Prince William and Kate Middleton honor Diana’s memory

Five months ago, when Prince William first announced to the world he’d given a ring to Kate Middleton, he made it clear that only one other woman mattered as much to him.
"It's my mother's engagement ring,” he told the press of the sapphire and diamond engagement heirloom. “Obviously she's not going to be around to share any of the fun and excitement of it all -- this was my way of keeping her close to it all."

During every step of their path down the aisle, Kate and William have made a point to keep Lady Diana’s memory alive. Today’s wedding was no exception. They recited their vows at the Westminster Abbey, the historic church where Diana’s memorial was held for 3 million mourners in 1997. Then, William was just a teenager, and his solemn march behind his mother’s coffin was in stark contrast to the beaming stride he took down the aisle today.

But the church itself wasn't the only reminder of Diana's parting. Bishop of London Richard Chartres, who also spoke at Diana's memorial, gave the wedding sermon. And during the musical portion of the ceremony, the first hymn sung was "Guide Me Thou, O Great Redeemer," the same song that concluded Di's funeral service and memorial service, 10 years after her death.

The focus wasn't only on Di's absence, but on the memory of her vibrant life. As Kate walked down the aisle in Alexander McQueen , every bit the breathtaking bride her mother-in-law was in 1981, she clutched a bouquet of Sweet William dotted with Lily of the Valley, a staple of Diana's wedding bouquet. And when it was time to say her vows, she again summoned Di’s independent spirit, by omitting the term “obey”. It was the one battle Diana Spencer picked when she agreed to marry Prince Charles. At the time, the break in tradition caused outrage among royal-watchers. Today it’s a testament to Di’s courage and trail-blazing choices.

Perhaps the biggest homage to Di’s legacy has been the subtle nods to lessons she taught both her immediate family and the royalty she’d forever be linked to. Diana’s tragic death, often blamed on a stalking paparazzi, may have influenced the couple and the royal court to keep their guard up with both paps and press during the wedding planning. When Di’s bridal dressmaker was announced, reporters famously rifled through the designer’s dumpsters hunting for information. Lesson learned, Kate kept her dress a secret despite pressure from media outlets and with souvenir factories at a standstill. It helped to have the firm backing of Clarence House, the royal press office, which closely guarded information in accordance to Will and Kate’s wishes. They’ve also accommodated the couple’s desire to have Diana’s favorite fashion photographer, Mario Testino, snap their engagement photo.

For Diana, whose outspoken voice was sometimes muffled by royal etiquette, fashion as a way to communicate with the public. Today, Carole, Kate's mother, stood in solidarity with her fellow mother-in-law. Her sky blue shantung dress was designed for the occasion by the house of Catherine Walker, Di's favorite designer. Walker, who died last year, designed at least 1,000 looks that defined Diana's style in her lifetime, including the black dress she was buried in.

Just skidding off of her teenage years, Diana became a figurehead the instant she said her vows. “At the age of 20 she has renounced forever spontaneity and privacy, freedom and independence, her red Mini Metro and her Chelsea apartment, past friendships and future intimacies other than those deemed appropriate for royal confidences,” a reporter wrote in the New York Times, the day after her July 29 nuptials. Both William and Kate, nearing the end of their 20s, were able to come into their own as individuals before they settle down with children, as they’re swiftly expected to do upon marriage. Their decision to wait, and to forge a 10-year bond, was no doubt a reaction to young Diana’s marital struggles which she claimed in Andrew Morton’s biography, started by “day two.”

For her wedding in 1981 Diana had little say in the guest list. But after her divorce, the people’s princess kept herself surrounded with a close-knit circle, some of them in attendance today, including dear friends Tessa Green and Elton John, who refashioned his song Candle in the Wind in her memory. John, along with over 1,000 other official guests, were asked by the couple to make charitable donations in lieu of gifts. Of all the bricks that built Diana’s legacy, her humanitarian work was a cornerstone.

Nine days ago, while the rest of the world fixated on every last detail of their impending nuptials, Will and Kate took a boat to his mother’s final resting place. The couple spent a quiet day at Lady Di’s remote burial site, and walking the grounds of the nearby arboretum where Will and Harry planted trees alongside their mother as boys. “It was very important for William to take Kate to visit his mum just before their wedding day," a royal insider told the Daily Mirror. “Diana is still a huge part of her boys' everyday life and always will be." This was particularly true today, as William bit his lip nervously, standing at the altar with his bride, just as his mother did on her wedding day. It was a reminder to the millions of viewers who've watched the prince become a man, he's still his mother's son.


info Yahoo

6 surprising causes of back pain

If you’ve ever had a bout of back pain, you’re not alone: According to the National Institutes of Health, 8 out of 10 people will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. Most of the time, back pain is set off by something totally minor, says Venu Akuthota, MD, director of the Spine Center at the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, Colorado.

Besides obvious causes (constantly lugging a too-heavy purse, for instance), experts say that everyday habits like hunching over your smartphone can strain your spine and the surrounding muscles over time, causing pain and making you more vulnerable to serious injury. To stop back pain now—and avoid future agony—try targeting these unexpected culprits.

Culprit No. 1: Your fancy office chair
Even an expensive, ergonomic chair can be bad for your back if you sit in it all day without a break. Sitting not only lessens blood flow to the discs that cushion your spine (wearing them out and stressing your back), but it puts 30% more pressure on the spine than standing or walking, says New York City chiropractor Todd Sinett, author of The Truth About Back Pain. Be sure to stretch at your desk and get up every hour to walk around. Don’t assume that built-in lumbar support makes your chair back-friendly—in fact, for many people, lumbar supports don’t make a bit of difference, especially if they aren’t positioned properly (at the base of your spine), says Heidi Prather, a physical-medicine and rehabilitation specialist and associate professor of orthopedic surgery and neurology at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.


No matter what type of chair you sit in, make sure your head is straight (not tilted down) when you’re typing or reading. Avoid slouching and adjust your seat so it tilts back slightly to help alleviate some of the load on your back, Sinett says. And keep your feet planted firmly on the floor.

Culprit No. 2: The wrong shoes
When you strut in stilettos, your foot strikes the ground in a toe-forward motion rather than the normal heel-toe gait, stressing your knees, hips, and back, Sinett explains. "Wearing heels also alters the angle of your body so your weight isn’t evenly distributed over the spine," he says. This instability can set you up for pain and injury radiating from your knees all the way to your back.

Another shoe no-no: the backless kind (even flats and flip-flops), which allow your heel to slide around. Again, the lack of stability distributes your body weight unevenly, putting more pressure on your spine. Your shoe should firmly hold your foot in place to keep you stable and protect your back, says Sinett, who also advises sticking to heels that are less than three inches high.

Culprit No. 3: Your beloved smartphone or tablet
Mobile technology has not been kind to our backs and necks, Prather says. "We’re hovering over laptops, iPads, and smartphones all the time," she notes. "This head-down position strains the muscles in the neck, and the pain can extend all the way down your spine to your lower back." Take frequent breaks, and try to look straight ahead—rather than down—while using a laptop, tablet, or phone. You can buy a stand to help hold your laptop or tablet at a more back-friendly height and angle.

Culprit No. 4: Extra pounds
Carrying even just a few extra inches around your midsection—whether it’s due to belly fat or pregnancy—makes your pelvis tilt forward and out of alignment, as your body works to keep itself balanced. This can cause excessive strain on your lower back, Dr. Akuthota says. He recommends doing this easy stretch several times daily: Tighten your abs (like you’re bracing for a punch in the stomach) to activate core muscles and take a load off the lumbar discs; hold 10 seconds, then release. (Pregnant? Check with your doctor before doing any exercise.)

And if weight gain is your problem, consider making whole grains an essential part of your slim-down plan: A new study from Tufts University found that those who ate three or more servings of whole grains a day had 10% less abdominal fat compared with those who ate essentially no whole grains.

Culprit No. 5: The wrong bra
Large-breasted women obviously carry significantly more weight in front than those who have smaller breasts. This can lead to hunching and sore neck and back muscles, Sinett says. A bra that offers proper support can actually minimize that forward hunch and relieve pain, while one that doesn’t may exacerbate the problem, as you hunch or strain even more to compensate for uncomfortable straps or a riding-up band.

Research shows that many women wear the wrong size bra, but the right fit can mean the difference between sagging and supported; get fitted by a bra professional. Prather says you may want to try a T-back (a.k.a. racer-back) style. "It gives the body a cue to pull the shoulders back," she says.

Culprit No. 6: Your crazy schedule
Just like the rest of you, your back muscles can tense up when you’re frazzled. Muscles are designed to contract and relax, Sinett explains, but when you’re stressed, they may contract so much that they can eventually start to spasm. Stress also boosts production of the hormone cortisol, which increases inflammation and can lead to achiness, he says.

On top of that, "Chronic stress can affect the way a person perceives pain," says Alan Hilibrand, MD, spokesman for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and professor of orthopaedic and neurological surgery at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. "So those who are stressed will often have a harder time managing back pain than those who aren’t." Lower-impact aerobic exercise (think walking or working out on an elliptical trainer) may help relieve back pain and ease stress—so you can beat the pain for good.


info Yahoo

Health is a Wondeful Gift

Health is the greatest treasure for all humans. Well, it seems that expression is true. In addition to the greatest treasure, it's also the most beautiful gift from God. Indeed, we're just consider it's good to be healthy after we feel the pain (of illness). Yep, 'it happened that' I've just recovered from my illness that requires me a full bed rest for 1 week, and had also felt the 'cold' of the hospital mattress. Certainly, it's not a pleasant experience, but at least I just want to share with all of you my friends about the importance to keep our body healthy.

Maybe without me knowing it, the sickness I suffered was as result of one of my favorite, that eating spicy foods and mutton. Indeed craze that brought 'suffer' if it is too much. At first I thought my illness was hemorrhoid symptoms. After I checked with a clinic doctor, she says so. So I was given a standard medicine for hemorrhoid treatment. But after a few days, the symptoms that I suffered even worse. And for the next 2 days, I can not defecate, and also (sorry) farting, so that my stomach feels full, congested, and also hard.

Fortunately there's my mom, with a quick 'emergency response'. She immediately took me to the nearest hospital. Arriving at this hospital, I was immediately taken to the emergency unit, and immediately received first aid from a doctor. After examined, the doctor said that this was not a hemorrhoid, but inflammation of my colon. Fortunately after a while, I am allowed to go home.

I was not immediately recovered after that treatment in the hospital. It took about 3 more days to recover.
That's why, I couldn't reply all of your visit my fellow bloggers.
Health is the greatest treasure for humans, and keep this most beautiful gift from God. One more thing, Healthy is expensive, but if we are sick, it would be much more expensive. So, keep Healthy, don't forget to exercise, and eat healthy foods.

5 Easy Ways to Cut Your Expenses

When you're trying to cut expenses, many will suggest chopping down in your "household expenses," but what does that really mean? Household expenses include whatever it takes to maintain your home or that is required to share amongst people who live in that home such as toiletries in the bathroom, utilities, cleaning supplies and groceries.

1. Cut Out One of Your Telephone Lines
With the rise of cell phone usage, why not consider getting rid of your land line, or vice versa? This is especially easy if you rarely use a phone and are more inclined to email someone.

Do your research and make a casual note of how often you use the telephone, whether it's only for local calls or long distance, and see whether it would be worthwhile to stick to one or the other by pricing out the plans. There are plenty of cell phone options out there now, particularly those pay-as-you-go plans, where you top up the cell phone with a credit and use it as you need it rather than paying a fixed fee for a monthly plan.

Perhaps the best option for you would be to stick to a telephone with an answering machine if you aren't the type that has to have their cell phone glued to their hip.


2. Watch TV Online
If you are already used to watching videos and TV online, is there a need to keep your satellite TV? If you feel that you need cable TV so that your whole family can watch on the screen rather than crowding around a tiny monitor, consider hooking up your laptop to the TV or a home projector to get the same effect.

This could save you upwards of $50/month, seeing as you are probably already paying for cable internet as well. You also don't need to pay for all the other channels you don't watch, and you can pay and download specific episodes of the shows you are following. A bonus might be that you may end up watching less advertising as a result!

3. Buy Your Groceries in One Trip
Set up a schedule whereby once a week you go to the grocery store and buy what you need for the week. Take note of what staples you are running low on, and meal plan for the week so you don't end up with half a lemon and no recipe to use the rest of it. Look over your list and figure out which grocery store will fit it the best, or come up with a map of all the places you'd need to run to, in the most efficient and time-and-gas-saving manner.

You will now be shopping with a plan, rather than rushing out in the middle of the dinner, realizing you forgot butter for your creamy pasta and getting stuck in traffic. Also consider shopping at ethnic food stores, or buying spices in bulk rather than in those fancy glass jars, and be flexible in changing your meal plan based on sales while in the grocery store.

4. Watch Your Heating and Cooling
Turning down the heat in winter so that it doesn't feel like a Brazilian jungle in your home will save on heating costs. You can always just toss on a light sweater to compensate and enjoy a hot cup of cocoa. In the summer, forgo the air conditioning until it's time to go to sleep, and use an electric fan.

At the very least, if you aren't in the home, then turn down the heat or the air conditioning while you are at work and the kids are at school. No one is using the air in there anyway!

5. Cut the Electricity Usage
If you aren't in the room using the electricity, turn it off, and open the curtains to let natural light in.

You can also put all of your electronics on a single power cord, and at the end of the night, shut down everything and cut the power with a single switch so it isn't wasting energy while you're sleeping. You'd be surprised how much that makes a difference in your energy usage at the end of a month or even the year.

The Bottom Line
Cutting your household expenses doesn't have to be painful. Start with simple but slow changes rather than trying to implement everything all at once. After a while, it will become a natural habit and your wallet will thank you for it.


info Yahoo

Spend All Sunday at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah

It's been a while for me to visit this place again. Hhmmm ... maybe it more than 3 years since my last visit. Yes, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) is one of the resorts area in ??East Jakarta, which has an area of ??approximately 250 square kilometers. TMII is one of the cultural park in Indonesia, which have many culture 'collection' of each province in Indonesia, represented by the 'Pavilion' of each province. Also in here you can find many museums, house of worship, as well as the famous Keong Mas Teather and teather Tanah Airku. In the midst of TMII there is a lake that describes the miniature of the Indonesian archipelago.

This time I came here with some of my friends and nephews. Apparently not much has changed from this place. Although I see there are some areas that already looks worn and in need of repair. But also some areas are also have been renovated as well as other new places. We visited several places including the Freshwater Fish Museum and Insect Museum, this so reminds me of my childhood years ago. But the thing that most attracted me here is, when we were heading out of TMII, and passed through the place of worship area, I saw there was a new magnificent building with the red dominant color.

Apparently the new building is called Kong Miao, which is a place of worship for people of Confucius. Houses of worship consists of 3 buildings, the first is a place to pray to the one and olny God, this building form a perfect circle. The second building, the largest and consists of 2 floors is as a place to worship to the Prophet Khongcu (Confucius). Building the third is to pray to the saint, or better known here as the gods and goddesses. I really admire the architecture of this house of worship, because the design is really detailed and full of meaning.

We had taken a lot of photos in this complex. So did the other visitors. But unfortunately, a lot of visitors who stop by here, assume that the Kong Miao is one of the Pavilion, not the House of Worship, so they look less appreciate of this place. Seen from the way they climb the statues here. Even now, the place of worship to the Prophet Khongcu room has been locked on weekdays because of some visitor once, climbed up to the altar to take pictures next to the Confucius statue (this story I got from one of the officers here). It is an act which is very not commendable.

Well, whatever our religion, we should respect other religions and also their house of worship. Except the local visitors, Kong Miao is also visited by a lot of tourists from abroad. Hopefully in the future there will be more and more interesting places in TMII to visit.