it can damage the generation of free radicals in the body. It is for this reason that the therapy should always be taken in the presence of a licensed practitioner, qualified doctor or dermatologist.

 

The therapy used for patients suffering from depression can also cause maniac states (the absolute opposite of depressed states) because of the mood alteration effect produced by it. As such, it can also be considered similar to taking mood-altering drugs. Hence, it is always advised to take such therapies under the consultation of a qualified medical practitioner only.

 

In some cases, where the patient suffers from phototoxicity (light can kill the cells), or has a photosensitive skin or is taking certain medicines that can create such conditions, the therapy is not advised. Also, with patients that have a tendency towards manic behavior, the therapy is not advised.

 

The therapy is most effective when you have the proper combination of intensity, duration and timing. The therapy requires time and consistency. Some people quit because they do not want to spend a lot of time sitting by a light box. But the therapy does not have to be boring. You can set your light box on a table or desk in your home or in your office. You can read, use a computer, write, watch television, talk on the phone or eat while undergoing the therapy. Some light boxes are even available as visors that you can wear. Because the therapy seems to work best in the early morning, you may need to wake up earlier than you normally would to match treatment with biological rhythms. You may find that difficult to do, especially if depression leaves you feeling lethargic.

 

With appropriate light therapy, you may start to feel better within several days. In some cases, though, it can take two or more weeks. Sticking to a consistent daily routine of light therapy sessions can help ensure that you maintain those benefits over time. If you interrupt the therapy during the winter months or stop too soon in the spring when you think you are improving, your symptoms could return.

 

The therapy, though useful, can also have some uncommon but dangerous effects, if one is not careful about it. They include eyestrain, headache, agitation, nausea, insomnia, irritability, fatigue, dry mouth, and sleep disruptions. You may be able to manage these problems by reducing treatment time, moving farther from the light box, taking breaks during long sessions or changing the time of day you use the therapy. This is the case with anything in life: if overdone or not properly done, it can be harmful.

 

All cultures seem to have their "mode of dress" taboos.

 

Though there is a foot massage place at every block in China, I always felt there was a kind of schizophrenic attitude in the country towards open sandals and feet. They thought that feet had to be covered up and not to be shown off like in the West, not to mention a once horrible pre-occupation with foot binding in olden times. Toes were considered part of the anatomy not to be shown in public. It would be embarrassing both to the offender and the offended. Until very recently it was so unacceptable to wear flip-flops/sandals out on the street.

 

These days in Shanghai, you may notice that a lot of people are wearing flip-flops as daily shoes. Not just the people are selling stuff in markets but trendy people are also in flip-flops.

 

There are many types of flip-flops - flats, platforms, heels, clogs and no closed toed shoes. It is interesting to see that the flip-flop revolution in the West is catching on in China. And in fact, flip-flops originated in the East, but were popularized in the West! Anyway it seems the circle is now complete with their emergence into fashion in China. Ironically, all the flip-flops in America are made in China these days.

 

Actually the Chinese have been wearing "plastic" on their feet for years because they are cheap and durable and they can be worn in the rain. Many cheap flip-flops are made of plastic. They do not last long so they have not been seen as good value for money. These days China has the most amazing choices in footwear. For some, if they are shopping for anything, it is usually shoes.

 

However, at working places, wearing flip-flops seem to be a little floppy. Even though you like wearing flip-flops, you might not be allowed to wear them at the office. So sandals can be the best alternative.  

 

Palm reading (or palmistry) is used to unlock the future and the well being of the spirit. While many people have enjoyed palm reads, there are many who would like to practice this art in the comfort of their own home.

 

Palm reading is believed to have originated in India as long as 5,000 years ago. It spread to China in 3000 BC and Chinese palm reading commenced. It extended to Europe and other parts of the world. People have devoted years in finding out what the lines on palms read. They have been studying on how to interpret the palm lines. Their lengthy research has led to an art form of palm reading. It is said that if a practitioner were skilled at it, without knowing a person's date of birth, and by examining different parts of a person's palm, the practitioner would be able to tell everything about this person.

 

Chinese palm reading believe that hands, feet and head present a person's profile and that the appearance of a person's hand can be an indicator to his destiny. They think that the lines on a person's palm provide hints about his/her fortune. Palm line reading is all about the lines and the patterns found on the palm. It is linked to the shape and structure of your hand and the surface texture of your palm.

 

Look closely at the back of your hand. Soft skin indicates you have a good taste and enjoy a luxurious lifestyle. Worn texture is indicative of people who take risks, like to accept challenges and always fight till the end. Now look at your fingers. If they are smooth, you are instinctive and self-confident. In case your fingers lack the smoothness, you are creative and thoughtful.

 

Chinese palm reading associates an element for each type of the hand. Slender palms are linked to wood and it is said that wood and water industries suit best to people with such palms. Square shaped palms are associated with metal, and metal and earth industries suit people with square palms. Heavy palms are linked to earth element and people with such palms do well in earth and fire industries. Elongated palms are associated with fire and fleshy palms with water.

 

Go further ahead to the tips of your palm and observe your nails. Long nails say that you are artistic. Spoon shaped nails say that you always choose the best in life. Uneven nails warn you of a difficult time in future and prompt you to learn from your mistakes. If your index finger is longer than the ring finger, you are a leader. In the opposite case, you are creative. You market yourself and like people to praise you.

 

Life Line, Head Line and the Heart Line are the main lines of your palm. Palm line reading revolves around these lines and those branching from them. The Life Line starts between your thumb and index finger and encircles the base of your thumb to reach the wrist. The Head Line is above your Life Line and runs horizontally across the palm. Your Heart Line starts at the left end of the palm below the little finger and slants towards the middle and index fingers. Your head and heart lines have a significant relationship. If they touch, it means you are sensitive and appear mild to people. If they are tied together, your personality might undergo changes. A large gap between them indicates selfishness.

 

Your Life Line is indicative of your lifetime and health. A wide curve indicates you love traveling while a narrow curve says that you cannot live far from home. Lines branching out upward from the Life Line indicate a person who puts great effort in work. A smooth and long Life Line talks of a smooth and long life. Splits in the line are indications of illness.

 

In case your Head Line is short, you should not take risks in life. In case you have a long Head Line, you have a very good intellectual ability and are gifted with the uncommon common sense. Wrinkles crossing the Head Line indicate that at times you have difficulty in concentrating and you cannot make up you mind. The Head Line thus represents your personality and emotional behavior.

 

Heart Line rules the emotional and romantic side of your personality. If your Heart Line has a split that points upwards, you will have a happy marriage but if its split end points downward, you will take to short romances. Breaks in this line indicate that you will not stay for long in one relationship. The length of your Heart Line is directly proportional to your emotionality.

 

There are certain symbols on palm that bespeak success or failure in life. Fish symbolize prosperity and triangles symbolize success. Feathery lines indicate anxiety. Islands are believed to be inauspicious.

 

However, your hand changes throughout your life. The lines you see in your palm today are not quite the same as they were a year ago and probably very different from five years ago. Although your hand gives an outline of your life, it is only a tentative outline. You have the final decision on the course your life will take. Whether you want the position or not, you are the captain of your own destiny.

 

A long time ago, ancient Chinese recognized that wood, fire, earth, metal and water were the basic elements necessary for life. Later, this abstract concept was gradually developed into the five-element theory of traditional Chinese medicine.

 

Each of these five elements (originally called the "five substances") symbolizes a particular pattern of motion. Zuo's Interpretation of the Spring and Autumn Annals states: "The five substances are natural products; are used by people; and cannot be dispensed with, not a single one of them." The Book of History further clarifies by saying, "Food relies on water and fire, and production relies on metal and wood, while earth gives birth to everything."

 

The ancient Chinese used the five materials basic to everyday life to symbolize the behavior of all objects and phenomena in nature. As a result, an abstract theoretical concept developed. The theory of the five elements is regarded as the basic law guiding the analysis of the attributions of all objects and the relationships between them. The theory of the five elements has passed beyond these limits and now has wider implications. The characteristics of the five elements are described below.

 

Wood can be characterized as "straight growing", as having a germination process, and as spreading out freely. Anything that grows and flourishes freely, then, has the character of wood.

 

Fire is hot and flares up. Therefore, fire symbolizes anything that is hot and has such an upward flaring pattern.

 

Earth serves in the sowing and growth of crops. Therefore, it represents the promotion of growth and the nourishing process, in as much as the "earth is the mother of all things".

 

Metal is characterized by its capacity to be remolded. The character of metal, then, is to descend and clarify, or to act as an astringent.

 

Water moistens and flows downward. Anything that moistens, cools and flows downward correspond to water.

 

We were all born naked; society clothed us.

 

Europeans are very comfortable with nude or topless sunbathing and swimming. Nude beaches there are wonderfully liberating. Nobody is staring or doing anything sexual.

 

The nude bathing area would be a groundbreaking concept since Chinese beach resorts do not provide a place for nude swimming and sunbathing. Traditionally, most Chinese have a severe aversion to the sun, taking every opportunity to cover up. Chinese people are so conservative that many people oppose to swim in public. In their opinions, those who swim nakedly in public must have some mental problems.

 

Recently, great debate rages on the Chinese Internet about the appearance of a nude beach in Sanya of Hainan Province and whether it should be acceptable or not. According to an article from the Hainan News Network, that part of the Dadonghai Scenic Area, where the visitors like to strip completely, sees as many as 400-500 male and female nudists during peak time (7-11 a.m.). This phenomenon has attracted many people's attention. While some local men seem pretty happy to join the crowd in their birthday suits, the females spotted on the beach are all foreigners. As with previous attempts to create nudist spots in Heilongjiang, Sichuan and Zhejiang provinces, the Sanya beach has sparked a huge public outcry, but the local tourism officials are neither clamping down on the beach nor actively promoting it as a destination.

 

While the Sanya beach evolved over the last two years because strip-happy tourists were flocking to this spot, the last nude beach that received widespread attention in the Chinese media was actually an invention of forward-thinking Hangzhou tourism officials. The authorities quickly shut down the nude beach (some 80 kilometers away from the provincial capital) after a huge controversy broke out.

 

Sanya would hardly become a destination for nudists, be they Chinese or European. The beach has sparked a lot of controversy. While supporters said nude swimming helped humans stay in touch with nature, opponents argued the move would erode community morals. They believe that nude sunbathing and swimming is entirely out of line if done by a foreigner because it is the way they do it. Travelers should be respectful of other cultures.

 

It seems to me that Chinese people are not cultured enough to know how to control their passion when they see each other naked. The fact that China might have nude beaches came as a surprise to me, and even more that this time it was not the foreigners who were enjoying the suns rays up close and personal, but the Chinese themselves. I do not think this "spectacular scenery" will still exist next year. Some people are strongly against those guys who swim nakedly there and hope the government could stop them. If the government accepts their advice, there will be no nude swimmers.

 

However, in recent years Chinese women have taken a liking to the bikini, finally dethroning the full body swimsuit. If you compare ladies' dressing style in most Chinese cities today with that of 30 years ago, it is clear that most young ladies are much more exposed today. Some even wear spaghetti-strap tops to offices. Yet, I am behind the times, as it was said that in some places in China, both men and women could swim or bathe together in SPA centers, saunas or other fun clubs.  

 

Kaede Matsushima (born on November 7, 1982 in Fukuoka) got her start in adult videos due to her boyfriend (who could then work as an AV director) and debuted in AV when she was 19 years old. She worked so hard for her fame, captured the hearts of many and reigned as one of the top AV idols in Japan until her announcement to retire on July 31, 2007. In her movies, she acted and performed to show her viewers that she was there to please them. She looked so natural and fresh with every movie she came out with. Achieving top status at Alice Japan studios and gaining a huge following of fans worldwide, she has made one more special photo-shot as a retirement commemoration to all her fans. She was a name to remember.

 

She is 160 cm tall (but long-legged), with body measurements of 85cm (D-cup breast), 58cm (waist) and 84cm (hips). She raised the standard of beauty in the whole Japanese industry and is well known for her beautiful legs, big round eyes and off-camera bitchiness. She liked tall manly guys and is also well known for giving great performance when paired with a tall dark actor, but when she was assigned actors that did not arouse her, she literally tuned down the performance.

 

The cute angel liked to show off all of her best features for your appreciative eyes. She did not stay in either of her outfits very long. Both the dress and the shirt were removed to allow for a lot of full nude shots or some amazing masturbation shots. She sometimes posed in very transparent underwear, which eventually came off. She was so hot while showing her perfect big tits and hairy fun-box.

 

Her blood type is O. Her hobbies include karaoke and shopping. Her English is very good for a native speaking Japanese.

 

Han Han, a young Chinese writer, loves her badly and even placed a link to her blog on his own blog. That caused a sensation. 

 

After the May 12 earthquake, the Chinese Internet was abuzz with "Runner Fan" (aka Fan Meizhong), a teacher who was teaching literature to a class of high school students when the 8.0-magnitude earthquake hit. He was supposed to save kids, but shouted "Earthquake!" and then ran out of the classroom, down the stairs, and out onto the field, leaving his students behind. Not a single student followed him out of the classroom but luckily the school building was not damaged. He even had the nerve to blog about the event, recounting his quake experience, and saying that his immediate reaction was to run for life. In the blog entry, he went to great lengths to dig himself into a deeper hole rhetoric-wise, by means of resorting to language such as "I would rather save my daughter than my mother". He, a Peking University history graduate, justified his action by saying there is no regulation that says a teacher should try to save his students over his own life in an emergency, and his faith in liberalism made him prioritize his own life before all others, including his mother.

 

This became a particular episode in one of the great tragedies of China and his behavior triggered a national debate about teacher's professionalism. He has been widely criticized as being selfish and unethical, and pilloried online. Netizens called him "the most shameless teacher ever", partly for his cowardly abandonment of his students, but also for the post about the incident he put up on the Tianya BBS, which many critics saw as a pitiful attempt to justify a warped sense of morality. What made the netizens furious is his justification of doing that by soliciting grandiose terms such as personal freedom, respect of human life, and his longing for American democracy. To make things worse, he explicitly dismissed the heroic acts of the teachers who tried to save, successfully or not, the students. He said that it was not the teachers' responsibility to protect students at such a scenario, and implied those who chose to do so were not as enlightened as he was. He intended to rebel against the "sacrifice" ideal that has been the core value promoted by the Party for a long time, but did it in an awkward manner and time.

 

A big earthquake is truly a difficult situation and self-preservation might be the instinct. In my opinion, he was mistaken in what he said, but his actions were not wrong. His instinct to flee was natural, though it seemed to skirt his responsibilities as a teacher and a caretaker. He is not a hero, nor a big man, but he is a real man. However, his talking about it on the other hand is just pure idiocy. It should be noted that there seems to be a growing appetite in China for mob-induced public enforcements of private morality. Though he is one of those who have survived in this big quake, he is now killed, not by the nature, but by the traditional value. The only reason is that he sent a wrong post on the Internet at a wrong time. This is a tragedy, even worse than this quake. 

 

Ugly duckling syndrome (UDS) is simply defined as being blind-sided by appearance, rather than acknowledging abilities, qualities or talents.

 

No matter how many people may argue to the contrary, looks and personality each play an important part in our attraction to others. Ideally, I think we all would like to find someone who has the best of both worlds (good looks and a good personality). Good personality to match good looks would be ideal but quite rare. Most people cannot look beyond one's appearance to see their true personality that is unfortunate but it happens.

 

I definitely think personality should always count more over looks. However, I think if most people were given the choice between two people with the same personality but one is noticeably more attractive than the other, most people probably would go for the more attractive person.

 

Here is some practical advice for those who struggle with the syndrome: stop looking at yourself and what you think your deficiencies are; serve in hidden ways instead of just on the stage and in the spotlight; be open to criticism and correction; be willing to take risks, laugh at your mistakes and stop beating yourself up when they happen.

 

However, I believe that sometimes "ugly ducklings" do act conceited when they turn into a "magnificent swan". When an ugly/unattractive boy/girl suddenly becomes pretty and popular, everyone wants to become friends/date him/her. Of course, they are still human and could get caught up in being popular and completely ignore their old friends.  

 

Buy low. Sell high. If you believe that is all you need to know to succeed in the market, then let us invite teens to participate as well. In all seriousness, we know that it takes a keen sense and qualified mind to properly navigate the twists and turns of the market.

 

The methods used to analyze securities (stocks) and make investment decisions are vast, but tend to fall into one of two categories known as fundamental analysis and technical analysis. Fundamental analysis involves researching and evaluating the characteristics of the company including the evaluation of company financial statements in order to approximate the value of a company. Technical analysis, on the other hand, pays no attention to the value of a stock and cares more about price movements based on general market psychology and historical trends.

 

Security prices move in trends. This principle underlies technical analysis. Trends, however, do not last forever. As prices change direction, they tend to form recognizable patterns on the chart. These chart patterns often herald a predictable outcome in a security's price, enabling investors to identify new trading opportunities, or to confirm opportunities identified through other means, such as fundamental analysis. Investors need fast, simple and timely access to chart pattern information.

 

Technical analysts use trend lines to identify the direction of the movement of stock prices and to determine if and when the movement will change. And because technical analysis is based on the fact that the prices of stocks move in fairly definite, predictable trends, trend lines can be utilized to make sound investing decisions and earn you big money in any market.

 

Technical analysis is one of the most basic and well-accepted approaches to investing. Developed in the early 1900s by Charles Dow (of Dow Jones Industrial Average fame), technical analysis is the study of market action or a method of evaluating future security prices and market directions based on statistical analysis of variables such as trading volume, price changes, trends, patterns, and formations in charts. These formations within the charts are, as believed by technical analysts, said to be in large part dictated by the psychological makeup of the market. There are numerous charting indicators available. Using charts as the primary tool, a technical analyst forecasts future price trends of securities.

 

Through the use of charting, analysts attempt to explain the supply and demand of a security and help in determining the emotions of those in the market. Technical analysis is based on the basic theory that the price of a stock reflects everything that could or has affected a stock. Therefore, fundamental factors as well as economic factors like the overall psychology of the market are all priced into the stock, which leaves only the analysis of supply and demand in predicting the price movement of the forecasted stock.

 

Analysts believe that future prices are dictated by previously established trends, attributing the repetitive nature of these trends to the basic makeup of the markets psychology. They believe that market participants tend to react in common ways to events within the market, therefore through the use of technical charting, patterns can be used to analyze price movements and understand these trends.

 

A perceived advantage of technical analysis is that it is quick and easy. It avoids having to use fundamental data and adjusting for accounting problems, incorporates psychological as well as economic reasons behind price changes, and tells WHEN to buy; not WHY investors are buying. Drawbacks include subjective interpretation of charts and graphs. If you understand the benefits and limitations of technical analysis, it can give you a new set of tools or skills that will enable you to be a better trader or investor.

 

Technical analysis is increasingly popular. Despite today's modern computer methods of interpreting price and buying trends, an investor or trader must still master the basics.