Are You a Cranky Mom?

September 4th, 2010 . No Comments »

Turn crankiness into becoming a good-humored mom. If you got live minutes of your precious time, you have enough time to try one of these stress-busters.

Lighten up – When the body absorbs sunlight it enhances the effect of mood-stabilizing chemicals like serotonin. Catch some rays, move playdates with children in the open park or make it a habit to tender your pocket gardens at home in the morning

Enjoy your virtual vacation – Close your eyes and visualize being on a luxury ocean liner. Feel the rhythm of the waves and inhale the smell of the ocean.

Jump rope – It’s not just for third-grade recess anymore. Jumping rope for 20 minutes triggers your body to release feel-good endorphins, and its repetitive motion makes you relaxed and focused. Grab your kid and see who can go the longest

Crank up some tunes – Play music that brings up good memories. Many people find they have a visceral reaction to something they heard in their youth. Choose anything that triggers a positive image. like your wedding-dance song or the music that played during your first date or at the first rock concert you went to as a teenager.

Breathe deeply – If stress is drowning you, stop whatever you are doing or thinking and take a deep, cleansing breath. You can do it wherever you are — in the grocery store or even at a parent-teacher conference.

Say your CBA’s – When you’re upset, recite the alphabet backward. Concentrate on the letters, so by the time you get to ‘P,’ you’ve forgotten what was bothering you.

Connect with a grown-up – Social support is one of the most effective coping mechanisms we have when we’re feeling anxious and stressed, say experts. If you can’t reach a friend on the phone, send a quick message.

Laugh it off – Numerous studies show that laughter lowers your levels of cortisol, which is a stress hormone. So go ahead and giggle out loud at your husband’s bad knock knock jokes — it’ll make you both feel good.

Get busy in bed – Having intimate moments in bed releases endorphins that improve your mood and decrease symptoms of stress. (No instructions needed.)

Spritz off Stress – Make your entire house scent refreshing. Add your fave cologne and little water in a spray bottle and spray it on yourself, the kids, and all over the house

Rub the right way – No, we’re not talking about getting a massage; we’re talking about giving one — to your baby. Research shows that when women massage infants, the levels of their stress hormone cortisol drop, which in turn calms them down. Before putting on your baby’s pajamas, dab a few drops of baby oil onto your fingers and give her a rubdown. If you’re unsure of your technique, don’t worry. Moms know instinctively how to massage.

Posted in beauty, family, health, home, motherhood, women

War for Cybertron

August 10th, 2010 . No Comments »

Experience the legendary battle between the Autobots and Decepticons before their exodus to Earth in the untold story of the civil war for their home planet, Cybertron. Two distinct and intertwined campaigns chronicle the Autobots heroism in the face of total annihilation and the Decepticons unquenchable thirst for power. Play both campaigns in team-based online co-op, or go head-to-head in several online multiplayer game modes. Battle as your favorite Transformer characters in the war that spawned one of the most brutal conflicts of all time.

Become the Ultimate Weapon, Fight to the End. Experience the legendary battle between the Autobots and Decepticons before their exodus to Earth in the untold story of the civil war for their home planet, Cybertron. Two distinct and intertwined campaigns chronicle the Autobots’ heroism in the face of total annihilation and the Decepticons’ unquenchable thirst for power. Play both campaigns in team-based online co-op, or go head-to-head in several online multiplayer game modes. Battle as your favorite Transformer characters in the war that spawned one of the most brutal conflicts of all time.

Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC – Determine the fate of the Transformers in the war that started it all. Wield an arsenal of lethal, high-tech weaponry and change form from robot to vehicle at any time as you battle through the living, metallic world of Cybertron. Distinct AUTOBOT and DECEPTICON campaigns take you from AUTOBOT and DECEPTICON cities, to the Energon core of Cybertron, to the outer reaches of the orbital debris while pitting brother against brother and friend against foe. Experience OPTIMUS’ rise to greatness and MEGATRON’S thirst for destruction. The balance of power between AUTOBOTS and DECEPTICONS is in your hands.

Gameplay – Transformers: War for Cybertron is a 3rd person high-action Shooter that allows you to become the ultimate weapon. Change form from Robot to Vehicle at any time and attack you enemies from any angle. Drive, fly, shoot and fight your way through two distinct campaigns alone or with up to 2 other friends in online Co-op or go head to head and wage war online with a deep multiplayer game.

Posted in entertainment, games, kids

Flip Ultra Camcorder 2nd Generation

July 16th, 2010 . No Comments »

It’s the Camcorder, Uncomplicated – The Flip Ultra camcorder makes it easier than ever to shoot and share video. Ultra features Flip Video’s signature shoot-and-share simplicity: just power on and press record to start capturing high-quality video in seconds.

Ultra-Spontaneous, Ultra-Fun – With 120 minutes of record time, you’ll never miss another minute again. And because it’s super-portable, Ultra lets you capture spontaneous video anytime, anywhere. Whether it’s a busy evening at your kids’ soccer match; a weekend camping trip; or simply an unplanned, everyday event, your Ultra will let you capture the moment. So you never have to say, “You should have been there.”

Incredible Quality – While it may be small, Flip Ultra packs a big punch. Ultra produces video that rivals that of far more expensive camcorders. Its 4 GB of built-in memory lets you capture 120 minutes of crystal-clear video, even in low-light situations. Premier AAC audio compression means your videos will sound crisper than ever, too. The included connector cable makes it incredibly easy to watch your videos on your TV.

Pre-Installed FlipShare Software – Ultra comes pre-loaded with FlipShare software, which makes it easy to organize, create and share your videos:

  • Organize your videos.
  • Create custom movies.
  • Capture still-image snapshots.
  • Share privately.
  • Share with the world.
Posted in advertisement, gadget, technology

More than just friends?

June 20th, 2010 . No Comments »

Sometimes sweet, sometimes sour. Is this guy into you or is it just an act?

My guy and I broke up last year. After seeing him with another girl, I gave up hope that we could get back together. Now my ex’s best buddy is becoming unusually sweet and romantic to me, accompanying me on errands and saying, “1 love you”. When he sees me hanging out with other guys, he doesn’t talk to me for a day or even a week! Is he trying to court me or is he just gaming on me? I’m starting to fall for him but I’m confused. What’s the buzz?

Okay, he’s said those three magic words—that counts for a lot, and it does sound like he’s seriously into you. But has he proposed? Has he at least talked about wanting to be your boyfriend? Because if he drops lots of hints, but avoids any real discussion of a relationship, then he may just be playing with you. If you want to know for sure, why not ask him? I know that’s easier said than done and you risk being embarrassed, but at least you’ll save yourself all this speculation, and instead, think about what matters here. And that is: how do you feel about him? Because whether this guy likes you or not, you should consider if you’re even interested in having him as a boyfriend. You say you’re “kinda starting to fall for him”—that doesn’t sound too convincing to me. It’s easy to like someone if he’s very sweet to you. But you have to differentiate between genuinely being attracted to someone for his personality, and just being flattered by his attention.

If it turns out that he’s really courting you, and you find you like him too, the two of you ought to discuss your ex. Although it’s been a while since you and your ex broke up, there could still be tension caused by his friend’s being with you—and judging by recent history, tension is almost assured. How strong is your ex’s friendship with this guy? How could your ex feel about the two of you getting together? How does this guy feel about the fact that you used to be his friend’s girlfriend? Are you both comfortable with the possibility that, since your ex and this guy are friends, you’ll be spending time with your ex once in a while? It would be best to settle all these things early on, before they become major issues.

By the way, I should tell you that this guy’s got no right to be so jealous of your other male friends. His behavior would be unreasonable even if he were your boyfriend; since he isn’t even that, you shouldn’t tolerate it. Consider this when you try to decide whether you want a relationship with him or not. Imagine: If he’s this insecure now, how much more if he’s your boyfriend?

I know that asking this guy about his intentions directly is shameful, but if he keeps on hinting without actually making a move, then the impetus might have to come from you. If you do decide to be his girlfriend, make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons. That way, you can stand by your choice when problems come your way.

Posted in relation, teens