Kerala Holidays - Places to Visit

Kerala also known as God's own country, the name itself is synonymous with heavenly experience and to see this heavenly place all you have to do is pack your bags and head straight away to Kerala. Kerala is a place of multiple opportunities of which you can select the ones that interest you the most and design your own package for your Kerala tour. You can come to Kerala for various reasons and the best part is that you will find various tour packages here catering to your different needs, some of the famous tours are honeymoon tour, backwater tour, beach tour, ayurveda tour, best of Kerala Tourism, wildlife tour etc. There and many more such tours are designed to make your Kerala tour revolve around the activities that interests you most and to make all those activities accessible in your time permits. You can also custom make your own tour packages wherein you can mix two packages into one and so on.

However, some of the most exciting activities that can be done and seen when you are in Kerala for holidays - exploring the nature, watching the cultural fests, treating yourself with mouthwatering dishes, enjoying the natural treatments and so on. You might have experienced some of the most exotic spas in the world but the ayurvedic treatments in Kerala are an unparallel match. Ayurveda is an ancient medical science of India which has cure to most of the physical and mental problems but the natural way. So experience this healing power of nature at Kerala which is fast becoming a hub for alternative medicines in India and also one of the reason for increasing tourism in Kerala

Now if we talk about the scenic places in Kerala that you can explore during your Kerala tour, than we can say Kerala as a whole with all the hooks and corner is scenic but if we choose those special places than the first one in the list would be Munnar - a hill station which is 120 km away from Cochin and famous for its picture perfect locations and tea and coffee plantations. Then there is backwater of Kerala that you should not miss for anything in this world because it is one of the most serene and calm places to find peace of mind in this world. Then there are those famous beaches of Kerala with waters and sand to make your holiday package a complete one. Some of the most famous beaches of Kerala are Kovalam, Varkala, Mararikulam, Alleppey etc. Visit these beaches to experience the beautiful sunsets with crystal water and sands around, a perfect way to relax in the evening. Also the best way to judge a place is by experiencing its culture and the best way to soak in the vibrant culture of Kerala is by Witnessing the snake boat racing which takes place only once in a year before Onam, if you are on time for your Kerala tour then don't miss the enthralling experience of this race. Generally to witness so many happening things you have to visit many places. But all this and much more exotic things can be experienced at one place and that is Kerala. So to have a calm, serene and rocking vacation at the same time, opt for Kerala holidays.

Thanks To : Nature Hill

The Royal Parks of London

There is no denying London has one of the UK's most vibrant social scenes and the capital city has long been looked upon as a centre for commerce. A lesser known fact is that London is one of the greenest capital cities on the globe.

Hundreds of parks, gardens and waterways mean almost 40% of London's 1,600 sq km consists of green space or water. With so much greenery on offer you are spoilt for choice when navigating your way through some of the finest natural beauty spots to be found in the 'big smoke'.

London has eight Royal Parks which stretch across 5,000 acres and combine rich cultural heritage with vast green expanses. Standing at almost 2,500 acres, Richmond is the largest of the Royal Parks and was recently named London's favourite picnic spot for the second year running.

Home to 650 deer who roam freely in the grounds, the landscape varies between woodland, ponds, hills, gardens and grasslands. The assortment of terrains mean Richmond Park is ideal for an abundance of different outdoor activities including cycling, fishing, and horse riding.

Bushy Park is the second largest and has the same rural feel as Richmond. The famous Arethusa 'Diana' Fountain forms the centrepiece to Chestnut Avenue and is recognised by English Heritage as one of the most important groups of sculpture in Britain.

At the heart of London lies St James Park with its resident pelicans, ducks and geese. Dedicated cycle paths allow quick and easy access. Hunger pangs can be satisfied at the park's very own restaurant and café, 'Inn the Park', renowned for using fresh seasonal ingredients from small independent producers.

Neighbour to St James is the peaceful Green Park, which spreads over 47 acres and is bordered by Constitution Hill, Piccadilly and Queen's Walk.

Sports enthusiasts will be impressed with Regent's parks 410 acres, 100 of which are devoted to athletes of all abilities. The largest outdoor sports area in London, the community pavilion and pitches are no stranger to a game of tennis. Cricket, rounders, football and rugby are also played here and an athletics track is available.

Greenwich Park is home to a boating lake and the well-known observatory which allows great views across the city whilst Hyde Park lies in the west and hosts the Serpentine Gallery, one of London's favoured venues for modern and contemporary art. Close to Hyde Park lies Kensington Gardens whose cycle paths and walk-ways are popular with those living in or visiting Central London.

Outdoor activities in London are not limited to the Royal Parks, however. An abundance of alternative green spaces provide quiet spots to take refuge from city life. The maze of canals and rivers allows exploration of the city by boat and offer boundless opportunities for alfresco dining.

What's more, many of the main hotels in London are located in close proximity to at least one of the parks mentioned so on your next visit to London you can make the most the city's natural environment.

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Top Holiday Spots

Indonesia

The name Indonesia has its roots in two Greek words: Indos - meaning Indian and "Nesos" which means islands. It is an appropriate description of the archipelago as there are estimated to be a total of 17,508 islands, of which only about 6,000 are inhabited, stretching for 5,150 km between the Australian and Asian continental. The main islands are Sumatra Kalimantan), Sulawesi Irian Jaya), and last but not least Java. The nation's capital, Jakarta, has a fascinating and significant history

Climate-- Indonesia's climate is definitely tropical. The main seasons are summer, winter and monsoon; it is devoid of autumn and spring.

Culture-- Indonesia is rich in art and culture which are intertwined with religion and age-old traditions. The basic principles which guide life include the concepts of mutual assistance or "gotong royong". Religious influences on the community are varied from island to island. Indonesia is rich with culture with 250 - 300 ethnic groups live here.

From graceful court and temple dances to charming folk dances and boisterous play, the performing arts of Indonesia offer an astounding range of types and styles, shadow puppeteer is famous.

Cuisine-- Fish features prominently in the diet as fresh, salted, dried, smoked or a paste. Coconut is found everywhere. The staple food traditionally ranges from rice corn, sago, cassava to sweet potatoes.

Hot spots-Indonesia is a mix of beaches, forests and cities- Amlapura, Bali Barat National Park, Irian Jaya, , Java, , Jakarta, Baluran National Park, Karimunjawa Islands, Kalimantan (Borneo), Gili Islands, Gunung Rinjani (Mount Rinjani), Kuta, , Pulau Bunaken, Rantepao, Tanatoraja, , Sumatra, , Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (Great Bukit Barisan Forest Park), Harau Valley, Jangga Village, Kerinci-Seblat National Park, Lingga Village, Medan, Mentawai Islands, Ngalau Indah Caves, Ngarai Sianok (Sianok Canyon), Padang, Pandaan Beach, Pandi Sikat, Parapat, Samosir Island, Siberut Island, Sipiso-piso Waterfall, Taman Hutan Raya Bung Hatta, and more.

Malaysia

The Malay Peninsula has thrived from its central position in the maritime trade routes between China, India and the Middle East. It is shown on early map with a label that translates as "Golden Chersonese"; the Straits of Malacca were referred to as "Sinus Sabaricus". The two distinct parts of Malaysia, separated from each other by the South China Sea, share a largely similar landscape in that both West and East Malaysia feature coastal plains rising to often densely forested hills and mountains. Putrajaya is the newly created administrative capital whereas the capital city isKuala Lumpur. Georgetown, Ipoh, Johor Bahru, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Alor Sar, Malacca Tow, and Klang are the major cities.

Climate -- It's hot and humid year-round in Malaysia .

Culture -- Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multilingual society, consisting of 52% Malays and other indigenous tribes. With Malays, Chinese and Indians living side by side The music, art, food, dance, architecture and general day to day living are influenced by all three to some degree, creating some of Asia's most fascinating sounds, sights and tastes. Malaysian traditional music is heavily influenced by Chinese and Islamic forms, it is based largely around the gendang (drum), but includes other percussion instruments. The country has a strong tradition of dance and dance dramas, some of Thai, Indian and Portuguese origin. Other artistic forms include wayang kulit (shadow puppet theatre), silat (a stylised martial art).

Cuisine -- There is a great variety; spicy Malay Food, a seemingly endless variety of Chinese food, exotic cuisine from North and South India, as well as Nyonya and Portuguese Food.

Hot spots -- Malaysia's love of Western-style is abundantly clear in its big cities, Kuala Lumpur, Penang etc. Malaysia boasts some of the most superb beaches, mountains and national parks in Asia. Cameron Highlands, Batu Caves, Lake Gardens ,Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre, Taman Negara National Park.

Visit : Wooden Bridges Smokey Mountain Cabins

Ireland 2007 allotment 2

Day 4 5 e 6 of my holiday in Ireland Lunedì 13 agosto (Adrigole: Hungry Hill Lodge) Penisola di Beara: Castletownbere (muffin), cerchio di pietre e ringstone, Garnish (tre case e porto), Allihies (spiaggia), Eyeries (paese colorato e formaggio), strada panoramica, Ardgroom, Healy Pass. Baia di Adrigole, cimitero abbandonato. Irish coffee nel bar attaccato al campeggio. Martedì 14 agosto (Cork: Sheila's Hostel) Partenza per Cork, foto al lago formato dal fiume Lee. Blarney Castle, compresa la pietra; Blarney House, giardino druidico. Cork, giro per la città. Cena in ostello con cadute di pentola di acqua bollente. Corner House (pub del marinaio) e suonatore di cucchiai.

Related : Travel Around The World With Us

Smoking Kills, So Quit Today

Do you smoke cigarettes? Are you thinking of quitting smoking? In this article I write about the benefits of stopping smoking, not just for the smokers themselves but also their family and friends.

When people are quite young they do not really think too much about death, well most of them don't anyway. A lot of these young people will start to smoke cigarettes and even though they are warned and read about the dangers of smoking, seem not to care or worry about them. Before they know it they become hooked on these cigarettes and smoking becomes an essential part of their everyday lives, where it is likely to have started merely as a social thing.

The facts are that the lives of people who smoke are likely to end prematurely, this should be reason enough for people to have the courage to start looking into ways of quitting smoking today. There is no point in working hard all of our lives, paying into pension schemes, saving for our retirement, if we are not going to be able to live a long life.

There are many other health related problems of course that can arise from smoking such as the premature birth of a baby. Then their is the issue of passive smoking which reports suggest can have a negative impact on our friends and families health. These people are very important to most of us and therefore why put them at risk as well?

The cost of a packet of cigarettes is just staggering and the extra money smokers could have in their pockets each month if they were to become non-smokers would be quite substantial. Over a whole year this extra cash could even pay for a family holiday abroad. This is another example of how quitting smoking not only benefits the smoker but how it can also benefit their family.

In relationship terms, a large number of non-smokers find people who smoke a huge turn off. Stopping smoking could increase peoples chances of finding romance.

There are a number of avenues people can take in their quest to giving up smoking, including hypnotherapy. The smoker must truly want to stop and hopefully some of the reasons above could help. I am not trying to suggest that it is going to be easy but smokers owe it to themselves and their friends and families to give it their best shot to quit smoking once and for all.

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Video (India Arie)

This is my version of India Arie's song Video. I love this song. I changed some of the words to fit me.. lol. hope you like, shout out to Shy!!! thanks for watching.. hope you like your video... Remember to love yourself.. *The John Legend of Gospel Music**

Recommend : Wooden Bridges

"A Yule Tide Tail" ~ Full Book Trailer

Every year, a mystical wave brings treasures untold to Starfish Hill at midnight on Christmas Eve Eve...and the mermaids can hardly wait to get there to collect them! But this year, an unforseen whiteout prevents the mermaids from going...can they still do something meaningful to ring in the Yule Tide?

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Britain's Best Breaks ~ Perthshire, Angus, Dundee & Fife

Unspoiled highland glens, stunning rugged coastlines; these are just some of the rewards awaiting you when you visit Scotland's ancient land of Angus and the east coast city of Dundee, with its vibrant and cosmopolitan urban centre. And of course there's the wide, rolling beauty of Southern Perthshire with its many attractions. Throughout the region you'll find stunning scenery, a unique mix of history and culture, world class sport, and great hospitality. The Angus Glens and Perthshire offer some tremendous hill walking, whilst the coastline provides miles of sandy beaches or rugged cliffs. You'll discover tranquil, traditional fishing villages, ideal for whiling away those quiet hours.

My Links : European Beach Direct Path Holiday Mountain

Bohol - One of Philippines Best Tourist Destinations

Bohol, a small island in central Philippines, is known for the world famous and unique Chocolate Hills. It is one of the country's most popular tourist spots. It's true though that when most people think of Bohol, almost nothing else comes to mind. It might surprise you that it is more than the usual tourist spot and that there's more to explore and to see in this island than those limestone hill formations.

Bohol is home to pristine beach shores. Panglao Island, just minutes away from the capital Tagbilaran, is increasingly gaining more popularity among local and foreign tourists as a more laid-back and tranquil beach destination alternative to Boracay.

But if you're the kind who's not satisfied with having a few dips in the water and taking in spectacular beachfront views, Bohol will certainly not disappoint. Scuba divers have more than enough choices of world class diving spots surrounding the island. Colorful coral reefs and rich marine life will surely satisfy all types of explorers, from novice snorkelers to expert divers.

Another popular attraction is dolphin and whale watching. Pamilacan Island is headquarters to the best spotters that arrange these tours. Most were former hunters who joined the dolphin and whale watching program after the Philippine government banned the killing of these marine mammals.

Bohol's exotic wildlife is not limited underwater. The island's last remaining forests protect unique fauna. It is home to one of the world's smallest primates, the tarsier. You can visit the Philippine Tarsier Foundation in Corella and see the timid and peculiar animal in its natural habitat.

The Rajah Sikatuna National Park, a large forest reserve near Bilar, is a bird-watcher's paradise. Treks along the trails throughout the park can lead you to an encounter with some of the country's rare bird species.

Bohol is also a place rich with culture and history. Century-old churches in Baclayon, Loboc, Loay, Maribojoc, Loon and Dauis are a few of the standing monuments. And there are old Spanish watchtowers in Punta Cruz, Dauis, Panglao and Pamilacan.

If you want to keep away from the province's usual tourist trail, you can travel along the less popular eastern side of the island. It has some of the most amazing coastlines, and secluded beaches, from the town of Anda in the southeast to the town of Talibon in the north.

Some of the towns in Bohol also offer community-based tours. Calape, Maribojoc and Candijay are among such towns. It is a great option to visit these towns' protected mangrove areas and experience the quaint rural life in this part of the country. These tours showcase how resolute the locals are in preserving the island's natural environment.

But to really experience Bohol is to experience the people's hospitality. Try visiting the island in May when town fiestas are celebrated almost everyday. You can hop from town to town without having to bring money other than for transportation. You'd surely be invited to residents' homes and enjoy feasts of lechon baboy (roasted pig) and kinilaw (raw fish).

Bohol is an island blessed with so much bounty and natural beauty. There's no argument about that. What sets it apart from other tourist spots is that there's so much to explore and so much to do that it's actually pretty difficult to decide which one to do first. Of course, you can't pass up a visit to the impressive Chocolate Hills. But staying overnight at this famous spot just to see stunning sunrise and sunset over the surreal landscape will be well worth it.

Visit : Danube River Motels North Coast Vacation

Tuscany - More Beautiful Than Words Can Describe

Tuscany is without doubt one of the most beautiful regions of Europe. For this reason, amongst many others it is one of the most popular tourist destinations with tourists from all over the world, even Italians take holidays to Tuscany. With its lush green rolling hills that are lined with cypress trees, fields of sunflowers and mile after mile of vineyard it is not surprising that it has caputured the heart of so many tourists over the years.

Not only has Tuscany got some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe but it has some of the most aesthetically pleasing towns and cities of anywhere in Europe. Siena, Florence, Lucca and Arezzo are all in the region of Tuscany and are all well worth a visit. Sit in any one of the many piazza's that you will find in these towns and slowly sip a coffee and watch the world pass you by, this is real Italian living.

Nowhere else in Italy is the culture of the culture so acute as in Tuscany, the climate, the people, the cuisine and the wine are all so very Italian which may sound silly but so many other Italian cities feel cosmopolitan rather than Italian.

However long you decide to stay in Tuscany for will not be long enough, when you go home you will be wishing that you had visited that next town along or stopped at that little market that you drove past on your way to the vineyard, that is the effect that Tuscany has on you, it gets under your skin and into your blood stream. No sooner will you be back home that you will be wanting to book to go back next year.

But a trip to Tuscany does not have to be a once a year event. With the increase in the amount of low cost airlines that are flying from the smaller more local airports to destinations all over Italy it is possible to make a long weekend of a trip to Tuscany. Most of the low cost airlines have flights that land at Pisa which is just on the fringes of Tuscany. By either hiring a car or getting a train you can be in the heart of Tuscany within a couple of hours.

Depending on where you would like to stay in Tuscany you should have no problem booking accommodation directly with your hotel on the internet. You should be able to pick up a deal as well if you go at the right time of year.

So if you have never been to Italy or Tuscany before you really don't know what you are missing. So often destinations are hyped up by the media and by friends or family that have been there but Tuscany is one place that certainly is not all about hype. It is more beautiful than any words could ever describe.

See Also : Coast Vacation Hill Holiday Smokey Mountain Cabins

UAE Area Guide, Part 5 of 8 - Fujairah

Fujairah is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates or UAE and is a wonderful emirate to visit with many attractions and points of interest to keep visitors busy. Fujairah is steeped in history and there are many historical sites of interest as well as archaeological sites to visit in this emirate. Fujairah is also blessed with a beautiful and diverse natural environment which offers visitors everything from landscaped parks to mountainous rock climbing areas, beautiful natural waddies and waterfalls through to hot springs which people visit for their natural therapeutic properties. The marine environment of Fujairah is also pristine and varied and attracts visitors from all over the world who dive and fish in the waters off this emirate as well as partaking in every imaginable form of water sports.

Fujairah has three ancient castles situated within 15 km of the city, the first Fujairah Fort is a massive mud brick castle that was built in 1670 and was fully restored in 2000. Al Heil Castle is a more modern structure that has been used as a castle by the rulers of Fujairah as well as being used for defence of the surrounding area and as a vantage point for surveillance in years gone by. Al Bithnah Fort was built in 1735 at a strategic location to guard the main passage across the Hajar Mountains through the Ham Wadi; it has long been considered the most important fort and castle in the eastern region of the UAE. 30 kilometers north of the city of Fujairah is the 400 year old Al Bidya Mosque this mud brick structure complete with several domes is an engineering marvel of its time and well worth a visit.

There are several beautiful waddies throughout Fujairah those of us in the West would think of them as oasis complete in many cases with waterfalls. The waddies are well worth a visit and many people choose to take four wheel drive adventure tours that take tourists on tours through the desserts of Fujairah and on to the waddies.

Ain Madhab Park is a resort and 50 hectare landscaped garden in Fujairah that is a popular attraction for families who enjoy the tranquility of the beautiful gardens and resort. Ain Al Ghamour 20 kilometers south of Fujairah city in the mountainous area of the emirate has natural springs that reach 60 degrees Celsius and are bathed in by people for their therapeutic properties, rheumatism, arthritis and back pain are all said to be relieved by the waters.

Fujairah's coastline is pristine and the climate in the emirate is perfectly suited to water sports and activities. There are numerous reefs off the coast of Fujairah that attract divers and recreational fishermen from all over the world. Water sports of all kinds are available in the emirate from sailing to jet skis and everything else imaginable. Fujairah also hosts the Power Boat Racing World Championship every October.

See Also : Gold Coast

Branson Christmas Shows and Other Holiday Events Make This Season a Great Time to Be in Branson, MO

Christmas in Branson, Missouri is a special time of year when the city is aglow with light, bedecked in garland trimmings and Christmas carols can be found in every theater. The spirit of Christmas is alive and well in the Ozarks, which is one of the reasons a vacation to Branson during this holiday season is so much fun.

One of Branson's most popular attractions, Silver Dollar City, presents An Old Fashioned Christmas during the months of November and December. Ranked as one of the nation's top Christmas celebrations by USA Today, Good Morning America and Southern Living, Silver Dollar City creates a winter wonderland - Ozark style - that embraces the love, warmth and spirit of the holiday. A five story special effects tree is the centerpiece of the Christmas on Main Street Extravaganza, while "A Dickens Christmas Carol," Holiday Light Parade, a Living Nativity, Frosty the Musical and many more special events provide the perfect way to embrace the holiday. Over four million lights make Silver Dollar City twinkle and glow, creating a magical Christmas experience that is not only beautiful, but based on faith, family and friends. Of course, during the holiday season, there are also delicious delectable's available throughout the park that will satisfy any craving, from turkey with dressing to s'mores and hot chocolate. Kids will also revel in meeting Santa Claus, who will be on-hand to hear all of their requests.

Holiday light shows in Branson set the town aglow. The centerpiece of the holiday light displays is the Branson Area Festival of Lights Drive-Through. The drive-through display is open from November 1-December 31 and is located at Shepherd of the Hills Expressway and Expressway lane. Approximately 95% of the displays are new, and with over 1 million lights dazzling the night sky, it is a fun way to celebrate the season. The Trail of Lights display at Shepherd of the Hills winds through the historic homestead's 160 acres, and creates a winding display of lights and special effects that illuminate any holiday outing. The Trail of Lights is open from November 1-December 31. The Enchanted Forest, located at the U.S Army Corps of Engineers Campground on Indian Point Road, boasts over 500,000 lights and is open from November 10-December 31. This display is completely free.

Christmas in Branson wouldn't be complete without a holiday parade. This year, there are two parades to enjoy. The Holiday Promenade of Stars at the Branson Landing, scheduled for November 1st, kicks off the Ozark Mountain Christmas season, and begins at 10am. It will feature Branson entertainers like Andy Williams, who will serve as Grand Marshall of the parade, as well as SIX, Liverpool Legends, Bob Anderson, The Lennon Sisters and more. Branson's 60th Annual Adoration parade will be held on December 7th, around 5pm, in downtown Branson. Dozens of high school marching bands and lighted floats will help celebrate the true meaning of the season.

Branson theaters get into the Christmas spirit with shows centered on the holiday. Christmas Shows in Branson range from dinner shows like Dixie Stampede, which transforms into a winter wonderland complete with elves, the north pole and live nativity scene, to the Dino Christmas show, which showcases Christmas carols, piano music and a dazzling array of choreography and talent that is sure to spread the Christmas joy. Branson's Christmas shows are a great way to get into the Christmas spirit, and with shows like Andy Williams Christmas, Broadway's Spirit of Christmas, The Showboat Branson Belle Holiday Cruise, Christmas on the Trail, Hamner Barber's Wings of Christmas and Tony Orlando & The Lennon Sisters Christmas Celebration, there's something for everybody to enjoy.

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TOP 50 ELECTRO HOUSE FOR 2009 ( #30-#21 )(Part 3/5)

REMEMBER TO SUBSCRIBE Part 4/5: www.youtube.com ( #30-#21 ) TOP 50 ELECTRO HOUSE FOR 2009 No copyright was intended, each song belongs to the owner. #30 - 0:00 - Black Eyed Peas - I Got a Feeling (Mysto & Pizzi Electro House Remix) #29 - 0:51 - Ke$ha - Tik Tok #28 - 1:52 - Mike Candys & Jack Holiday - Push The Feeling On (Electro Vectro Remix) #27 - 2:57 - Antares - Ride On a Meteoride (Dj Solovey) #26 - 4:00 - Sonic Palms - On The Beach (Club Mix) #25 - 5:08 - DJ SNAKE & DJ MERCER - Smells Like Teen Spirit Spirit 2010 (Club Mix) #24 - 6:18 - Spencer & Hill - Trespasser (Gigi Barocco Remix) #23 - 7:24 - Alessandro Viale feat. Vaanya Diva - Sweet Little Thing (da Brozz Remix) #22 - 8:14 - Selda - 100% Pure Love (Spencer & Hill Remix) #21 - 9:00 - Flo-Rida feat. Wynter - Sugar (mondotek Remix)

Thanks To : Luxury Travel Guide Direct Path Gold Coast

Over The Hill Party Ideas

Are you or someone you know getting ready for a Over The Hill party? Over The Hill parties are now a staple in American traditions. Birthday traditions were started in Europe to ward off evil spirits. And were only for kings and other adults. Children did not have birthday parties until much later. The tradition of sending birthday cards also originally started in Europe.

A traditional Over The Hill party always includes black wreaths hung on the door. Black napkins and plates to serve the cake and ice cream on. Other snack ideas include pizza, chips, foot long subs, and drinks. A new and fun way to surprise someone on that special day is a lawn greeting. There is a large selection of items that can be set up. Ranging from tombstones and black candles to old age road signs. A lawn greeting is delivered in the middle of the night and set up in the birthday persons front yard. A fun and memorable addition to any birthday and a great tradition for years to come.

Fun gag gifts are also a highlight to the Over The Hill party. Some fun ideas are

* Denture Set

* Walking Stick

* Wrinkle Cream

* Granny Pants

* Magnify Glasses

* Fake Lottery Tickets

* Black Roses

* Lawn Greeting

* Energizer Briefs

* Jumbo Message Pads

* Anti Aging Spray

* Talking Spring Chicken

* Hair Piece

* Senior Memory Pills

* Anti Aging Mints

* Personalized Birthday Newspaper

* Fake Teeth

* Hair Piece

* Toy Tombstone

* Baby Pictures

* Time Passes Yearbook

* Personalized Beer Bottle Label

* Middle Age Survival Kit

* Personalized Magazine Cover

* Inflatable Walker

* Aging Survival Kit

* Fortune Cookies

* My Middle Aged Baby Book

* Backwards Clock

* Jumbo Bow Tie

* Slip On Tattoo Sleeve

* Birthday Cake Hat

* Scrolling LED Belt Buckle

Over The Hill parties are now used for any age to celebrate birthdays ranging from 30 to 70. A fun and anticipated way to celebrate milestones through the years and can be repeated every few years. To add nostalgic to the party blow up large pictures of each decade of the birthday person. Find what the current top movie was the year they were born and have that playing in the background.. Have your party guest come dressed in the fashion from the year of birth. With just a few fun decorations you can have a terrific Over The Hill party for any age.

Visit : Italy Trips Guide Coast Vacation European Beach

Along the Bourbon Trail - A Trip to Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, KY

I recently purchased the book "1000 Places to See Before You Die" by Patricia Schultz to use as one of the road maps of my future. I plan to try and work my way through the book and see and do as much as I can before the great dirt nap.

I decided to start my quest with one of the entries closest to my home in Louisville, "The Bourbon Trail" (Page 631 - The entries aren't numbered.)

I got up fairly early Friday morning to make the 45 mile drive down to Bardstown. Early enough that the road was busy with people heading to work. It occurred to me that while they were heading toward misery, I was heading to drink bourbon. Life is suddenly good.

Pulling into Bardstown it hit me that I really didn't know where to go. So I stopped at the town square and located a map of the distilleries around Bardstown. Reading the map I learned that there are more than 50 in Nelson County. I just looked for the closest distillery, which proved to be Heaven Hill, and headed over.

The first thing I saw at Heaven Hill made me laugh. On the door was a sticker announcing that Heaven Hill was featured in "1000 Places to See Before You Die." What a great way to start my quest!

I arrived at Heaven Hill at quarter to ten and learned that a tour would start at ten. I signed up and looked around the exhibit room until time.

The first event on the tour was a 13 minute film featuring the history of bourbon and Heaven Hill and the operation of the distillery today. We then headed across the street to one of the storage buildings and walked among the barrels.

We weren't allowed to make any pictures for fear of the cameras sparking and starting another fire. They are understandably afraid of fire having had one of the worst fires in the history of the industry on November 7, 1996. The production plant was almost completely destroyed and several of the company's warehouses were completely destroyed. Over 90,000 gallons of alcohol were lost. I remember watching the fire on TV at the time. The most vivid memory I have is of watching the flaming whisky pour down a hill and ignite yet another warehouse.

There are about 20 of these huge warehouses, they are all 7 stories high and stacked end to end, side to side and top to bottom with barrels of whisky.

They didn't take us to the production area but told us all about producing whisky as we walked the lovely grounds.

We ended the tour with a bourbon tasting in a room shaped like a barrel. We tried two bourbons, a 10 year old Evan Williams and an 18 year old Elijah Craig. Now I'm not a big drinker of bourbon but you could definitely tell at difference between the two. The older bourbon was much smoother and easier on the throat.

After leaving Heaven Hill I walked around the downtown streets of Bardstown and grabbed a bite to eat at the Old Talbott Tavern before heading back to the real world.

I can easily mark this entry completed but I want to go back and tour some other distilleries and maybe take a friend or two. Probably will.

Here are some interesting facts and figures I learned:

Heaven Hill Bourbon is aged for a minimum of 4 years in new charred white Oak barrels.

Elijah Craig Bourbon is available in 12 year or 18 year variants.

The longer Bourbon is aged, the more flavour it takes from the wood.

Charring caramelizes sugars in the wood, which slowly dissolve into the resting Whiskey.

Heaven Hill Distilleries charcoal filter all of their bourbon prior to bottling; this process purifies the product and "mellows" the flavour making Heaven Hill Bourbons uniquely easy to drink either straight or with your favorite mixer.

In December 2002 Heaven Hill Distilleries USA filled its 4.5 millionth new-charred white Oak barrel with fine Kentucky Bourbon. For a better idea what that volume of Bourbon represents, consider the following:

2,400 miles of White Oak Barrels.

385,000 acres of corn.

38.5 million bushels of harvested corn.

12.8 million bushels of grains such as rye and malt.

385 million gallons of Bourbon.

160.5 million cases of Bourbon.

1.9 billion bottles of Bourbon.

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Spring Break at the Valley of the Waves, at Sun City Resort

I recently I went with my daughter and her friend to the Valley of the Waves at Sun City, a resort in the North West province of South Africa.

Sun City is about 230 kilometres from Johannesburg. The resort is huge, with a number of luxury hotels including the Lost City, the Cabanas and Cascades.

It offers a variety of activities including game drives [at the nearby Pilanesberg Game Park and Bakubung Game Park], gambling, bird-watching, hiking, going on elephant and/horseback riding, golf courses and some water sports.

We didn't want to spend our limited time racing across the resort trying to do everything. So we opted to spend most of our time at the beach, taking part in the spring break activities.

For one week in September, a mobile company whose activities I follow hosts a week-long event during which families can come to play, watch extreme water-sports and relax. People can also come on day trips for the event, which is broadcast live on radio and TV.

Unlike its college-associated cousin, this spring break involves clean family fun, with toddlers, school-going kids and teens playing together in various, constantly changing groupings. Parents, grandparents and other family relations may choose to take a dip in the water or take part in organised games.

I wanted to include an elephant ride in our programme, but the girls outvoted me, insisting I would be too busy playing in the water to want to bother with smelly elephants. I also suspected they were a bit of afraid of coming in close proximity with a "wild animal", so I didn't insist. Maybe I'll do it the next time we come.

Here are some of the activities we did:

1. Took surfing lessons, and then chased the waves - At first it felt strange, standing on what passes for a beach knowing full well that the ocean was hundreds of kilometers away. But the man-made surf can be high too on this little pond, and parents and kids alike can have a lot of fun diving under the water or riding a wave.

2. Learnt rock-climbing - Amid the natural rocks surrounding the beach area, it's ironic that the area designated for rock-climbing should be artificial. But the kids had as much as if they were climbing the real deal, so I'm not complaining.

3. Played some volley-ball, did some hula-hoops - The teens among the varied family groupings were happy to assemble the younger kids and teach them games, or run some competitions.

4. Floated on the lazy river - The river ride was quiet and smooth, until the stone monkeys on the edge of the river started spitting water in my face. The girls thought it was funny watching me duck and turn, trying to avoid the water. Huh!

5. Went on a water slide down a steep hill - The person going on a slide has to be at least 1.2 metres tall, so my daughter's friend, who is also nine but is much shorter, could not go. So we did not linger on this activity.

6. Watched demonstrations - The formal programme included water skiing and surfing demonstrations, as well as dance routines by a cheerleading troupe. The dancers, who were mostly university students were quite good; their trim figures shaped well enough to get the heartbeat of many a teenage boy pumping faster.

7. Read a novel, work a bit- Reading by the water-side is very hard work, especially when the heat is beating on you, urging you to drift to sleep for just a minute, or ten. I also brought along a notebook and pen, so I took some notes to write about the trip afterwards.

8. Took pictures of some monkeys - On the first day of our stay, we got lost on our way to our hotel. I don't know how I managed that, because the resort lay-out is such that I should have gone from the beach, through the entertainment area out to the front entrance of the Cascades, where we were staying. But somehow, we found ourselves at the back of the hotel, watching monkeys rummage through the garbage cans and chase each other among the trees. We were very careful not to go close to them, but we took as many pictures as we could manage without spooking them.

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Honeymoon Tips

For our honeymoon my husband and I went to New Zealand. My husband is originally from there and the first time he took me there with him I loved it so we decided to go back there again. Our first trip there we had stayed at budget holiday parks but still had a fantastic time.

This time around we decided to explore a bit more and stay in some nicer hotels. My advise is you really don't need to spend 1000's of dollars on your honeymoon. We originally planned on doing a around the world tour but it worked quite expensive and we would only get about 2 or 3 night at each stop. Can you imagine the jet lag, the amount of wasted time sleeping, changing currency, flights... Oh my god it would have been a nightmare and not enjoyable. You really want your honeymoon to be a relaxing time before you go back to the hussel and bussel of your normal life. We had not had time off from work for over 2 years so going away and just relaxing and doing what we want when we want was amazing. You could travel 4 hours from where you live and as long as your with your husband that is all you need and all that matters.

Going to New Zealand didn't costs us a lot and for the amount of money you pay a night for a room you get such better value that what you do here in Australia. We stayed at the Auckland Casino and we got this for about NZ $190 a night and the room was huge! In Australia our casino's start at AU $250 + for a small basic room. Every place we stayed was absolutely perfect. The staff could not bend over backwards enough to help us out and make sure we were having a great honeymoon. If you have an endless budget than spend it on your honeymoon but if not no matter where you go you will have an awesome time anywhere because you are with your new husband. Definitely check out what New Zealand has to offer as you won't be disappointed.

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Season's Greetings from Warner Pathe News

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Beverly Hillbillies - Hair-Raising Holiday 1/2

Beverly Hillbillies - Hair-Raising Holiday Season 2, Episode 2 Drysdale is planning to tell Granny to stop doctoring after she cut off his hair to cure him. He sends Jane to tell her, and when she arrives at the mansion, the clan is celebrating Possum Day, and Jane doesnt go through with it. At the bank, Dr. Clyburn is complaining about what Granny did and tells Drysdale that hes going to report her. Jane returns and says that she didnt tell Granny to stop practicing medicine. Drysdale tells Clyburn hell stop Granny. Just as the family is about to leave to watch the Possum Day Parade, Drysdale and Jane pull up. Drysdale tells Granny she cant practice medicine in Beverly Hills, but after seeing how she grew Jeds hair back, he doesnt stop her. Granny tries to grow Clyburns hair, but he mean-mouths her, and she decides to leave Beverly Hills. And the Clampetts get further offended when they are told there is no Possum Day, just as Drysdale is planning it. Clyburn visits the bank again, and sees that Drysdales hair grew back. Clyburn begs Granny to grow his hair back, and the Clampetts are told there will be a Possum Day Parade, but a day later. The next day, the family celebrates the holiday.

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Edinburgh - Off the Beaten Track

Edinburgh really is a beautiful city. I'd like to introduce you to a bit more of Edinburgh than just the usual places to visit such as Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile. Edinburgh is wonderful for all the views down to sea at the Firth of Forth. All my suggestions are free, so you can have a great day without paying any admission charges. I always think that walking around is the great way to see a city but it would be bit much to walk around all these places. Lothian Buses run an excellent service with a £1 flat ticket for any journey, you can also buy a one day pass for £2.50. Parking around central Edinburgh costs between 70 pence and one pound per hour. There are different zones each with their own hours, days and charges.

Calton Hill

Calton Hill, at the eastern end of Princes Street is the most centrally located attraction in this guide. The views from Calton Hill are outstanding over the city and across the Forth Estuary towards Fife and over the Edinburgh skyline. Calton Hill is home to the National Monument an Athenian style acropolis built in 1822 to commemorate the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo. Some say the monument was not finished due to lack of funds, other say it was intended as a folly. The old Observatory and the City Observatory are also at Calton Hill.

Holyrood Park

Holyrood Park is an amazing haven, so close to the city centre. The park was originally used by royal hunting parties The park covers 650 acres. if you are feeling energetic you can climb Arthur's Seat for great panoramic views. There are several footpaths you can follow around the park, without too much of a climb. There is a road which circumvents the park with several free car parks. However the roads are usually closed on Sundays.

Water of Leith Walkway

Poetically know as the "silver thread in a ribbon of green", the Water of Leith Walkway, is a 12 mile path from Balerno to Leith. It is a unique walk, you can hardly believe that you are so close to the hustle and bustle of a city. I've never done all the walk in one stretch but have walked on most parts on different occasions. I like the walkway between Canon Mills and Dean village, You can try the Dean Village Walk to find our about the history of the village. The Dean Gallery of Modern Art is a few minutes from the walkway. There are public toilets at Cannon Mills and Stockbridge. There is also a wide selection of cafes and restaurants around these areas.

Botanic Gardens

The Royal Botanical Gardens were established in 1670 and contain 6% of all known plants. It's free to enter the gardens but there is an admission charge of £3.50 for the greenhouses. There are various areas including the Chinese Hillside, the Rock Garden and Woodland Garden. The gardens are only a few minutes walk from the Canonmills exit of the Water of Leith Walkway.

Craigentinny Marbles

I came across the so called Craigentinny Marbles by accident on my way to Portobello. It was so weird to see this grand classical style mausoleum in the middle of streets of 1930s bungalows. William Henry Miller, who owned the then Craigentiny estate wanted to be buried in the open fields rather than in a churchyard. In 1848 that may have been the case, maybe now he may be reconsidering, thinking that a graveyard might now be a more appropriate setting than a housing estate. The Miller Mausoleum has bas relief sculptures of biblical scenes on 2 sides. Miller requested that he was buried at a depth of 40 feet, prompting rumours about his gender due to a slim build, weak voice and lack of facial hair. If he was buried so deeply there would be little opportunity for grave robbers to strike.

Portobello Beach

Portobello Beach is three miles east of the city centre. On a clear day you can see over the Firth of Forth to the county of Fife and the three Lomond Hills. A walk along the promenade is usually pretty refreshing.

Sean Connery worked as lifeguard at now demolished outdoor Portobello Swimming Pool in the 1950s. There's an indoor 25 metre swimming pool with a Turkish bath
situated on the prom.

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Money Can Not Buy You Happiness

I am sure there will be many people who read this article and will think I am rather mad. Quite frankly I do not care. In this article I write about what in my humble opinion are the most importants things in life, health and happiness.

All that most of my friends talk about is money:

What car do you drive?

How much is your house worth?

How much do you earn?

How much did your suit cost?

Where are you going on holiday this year?

I find all of this very boring and think that they are rather sad. They seem to be in some sort of competition and they are basically obsessed about money.

I will give you an example of one such friend, his name is John. He never seems to talk about anything else and is always looking into get rich quick schemes. He is also in a lottery syndicate, of which there are about fifty members. Each member pays around ten pounds in per week. John likes to go out socialising on a Saturday night, however soon gets itchy feet at the time of the lottery draw. A few minutes later he will go to the toilet where he will then phone his girlfriend. He takes with him to the toilet a piece of paper with his numbers on and a little pen. After his girlfriend has told him which numbers were drawn, John will then then spend around twenty minutes checking his numbers, and then re-checking to see if he has any winning lines.

Eventually he returns to the group who seem very keen (apart from me) to find out how much he has won/lost. To date he has only won small amounts, however is convinced that one day he will become a millionaire. He will then start talking about the lottery, asking other people what they would buy if they were lucky enough to ever win. At this point I become very bored and start to wish I had stayed at home and watched the football.

For me the two most important things in life are health and happiness. These are two things which money can not buy. A few years ago, my dad was taken ill. He was in a real bad way and had to spend around five months in hospital. Him being ill was a huge shock to me as he was only fifty-seven. I feared the worst, even though I was trying my hardest to think and stay positive. I remember thinking, if I gave those doctors everything I own in the world, it still would not help him. I felt powerless and at that moment realised that money is only paper.

Happiness is the same, I remember at the age of twenty-one having lots of money and had been surprised that I was depressed at the same time. At other times I have had next to no money and have been extremely happy.

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Holiday Sex - Dont Be Lonely and Horny This Christmas

Don't spend another holiday alone. Even though the holidays can be one of the lonliest times of the year you do not have to give in to sadness and frustration. Even if you dont have anyone right now does not mean that is the way you will wake up on Christmas morning or New Years. And the best part about getting someone this late in the year is that you dont even have to buy them a big present.

If you dont know how to get someone, I am going to share with you 3 places that you can go to find someone to heat up those cold nights.

1. The Store. You can shop for more than a nice present to put under the tree at the store. You can shop for someone to put into your bed. This is a great time of year to find sex at the store. Unfortnately they don't have it in a particular aisle, but it is close. Just get your prop cart and walk around the stores. You will be amazed how much you can find out about someone by what they put in their cart.

Once you find someone that you like simply approach them and strike up a conversation. Ask about a good gift for your mother. This always wins big points. Tell them they look like they have good taste. Compliments are another big winner. From there get the phone number and move on to the next person.

2. The Clubs. Great place to meet a large number of people that probably dont have anyone else to spend the holidays with. Most people at a club have an understanding that you are not going to find a long term relationship here. The best that you will find is probably a good "friend".

Remember it is a numbers game so dont get stuck talking to someone for too long. Also, dont go for the hottest. Time is not your friend. Get as many numbers as quickly as possible and sort through them later.

3. Online. Of course by far the best place to find holiday sex is online. You can meet people and you dont even have to get out into the cold. How much better does it get than that. Not only that, but you can meet people and you dont even have to be present. See someone you like and leave them a message. Then you check you messages later and you have just picked up someone and you were even there. Pretty nice!

Stop wasting time and Ky. Put up the batteries. Get some nice, warm and real this season. You can have the sex you want, but you have to have the courage to go and get it.

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Madeleine Peyroux, 'Instead'

Jazz singer Madeleine Peyroux is in this week's Second Cup Cafe. She's known for her amazing covers of songs associated with Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, and Bob Dylan. Peyroux performs 'Instead'.

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Tyler Hilton - RE: Jingle Bass Dance

Reply to conversechick16 - www.tylerhilton.com

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MTV (J. Holiday / Suffocate Parody)

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Small to Mid-size Ad Agencies Need A Calling Program

A proactive cold calling program is essential to securing new business for small to mid-size agencies. Especially during difficult economic times.

Having the ability to make cold calls should be one of the fundamental requirements for anyone heading up your agency's new business initiatives. If your new business person can't or wont make cold calls you need to find someone who can. This may not be a prerequisite at a Hill Holiday or BBDO but if yours is a small to mid-size agency it has to be an important part of your new business program.

Just this afternoon, I picked up the phone and made a cold call on behalf of one of my clients. I was calling from my daily task list. The first assignment that came up, the vice president of marketing for a large commercial real estate developer. The prospect picked up the phone on the third ring. Within five minutes I had secured an appointment for the prospect and his marketing staff to visit our office to review some of our work and how we might be of help for their marketing challenges. Now the successes don't always come that easy. That particular prospect I had called many times before only to get his voice mail. But, persistence paid off.

Here are ten tips for a successful cold calling program:

1. Someone must be designated to make calls on behalf of your agency. Whether you appoint a person with phone skills from within for this task or you hire someone from outside the agency, a single person should have this responsibility. I have found out the hard way, assigning prospects to a group of staff members never works. It's like herding cats. And they can also do more harm than good.

2. Identify you're the best targets for your agency. Use a rifled focus instead of a shotgun approach. You can easily get company information from companies like Hoovers, The List or Advertising Redbooks. I've used them all.

3. I use my Entourage tasks list to make my calls from. I can take the information from Hoovers, The List or Advertising Redbooks and easily copy and paste into individual tasks the prospects contact information, a paragraph about the company and also assign reminder dates. This also allows me to keep a running log of my activities, whether it's a phone call, personal note, sending a sampling of materials, etc. I'm sure there are better programs but this works for me. It's simplistic and helps me be consistent. Updating information, often when I'm on the phone is easy. My assignments for the day are ready when I power up my laptop. All I have to do is make the calls.

4. I rarely leave a voice mail message. If the prospect doesn't answer I'll reassign the task for another time during the day. Sometimes I call the same prospect five or six times on a given day. If I don't reach them at all I'll assign them to another day. If you leave a voice mail message you are putting the ball in the prospects court to return your call. The majority of the time your call wont be returned. To keep leaving messages makes you a pest. Nobody likes a pest.

5. I do try to develop a relationship with the "gate-keepers." Whether it's the receptionist, personnel assistant, a junior level person within the marketing department. Anyone that can provide me with the "lay of the land" and valuable inside information. I secured a meeting with the president of a major brand outside Atlanta from a cold call. I discovered, from talking with the company's receptionist, that he had only been on the job a couple of months and had yet to hire an assistant. She told me he was answering his own calls. I kept calling every day for over a month until he picked up the phone. Of course he had no idea that I had been so persistent and I was able to schedule a face-to-face meeting from that call.

6. If I'm calling on a company and unsure who is making the marketing decisions, I simply asks the receptionist who on staff oversees their marketing and advertising and nine times out of ten, they will give me the persons name and if I'll just ask, I often can obtain the persons direct line and even their email address.

7. Whenever I get my prospect on the phone I'm trying to ascertain if they are a viable prospect. You may discover that the prospective company does all their marketing and advertising in house or they have had an ongoing relationship with an agency for over ten years and are very satisfied. Don't waste time on the ones that aren't viable prospects. Your goal isn't to obtain meetings but to secure business for the agency.

8. That said, you still have to remember the average client/agency relationship is about 2.5 years. That means there is lots of turn over and opportunity. If you learn that one of your competitors has secured a new client account, it would be wise of you to make note of that and follow up with the prospect after the first six months or so and periodically thereafter. I use my task list as a reminder to follow up.

9. I prefer making "warm calls" to "cold calls." For warm calls I have the prospect on the general mailing list for the agency. I like to have a series of agency self promotion postcards that go out no less than six times a year. Short clever messages that are easy for the agency to design and produce. This keeps a level of awareness for the agency. It is also helpful to have a PR strategy. It's amazing at how a little PR can make your agency seem to be the hottest shop in town. I recommend hiring an outside PR firm or freelancer so that you have a consistent PR effort. It is always better making calls when the prospective client has some knowledge of your agency.

10. Ours is a relationship business. Use the phone to establish a relationship first. People like to work with others they know and like. Don't sell to quickly. Let the prospect tell you about their company and their marketing challenges. You can establish what you know by focusing your questions and discussion on them.

What I have shared isn't very sophisticated. It is hard work that most within the agency cannot comprehend doing on a regular basis. But I know for a fact that it works.

The MAIN THING you've got to do is to do it!

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You need to start to like yourself

If you have a very low self-esteem or a lack of confidence, you can help to ensure that the Trust will seek to win.

I was someone who had the serious crisis of confidence between the ages of four until the age of about twenty-two.

At the age of twenty-two years I started on a mission to improve themselves and try to increase my level of happiness in my life.

I started so many books and articles on increasing confidence and self-respect to win.

In one ofBooks, chapter, what I have been called: "You start to like."

He began by saying that there are probably some things in your life and about yourself that you are not satisfied. Some of these do not change, as difficult it may be, it must accept, and even try to start to like them. Other things in your life or the person that you are not happy with you are able to change, as could be difficult, you have to work to change them.

Things that I was not happy with was:
My weight, this can be changed. Obesity is mainly my fault, my diet and lack of exercise.

I had a spot on his bald head, which is something that I thought could not be changed, so I had to accept.

I'm quite short for a male, which is something to change, not what I do.

I had a severe stutter, which was something that occurred after a lot of hard work for me to overcome.

Stephen> Hill

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