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2008-01-27T09:49:00.000-08:00

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NEW 7 WONDERS

2008-01-17T02:28:00.000-08:00

The Taj Mahal (1630 A.D.) Agra, India

INDIA

This immense mausoleum was built on the orders of Shah Jahan, the fifth Muslim Mogul emperor, to honor the memory of his beloved late wife. Built out of white marble and standing in formally laid-out walled gardens, the Taj Mahal is regarded as the most perfect jewel of Muslim art in India. The emperor was consequently jailed and, it is said, could then only see the Taj Mahal out of his small cell window.

Christ Redeemer (1931) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

BRAZIL

This statue of Jesus stands some 38 meters tall, atop the Corcovado mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro. Designed by Brazilian Heitor da Silva Costa and created by French sculptor Paul Landowski, it is one of the world’s best-known monuments. The statue took five years to construct and was inaugurated on October 12, 1931. It has become a symbol of the city and of the warmth of the Brazilian people, who receive visitors with open arms.

The Pyramid at Chichén Itzá (before 800 A.D.) Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

MEXICO

Chichén Itzá, the most famous Mayan temple city, served as the political and economic center of the Mayan civilization. Its various structures - the pyramid of Kukulkan, the Temple of Chac Mool, the Hall of the Thousand Pillars, and the Playing Field of the Prisoners – can still be seen today and are demonstrative of an extraordinary commitment to architectural space and composition. The pyramid itself was the last, and arguably the greatest, of all Mayan temples.

The Roman Colosseum (70 - 82 A.D.) Rome, Italy

ITALY

This great amphitheater in the centre of Rome was built to give favors to successful legionnaires and to celebrate the glory of the Roman Empire. Its design concept still stands to this very day, and virtually every modern sports stadium some 2,000 years later still bears the irresistible imprint of the Colosseum's original design. Today, through films and history books, we are even more aware of the cruel fights and games that took place in this arena, all for the joy of the spectators.

The Great Wall of China (220 B.C and 1368 - 1644 A.D.) China

CHINA

The Great Wall of China was built to link existing fortifications into a united defense system and better keep invading Mongol tribes out of China. It is the largest man-made monument ever to have been built and it is disputed that it is the only one visible from space. Many thousands of people must have given their lives to build this colossal construction.

Petra (9 B.C. - 40 A.D.), Jordan

JORDAN

On the edge of the Arabian Desert, Petra was the glittering capital of the Nabataean empire of King Aretas IV (9 B.C. to 40 A.D.). Masters of water technology, the Nabataeans provided their city with great tunnel constructions and water chambers. A theater, modelled on Greek-Roman prototypes, had space for an audience of 4,000. Today, the Palace Tombs of Petra, with the 42-meter-high Hellenistic temple facade on the El-Deir Monastery, are impressive examples of Middle Eastern culture.

Machu Picchu (1460-1470), Peru

PERU

In the 15th century, the Incan Emperor Pachacútec built a city in the clouds on the mountain known as Machu Picchu ("old mountain"). This extraordinary settlement lies halfway up the Andes Plateau, deep in the Amazon jungle and above the Urubamba River. It was probably abandoned by the Incas because of a smallpox outbreak and, after the Spanish defeated the Incan Empire, the city remained 'lost' for over three centuries. It was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911.

HOW TO TIE A TIE

2008-01-16T11:23:00.000-08:00

UNDERSTANDING ENGINEERS

2008-01-15T06:30:00.000-08:00

Understanding Engineers - Take One

Two engineering students were walking across a university campus when one
said, "Where did you get such a great bike?" The second engineer replied,
"Well, I was walking along yesterday, minding my own business, when a
beautiful woman rode up on this bike, threw it to the ground, took off all
her clothes and said, "Take what you want." The second engineer nodded
approvingly and said, "Good choice; the clothes probably wouldn't have fit
you anyway.

Understanding Engineers - Take Two

To the optimist, the glass is half full. To the pessimist, the glass is
half empty. To the engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

Understanding Engineers - Take Four

What is the difference between mechanical engineers and civil engineers?
Mechanical engineers build weapons and civil engineers build targets.

Understanding Engineers - Take Five

The graduate with a science degree asks, "Why does it work?" The graduate
with an engineering degree asks, "How does it work?" The graduate with an
accounting degree asks, "How much will it cost?" The graduate with an arts
degree asks, "Do you want fries with that?"

Understanding Engineers - Take Six

Three engineering students were gathered together discussing the possible
designers of the human body. One said, "It was a mechanical engineer. Just
look at all the joints. "Another said, "No, it was an electrical engineer.
The nervous system has many thousands of electrical connections. " The
last one said, "No,
actually it had to have been a civil engineer. Who else would run a toxic
waste pipeline through a recreational area?"

Understanding Engineers - Take Seven

Normal people believe that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Engineers believe that if it ain't broke,
it doesn't have enough features yet.

Understanding Engineers - Take Eight

An engineer was crossing a road one day, when a frog called out to him and
said, "If you kiss me, I'll turn into a beautiful princess." He bent over,
picked up the frog and put it in his pocket. The frog spoke up again and
said, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a beautiful princess, I will
stay with you for one
week." The engineer took the frog out of his pocket, smiled at it and
returned it to the pocket. The frog then cried out, "If you kiss me and
turn me back into a Princess, I'll stay with you for one week and do
ANYTHING you want." Again, the engineer took the
frog out, smiled at it and put it back into his pocket. Finally, the frog
asked, "What is the matter? I've told you I'm a beautiful princess and
that I'll stay with you for one week and do anything you want. Why won't
you kiss me?" The engineer said, "Look, I'm an
engineer. I don't have time for a girlfriend, but a talking frog, now
that's cool."

POSITIVE THINKING TO KILL STRESS

2008-01-15T05:22:00.000-08:00

Is your glass half-empty or half-full? How you answer this age-old question may reflect your outlook on life and whether you're optimistic or pessimistic.

In fact, studies show that these personality traits —optimism and pessimism — can affect how well you live and even how long you live.

Need an attitude adjustment? Find out how to reduce your stress by halting negative thoughts and practicing positive self-talk.

Be positive: Live longer, live healthier

Self-talk is the endless stream of thoughts that run through your head every day. These automatic thoughts can be positive or negative. If the thoughts that run through your head are mostly negative, your outlook on life is likely pessimistic. If your thoughts are mostly positive, you're likely an optimist.

Some of your self-talk comes from logic and reason. Other self-talk may arise from misconceptions that you create because of lack of information.

Researchers continue to explore the effects of optimism on health. The health benefits optimism may provide are:

Decreased stress
Greater resistance to catching the common cold
A sense of well-being and improved health
Reduced risk of coronary artery disease
Breathing easier if you have chronic obstructive lung disease, such as emphysema
Improved coping ability for women with high-risk pregnancies
Living longer
Better coping skills

It's unclear why optimists experience these health benefits. But one theory is that having a positive outlook enables you to cope better with stressful situations, which reduces the effects of stress on your body.

How to put a positive spin on negative thoughts

Self-talk — the inner monologue sometimes referred to as automatic thinking — can be positive or negative. When the theme of your self-talk is mostly negative, your own misperceptions, lack of information and distorted ideas have overpowered your capacity for logic and reason. But if you weed out misconceptions and irrational thinking and challenge them with rational, positive thoughts, your self-talk will gradually become realistic and self-affirming.

Some common forms of irrational thinking are:

Filtering. You magnify the negative aspects of a situation and filter out all of the positive ones. For example, you had a great day at work. You completed your tasks ahead of time and were complimented for doing a speedy and thorough job. But you forgot one minor step. That evening, you focus only on your oversight and forget about the compliments you received.
Personalizing. When something bad occurs, you automatically blame yourself. For example, you hear that an evening out with friends is canceled and you assume that the change in plans is because no one wanted to be around you.
Catastrophizing. You automatically anticipate the worst. You refuse to go out with friends for fear that you'll make a fool of yourself. Or one change in your daily routine leads you to think the day will be a disaster.
Polarizing. You see things only as either good or bad, or black and white. There is no middle ground. You feel that you have to be perfect or you're a total failure.

You can learn to turn negative thoughts into positive ones. The process is simple, but it takes time and practice.

Throughout the day, stop and evaluate what you're thinking. If you find that your thoughts are negative, try to find a way to put a positive spin on them.

Start by following one simple rule: Don't say anything to yourself that you wouldn't say to anyone else.

Examples of typical negative self-talk and how you might apply a positive twist include:

Negative self-talk	Positive spin
I've never done it before.	It's an opportunity to learn something new.
It's too complicated.	Let's look at it from a different angle.
I don't have the resources.	Necessity is the mother of invention.
There's not enough time.	Let's re-evaluate some priorities.
There's no way it will work.	I can try to make it work.
I don't have the expertise.	I'll find people who can help me.
It's good enough.	There's always room for improvement.
It's too radical a change.	Let's take a chance.
No one bothers to communicate with me.	I'll see if I can open the channels of communication.
I'm not going to get any better at this.	I'll give it one more try.
I'm never going to learn how to manage my stress.	I'm going to try to learn how to manage my stress.

Practice makes perfect

If you tend to have a negative outlook, don't expect to become an optimist overnight. But eventually your self-talk will automatically contain less self-criticism and more self-acceptance.

Practicing positive self-talk will improve your outlook. When your state of mind is generally optimistic, you're able to handle everyday stress in a realistic and constructive way. That ability may contribute to the widely observed health benefits of being an optimist.

Put the Spark Back in Your Relationship

2008-01-15T05:20:00.000-08:00

Maintaining a healthy and happy relationship is not always an easy feat. Great relationships take work. Even the most compatible of lovebirds will encounter cold spells and roadblocks on their journey to "happily ever after."

Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to help ensure the success of your relationship:

Weekly date night: By now, most couples have heard about the "weekly date night" rule. But how many of you have actually taken this advice to heart? Chances are, you tried it once or twice...but then soon abandoned it in the face of kids, errands, and other priorities. Recommit to this relationship rule. You and your spouse need this time to talk, share, and bond. If you are short on time or cash, at least be sure to spend an hour or two together. Take a walk around the neighborhood, or share a few glasses of wine in your backyard. Just be sure to enjoy your spouse without distractions at least once a week.
Vacation, no kids allowed: While weekly date nights are a great way to begin increasing intimacy, women often need more than just a couple of hours a week in order to truly de-stress and focus on their loved one. Since women are multitaskers, it can be hard for them to disengage completely from their many responsibilities. This is where vacations come into play! Recent studies have found that couples who take just one vacation a year see vast improvement in their relationships. Use your vacation to break away from your day-to-day routine. Relax with your partner and revive your relationship. However, there is one caveat to keep in mind: No kids! You need to enjoy quality adult time. Hire a babysitter or call in a favor with the grandparents -- no guilt allowed!
I love you, times four: For most couples, saying the words "I love you" can become routine. Rediscover the importance of these three little words by remembering to say them at least four times a day. And don't just repeat them ad nauseam! Find new, exciting, or even funny ways to spout your love for your partner. Try slipping a note in his lunch bag, tracing it in the bathroom mirror after a hot shower, or even just whispering it to her first thing in the morning!
The ten-second kiss: When was the last time you kissed your spouse? Really, truly, passionately kissed them? Chances are, it's been awhile! However, kissing is a special and important way for you to bond with your partner. Make the time to kiss your partner for 10 seconds every single day. It is bound to feel unnatural at first, but this is just a tool to get you back in the habit of kissing your partner. Before long, you will find that kissing has become a spontaneous and fun part of your relationship again!
Voice three appreciations to each other: What do you appreciate about your partner? Is he a good father? Is she a great listener? Does he always remember to empty the dishwasher? Does she always have a cup of coffee waiting for you in the morning? No matter what you appreciate about your partner, be it large or small, make sure to voice it! I challenge all of my readers: Tell your partner 3 things you appreciate about them. Make sure to be specific - instead of saying, "I appreciate you for being a good father," say "I appreciate when you read to the kids before bed." Your partner will be blown away by your love and approval!

Now that I have given you some of my tips for a happy relationship, discuss with your loved one what's already working in your relationship and share that with each other...and all the rest of us! What are your tried-and-true tips for a loving relationship?

CROSSING THE LINE:INAPPROPRIATE R'SHIPS

2008-01-15T05:10:00.000-08:00

Most people in relationships are well aware of the rules that govern their behavior, such as those of fidelity and monogamy. However, there are important relationship rules that are not explicitly stated, inlcuding behaviors that fall into the "crossing the line" category.

What are some common "crossing the line" crimes?

Cyber-flirting
Dirty dancing with people other than your partner
Buying other girls/guys drinks
Being too affectionate with members of the opposite sex
Commenting on the attractiveness of other men/women to your spouse
Flirting with the waiter/waitress/handyman, etc.

At one point or another, everyone engages in these activities when their spouse is looking the other way. Sometimes it can be hard to resist catching a cute guy's eye on the bus, or flirting and showing off for the pretty waitress.

While most of us never intend to take it beyond that initial flirtation, these behaviors certainly raise a few eyebrows and can cause tension in our relationships. This begs the question: when getting close to crossing the line, where is the point of no return?

Most people agreed that while all of the "crossing the line" behaviors were upsetting, only the overtly sexual behaviors were a cause for concern. For instance, 80 percent of survey respondents stated they would be concerned if their partner danced inappropriately with other people, while only 50 percent stated they would be upset if their partner commented on the attractiveness of passers-by or celebrities.

Apparently, the nuances of sexuality are not deal breakers - we don't expect our spouses to become blind to attractive people just because they are in a committed relationship. Indeed, there is nothing inherently wrong with being attracted to the McDreamys and Angelinas of this world, and most people realize that fantasy and behavior are two very different things.

However, once these daydreams cross over into reality - such as buying other women drinks, keeping a secret stash of porn, or sending secret text messages - the line has been crossed. You might not technically be cheating, but you are depriving your spouse of the emotional energy, trust, and intimacy that your relationship needs to thrive.

More importantly, routinely participating in these "crossing the line" behaviors signals a lack of respect and esteem for our loved ones. Someone who routinely instigates or participates in flirtation with the opposite sex lacks both sensitivity and consideration for their partner's feelings; this can be a red flag for their behavior in the future.

So the next time your spouse isn't looking, rather than sidle up to an attractive stranger, why not use that time to buy your one-and-only a surprise gift or bouquet of roses?

MAKE YOUR PARTNER BETTER IN BED

2008-01-15T05:06:00.000-08:00

Somebody once said that sex is like pizza -- even when it's really bad, it's still pretty good. However, those of us who have experienced bad sex know that it is quite a different story. Indeed, in some situations, a case of bad sex can ruin a relationship!

Of course, sex isn't going to involve fireworks every single time. Even the happiest couples experience a dismal round of intercourse every now and again. But if you are routinely having bad sex with your partner, something is certainly amiss! A satisfying sex life is the right of every adult, so if your partner is leaving something to desired, you need to take action.

Here are three tips to get you started on the road to passionate and fulfilling sex:

Sizzle, don't fizzle: The first step is to discover why you and your partner aren't meshing in the bedroom. Does he skimp on foreplay? Is she passive and bored during the act? These are delicate topics, but rest assured, they can be addressed. Do so with respect and delicacy. Try couching your complaint inside a compliment, such as "I have been thinking about us making love all day. Let's enjoy foreplay before we rush into it." Or, "I love when you are vocal about your pleasure during sex. It really turns me on." Most couples want to please each other in the bedroom, so once they hear what really turns you on, you won't need to tell them twice!
Bring your "A" game: Unfortunately, when people feel as though their partner is disinterested or disengaged from sex, they too will begin to disengage and lose interest. However, once this occurs, the sex life is doomed to failure! If you want your partner to be a pro in the bedroom, you need to become a pro too. Initiate a new position, confess a fantasy, and indulge in a little erotica together. If you want to turn up the temperature in your sex life, you need to be the one who brings the heat!
Let go of perfection: Most of us have received our sexual expectations from the media. Whether it is Cosmopolitan, romantic comedies, or adult flicks, we all have certain expectations about what "should" happen in the bedroom. Unfortunately, the media is rarely realistic when it comes to sex. Sex can't always involve hours of foreplay, champagne, and silk sheets. Sometimes it has to happen first thing in the morning while the kids are still in bed, sometimes it has to happen when the house is messy and your legs aren't shaved, etc. Whatever the case, it is time to ditch the perfect image of what we believe sex "should" be. Once you lose the shackles of expectations, you can begin creating your own version of your perfect sex life!

WHY DO PEOPLE CHEAT

2008-01-15T05:02:00.000-08:00

In my practice, I encounter adultery and cheating almost every day. Infidelity is a common theme in many relationships -- but the reasons behind it may surprise you.

Cheating is rarely about pure sexual attraction. Infidelity is almost always about more than just sex. Indeed, some of the common reasons that people cheat are entirely based on emotional needs.

Perhaps one of the most common reasons behind infidelity is the need for appreciation. Someone who is feeling unloved or unappreciated may begin looking outside their marriage for sources of comfort and affirmation. Occasionally, these partners even blame their spouses for their infidelity - rationalizing it as, "Well, if he paid more attention to me, I wouldn't have to cheat," or "If she can't give me the love I need, I have a right to seek it elsewhere." However, if you aren't feeling loved or appreciated in your relationship, you need to take responsibility for those feelings and discover what is causing you feel that way. Do you feel unloved because your spouse is spending too much time at work? Are you jealous of your boyfriend's relationship with his female friends? By addressing the true issue and being upfront about personal and sexual needs, couples can keep cheating out of the picture.

Another common reason for infidelity is revenge. Perhaps your partner cheated on you in the past or you merely have suspicions about his faithfulness. This might drive you to try to get back at your partner by committing similar offenses. However, as Gandhi once put it, "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." If you have secret anger or bitterness towards your partner, quit hiding it! Make him or her aware of your feelings and decide if you're able to forgive and forget. If you can't, it's better to get out of the relationship rather than stay and cheat.

One often surprising reason behind infidelity is self-destruction. Some people have such low self-esteem that when something good happens to them (such as meeting and dating a great man or woman), they think they don't deserve that gift. In response to such feelings, these people may go out of their way to self-destruct their relationships. Other people keep their feelings hidden, thinking "better to break their heart before they can break mine." Self-esteem and trust issues this extreme may require outside support in the form of couples or individual counseling. If you believe your mate is suffering from such feelings, assist them by offering your love, praise, and affection.

If you want to protect your relationship from infidelity, you must first protect your relationship from the silent killers - jealousy, bitterness, low self-esteem, and mistrust. The only way to do this is through honest communication. Reveal your true emotions and needs to your partner and encourage him to do the same.

RULES OF RELATIONSHIP

2008-01-15T04:59:00.000-08:00

Human beings crave intimacy, need to love and be loved. Yet people have much trouble doing so.

It's clear from the many letters I get that lots of folks have no idea what a healthy relationship even looks like. So I'm using this space as an attempt to remedy the problem.

From many sources and many experts, I have culled some basic rules of relationships. This is by no means an exhaustive list. But it's a start. Print them out and pin them up on your refrigerator door.

Choose a partner wisely and well. We are attracted to people for all kinds of reasons. They remind us of someone from our past. They shower us with gifts and make us feel important. Evaluate a potential partner as you would a friend; look at their character, personality, values, their generosity of spirit, the relationship between their words and actions, their relationships with others.

Know your partner's beliefs about relationships. Different people have different and often conflicting beliefs about relationships. You don't want to fall in love with someone who expects lots of dishonesty in relationships; they'll create it where it doesn't exist.

Don't confuse sex with love. Especially in the beginning of a relationship, attraction and pleasure in sex are often mistaken for love.

Know your needs and speak up for them clearly. A relationship is not a guessing game. Many people, men as well as women, fear stating their needs and, as a result, camouflage them. The result is disappointment at not getting what they want and anger at a partner for not having met their (unstated) needs. Closeness cannot occur without honesty. Your partner is not a mind reader.

View yourselves as a team, which means you are two unique individuals bringing different perspectives and strengths. That, according to relationship expert Diane Sollee, M.S.W., director of SmartMarriages, an international effort to teach relationship skills to couples, is the value of a team-your differences.

Know how to respect and manage differences; it's the key to success in a relationship. Disagreements don't sink relationships. Name-calling does. Learn how to handle the negative feelings that are the unavoidable byproduct of the differences between two people. Stonewalling or avoiding conflicts is NOT managing them.

If you don't understand or like something your partner is doing, ask about it and why he or she is doing it. Talk and explore, don't assume.

Solve problems as they arise. Don't let resentments simmer. Most of what goes wrong in relationships can be traced to hurt feelings, leading partners to erect defenses against one another and to become strangers. Or enemies.

Learn to negotiate. Modern relationships no longer rely on roles cast by the culture. Couples create their own roles, so that virtually every act requires negotiation. It works best when good will prevails. Because people's needs are fluid and change over time, and life's demands change too, good relationships are negotiated and renegotiated all the time.

Listen, truly listen, to your partner's concerns and complaints without judgment. Much of the time, just having someone listen is all we need. It opens the door to confiding. And empathy is crucial. Look at things from your partner's perspective as well as your own.

Work hard at maintaining closeness. Closeness doesn't happen by itself. In its absence, people drift apart and are susceptible to affairs. A good relationship isn't an end goal; it's a lifelong process maintained through regular attention.

Take a long-range view. A marriage is an agreement to spend a future together. Check out your dreams with each other regularly to make sure you're both on the same path. Update your dreams regularly.

Never underestimate the power of good grooming.

Sex is good. Pillow talk is better. Sex is easy, intimacy is difficult. It requires honesty, openness, self-disclosure, confiding concerns, fears, sadnesses as well as hopes and dreams.

Never go to sleep angry. Try a little tenderness.

Apologize, apologize, apologize. Anyone can make a mistake. Repair attempts are crucial-highly predictive of marital happiness. They can be clumsy or funny, even sarcastic-but willingness to make up after an argument is central to every happy marriage.

Some dependency is good, but complete dependency on a partner for all one's needs is an invitation to unhappiness for both partners. We're all dependent to a degree-on friends, mentors, spouses-and men have just as many dependency needs as women.

Maintain self-respect and self-esteem. It's easier for someone to like you and to be around you when you like yourself. Research has shown that the more roles people fill, the more sources of self-esteem they have. Meaningful work-paid or volunteer-has long been one of the most important ways to exercise and fortify a sense of self.

Enrich your relationship by bringing into it new interests from outside the relationship. The more passions in life that you have and share, the richer your relationship will be. It is unrealistic to expect one person to meet all of your needs in life.

Cooperate, cooperate, cooperate. Share responsibilities. Relationships work ONLY when they are two-way streets, with much give and take.

Stay open to spontaneity.

Maintain your energy. Stay healthy.

Recognize that all relationships have their ups and downs and do not ride at a continuous high all the time. No relationship is perfect all the time. Working together through the hard times will make the relationship stronger.

Make good sense of a bad relationship by examining it as a reflection of your beliefs about yourself. Don't just run away from a bad relationship; you'll only repeat it with the next partner. Use it as a mirror to look at yourself, to understand what part of you is creating this relationship. Change yourself before you change your relationship.

Understand that love is not an absolute, not a limited commodity that you're in of or out of. Says Sollee: It's a feeling that ebbs and flows depending on how you treat each other. If you learn new ways to interact, the feelings can come flowing back, often stronger than before.

COLOURS OF LOVE

2008-01-15T04:55:00.000-08:00

Have we learned anything yet about love?

How do I love thee? At least six are the ways.

There is no one type of love; there are many equally valid ways of loving. Researchers have consistently identified six attitudes or styles of love that, to one degree or another, encompass our conceptions of love and color our romantic relationships. They reflect both fixed personality traits and more malleable attitudes. Your relative standing on these dimensions may vary over time - being in love NOW will intensify your responses in some dimensions. Nevertheless, studies show that for most people, one dimension of love predominates.

Answering the questions below will help you identify your own love style, one of several important factors contributing to the satisfaction you feel in relationships. You may wish to rate yourself on a separate sheet of paper. There are no right or wrong answers, nor is there any scoring system. The test is designed to help you examine your own feelings and to help you understand your own romantic experiences.

After you take the test, if you are currently in a relationship, you may want to ask your partner to take the test and then compare your responses. Better yet, try to predict your partner's love attitudes before giving the test to him or her.

Studies show that most partners are well-correlated in the areas of love, passion and intensity (Eros), companionate or friendship love (Storge), dependency (Mania), and all-giving or selfless love (Agape). If you and your partner aren't a perfect match, don't worry. Knowing your styles can help you manage your relationship.

Directions: Listed below are several statements that reflect different attitudes about love. For each statement, fill in the response on an answer sheet that indicates how much you agree or disagree with that statement. The items refer to a specific love relationship. Whenever possible, answer the questions with your current partner in mind. If you are not currently dating anyone, answer the questions with your most recent partner in mind. If you have never been in love, answer in terms of what you think your responses would most likely be.

FOR EACH STATEMENT:

A = Strongly agree with the statement

B = Moderately agree with the statement

C = Neutral, neither agree nor disagree

D = Moderately disagree with the statement

E = Strongly disagree with the statement

Eros

Measures passionate love as well as intimacy and commitment. It is directly and strongly correlated with satisfaction in a relationship, a major ingredient in relationship success. Eros gives fully, intensely, and takes risks in love; it requires substantial ego strength. Probably reflects secure attachment style.

1. My partner and I were attracted to each other immediately after we first met.

2. My partner and I have the right physical 'chemistry" between us.

3. Our lovemaking is very intense and satisfying.

4. I feel that my partner and I were meant for each other.

5. My partner and I became emotionally involved rather quickly.

6. My partner and I really understand each other.

7. My partner fits my ideal standards of physical beauty/handsomeness.

Ludus

Measures love as an interaction game to be played out with diverse partners. Relationships do not have great depth of feeling. Ludus is wary of emotional intensity from others. and has a manipulative or cynical quality to it. Ludus is negatively related to satisfaction in relationships. May reflect avoidant attachment style.

8. I try to keep my partner a little uncertain about my commitment to him/her.

9. I believe that what my partner doesn't know about me won't hurt him/her.

10. I have sometimes had to keep my partner from finding out about other partners.

11. I could get over my affair with my partner pretty easily and quickly.

12. My partner would get upset if he/she knew of some of the things I've done with other people.

13. When my partner gets too dependent on me, I want to back off a little.

14. I enjoy playing the "game of love" with my partner and a number of other partners.

Storge

Reflects an inclination to merge love and friendship. Storgic love is solid, down to earth, presumably enduring. It is evolutionary, not revolutionary, and may take time to develop. It is related to satisfaction in long-term relationships.

15. It is hard for me to say exactly when our friendship turned to love.

16. To be genuine, our love first required caring for awhile.

17. I expect to always be friends with my partner.

18. Our love is the best kind because it grew out of a long friendship.

19. Our friendship merged gradually into love over time.

20. Our love is really a deep friendship, not a mysterious, mystical emotion.

21. Our love relationship is the most satisfying because it developed from a good friendship.

Pragma

Reflects logical, "shopping list" love, rational calculation with a focus on desired attributes of a lover. Suited to computer-matched dating. Related to satisfaction in long-term relationships.

22. I considered what my partner was going to become in life before I committed myself to him/her.

23. I tried to plan my life carefully before choosing my partner.

24. In choosing my partner, I believed it was best to love someone with a similar background.

25. A main consideration in choosing my partner was how he/she would reflect on my family.

26. An important factor in choosing my partner was whether or not he/she would be a good parent.

27. One consideration in choosing my partner was how he/she would reflect on my career.

28. Before getting very involved with my partner, I tried to figure out how compatible his/her hereditary background would be with mine in case we ever had children.

Mania

Measures possessive, dependent love. Associated with high emotional expressiveness and disclosure, but low self-esteem; reflects uncertainty of self in the relationship. Negatively associated with relationship satisfaction. May reflect anxious/ambivalent attachment style.

29. When things aren't right with my partner and me, my stomach gets upset.

30. If my partner and I break up, I would get so depressed that I would even think of suicide.

31. Sometimes I get so excited about being in love with my partner that I can't sleep.

32. When my partner doesn't pay attention to me, I feel sick all over.

33. Since I've been in love with my partner, I've had trouble concentrating on anything else.

34. I cannot relax if I suspect that my partner is with someone else.

35. If my partner ignores me for a while, I sometimes do stupid things to try to get his/her attention back.

Agape

Reflects all-giving, selfless, nondemanding love. Associated with altruistic, committed, sexually idealistic love. Like Eros, tends to flare up with "being in love now.'

36. I try to always help my partner through difficult times.

37. I would rather suffer myself than let my partner suffer.

38. I cannot be happy unless I place my partner's happiness before my own.

39. I am usually willing to sacrifice my own wishes to let my partner achieve his/hers.

40. Whatever I won is my partner's to use as he/she chooses.

41. When my partner gets angry with me, I still love him/her fully and unconditionally.

42. I would endure all things for the sake of my partner.

FACTS ABOUT NOKIA

2008-01-15T04:42:00.001-08:00

1) The ringtone "Nokia tune" is actually based on a 19th century guitar work named "Gran Vals" by Spanish musician Francisco Tárrega. The Nokia Tune was originally named "Grande Valse" on Nokia phones but was changed to "Nokia Tune" around 1998 when it became so well known that people referred to it as the "Nokia Tune."

2) The world's first commercial GSM call was made in 1991 in Helsinki over a Nokia-supplied network, by Prime Minister of Finland Harri Holkeri, using a Nokia phone.

3) Nokia is currently the world's largest digital camera manufacturer, as the sales of its camera-equipped mobile phones have exceeded those of any conventional camera manufacturer.

4) The "Special" tone available to users of Nokia phones when receiving SMS (text messages) is actually Morse code for "SMS". Similarly, the "Ascending" SMS tone is Morse code for "Connecting People," Nokia's slogan. The "Standard" SMS tone is Morse code for "M" (Message).

5) The Nokia corporate font (typeface) is the AgfaMonotype Nokia Sans font, originally designed by Eric Spiekermann. Its mobile phone User's Guides Nokia mostly used the Agfa Rotis Sans font.

6) In Asia, the digit 4 never appears in any Nokia handset model number, because 4 is considered unlucky in many parts of Southeast/East Asia.

7) Nokia was listed as the 20th most admirable company worldwide in Fortune's list of 2006 (1st in network communications, 4th non-US company).

8. Unlike other modern day handsets, Nokia phones do not automatically start the call timer when the call is connected, but start it when the call is initiated. (Except for Series 60 based handsets like the Nokia 6600)

9) Nokia is sometimes called aikon (Nokia backwards) by non-Nokia mobile phone users and by mobile software developers, because "aikon" is used in various SDK software packages, including Nokia's own Symbian S60 SDK.

10) The name of the town of Nokia originated from the river which flowed through the town. The river itself, Nokianvirta, was named after the old Finnish word originally meaning sable, later pine marten.

SIGNS OF PREGNANCY

2008-01-15T04:41:00.001-08:00

Scene from a typical Indian movie: A demure lady is enjoying dinner with the rest of the family. Suddenly, she cups her mouth and rushes to the bathroom where she empties the contents of her stomach.

All the faces around her explode into big grins. The family doctor is immediately summoned. He checks the lady's pulse and pronounces, "Mubarak ho, tum maa banne waali ho (Congratulations! You are going to be a mother)."

Don't you wish it were that simple in real life! Unfortunately, no doctor in the world can tell if you are pregnant by merely checking your pulse. But you might be able to recognise one of these five early signs of pregnancy.

A missed period
This might be one of the first signs of pregnancy you actually notice. If you have regular cycles you may be able to detect that you are pregnant when you miss your period. This is one of the most reliable signs of being pregnant.

Scientific basis: A period occurs when the body stops producing progesterone (a hormone that plays a special role in the female menstrual cycle and in pregnancy) temporarily. This causes the uterus to shed its lining. When you become pregnant your body starts producing a lot of progesterone to sustain the baby. There is no progesterone withdrawal and no period. Period.

Abdominal bloating and breast tenderness
If your periods are not very regular it might be a little tough to notice a missed period. Abdominal bloating is another sign to look out for. Dr Anjali Rajurkar, an obstetrician from Mumbai, offers this tip, "If you have been trying to get pregnant and your jeans suddenly feel snug check if you are exhibiting other signs of pregnancy".
Further, you might notice that your breasts have suddenly turned sore and sensitive.

Scientific basis: Both abdominal bloating and breast tenderness result from the high levels of hormones your body starts producing when you become pregnant.

Fatigue and sleepiness
You just woke up and had a cup of coffee. But you can't wait to go back to bed again. You feel tired all the time. Well, most pregnant women experience a high degree of fatigue and sleepiness in their first trimester.

Scientific basis: No one knows for sure why this happens. But experts believe that the high levels of progesterone in your body might be responsible for this feeling of exhaustion.

Nausea and vomiting
Finally! And you thought we would never mention it.
For some women nausea is one of the first symptoms of pregnancy. They start feeling unusually queasy and certain odours become very repulsive. Though the nausea and vomiting you experience in the first trimester of pregnancy is called morning sickness, it could occur at any time of the day. It is often triggered by meals. But if you do not have any nausea during the first trimester, do not panic. You might be one of the lucky few who escapes this ordeal entirely.

Scientific basis: Again, blame it on your hormones. Experts believe that high levels of human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone vital for the sustenance of pregnancy, causes morning sickness.

Bleeding
Some women experience a small amount of vaginal bleeding when they become pregnant. When the fetus implants itself on the wall of the uterus this can happen. The bleeding is extremely light and might last a couple of days. In any case, if you spot vaginal bleeding, contact your obstetrician to rule out other causes.

Should you take a test?
The five signs detailed above are physical signs or symptoms. It is important to remember that some women might not experience many of the early symptoms of pregnancy, except for the missed period. You need not wait to experience all these symptoms before you take a pregnancy test. If you have been trying to conceive and you feel a couple of the above symptoms you could try taking a pregnancy test.

A word of caution: Over eagerness to get pregnant might make you take the tests too often leading to frequent disappointments if they turn out negative. It is natural to be curious but try and wait for a few signs before you turn to the test.

The pregnancy test
A home pregnancy test is one of the easier ways to test if you are pregnant. These kits are available over the counter at most medical stores. The directions are clear and easy to follow. The test takes two minutes and is pretty reliable too. All it requires is a drop of urine. If your test is positive it might be a good idea to repeat the test with your nearest lab and then schedule an appointment with your obstetrician.
If it is negative, remember that the test is not highly sensitive and might become positive only a week after the missed period. So if you have not had a missed period perform the test after you do.

WHT DOES UR HANDWRITING SAY?

2008-01-15T04:39:00.000-08:00

· If letters slant to the left: Indicates introspection and a lot of emotional control.

· If letter slant to the right: Reveals a person who's outgoing, friendly, impulsive, and emotionally open.

· If letters are straight up and down: The sign of someone who's ruled by the head, not the heart.

· Letters that slant in more than one direction: Indicates versatility and adaptability.

· An erratic slant: Usually means a lack of flexibility.

· Heavy pressure writing (like you can feel the rib made on the back of the paper): The writer is agitated.

· Moderate pressure (the writing is dark, but you can't feel the rib on the other side of the paper): Shows ability to deal with stress.

· Light pressure: Indicates someone who seems to take life in stride.

· Tiny letters: Indicate the writer is has somewhat low self esteem but is intelligent.

· Small letters: The hallmark of quiet, introspective types - they're generally detail-oriented and have good concentration.

· Large letters: Sign of a confident, easygoing individual.

· Huge letters: Indicate someone who's theatrical, usually loud, and needs to be the center of attention at all times.

· Wide letters (their width and height are about the same): The mark of someone who's open and friendly.

· Narrow letters: Show someone who's somewhat shy and inhibited but very self-disciplined.

· Letters that don't touch: Indicate an impulsive, artistic, sometimes impractical free thinker.

· Some letters connecting: Means the writer's personality blends logic and intuition.

· All letters making contact: The sign of someone who's highly cautious.

· A curved first mark: Shows a person who's traditional and plays by the rules.

· A straight beginning stroke: Reveals someone who's rigid and doesn't like being told what to do.

· A final stroke straight across: The writer is cautious.

· An end mark that curves up: Reveals generosity.

· Perfect penmanship: The hallmark of a communicative person.

· An indecipherable scrawl: Indicates a person who's secretive, closed-up and likes to keep his thoughts to himself.

FLIRTING TIPS

2008-01-15T04:37:00.000-08:00

Frankly speaking flirting is an art and you need special skills to master it. You do not have to be some beauty queen or a celebrity to make guys fall for you and go gaga over you. All you need is your gorgeous smile and few guaranteed flirting tips like the ones you'll find below to attract the opposite sex.

Rule 1 # Eyes have it all:

Lock eyes with the person you're flirting with for a full five to six seconds, then smile and drop your gaze. Please don't stare at him and make him feel embarrassed. Just give him a soft smoldering look and look away. Do this at least three times in a ten to fifteen-minute period. This way you will make him know that you are interested and approachable.

Rule 2 # Smile:

Smiling is absolutely the most effective tool in your flirting toolbox. Psychology and body language experts agree that one of the most important things you can do to make yourself more attractive (and approachable) is to smile.

Rule 3 # Expose your neck:

One of the most winning flirting techniques a woman can use is the exposure of her neck. This can be done with a head tilt to one side, the classic hair flip or the over-the-shoulder glance. According to body language experts this asymmetrical position attracts attention, exposes your neck, and makes a woman very attractive and sexy. The over-the-shoulder move also sends a signal to your target that he is worth a second look.

Rule 4 # Lip Service:

Both men and women are subconsciously attracted to red, moist lips because they signal youth, sex and fertility. Always wear a red lipstick which not only gives your lips that youthful colour, but also makes your smile more visible and your teeth whiter. A super-shiny lip gloss can also give you an advantage, making your lips look moist and kissable.

Rule 5 # Focus, Focus, Focus:

Once you and your flirting target have started talking, use these tips to deepen the attraction. First, smile and maintain eye contact as you are speaking, and focus all of your attention on what he is saying. If you aren't listening then that shows that you are not interested. Smiling and laughing are crucial here - it's the quickest, easiest way to put another person at ease and make a connection. Finally, another effective flirting technique is low-level touching such as brushing the shoulder or elbow.

"We forget that forgiveness is greater than revenge. People make mistakes. We are allowed to make mistakes. But the actions we take while in a rage will haunt us forever.

Pause and ponder. Think before you act. Be patient. Forgive & forget. Love one and all.

If you judge people, you have no time to love them". -- Mother Teresa

TOP 5 SIGNS OF BREAKUP

2008-01-15T04:35:00.000-08:00

One day, you are madly in love. You're cuddling on the couch, reading love poems and feeding each other sushi. And that's when it happens: Your partner sits you down for the "It's-Not-You, It's-Me" talk. You're confused and left wondering, "How could I have missed the signs?"

Breaking up is never easy. Your ego and heart are bound to get bruised. But if you could just see the breakup coming, it might make the whole business easier to stomach.

While hindsight is 20/20, there are always warning signals along the way.

Top five signs you're about to get dumped

1. Picking fights. No one is saying you have to get along 24/7. Constructive conflict can actually be good for your relationship. But if you find that your partner has become argumentative over petty issues like your clothes or choice of restaurant, that should serve as a warning sign that he/she may be looking for an excuse to bail.

2. Forgetting to call. Used to be that your phone would ring all day long with your sweetie wanting to make plans or calling just to say, "I love you." Now your significant other doesn't even call when he/she is running three hours late. It may seem obvious, but going from speed dial to a blocked number is a sure sign that your relationship may be nearing its expiration date.

3. Changing their stripes. A major change in appearance can be a sign that your partner is looking toward greener pastures. Whether they've chopped off their hair, lost 40 pounds or gone from a bold brunette to a sultry blonde, major cosmetic changes should be noted. Of course, there's nothing wrong with being a little vain, but if the change is accompanied by any of the other signs listed here, you may need to get ready to go solo.

4. Criticizing. If your sweetie isn't feeling you anymore, don't be surprised if he/she becomes less tolerant of everything, from how you brush your teeth to how you tie your shoes. Constant criticism is a telltale sign that your days as a twosome are numbered.

5. Losing sexual interest. A healthy sex life can make or break a relationship. If you find that your partner is becoming more sexually aloof, you need to get to the root of the issue. While it's natural to have less sex as you settle into a comfortable groove together, waiting weeks or months to have sexual contact is a sign that something is amiss.

Now that you know the warning signs, don't panic. Just because your partner exhibits some of these behaviors, that doesn't necessarily mean the relationship is over. In fact, it's usually a combination of signs and not one isolated incident that foreshadows a breakup.

If you're worried that your partner is itching to get out, the most important thing you can do is sit down and discuss your issues in an honest and open manner. If you take these signs as your cue to improve communication, your relationship may just have a fighting chance.

SIGNATURES & PERSONALITY

2008-01-15T04:32:00.000-08:00

The various types of Signatures you come across & the attitude of a person are listed below:

# SINGLE UNDERLINE BELOW THE SIGN!!
These persons are very confident and are good personalities. They are a little bit selfish but believe in "Happiness of human life"

# TWO DOTS BELOW THE SIGN!!
These persons are considered to be Romantic, can easily change their fiancées as if they change their clothes. They prefer beauty in other persons & they themselves try to look beautiful. They easily attract others.

# SINGLE DOT BELOW THE SIGN!
These persons are more inclined towards classical arts, simple & are very cool. If you loose faith with them, then these persons will never look back at you. Hence its always better to be careful with these people.

# NO UNDERLINES OR DOTS BELOW THE SIGN!!
These persons enjoy their life in their own way, never pay attention to others views. These are considered to be good natured but are selfish too.

# RANDOM SIGN, NO SIMILARITY BETWEEN NAME & SIGN!!
These persons try to be very smart, hide each & every matter, never say anything in straight forward manner, never pay attention to the other person of what he is talking of.

# RANDOM SIGN, SIMILARITY BETWEEN NAME & SIGN!!
These persons are considered to be intelligent but never think. These people change their ideas & views as fast as the wind changes its direction of flow. They never think whether that particular thing is right or wrong.
You can win them just by flattering them.

# SIGN IN PRINTED LETTERS!!
These persons are very kind to us, have a good heart, selfless, are ready to sacrifice their life for the sake of their near & dear. But these seem to think a lot and may get angry very soon.

# WRITING COMPLETE NAME AS THEIR SIGN!!
These persons are very kind hearted, can adjust themselves to any environment & to the person they are talking. These persons are very firm on their views & posses a lot of will power.

FUNNY PIC

2008-01-10T10:13:00.000-08:00

STARING DOGS

OSTRICH IN TRAFFIC

HOT DOG

LAUGHING CAT

D.O.B REVEALS YOUR IDENTITY

2008-01-10T10:02:00.000-08:00

If U were born on the 1st, 10th, 19th, 28th of any month U r number 1...
If U were born on the 2nd, 11th, 20th, 29th of any month then U r number 2...
If U were born on the 3rd, 12th, 21st, 30th of any month then U r number 3...
If U were born on the 4th, 13th, 22nd, 31st of any month then U r number 4...
If U were born on the 5th, 14th, 23rd of any month then U r number 5...
If U were born on the 6th,15th,24th of any month then U r number 6...
If U were born on the 7th,16th,25th of any month then U r number 7...
If U were born on the 8th,17th,26th of any month then U r number 8...
If U were born on the 9th,18th,27th of any month then U r number 9...

Number 1

You are smart, straight talking, funny, stubborn, hardworking, honest, jealous on competing basis, kind hearted, angry, friendly, authorities, famous person...always want to be and regarded as first on people position, they are often like to be independent, will never be under others, self confident people!

You are most likely to fall in love in the younger age, but will get marry when you mature! You are likely to have problems with people who have opposite views and you are most likely to take revenge over your enemies in a long time basis. You are a spender, but you will have a good profession in the future. If you are guy you will be very popular that everybody will have mental attraction and respect at you. You can go anywhere from the local shop to the heart of the parliament because you are positive and well talented in numerous issues!! But in your life you will always have some people who will work hard to bring you & your name down. This is undercover!! Coz of your smart behavior you will be hated by some people too... Your family life is very cool, you will have a very nice partner & wonderful children... You are pioneer, independent & original...

Your best match is 4,6,8 good match is 3,5,7 !!!

Number 2

No matter what, you will be loved by every one coz your ruler is the Moon and every one loves the Moon. Well.. you are a person who day dream a lot, you have very low-self confidence, you need back up for every move in your life, you are very much unpredictable. Means you do change according to time and circumstances, kind a selfish, have a very strong sense of musical, artistic talent, verbal communication. Your attitudes are like the Moon, comes to gloom and fade away so everybody can expect changes in you. You can be a next Mahatma Gandhi who does peace love or you can be a Hitler who wants to destroy the man kind and peace (I mean in the community and your own home).

If you really have a deep thought about your own believe in God you can feel the difference which will make you stronger! Most of the time your words are a kind of would be happening true! So without any knowledge you can predict the situation.. You will become poets, writers, any artistic business people!

You are not strong in love, so you will be there and here till you get marry.. If U r a girl you will be a responsible woman in the whole family. If U r a man you will involve in fights & arguments in the family or vice-versa. Means you will sacrifice your life for the goodness sake of your family...You are gentle , intuitive with a broad vision, a power behind the scenes, well balanced People!!!

Your best match is 2 ,5 ,9 no other people can put up with you !!!

Number 3

You are a person of hard hearted, selfish most of the times, religious, loves to climb up in your life. You always tend to have lots of problems within your family in the early stages but you will put up with everything.. You have the strong word power, pretty happy face.. so wherever you go always you have got what you wanted!!! And from the birth always wanted to work hard in order to achieve something.. You will not get anything without hard work! When you reach a man/ woman age you want other younger once to listen to you because you want younger people to respect people older than them. You do set so many examples to others. Generally you are not a cool person. It's not easy thing dealing with you. A tough player you are! But once you like someone's attitud! e then here you go, what can I say? It will be a lasting friendship. You always have respect from others. Your life seems to have lots of worries and problems but sure they won't be long.. You will always have brilliant kids!!! You love the money a bit too much so temptation will push you to endless trying and trying.. If you are a guy then it's over. Looking after your family and help friends, so you will spend a life time just being generous and kind (except 21st born men). And number 3s you will be such an example of how to be in the culture & life!!! If you are girl then you have good character and culture & hardworking attitude. You always follow. You are a freedom lover, creative, ambition focused, a person who brings beauty , hope & joy to this world!!!

Your best match 6 ,9. Good match 1 ,3 ,5 !!!

Number 4

You are very stubborn too, very hard working but unlucky in important matters in life, very cool, helpful, you have rough word power. Might put lots of people away from you, you may cause nuisance to others if you are a man, and you often understands others and their problems well. If you are a girl you are very good with studies and arts. If you are a guy you spend most of the time after girl friends (almost) at times, you will have sort of too much fun life with mates & girls. Your friends will spend your time & money and get away with their life and you will become empty handed and don't know what to do.. So be careful!! You love to spend anyway!!! Your good will is you are always there to help family and friends. Tell you what you people are little gem! s, specially the girls.. You always fall in love in younger age as well. You often live with disappointments, for an example you have got a degree in some thing.. but you will be unemployed.. or will do very ordinary jobs. But you will take care of your family very well...All you need to be careful of people who will take advantage of your kind heart. And beware of your relations too.. You are radical, patient, persistent, a bit old-fashioned, you live with foundation & order...

Your best Match 1, 8. Good match 5 ,6 , 7 !!!

Number 5

You are very popular within the community, you can get things done by just chatting..to even enemies! You have a pretty good business mind, you are often have no-idea what is today is like, or tomorrow is like, you are a person who does anything when your head thinks "lets do this". You will be famous if you open up a business, get involve in share dealings, music etc.. Very popular with sense of humor ,you are the one your friends and families will always ask for help, and you are the one actually get money on credit and help your friends. You will have more than 1 relationship, but when u get settle down you will be a bit selfish anyway. Coz your other half will have a pretty good amount of control in you, be careful! You tend to go for other relationships! Contacts even you are married at times 'coz your popularity.. You are someone who get along with anyone coz the number 5 is the middle number.. Changes & freedom lovers you are! You are an explorer with magic on your face. You learn your life through experience and it's your best teacher!!!

Your best match 1 ,2 ,9. Good match 6 ,8 !!!

Number 6

Ooopppss..you are born to enjoy.. You don't care about others. I mean you are always want to enjoy your life time, you are a person.. You will be very good in either education or work wise or business management! You are talented, kind (but with only people who you think are nice), very beautiful girls and guys, popular and more than lucky with anything in your lives. All the goodness does come with you. Your mind and body is just made perfect for love. You are lovable by any other numbers. But if you are a number 6 man, you will experience kind of looks from most girls and will involve in more than few relationships until you get married. If you are girl, most of you will get marry/engaged early. You are ! a caring person towards your family & friends . If you miss the half-way mark then you are about to suffer physically and mentally. Generally you will lead a very good inner-home happiness with nothing short of. You are a person of compassion, comfort & fairness, domestic responsibility, good judgment, and after all you can heal this world wounds to make peace for every life coz you have the great power of caring talent to make this world of love one step further...

Your best match 1, 6, 9. Good match 4, 5!!!

Number 7

You have got the attraction to anyone out there, you are realistic, very confident, happy, such a talented individual with your education, music, arts, singing, and most importantly acting too. You have real problems with bad temper! If you are a girl, you are popular with the subjects listed above. You give up things for your parents. I mean you value your family status a lot, you will be in the top rank when you reach a certain age. If you are a guy you are popular with girls, you are a very talented too. Most of the number 7s face lots of problems with their marriage life. Only a very few are happy. You have everything in your life, but still always number 7s have some sort of unfullfilness, such worries all their lifetime. It's probably the Lord given you al! l sort of over the standard humans talents and you are about to suffer in family life. So you need to get ready looking for a partner rather than waiting. If you don't, then you might end-up single. So take care with this issue, ok? You are wonderful, friendly, artistic, happy person. You are born to contribute lots to this world!!!

Your best match is 2. Good matches are 1,4 !!!

Number 8

You are a very strong personality, there's no one out there will understand you. You are very good at pointing your finger at some thing and say "this is what". You are more likely to suffer from the early ages. I mean poverty. If your times are not good you might lose either of your parent and end up looking after your entire family. You often suffer all the way in life. The problems will not allow you to study further, but you will learn the life in a very practical way. You are the one who will fight for justice and may die in the war too. You are normally very reserved with handful of friends and most of the time live life lonely and always prepared to help others. Well. once you get married (which is often late) then your bad lucks will go away a bit and you! u become safe. You will face un-expected problems such as : the error, government, poisonous animals, accidents. You are some one with great discipline, persistence, courage, strength which will take you to success. You are a great part of a family team. You are a fighter!

Your Best match 1 ,4, 8. Good match 5 !!!

Number 9

Hey..you guys are the incompatibles people in the world. You are so strong, physically and mentally. You are often have big-aims. You will work hard and hard to get there. Normally you suffer in the early age from family problems and generally you will have fighting life. But when you achieve what you have done, it's always a big task you have done! You are so much respected in the community, you are a person who can make a challenge and successfully finish the matter off. You are very naughty in your younger age, often beaten up by your parents and involve in fights and you seemed to have lots of injuries in your life time. But when u grow you become calm and macho type. Love is not an easy matter for you. You are good in engineering or banking jobs coz people always trust you. Your family life is very good, but will have worries over your children. Your such qualities are humanitarian, patient, very wise & compassionate. You are born to achieve targets and serve every one all equally without any prejudice. You are totally a role model to anybody in the world for a great inspiration.

Your Best match 3, 5, 6, 9. Good match 2

DID YOU KNOW?

2008-01-10T00:19:00.001-08:00

The Industrial Revolution in Europe first saw the beginning of air pollution, which gradually became a major global problem.

The major air-polluting industries are iron, steel and, cement.

Of the 35-40 million tonnes of flyash generated annually by thermal power plants in India, only 2-3 percent is productively utilized.

The worst industrial disaster in India, occurred in 1984 in Bhopal the capital of Madhya Pradesh. A deadly chemical, methly isocyanate leaked out of the Union Carbide factory killing more than 2500 and leaving thousands sick. In fact the effects of this gas tragedy is being felt even today.

Every year some 50million cars are added to the world’s roads. Car making is now the largest manufacturing industry in the world.

In India the number of motorized vehicles have increased from 0.2 million in 1947 to 36.3 million in 1997.

The number of registered vehicles in Delhi is more than the sum total of registered vehicles in Mumbai, Calcutta, and Chennai.

Major contributor to Delhi's air pollution are vehicles.

Nearly three-fourths of India's population, which is rural, bears 84% of the burden of exposure to air pollution.

Growing population, poverty, and inadequate access to clean fuels in rural areas have perpetuated the use of biomass, thereby condemning more than 90% of rural households and more than 35% of urban hoseholds to high levels of indoor air pollution.
One of the most important measure to counter pollution is planting trees. With neem and peepal being the largest emitters of oxygen, planting them in the gardens purifies the surrounding air and helps in maintaining hygienic conditions. While champa, mogra and chameli have better chances of surviving pollution in summer, bulbous varieties do better in winter.

INTERESTING FACTS

2008-01-10T00:08:00.000-08:00

Did You know - The opposite sides of a dice cube always add up to seven!

A cat can run about 20 kilometers per hour (12 miles per hour) when it grows up. This one is going nowhere today - it is too lazy !.

A cheetah can run 76 kilometres per hour (46 miles per hour) - that's really fast! The fastest human beings runs only about 30 kilometres per hour (18 miles per hour).
a cheetah does not roar like a lion - it purrs like a cat (meow).

A Zipper joins two pieces of material together.A zipper is used everywhere, on clothing, pencil cases, boots and suitcases, wallets, and a zillion other things. Everyone thinks it was Whitcomb Judson who invented the zipper but it was really Elias Howe. Elias was so busy inventing the sewing machine that he didn't get around to selling his zipper invention which he called a "clothing closure".

Did you know Sailor, Dead Leaf, Paper Kite, Blue Striped Crow, Julia and Great Egg Fly are all names of BUTTERFLIES

The original name for the butterfly was 'flutterby'!

Bears whose brown fur is tipped with lighter-colored hairs are called grizzly bears . The smallest species of bears is called sun or Malayan bears. Male bears are called boars. Bears are native to the continents of North America, Asia, Europe, and South America. Alaskan brown bears, world's largest meat-eating animals that live on land, can weigh as much as 1,700 pounds (771 kilograms)

The largest frog in the world is called Goliath frog. Frogs start their lives as 'eggs' often laid in or near fresh water. Frogs live on all continents except Antarctica. Frogs belong to a group of animals called amphibians.

No two zebras have stripes that are exactly alike. Zebras enemies include hyenas, wild dogs, and lions. Male zebras are called stallions. Zebras usually travel in herds.

There are more than 50 different kinds of kangaroos. Kangaroos are native of Australia. A group of kangaroos is called a mob. Young kangaroos are called joeys.

How do reindeers survive in the extreme cold? Most animals don’t eat moss. It’s hard to digest, and it has little nutritional value. But reindeer fill up with lots of moss. Why? The moss contains a special chemical that helps reindeer keep their body fluids warm. When the reindeer make their yearly journey across the icy Arctic region, the chemical keeps them from freezing—much as antifreeze keeps a car from freezing up in winter

Some scientists believe that the earth began billions of years ago as a huge ball of swirling dust and gases. If you dig in your backyard, don’t worry about running into the earth’s core. You’d have to dig a hole 4,000 miles (6,437 kilometers) deep!

Lightning strikes about 6,000 times per minute on this planet!

-A chameleon's tongue is twice the length of its body.

-A chimpanzee can learn to recognize itself in a mirror, but monkeys can't.

-A rat can last longer without water than a camel can.

-About 10% of the world's population is left-handed.

-A typical bed usually houses over 6 billion dust mites.

-A person afflicted with hexadectylism has six fingers or six toes on one or both hands and feet

-A woodpecker can peck twenty times a second.

-A zebra is white with black stripes.

- Porpoises and dolphins communicate with each other by squeaking, growling, moaning, and whistling. Porpoises and dolphins are mammals. There are about 40 species or kinds of porpoises and dolphins. Most porpoises and dolphins navigate by using "echolocation". The largest member of the dolphin family is called an orca or killer whale.

- The hippopotamus gives birth under water and nurses its young in the river as well, though the young hippos do come up periodically for air.

-A cow gives nearly 200,000 glasses of milk in her lifetime

The world's largest mammal, the blue whale, weighs 50 tons at birth. Fully grown, it weighs as much as 150 tons.

The world's largest rodent is the Capybara. An Amazon water hog that looks like a guinea pig, it can weigh more than 100 pounds.

The world's smallest mammal is the bumblebee bat of Thailand, weighing less than a penny.

-- How the wind blows. As the sun warms the earth’s surface, the atmosphere warms too. Some parts of the earth receive direct rays from the sun all year and are always warm. Other places receive indirect rays, so the climate is colder. Warm air, which weighs less than cool air, rises. Then cool air moves in and replaces the rising warm air. This movement of air is what makes the wind blow.

- Dolphins sleep with one eye open!

--Why do we might feel warmer wearing a dark-colored jacket than a light-colored one? . Dark colors absorb light energy. Light colors and white reflect light energy. When light shines on your dark jacket, the jacket fabric absorbs light energy. The absorbed light energy causes electrons in the atoms of the jacket to vibrate. This activity releases heat energy, which makes the jacket—and you—warmer. That's why we like to wear more dark colors in winter and more light colors in summer.

-While sleeping, one man in eight snores, and one in ten grinds his teeth.

-At 188 decibels, the whistle of the blue whale is the loudest sound produced by any animal.

--A flute made of bone is the oldest playable musical instrument in the world. It’s a flute carved from a bird’s wing bone more than 9,000 years ago. The flute was discovered with other flutes at an ancient burial site in China.

- The fastest dog, the greyhound, can reach speeds of upto 41.7 miles per hour. The breed was known to exist in ancient Egypt 6,000 years ago

-- Glue dates back to prehistoric times. Artists once mixed colorings with raw eggs, dried blood, and plant juices to make sticky paints for cave murals. Later, ancient Egyptians and other people learned to make stronger glues by boiling animal bones and hides. Today companies make glues using synthetic substances.

-A cat sees about six times better than a human at night because of the tapetum lucidum , a layer of extra reflecting cells which absorb light.

-A cat uses whiskers to determine if a space is too small to squeeze through. The whiskers act as antennae, helping the animal to judge the precise width of any passage.

-A cat will clean itself with paw and tongue after a dangerous experience or when it has fought with another cat. This is an attempt by the animal to soothe its nerves by doing something natural and instinctive.

-The grizzly bear can run as fast as the average horse!!

- The female lion does more than 90% of the hunting while the male simply prefers to rest. !!

- A jellyfish is 95 percent water!

- At birth, a panda is smaller than a mouse and weighs about four ounces.

-Fingernails grow nearly 4 times faster than toenails!

-You blink over 10,000,000 times a year!

- Of all the words in the English language, the word ' set ' has the most definitions!

- The sun is 330,330 times larger than the earth!-

- Dogs and cats, like humans, are either right or left handed... or is that paws?!

- A giraffe can clean its ears with its 21-inch tongue!

- A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out.

-A cat's jaws cannot move sideways.

-More people are killed annually by donkeys than die in air crashes.

- "Go." is the shortest complete sentence in the English language

The vocabulary of the average person consists of 5,000 to 6,000 words.

- No word in the English language rhymes with "month".

- An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.

-An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.

The average person laughs about 15 times a day.

The average person walks the equivalent of twice around the world in a lifetime.

- All polar bears are left handed.

-Ants don't sleep.

The word "racecar", "kayak", and "radar" are the same
whether they are read left to right or right to left.

"a man a plan a canal panama"

spelled backwards is still
"a man a plan a canal panama"

KIM KARDASHIAN

2008-01-09T23:44:00.000-08:00

NICOLE KIDMAN

2008-01-09T23:32:00.000-08:00

Name : Nicole Kidman

Date Of Birth : June 20,1967

Place of Birth : Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

Sign : Gemini

Education : High school dropout

Occupation : Actress

Ex-Husband : Tom Cruise

Kids : Connor, Isabella

Father : Antony (biochemist)

Mother : Janelle (nursing instructor)

Nicole Kidman is amongst one of the most beautiful and stunning actress of the Hollywood industry. This Tall, striking, redheaded Australian actress already had a career of some substance when she gained notoriety in the US as the second wife of superstar Tom Cruise.

Nicole Kidman was born on June 20,1967 in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. Her father Antony is a biochemist and mother Janelle is a nursing instructor.

An actress who was relegated to playing decorative parts for years and was known primarily for her real-life role as the wife of Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman spent the latter half of the 1990s finally earning the critical respect she deserved. Standing a willowy 5'11'' and sporting one of Hollywood's most distinctive heads of red hair, the Australian actress first came to the attention of a wide American audience with her role opposite Cruise in Days of Thunder (1990), but it was not until she starred as a homicidal weather girl in Gus Van Sant's 1995 To Die For that she began to be regarded as a performer of considerable range and talent.Raised in the upper-middle-class Sydney suburb of Longueville, she grew up with a love of the arts, particularly dance and theatre. Trained in ballet from the age of three, Kidman made her acting debut in a nativity play when she was six. By the age of ten, she was studying acting in drama school, and she went on to train at the St. Martin's Youth Theatre in Melbourne and at Sydney's Phillip Street Theatre. An awkward, gawky teenager who was teased relentlessly because of her height, Kidman took refuge in the theatre, and she landed her first professional role at the age of 14, when she starred in Bush Christmas (1983), a TV movie about a group of kids who band together with an Aborigine to find their stolen horse. This was followed by a role in another adventure film, BMX Bandits (1983), and a number of TV movies.

Kidman's first breakthrough came when she was asked to star in Vietnam, a miniseries directed by John Duigan; the actress won positive notices for her portrayal of an awkward 1960s schoolgirl who matures into an idealistic 24-year-old Vietnam war protester. She also won an American agent, something that opened quite a few doors of opportunity. In 1989, Kidman got another major break when she was tapped to star in Phillip Noyce's Dead Calm. A psychological thriller about a couple (Kidman and Sam Neill) who are terrorized by a young man they rescue from a sinking ship (Billy Zane), the film helped to establish the then-19-year-old Kidman as an actress of considerable mettle. That same year her reputation was further boosted by her starring performance in the made-for-TV Bangkok Hilton, which cast her as a young woman incarcerated in a Thai prison on false drug smuggling charges. By now a rising star in Australia, Kidman began earning recognition across the Pacific. In 1989, she was picked by Tom Cruise for a starring role in her first American feature, Tony Scott's Days of Thunder (1990). The film, a testosterone-saturated drama about a racecar driver (Cruise), cast Kidman as the neurologist who falls in love with him. A sizable hit, it had the added advantage of introducing Kidman to Cruise, whom she married in December of 1990. Following a role as Dustin Hoffman's moll in Billy Bathgate (1991), and a supporting turn as a snotty boarding school senior in Flirting (also 1991), John Duigan's wonderful and criminally little-seen coming-of-age drama, Kidman collaborated with Cruise on their second film together, Far and Away (1992). Despite their onscreen pairing and some gorgeous cinematography, the film got only a lukewarm reception, and Kidman's subsequent projects, My Life and Malice ( both 1993), were similarly disappointing. Batman Forever (1995), in which she played the hero's love interest, fared somewhat better, but it did little in the way of establishing Kidman as a serious actress.

1993 witnessed some professional and personal advances for Kidman. She starred in two high-profile features: Malice, playing a classic femme fatale opposite an equally smarmy Alec Baldwin, and My Life, a high-minded tearjerker with Michael Keaton.

1995 was a banner year for Kidman. She played the female lead opposite Val Kilmer in the high-profile sequel Batman Forever and starred in To Die For, a much smaller-scale Gus Van Sant-directed comedy thriller that created a sensation at Cannes. In the former, one of that summer's most anticipated movies, Kidman played a glamorous criminal psychologist with the hots for the Caped Crusader and Bruce Wayne. In the latter, she shone opposite Matt Dillon as a TV weathercaster with murderous designs on her husband.

Summer 1995 also marked the beginning of lensing on Jane Campion's Portrait of a Lady opposite John Malkovich. These three very cannily chosen projects decisively proclaimed that she was no longer just Mrs. Tom Cruise.

ENRIQUE IGLESIAS

2008-01-09T23:28:00.000-08:00

Name : Enrique Iglesias

Birth Name : Enrique Miguel Iglesias Preysler

Nick Names : Quique, E, Kike , EI, Super Nova

Date of Birth : 8 May, 1975

Place of Birth : Madrid, Spain

Height : 6' 3

Education : Miami University (dropped out)

Nationality : Spanish

Profession : song writer, actor, musician

Claim to Fame : Bailamos featured in the film Wild Wild West 1999

Enrique Iglesias was born on May 8, 1975 in Madrid, Spain to Julio and Isabel. He definitely followed the footsteps of his father to be a star and to achieve the sucess he has tasted till date but he never took the advantage of the incredible privilege in which he was born in, rather it was his own hard work with which he tasted stardom.

During his childhood his father was mostly away from home busy with his own music career. His mother also was distant as well, being a Madrid journalist. Enrique counted on the guidance of his nanny, Elvira Olivares, during his childhood in Miami. He moved from Spain to Miami when he was only 7, mostly because of terrorism threats in his home country, where his grandfather had been kidnapped just prior.

He performed in stage production of Hello, Dolly! and began writing songs while still a teenager, signing to the Fonovisa label. Enrique was quick out of the box. His success was immediate. His self-titled debut album, containing many of these early Enrique compositions, won a Grammy in 1997. His first album was a huge success and to date has sold over 6 million copies and his second album, Vivir, has also sold multi-millions. Enrique's talent stretches across several languages, having recorded in Italian, Portugese, English, and his native Spanish.

ASHLEY SIMPSON

2008-01-09T23:25:00.000-08:00

Name : Ashlee Simpson

Date of birth : October 3rd, 1984

Place of birth : Dallas, Texas, USA

Birth name : Ashlee Nicole Simpson

Height : 5' 7

Education : School of American Ballet

Nationality : American

Profession : actress

Siblings : Sister of pop singer Jessica Simpson

Ashlee Nicole Simpson was born on October 3, 1984, in Waco, Texas, and raised in Dallas. She was born to Joe and Tina Simpson. Aslee was a born star. Her interests in dancing and acting were evident right from the very early age. She atrted dancing at the tender age of 4. By the time she was 11 years old she was admitted to the prestigious School of American Ballet and became the youngest person in that school's history.

She was quite sincere in her lessons and by the time she was 14 years of old she has learnt her job by heart and was dancing very professionally. not only this she became a part of her sisters musical shows. She got a start to her career in the year 2001 when she she gave her first solo television appearance in a small role on Malcolm in the Middle. All the while she appeared alongside her more famous sibling on Saved by the Bell, The Donny & Marie Show, The Rosie O'Donnell Show, The View, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and a Disney Christmas show and concert special. Ashlee also took a part in the Rob Schneider comedy, The Hot Chick (2002).

The role that got her the fame that she really wanted was as Cecilia Smith, girlfriend of Simon Camden on the popular WB drama 7th Heaven. While doing this role Ashlee took lessons from renowned acting coach Janet Alhanti. Not only this she also concentrated in taking a big leap towards becoming a singer as well, and in between breaks in her shooting schedule she recorded songs such as "Just Let Me Cry" for the Freaky Friday soundtrack.

In late 2003, Ashlee signed a recording contract with Geffen Records to make her first album. At the same time, her father Joe asked Ashlee if she too wanted to have a show built around her. Ashlee declined at first, but agreed when Joe Simpson suggested it be about the making of Ashlee's upcoming album.

The Ashlee Simpson Show premiered on June 16, 2004, on MTV, and the album, Autobiography, will see its release on July 20, after the show finishes its run. The debut single, "Pieces of Me," is already enjoying heavy radio play.

Although her sister Jessica Simpson is also a great singer but there is a difference in the singing style and likings of both the sisters.

ALI LANDRY

2008-01-09T23:17:00.000-08:00

Name : Ali Landry

Real Name : Demetria Guynes

Date of Birth : November 11, 1962

Place of Birth : Roswell, New Mexico, USA

Sign : Sun in Scorpio, Moon in Taurus

Height : 5'5''

Education : High school dropout

Husband : Bruce Willis(Ex), Freddy Moore(Ex)

Occupation : Actress, Producer

Companion : Oliver Whitcomb

Ali Landry is one of the most accomplished and successful actress and model from Hollywood. She was born on July 21, 1973, in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. Ali Landry was determined to set her foot in the celebrity world. She first started her career as a child actor in the TV series "The Bold and the Beautiful". Ali has many other credits in her bag. She entered the Miss USa paegent and was crowned as Miss USa. She was also named by People Magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful people in 1998, and named by FHM magazine on their list of the 100 Sexiest Women in the World for 2000.

Ali attended Cecilia High School. Ali continued her education at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, which now is the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She majored in Mass Communications. Ali Landry is an actress best known as a spokesperson for Doritos, for whom she appeared in celebrated commercials aired during the 1998 and 1999 Super Bowl. In additon to a good actor and model she is also an avid athelete which is why she participated in the Boston marathon. She has also participated in the show Fear Factor, and was runner up.

Its just right to say that Ali Lansry is the true natural beauty. She is one of the most pleasant people in the world to be around, her constant smile is matched by an honest ready effort to make everyone she meets feel at ease with her. Ali lives in L.A. and dates Phoenix Cardinals quarterback Stoney Case.

ANGELINA JOLIE

2008-01-09T23:10:00.000-08:00

Name : Angelina Jolie

Full Name : Angelina Jolie Voight

Date Of Birth : 4 June 1975

Place Of Birth : Los Angeles, California

Sign : Gemini

Height : 5'7

Hair : Brown

Eyes : Blue

Father : Jon Voight

Mother : Marcheline Bertrand

Profession : Actress

Angelina Jolie was born on 4 June 1975 in Los Angeles, California. She was born to Jon Voight - the Academy Award-winning actor and former actress/model Marcheline Bertrand. However when she was just one year old herparents divorced. Angelina was originally called Angelina Jolie Voight at her birth but then she decided to use her midle name as her last name so that she earns success on her own and not because of his famous father. Angelina had always wanted to be a funeral director. But then she abondened her plans to get a name in the show business as a professional model and actress in music videos. 6-year-old Jolie worked as a professional model in London, New York and Los Angeles.

She went on to appear in five student films directed by her older brother, James Haven Voight, and as part of the Met Theater in Los Angeles honed her craft alongside such veteran players as Holly Hunter, Ed Harris and Amy Madigan. Musical groups and singers such as the Rolling Stones, Lemonheads, Meatloaf, and Lenny Kravitz would cast her in their music videos. In order to get more success in her field she decided to study at the Met Theatre group in L.A., whose alumni include Ed Harris and Holly Hunter.

Angelina did get a chance to prove herself with a supporting role in 1993's Cyborg 2, which didn't even make it to the big screen, and a lead role in Hackers (1995),. here she met her future husband and British actor Jonny Lee Miller. Though they went through a marriage ceremony but this union was not long lasting and within an year they filed for a divorce.

Meanwhile angelina concentrated more on her career and did numerous films. She received critical acclaim in Without Evidence (1995), where she portrayed a drug-addicted teen; Foxfire, a 1996 Joyce Carol Oates adaptation, for her portrayal of a rebellious teen known as "Legs"; as well as in 1996's Love Is All There Is, for her role as an Italian girl in love with the son of her family's rival. She then did a a supporting role in the box-office bomb Playing God, starring David Duchovny and Timothy Hutton.

What brought in the ultimate credit and recognition for Angelina was her roles int eh television. She was honored with a 1997 Best Supporting Actress Golden Globe Award and an Emmy nomination for her role as Cornelia Wallace in the TV movie George Wallace, co-starring Gary Sinise. But the best was only yet to come for Jolie.

She won her second Golden Globe for her role as model Gia Carangi in HBO's biopic Gia. Her intense role as the drug-addicted model who was diagnosed with AIDS was highly deserving of the Best Actress Golden Globe, Emmy nomination and critical acclaim it received.

Playing By Heart, with Sean Connery, Gillian Anderson and Ryan Phillippe on the big screen was really successful for her. She played Billy Bob Thornton's seductive wife in 1999's 'Pushing Tin' and starred opposite big leaguer Denzel Washington in the thriller 'The Bone Collector' later that same year. Something which brought Angelina to the top of the chart was her role in 'Girl, Interrupted' She recieved a Golden Globe and an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

Angelina has starred in a slew of films including Gone in Sixty Seconds (2000) with Nicolas Cage, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001), for which Angelina is proud to say she did her own stunts, Original Sin (2001) with Antonio Banderas, Life Or Something Like It (2002), Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003), and Beyond Borders (2003).

In 2004, Angelina was busy starring in Taking Lives, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, Shark Tale, and as Olympias in Oliver Stone's Alexander. Then she gave yet another hit of the year 'Mr. and Mrs. Smith ' Jolie kept making headlines not only woth her success in the Hollywood film industry but also because of some sensuos acts.

Firstly she made headlines when she eloped with her Pushing Tin co-star Billy Bob Thornton and then soon for filing a divorce. Secondly she once again made headlines when the rumors spread that she was having an affair with his co-star in Mr. and Mrs. Smith - Brad pitt.

AISHWARYA RAI

2008-01-09T23:01:00.000-08:00

Name : Aishwarya Rai

Born: 1st November 1973

Birthplace: Mangalore, Karnataka

Best Known As: Miss World

Occupation : Supermodel, Actress

Aishwarya Rai is the star of the millennium and the heart throb of millions. She is a star who just needs no recognition. her name itself speaks of fame and glory. This Indian damsel was born on 1st November 1973 Mangalore, Karnataka, India. Its just right to say that she is one who makes India proud. Aishwarya Rai initially wanted to be an architect but fame, had more glory and success in store for her. life for her changed when she was crowned as the most beautiful lady on the planet and given the Miss World title.

Aishwarya did her schooling at Arya Vidya Mandir, Santacruz. Academically, she did very well and earned her position as the head girl of her school. Ash chose the science stream while at DG Ruparel College, her favorite subject being Zoology. Aishwarya wanted to do medicine, but circumstances didn't let her. Instead she chose Architecture and passed the interview at Raheja College with flying colors. However the destiny changed the career paths for her and she went to South Africa for the Miss World contest. On her winning the crown she received an overwhelming reception on her return to India. Young and old people lined the streets to cheer her on her home-coming

Success followed one after another. Films poured in for the new Indian damsel. Although not very successful in the beginning but it did not take much for the beauty queen to become the reigning queen of the bollywood film industry. After the movies like "Jeans" and "Aur Pyar Ho gaya" bombed at the box office everyone begin to though that this beauty will play no magic on the silver screen but she proved everyone wrong. She gave one hit after another. the most notable being "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam" "Taal" and Devdas". Devdas became the first Hindi Commercial Film to be screened at Cannes Film festival. Incidentally she earned the distinction of being the first Indian Actress on the jury of the same festival.

In 2003 Aishwarya became the first Indian actor to be a member of the jury at the Cannes Film Festival. Ash is also the latest member of the elite L'Oreal Dream Team, joining beauties Catherine Deneuve & Andie MacDowell as their international ambassador. She graced the covers of India Today and the prestigious TIME Magazine. Ash was listed on Rolling Stone Magazine's annual "Hot List".

Aish not only became the Bollywood queen but also received international offers. Ash is set to star in "Chaos" opposite Meryl Streep for French Director Coline Serreau, "Singularity" opposite Brendan Fraser for director Roland Joffe and "I Know a Place" for Director/Writer Barton Randall and will end the year with "Mistress of Spices" once again with Director Gurinder Chadha.

On a personal note she is very kind at heart which is shown by the fact that she has pledged her eye to an Eye bank.

KATRINA KAIF

2008-01-09T22:55:00.000-08:00

Katrina Kaif is one amongst the most attractive Bollywood actress of the recent times. There are a few reasons which shot Katrina to overnight fame. the major amongst them were the rumors bout her affair with Salman Khan, her work in Boom. But the most important of them all is her unusual beauty.

Katrina Kaif steeped int he world of Bollywood with "Boom". the movie was not a success because of the major shortcomings. She also did 'Maine Pyaar Kyon Kiya' with Salman Khan and 'Sarkar' with Abhishek Bachchan.

Though she has not got very big hits till date yet the day is not far when she will emerge out as a successful actress. On a personal note she says that she finds herself comfortable in wearing not so revealing clothes. She is an introvert and does not entertain going to too many parties.

NEWZEALAND

2008-01-08T10:08:00.001-08:00

MORE COMPUTER WALLPAPERS

2008-01-08T10:00:00.001-08:00

COMPUTER WALLPAPERS

2008-01-08T09:35:00.000-08:00

MUNNABHAI JOKES 2

2008-01-08T02:13:00.000-08:00

PROFESSOR : Gandhi Jayanti ke baray mein kya jante ho?

MUNNA BHAI :Gandhi bahut zabardast aadmi tha, Baap. Maa Kasam, par apun ko yeh nehin maloom ke yeh Jayanti kaun hai.

CIRCUIT : Bhai, Bapu ne bola tha ke kabhi jhoot nehin bolna mangta hai. Apun aaj se kabhi jhoot nehin bolega Bhai.
MUNNA BHAI : Aye Circuit, woh Sabrina ka baap aya hai tere ko dund rehla hai.
CIRCUIT : Bhai usko bolo apun gaoon gayea hai, kheti karne ko.
MUNNA BHAI : Par Circuit, abhi to tu bola kabhi jhoot nehin bolega.
CIRCUIT :Bhai, apun jhoot nehin bolega, par tum to bol sakta hai na.

CIRCUIT :
Bhai, woh apnay bachpan ka dost aarehla hai aaj raat ko dinner pe. Mera sara chain collection apnay kamray mein chupa do na please.
MUNNABHAI :
Kyun tera dost chor hai kya?
CIRCUIT :
Nehin Bhai, woh apnay chain pechan lega.

--------------------

MUNNA BHAI :
Circuit, bole toh yeh Ford kya hai?
CIRCUIT :
Bhai, gaadi hai.
MUNNA BHAI :
Toh phir, yeh Oxford kya hai?
CIRCUIT :
Bole toh, simple hai bhai, Ox mane Bael, Ford mane gaadi. Oxford bole toh Baelgaadi.

-----------------------

CIRCUIT :
Oye Short Circuit yeh light bulb pe baap ka naam kya likh raha hai?
SHORT CIRCUIT :
Apun baap ka naam roshan kar rehle hai.

------------------

PRINCIPAL :
Agar koi ladka girls hostel mein gaya toh first time 100 Rs fine, 2nd time 200 Rs. Fine and 3rd time 500.
MUNNA BHAI :
Boley to Monthly paas ka kya lega Mamu

MUNNABHAI JOKES 1

2008-01-08T02:12:00.000-08:00

MUNNA BHAI
Mamu, tu kitna pada hai?
MAMU
B.A.
MUNNA BHAI
Sala, two akshar pada aur woh bhi ulta?

---------------------

Chand toh raat ko nikalta hai, aaj din mein kaise nikal aya?
GIRL
Ullu to raat ko bolta hai, aaj din mein kaise bol pada?

-----------------
MAMU
Bhai, apnay ko char mahinay mein Tamil sikhna padega. Kuch upay batao.
MUNNA BHAI
Kannada kyun, aur char mahinay ka kya chakkar hai?
MAMU
Meinay ek Tamil baccha adopt kiya hai, aur woh char mahinay mein bolne lagay ga.

PROFESSOR
Akal badi ki bhais?
MUNNA BHAI
Bole toh pehlay date of birth bata mamu.

-------------------
CIRCUIT
Aye Mamu, tereko papad aur jhapad mein pharak pata hai kya?
MAMU
Nehin.
CIRCUIT
To kha ke dekh le, pata chal jayega.

-------------------

MUNNA BHAI
Mamu, apun bachpan mein dus maley ke building se gir gaya tha.
MAMU
Aarey, phir kya hua. Bach gaya ki tapak gaya?
MUNNA BHAI
Yaad nehin hai yaar. Bahut purane baat hai.

--------------------
MAMU
Oye, maar gayay yaar. Meri biwi aur premika saath saath aa rehla hai.
MAMU KA DOST
Arrey, mein bhi yehi bolnewala tha.

MUNNABHAI JOKES

2008-01-08T02:10:00.000-08:00

Munna: Abay Circuit! Jaa baajo walay ghar say Doctor ko bula k laa, meri tabiat kharab ho reli hai.
Circuit: Aey Bhai ! aap to khud doctor ho.
Munna: Bolay to meri fees buhat zyada hai.

Munna: Bolay to Apun ko tera operation dobara karna paray ga. Kyun k apun kay rubber k gloves teray andar hi reh gaye hain.
Patient: Agar yeh baat hai to mujhay jaanay do. Mien tumharay gloves ki payment kar doon ga.

Munna: Bolay to darad kahan hai aapko.
Patient (F): Pooray badan mien hai
Munna: Yeh kaisay ho sakta hai ray, kuch detail batao.
Patient: Tocuhes her right knee and says here, then touches her earlobe and says here, then touches her left cheek and says here, etc.
Munna: Aesay hi khaali peeli tension de reli hai, teri finger mien dard hai.

Patient: Doctor aap ko yakeen hai k mujhay Namoonia (pneumonia) hai, kyun k pichlay dino aik doctor meri friend ka Namoonia ka ilaaj karta raha aur woh Typhoid say mar gayi.
Munna: Haan ray meray ko akha yaqeen hai, tu namoonia say hi maray ga.

Aik patient Munnabhai k paas aaya, Munna nay us ka chekup kiya aur bola
Munna: Tumharay pass ziyada waqt nahi hai
Patient: Meray pass kitna time hai.
Munna: Dus (10)
Patient: Kya Dus.... Minute..... Ghantay.......... Din......?
Munna: No (9), Aath (8), Saat (7),.......

Raat ka time jab Munna aur chinkie apnay bed room mien so rahay thay to phone ki ghanti baji.
Voice: Aray Doctor sahab jaldi aayeay! Meray betay nay blade kha liya hai
Munna abhi jaanay k liye tayyar hi hota k dobara phone aata hai.
Voice: Doctor Sahab! Ab aanay ki koi zaroorat nahi, meray husband ko shave k liye doosra blade mil gaya hai.

Aanand jab end mien bachon ko story sunata hai to bolta hai;
Aanand: "Munna nay kaha tha k woh mujhay aik month mien meray feet pay khara kar de ga"
Bachay: Phir?
Aanand: "Phir kya, mujhay us ka bill pay karnay k liye apni car bechna pari."

Munna: Apna munn kholo.....
Patient opens his mouth: Aaaaaaaaaaaaa..........
Munna throughs his torch light in his mouth: Hmmmmmmm..... Torch sahi hai.

Chinkie: Tum hamaisha clinic mien apnay saath meri photo bhi kyun le jaatay ho.
Munna: Apun ko jab bhi koi mushkil aati hai, apun tumhari pic dekh leta hoon aur woh prob. solve ho jaati hai.
Chinkie: Dekha! Mien tumharay liye kitni achi aur powerful hoon.
Munna: Haan! Apun teri pic dekhta hai aur apnay aap say bolta hai "Is say bari bhi koi problem ho sakti hai bhala."

Munna: Teray ko maaloom hai k cigarette aik tarah say slow poison ka kaam karta hai.
Patient: To mujhay konsa marnay ki jaldi hai.

SANTA BANTA ON DOUBLE DECKER BUS

2008-01-08T02:09:00.000-08:00

Santa Singh and Banta Singh landed up in Bombay. They managed to get into a double- decker bus. Santa Singh somehow managed to get a bottom seat, But unfortunate Banta got pushed to the top. After a while when the rush is over, Santa went upstairs to see friend Bannta Singh.

He met Banta in a bad condition clutching the seats in front with both hands, scared to death. He says, "Are Banta Singh!

What the heck's going' on? Why are you scared ? I was enjoying my ride down there ?" Scared Banta replies. "Yeah, but you've got a *driver.* "

SARDAR & THE ENGLISH MOVIE

2008-01-08T02:08:00.001-08:00

Once a sardar watches an english movie and disscusses about the film the next day with his friend

SARDAR: saala kal raat maine 3 ghannte ka ek english picture ki CD dekhi ,na koi scenes dikhe na koi awaaz sunni ,

FRIEND:picture ka naam kya tha?????

SARDAR:" NO DISC INSERTED"

SIDDHUISM ON PLAYERS

2008-01-08T02:06:00.000-08:00

Yuvraj Singh - The pied piper of Punjab!
Harbhajan - The sardar from Jalandhar !
On S.Ramesh's diving catch ; He flew like a bird and plucked it out of thin air.
Sourav Ganguly is "The Burden of Calamity"
Chris Harris ; He is a dibbly dobbly bowler.
My idea of a bird is 36-24-36.
Tendulkar:The genius of Tendulkar
Andrew Flintoff: The Butcher from England.
Agarkar:The so called great All rounder.

Nasir Hussain:The Meanest captain I've ever seen

Inzamam:He'll dump you in the middle of a river while taking a run.

Sir Geoffrey Boycott:He is racing with me,in my spanking new car, on his old bike which has lost its chain.(He ain't going any where).He started at the bottom and is still there.(On his 6 consecutive wins in super selector game.)

Indian Tail enders:Give them a long rope and they will hang themselves from it.

Great Indian Batting line up:The potential has not be be on the paper but on the grass in the middle.

Virender Sehwag:Today they say that he bats like Sachin but one day they will say he batted like Sehwag.

Reetinder Singh Sodhi:Young Ricky will fight a rattlesnake and give him the first two bites!

Muthiah Murlitharan:The wily FOX

Rahul Dravid:His straight Drive is as straight as a candle

Tendular(injured):A fallen light house is more dangerous then the reef.

Deep Dasgupta; is as confused as a child in a topless bar!

Deep Dasgupta is not a Wicket Keeper, he is a goal keeper. He must be given a free transfer to Manchester United.

Ganguly: called Dravid for a run and midway sent him back and Dravid was runout "Ganguly has thrown a drowning man both ends of the rope."

Eddie Nichols(The Umpire) is a man who cannot find his own buttocks with his two hands."

Tendulker shot played off his toes... "he played that like a dwarf at a urinal"...

On Harbhajan Singh brought back into The attack Gamblers they Are like Toilets BROKE one Day Flush The Next (

Prasad;He opened him like a can of beans.

When Atapattu ran Jayasuriya out;He has thrown him to the wolves.

Navjot Sidhu:(on meeting the ghost 'Lilley of Limlay Castle')I was dropping bricks in my pants !!!!!!!!

Ashish Nehra:(facing fast bowling) His legs are like an octupus jumping from a tree.

Kaluwitharna;He is like Indian three-wheeler which will suck a lot of diesel but cannot go beyond 30!

Dravid nicked Bond through the slips for 4 : That's Ok from Bond, in order to catch a trout you must be prepared to lose a fly.

Martin Crowe:Wickets are like wives - you never know which way they will turn!!!

Harbhajan's spiners are like introducing some atoms of pulvarised tobacco into nostrils of the batsmen who get out of sneezing.

ANIMAL SIDDHUISM

2008-01-08T02:05:00.000-08:00

On S.Ramesh's diving catch ; He flew like a bird and plucked it out of thin air.
Reetinder Singh Sodhi:Young Ricky will fight a rattlesnake and give him the first two bites!
Muthiah Murlitharan:The wily FOX
When Atapattu ran Jayasuriya out;He has thrown him to the wolves.
Ashish Nehra:(facing fast bowling) His legs are like an octupus jumping from a tree.
India look like a crippled cobra whose fangs are clipped.
The Indians are going to beat the Kiwis! Let me tell you, my friend, that the Kiwi is the only bird in the whole world which does not have wings!
As uncomfortable as a bum on a porcupine.
The ball whizzes past like a bumble bee and the Indians are in the sea.
There, there, that's a dead duck!
As innocent as freshly laid eggs.
All that comes from a cow is not milk.
Bengal without Tigers!
New Zealanders have their limits, The kiwis are the birds that cannot fly!
Right now he's looking like a Cheshire cat that's had loads of cream!
The pitch is as dead as a dodo.

SIDDHU ONE LINERS

2008-01-08T02:04:00.000-08:00

1. That ball went so high it could have got an air hostess down with it.
2. There is light at the end of the tunnel for India, but it's that of an incoming train which will run them over.
3. Experience is like a comb that life gives you when you are bald.
4. This quote was made after Ganguly called Dravid for a run and midway sent him back and Dravid was runout in the third test against the West Indies at Barbados."Ganguly has thrown a drowning man both ends of the rope."
5. Sri Lankan score is running like an Indian taxi meter.
6. Statistics are like miniskirts, they reveal more than what they hide.
7. Wickets are like wives - you never know which way they will turn!
8. He is like Indian three-wheeler which will suck a lot of diesel but cannot go beyond 30!
9. The Indians are going to beat the Kiwis! Let me tell you, my friend, that the Kiwi is the only bird in the whole world which does not have wings!
10. As uncomfortable as a bum on a porcupine.
11. The ball whizzes past like a bumble bee and the Indians are in the sea.
12. The Indians are finding the gaps like a pin in a haystack.
13. The pitch is as dead as a dodo.
14. Deep Dasgupta is as confused as a child is in a topless bar!
15. The way Indian wickets are falling reminds of the cycle stand at Rajendra Talkies in Patiala...one falls and everything else falls!
16. Indian team without Sachin is like giving a Kiss without a Squeeze.
17. You cannot make Omelets without breaking the eggs.
18. Deep Dasgupta is not a Wicket Keeper, he is a goal keeper. He must be given a free transfer to Manchester United.
19. He will fight a rattlesnake and give it the first two bites too.
20. One, who doesn't throw the dice, can never expect to score a six.
21. This was uttered after Eddie Nichols, the third umpire, ruled Shivnarine Chanderpaul 'NOT OUT' in the second test at Port of Spain, T&T. "Eddie Nichols is a man who cannot find his own buttocks with his two hands."
22. Anybody can pilot a ship when the sea is calm.
23. Nobody travels on the road to success without a puncture or two.
24. You got to choose between tightening your belt or losing your pants.
25. The cat with gloves catches no mice.
26. Age has been perfect fire extinguisher for flaming youth.
27. You may have a heart of gold, but so does a hard-boiled egg.
28. He is like a one-legged man in a bum kicking competition.
29. The third umpires should be changed as often as nappies and for the same reason

MORE SIDDHUISM

2008-01-08T02:03:00.000-08:00

Fattest pigs go to the butcher first.
You dont kill a man who is hell-bent on committing suicide
In the orchard of opportunity, you cant wait for the fruit to drop.
According to Navjot, Sourav Ganguly is The Burden of Calamity
Money is like manure. Its no good unless you spread it! (Talking about the distribution of money in the Indian cricket team)
They are so timid, they wouldnt say boo to a goose! (Talking about the tail of the Indian batting order)
Good intentions die unless utilized
Statistics are like bikinis… what they reveal is suggestive, what they hide is essential!
One comment he made that they picked up in the papers over here was regarding a shot Tendulker played off his toes... he played that like a dwarf at a urinal...
I lean on statistics like a drunken man leans on a lamppost, only for support, not illumination
When Dravid nicked Bond through the slips for 4 from a full half volley, Sidhu said....... thats Ok from Bond, in order to catch a trout you must be prepared to lose a fly
He has a backlift like an octopus falling out of a tree, all over the place!
There is always free cheese in a mousetrap
Come to my parlour said the spider to the fly
A dog kennel is no place to hide a sausage
You can never unscramble eggs
Call the bear uncle until you are safely across the bridge
Hes wallowing in foolishness like a rhino in an African pool.
Gamblers they Are like Toilets BROKE one Day Flush The Next (Navjot Sidhu Talks About The decision To Bring On Harbhajan Singh Into The attack During The 1st Test In Wellington New Zealand)

SIDDHUISM

2008-01-08T01:58:00.000-08:00

The way Indian wickets are falling reminds of the cycle stand at Rajendra Talkies in Patiala...one falls and everything else falls!
Statistics are like miniskirts, they reveal more than what they hide.
Wickets are like wives - you never know which way they will turn!
The third umpires should be changed as often as nappies and for the same reason
I lean on statistics like a drunken man leans on a lamppost, only for support, not illumination
The Only Thing You Get In Life Without Trying is dandruff
Nobody travels on the road to success without a puncture or two.
Age has been perfect fire extinguisher for flaming youth.
Sri Lankan score is running like an Indian taxi meter.
He is like Indian three-wheeler which will suck a lot of diesel but cannot go beyond 30!

SARDAR JOKES

2008-01-08T01:57:00.000-08:00

What do you call a sardar who has only one drink? Just-one Singh.

What do you call a sardar who drinks only beer? Just-beer Singh ('T' silent!).

How did the Sardar try to kill the bird? He threw it off a cliff.

Why can't Sardars make ice cubes? They always forget the recipe.

Why do Sardars work seven days a week? So you don't have to re-train them on Monday

BLONDE DRIVING

2008-01-08T01:55:00.000-08:00

A blonde was swerving all over the road and driving very badly, so she got pulled over by a cop.

The cop walked up to her window and asked, "Miss, why are you driving so recklessly?"

The blonde said, "I'm sorry sir, but wherever I go, there's always a tree in front of me and I can't seem to get away from it!"

The cop looked at her and said, "Lady, that's your air freshener!"

BLONDES ON A RAIL TRACK

2008-01-08T01:54:00.000-08:00

Three blondes were taking a walk in the country when they came upon a line of tracks. The first blonde said, "Those must be deer tracks!"

The second blonde said, "No, stupid, anyone can tell those are rabbit tracks!"

The third blondie said, "No, you idiots, those are horse tracks!"

They where still arguing ten minutes later when a train hit them.

BLONDE IN A BOAT

2008-01-08T01:49:00.000-08:00

There was a blonde driving down the road one day. She glanced to her right and noticed another blonde sitting in a nearby field, rowing a boat with no water in sight.

The blonde angrily pulled her car over and yelled at the rowing blonde, “What do you think you're doing? It's things like this that give us blondes a bad name. If I could swim, I'd come out there and kick your butt!”

COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS JOKE

2008-01-08T01:41:00.000-08:00

One day Bill complained to his friend that his elbow really hurt. His friend suggested that he go to a computer at the drug store that can diagnose anything quicker and cheaper than a doctor.

''Simply put in a sample of your urine and the computer will diagnose your problem and tell you what you can do about it. It only costs $10." Bill figured he had nothing to lose, so he filled a jar with a urine sample and went to the drug store. Finding the computer, he poured in the sample and deposited the $10. The computer started making some noise and various lights started flashing. After a brief pause out popped a small slip of paper on which was printed: "You have tennis elbow. Soak your arm in warm water. Avoid heavy lifting. It will be better in two weeks."

Later that evening while thinking how amazing this new technology was and how it would change medical science forever, he began to wonder if this machine could be fooled. He mixed together some tap water, a stool sample from his dog and urine samples from his wife and daughter. To top it off, he masturbated into the concoction. He went back to the drug store, located the machine, poured in the sample and deposited the $10. The computer again made the usual noise and printed out the following message:

"Your tap water is too hard. Get a water softener. Your dog has worms. Get him vitamins. Your daughter is using cocaine. Put her in a rehabilitation clinic. Your wife is pregnant with twin girls. They aren't yours. Get a lawyer. And if you don't stop jerking off, your tennis elbow will never get better."

MERCHANT NAVY

2008-01-07T10:29:00.000-08:00

So you want to join the merchant navy as an officer? You’ve heard all those stories about being paid to visit foreign countries, haven’t you? What about the girl in every port stories? And you must have been told about the exciting life we sailors lead, right? Are these stories true? Do you think you have it in you to sail the high seas? Well, I am here to tell you about the REAL merchant navy - some of the stories you’ve heard are true, some are not. I have been sailing for the past 23 years including 8 years as Captain so I am giving you an inside view.

Before we begin, let me first clarify something, the merchant navy isn’t the same as the Indian navy. Merchant ships carry cargo as the name suggests, we are not the fighting navy. The cargo could be containers, oil, passengers, animals, bulk ore etc.

So what is the big attraction of the merchant navy? Usually two things come to mind - money and foreign travel. There are other benefits like tax free income, quick promotions and an exciting life. But the money is the main temptation. You get fat pay checks and you don’t pay tax (if you stay out of the country for more than 6 months in a financial year). You start earning a big salary at a very young age. To give you an example, the starting salary for a 22 year old 3rd officer or 4th engineer (junior most officers on board ships) on an oil tanker is be more than 1500 $ per month (conservatively speaking). This amount depends on the type of ship and the company you join so don’t quote me! Officers normally work on a contract basis. Junior officers do 6 to 9 month contracts, while senior officers do 3 to 6 months on board. Remember that you get paid ONLY when you are on board. So technically, your salary is half of what you are said to get. Why do ship owners pay you so much? There has to be a catch, right? The catch is, you stay away from home for extended periods of time. In fact you spend most of your time at sea rather than on land. Sure you get to visit foreign countries but things have changed now. Its not as if you reach a port and everyone goes ashore.

Work continues with every officer / crew member working in shifts (watches as we call them). You are free to go ashore once you have completed your watch but don’t forget that you have to come back from your shore leave and work again. So, you either sleep or you go ashore. Work on a ship, never stops. As long as the ship is doing something - sailing, loading / discharging cargo, it’s making money for the ship owner. Port stays have gone down considerably so the ship is in port for a short time. Of course, this depends on the type of ship you are on. Container ships are in port for a few hours (YES few hours), oil tankers for 24 hrs, cargo ships and bulk carriers stay longer in port. Watches in port are usually on a 6 on 6 off basis, 6 hours on duty, 6 hours off duty, and then you are back to work. Hence you cannot go ashore in every port because you need to rest sometime. The ship owner is paying you to stay on board, not to go ashore! Its not all bad news, you do get to go ashore and do some shopping and maybe sight seeing. Ports are normally far away from civilization. Travelling to and fro takes up time and is not cheap.

With visa restrictions post 9/11, many countries will not let you stay back for a holiday after you complete your tenure on your ship. So now you know why the ship owner pays you so much. You are being paid for staying away from family and home, you are being paid for long stints at sea and hardly any chance to go ashore. By the way, the girl in every port stories you have heard is pure myth!!! You will not get time to meet girls and if you do meet girls then they will be the wrong kind. Some companies do allow officers (usually senior officers) to carry their family (wife / kids) with them.

No problem you say, I can handle everything, just as long as I get paid well. That’s just fine, as long as you are aware of what you are getting into. Expect to work with a multinational crew. Expect multinational cuisine. Expect cultural differences, your Captain could be from U.K. while the other officers / crew could be from Philippines, India, Croatia, Bangladesh or some other country. This variety means that you may not have much in common with them. You might have to spend time alone in your cabin. Can you handle being by yourself? Of course, it might be possible that you are lucky and you get along with everyone, in which case you will enjoy yourself soaking in the various cultures. Or you could be luckier and get to sail with a majority of your nationality. It all depends on the company you work for. During your leisure time you can watch movies, play indoor games (cards, carom etc), work out in the gym (most ships have one) or just relax in your cabin. Most companies allow officers to send emails home and receive them. Of course, there are restrictions on the number and size of emails after all, satellites are used for transmitting/receiving emails. You will get snail mail (conventional paper letters) when the ship touches port but usually not more than once a month.

Now we come to work. Each type of ship requires specialised crew. Each department on board a ship has different duties - the deck department looks after the navigation and loading / discharging of cargo while the engine department looks after maintenance of various machines. Life on board every ship is not the same. Some ships are old so you need to work harder to keep them running. Some ships are newer and are easier to work on. Oil tankers, gas carriers need special training and experience. Container ships and bulk carriers have similarly experienced crew. While at sea, officers generally do 4 on 8 off - 4 hours duty and 8 hours off. This does not mean that after you finish your 4 hours of duty, you can go to sleep. No, you might have to work on other things like maintenance of machinery/equipment. Normally officers and crew work 10 hour days. This is a general statement and is not a hard and fast rule. Work loads increase considerably, when ships are in port. Officers and crew are on watches throughout the day and night. There is no weekend for them - there is no such thing as a public holiday. If one officer falls sick, then the other officers on board share his duties until he is fit again. Normally ships do not carry doctors on board unless you are on a passenger ship. Ships carry medicines and all officers are trained for first aid / medical emergencies. Whenever ships touch port, medical treatment can be provided ashore.

Another aspect to think about is the weather. Ships do run into bad weather (read storms). Even the biggest ship is but a toy when up against the fury of the sea. Sea sickness is not something to be scoffed at. Before you take up a career at sea you had better make sure that you don’t get sea sick. Take a trip on a boat to get the feel of things.

Right...now you are aware of various aspects of the merchant navy, money, foreign travel, life on board, work and rest hours, medical facilities, weather etc. What? You still want to join the merchant navy? Bravo!! We need guys just like you - guys who join with their eyes open, guys who don’t have wrong ideas about a career at sea. So how do you go about joining the merchant navy? Information is available on the net. In addition, you can keep an eye out for advertisements in major newspapers.

A word of caution, don’t be in a hurry to hand over money to some agent who assures you of a job at sea. Check his credentials; check the credentials of the company or training institution you intend to join. Preferably, find someone who is already at sea and who can guide you. This is one profession where a mentor is always a good idea.

I have been sailing for the past 23 years including 8 years as Captain. To me the merchant navy is wonderful. It has given me everything I dreamed of and wanted in life. Life on board ships isn’t easy but its not as bad as it is made out to be sometimes. As there seem to be a lot of extreme views on this career, I have tried to give you the real picture. This is a serious profession where you have to work hard and your hard work pays (quite literally)!

I am a Merchant Navy officer living in Mumbai. When I am not sailing the high seas, I enjoy surfing the net, playing computer games, swimming, listening to music, and reading books.