tom's top 10 smart things to do when buying a home

Real estate guru Tom Adkins, "Cost of Freedom" regular and real estate specialist with RE/MAX Property Center of Paramus, New Jersey, details the top 10 smart things to do when buying a home:
No. 10: Find an Agent Who Is Mean
First, you want a "buyer's agent." And you want someone who really knows their stuff. If possible, at least a few years in the business. And you want someone who is heartless, who will tell you a home is a dog or a good deal… and why.
When you meet an agent, ask them to tell you their philosophy for buying. They should ALWAYS ask what you are looking for. Do not be afraid if they suggest something different. A bigger, more expensive house is often a good suggestion, not a plot to make money.
No. 9: Drive by Everything
Ask your agent to print out everything in your price range. Then, make a map and drive by everything. First, you will see everything. That will give you a great feel for the market. Second, you can narrow down the list very quickly.
Remember, you can’t say "yes" from the outside, but you can say "no." Drive-bys will tell you if the Clampetts live next door, or the kids are racing mini-bikes and go-karts on the lawn, or if the home backs up to a shopping center or a sewer plant.

Remember, looking is cheap. Buying is expensive. But buying the wrong house is VERY expensive.
No. 8: Look Slightly Above and Slightly Below Your Price Range
It’s always a good idea to see as much as possible. A lower-priced home may be just as good as what you are looking at. Then again, a higher-priced home may just what you need and well worth it. But see them.
No. 7: Look Ahead of the Curve
Always try to buy in an area that is "hot" or about to become "hot." That’s where the best appreciation is. If you buy in neighborhoods that are currently hot, that’s not a bad second choice.
And of course, think twice about areas that have already had their best days.
No. 6: Buy Newer if Possible
New homes have modern designs and features that older homes don’t have. They appreciate faster and cost less to maintain.
Older homes have their charm, of course, but be prepared to pay the price of higher maintenance and utility bills.
No. 5: Get to Know Financing Extremely Well
Buying a home is actually easy. Financing is hard. Financing is probably 90 percent of the buying process, so learn it well. Understand the advantages and disadvantages of each type of mortgage. And don’t be afraid to ask.
It’s also important to understand that loan officers don’t always know all their products or how they work. They are often glorified order-takers. And of course, everyone becomes an expert when you ask them advice on spending your money.
Like anything else in life, always learn for yourself.
No. 4: Drive the Work Routes in Rush Hour BEFORE You Even Look at the Houses
Know the neighborhoods ahead of time. And don’t forget, some places are worth an extra half an hour drive.
No. 3: Get a Good Home Inspector
Some home inspectors are wussies. Others try to be a big hero and write up nonsense that just scares the buyer and irritates a seller. And often, that’s how deals fall apart.
You want someone why is good but accurate.
No. 2: Use an Interest-Only Mortgage
Paying off principal is foolish. Put that money to work in your retirement funds. Remember, principal isn’t deductible. So if you are paying down a mortgage at 5.5 percent, you typically get a 28 percent tax break plus matching funds plus stock appreciation in a 401k.
Of course, you can also use that money to buy a bigger, better house, which beats the daylights out of almost any stock investment out there. And you’ll get a tax break on interest, as well. Never pay principal.
No. 1: Buy Your Second Home First
ALWAYS buy your second home first. If you buy too small, the bigger house just gets more expensive when you buy it five years later. This is by far the greatest mistake homebuyers make.
It’s far better to stretch into a larger home that you keep for 30 years. When you retire and move to a Florida condo, you will have hundreds of thousands of dollars extra… maybe millions.
And a freebie:
ALWAYS Buy Where the Schools Are Good
It's the first question everyone asks. Hoses in good school districts almost always appreciate faster, hold their value better, and are well worth the money.

Source: www.foxnews.com

top 10 home buying mistakes

Real estate guru Tom Adkins, "Cost of Freedom" regular and real estate specialist with RE/MAX Property Center of Paramus, New Jersey, details the top 10 dumb things people do wrong when buying a home:
No. 10: Listen to the Wrong People
Mom and Dad bought 40 years ago. Your best friend makes half the money — or twice the money. And that guy in the cubicle next to you? He hasn't even bought a house yet. So why are you listening to them?
Listening to other people may be interesting, but it's far better to learn housing on your own, especially with a good agent.
No. 9: Get a 30-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage
Terrible idea. Paying principle is dumb.
First, you can't deduct it on taxes. Second, it doesn't change how fast your house appreciates. Third, the principle would be better spent in a 401K or IRA, which automatically gets a 28 percent increase on the deduction alone, if you are in the 28 percent bracket. And fourth? Put that principle towards a bigger, better house… which appreciates faster.
And, as always, get pre-approved for your mortgage (search) — ask for as much as you can possibly qualify for, even if you don't use it.

No. 8: Pay Points on a Mortgage
"Points" are short for discount points (search), which theoretically get you a lower rate. In reality, you are just borrowing less money. And the "return" on points is usually about 5-7 years, when you either sold your home or refinanced. The only time it's worth paying points is when you get a very good rate break (say, ½ percent per point) or you will keep the loan forever.
No. 7: Put Too Much Money Down
The more money down, the lower the return on your equity. Plus, if the hooey hits the fan, the more cash you keep, the better.
No. 6: Buy Too Small
This is the absolute worst mistake people make in real estate is buying a house that's too small. If you move out five years later, you'll have spent three sets of closing costs instead of one. And, you'll be buying that big house for twice what you could have paid for it.
The concept of buying smaller homes and trading up five times in 15 years is a plot by real estate agents to take more money from you.
No. 5: Buy a Fixer-Upper
Pay yourself an hourly wage in your head, and see if it's worth it. Usually, you could get a second job at 7-11 and come out ahead by paying contractors.
Plus, you don't get to enjoy life. Who wants to live in dust and dirt for a year and a half? Certainly not your wife. This is a great way to get divorced.
No. 4: Waiting Too Long to Make the Move
Since houses appreciate over time, the longer you wait, the more it costs. And it's not just a little bit. If a $200,000 house goes up 10 percent, it costs you $20,000 bucks.
Often people wait because they want to save money and put more down. This is really dumb. You can't save as fast as houses appreciate. Can you imagine working all year to save up $15,000 extra dollars and the house sells for $30,000 more?
No. 3: Keeping a Bad Real Estate Agent
If your agent sucks, get rid of him. I can't count how many people I met who said, "My first real estate agent was awful. He overslept, didn't know much, didn't help me with financing, was rude, smelled bad and ate donuts while we were looking at houses. And I wasn't happy with the house he sold me."
Well, duh…why did you keep him?
No. 2: Buy 10 Years Too Late
Buying behind the curve, rather than on the curve or ahead of the curve.
People often buy home in neighborhoods that have already had their best days. Not that they are bad, but they aren't "hot" anymore. It's always better to buy ahead of the curve, when a neighborhood is just taking off, or just before.
This is where agents usually know more than your friends.
No. 1: Put Money Down
Why put money down? There are endless 100 percent financing plans. And almost every one is better than dumping money into a deal.
First, it doesn't make your house go up any faster.
Second, it lowers the return on your equity. If you have 5 percent down, and a house goes up 5 percent, you doubled your money. If you have 50 percent down, and the home goes up 5 percent, you only get a 10 percent return.
Last, if something goes wrong in your life, cash is a lot better than equity. Try getting an equity line of credit if you lose your job.
And a bonus...
Treating sellers with disrespect.
The absolute worst thing to do is insult a seller. Stupid clauses, ridiculous lowball offers and such simply infuriate sellers. Homes are much more personal than cars, bikes and yard sale items. I've seen sellers make deals with lower offers because they liked one buyer and hated another.

Source: www.foxnews.com

so what do you want to do one day

This question is a particular favourite of relatives with moustaches, (and yes, they include aunts) at family gatherings.
But knowing what you want to do is not easy. Very few people feel any kind of certainty about their future profession when they are still young. Even though you might have announced proudly when you were five that you wanted to be a be a fireman or a ballerina, you may very likely have changed your mind in between.
So how on earth does one decide what you want to do one day?
Think of the things you enjoy.

If you really enjoy one or two subjects at school, investigate which professions they could lead to. In any particular field there is a wide variety of possibilities. If you really like music of any description, you could, for example, become a DJ, a rock musician, play in a symphony orchestra, work for a radio station or become a sound engineer. Bottom line, is that if you can find a way to make a living from something about which you are passionate, you are likely to be happy in your work.
Think of the things you can do.

Be realistic. Each person has different talents – choose one where your talents are an asset. Certain professions have specific requirements: there are no jockeys that weigh 102 kgs, or rocket scientists with average IQs, or ramp models that are short, or actors that are really shy and retiring. Choose something where you fit the bill, otherwise you are only setting yourself up for a series of disappointments.
See a career guidance counsellor.

These people are trained to help you choose a profession, and they should also be able to give you information about different courses available. Aptitude tests can also point you in the right direction. Guidance counsellors can also give you information about careers you might not even have known about, like food styling, horticulture, adventure sports coach or furniture restoration.
Think of your financial requirements.

What sort of lifestyle do you want to have? If the jetset lifestyle is important to you, you might have to get qualified in something that is difficult, such as chartered accounting. If you are looking for something that will pay the bills, but it's more important to you to feel that you're assisting others than to have wads of cash, you could settle for the helping professions.
Think of where your chosen profession is practiced.

If you want to be a mining engineer, you are not going to find a job in Cape Town or Port Elizabeth. If you like city nightlife, farm manager is not going to cut it for you. Similarly, most journalists are centered around the big towns and cities. Professions such as teaching, law, nursing, computers and business will take you more or less anywhere – from small town to pulsing metropolis.
What sort of training is involved?

This is important as, training costs money. If you can get qualified to do something in six months with which you can earn a decent living, why study for six years and run up a student debt of thousands? Studying is expensive and if your parents are unable to pay your fees, consider the shorter courses.
What does this person do every day?

It's all very well to say you want to be a veterinary assistant, but have you got any idea what this person's daily task consists of? It is always a good idea to spend a day 'workshadowing' someone just to get an idea of what it's like. You might have unrealistic expectations or glamourised notions with regards to what a policeman, or a web designer or an art restorer or a restaurant manager does every day.
Take a look at what's needed in the country.

There is little point in becoming a teacher or an architect, or whatever, if they are being retrenched left, right and centre. Choose a profession for which there is a demand in the country at the time you have to make a choice. So whether you want to become a church minister, an events organiser, a builder or a psychologist – take a look at where there is a shortage. If you don't do this, you might very well have difficulty finding a job.
Choose a profession that travels.

With the exchange rates being what they are, many young people are going overseas to work for a few years to get some capital together and also to pay off huge student loans. Many teachers and nurses are doing short stints overseas to fill their coffers. Check whether your chosen profession's training is internationally recognised.
Don't be pressurised by parental dreams.

If your mom always wanted to be an engineer, but never got round to it, don't feel obliged to fulfill her dreams for her. You don't want to be stuck in a profession you don't enjoy, decades after the people you tried to make happy are dead and gone. And even if they're still very much alive, surely they would rather see you happy than frustrated?
(Susan Erasmus, Health24)

Source: www.health24.com

rain and hail - what else is up for the holidays?

"Mom, I'm bored."

Everyone has said this at some time in their lives. These are words parents fear.The winter school holidays are upon us. Freezing temperatures and droves of rain also limit possible outdoor activities in large parts of the country, requiring people to be very resourceful in order to keep busy.
Hanging around a shopping centre aimlessly is not a healthy way to pass the time. Games arcades are also known hangouts for paedophiles and sometimes also drug dealers. (Remember the Station Strangler? That’s where he picked out many of his victims) So what can you do to keep busy during the cold winter holidays?
There are lots of things you can do that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
Some ideas for keeping busy
- Libraries, museums, aquariums and churches often have special programmes during the holiday seasons. The activities presented often include storytelling sessions, puppet shows, guided walks in nature parks, art classes, bookmaking, paperfolding, facepainting and supervised games. Phone art centres, art galleries or local schools to find out if there are any special courses during the holiday. These are usually entertaining, presented by professionals and can be very entertaining.
- Find out if there are winter camps in your area. This is useful especially if your parents are working and are unable to spend time with you or to take you on holiday.
Television, videos and computer games have their place, but do not encourage much creativity or imagination and therefore have their limitations. You should not spend more than two or three hours per day maximum staring at a screen.
- Spend the holiday with a friend. You will seldom be bored if you have a friend with you. The presence of a friend turns even a mundane happening into an adventure.
Take the time to learn how to bake a cake or prepare a meal. You never know when it might come in very handy that you can cook a good spaghetti bolognaise and bake cheese scones. Remember to clean up.
- Board and card games travel well and can keep you busy for hours. From Pictionary, to Monopoly to Trivial Pursuit – the list is endless.
- Get reading. Go to a kilo book shop or the library. Get involved in a series of books, such as the Harry Potter books or Tolkien’s hobbit epics.
- Get involved in some ongoing project, such as redecorating your room, or making something to sell on a craft market.
- If you are lucky, your parents can always rent a house on a farm and take you away for a week. Farmhouses (phone Tourist Information Bureaus for availability and rates) more than an hour from the city are usually ridiculously cheap and large and can often accommodate more than one family. The more children the better as friends always entertain each other. Farmyard adventures, log fires, bean soup and board games – sounds tempting, doesn’t it?
- Get involved in some ecological project, like cleaning penguins, doing a beach cleanup, helping to remove alien vegetation, helping out at a bird sanctuary. Feeling useful and needed is a great antidote to boredom.
- You might enjoy going on organised hikes or adventure camps of some sort. It is also a way of meeting new people. Sometimes the outdoors can be pleasantly bracing in the middle of the winter.
- Everyone enjoys packing puzzles. Make it a family project. Be ambitious and get a large one with more than a 1000 pieces. Switch on the heater, make some pancakes and coffee and have fun.

Source: www.health24.com

one day when I'm grown up...

Being a teenager is not always fun and games and parties. On the contrary, problems with parents, a boyfriend or girlfriend, fights with friends, money worries, skin problems, worries about sex – this is no picnic.
But it does get better eventually. Even when it doesn't feel that way right now. Right now, you feel as if the sun will not come up again. But, don't despair. Your life is almost certain to improve in certain ways.
Not without your license.

Imagine having your own car and being able to come and go as you please. The freedom it brings is unspeakable. But so is the cost of servicing the car, replacing the tyres and paying for the car license. Life both gives and takes.
Wear and tear.

In a few years' time you will be able to wear exactly what you choose. Or pierce your tongue should you want to. If a kilt and a poncho blow your hair back, you can wear it. After all, what we wear says a lot about us, and who can express themselves properly with parental style police hanging around?
Eat your brocolli.

Right, you know it's good for you, but why must things that are good for you taste so vile? When you leave home you can live on burgers and pizzas, but just remember to eat some fresh fruit and vegetables – recently there was a student in America who was diagnosed with scurvy after eating nothing fresh for six months.
Heartbreak hotel.

Take solace in the fact that getting your heart broken is always worst the first time it happens. Next time around, you will be older, wiser and have the knowledge that you survived this before. Also, the knowledge that you have fallen in love more than once, shows that it could happen three times.
Zits are the pits.

Massive hormonal changes during your teen years are largely responsible for this. Rest assured, that there will come a time, usually before your 21st birthday, where this problem sorts itself out. If not, a dermatologist can usually recommend medication to fix this.
No more curfews.

"As long as you live under my roof, you will do as I say". Ever heard this? There will come a time that you will be living under your own roof and can do as you please and will not have to explain why you are ten minutes late. Your own roof also means, however, that feeding the cat and washing the floors and doing the ironing will become your responsibility.
Clean your room.

When you are on your own, you can leave your room in exactly the condition that you please or can tolerate. For weeks. The only thing is, what if you want to take someone home and you can't get the front door open?
Turn that down.

When you're on your own, you can play what music you like when you like at the volume you like. Then it's best to rent a cottage on a fram where you have no close neighbours who might complain because their floors have been vibrating for three weeks.
You're just like Uncle Winston.

Being compared to a family member, especially one you don't particularly like, can be a heavy burden to carry. Everything you do gets compared to what he would have done given the circumstances. At least when you're on your own you can be your own person and not live with constant odious comparisons.
Home is where the heart is.

Even though you might feel you would like to go and pack fish in Iceland and never return, there will come a time when things get better between you and your parents. You grow up, they grow up, you all see things differently. Even if you are out there on your own, working as a DJ, a computer boff, a dancer, a teacher – it's nice to know you can go home for a cup if tea and some support. So best you don't burn too many bridges now, because they wouldn't let you go away for the weekend with your three friends.

(Susan Erasmus, Health24)

Source: www.health24.com

matrics - start your own business

Very few South African school leavers are absorbed into the formal economy. In fact, every year, there is a smaller number of people who manage to find jobs. Not everyone has the money to go and study further.

So what now?
The reality is that many youngsters simply end up sitting at home doing nothing. And unfortunately there is some truth in the old saying that the devil finds work for idle hands.
But there are quite a few other possibilities. One of them is creating a job for yourself. Right, but that’s easier said than done. Or is it?
The most important thing to remember is that you need to take a careful look at your community, or one close by and offer a service that people will support.
Offering to fix electrical appliances in an area where few people have electricity, or babysitting services in an area where most of the occupants are elderly, will both result in disaster.
Ideas on generating an income for yourself.

Making beads.

There are bead shops in all big cities in South Africa. The biggest one in Cape Town is called the Bead Shop and is in Long Street. It has a wholesale outlet two doors up of you want to buy in bulk, which is cheaper on the long run. There is also a branch in Mellville Johannesburg.
Here you can buy beads of every description at very cheap prices. In fact, if you spend R50 – R100, you can set up a small business. In the ship there are pamphlets to show you how to put clasps onto bracelets and necklaces and how to make earrings. A small string of beads which you can easily sell for R10, could cost you as little as R1,50 to put together.
They sell everything you would need to start your own small jewellery manufacturing business. Take a look at what your friends like and start production. Campuses and flea markets are good places to sell your products. Remember two things – don’t be shy and make what people want, even if you think purple and yellow don’t go well together.
Teach extra lessons.

If there was a subject you were particularly good at in school, your services could be in demand. Teach extra lessons after school.
Keep your rates reasonable and get people to sign up and pay for a month or term in advance. Limit the size of the group to 4 or 5 otherwise individual attention could become a problem and after all, that is what people are paying for.
Start a carwashing or poolcleaning business.

These are two jobs most people hate to do or simply don’t have the time, so would be prepared to pay others to do this.
You also don’t need any equipment of your own, apart from a cleaning agent, a bucket and a cloth to start off with this. Start with your neighbours and put pamphlets in postboxes for a few blocks around.
If you do a good job, people will tell their friends about you and business will start coming in by itself.
Become a dogwalker.

Many people are too lazy or don’t have the time to walk their dogs, but they feel guilty about it – guilty enough that they will pay someone else to do it.
A number of dogs on leashes can be taken at the same time, so the job need not take up your entire day. Find a nice park or open piece of land where you can take them. Speak to a vet before you embark on this, as they will be able to give you handy tips on dealing with a group of dogs.
Give computer lessons.

Many people have home computers with which they struggle. Not only do they not know how to do the basics, but they have not discovered the joys of the internet. If you know how, use this knowledge to make some money.
Advertise your services by means of photocopied pamphlets, library noticeboards and by word-of-mouth.
This will not cost you anything, because you will be working in peoples’ homes.
Babysitting and homework supervision.

Combine these two services. If you could make this a regular thing, parents could be freed up to pursue some other activities while they know their kids are not only being looked after, but that their homework is being supervised.
Contact the local schools to advertise your services.
Candles and soap.

Check on the Internet on how to make these. These, especially if they are original and attractive, are always in demand for presents.
Start small and check carefully what the market wants, before you invest more than R100 in equipment and materials.
Things to remember
- Every single contact with a customer is important, as a satisfied customer is your best advertisement possible. Be polite and accommodating and remember that the customer is always right.
- Don’t be shy. Push your product and take it to places where you think people might be interested.
- Tell everyone you know about what you are doing.
- Be nice to people like school secretaries and vet receptionists, as they could recommend your services. When they do, thank them – and take them a chocolate!
- Never give credit to anyone, but insist on immediate cash payment, otherwise you could lose money.
- Advertise your services on community noticeboards at supermarkets and in community newspapers.
- Doing a job well is your passport to more opportunities. Nobody is going to recommend you if your work is shoddy, you are unreliable or unpunctual or you break your promises.
- Many parents expect a contribution to the household once a child leaves school. If you are unable to pay rent, remember there are lots of things you can do around the house and garden which would actually save them money. Show your willingness and pitch in wherever you can. After all, they are paying for the roof over your head.
- If you don’t have access to a landline, buy a secondhand cellphone and buy a pay-as-you-go card. Then people will be able to contact you if they want to use your services. Just beware of the high cost of making calls from a cellphone. Rather use a public phone to do this – it will cost you a quarter of the price.
(Susan Erasmus, Health24)

Source: www.health24.com

10 bad gift ideas for christmas

The gifts we give others say quite a lot about how we see our relationships with them. Can't think of anything to give someone? Chances are you also don't have all that much to say to them. But there are gifts, which would be better not to give.
Recycled gifts.

Last year you got something you didn't like, stuffed it into a drawer and now you are passing it on. Chances are the new recipient will also not like it – and who knows, it might find its way back to you next Christmas.
Very expensive personal gifts.

These include things like jewellery. You could find yourself spending R1000 on a ring for your loved one and they don't like the particular style, shape, colour of what you bought. Ask someone what they like before you spend so much money. It is better to spoil the surprise than to waste thousands.
Three of a kind.

Right, you've got three sisters and little time to traipse around the shops looking for individual gifts, so you end up buying three of the same thing. Thing is, they're all round the same Christmas tree, and once the first one has opened her present, the surprise is gone for the other two. By all means buy three similar things, but identical is not a good idea.
Noisy toys.

On Christmas Day, most families gather in large groups – often in not very large houses. Giving a three-year-old a drum might just spoil the whole day for everybody. Same goes for plastic trumpets and very squeaky plastic animals. Cheap plastic toys also usually don't survive the rough-and-tumble of Christmas Day. Rather go for something solid and wooden – and quiet.
Last-minute gifts.

By the evening of the 24th of December, the shops are empty, and what remains on the shelves, is either ugly, or extremely expensive. You could find yourself having to fork out a fortune for something which is not ideal, or particularly wanted.
It's-the-thought-that-counts gifts.

This usually means the present is dead horrible or definitely unwanted. Or a last-minute affair, just so you don't arrive empty-handed. Sometimes it is better to arrive empty-handed than with something that is so obviously a last-minute thing.
Chocolates.

Always a bad idea. Most people are only too aware of how much weight they are gaining over Christmas, and receiving a further temptation under the tree only makes them even more depressed. Furthermore, when someone receives chocolates, there is subtle pressure on them to open it and share it out, so they don't actually receive a gift at all.
Socks and handkerchiefs and underwear.

These are personal items that people like choosing for themselves. Unless you have very definite instructions on exactly what someone likes, don't go down this road. Rather give a gift voucher and let them choose for themselves.
Sale books and CDs.

These can sometimes be a great success, but only if you keep in mind what someone's tastes are. If you come across Shakespeare's collected works for a mere R49,99, don't give it to someone who has never read anything more taxing than the sports page of the newspaper. It will remain unread and unappreciated. Your grandfather will also quite likely remain unimpressed with Depeche Mode, regardless of whether it was a bargain or not.
Break-the-bank gifts.

Before you consider buying someone a very expensive gift, try and find out more or less what they plan spending on your gift. It is embarrassing if you give a potential girlfriend three CDs and she gives you a pair of socks.

– (Susan Erasmus, Health24)

Source: www.health24.com

who are these people? - teens on tv

As if it’s not difficult enough to get through life, what with surviving parents and younger brothers and sisters, passing exams, getting and keeping friends, looking and behaving in a manner that’s not stupid, now you have to do all of this against the backdrop of the perfect teens you see on TV.
Appearance

They never have zits, are all above average looking, never carry one extra kilogram, despite the fact that they are constantly shown munching hamburgers and hardly ever do any exercise. They never have bad hair days, are always dressed in the latest expensive fashions and always manage to look cool even if they’re throwing a tantrum.
They wake up in the morning looking cute, not puffy and grumpy and they never develop a boil on their nose before a big date.
Their families

These families fall mainly into two categories: either the laugh-a-minute type or the serious and concerned pillar-of –the-community type, who have serious discussions with their kids about moral issues and things like pollution and sexual choices. The parents, often childhood sweethearts, are always still in love with each other, unless it’s a comedy in which they go for each other’s throats, while the live audience rolls in the aisles. (What’s a dead audience anyway?)
Their brothers and sisters are also cute and sweet, even when they’re being irritating -nothing like the brats that you have to deal with on an ongoing basis. You are convinced your younger siblings were placed on this earth to turn your life into a complete misery. And you somehow always get the blame for what they do wrong, but they don’t listen to you.
Their behaviour

TV teens always think of the right thing to say while they are still in the situation, unlike you, who thinks of the perfect comeback three weeks later while clearing out your cupboard. Wit and wisdom roll of their tongues like a waterfall and the word ‘Ummm…’ is never heard.
They never blush. They either have a quick comeback, or they manage to look deeply hurt in such a way that whoever was nasty to them looks like the villain of the piece. They have also all specialised in looking dark and sultry and mysterious and unpredictable. They never sulk, only brood in self-righteous anger. They never slam doors and swear, but they weep in their darkened bedrooms, where their parents come to apologise to them.
Their parents reason with them and never say things like, “You can come down to supper if you’ve stopped sulking”.
Their schools

Their teachers mostly bear no resemblance to what you have to look at every day. The teachers mostly care, are remarkably tolerant of rudeness, and often actually care enough to be nasty, to get involved in personal matters of the students and to mark assignments instantly and fairly.
They don’t ever seem to spend a lot of time studying, yet always pass tests, often top of the class. Whatever they turn their hands to, they can do well.
They get chosen for sports teams and school plays, unless their not being chosen is the theme for this week’s sultry brooding session.
Their classmates are always beautiful, varied and interesting, the only exceptions being the really nasty ones. And the nasty ones always get what they deserve. You, on the other hand, are still being bullied by the person who tripped you up in Grade 5.
Their love interests

There always is one. There’s always someone in whom they are interested, someone who is interested in them, someone they’re just dumping, or have just dumped or been dumped by. In real life, months can pass without any of these things happening.
The love interests are almost always attractive and interesting, but often with a dark and painful secret, which almost, but seldom completely, scuttles the relationship. There is always a third or fourth person lurking, whose main aim in life appears to be to torpedo the budding romance.
And then, there is always the misunderstanding. She sees him with another woman, who turns out to be his sister. Or someone tells him she has the morals of an alley cat, which turn out to be nothing more than jealous spite. But all of this provides the opportunity for much weeping and wailing and general gnashing of teeth.
And have you noticed that they always, even in big cities, happen to run into the person in question.
Their financial status

Their families always have loads of money. Their furniture always looks brand new – no wear and tear or scuffmarks – and their kitchens always look like something out of an advertising brochure. Their lounges contain every imaginable gadget, but you hardly ever see them watching TV.
They almost always have their own rooms, often their own TVs and telephones.
They often manage to keep a car going on what they earn flipping hamburgers twice a week. Their social lives are hardly ever curtailed by a lack of money and when it is, their parents are always obliging with a loan, which you never see them pay back.
Conclusion

If all of this is making you feel inadequate, relax, you’re in good company. If you have zits, parents who shout at you and are often unreasonable, no transport, a shared bedroom, dragons for teachers and definitely a to-do list as far as your appearance is concerned, take heart in the fact that you at least have a foot in the real world.
Change and growth in your life does not happen in hour-long episodes, but is an ongoing process. And you are also clever enough to know that there are some problems in this world for which there are no easy or immediate solutions.

So give yourself a break.

Source: www.health24.com

who on earth invented these?

There are many things we use every day without giving them a second thought. But somewhere, some bright spark must have thought of them first. So who invented the following things?
Aspirin.

Aspirin was first produced commercially in 1899. it is the most common pain reliever known today. The Bayer AG, in Germany, manufactured Aspirin in powdered form. The real name of aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid was first synthesized by a chemist from Alsace, called Karl Gerhardt. But its value as a pain reliever was only recognised in 1899, and by 1915, it was available in tablet form and it gained wide usage.
Glasses.

These were originally invented by an unknown Italian glass worker from Tuscany between 1280 and 1286. The first eyeglasses were suitable only for the farsighted and it was only in the 15th century that concave lenses for the near-sighted appeared. Spectacles appeared in China in the 15th century. Benjamin Franklin, who did not like carrying two pairs of glasses with him, invented bifocals in 1785.
False teeth.

The Etruscans were centuries ahead of their contemporaries in the field of dentistry. In about 700 B.C., they succeeded in making partial dentures. These early false teeth were carved from bone or ivory, or were taken from the mouths of young cattle. In the 18th century a Parisian dentist by the name of Pierre Fauchard made upper and lower sets joined with steel springs. This kept the upper set in position but gave the wearer problems when he tried to close his mouth.
Frozen food.

Until the early 1900s, ice-cooled food and drinks were a luxury only available to the very rich. But in order to keep foods frozen, a refrigeration machine had to be developed which could ensure a stabilized temperature. James Harrison, a newspaper editor, patented his own ice machine in Australia in 1857. By 1873 he had perfected his method and held a party in celebration – at which he served meat which had been frozen for six months. None of the guests noticed. In 1924 Clarence Birdseye developed quick-freezing machinery and soon formed the General Seafoods Corporation.
The safety razor.

The safety razor was invented by Jean-Jacques Perret from France and King Camp Gillette from the US. There are two components to the modern safety razor: a guard to keep the blade from piercing the skin and disposable blades. Salesmen Gillette turned shaving upside down in 1901 with his wafer-thin stamped-steel disposable blades. He had worked on the mechanics of the blade for six years. In 1903 he sold 51 razors and 168 blades, and in 1904 90,000 razors and 12,4 million blades.
(Source: The Peoples' Almanac #2: David Wallechinsky and Irving Wallace)

Source: www.health24.com

why do we celebrate april fool's day?

Were you caught by stories about a new African currency, bin Laden being caught in Durban or a new washing powder that irons your clothes for you? Then we can rightly call you an April Fool. But what is the history behind this custom?
The celebration of April Fool's Day can be traced back for centuries and seemed to have evolved from spring day celebrations in the northern hemisphere. New Year also used to be celebrated on this day, until the Gregorian Calendar was introduced in the sixteenth century and New Year was moved to the 1st of January.
Those who were ignorant enough to continue celebrating New Year on the 1st of April, were called April fools and were often made fun of or sent on ridiculous errands. Over time, this tradition evolved into general prank-playing, and spread from France to England and Scotland and to America in the eighteenth century.
Practical jokes take on many different forms – from setting someone's alarm clock an hour back to prank calls to hoax newspaper stories or more elaborate hoaxes involving several people.
The first big media story on April Fool's Day came from the British media in 1958 and involved a lengthy report on Italian spaghetti farmers and how they harvest their crops. (Susan Erasmus, Health24)

Source: www.health24.com

teens - live to tell the tale

You're young and you're going to live forever.

Right?

Wrong.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings, but that's not so. What's more, is that there are a lot of things you can do in your teens that will make sure you get to your twenties. And your thirties. And those are a lot closer than you think.
I know health problems are often far from one's mind when you're planning what you're going to wear to the party on Friday night or wondering whether that cute guy in Grade 11 was really looking at you during assembly. Life can be exciting during this time and there are many new experiences you're going through, but often, when people have big problems later in life, they can trace them back to things that started in their teens.
And let's face it, your teens are also not just a bed of roses. This can be a lonely or a sad time. Life can be complicated and during your teens, you tend to feel things more deeply than later in life. When your girlfriend dumps you when you're 17, or your parents get divorced, it simply is more difficult to deal with than when you are older.
Look out for these things and take action, while you can still do something about the situation:
Junk food.

Recently, a man in America ate nothing but junk food for thirty days. Three times a day, he had sodas, burgers, chips and whatever else could be found on the menu. After a month he had gained 13 kgs and had dangerously high blood pressure, as well as liver problems. These results speak for themselves. Eating healthy foods will help you grow and help your body fight diseases. Six glasses of water a day are recommended, and at least five portions of fresh fruit and vegetables. Proteins are essential, but try and stay away from animal fats. Eat lots of fish and wholewheat grains, such as brown rice and wholewheat bread. Dairy products are essential, as they up your calcium levels.
Safe sex or no sex.

Deciding to have sex is one issue, but having unsafe sex an entirely different one. One sexual encounter without using a condom could cost you your life. A generation or two ago, the worst things that could happen to people who had unplanned and unprotected sex, were pregnancy or a sexually transmitted infection (STI), which could be treated with antibiotics. Now HIV/Aids has transformed things on the sexual front. There is no medication that will cure HIV/Aids, so once you've got it, you've got it. And you could be passing it on to others. Point is, there is nothing casual about having casual sex these days.
Avoiding obesity.

A recent report by the International Obesity Task Force, have shown that one in every ten schoolkids in the world is overweight. As many societies are becoming more westernized as people are moving to cities, diets seem to be leaning more and more towards calorie-rich and fatty junk foods. If you get into a habit of watching what you eat most of the time and getting some regular exercise, you are unlikely to gain weight. It doesn't mean that you can't ever enjoy anything. One doughnut a week is not going to make you obese – but one or two a day might very well. So, the secret lies in not going overboard and getting out there in the great outdoors for a walk or a run, or a sports match. It is so much easier to control your weight now, than having to lose 35 kg at a later stage in your life.
Safety and security.

We live in a dangerous country. I don't really have to tell you that as I can't imagine that you won't have realised it by now. But the statistics are frightening: Every day in South Africa, 60 people are murdered, 95 people barely survive violent attacks, 142 women are raped, and 725 people are assaulted with the intention to inflict grievous bodily harm, according to statistics from the South African Police Services (SAPS). So how do you protect yourself? You can get quite far by doing a self-defence course, by not walking around alone after dark, never hitchhiking, avoiding getting into fights as far as is possible and avoiding areas that are known to be unsafe. Make sure you always have enough money on you to make a phone call in an emergency.
Quitting smoking.

Researchers say it is just as difficult to stop smoking as it is to stop taking heroin. Worldwide, more people die of smoking-related diseases than of tuberculosis and Aids combined. About seven million South Africans smoke about ten cigarettes per day. And 90% of them started smoking before the age of 18. Cigarette smoke does damage to every organ and every function in your body and every cigarette you smoke, shortens your life by about five minutes. In short, it is just so much less hassle never starting than it is to try and stop once you've acquired a pack-a-day habit.
Avoiding an unwanted pregnancy.

Having a baby when you're still in your teens, is difficult, to say the least. Your friends are out partying and discovering the world and you're at home changing nappies. And then, of course, there's the whole issue of finding money to buy nappies, to pay for medical expenses, buy baby food and clothing. If the father is as young as you are, chances are that he doesn't have oodles of cash either. Having a baby at such a young age, also means that your own plans are put on hold for a while. Bottom line is, that if you're having a sexual relationship, you should take responsibility for what you're doing. If you're too shy to speak to your GP or go to the clinic for contraceptives, you shouldn't be having sex in the first place.
Staying away from drugs.

Every single person who starts taking drugs, think they will be able to control their drug intake. No one ever plans to end up as an addict. Point is, drugs are everywhere and you've probably already been offered some. "By the time a boy has reached Grade 11, between one third and half will have tried illegal substances”, says Grant Jardine, director of the Cape Town Drug Counselling Centre. Drugs drain your finances, ruin your health and make it almost impossible for you to have healthy relationships. It also severely strains your family relations and makes it very difficult for you to study or make any progress on your career path. Drugs can kill you in a variety of unpleasant ways – from making your heart stop, to causing bleeding on your brain, just to name two.
Hitting the bottle.

There is a liquor outlet of some kind for every 191 people in South Africa, according to statistics provided by the Medical Research Council. There certainly is no shortage of alcohol in this country. Liquor may not be sold to anyone under the age of 18, according to the South African law. Alcohol is produced by the fermentation of fruits, vegetables or grains. Water and ethanol make up the body of most alcoholic drinks. All alcoholic beverages display their percentage of alcoholic content on the labels. Within five minutes of consuming alcohol, it enters the blood stream via the stomach. The effects can last for several hours. Alcohol is a nervous system depressant and after three units, makes people less socially inhibited and generally more relaxed. If more alcohol is consumed, double vision, nausea, loss of balance and vomiting can occur. Further drinking may lead to unconsciousness and memory loss. Alcohol affects every organ of the body, but its most dramatic impact is on the liver. Also, many people die as a result of accidents caused by drunken drivers.
Abusive relationships.

Relationship patterns are often started in your teens. If a relationship is causing you pain for much of the time, or your partner does not make you feel good about yourself, get out as quickly as possible. Life is difficult enough as it is that we don't need to have to deal with partners who are emotionally or even physically abusive. And no, you are not to blame for your partner's behaviour, whatever he/she might say. People themselves choose how they react in certain situations – you cannot be held responsible for their choices. And don't for a moment believe that by changing the way you behave, you will be able to solve the problem.
Depression/suicide.

Suicide among children and adolescents in South Africa is on the increase, according to statistics released by the University of Natal School of Medicine. On average, 9% of deaths in young people are due to suicide. For every one fatal suicide, there are 20 suicide attempts. One of the leading causes of suicide is psychological disorders, such as depression. The signs of depression in teens include feeling sad, anxious or empty; school performance that gets worse; loss of interest in social or sports activities; too little or too much sleep; changes in weight or appetite. If you feel constantly depressed, it is essential that you do something about it. You can go to your family GP, or if you have suicidal thoughts, phone the Suicide Helpline at 0800 567 567.
Dropping out of school.

School can be boring, frustrating and exasperating at times. So it's not surprising that every now and then you feel as if you want to go away and not come back. But not having your Grade 12-certificate closes many doors for you and several years down the line will limit your earning potential severely. Dropping out of school can have real long-term effects on the rest of your life, making it a lot more unpleasant by comparison than the joy you experienced in waving goodbye to the school in the first place.
Dieting too much.

Constant dieting can cause your metabolism to slow down. If your body thinks it is starving, it will hang onto everything that you do eat, in case there's little more coming that way. The eating disorder anorexia nervosa is also associated with obsessive dieting, long past the point where someone has reached normal goal weight. See the above section on junk food for healthy eating recommendations.
Not exercising.

Exercise helps burn calories and also helps with weight management. It will also help to control things such as blood sugar, stress and depression. So how much exercise do you need? Experts generally recommend at least 30 minutes a day. Walking, swimming and cycling are good ways of exercising. Taking part in team sport at school can also improve your social life.
(Susan Erasmus, Health24)

Source: www.health24.com

top 10 teen tips

When you're growing up, health is something you often take for granted. That is, until something goes wrong and you get sick or injured. But with very little effort on your part, you can get healthy and stay healthy.
Avoid junk food.

One hamburger a week isn't going to change you into a blimp, but if it gets to be an everyday thing, you could be in trouble. If your consumption of chips and hot dogs is greater than your consumption of fresh fruit, vegetables, you will not only pack on the pounds, you will also be unhealthy.
Drink lots of water.

A study found that 65% of children between the ages of 11 and 14 do not drink enough water. Could you be one of them? How many glasses of water have you had today? You should have between six and eight every day – more if you are doing a lot of exercise.
Don't squeeze zits.

The temptation is huge, but the point is, squeezing makes them worse, as it causes an infection in the skin. This will cause many more problems than it will solve.
Don't harbour grudges.

If someone has done something that really makes you angry, vent it, get it out of your system, but don't harbour grudges. This wreaks havoc with your health, as constant anger eats you up from the inside and causes your stress levels to go skyhigh. This has a domino effect, as constant stress reduces the effectiveness of your immune system.
Get some exercise.

Exercise does lots of good things for you – it ups your heart rate, drains your lymph nodes, gets your blood circulating, and ups your serotonin levels. Serotonin is your body's feel-good hormone – and heavens, when you're a teenager, you need lots of this! Exercise is a very good antidote for depression, so get moving and do yourself a favour.
Don't smoke or drink or do drugs.

Being a teen often means experimenting with lots of new things – this is only natural. But just keep in mind that many people in their twenties and thirties struggle with addictive habits they started in their teens. While lung cancer and cirrhosis of the liver can take years to develop, if you think about it, you probably know a teen who has died from taking illegal drugs – why do this to yourself? The problem with people who live on the edge, is they often fall over it.
Get enough sleep.

Your body needs all the help it can get in this difficult time of change. It's fine to stay up late now and then, but avoid feeling wiped out by going to bed more or less the same time every night – and that's not at 2 a.m. Try and get a full eight hours, especially on school nights or before exams.
Make some money of your own.

Having money of your own gives you a bit of freedom to buy the clothes or the CDs you want. Also, if you get some experience now, it will probably be easier to get a job later on.
Appreciate family and friends.

Family can sometimes drive you crazy, but they're the only ones you have. Friends also form part of your support system. Generally, you will receive the same kind of support that you are prepared to give to others. So, in short, be there for your friends, and they will be there for you.
Books, music, movies.

These are all great stress relievers. They all take you out of your world for a while – and boy, we all need that sometimes. Join a library, as books are expensive. There's nothing quite like a video on a rainy, cold, winter's evening. And music often says it like you wish you could.
(Susan Erasmus, Health24)

Source: www.health24.com

telling your parents you are gay

Telling your parents you are gay is not an experience people take lightly – whether you are on the giving or the receiving end of the news.
As it is, parents and children often experience difficulty in seeing each other as sexual beings and when parents have to deal with the added information of their children’s homosexuality, all sorts of other issues come to the fore.
Receiving this news is often a profound shock for parents, says Glenn de Swardt, Manager of the Clinical Services for The Triangle Project, a gay, lesbian and bisexual support group. Not only do parents often have to cope with their own and society’s homophobic ideas, but they have to rethink the ideals they had for their child.
Mothers often have some idea of the truth, as they are often more closely in tune with their children on an emotional level. But it still comes as a shock to have your suspicions confirmed. Parents also see their children as extensions of themselves and this forces them to rethink family relationships.
Stereotypical Ideas

Although a lot less homophobic than twenty years ago - South Africa now has one of the most progressive constitutions in the world as far as gay rights are concerned - our society, of which parents form an integral part, still has very stereotypical ideas about what it means to be gay. Parents often wonder whether their children are going to become clones of Liberace or Martina Navratilova. The truth often lies very far from this.
Parents need time to mourn

“Parents need time to mourn the loss of what they had hoped for their children – a stable marriage and children” says De Swardt. “They need the space to go into shock and to come to terms with the news they have received. Coming out is a long process for a child and parents also need a lot of time to work through this.”
"Where did we go wrong?"

It is not unusual for parents to experience a deep sense of shame and a very real fear of what relatives, friends and colleagues will say. Many parents examine themselves, their own relationship with their spouse and ask the universal question, ”Where did we go wrong”. The answer is most probably ‘nowhere’.
Parents worry about their children leading a life of what they perceive as unstable and alien to their own experience. The life of a lonely social outcast is what many parents envisage for their homosexual child.
The truth lies very far from this, as there are thousands of happy gay couples in South Africa. With heterosexual marriages having only a 50% chance of success, being straight is not always a guarantee for happiness.
Both parents and children do not always have contact with or access to positive gay role models and for this reason often jump to conclusions that may be very far from the truth, like it will merely be a matter of time before your son gets AIDS.
10 Tips for parents of gay children
- Remember that this is still the child you love
- Children do not choose this condition
- Give yourself time to make peace with the idea – give yourself time to mourn if you need to.
- Be honest about what you are feeling as it will give your child the opportunity to do the same. If you are worried, it is because you care and mean well. You might worry less if you inform yourself better.
- Treasure your child’s individuality and her right to make choices
- Remember that you want, above all else, for your child to be happy, not to lead a life of secrecy of which you form no part
- Feel flattered that your child trusted you enough to tell you – it means he wants you to remain a part of his life. And as he is unlikely to have a wife and strings of children, will very likely be able to give you more care and attention in your later life than would otherwise have been possible.
- Your child is not doing this to reject you Other people are often far less prejudiced than you expect them to be. Statistically, they are very likely to have either gay children, siblings or other relatives.
“It is not always a wise idea to tell parents,” says Glenn de Swardt. “In homes where violence occurs or if conservative parents are likely to react very strongly by doing things such as kicking schoolgoing children out of the home, it is often better for the child to keep quiet.” But in most cases it is wiser to be honest – just choose the right time.
And even if you feel at sea, remember the words of Oscar Wilde: “Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you.”
Contact Details

The Triangle Project (Tel.(021) 448 3812) also has counselling facilities for parents and families who are having difficulty coming to terms with having a gay child or sibling. The Gay and Lesbian Helpline is also available from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily on (021) 4222500.
(Susan Erasmus Health24)
Many teens worry about this issue. Our Teen Expert gives advice.

Source: www.health24.com

guide to great kissing

Knowing when to kiss for the first time:
- Break the ice by greeting your date with a kiss on the cheek. When it comes to the time for the "real" kiss you will both be much more relaxed.
- Touch your partner throughout the evening. Don't hold the touch too long, however. Use your judgment.
- Wait for the moment to present itself.
- Look for cues from body language. Is your partner moving into you?
Step-by-step:
- Tilt head, close eyes (enhances the sensation of the kiss)
- Kiss lightly with soft lips and a slightly open mouth.
- Savour the smell.
- Gently move your whole body toward your partner, if he/she is responding, press your chest towards him/her, then your waist and finally move your hips.
- Feel your partner's rhythm, match it.
Tongue:
- Gently move the tongue in, exploring the inside of the lips, move in a little more paying attention to your partner's motions and rhythms.
- Take turns exploring each others' mouths.
- Play with the tongue.
Kissing do's and don'ts:
- Don't slobber - The amount of moisture should remain the same as your normal state.
- Don't tense up your lips - allow your lips to relax, not sloppy, but loose.
- Do Tease - be gentle at first. Give your partner a chance to come after your lips, want your lips.
- Use all your senses to make love with your mouth.
- Be aware of your oral hygiene. Smell and taste can be the most potent of aphrodisiacs (or turn-offs).
- Don't press your lips too much into your lover's lips. Squashing your lover's lips is not passionate, it just hurts and makes it difficult for them to respond.
Tips to make it special
- Ear nibbling - lightly little nibbles, alternating with light sucking of the lobe is an effective technique.
- Cherish the bottom lip. Gently suck the lower lip between your lips for a second before you let it go. Even nibble gently.
- Use your hands. Hold the face, caress hair, slide your hand down the back. Each one will enhance the kiss that much more.
- Enhance the senses - Connect your lips and then don't move. A kiss that will build your anticipation for everything else as it builds intimacy.
- Be creative - Develop you own special kissing style. Don't stick to one thing. Explore, enjoy the senses.
- Get into it. Your lover will be able to feel your involvement. Enjoy your senses.
- Allow the tongue to dance together, teasing it, melding with it, moving together, and apart. Let your lover take the lead once in a while. Allow his/her tongue to set the tone, follow it where it goes.
- Lightly lick the neck, use your soft hot breath to linger over the ear.
- Move your soft lips down the neck to the very sensitive area where the hairline stops. Lick and nibble.
- Use chocolate, honey, mint candy or wine to make your lips taste sweet or pass it between you to share the flavour and enhance the senses.

Source: www.health24.com

feast on the hors d'oeuvre tonight

Blokes do tend to rush through foreplay, like a hungry diner wolfing down his starter. But what if there’s no main course?
Biology dictates that there will be times when penetrative sex is a no-no. If you don’t understand why, ask your dad or get a book from the library. Or perhaps you’re just concerned that your lovemaking has become a bit routine. Happily, snogging in the full knowledge that copulation is off the menu can be loads of fun – and it can earn you points.
That’s because you’ll be seen as the caring man who actually fancies his partner for all of her, not just her crotch and nipples. A novel concept, but hang on it.
There are also some therapists – not sadists – that recommend abstaining from full-blown intercourse for some time if sex in your relationship has grown a little stale or predictable. This might seem like trying to cure starvation by fasting, but they recommend it. In this piece we’d like to suggest a platter of hors d’oeuvres instead.
Obviously the mood needs to be set. If you’ve just been working on restoring your classic MG, get busy with the hand cleaner and nailbrush before even shaking hands with your partner. The usual precautions apply: if you owe her or members of her family large amounts of money, if you have halitosis or she’s discovered her sister’s underwear in the back of your car, don’t expect her to melt at your touch.
Let’s assume you’re free of any of these pitfalls and move on swiftly:
- Never underestimate the power of taste and smell. Feeding each other strawberries and chocolate sauce sounds clichéd, but it’s also an emphatically sexy way of getting up close and personal.
- Aromatherapy burners with essential oils work well. Go for subtle scents like sandalwood and pine.
- Try one of The Body Shop’s sensual massage oils. Their Body Butter will make things slippery and tactile – is this a problem?
- A while back, we wrote on the oft-overlooked pleasure of kissing (Rediscover the lost art of kissing ) Brush up on that advice and then supplement it with this stuff. Briefly, the mouth is an amazing device that combines friction with lubrication, heat with coolness (Blowing on wet skin can make gooseflesh appear in all the right places), and the rough with the smooth.
- Using this handy little device around your partner’s ears, neck and throat might elicit squeaks and sighs. Monitor her reactions and don’t tickle her too much. This is supposed to be making out, not primary school.
- Don’t move on from the ears just yet. The lobes warrant some gentle rubbing and the edges are very sensitive.
- Kiss the small of her back, her buttocks or behind her knees. Or give them a rub with some massage oil.
- Pay attention to her neck and throat, and to the skin just above the collarbones (or clavicles if she’s a medical student). Instead of diving for the breasts, brush the backs of your fingers across her nipples, but kiss the skin all around the breasts, especially just underneath them.
- Touching her hips and the skin just inside the hipbones will get a response and anywhere downward towards her vagina is teeming with nerve endings.
At this point you might both be debating whether to have the main course after all. That’s up to you two. Oral sex or mutual masturbation can be loads of fun, as you may already know. Bringing each other to climax with your hands while staring deep into each other’s eyes might turn out to be the most erotic event you’ve shared in some time.

- (William Smook, Health24)

Source: www.health24.com

things women wish you knew

Here’s something to send an untimely chill down your spine - your partner is hoping you’ll read this article.
Face it, women are different to men – you may already have noticed. So it’s predictable that some of the things blokes do in bed will drive women wild, while others might just irk them a bit. Here are a few, and what you can do about them.
Hygiene

Even if you believe your trouser furniture is clean, a shower before bed never hurt anyone. She might even get into hot water with you. Being clean is a basic courtesy, whether you’ve spent the day by the pool or mopping out the lion’s cage. Don’t make a big ceremony of it. Just say, “I’m going to have a shower before bed,” or ad lib it. The same goes for your hands and any other part of you that you plan to put inside her. Clean hands and immaculately trimmed and scrubbed nails are mandatory.
Trying to be a stud

Women can be very sensitive about this: Mr Lover Man goes through his whole seduction routine, stimulating her squishy bits and coaxing her toward an almighty orgasm. Yet she gets the feeling he’s making love to A Woman, rather than to her. Try focusing on her. Calling her by her name is good, especially if you pronounce it correctly.
Foreplay starts with the clothes on

Warming up to a sweaty, naked encounter can start hours, even days beforehand and actually being considerate and nice can pay dividends. Some blokes can pull off the whole smouldering, bad-guy image, but a lot of the time they end up glowering, Healthcliffe-like, at themselves in the mirror of some bar. The bottom line: don’t stand her up for lunch and then expect to arrive at her place and be greeted by a seductress in something lacy.
Hitting the same bases

Beware of slipping into a schedule: kiss, breasts, kiss some more, penetration. Once a women feels you’ve fallen into a habit, the thermostat goes off. Remind yourself of all the other nerve endings in splendid array around her body. Even slender girls have plenty of skin and all of it has really useful nerve endings.
Keeping quiet

Even if you’re not the most articulate of men when you’re in the sack, try to at least emit the occasional appreciative sound. And if she urges you to talk to her during those intimate moments, you’d better learn to.
Being too rough

We’ll put it down to enthusiasm, but no woman likes to have her breasts twisted off or her vagina prodded with claw-like fingers. You’re dealing with soft, pliable tissue here. Go softly. If you’re doing it correctly, you’ll know, and if she wants more pressure or roughness she’ll probably tell you.
Finishing too soon

For some men this becomes a dreaded habit that warrants therapy. For most, it can be fixed with a little self-help. Masturbate until you’re about to have an orgasm, then stop. Repeat this several times before finishing off. Regularly working at this will help to delay your reaction and you ought to be able to control it better. Until you get that right you can rely on the rest of your formidable arsenal of stimulation to provide your partner with all sorts of pleasure. You can give her an orgasm with cunnilingus or your fingers, or take her up to the very brink before introducing your penis.
Lasting too long

Some men would give a kidney to have this problem, but it can be very little fun for women who just wish the guy would finish up. For some men, this is a result of plenty of frenzied, hurried masturbation, which has left the penis desensitised. It can be cured by leaving the member alone for a few weeks. With no masturbation, there’ll be some return of sensitivity. After that you should masturbate gently, or by using only your fingertips, not squeezing like you’re trying to throttle a python.

- (William Smook)

Source: www.health24.com

mistakes men make in bed

You've got her as far as your bedroom. What could possibly go wrong now? Many things - read these and find out why she never phoned or returned your calls.
Not shaving.

Like love, stubble hurts. When you drag your chin across her face or thighs, she might not be moaning from pleasure, but from pain.
Blowing in her ear.

There’s a big difference between erotic whispering in someone’s ear and huffing and puffing as if you want to blow the house down.
Twiddling her nipples.

Nipples are sensitive and should be treated gently. They should not be treated like radio dials.
Ignoring the rest of her body.

A woman is made up of more than two breasts and a vagina. Pay attention to the rest of her.
Not disposing of used condoms.

This is the responsibility of the person who wore it.
Not kissing first.

Foreplay starts with passionate kissing. Don’t skip this part – she will feel neglected by your apparent haste.
Attacking the clitoris.

Be gentle and don’t use direct pressure. This could be both uncomfortable and painful.
Stopping for a break.

Women cannot pick up where they left off. In this respect they are different from men. If you stop, she will go back to square one very quickly.
Taking your pants off first.

There are few things less attractive than a man in only socks, a shirt and underpants.
Going too fast.

Remember this is not an Olympic event. There is no need for you to pump away like a hydraulic power tool. Build up slowly – and you both might have more fun.
Asking if she has come.

You should be able to tell, shouldn’t you? If you can’t, assume that she hasn’t.
Nudging her head down.

All women hate this. There is an element of desperation involved here when men do this. For women, it’s a very short step from being dragged to a cave by the hair. If both of you enjoy oral sex, this will happen by itself. Don’t involve an element of force.
Taking pictures.

Her first thought will be “Who do you want to show them to?”
Giving love bites.

Gentle suction on the sides of the neck can be highly erotic, but love bites can be painful and lead to infections. Who wants to wear scarves and polo necks in the middle of the summer?
Squashing her.

Just remember that most men weigh more than women do. If you lie too heavily on her, she might stop breathing.
Talking dirty.

This might make you sound like a desperate sex caller on a payline. Listen to her first – if she doesn’t talk dirty, don’t.
Don’t thank a woman for having sex with you.

It makes you sound desperate and like a charity case. She won’t be back for more.

Source: www.health24.com

slow down and lift the roof

Being a goal-oriented bloke, you do everything fast. Driving, working out, shopping and lovemaking. The latter however, benefits from a little restraint. Here’s how.
There’s a timeworn joke about men who walk into a shop, go straight to what they want, buy it and leave. Women are reputed to have perfected the art of dawdling – they call it shopping. They can spend hours finding the perfect broccoli.
This is of course a vast generalization, and there’s nothing wrong with doing things quickly. But when it comes to making the beast with two backs, you need to exercise a little restraint.
The movies tell you that you need to buck like a caffeinated bronco to be a good lover. Not so. You heighten sexual tension, anticipation and pleasure by holding back a bit, teasing a bit and lowering the pace.

Don’t roll over

Women dread the kind of bloke who neglects foreplay, satisfies himself, then rolls over and goes to sleep. You might have a one-off orgasm tonight, but don’t expect to find her waiting at the door in something diaphanous tomorrow night.
Channel your eagerness. Learn the art of foreplay. Bring your partner close to orgasm and – if she’s willing – backtrack a bit and start the process again. When she eventually does climax it’ll measure on the Richter Scale.
If you’ve had a history of wham-bam, good-night-ma’m sex, your partner may take a little coaxing. Persevere. It’ll pay off.
One more thing: most women love receiving oral sex as long as it’s done properly. You need to press far less hard with your tongue than you’d imagine. Start with broad, upward strokes of your tongue. Some men write the alphabet on the clitoral shaft with the tip of the tongue. If this works for you, fine. Just be gentle, like a butterfly on a blossom. And when she says “don’t stop,” don’t.

Source: www.health24.com

how to ask a woman on a date

Our relationship expert, Hillier Marshall, advises us on the ideal way to ask a girl out. Helpful advise to ask a woman on a date anytime, anywhere!
Step 1
The key
The key to successfully asking a woman out on a date is to make yourself interesting and fun to be with. Take the pressure off and forget about the 'dating' aspect, asking a woman out isn't committing to marriage. It's just a way of spending time together and having fun. Think positively. Be open and let your natural charm and personality show through.
Step 2
Prepare
Erase the sentence 'Do you want to go out with me?' from your vocabulary. It's too much of a make or break line. Instead practice saying something far more relaxed such as, "Maybe we could meet for a drink sometime?". It's more grown up, it's casual, and you're not begging her to do you a favour. She gets to express her interest in you without pressure
Step 3
Find the right time
Ideally select a time when you are face to face. This way the conversation will flow naturally and you will be able to read her signals. This will give you clues about how the conversation is going and whether she is into you. If casually meeting with the object of your affections face to face to difficult to orchestrate, then make a phone call. This is a good option but does mean you can't communicate as freely as you can in person. Avoid asking someone out by email or text. Not only does it scream chicken but is also impersonal, she won't be able to see what a great guy you are.
Step 4
Get the conversation going
Approach your amore with a smile and a cheerful greeting. If you have only met once or twice before remind her of your name and mention where you met. Make it clear that you are pleased to see her. Start the conversation by talking about that last meeting and use this as a launch pad to move onto other topics. Remember that nothing is so flattering as someone wanting to know all about you, so ask lots of questions and remember to listen to the answers. Be amusing, woman always go for men that make them laugh
Step 5
Body language
A lot of advice on body language is too complex for practical application. All you need to do is remember this- look into her eyes! If she returns your gaze it's going well. If she avoids eye contact she's not that into you. Other positive signs are: fiddling with her hair, exposing her neck or making physical contact with you.
Step 6
Drop in the line
Once the conversation is flowing hit her with the line. "Maybe we could go for a drink sometime?".
Step 7
If she says Yes
Result. Be ready to back up your line with a suggestion, be it drinks, lunch, or doing an activity together. Keep it casual. If this initial date goes well you can move onto a dinner date or evening out. Seal the deal by confirming a time and exchanging numbers
Step 8
If she say No
No harm done, carry on the conversation. Don't take it personally or bear a grudge, it just wasn't meant to be. You never know, your confidence and attitude may make her regret her decision.
Step 9
If she is non committal
This is an initial rejection but she doesn't want to hurt your feelings. Carry on the conversation and give her your number. If she changes her mind she will know how to reach you.
Step 10
Move on
Whatever the result be proud of yourself. If she said no don't take it too hard, you are probably just not her type. Its always better to give it a shot and be rejected than spend your life thinking 'what if...?' If she said Yes, excellent. Have a look at VideoJug's http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-prepare-for-a-date to ensure that the next stage goes just as well.

Source: www.videojug.com

how to kiss someone passionately

Nervous about your first kiss? Let Videojug tells you how to kiss someone passionately. Kissing tips, hints, and advice on how to perfect that kiss for that special person in your life.
You Will Need
A pair of lips
Someone to kiss
Confidence
Step 1
Preparation
Check your breath. If you are intending to kiss someone for the first time then avoid strong foods like onion, garlic or strong flavours, unless of course your partner has been indulging in the same foods. If in doubt about your breath, suck a breath mint. But remember to have swallowed this before you start kissing, or your partner will be very surprised, particularly if they don't like mint.
Step 2
Be confident
Nothing ruins a kiss more than uncertainty. This confidence is essential, as hard as it is to get a kiss the first time, it will be harder to get one after a failed attempt. Once you have decide you are going to kiss someone, choose your moment and go for it.
Step 3
The lips
It is best to start off simply. When it feels right, tilt your head slightly to one side to avoid clashing noses, lean in and press your lips onto your partner's lips, softly, so you don't bump teeth. If you do bump teeth accidentally, just carry on kissing. Vary the amount you open your mouth, and the rhythm of your kisses. You may wish to use the tip of your tongue.
Step 4
Advanced techniques
This style of kissing was not invented by the French, although they are probably quite good at it. It refers to the type of kiss where you insert your tongue deep into the other person's mouth and move it around. It is perhaps best defined by what you should not do. You should try to avoid swirling your tongue around aggressively like an electric eel caught in a fishing net, but equally you should not let your entire tongue go completely limp and floppy. If it feels right, you are probably doing it right. As the kiss progresses you may want to move to the neck. Kissing and nibbling the neck is perfectly acceptable when snogging and is the reason for the term necking.A love bite is a red mark left on the skin, usually the neck or shoulder, caused by excessive lip suction on the skin. It is, depending on your point of view, a charming memento of the kissing session or a repulsive and embarrassing bruise. It is best to discuss the giving or receiving of a love bite with your partner, before leaving one.
Step 5
What to do with the rest of your body
This is really up to you. There are many things you can do to heighten a kiss, you can hold or stroke your partner's back, run your fingers through their hair, or feel other parts of their body.Who knows where this might lead..... Well done, you are now kissing somebody passionately for the first time.....

Source: www.videojug.com

how to undo her bra with one hand

Defeat the bra enemy in one easy motion. Always a nervous encounter for males around the globe, but with VideoJug's assistance you never need to worry again!
Step 1
You will need
A willing partner
Breasts that are encased in a bra
Dextrous fingers
Nerves of steel
A spirit of adventure.
Step 2
Know your enemy
The bra is your enemy. It has got what you want. To defeat this enemy you must do some intelligence gathering. Make sure your hands are warm, cold hands are not sexy. Put your hand under her top. If she is uncomfortable with this, then chillaxe at first base. If you get a positive response, and she's up for it, get an answer to this key question: is it a back-fastening bra, or a front-fastening bra?
Why not just ask?Here's why: He says, "Um, excuse me, can you tell me if this is a front fastening or back fastening bra? And can you please assist me in removing it?"
Step 3
Back-fastenings
First see if the bra fastens at the back. Move your hand across her back, and locate her bra strap. Now feel for an 3-5 cm long section of thicker fabric in the centre of the bra strap, or perhaps a tiny gap where the fastenings meet. Don't think, feel.... Bingo! It's a back fastener. Easy! Now you know what you are dealing with.
Step 4
Front-fastenings
It isn't a back fastener? We are probably dealing with a front fastener. These unclip between the cups at the front of the bra.
Step 5
Other types of bra?
If you can't find the fastening at front or back, consider the rare possibility that she is wearing an aerobic bra, or that she isn't wearing a bra at all. All right!
Step 6
The pinch and release
This will take practice, so it's a good idea to practice on a close friend before the date. Whether back or front fastening, most bras clip and unclip with tiny hooks. The one handed release technique is the same for both front and back fastenings. You need to gently clench the material around both sides of the fastening, and then squeeze them together so that the hooks release. Congratulations - you can now try to unhook a bra on a real woman.

Source: www.videojug.com

how can I tell if he is attracted to me?

Step 1
The first glance
When your eyes meet, he should hold your eyes longer than the normal social space. He might look away, but then he'll look back quite quickly which shows that he is definitely interested.
Step 2
The suppressed smile
When he sees someone he fancies, he can't help but smile, it's part of the attraction process. He will try and suppress that smile, which usually means he finds you very interesting.
Step 3
Ownership gestures
If he wants your time and attention, he will want to single you out and separate you from the rest of the room. So expect to see things like him standing in front of you so other people can't see you, or him resting an arm over the back of your chair.
Step 4
Animal signals
An alpha male will puff his chest out to look stronger when trying to impress a mate, therefore he might realign his posture slightly and widen his shoulders a bit when talking to you, showing he can take care of you if necessary.
Step 5
Look at his eyes
He should look you straight in the eye when you are talking, showing his active listening signals. But his eyes will move down to your mouth and back up again, and this means he is probably thinking about kissing you.

Source: www.videojug.com

how can I tell if she is attracted to me?

Step 1
The first glance
This is the most vital part of the process. If a woman likes you, expect her to hold eye contact for a few seconds longer than normal. If she finds you attractive, she will look away and then look back. If she then smiles, she probably fancies you.
Step 2
Sub-conscious mirroring
When she starts to slightly copy your body movements and pace through sub-conscious mirroring, it usually means there is a degree of empathy there.
Step 3
Change in posture
Most women have a screen saver pose, but when she sees someone she fancies, she will arch her back slightly as it creates a better body shape, making her automatically more attractive to members of the opposite sex.
Step 4
Self-grooming gestures
These self checks will take place when she sees someone attractive. Therefore small, checking movements signal a degree of attraction.
Step 5
Face softening
Normally women can look a bit angry or fed up without realising it. Yet when they see someone they fancy, their face softens and they look much more attractive. It is an animal signal of attraction, making her seem immediately more beautiful.
Step 6
Touching
She will not just touch herself, but she'll touch you too in subtle ways whilst you are in conversation. This signals to other women that you are taken.

Source: www.videojug.com

how can i tell if someone is lying to me?

Step 1
No body movement
Little or no body movement occurs when the pressure of the lie makes the liar worry about their body language, so some will stop moving all together. This also is reflected in eye contact, when they probably won't be able to look at you.
Step 2
Exaggerated body movement
Some liars do the opposite. They become actors and their actions and facial expressions get bigger to convince you they are telling the truth. They'll try to make more eye contact than usual.
Step 3
Stress gestures
Lying makes people stressed and this comes across in their body language with strange gestures such as scratching, itching and twitching. More frequent swallowing and faster blinking are also signs that they are being economical with the truth.
Step 4
Eye contact
Eyes are a great giveaway. Therefore some people will look away at the point of the lie. Or people will replicate the innocence of childhood and widen their eyes whilst looking straight at you.
Step 5
Eye movement
We move our eyeballs to stimulate different parts of the brain. When the eyes roll upwards to the left, they are recording memories and probably being honest. But when their eyes roll up to the right, they are stimulating imagination, and are probably going to lie to you.
Step 6
Nose touching
This is a typical sign of lying. When we lie, our noses do get a little bigger and this is known as the Pinocchio Effect. It only has a tiny effect, but enough to make the nose itchy. Therefore when people keep scratching their nose, it could be a sign that they are lying.
Step 7
Mouth or face covering
This is a childish bit of body language, but some still desire to cover their face, particularly when telling the part of the lie they are most worried about.

Source: www.videojug.com

how to be the perfect girlfriend

How to be the perfect girlfriend. Since man ran naked on the veldt he has changed very little. Sure, he's harnessed fire, built the pyramids, and walked on the moon, but he's still a caveman at heart. His needs haven't really changed for thousands of years: food, beer, women. But how is this compatible with your sophisticated, modern life? It isn't! But it can be. With just a few simple tips you can be the perfect girlfriend, which should make him want to be the perfect boyfriend.
Step 1
Relax your standards
The perfect girlfriend is not a plastic doll. While you should endeavour to maintain your femininity, once in a while let your guard down: eat like a pig, slouch around, or leave the washing up. You can even surprise him be getting him to pull your finger. This way he will feel comfortable in your presence, and you in his.
Step 2
But make an effort
With this in mind, remember that it is important to make an effort and sometimes dress up special. We know it's not practical all the time, but he'll appreciate it, and you'll feel more attractive.
Step 3
Massage his ego
Remember that the male ego is as fragile as it was all those years ago when he first lost his way back to the cave. Make your boyfriend feel good about himself - even if he is getting in your way- let him be useful and tell him he's great. Don't nag him into submission, as there is nothing sexy about a downtrodden man. You know the bed's not made properly, but congratulate him on having a go. You know that isn't an omelette, but it contains eggs doesn't it? So well done him!
Step 4
Feed him
Like it or not, the old adage is true - the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. You don't have to cook, but keep your local takeaway on speed dial. Remember if your boyfriend is hungry, his attention will shift suddenly from you to the fridge. Don't take it personally, it's primal. Symptoms of hunger to look out for include: grumpiness, slightly flared nostrils or he may appear to be hunting. If he gets like this, don't suggest salad.
Step 5
Give him space
A man's friends are important to him, and so is his ability to spend time with them, where he will do male activities like growling, fighting and measuring things, simple pursuits that confuse a complex female mind. Allow him the space to maintain these relationships. Let him roam, and when he comes home he'll be ready to spend quality time with you.
Step 6
Listen to him
Men enjoy explaining things. Be it the mechanics of bridges, why Sean Connery's the best Bond, or the complexities of the offside rule, even if he's being patronising allow him his airtime, and he will then shut up, leaving you to enjoy the peace and quiet of a loving and giving relationship.
Step 7
In the bedroom
When it comes to bedtime and matters of the night, your needs may be different. Sex is a simple matter for him: he wants it, whenever, wherever. Never put out if you aren't in the mood, but do accept he always will be, and don't tell him off because he finds you devastatingly attractive all of the time. And if you really don't fancy it, just distract him with beer.
Done? Have fun with your boyfriend!

Source: www.videojug.com

how can i make a good first impression?

Step 1
Make an entrance
Take a few moments before you walk in to a room and realign your posture. Bring your shoulders back and down and put a smile on your face. Scan the room and look around as this will make you look a lot more positive and thus creates a good first impression.
Step 2
Your handshake
Make sure you give a good, cool and firm handshake. Look the person in the eye and remember to smile at them.
Step 3
Posture
Practice sitting down in front of a mirror, in the outfit you will be wearing, to see what is going to work and what isn't. Sit well in the chair as this will make you look more confident. Rest your elbows on the arm of the chair and maybe cross your legs.
Step 4
Hand gestures
Make sure you don't use barriers such as folding your arms as this will make you look too closed. Use nice open gestures and good emphatic gestures when you speak, and make sure you keep your hands below shoulder height.
Step 5
Mirroring
Use mirroring to create fast-track rapport. This is achieved by slightly copying the interviewer's body language which will help you come across as more approachable.

Source: www.videojug.com

turn your bedroom into a sacntuary of seduction

A step by step guide to transforming your bedroom into a romantic retreat. One for the romantics out there!
You Will Need
an attractive bedcover
colourful cushions
a selection of essential oils - ylang ylang, frankincense, jasmine, sandalwood, rose otto
an oil burner or bowl with water
candles and tea lights
long silk scarves
a long floor-standing mirror
sex toys, lubricant and condoms
music of your choice
Step 1
Preparing the room
After you have put clean sheets on the bed, put your cover over it. Then arrange a few cushions on top.
Step 2
Choosing essential oils
To scent the room while seducing your partner, use an oil burner. Put about 6 drops of your chosen oil in the water and light the burner. With strong oils like ylang ylang or rose, 3 drops should be enough.If you do not have an oil burner, improvise by putting the oil into a bowl of warm water next to a radiator or other heat source.
Step 3
Lighting the room with candles
Tea lights create a very subtle atmosphere and when placed in holders are safer than the naked flame. Never forget to check all candles are out before you sleep, and never place them near anything flammable.
Step 4
Accessorise, accessorise…
Long silk scarves serve several purposes. They can be used as blindfolds or ties in sex play, or tied around wardrobe and door handles for decoration.
Step 5
Positioning the mirror
A floor-standing mirror that can be moved around the room adds spice to both the atmosphere and to the play.
Step 6
Sex toys
Sex toys, lubricant and condoms should be kept within easy reach for when you want them.
Step 7
Music
Now you have everything you need to create an oasis of pleasure in your home, one last thing you may want to add is music.And that's how to turn your bedroom into a sanctuary of seduction...the VideoJug way!

Source: www.videojug.com

sexsomnia - your midnight itch

Sexsomnia is a sleep disorder not commonly reported mostly due to embarrassment in admitting the problem, and ignorance.
A counterpart of sleepwalking, sexsomnia is defined as making sexual advances towards a person while he/she is asleep. A rare medical condition, it’s a disorder in which a person doesn’t realize or remains amnesic about his/her behavior. The person in sleep is very demanding, even a little violent and aggressive and not ready to take ‘no’ for an answer. The person suffering from this problem doesn’t realize that he/she has sought sex, sometimes unintentionally.
Also known as “sleep sex”, this disorder usually causes problems in relationships. People are not aware that it is a medical problem, and they are afraid that they would be judged for their behavior. The patient also suffers from guilt and fails to understand that he/she could behave in such a manner when the partner informs him/her the next day.
Sexsomnia can be cured if triggering factors like depression, stress and sleep deprivation are addressed. People usually become aware of this problem when they hear about it being referred to in court cases. Apart from the persons who are suffering, partners also find it difficult to share it with others as they fear that they would not be believed. It is common to hear about people walking, eating and talking in sleep, but this kind sexual behavior is relatively unknown.

brassiere camaraderie

Add-On
A pair of stick-on cups to go with a low-back evening garment completes your wardrobe. Keep these handy.
Branded
Tired of wearing bras that never seem to fit? Part of the reason could be that you are unwittingly buying fakes. Unorganized sector with a lot of cross-selling can result in you really needing a 34A actually walking off with a 32B instead.
Cotton
Avoid the cotton is a ‘healthy’ cliché. Super soft lingerie in breathable micro fiber fabrics rules the racks as opposed to the traditional cotton varieties. Cotton soaks up the sweat and holds it close to the skin, whereas the new materials available today absorb body moisture and breathe it out.
Diaphanous Top
Showing off a bra is an art in itself. Acquire this skill. While a matching bra and camisole can double up as a great outwear option, a transparent top worn over a printed bra would test your adventurous side to the limit. Go for it; be proud of wearing this accessory.
Fit
The front and the back of the bra should be on an even plane. If the bra is riding up, it is a clear sign that it is ill-fitting. Besides, the breast should fill in to the cup comfortably and should not be spilling over. There should be no red marks on the shoulder.
Gym Bra
Some gym bras have a special shock absorber which makes it ideal for workouts. Try and source these for your fitness regimes. These bras are especially with an extra lining for minimum bounce and are known to reduce the movement of the bust by about 70%.
Multi-Wear Bra
A strapless or multi-wear bra is a must-have. Remember, we love to wear our spaghetti straps and off-shoulders.
Padding
Bras without seams and with a slight padding prevent the nipples from jutting out – a hazard, women have to live with.
Size
Bra sizes are measured in cup and band sizes. And there is no way out but to get yourself measured by a bra-fitter. Get over your diffidence, and get yourself measured. It is your body after all. It is better to get yourself measured every six months, as the body shape keeps changing. Wearing the same size bra for the past 10 years is insane!
T-Shirt Bra
A T-shirt bra is very important. You don’t want to wear an over-accessorized bra if you are sporting a tight T-shirt, for example’ the detailing will show through.
Under-Wiring
Under-wires are another point of contention mired in the world of underwear. A lot of women are uncomfortable with under-wire bras, which are otherwise great to hold the bust in shape. The reason is simple. Under-wires hurt a lot of women simply because they are wearing the wrong size. Also, the metal used to under-wire bras can be of dubious quality. Take care while choosing your under-wiring.
Zebra
Animal prints have become a rage. Prints are great. However, how you can mix and match will say a lot about you – inside out. Subtlety is a virtue!

how to convert urine into drinking water

One of the easiest ways to obtain potable water is by distilling urine – although many people are understandably reluctant to pursue this method until it becomes a matter of true survival.
Since a dry and waterless world is not far away, let us get information on this life-saving technique.
Step 1
First, a large hole must be dug into the ground to expose as much moisture-laden soil as possible.
A clean receptacle should be placed in the center of the hole.
The next step may sound completely distasteful but it is essential when distilling urine for survival.
All future urine should be deposited in the freshly excavated area around the receptacle, BUT NOT IN IT.
Step 2
At sunset, a large plastic sheet or tarp should be placed over the excavated site.
The corners of the sheet can be secured with large rocks; the sheet itself should not touch the sides of the hole, but remain suspended several inches above it.
Step 3
The area of the sheet directly over the receptacle should be held down with a rock or can to form a focal point of condensation and distillation.
During the heat of the day, solar rays should begin distilling urine from the ground and the water vapor should collect on the inner surface of the plastic sheet.
Step 4
Solid minerals and other contaminants usually found in urine are too heavy to evaporate.
As a result, only the trapped water vapor should eventually condense on the plastic sheet and drip into the receptacle as potable water.
CHEERS!
Distilling urine may not be a person’s first choice for creating drinking water.

But the same results can be achieved with human tears which will be abundant when there is not a single drop of water to be found.