Custom Ways Under Threat - Tropical Islands Paradise About to Be Lost?

Vanuatu has a society that stuns the senses of the Western world. The first time traveler here, walking in with eyes wide open, will find a society that is the anti-thesis of everything that we know as modern, as only the tropical islands can be.

The rhythm of the beat of South Pacific island life greets you on arrival. At the airport, during the day or on the midnight flight, a string band bursts into life. Warm welcoming smiles and brightly colored shirts greet young and old. As the cruise ships dock the throngs of locals playing their unique music and plying their wares, adds vibrance to the tropical air.

Ni-Vanuatu are special people, quietly spoken and friendly. The custom official appears to whisper to you. The taxi drivers, after greater contact with Westerners, are a little more gregarious. The streets are a-buzz with warm greetings, smiles and handshakes, but few loud voices are heard.

Yet the 21st century encroaches as the young teenagers are beginning to dance to a different tune, thanks to the world of TV and DVDs. Newly acquired, special introductory priced, cell phones, are seen eagerly clutched by the teenagers

Most of the village Ni-Vanuatu people go everywhere by foot. Bare feet take these people deep on the forest footpaths, across the coral beaches and along the paved roadways. These are silent feet. Every day for generations their feet have propelled these people over long distances.

Travel is mostly undertaken by foot. Far from the villages, deep in the rural areas, family groups walk each day to source their food supply at the remote hilltop gardens. Weekend visits to family and church involve treks over long distances.

Sound of "psst" breaks the quiet as someone's attention is attracted across a considerable distance. The male youth, gathered under the banyan tree, burst into a raucous laughter, sharing news and discussing music. A giggle can be heard from behind the hands of the young girls standing over the cooking pots or nurturing the young, like girls all over the world. Quiet and peace returns to village life.

The Ni-Vanuatu communities, family and relationships are more important than possessions. The extended family brings up the children and cares for the elderly. The village chief is paramount.

The paramount chief will settle family disputes, take care of misdemeanors and adjudicate the serious crimes outside the criminal system. However, time is turning like the tide in these areas, as more and more teenagers try to imitate the ways of the West.

Whether continuing to live on their isolated island homes, or having moved to the capital, Port Vila, the sense of community lives on for the young.

Identification of island cultural heritage can be seen as men proudly tell visitors that they are "Man Tanna" or "Man Ambryn". Respect for elders is critical. Island communities gather in distinct parts of town and are very supportive of their own people. The community takes care of the youth that drift to town for education or employment.

Ni-Vanuatu community responds to their home islanders needs after natural hazard wrecks havoc. They provide assistance of food and basic necessities.

Custom ways and economy of generations past are being increasingly threatened by western approaches to law and order, business and civil society as Vanuatu moves into the 21st century and toward its 8th election since independence in 1980.

This Lesser Developed Country has acknowledged that progress to the next generation means education. Mothers, like mothers all over the world, are particularly aware of the desperate need to educate the next generation. They want to see their children's dreams, of being a doctor, nurse, teacher, fulfilled.

Vanuatu government admitted in 2007 that it was unable to adequately resource education. No education in Vanuatu is free. The islanders living in a 'no-cash economy' are unable to pay the school fees.

The dire consequences of this are:

o only 55.8% of Vanuatu kids will get to grade 6; o of those only 18.2% will go to high school ; o 26% will never go to school at all.

YouMe Support Foundation, a Child Trust Fund, is dedicated to giving these children a high school education - helping to bridge the gap between custom ways and economic, western developments.

If isolated communities are to come to terms with the 21st Century, educating the next generation must be given urgent priority. You can assist these children to gain an education. You can be part of the helping these children take part of modern living, while retaining their beautiful ancient culture.

How To Choose A Place To Eat

In choosing a new place to eat you should consider a number of factors before making your choice. Eating out is expensive and none of us have bottom less pockets to fund making mistakes. So prior to creating a short list of two or three to contact before making your decision review the following points, taking into consideration the needs of your guests and yourself.

Point 1. Are there any special dietary needs?

If you are eating with someone for the first time it is unlikely that you will know all of, or any, of their dietary needs. Are they vegetarian, vegan, fruit eaters, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Rastafarian, Sikh? Do they need food free of dairy products or gluten, low salt or fat, without nuts and suitable for diabetes sufferers?

Point 2. What is the location for the new eating place?

Are you looking for somewhere new that is close by, in the country or the city centre? How do you intend to travel to and from the venue? Is there public transport, or satisfactory parking facilities?

Point 3. How much do you in tend to spend?

If you are so lucky the meal might be funded out of and expenses claim, but they have limits and it is likely that your boss will not pay for a top priced meal because you did not realise that the eating place was three star Michelin. Set a budget.

Point 4. Do you want to reserve a table?

Check that it is possible to make a reservation, and if there are any restrictions and limitations depending upon the number in your party. Do they expect some form of payment in advance, how is the booking confirmed by both you and them, by email? What are their cancellation terms both in terms of time and costs?

Point 5. Check the menu and drinks lists.

It is pointless ending up at a burger outlet if you want a romantic meal, and likewise sitting in a candlelit booth if you are with the bank manager. Although the latter might be a good idea if you are desperate for some financing! Does the menu change regularly or is it constant? Both of these options might be important for differing reasons such as, you like change or you want to rely on a particular item being available.

Point 6. Consider the sources of information to help you decide.

Friends, family or work associates might offer recommendations based upon experiences, good or bad. Search the Internet using your key words, however be aware that a Website will be set up by the organisation, so totally impartiality will not exist. Do not take too much notice of any "Independent Testimonials", since probably the last thing that they will be is independent - the good ones could be set up by the proprietor and the bad ones people looking for a freebie. Review the food guides published by organisations with professional food inspectors, and are not reliant on comments from the public. Take note that in a year may eating places change ownership and style, so the guide might be out of date before it reaches the book store. Try to visit the premises to see if they are clean and look good and importantly have some customers.

Assuming that you now have details of your requirements and have short listed two or three eating places. Ring the outlets to check the response. How quickly is the phone answered, is the response polite, are all of your questions answered, do the staff appear to be knowledgeable. Complete the exercise with all the short listed outlets and make your decision. After the effort you will have put in, I hope that the new eating place lives up to your expectations.

Home Improvements - Expressing an Attitude

There are many issues to address when doing major home improvements. The overall atmosphere and attitude of the improvements can be a key issue.

Degree of Formality

Certain things tend to go with each other. Silk, silver, crystal, brass, china, oil paintings in gilt frames, and draperies to the floor have an affinity for each other for example. Leather, built-in bookcases, old books, paneled rooms, coffered ceilings, and dark wood are another group of things that go well together. A third such group might be heavy linen, polished cotton, glass and metal tables, woven baskets, and wicker. There are the usual exceptions, but things that go together tend to have about the same degree of formality. Their color and texture are important, too.

Light vs. Dark

Most people are happiest living in rooms that are bright and sunny in the daytime and are softly lit without glare or sharp contrasts in light at night. In most rooms, lamps and indirect lighting is the way to go. Window treatments that leave most of the glass in windows uncovered when they are open during the day are good for letting sunshine and pleasant views in and give your home a cheerful feeling.

How much sun a room gets needs to be taken into account when choosing paint. If a room gets a lot of sun, and you like the look, a dark color will probably work. If the room is on the north of your home and has few windows, you might be happier with a light tint of the color you like.

Small vs. Large

Small rooms can be a challenge. Window treatments, which control light and privacy without taking up a lot of space in the room, make sense in small rooms. Fitted interior shutters, shades, and café curtains tend to work well. Save voluminous fabric, elaborate swags, and draperies that "puddle" on the floor for large rooms with high ceilings. Furniture needs to be scaled to the size of the room, too, although one occasionally sees a small room with a few large pieces of furniture, which look dramatically good and serve the intended function well.

Summary

The biggest key is to know what you want before you start. Get that answer straight in your mind and you can't go wrong.

The Back - Cure Pain With Complementary Therapy

Alternative medicine treatment, also known as complimentary therapies, are quickly becoming an accepted method of attempting to ease pain and problems throughout the body. Backpain has a broad assortment of complimentary treatments which reportedly alleviate pain.

Complimentary therapies have been in existence much longer than the medication we in the West use today, nevertheless there is still discomfort about usage of these medicines. The following alternative medicines are all thought to have medicinal benefits for easing or avoiding back pain.

Trigger Point

Trigger point therapy works on the theory that the body contains trigger points for pain in the muscles, joined with the autonomic nervous system. Usually the trigger point will be centered on knotting areas in the muscles. The points can spread out pain to additional areas of the body.

Treatment involves injection into the trigger point of a small amount of local anesthetic; this allegedly scrambles the electrical signals which relay pain sensations. Before the therapy is fully effective, it typically takes a few sessions.

Herbs

Certain herbs, such as Chamomile, have a calming affect on muscle tissue. Other herbs possess natural anti-inflammatory properties, like Bromelain, which is derived from pineapple. If one takes these herbs at a high enough quantity they can help alleviate back pain, it is believed

Aromatherapy

It is reported that essential oils can help alleviate pain. This is said to be because a lot of oils like Thyme, Rosemary, Horse balm, and Sage, contain natural compounds like thymol which can help muscles relax.

To receive full benefit one needs to mix the proper proportion of oils, rubbing them into the affected area following bathing. This is so your pores will be open and your muscles fully relaxed.

Meditation

Meditation, it is believed, purifies your mind and body from pain and tension. The meditation should be done from thirty minutes to one hour each day. Lay on your back with pillows placed under knees and thighs, so that stress on your back is minimized. During the time you're meditating, strive to keep a clear mind, letting all thoughts flow through your mind, without judgement or grasping at them.

There is no conclusive evidence showing that alternative therapies do work, although on the other hand, there is no proof that they do not work, either. Should you decide to try complementary therapy to lessen your back pain, remember to consult with your medical doctor first, as they may have adverse interactions with other treatment or conditions you are going through.

Avoid Thinking Like a Victim

You must understand the psychology of the victim so that in any case you are attacked in the future, you will not act as the victim. This is because by reacting in an unexpected way, you will upset the mental balance of your attacker and consequently increase your chances of escaping. Below is the list of reactions whenever most people are attacked:

1) You are in a state of shock and fear. In this instance, you do not know how to react. You would like to run away and shout for help but you could not.

2) You feel lonely and isolated. By now, you would be hoping that someone else would come to the rescue.

3) You are looking for escape. Some of you may not have the self-confidence to defend yourself due to the lack of martial arts training. Therefore, you feel helpless and weak.

(Above is just an excerpt from a chapter of the popular book "Effective Self Defense Against Rape in 10 Days". To download the complete chapter of the book for FREE, you can go to http://www.womenself-defense.com )

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This is a "Shareware" Article (what's that? read on...)

This article is shareware. Give this article away for free on your site, or include it as part of any paid package as long as the entire article is left intact including this notice. Copyright © 2006 Ahmad Mutammim.

Think Less For Less Stress Induced Asthma

Stress induced asthma is one of the most common types of asthma. As the name suggests it is caused by stress. What makes it common is that each of us encounters some stress in our daily lives. We can never avoid it.

Do you experience a difficulty in breathing or only get shallow breaths when you're excited, angry or pressured? This is a symptom of having stress induced asthma. People exposed to a lot of stress are most vulnerable to this. There are also people who get it with the slightest emotion also. Different people react differently to different occurrences.

Taking Medications Is Not The Best Solution

For most people, the most immediate remedy they run to is taking medication. But for stress induced asthma, this is not the best action to take. Patients should not deal with their asthma alone. They should try to combat the cause instead. They should face their stress problems. Each person comes across stress everyday one way or another. Even simple things can cause this. Even trying to be on time for work can do it. Problems with peers and with family could also be the culprit. There are many other causes of stress. But mainly, the problem lies with how we take all these things. So we should adjust our way of thinking. Doing so is not easy. Most even have to see a counselor to be able to do this.

Try to recognize the things causing you the stress. Although stress cannot be avoided, it can be controlled. Knowing what's causing it is very important. It could be family problems. Or, it may be pressures at your workplace. It could even be a case of having taking on too much. If that's the case, delegate some of your responsibilities to others. Then deal with other causes one by one. You should find solutions for each of them. This will reduce the stress in you. And perhaps this will also lessen stress induced asthma attacks. You should avoid these stressors as much as possible. Only then will you be able to avoid stress. Then you will be able to avoid asthma attacks.

You may also try to do some exercise. Exercises are good for the body and soul. It naturally lessens your stress. It also makes your heart and lungs healthier. It is advised that you start slow though. You may not be used to it. So you must start with less vigorous exercises. And you should not do it for long durations immediately. If it works, try doing some more next time. It will help eliminate or lessen stress. And doing so eliminates or lessens stress induced asthma as well.

Eating healthy food might also help. Usually being sick adds to your stress. Being healthy would certainly help avoid it. And so it could also reduce asthma attacks.

To reduce stress more, try doing relaxation exercises. This usually entails deep breathing exercises. You should try to release those muscle tensions as well. You should also avoid negative thoughts. For more tips on this, there are several audiotapes, CDs, and books available.

Taking asthma medications might not be the answer. But going to your doctor would be good. He can give you a professional advice on this. You can consult with him. And he will tell if you are doing the right things. If you're a little lost, he can guide you too. You can deal with stress in many ways. And you can have a normal life. With your doctor's help, you can certainly deal with stress induced asthma.

A Healthy Weight Loss Supplement

In a successful weight loss program you need a nutritional supplement that will help the body to naturally rid itself of excess body fat and toxins. Reducing weight by only 10% will allow you to feel the difference. Weight loss is a serious undertaking and you need to be looking for a product that is safe, all natural and provides results. What is needed is a healthy supplement that does not consist of pills containing caffeine or ephedrine as they will leave you tired and hungry.

Loosing weight will provide many benefits to your lifestyle. It will benefit you in improving your life, your current health and eliminating the risk of future conditions. Weight loss will increase energy and stamina, improve mobility and prevent you from having type 2 diabetes. If you want to loose weight, you need to start today.

Weight loss is an investment in your life that can reduce the chance of developing heart disease and will lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Loosing weight will help you breath better, resulting in getting a better nights sleep and allowing you to have a more productive day. Controlling your weight can increase your life by 10 to 20 years, allowing you to do more with family and friends.

Weight gain can be caused by gender, age, improper diet or genetics, but it can be controlled through a proper diet, physical exercise an (when needed) a dietary supplements. There are approximately 15% of American adults that use diet supplements who have found that they can improve their emotional and physical health. It may be hard to stick with a strict diet or exercise plan and supplements can be the answer to helping you get to that proper weight. Remember, all supplements should be combined with diet and exercise for them to provide optimal results.

Calotren Weight Loss Capsules contain an all natural formula that is a nutritional supplement that supports the natural shedding of body fat. Calotren is based on a Collagen based protein that assists the body in burning off fats and sugars more effectively than other weight loss programs. The benefits of Calotren are your answer to a healthier lifestyle as they can improve your health in many ways. Weight loss supplements do work and losing weight will increase your self confidence. It's time you tried a program that is safe, all natural and can be very effective.

Cruise Bar, Sydney, Australia - Review

If you are looking for a venue with a view, then you need look no further then Cruise Bar, located on the wharf adjacent to The Rocks and Circular Quay. For the romantic's going there with a date, you have chosen wisely as Cruise Bar is directly across the water from the Opera House, which needless to say looks amazing lit up as the sun goes down over Sydney's amazing harbour and provides the perfect atmosphere for a quiet romantic drink either in the courtyard or inside.

Located inside the old ferry terminals, Cruise Bar is one of the most scenic bars in Sydney, and for tourists is without question a must see destination.

Downstairs, the atmosphere is classy yet casual, with an amazing bar that morphs into a dance floor accentuated by amazing, technicolour wall lights that provide a modern take on the 70's. With a DJ on both Friday's and Saturdays, Cruise bar is perfect for after work drinks (that end up going till 3 in the morning) as well as Saturdays with friends.

One thing I also take a liking to is the relaxed enforcement of dress code. Given the location only a stone's throw from The Rocks precinct, Cruise is great place to start the night, as no matter where you want to go you can dress accordingly.

Upstairs most of the time is booked out for private parties, however when it isn't provides a great lounge area to kick back and sip on your favourite drink. Unfortunately, private functions are held there quite regularly and when they are, Cruise Bar becomes very small. Although an awesome venue, if you plan on having a big one you are better off starting at Cruise, enjoying the amazing view and when your vision starts to get a little bit blurry after 3 or 4 drinks, heading into the Rocks.

If you are planning on meeting there however and never been there before, the place is a little tricky to find as it doesn't seem to have a physical street address.

Serious Business Networking

As they always say "It's not what you know, it's who you know."

Of course just knowing people doesn't necessarily get you the job, or the promotion, or the contract you wanted, but it certainly can help; so long as people don't think you are using them.

It's true that networking is extremely important, so finding new contacts is the key to your continuing success; you need to learn out about networking meetings or events in your area.

Before you go to an event you should think about what you want to achieve. Who will be there? Decide who you would like to meet and what information you would like to take away. This will ensure that you remain focused and have a successful meeting.

Use your Capsule Profile from the 'Presentation Statements' that we discussed in the self-marketing section of the website. http://www.your-career-change.com/personal-marketing.html

You have about thirty seconds to get a person's interest or you lose your chance. Planning this beforehand is absolutely essential. You need to sell yourself before you can ask for the information or contacts you want.

Consider the impression you're making and don't repel people by your (bad) jokes or (bad) manners or the way you smell (tobacco, garlic or aftershave / perfume).

It isn't always easy to talk to people, but if you don't at least try you may lose out on an opportunity. Keeping a positive attitude and keeping smiling will increase the positive results. People enjoy networking with interesting, purposeful individuals.

Dress for Success (http://www.your-career-change.com/Dress-for-success.html) at a business networking meeting as you would if you were going to an interview or a meeting with your most important client.

If you spend all your time with contacts you've already made, you limit the value of the event; so the majority of your time should be spent meeting new people. Networking meetings enable you to expand your contact list if you use your time well.

Do your best to remember the new contacts' names; we only tend to hear our own name when introductions are made so repeating their name will help you to remember it. And they like to hear their own names. Furthermore people will be most impressed when you remember their name the next time that you meet.

Only collect a lot of business cards if you have good reason for each one and they allow you a follow-up action. Make notes on the back so you know where they came from and what follow up you intend to take.

Although it's crucial to talk about yourself, you don't want to spend all of your time explaining what you do. Find out what the other person does. People love to talk about themselves and it will give you time to understand them and how you may be able to help them. If you can help them, they will be more likely to help you.