well. talked to a poly friend on msn.. ... she read one of the posts that i've posted quite sometime ago... well... this is the post that i've posted... well not excatly.. what i've posted.. bt rather the extract of what i posted.

".. i think i'm going to be a loner... soon.. when school reopens.. dun think i want to mend it pretend that there isn't anything happened... i want to hang out by myself... and eating bad food in canteen 2... and go to the library and see what they offer... haha... "

and this is what my friend's thoughts:.. erm.. before u move reading.. White Oleander is my friend and i, the typically imfamous: Eddy, eddy, where art thou eddy?

i was bored~.. seriously, u got to learn to let go of ur sec schl thing..

~*WhiTe OLeAnDer*~ says:
we chatted abt this b4.. n its really silly to do that~.. whatever ur planning~..

~*WhiTe OLeAnDer*~ says:
dun be an escapist~ its miserable.. i been there~

~*WhiTe OLeAnDer*~ says:
n dun make sec schl life the only thing u wish to remember~

~*WhiTe OLeAnDer*~ says:
move on, friend~

Eddy.. eddy.. where art thou Eddy? LOVE ACTUALLY.... FANSTASTIC SHOW ACTUALLY! says:
haiz.. prob.. 4 months wasn't enough to make me move on..... i took about about couple of months ( when i was in secondary 1) to break away frm my primary school friend ..

~*WhiTe OLeAnDer*~ says:
there were a few mths in my life where i actually dodged people seriously.. coz i felt like i wanted to be alone~ and honestly, it doesnt feel good at all~

Eddy.. eddy.. where art thou Eddy? LOVE ACTUALLY.... FANSTASTIC SHOW ACTUALLY! says:
i know... i guess.. i need time to break away from the secondary school scence.. prob this sem.. i might to be able to meet them.. actually... cos timetable has changed unlike last sem.. i was still able to meet them alternate weeks.. ( that's quite alot of time actually) .. just hopefully. that this sem.. i can open up to more people..

Haiz..... i dunno... i guess i should take her advice and move on.... how? ... erm.... let me think about it..
i totally regret about why didn't i post the conversation i had with calvin.. cos tt was the first and the last time i would be chatting with tt obnoxious guy..

FENG SHUI.. BELIEVE IT OR NOT.. ENHANCES YOUR OFFICE LIFE..

Save yourself the cost of hiring a geomancer and try these D-I-Y Feng Shui tips for your home office or study.

BEFORE

The resident wanted an office that was more user-friendly and colourful, combined with a good dose of feng shui attributes. this is the makeover her office got.



Yellow may not be the best colour to enhance office Feng Shui. Black in-trays shouldn't be placed on the left-hand corner.


A grey, cluttered bulletin board so close to the desk is not good Feng Shui.



Neither is a cluttered desk. The computer area is also not maximized for colour or energy

AFTER

The first step was to clear the desk of all clutter. If you don't need something, put it in a drawer, and try not to let paperwork pile up around you.

Your contact address book should be placed in a drawer in the middle, or bottom right hand section of the desk. This is also the cash-flow area.


Files should be neatly arranged and brightly coloured. Keeping them in the top left hand corner - the fortune blessings area, can do wonders to stir up good energy and boost your career progress.

A leafy green plant helps boost energy, but keep it in a red pot on the left hand corner of your desk.


Red - a lucky colour that can increase prosperity, is used with a red Chinese fan over the computer. Computers are generally thought to produce a lot of positive energy.


Blue, orange, green, or red desk accessories can greatly help to balance out the huge amounts of energy your computer generates.


A right-handed person should keep the phone on the lower right-hand corner, the area associated with prosperity. Never cross your body to pick up a phone, it creates bad energy.

The middle area of the desk (in this case near the computer) should have a blue or grey accessory. We replaced the old black mousepad with a grey one.


Place photographs of loved ones on the upper right hand corner of your desk. This is the relationship area and will help promote harmony in your relationships both inside and outside the office.


A glass of water placed slightly to your left can boost creativity.


The cluttered bulletin board was reused as wall space and we hung up a pink print sari fabric instead. Pink is a colour that is believed to have a soothing effect on the nerves and enhance creativity.


Accessories like this Indian inspired letter holder can greatly help to decrease clutter.

You are C. Dior!


What (non drugstore) Makeup Brand Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

i know, i know the copyright laws right.. bt this is really cute.. got it frm someone frm korea when browsing through her webbie.. .. bt its really cute.. dun worry i'll try to take it out should be try tml...

a book deal with some pple to be an instant author.. just submit your blogs to them and the violia.. you're an author.. cool..... instant cash right away.. hahahha.. ok see what they offer.

Bad travel service ahead: 4 warning signs


Mary Day checked into room 315 at a Days Inn recently and requested a wake-up call at 6 a.m. The next morning, her phone rang. She got out of bed and checked out. Then she noticed that it was still dark outside. It turns out she'd received a call at 3:15 a.m.

Klaus Stoll, flying from Frankfurt, Germany, to Quito, Ecuador, discovered that KLM had seated him 10 rows away from his wife. The ticket agent insisted that there were no available seats together, and when he politely handed her his elite-level frequent-flier card and asked her to check again, she became indignant. "I don't understand these cards," she snapped, turning him away.

Isolated cases? If only. The travel industry is often synonymous with substandard customer service, many industry observers agree, for a variety of reasons.

Salaries are low. Starting pay for a flight attendant is about $16,000 annually, and hotel clerks earn about $20,000 a year. Those are not exactly poverty-level incomes (according to the Census Bureau, pay would have to drop below $9,214 a year for that to be true), but it's difficult to motivate a workforce that's so thinly compensated. And then there's low morale: Given the recent airline bankruptcies, it is now very low, indeed.
__________________________________________________________________

Should we just stay home?


In my role as National Geographic Traveler magazine's ombudsman, it's my job to help readers not only solve their travel problems, but also to prevent these awful trips from ever happening again.

The first part is usually easy: Fixing a trip is a matter of contacting the airline, hotel or car rental agency and asking it to address the grievance. The hard part is helping travelers stay out of trouble the next time. Bad customer service, which leads to most of the complaints I hear, is so widespread that the only certain way of preventing it is to stay home. But business travelers can't afford that luxury.

Here, then, are my four strategies for avoiding bad customer service:

The oblivious travel agent. Sharon Berman usually handles her own travel arrangements. But she decided to ask a friend's mother, who is a travel agent, to help her plan a recent trip to Europe. Big mistake. The agent made reservations without first checking with her, booking tickets that were both too expensive and inconvenient. When she called the agency to change her itinerary, she was transferred to the owner, who "proceeded to go psycho on me," Berman remembers. In the end, she flew on a flight she didn't want, sat in a seat she didn't ask for, didn't get her requested meal and landed vowing to think twice before using a travel agent again.

How to get around the problem: I receive a lot of complaints similar to Berman's about poor service by travel agents, and I often side with both the traveler and the agent. If you're using an agent for a simple point-to-point itinerary, you're wasting your time and asking for trouble. Agents no longer receive a commission from airlines, so they grudgingly book your ticket while trying to steer you to a hotel that offers a decent bonus for them. Next time, buy the flight online.

The inattentive flight attendant. Lois Schwartz scored an upgrade to first class on a Delta Air Lines flight from Madrid to Atlanta. She'd purchased an expensive leather jacket in Spain, which a flight attendant offered to hang in the coat rack for her. After landing, the crew member handed it back to the wrong passenger — who apparently wanted to keep it. "I told the flight attendant that it was my coat and not [the other passenger's]," Schwartz recalls. "But she argued with me, never bothering to ask the passenger if that was actually his coat." After something of a standoff, Schwartz asked the pilot to intervene. The pilot did, and the coat was returned to Schwartz.

How to get around the problem: Sadly, the inattentive-flight-attendant story is all too common. Veteran frequent travelers can spot ill-trained crew members from far away: They're the ones who either aren't wearing name tags or who have them turned upside down so you can't read them. Basically, when a flight attendant gives you grief, you can expect the other crew members to support the attendant, no matter how out of line he or she is. You have to take your case to the pilot, and if that doesn't work, to a manager on the ground. If you aren't getting what you want, chances are you're asking the wrong person.

The cruel hotel clerk. "When I arrived at Ramada Inn Hollywood Beach, the hotel had my reservation. But when I was presented the room rate, it was $90 more than the rate I had confirmed," recalls Matt Turner. The cruel clerk didn't just refuse to honor the price he'd been offered on the Ramada Web site, she also wouldn't let him talk with a manager and promptly called security. He left the hotel and found a better room at a nearby Days Inn. "I've never had such a terrible experience while traveling," he says.

How to get around the problem: Just as you would look for a troublesome flight attendant (remember the missing or inverted name tag?), the experienced traveler knows how to spot a difficult hotel clerk. Watch how the employee interacts with others while you're standing in line. Does she make eye contact? Are his answers short? Does she appear impatient? Those are all telltale signs of a problem encounter in the making. Move into a different line if you can. Or just leave and check in later.

The out-of-control car rental agent. Jeff Weiner told a National rental agent that he'd bring back his rental car to Orlando International Airport with a full tank of gas. But the attendant thought he said "empty" and charged him for a full tank. So Weiner stood in a long line to clear up the misunderstanding. End of story? Nope. "When I got to the counter, the manager asked me how far I had driven since I filled the car up," he recalls. "I told her. She proceeded to chastise me, saying that I must have driven at least 30 miles from my hotel to the airport and that I still had to pay because the tank could not possibly be full." Never mind that the return agent indicated a full tank of gas on the invoice. The charges were later reversed after Weiner contacted the corporate office. But the car rental employee's actions had more serious consequences. Weiner complained to his employer, and the company eventually dumped National as its preferred car rental supplier.

How to get around the problem: Use the same techniques as you would to spot a difficult airline crew member or hotel employee. Appealing your case to a higher-up can help, but with managers' feet being held to the proverbial fire on profit goals nowadays, don't expect much. Looking back, Weiner should have gone directly to the corporate office and if that didn't work, appealed the charges on his credit card.

The travel industry is full of odd contrasts. It's a place where you can encounter abysmal customer service on one trip and excellent customer service the next one. Dealing with people who do their job well is easy: You tip them, you thank them, you tell your friends about them.

Good travel service does exist (see this article), and there are many in the industry who perform their jobs incredibly well. Unfortunately, too many others don't, which is why we need strategies like those above.

Bloopers in the Lord Of The Rings

THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING’

Blunder No. 1: “During the scene with Sam and Frodo in the field with a scarecrow, you can plainly see a car cruising past in the distance, from left to right.”
Jackson: We actually didn’t know about the car until we were cutting the movie. The smoke [from the exhaust] and dust wasn’t so bad because there was already lots of it around, but the bloody windshield was reflecting the sun back into the camera lens. So we erased it for the DVD. I think some people were upset because they tried to show it to their friends and it was gone.

Blunder No. 2: “While Arwen is carrying Frodo to the Ford, a close-up of his face shows his eyes and mouth covered in a green, pus-type substance. Moments later, his face is clean.”
Jackson: Yeah, we started with the pus and then we got just a bit revolted by it. So we eased back on the pus. We didn’t think Elijah looked very good with pus.

Blunder No. 3: “When Arwen and Frodo are being chased on horseback by the Ringwraiths, the soundtrack to the scene is a cantering horse. A canter is three beats, whereas a gallop—which is what the horses on screen are doing—is four very fast beats that often sound like a single beat.”
Jackson: I should’ve—well, it’s too late to fire anyone. The damage has been done.

Blunder No. 4: “When the hobbits enter Bree, there’s a distance shot from above in which the principal actors have clearly been replaced by shorter doubles. Also, the sizes of the doubles are completely wrong. The last hobbit into Bree is really, really fat—and he isn’t even the double for Sam, who’s the stockiest of the hobbits. It’s actually Merry, who’s very thin.”
Jackson: [ Giggles ] It’s true. There are definitely little doubles in that shot, and we did have four standard hobbits who were all about four feet high. So if you’re really paying attention, there are shots where you can sense that someone’s body shape is suddenly slightly different.

Blunder No. 5: “During the scene in which the hobbits ask Strider where he’s taking them, he answers, ‘Into the wild.’ A second later, as Viggo Mortensen walks past the camera, the bow he carries on his back bumps into the camera, nudging the screen a bit.”
Jackson: It does, yeah. But it was the best take. We did three or four takes, and for various reasons his movement past the camera just wasn’t as dynamic. So I chose the one that has a little bit of a bump. I was just hoping people wouldn’t notice. [ Laughs ] This is fun

THE TWO TOWERS’

Blunder No. 1: “As people are fleeing Edoras, there are many shots of Eowyn—and in all of them, her hairstyle is different.”
Jackson: [ Laughs ] That shouldn’t be! Maybe it was the wind. It was really windy there.

Blunder No. 2: “The Uruk-hai are these huge, ferocious, twisted, unbelievably strong warriors—and yet the hobbits keep laying them out by tossing rocks at them.”
Jackson: In the books, hobbits are renowned for stone-throwing, so I guess if you’re going to rely on somebody to bring down an Uruk-hai with a stone, it’d be a hobbit.

Blunder No. 3: “When Saruman is talking to Sauron through the palantir, his lips aren’t moving.”
Jackson: Well, that’s because he’s engaged in a psychic session. That was deliberate.

Blunder No. 4: “In shots of Fangorn Forest from a distance, it’s an evergreen forest. Seen from up close or inside, it’s a deciduous forest.”
Jackson: Wow. Well, when you see it from the outside, it’s a real beech forest on the South Island of New Zealand. But seen from the inside, it’s a miniature forest that we built. [ Pause ] You’ve got pages and pages there. And those are all mistakes they’ve spotted?

Life is always up and down. When you are "down" then you must wait for the time that "up" to come, but this would need a lot of patience.When you are "up" that time do not be overjoy and "look down" of those who are still struggling in life. To myself, I had seen many people belonging to the latest group, ha, ha, sorry i had said that. I don't think you are the one just because you are my student, hi, hi! Thanks for your letter and please send my regards to your parents and your Qst 2002 classmates. Wish you a happy Dec holiday

Ten Cover Letter Don'ts

Your cover letter is the first thing employers see when they open your materials. Avoid these 10 mistakes, and make your first impression a lasting one.

Don't Overuse "I."

Your cover letter is not your autobiography. The focus should be on how you meet an employer's needs, not on your life story. Avoid the perception of being self-centered by minimizing your use of the word "I," especially at the beginning of your sentences.

Don't Use a Weak Opening.

Job seekers frequently struggle with how to begin a cover letter. What results is often a feeble introduction lacking punch and failing to grab the reader's interest. Consider this example:


Weak: Please consider me for your sales representative opening.

Better: Your need for a top-performing sales representative is an excellent match to my three-year history as a #1-ranked, multimillion-dollar producer.
Don't Omit Your Top Selling Points.

A cover letter is a sales letter that sells you as a candidate. Just like the resume, it should be compelling and give the main reasons why you should be called for an interview. Winning cover letter strategies include emphasizing your top accomplishments or creating subheadings culled from the job posting. For example:

Your ad specifies: And I offer:
Communication Skills Five years of public speaking experience and an extensive background in executive-level report writing.
Strong Computer Background Proficiency in all MS Office applications with additional expertise in Web site development and design.


Don't Make It Too Long or Too Short.

If your cover letter is only one or two short paragraphs, it probably doesn't contain enough key information to sell you effectively. If it exceeds one page, you may be putting readers to sleep. Keep it concise but compelling, and be respectful of readers' time.

Don't Repeat Your Resume Word-for-Word.

Your cover letter shouldn't just regurgitate what's on your resume. Reword your cover letter statements to avoid dulling your resume's impact. Consider using the letter to tell a brief story, such as "My Toughest Sale" or "My Biggest Technical Challenge."

Don't Be Vague.

If you're replying to an advertised opening, reference the specific job title in your cover letter. The person reading your letter may be reviewing hundreds of letters for dozens of different jobs. Make sure all the content in your letter supports how you will meet the employer's specific needs.

Don't Forget to Customize.

If you're applying to a number of similar positions, chances are you're tweaking one letter and using it for multiple openings. That's fine, as long as you are customizing each one. Don't forget to update the company, job, and contact information -- if Mr. Jones is addressed as Mrs. Smith, he won't be impressed.

Don't End on a Passive Note.

Put your future in your own hands with a promise to follow up. Instead of asking readers to call you, try a statement like this: I will follow up with you in a few days to answer any preliminary questions you may have. In the meantime, you may reach me at (555) 555-5555.

Don't Be Rude.

Your cover letter should thank the reader for his time and consideration.

Don't Forget to Sign the Letter.

It is proper business etiquette (and shows attention to detail) to sign your letter. However, if you are sending your cover letter and resume via email or the Web, a signature isn't necessary.

oh hohohoho... do you see what did i see? ohohoho.. bsbs.. rather... 4/5 of the bsb.. what happened the kevin-ster?



ooooo... scandal.. it seems that are they appearing in a lot of pics together.. did i mention how cute Clay looks in glasses? P/s: pple who watched love actually... love it... but.. there is a guy. who looked like clay aiken from far.. in the show he is hailed as the grandfather of rock... *ed snorts

*ed cheers really loud.... spidey 2 is coming back.. and back into singapore on 1st July THIS year.. ooooo great! It seems that Malaysia and us are the first people in the universe to watch spidey 2.. then followed by Chille..... *ed sings " we should be so lucky lucky lucky*"..... *WU REN SHI "OI! shut that friggin' mouth!"

p/s: did i mention that Michael buble sounds great and sooooo frank sinatra..when he sings reditions of Frank Sinatra's songs? *ed blushing...
*ed got a crush on michael buble...... hehehe

Tittle: One for my baby.
Author: Tony Parsons
Location: Library @Orchard
Call number: B13071328C

In One for My Baby Hong-Kong-based language teacher Alfie Budd is about to ingest several gallons of the stuff. Returning to London to nurse a broken heart, he finds a world he barely recognises. Terry Wogan plays REM on Radio Two, there are Tai Chi classes on Highbury Fields and the England of Alfie's youth seems a distant dream. Alfie's father is now sporting disco gear and pitifully clinging onto his relationship with a Czech au pair half his age. Alfie's mother, meanwhile, cares a great deal about her rose bushes and not at all about getting her husband back.
Dazed by these changes, Alfie drifts--on a cloud of Tsingtao beer and Sinatra-fuelled reverie--into a new teaching job and into a string of pointless affairs with his students. But a man can only drift for so long before he starts to sink--and Alfie must learn some bitter lessons before he can regain the happiness he once knew in Hong Kong.

righto alfonso... this is my new timetable for the next semester... this timetable has less breaks... and quite flexi.. can spend time alone... and everything.. dun have to worry.. i think i'm going to be a loner... soon.. when school reopens.. dun think i want to mend it pretend that there isn't anything happened... i want to hang out by myself... and eating bad food in canteen 2... and go to the library and see what they offer... haha...

pretty good timetable... i dun have to go back to campus on odd wednesdays... hopefully amanda is available on Wednesdays... so i can go for lunch at sp every wednesday... or prob go to clementi for lunch... and then either stay back for games, go home or go back to campus... other than that i would have two hours of lunch break.. ample time to hang out in the library... no more 3 hrs nuthing-to-do-but-rot breaks.. its just solely 2 hours breaks except for thursday when i only have an hour break... going home at 4pm on friday is fantastic,.. and lectures til 5 for the rest of the week.. nt too bad actually... YAHOO.!!!!!

OK.. its confirmed.. i'm friggin' dumb... how can i think that classroom management be something's got to do with accounts and what the principal does.. blah... where the money goes ... and who helps with the paper work.. how many teacher are there in the centre...

I'M SO FRIGGIN' dumb right to the bottom... ok... it turned out to be that Principles of Classroom Management is how to manage a classroom's stability... how to stop kids from going wild and sorts.. have a proper timetable... well... from what i've read from the net.. it seems that my attached centre, does not have proper classroom management.. i think my mentor should send her teachers to some class room management courses... i guess now i have a better understanding of what is expected in Principles of classroom management...

"which to me implies
pedagogy, or how to plan a class so as to maximize student learning)
from behavior management (which sounds like obedience classes for
dogs or, of course, the military" <----- pretty much explains what is classroom management ...

ok what's is happening ?

Hail the woman who created the term Victorian.

Tittle : Angel on air
Author : Lauren McCrossan
Location: Library @Orchard
Call number: B14412273B

Synopsis:

Angel knigts has a problem, Connor, her boyfriend of thirteen years, has proposed. No problem there, you might think, except he's also annouced he's off to LA for six months to flim a documentary about glamour models chasing fame in Hollywood. Angel can't leave her daily radio show on Glasglow's engergy FM to go with him. What should her answer be?

As connor jets off to LA, Angels turns to her best friends- Ceri and Meg- for help. Meg, the eternal romantic, is already picking out her bridesmaids' dress, but Ceri advocates caution before commitment. Before long, Angel is also receiving advice from the regular listeners to her show, most of whom are either lonely, drunk or insane. The she meets Dider, French pop star and David Ginola lookalike, Angel is vulnerable, Connor is abroad, Ceri is encouraging and the temptation is great...

Alors.... Un film brillant... oh.... je voir huit femmes.... c'est un bon flim... actrices est brillant... .. huit femmes est un flim de francois Ozon.... un bon francais film.. mais... c'est anglais subtittle.... c'est tant pis... d'accord.... en anglais:

At an isolated mansion in the snowy countryside of 1950s France. A family is gathered for the holiday season... But there will be no celebration- their beloved patriacrch has been murdered! The killer can only be one of the eight women closest to the man of the house. Was it his powerful wife? His spinster sister-in-law? His miserly mother-in-law? Maybe the insolent chambermaid or the loyal housekeeper? Could it possibly have been one of his two pretty young daughters? A surprise visit from the victim's glamourous sister turns the investigation into a day of hysterics, rivalries and even musical interludes. Comic situations are spiced with dark family secrets. Seduction dances with betrayal. The mystery of the female psyche is revealed. Eight women. All of them suspects. Each has a motive. Each has a secret. Eight women. Beautiful, tempestuous, intelligent, sensual and dangerous... One of them is guilty. Which one is it?

1. You are attracted to those who are warm and obedience.

2. In the process of courtship, the approach that would make you
feel irresistable is patience, never give up on you.

3. The impression you would like to give to your lover is loyal,
faithful, never change.

4. You don't like it when your partner is emotional and/or too
moody; and you don't know how to please him/her.

5. The kind of relationship you would like to build with your
partner is one which make you feel warmth and in-love always.

6. You care about the society and morality, you won't do anything
wrong after marriage.

7. You always want to get married, but in fact, you don't even know
what it really is.

8. At this moment, you don't want to be tied down by a steady
relationship, you just want to flirt around.

http://www.naucon.net/misc/tests/love_test01.htm

What is your office party personality?

The Perfect Guest
You know how to have a good time and recognise that office parties are great opportunities to get to know colleagues better in a relaxed environment. You may have a drink or two, but you know better than to set up camp at the free bar. And if you're tempted to indulge in a little flirting, you'll do it discreetly, so that it's not the talk of the office the next day. In short, you enjoy office parties without ever forgetting that they are work events.


You can get even more out of these events by thinking strategically. If you and a colleague have a chilly relationship, use this opportunity to warm it up by asking her about herself and her opinions on things not related to work, like a recent movie or favorite book. Get a sense of your boss's perspective by asking his opinion of the company or your department and the plans for the coming year. And if there are upcoming projects you're interested in, now's the time to mention your interest and let your enthusiasm shine through. By using this time to create new allies, you shore up your reputation at work, show your dedication and create future possibilities.



http://quiz.ivillage.co.uk/uk_work/tests/officeparty.htm

7 office party no-nos


Marketing Intelligence / Joanna L. Krotz


It's prime time for that yearly forced folly: the corporate holiday hoopla. What can you expect during these oh-so-joyful weeks that begin with the gothic costumes of October, wing through the turkeys of November and collapse in the confetti of New Year's?

You guessed it: business parties.

You will attend events that host clients, impress customers, thank vendors, honor staff and introduce family or significant others. You'll be required to suffer the hyperactive, sugar-dosed little children, who'd rather be anywhere else. You will be invited to all-purpose merry dos designed to reunite the tribe, be that corporate, professional or collegial.

Such functions, with preparation and forethought, can be worked to your advantage. Do some homework on the guest list and, when you arrive, make a subtle beeline for the client or CEO who has previously refused you the time of day.

Not to talk business — oh no. Bringing up business at a business party is crass and inappropriate. But you can connect to big enchiladas as a fellow soccer player, antiques collector, Grateful Dead aficionado or fill-in-the-blank. Down the line, it might help land a contract or promotion

Just be forewarned. This is not really your time for fun. These may be social situations but they're wrapped in pinstriped cloth (OK, OK — khaki, perhaps).

Social etiquette is based on chivalry, or the concept that women need care and protection, says Hilka Klinkenberg, founder and managing director of Etiquette International in New York. Business etiquette, on the other hand, has military origins. It's based on hierarchy and power.

Plus, special rules apply during the holidays. Attendance, for example, is usually mandatory. You cannot skip the office bash on pretext of your kid's birthday, the way you can events in February or June. You also cannot treat these parties casually. Expectations and tensions are too high for that. Do not show up fashionably late or leave embarrassingly early.


Career-limiting mistakes

But even if a party winds down without you having made an ally of the boss's husband or the customer's wife, the least you can do is get through each and every one with your dignity and sobriety intact. Positively horrific blunders that can't bear the light of mornings after are typically caused by getting too soused or suggestive. Avoid this at all costs.

Now get set, on your mark. And before you actually go, make sure you don't fall prey to any of these absolute no-nos. Besides making a pass or passing out, the seven worst things you can do at a business holiday party are:

1.BYOB. Bring your own baby, that is. It doesn't matter if the sitter came down with a case of bubonic plague. Make alternative arrangements. Call every pal you ever had and beg. Do not — repeat — do not strap on the Snuggly and bring the baby to the ball.

2.Complain about the food, décor, entertainment or venue. Be it ever so tacky or sub-par, someone with power over you is attempting to say thanks and/or show off. If you cannot be gracious, be silent.

3.Pull rank. Never ask a subordinate to get you a drink, give up a seat or let you break into the buffet line. This will inevitably come back to haunt you in ways obvious (the subordinate takes over the company) and/or subtle (the hotshot you're recruiting next week noticed and is now convinced you have no class at all).

4.Criticize your partner or spouse in front of co-workers. Before showing up, make a pact with each other. Or bribe Mr. or Ms. Loose Lips with whatever it takes as an after-the-party payoff. This is not the occasion on which to joke about how the little woman CFO always gets shortchanged at the supermarket.

5.Gossip. This means about anyone or anything. If you indulge, you will discover — without fail — that the guy you've been ignoring on your left is actually the brother of the woman on the dance floor you've been taking apart. What's more, he was at the rear of the elevator on the way up and heard your excited news about the interview you have scheduled next week at his nephew's cool new venture. Guess who really just got dished?

6.Bring up your championship season. Don't push aside the tables to perform the tango routine that — amazing! — you still remember. Don't send the bread barreling across the room to reproduce that record-breaking pass. Don't demonstrate your prowess at spelling eight-syllable words.

7.Run your ideology up the flagpole. OK, listen. We don't care that you're a vegetarian, libertarian, Rotarian or Scientologist. We further don't want to hear an evangelical lecture about gardening, macrobiotic diets, Broadway musicals or whatever happened to Jimmy Hoffa. We also refuse to measure the exact weight — or lack thereof — of Ralph Nader's gravitas. It's a party. Move it along.

And best wishes for a very wise silly season.

Tittle : Lucy Talks
Author : Fiona Walker
Location: Library @Orchard
Call number: B12948149E.

This morning, a lime green plastic ghoul fell out of my honey puffs ceral packet and I had the most brilliant idea. A Halloween party at Burr Cottage- Theme, Come As Your Favourite Creep. 'Greg won't need to dress up, then,' said Jane. Jane is understandingly jealous of darling Greg, who is a gentleman among boyfriends. Have just told his answerphone about proposed party and demanded help. He's super- efficient. Even his outgoing message is just five words - 'Greg here. Leave a message."

Meet Lucy Gordon, the sweet, scatty, irresistable heroine of Fiona Walker's delicious new novel. Lucy lives a Berkshire village with her two friends, Jane and Bella, and works in the marketing department of Widgetext Computers. Her boss - Slave Driver - is a constant bane; her family are lovable aeccentrics; her boyfriend, the dishy but fickle Greg, take shameless advantage of her (Lucy is too good-hearted to notice). Hardly pausing to draw breath, Lucy chats her way through two action-packed, fun filled diaster- strewn years to her very own happy ending.

Fame and fortune: America's top 10 celebrities


Fame sure is fickle. One day you're posing for the cover of Vanity Fair, and the next you're auditioning for an Olsen twins movie. The Hollywood landscape is littered with would-be superstars who rode the zeitgeist straight into obscurity. With that in mind, it wasn't easy choosing our list of today's biggest stars. Candidates needed a shelf-life more like a Twinkie than a carton of milk, and had to have name recognition with both grade-schoolers and grandmas. Some of our faves failed to make the cut (sorry Denzel, Cameron, and Reese — there's always next year). So, without further adieu, because Lord knows their careers aren't getting any fresher, here are our picks for the Top 10 Celebrities in America...


10. George Clooney, 42
The "Sex and the City" girls nailed it: George Clooney is like a Chanel suit — always in style. He smartly parlayed his resident hunk status on "ER" into a big-screen career, overcoming such early misfires as "The Peacemaker" and "Batman & Robin" (the horror, the horror) to gain credibility in critical darlings (though not box office smashes) "Out of Sight," "O Brother, Where Art Thou?," and "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind," his directorial debut. Think of him as a latter-day Cary Grant (with just a smidge more sex appeal). His charm knows no bounds: Women swoon for those puppy dog eyes, while men relate to his all-around, well, guyness.

9. Tom Cruise, 41
Tom Cruise has kept a low-profile since 2002's "Minority Report," but a true sign of stardom is remaining popular even when you're out of the public eye. Thanks to Tom's 20 years of superstardom, starting with "Risky Business" and continuing through the Dec. 5 release of his sword-swinging "The Last Samurai," his fame is assured. Sure, his Teflon exterior has been dinged by his 2001 split from Nicole Kidman and his public stumping for Scientology, but his 1,000-watt smile (recently straightened with braces) continues to draw global audiences. Cruise, who's still involved in an under-the-radar romance with Penelope Cruz, will test fan loyalty when he gets villainous in the upcoming "Collateral."


8. Will Smith, 35
Let's just get the 'jiggy' reference out there so we can focus on the important stuff. OK, moving on... Will Smith could teach Madonna about reinvention. He's evolved from G-rated Philadelphia rapper to TV star by way of Bel-Air to A-list actor who ruled July Fourth weekend with blockbusters like "Independence Day" and "Men in Black." Yet he's a power player who knows his priorities. When fever struck his daughter on Oscar night, the "Ali" nominee and wife Jada Pinkett Smith exited the ceremony. The multi-hyphenate repeatedly states he could be America's first black president, and frankly Washington could stand to get a little 'jiggy' with it.

7. Nicole Kidman, 36
Tom Cruise, eat your heart out. Post-divorce Nicole Kidman didn't just land on her now stiletto-clad feet, she blossomed into one of the most adventurous and sought-after actresses in Hollywood. Her decision to don an unflattering fake proboscis for "The Hours" resulted in Oscar gold, and she recently sniffed out a $15 million payday for the upcoming political drama "The Interpreter." Vogue proclaimed the Hawaii-born, Aussie-raised mother of two a fashion icon, and she's earning millions as the new face of Chanel No. 5. And while Kidman's romance with rocker Lenny Kravitz has launched a thousand gossip items, she's remained mum on the relationship, proving that she doesn't just look classy, she is classy.

6. Halle Berry, 37
Two indelible Oscar images: Halle Berry weeps as she becomes the first African-American to win Best Actress, and Berry gets macked on by surprise winner Adrien Brody. Sure is a long way from "B*A*P*S." Halle's climb atop Hollywood's heap sounds like a Lifetime movie: She survived an abusive father and cretinous boyfriends, and considered suicide after her divorce from baseballer David Justice. Recent triumphs — Oscar, Bond girl, "X-Men" — have been overshadowed by her separation from second husband Eric Benet, though she's refused to air her woes publicly while she promotes "Gothika." Next up: "Catwoman," with Halle slinking in the silliest costume since Liberace.

5. Tom Hanks, 47
Two Oscars, $20 million-plus per movie, and the respect of everyone in Hollywood. Not bad for a guy who once appeared as Gopher's buddy on "The Love Boat" and palled around with a drooling pooch in "Turner & Hooch." Tom Hanks is now synonymous with quality. Audiences know that if they plunk down their dough, he's going to deliver, whether it's as a man-child in "Forrest Gump" or a battle-weary soldier in "Saving Private Ryan." Hanks has been called the Everyman, Mr. Nice Guy, and the American Optimist, but, like Jimmy Stewart before him, he's a larger-than-life movie star. Why else would the American Film Institute award him its Life Achievement Award at the ripe old age of 45?

4. Oprah Winfrey, 49
It's testament to Oprah's likeability that she can wear macadamia-size diamond earrings while convincingly discussing bargain-hunting with her audience. The country sighed with relief when Oprah-the first black woman on Forbes' billionaires list-extended her TV contract through 2008. And while cynics mock Winfrey's followers, who accept her guidance on everything from books to bras, there's a reason she inspires such loyalty. In 18 years on air, she's shared all aspects of her life: yo-yoing weight, childhood abuse, lack of marital status with Stedman Garham. In short, we are Oprah and she is us-well, minus the massive fortune and media empire.

3. Jennifer Aniston, 34
When your decision to get bangs is news on Entertainment Tonight, you know your popularity is soaring. Welcome to the fabulous life of Jennifer Aniston. Paparazzi watch her every move; an adoring public copies every style (cargo pants and flip-flops, anyone?). A recent shopping trip with hubby Brad Pitt (whom we're proclaiming an honorary member of this list) necessitated a police escort past throngs of adoring fans. Jen claims not to understand the public's fascination with her life, but the masses see the American dream embodied: $1-million-an-episode for the final season of "Friends," an Emmy, designer dresses, impossibly toned arms, and her fairy tale marriage to Pitt. For those of us living vicariously through her fame, we expect nothing less than "happily ever after."

2. Bennifer, 31 & 33
Know about the rocks J. Lo's got? Yeah, us too. On-again, off-again fiancé Ben Affleck gifted Jen with a 6.1-carat pink Harry Winston diamond. We don't want to know this, but with all things Bennifer, we can't help ourselves. Individually, Lopez and Affleck were famous (her movies and music, his Oscar). As a couple, they're a media beast, despite the turkey that was "Gigli." Their every move is dissected: Ben gets a gun license! Jen's roots are showing! Bennifer drives their Bentley to McDonald's! Will they marry? Who cares? We're just happy, and slightly ashamed, the Ben and Jen Show hasn't been canceled.

1. Britney Spears, 21
She's played tonsil-hockey with Madonna and posed nearly nekkid on major magazines. By now it's pretty darn obvious Britney Spears is not that innocent. Adios, knee socks and pigtails; hello, leather and lots of skin. Brit's girl-on-girl kiss was just the latest stage in her transformation from Justin Timberlake's virginal girlfriend to a worldly, sensual woman of 21. With her all-American looks (blond hair, blue eyes, and her perky, uh, personality), the former Mouseketeer needn't worry her pipes aren't the strongest. Britney's ability to adapt to her public's desires has helped her defy critics who thought she'd be just another flash in the pop-tartlet pan.

Is Your Child Spoiled Rotten?
Experts tell parents how to decode the spoiled child


When Junior and his mother walk into the doctor's waiting room, there are two seats available: a big chair for grown-ups and a stool for kids. Junior takes the adult seat, and starts to throw a tantrum after Mom asks him to move. With resignation, she squats onto the little seat.


This scenario is not so uncommon, says Barton Schmitt, MD, a pediatrician at the Children's Hospital in Denver. In his office, he sees kids wield power over their parents at least a couple of times a week. Sometimes it's a preschooler who's emptying out his mother's purse, taking out all of her credit cards. Another day it's a tot who's stretching out her father's glasses. In each instance, the kid gets his way, even after some parental protest.


Some people may call these children spoiled.


Schmitt suspects that about 5% of kids are spoiled in that they lack discipline, are manipulative, and are generally bothersome. His estimate, however, may be far too generous, if one author's research proves accurate.


In 2000, Dan Kindlon, author of Too Much of a Good Thing, interviewed more than 1,000 parents, and roughly 650 teenagers, and found that 60% of parents thought their kids were spoiled, and 15% of teens thought they, themselves, fit the bill.


Defining "Spoiled"


Kindlon did not ask his subjects what they thought the term "spoiled" meant, but he believes that they would all have different answers -- as did many of the child-development experts interviewed by WebMD.


"A spoiled child has the 'I want, I want, I want' syndrome," says Charles L. Thompson, PhD, professor of educational psychology and counseling at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. "His philosophy of life would sort of be 'Life is not good unless I'm getting my own way.'"


The word "spoiled" has many different meanings in different cultures, says Lane Tanner, MD, associate director, division of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at the Children's Hospital and Research Center in Oakland, Calif.


"Very often a grandparent will shake her head with a grin, and say 'My daughter is spoiling that baby so bad,' and that's praise," says Tanner.


A spoiled kid is someone who sits inside on a cold day -- sipping hot chocolate and watching TV -- while her dad shovels snow in the driveway, says Kindlon. He notes that such children often feel entitled not to have to contribute to responsibilities. They also usually have parents that emotionally indulge them -- for example, excusing them from chores because they already have a tough school schedule.


"What's spoiled for one parent may not be for another," says George Cohen, MD, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics' committee on the psychosocial aspects of child and family health. "Many parents think what their kid is doing is okay. Others are much stricter."


Whatever one's primary definition of spoiled is, arguably, there are children who could use a bit more discipline. They usually find it hard to share, wait their turn, appreciate what they have, and accept that they cannot always get their way.


Life, for these kids, is often difficult, says Schmitt. "They are constantly in a tug of war with their environment," he explains. "They keep smashing into walls because they are living in a world that's different from the real world."


Causes of Spoiling

Many experts agree that most moms and dads love their children, and simply want the best for them. Their efforts, however, can sometimes have the opposite effect if they're not mindful.


"There are parents who don't want their kids to experience hardship or emotional stress of any kind," says Schmitt. "In the process, they teach the kid to have a personality that gets into all kinds of emotional stresses, because their behavior is unacceptable."


Pressures from the outside world can also make it tough for parents to exert enough discipline, says Kindlon. With a greater consumer culture than ever before, more demanding academic and extracurricular requirements for children, longer work schedules for parents, less family time, and a generally more lenient society, many mothers and fathers feel more inclined to go easy on their kids.


Plus, some moms and dads may use their kids as "Prozac," says Kindlon. "In past generations, the parents didn't care whether their kids liked them or not," he explains. "Now, given there are other things in our lives that aren't that satisfying, having good relationships with our kids is something that makes us feel good."


Then there are the persons who simply do not know how to be firm with their young. "There are people who cannot tolerate anger from another person, including their child," says Constance Katz, PhD, a psychotherapist based in New York City.


There are, indeed, many obstacles to the proper disciplining of kids. The bottom line is, however, that children need parents to raise them to be responsible and social adults.


What Kids Need

"Kids need to know that there are firm limits out there, because it's not very secure to know that the limits change everyday," says Thompson. One way to teach children boundaries, he says, is to actually give them choices, beginning at 18 months old -- the age when people are capable of making simple decisions about right and wrong.


Choices may involve things like "Do you want orange juice or tomato juice?" or "Do you want to wear this outfit or that one?"


It is important to give kids options that you, as a parent, can live with. "You don't come home and say, 'Okay, you three kids, what do you want for dinner?' You might have three short orders,'" says Thompson.


As the children grow older, the list of options obviously becomes more complicated. But, if kids have practice with making simple decisions, they can be more trusted to make more difficult choices later in life, adds Thompson. "If you take the time [to present options to kids] in the first 11 years of life, it will pay off in dividends in the teen years. The child doesn't have to be a rebellious teenager."


Consistency is also key in preventing a child from thinking he can get away from following the rules. This means moms, dads, and whoever else is caring for the child are in agreement with each other on rules and discipline. "A unified front is so important," says Schmitt. "A child knows when adults don't come from the same position."


Steven Adelsheim, MD, associate professor of psychiatry at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, says one way to keep kids from becoming spoiled and self-centered is to expose them to diverse environments. "It's important for children to have experiences with others who have a wide range of needs, and people with different challenges, so that they can be more sensitive to the diversity of people in the world," he explains.


Adelsheim, himself, has four children, one of them a teen daughter who coaches a Special Olympics basketball team. Since his daughter's involvement with the team, he has seen her become more sensitive to the needs of other people. He says she is able to get past differences, and observe more similarities with others.


If there are extenuating circumstances -- such as an extended vacation, divorce or a major crisis in the family -- it's even more vital to enforce the rules. Structure helps children adapt to stress, says Kindlon.


Yet moms and dads also need to be sensitive to the needs of the child. "Parents have a job of figuring out what is behind the pleading and demanding," says Tanner, noting that kids' desires might be momentary -- such as if they saw something appealing on TV or in the toy store -- or the child might be signaling a deeper need, such as time with a parent.


Unspoiling a Child


If parents find themselves always angry at their child, because the kid doesn't answer to them, or if they feel their rules have become too excessive in response to the child's bad behavior, then it may be time to make changes, says Ross Black, MD, a spokesman for the American Academy of Family Physicians.


Moms and dads who want to do something about spoiled children need to do the basic things that need to be done to prevent spoiled kids in the first place, including setting firm limits, being consistent, and providing choices.


The process of unspoiling, however, may be a lot harder because it would be like breaking a bad habit, says Black. He suggests having an initial conversation with the spoiled child, laying down what is going to happen to avoid confusion.


"You can approach it by saying, 'I don't like what has happened with what we've been doing, so we need to change. I still love you as my child, but when you do these kinds of things, I feel concerned and I would like to change that,'" says Black.


The child may say she does not want to change, but parents need to stand firm and say things will change, and to present options of how the change could take place.


For more help with disciplining a child, Black suggests the following resources: self-help books, courses that offer a special technique called Parent Effectiveness Training (PET), pediatricians, and behavioral psychologists

manage to "track down" SQUARE PEGS.. fantastic show... if you are able to watch the cantonese version... its the best.. the chinese version will sound a bit funny....

I gave a fantastic advice to elisa : it not good to drag something is not working out. this goes the same for ECH... i seriously think.. what if i went MASS comm instead.. will i face the same dilenma as what i'm facing right now.. whether you go on with it or transfer to another course. its hard.. i took "pains" to go to ECH... How????? Urgh.. should i continue with this.. and wait till uni days then i take a double degree with drama? URGH...

WHITE FLAG- DIDO

I know you think that I shouldn't still love you
I'll tell you that
But if I didn't say it
Well, I'd still have felt it
Where's the sense in that?

I promise I'm not trying to make your life harder
Or return to where we were

Well I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

I know I left too much mess
And destruction to come back again
And I caused but nothing but trouble
I understand if you can't talk to me again
And if you live by the rules of "It's over"
Then I'm sure that that makes sense

Well I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

And when we meet
As I'm sure we will
All that was then
Will be there still
I'll let it pass
And hold my tongue
And you will think
That I've moved on

Well I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

Well I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be


Dilemma
by Nelly feat. Kelly Rowland

Album : Simply Deep,
Nellyville
Submitted by : Shyam Khemai
Corrected by : Nashly
Rated : 8.1 (4501 votes)


(Kelly)

I love you and I need you
Nelly, I love you, I do,
Need you

No matter what I do....
All I think about is you
Even when I’m with my Boo
Boy, you know I’m crazy over you

No matter what I do
All I think about is you
Even when I’m with my Boo
You know I’m crazy over you

(Nelly)
Uh-uh
I met this chick and she just moved right up the block from me
And she got the hots for me, the finest thing i'd ever seen
But oh, no, no, she got a man and a son doh-oh, but that’s okay
‘Cuz I wait for my cue and just listen, play my position
Like a shortstop, pick up e’rything mama hittin’
And in no time I better make this with her mine and that’s for sure
‘Cos I-I never been the type to break up a happy home
But uh there’s something ‘bout baby girl, I just can’t leave alone
So tell me, ma, what’s it gonna be
She said, “You don’t know what you mean to me,”

No matter what I do
All I think about is you
Even when I’m with my Boo
Boy, you know I’m crazy over you

No matter what I do
All I think about is you
Even when I’m with my Boo
You know I’m crazy over you

Uh-uh-uh-uh
I see a lot in your look and I never say a word
I know how niggas thought i can’ trippin’ , and hate up all the girls
And there’s no way-hey-hey Nelly gon' fight ova no thang
as you could see
But I like your steeze, your style, your whole demeanor
The way you come through and holler, and swoop me in his two-seater
Now that’s gangsta and I got special ways to thank ya,
don’t you forget it
But uh it ain’t that easy for you to pack up and leave him
But uh you and dirty got ties for different reasons
I respect that and right before I turned to leave
She said, “You don’t know what you mean to me,” come on

No matter what I do
All I think about is you
Even when I’m with my Boo
Boy, you know I’m crazy over you

No matter what I do
All I think about is you
Even when I’m with my Boo
You know I’m crazy over you

Sing it for me, Kelly

I love you and I need you
Nelly, I love you, I do
And it’s more than you’ll ever know
Boy, it’s for sure
You can always count on my love
Forever more, yeah, yeah

East coast, I know you’re shakin’ right
Down south, I know you’re bouncin’ right
West coast, I know you’re walkin’ right
(‘Cos you don’t know what you mean to me)
Midwest, I see you swingin’ right

No matter what I do
All I think about is you
Even when I’m with my Boo
Boy, you know I’m crazy over you

No matter what I do
All I think about is you
Even when I’m with my Boo
You know I’m crazy over you

East coast, I know you’re shakin’ right
Down south, I know you’re bouncin’ right
West coast, I know you’re walkin’ right
(You don’t know what you mean to me)
Midwest, I see you swingin’ right

East coast, you’re still shakin’ right
Down south, I know you’re bouncin’ right
West coast, I know you’re walkin’ right
(You don’t know what you mean to me)
Midwest, you’re still swingin’ right

No matter what I do
All I think about is you
Even when I’m with my Boo
Boy, you know I’m crazy over you

No matter what I do
All I think about is you
Even when I’m with my Boo
You know I’m crazy over you

Yeah, yeah

East coast, I know you’re shakin’ right
Down south, I know you’re bouncin’ right
West coast, I know you’re walkin’ right
(You don’t know what you mean to me)
Midwest, I see you swingin’ right

East coast, you’re still shakin’ right
Down south, I see you’re bouncin’ right
West coast, I know you’re walkin’ right
(You don’t know what you mean to me)
Midwest, you’re still swingin’ right

Is Miss Universe Miss World's Boss?
Which beauty queen reigns supreme and where Miss America fits in.


One hundred ten young women are touring China in preparation for the Miss World beauty pageant, to be held Dec. 6 on the island of Hainan. What's the difference between Miss World and Miss Universe, and where does Miss America fit into the pageant puzzle?

Miss Universe and Miss World are separate business enterprises, with the former far more successful at the moment. Miss Universe is a joint venture between real-estate tycoon Donald Trump and NBC, which began broadcasting the annual contest this past June. (The reigning titleholder is 6-foot-1-inch Amelia Vega of the Dominican Republic.) Prior to NBC's involvement, Trump partnered with CBS, which co-owned the business with the Donald until NBC bought its rival's share in 2002.

Miss Universe makes considerable money off TV ads and international broadcast rights, but it also rakes in franchising fees; countries or states that wish to hold qualifying pageants must pay for the privilege. This year's Miss Venezuela almost didn't make it to the finals in Panama because her nation's franchise, the Miss Venezuela Organization, couldn't come up with the necessary $80,000 fee. (Fortunately for fans of Mariangel Ruiz, a good Samaritan stepped in at the last second to pick up the tab.) In the United States, state franchises raise the cash by asking hopefuls to pony up a $695 fee, and some franchises additionally require that their families take out a $350 ad in the pageant program

The Miss Universe contest, first held in 1952, has experienced something of a renaissance of late; last year, for example, the finals even beat an NBA playoff game in the Nielsen ratings. Miss World, by contrast, has been having a tough go. The most high-profile incident was last year's debacle in Nigeria, when news of the pageant's arrival inspired mass riots in the Muslim north. The London-based Miss World Organization also had its assets temporarily frozen last year, during a legal dispute with a Nigerian promoter. Confusingly, American delegates to both international pageants are called Miss USA.

Until this past September, there hadn't been a national qualifying pageant for Miss World in the United States for years, and the franchising situation was a mess. Last year, an American franchisee named Miss World Holdings Inc. summarily crowned Rebekah Revels, 24, as Miss USA and shipped her off to Nigeria. (Those who follow minor scandals may recall that Revels is the 2002 Miss North Carolina winner who lost her title—and thus her slot in the more prestigious Miss America pageant—when an ex-boyfriend revealed that he had nude pictures of her.) This past June, the U.S. franchisee, renamed Horizon Talent Inc., issued a press release stating that it would hold a Miss USA contest in Las Vegas in September. But Horizon couldn't find anyone to broadcast the pageant and was forced to move the event to smaller digs in Los Angeles. The winner, now the U.S. representative in China, was Kimberly Harlan, a red-haired Georgia native and former "prize girl" on the Italian version of Wheel of Fortune.

As for Miss America, it has absolutely nothing to do with either Miss Universe or Miss World. Rather, it's run by a not-for-profit organization that prefers to call the contest a "scholarship competition" rather than a beauty pageant. There's no international division for the winner; it's strictly a domestic affair.

Bonus Explainer: International pageant hopefuls who don't make the cut for Miss Universe or Miss World needn't despair. There's also Miss Earth, founded in 2001 by Carousel Productions and ostensibly dedicated to promoting worthwhile environmental causes. This year's finals in Manila attracted a fair amount of publicity, largely because of the controversial participation of Miss Afghanistan. Like Miss World, Miss Earth has hit some rough patches: The 2002 winner, Bosnia-Herzegovina's Dzejla Glavovic, was dethroned six months into her reign, after she failed to show up at several environmental fund-raisers.

FANSTASTIC! TRES BON! SUPERB WENT TO WATCH LOVE ACTUALLY WITH AMANDA... First movie since the holiday!!!! HAHA.. FANTASTIC.. HUGH GRANT IS FANTASTICALLY DRESSED AS A PRIME MINISTER, AND BILLY BOB THORTON IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES... FREAKING LECHER.... FREAKING ASS HOLE, GET YOUR BLOODY ARSE BACK TO THE STATES!! COLLIN FIRTH IS SUPER CUTE AND OF COURSE THERE ARE ALSO A LOT OF CUTIES IN THE MOVIE.. ... WHEN I SAY CUTIES.. THEY ARE REALLY.. HOT... TOO BAD.. I DUN THINK HE IS CREDITED IN THE CAST... SUPER CUTE... GUY... if you're watching.. LOOK OUT for a guy in the movie call CARL... super.. cute.

great! reached ECP at 2.30.. lazed around in the macdonalds for half an hour then Ye Zi hao came.. and another half hour Ji Fang came... then another half an hour, Andy came,, an another 45/ 30 minutes for the rest of the girls : Hui Xian, Hannah, Jing Xuan to come.. aiyo..... we are just sitting there. providing food to the mosquitoes.... :( .. altogether there are pathetically 8 pple turned up.. URGH absolutely rubbish ... ok folks.. i'm into the British stuff right now.. uh-oh...

Haiz.. ... when they came.. they had to wait for Pei yu... nvm.. they say we go first.. ok lor.. we went first lor... amanda and i took the doubl bike.. Heeeshzzzz.. i dunno how to cycle what... the boys had an individual bike of their own, except for Ji fang who brought his skates..... total cost = $20 for 2 hrs..
we cycled all the bloody way to bedok jetty... then detoured back ... then... halfway.. we met the girls. well.. Pei Yu wasn't there yet.. at the chalet.. they took our bikes and amanda, moi, andy are reduced to walking back.. haiz.. .... so after reaching where they stopped.. they borrowed skates.. and then they found out tt Pei Yu got lost.. geeszzz.. where the hell she went.. Je ne sais pas.. ... so.... we went off first again... haiz.. the rode to the end of ECP and detoured back.. Amanda and I almost crashed.. but we did not.. HAHAHA LOL.... so .... we cycled back and then returned the bikes.. and went outta of the ECp and back to Macdonald's... there they were indecisive about who is going back.. then amanda and her folks are picking her up... so went to dinner with them.. we eended the day at 7pm.... haiz

A song frm LOVE ACTUALLY.. BUT PLS CHANGE THE "LOVE" to "Christmas"

I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes
Love is all around me and so the feeling grows
It's written on the wind, it's everywhere I go
So if you really love me, come on and let it show

You know I love you I always will
My mind's made up by the way that I feel
There's no beginning, there'll be no end
'Cause on my love you can depend

I see your face before me, as I lay on my bed
I kinda get to thinking of all the things we said
You gave a promise to me, and I gave mine to you
I need someone beside me in everything I do

You know I love you I always will
My mind's made up by the way that I feel
There's no beginning, there'll be no end
'Cause on my love you can depend

It's written on the wind, it's everywhere I go
So if you really love me, come on and let it show
Come on and let it show

When Should I See a Doctor for a Cold or the Flu?
Call your doctor if you have any of these 6 serious symptoms.

Most people recover from the flu in a few days, and from colds in a couple of weeks. If your symptoms get worse, instead of better, call your doctor. Also, call your doctor right away if you suffer these symptoms:

#1 Difficultly breathing or chest pain

Aside from the stuffy nose and some general muscle aches, a cold or the flu should not make you short of breath or cause pain in your chest. These could be symptoms of a more serious problem such as heart disease, asthma, pneumonia, or others. Contact your doctor or go to the emergency room.

#2 Persistent Fever

This can be a sign of a secondary infection in your body that should be treated.

#3 Vomiting or Inability to Keep Fluids Down

Your body needs fluids to stay hydrated. If you can't keep down fluids, you may need to go to the hospital to receive fluids intravenously.

#4 Painful Swallowing

This is not normal. Although minor discomfort when you swallow can come from a sore throat, severe pain can be a sign of an infection or injury that needs to be treated by a doctor.

#5 Persistent Coughing

A cough that won't go away is usually just postnasal drip that may be treated with antihistamines. However, it could also be related to asthma or GERD, both of which can be treated by your doctor. In recent years, doctors have found an increase in a former childhood infection called pertussis (whooping cough in children). So if you have an unexplained cough for more than 2 to 3 weeks, your doctor may want to try an antibiotic to treat this type of infection.

#6 Persistent Congestion and Headaches

Colds and allergies that cause congestion and blockage of the sinus passages can lead to a sinus infection. If you have symptoms don't go away with usual medication, you may need to be treated with antibiotics. See your doctor if these symptoms persist.

Originally published October 2001.
Medically reviewed September 2003.


Charlotte E. Grayson, MD, is a senior medical editor at WebMD. She completed her internal medicine residency at the Medical University of South Carolina, attended the Boston University School of Medicine, and received her undergraduate degree from Spelman College in Atlanta.

The opinions expressed herein are the guest's alone and have not been reviewed by a WebMD physician. If you have a question about your health, you should consult your personal physician. This content is meant for informational purposes only.

Nobody on the road
Nobody on the beach
I feel it in the air
The summer's out of reach
Empty lake, empty streets
The sun goes down alone
I'm drivin' by your house
Though I know you're not at home

I can see you
Your brown skin shinin' in the sun
You got your hair combed back and your sunglasses on, baby
And I can tell you my love for you will still be strong
After the boys of summer have gone

I never will forget those nights
I wonder if it was a dream
Remember how you made me crazy?
Remember how I made you scream?
I don't understand what happened to our love
But baby when i get you back
Im gonna show you what Im made of

I can see you
Your brown skin shinin' in the sun
I see you walkin' real slow and you're smilin' at everyone
I can tell you my love for you will still be strong
After the boys of summer have gone

Out on the road today
I saw a BLACK FLAG sticker on a Cadillac
A little voice inside my head said, "Don't look back, You can never look back."
I thought I knew what love was
What did I know?
Those days are gone forever
I should just let them go but

I can see you
Your brown skin shinin' in the sun
You got that top pulled down and that radio on, baby
And I can tell you my love for you will still be strong
After the boys of summer have gone

I can see you
Your brown skin shinin' in the sun
You got that hair slicked back and those Wayfarers on, baby
I can tell you my love for you will still be strong
After the boys of summer have gone



Last Christmas I gave you my heart,
But the very next day,
You gave it away, (you gave it away)
This year, to save me from tears,
I'll give it to someone special, (special)

REPEAT

Verse 1

Once bitten and twice shy,
I keep my distance but you still catch my eye,
Tell me baby, do you recognise me,
Well, it's been a year, it doesn't surprise me.

Happy Christmas,
I wrapped it up and sent it,
With a note saying "I love you",
I meant it,
Now I know what a fool I've been,
But if you kiss me now,
I know you'd fool me again.

Chorus

Last Christmas I gave you my heart,
But the very next day,
You gave it away (you gave it away),
This year to save me from tears,
I'll give it to someone special (special).

Repeat

Oh, Oh Baby.

Verse 2

A crowded room, friends with tired eyes,
I'm hiding from you and your soul of ice,
My God I thought you were,
Someone to rely on,
Me, I guess I was a shoulder to cry on.

A face on a lover with a fire in his heart,
A man undercover but you tore me apart,
Oooh Ooh,
Now I've found a real love,
You'll never fool me again.

Chorus

Last Christmas I gave you my heart,
But the very next day,
You gave it away (you gave it away),
This year to save me from tears,
I'll give it to someone special (special).

Repeat

Face on a lover with a fire in his heart,
A man undercover but you tore him apart.

Maybe next year.

I'll give it to someone,
I'll give it to someone special .
Special...
Someone...


Well.. Merry Christmas...

Choosing a Christmas Tree

Douglas Fir
Boasting a pyramidal shape and blunt, blue-to-dark-green needles,
Pseudotsuga menziesii is a dependably long-lived cut tree. It flourishes in mild, humid climates with dry summers


Eastern White Pine
Soft-green color, long needles, and rich fragrance make Pinus strobus worthy of yuletide focus. Adaptable, fast growing, and moisture loving, it produces long, decorative pinecones.


Noble Fir
With its cool blue-green, well-spaced branches and densely set, upwardly curved needles, Abies nobilis is aptly named. It's most often a cut tree, since it grows happily only in its Pacific Northwest home.


Virginia Pine
One of the few evergreens to tolerate warm winter temps, Pinusvirginiana is a first pick among Christmas trees for Southerners. It's also a good cut tree because, like all pines, it holds its needles well.


Grand Fir
With bicolor needles—deep green on top, white-striped underneath—Abiesgrandis makes a rich foil for ornaments. It grows well where winters are long, summers are cool, and the air is humid and pristine.


Scotch Pine
A classic conical shape and excellent needle retention make Pinus sylvestris the most popular cut tree of the holidays. It's also easy to grow because it tolerates a wide range of climates and soils.


Frasier Fir
A regal, richly fragrant native tree, Abies fraseri has bicolor needles—deep green on top, silvery-white below. Its generally slender profile suits small rooms. Grow it only in cold-winter, cool-summer climates.


Eastern Red Cedar
Native to the eastern half of the United States, Juniperus virginiana makes a cut or living tree with homespun appeal and pungent fragrance. In the landscape, it tolerates drought, wind, and cold.

Back with another book review...

Book name: And then he kissed me
Author: Patti Berg
Call number: B14540124J
Location: Library @ Orchard.

Synopsis:

She's the blonde bombshell who once starred in a string of low budget films and is now a jet-setting, bestselling author. But one too many bites of caviar, menacing phone calls from her jailbird ex, a tabloid photographer hot on her heels, and nasty gossip about her life send Juliet over the edge. Disguising her identity, Juliet runs... straight into the arms of Cole Sheridan, a small town vet with troubles oh his own.

With malpractice suit hanging over his head and his bohemian parents and their band of old hippie friends about to converage on his home, the last thing Cole needs is more snag in his olderly life. But when spots the raven-haired beauty with the curvaceous body stranded along a lonely stretch of highway, he hitches her car to his and tows one more complication along his way.

He thinks she's quirky; she thinks he's sexy but cantakerous. She's hiding something; he wants to push everyone away-until the chaos of Juliet's life catches up with her in Plentiful, Wyoming. Once more she's ready to run ... and then Cole kissed her.

That's when trouble really begins.

Her books are always delicious - Victoria Alexander-
Always entertaining - Stephanie Laurens-

Happy Holidaes folks!! if you have the blink! blink! you can come to these places... Wintery or Summery.. Enjoy!

10 TO KNOW: WINTER GETAWAYS - WINTER OR SUNSHINE

As winter's chill settles in, our thoughts naturally turn to the perfect vacation. Snow-lovers fixate on piles of powder, steaming hot tubs, and thick down comforters; sun-seekers dream of bright desert sunshine, secluded strands of white sand, and crystal-clear waters. How about you—prefer to point your toes down the steepest, snowiest slope you can find or dip them into a warm, tropical bay?
Expedia editors have selected this list. This page does not include paid placements.
Add tours and attractions to your trip when you book your hotel or air/hotel package.


QUEBEC-THE ICE HOTEL

That's right, it's a hotel made entirely from ice. Surely the "coolest" getaway in the world, the Ice Hotel boasts 4-foot-thick walls, a nightclub with vaulted ice ceilings, a spectacular wedding chapel, and furniture—yes, even the bed—carved from ice. Bring a special friend and share the warmth. No cuddling companion? No worries, the gift shop sells long johns! Scheduled to open January 10.


BANFF- LIFT TICKETS AND FAIRMONT BANFF SPRINGS
No need to worry about boredom in Banff—your lift ticket is good at three ski areas: Lake Louise, Sunshine Village, and Ski Banff @ Norquay, all offering open bowls, steep bumps, and spectacular scenery. After a long day on the slopes, retire to your plush digs at the Fairmont Banff Springs, modeled after a Scottish castle. Refresh spent muscles with a dip in the indoor Hungarian mineral pool.


PARK CITY- UTAH- LIFT TICKETS, OYLMPIC TOURS
Powder aficionados praise Park City as home to some of the finest, lightest white stuff in the world. This year, the flakes started falling in October, so the "powderati" are getting amped for a great season. Visit the Olympic Park and see future Olympians, the world's highest-altitude ski jumps, and the lightning-fast bobsled, luge, and skeleton track.

Whistler, B.C.—Dog Sledding and Fondue Dinner
Skied out? These backcountry adventures are perfect if you need a break, or if you're a non-skier who still wants to get in on the winter action. Learn about dog sledding, meet the industrious pups who make it happen, and even ride the rails and learn to mush, if you like! Later on, trek to the cozy Crystal Hut (6,000 feet) via Snowcat or snowmobile for a traditional fondue dinner and a warming spot of win

Zürich, Switzerland—Glacier Tour
If you're looking for something different this winter, don't forget Europe: Travel to beautiful Zürich and take a ride to 10,000-foot Mount Titlis. Snow is guaranteed—and so are the unparalleled views of the Alps from the world's first revolving gondola. Thrill-seekers can board the Ice Flyer for a hair-raising sail over deep crevasses and ice falls. Come back to earth with a visit to picturesque Lucerne.

strong>Maui—Surfing Lessons
Maui is home to enormous volcanoes, incomparable beaches, lush, green valleys—and some of the finest surfing spots in the world. And as long as you're over 4 years old, you too can learn to shred the swells! You'll start out in gentle surf, and with the help of an experienced instructor, you'll have your toes on the nose in no time at all. Great fun for beginners and seasoned surfers alike

Caribbean Cruises
If it's hard to find a vacation that suits your whole family, try a Caribbean cruise. Hop amongst tropical islands; frolic in clear, blue seas; and get pampered 24/7 by an attentive, friendly staff. Bonus: Some cruise lines (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Disney, in particular) offer great kids' programs, so you can sneak off for a romantic dinner—and the wee ones won't even notice you're gone.

Cancún—Swim with Dolphins
For an active getaway, head to Cancún: Prowl mysterious Mayan ruins, don mask and snorkel to seek out angelfish on the Great Mayan Reef, sample tequilas at trendy nightspots—or just lay out on a white-sand beach. And don't forget to visit your beautiful, extroverted new friends: the dolphins at the Interactive Aquarium! Swim with these graceful creatures, then let them treat you to a "foot push" ride.

Australia—Great Barrier Reef
What's so great about the Great Barrier Reef? Well, it's south of the equator and it's summertime, so sunshine is guaranteed. The reef is incredibly big and diverse, with over 30 species of marine mammals, 1,500 species of fish, and 350 types of hard coral. See it for yourself: Head down into the depths in a semi-submersible vessel, then snorkel or dive the reef. You might even see some shacks (that's Australian for sharks)!

Carefree, Arizona—The Boulders Resort & Spa

Until you've witnessed the late-afternoon sunshine lighting up the craggy peaks of the Arizona desert, you might not fully comprehend the restorative properties of a vacation here. Lose your cares in Carefree, home to this five-star retreat. Spend the day golfing or hiking, then rejuvenate with a spa treatment at the Golden Door Spa—emerging in time for a moonlit mountain bike tour. Great shopping and dining are close by in Scottsdale.

My inner child is sixteen years old!

Life's not fair! It's never been fair, but while
adults might just accept that, I know
something's gotta change. And it's gonna
change, just as soon as I become an adult and
get some power of my own.


How Old is Your Inner Child?
brought to you by Quizilla

You my friend, are Arial, the lil' mermaid!
Adventurous and hopeful.


What Disney character are you?
brought to you by Quizilla


Your element is Earth. I hate to say it but you are
down to earth. Stubborn and loyal. You tend to
want to nurture others and you are the one
person friends always come to for awnsers.
Without people like you others would be flying
over the edge because, whether you know it or
not you keep a steady beat to your life and
will end up where you want to in the end. There
is a sureness about you that is hard to match
that draws people to you. No matter what
happens the Earth keeps turning.


What's your element
brought to you by Quizilla

Hey there is a book that i've read..
Author: Elizabeth Berg..
Tittle: True to form
Call number: B14267106E
location : Library @ orchard

Maybe Freud didn't know the answer to what women want. but elizabeth berg certainly does - USA today-

Sypnosis :

Katie Nash- the beloved heroine of Elizabeth berg's previous novels, Durable goods and Joy schools. --- is 13 years old in 1961, and she's facing a summer full of conflict. Her father has enlisted her in two care-taking jobs-- baby sitting for the rambunctious Welxer boys and, equally challenging, looking after Mrs Randolph, her elderly, bedridden neighbour. To make matters worse, Katie has been forcibly inducted into the "loser" Girl scout troop, compliments of her only new friend Cynthia's controlling mother. Her only saving grace is a trip to her childhood hometown in Texas, to visit her best friend Cherrylanne. But people and places change -- and Cherrylanne is no exception. When an act of betrayal leaves Katie wondering just what friends are really for, she learns to rely on the only one left she can trust : herself.



Duran Duran- Ordinary World

Came in from a rainy Thursday on the avenue
Thought I heard you talking softly.
I turned on the lights, the TV and the radio
Still I can't escape the ghost of you
What has happened to it all?
Crazy, some'd say,
Where is the life that I recognize?
Gone away...

Chorus:
But I won't cry for yesterday, there's an ordinary world,
Somehow I have to find.
And as I try to make my way, to the ordinary world...
I will learn to survive

Passion or coincidence once prompted you to say
"Pride will tear us both apart"
Well now pride's gone out the window cross the rooftops, run away,
Left me in the vacuum of my heart.
What is happening to me?
Crazy, some'd say,
Where is my friend when I need you most?
Gone away...

Chorus:
But I won't cry for yesterday, there's an ordinary world,
Somehow I have to find.
And as I try to make my way, to the ordinary world...
I will learn to survive

Papers in the roadside tell of suffering and greed
Here today, forgot tomorrow
Ooh, here besides the news of holy war and holy need
Ours is just a little sorrowed talk

(Just blown away...)

And I don't... (chorus)

Every world, is my world... (I will learn to survive)
Any world, is my world ... (I will learn to survive)

Any world, is my world...
Every world is my world...


Suede - Obession

It's the way you pick your clothes off the floor
It's the way you scratch your skin when you yawn
It's the t-shirts that you choose like you're in the air force
Yeah the language that you use reacts like chemicals

Obsessions in my head don't connect with my intellect
It's called obsession can you handle it?
It's connected to the hip sound and it moves with the underground
It's called obsession when you're around

It's the way you close the doors of my car
It's the stupid things you bought with my credit card
It's the way you don't read Camus or Bret Easton Ellis
Yeah the TCP you use it stings when we kiss

Obsessions in my head don't connect with my intellect
It's called obsession can you handle it?
It's connected to the hip sound and it moves with the underground
It's called obsession when you're around

Obessions it's like sex it's simple and complex
It's called obsession can you handle it?
It's connected to the hip sound and it moves with the underground
It's called obsession when you're around