Quicker8.com is Holding another Blog Contest!!

Want to have this eye candies?

Faye is holding another blog contest and she is giving away Fossil Ladies watch for the 1st and 2nd prize and a Kate Spade kikay kit (orange) for the 3rd prize.

Here’s how to join:

1. Subscribe to her feed via email located right side bar (REQUIRED) - 1 Entry
2. Blog about the contest along with the Prizes {You MUST include the Prizes and My link}- 5 Entries
- If you have multiple blogs, much better. Each blog post along with the Prizes -5 Entries.
3. Leave a comment in the post telling me what you did and give me the link of the blog post. 1 Entry.
4. Comment to any of my post. From Oct 12,2010 to Dec 18,2010 and you’ll have 1 entry each comment.
-Make it sure it's at least three word ! LOL And NO SPAMMING, PLEASE!

The Contest ends on December 18, so if you wish to participate you must enter before that date. Winners will be announced on December 28,2010! The winners will be picked through Random.org!

Join now here.

The Best Flu Remedies

It’s already OCTOBER but instead of feeling cold-ish, it’s literally getting hot here. I hate it the most as my kids are prone to flu. And so, here are some of the best ways to avoid flu.

Hoping to avoid the influenza virus? Here's our guide to identifying the enemy, fighting back, and surviving this season's germ warfare.

• Know your enemy

Flu symptoms are often confused with the common cold, but knowing the difference early on is essential, says Mark Mengel, M.D., of the Saint Louis University School of Medicine. The flu hits suddenly and is marked by debilitating fatigue, high fever (102 degrees and up), and a headache. Many often experience chills, a dry cough, stuffy nose, and a sore throat.

• Get tested

Results are fast. A doctor will swab the back of your throat or nose, and you'll know in 5 to 10 minutes if it's the flu. Tests are available at doctors' offices, clinics, and emergency rooms. An early diagnosis will lessen the flu's impact, Dr. Mengel says.

• Work fast

Antiviral medicines within the first 48 hours can reduce the flu's severity and duration. Your doctor will know which brand is right for you — then get it fast. The longer you wait, the less effective an antiviral will be. Ask your doctor about keeping a prescription on hand in case the flu hits, or even whether you should take an antiviral as a preventive measure. This is especially true for those at high risk who missed the vaccination, or those in the middle of a local outbreak.

• Berry it

Elderberry extract has been proven to fight the flu. A recent Norwegian study found that patients who took elderberry recovered from the flu 4 days faster than those in the control group. Symptoms were also less severe, with no significant side effects. Elderberry products can be found at health stores and online; Sambucol, used in the study, is about $10 for a 4-ounce bottle. Elderberry is usually taken as a liquid (like cough syrup) or a lozenge. At the first symptoms, take 1 tablespoon of the syrup four times a day, or 1 lozenge four times a day. As a preventive, take 2 teaspoons daily or 1 lozenge twice a day.

Article from Yahoo! Health

10 sleep myths busted

We found out the truth behind these fictions.

1. Catching Up

MYTH
It's good to "catch up" on sleep when you can—like sleeping in late on weekends.

TRUTH
It's tempting to sleep late on weekends, but it's important to keep a regular sleep schedule seven days a week. A regular bedtime and waking time will help you fall asleep at night.

2. Evening Workouts

MYTH
A good workout in the evening will make you tired so you'll fall asleep faster.

TRUTH
Exercising regularly does make it easier to fall asleep. But make sure you finish working out at least three hours before bedtime—preferably in the afternoon. A cooler body makes it easier to fall asleep. Exercise raises your body temperature and it takes about six hours to get back to normal temperature.

3. Older People

MYTH
Older people need less sleep.

TRUTH
It may seem like older folks get by on less sleep. But the TRUTH is, they need the same amount of sleep as younger people—seven to nine hours a day. It's their sleep patterns that change: They tend to sleep more during the day, with small naps.

4. Brain's Rest

MYTH
Sleep is needed for your brain to rest.

TRUTH
Sleep is definitely needed—but it's not your brain that needs to rest, it's your body. Your brain is still working when you're asleep, controlling bodily functions like breathing.

5. Falling Back Asleep

MYTH
If you wake up in the middle of the night, it's best to lie still and try to fall back asleep. Getting up will only wake you up more.

TRUTH
If you can't fall back asleep within 15-20 minutes, get out of bed. Go to another room and do something relaxing, like listening to music or reading. If you lie there stressing out about falling back asleep, you'll only get more anxious—and never fall asleep.

6. Your Bedroom

MYTH
It's good to hang out in your bedroom at night, before you go to sleep, because it will get you "ready" to fall asleep.

TRUTH
The more activities you associate with your bedroom—like watching TV, or working on your computer—the harder it may be to fall asleep there when you want to. It's best to use your bed only for sleep and sex, to strengthen the association between bed and sleep.

7. Sex

MYTH
Sex at night will only arouse you and keep you up.

TRUTH
Actually, sex releases endorphins that make you feel good about yourself, so it relieves stress making it easier to fall asleep.

8. Temperature

MYTH
Cozying up under heavy blankets will make you go to sleep faster.

TRUTH
The body gets into sleep mode more easily when it is at a cooler temperature. So if you must use a squishy down comforter (or two), open the window a crack to let in some fresh air. You don't want to be cold, but you don't want to get too warm either.

9. Snoring

MYTH
Snoring is common and totally harmless.

TRUTH
Snoring is common—and harmless for most people. But it also may be a symptom of sleep disorder called sleep apnea — (which can be life threatening). If you snore loudly, and there are long pauses in your snoring, you should see your doctor. Sleep apnea can be treated.

10. Alcohol

MYTH
A nice glass of wine will help calm you down and put you to sleep faster.

TRUTH
While drinking alcohol may make you tired and put you to sleep faster (and of course drinking a lot will really knock you out), you'll end up having fragmented sleep and waking up during the night.

From Yahoo Health

10 Great Cities for Raising Families (in US)

1. Ellicott City, Maryland

 Ellicott City is exemplary of a ring of great communities surrounding Baltimore  that combine family-friendly living with proximity to big-name employers and attractions for kids (like the popular Bubbleman kids' night). It's just 20 minutes from downtown Baltimore (with its Inner Harbor/ Aquarium complex) and 50 minutes from the nation's capital. Yet the schools are better, the neighborhoods safer, and the cost of living slightly lower than many suburbs in this region. Howard County boasts one of Maryland's top school districts.

PROS: Great public schools geared toward college prep, high average family income, solid wage growth, 67 nearby parks.

CONS: Housing costs are relatively high, rush-hour traffic for Baltimore and D.C. workers a way of life.

2. Ann Arbor, Michigan

The Ann Arbor Public School District  is consistently ranked one of the best in the country, and its students score far above average on state and national standardized tests. Add that to the city's low crime rate and high family income, and you have a stable, progressive place to raise a family, 40 minutes from Detroit. Plus, it's the home of the top-ranked University of Michigan, with three museums and great NCAA sports programs.

PROS: Excellent public education, low violent- and property-crime rates, more than 2,000 acres of city parks (including a nationally noted arboretum), several kid-friendly museums.

CONS: Higher-than-average housing costs, sluggish employment growth, accelerating urban sprawl and unplanned development, long winters.

3. College Station, Texas

Great public schools and low crime aren't the only draws of this small Texas city. College Station  has also seen steady wage growth and a low unemployment rate of 6.9%. Plus, there are plenty of cultural and athletic events at Texas A&M University, an interactive children's museum, dozens of parks, and playgrounds on the shores of nearby Lake Bryan.

PROS: A top-ranked public school system, affordable housing and utilities, safe neighborhoods, solid wage and employment growth, it's about a two-hour drive from Houston, Dallas, or Austin.

CONS: Unvaryingly hot climate, limited local employment opportunities outside of Texas A&M.

4. Kennewick, Washington

The Tri-Cities region (which includes Kennewick, Richland and Pasco) is noted for its strong, research-based economy. It weathered the recession with an unemployment rate of just 6.2% and plenty of high-tech jobs pursuing nuclear and other forms of sustainable energy. Overall the schools here are strong, especially in the Richland School District, and parks and playgrounds are plentiful. The cities' location at the intersection of the Snake, Yakima and Columbia Rivers guarantees active families plenty of outdoor fun.

PROS: Low cost of living, affordable housing, a strong science-and-tech-based economy, plenty of outdoor attractions, falling crime rate.

CONS: Low family income, proximity to the Hanford nuclear site, locale in south-central Washington is remote from any major cities.

5. Hunstville, Alabama

If you're after affordability, Huntsville is worth a look: Home prices are 20% below the national average, and the city's cost of living is 10% below the national norm for medium and large cities. Huntsville  also offers solid public schools, several thousand acres of woodlands and natural parks and the South's largest children's museum. Consider neighborhoods in the Madison County School District -- its test scores are considerably higher.

PROS: Extremely affordable housing, low cost of living, solid public schools, traffic-less commutes, strong wage and employment growth, promising opportunities in aerospace and military tech.

CONS: High summer heat and humidity, high violent crime rate in the city and rising property-crime rates, lackluster schools in Huntsville proper.

6. Madison, Wisconsin

Low crime, top-notch suburban schools and reasonable housing costs make Madison  a good choice for families. It's also a hub for biotechnology research and has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. Its educational focus shows in programs such as Wisconsin Covenant, which guarantees students state college placement and financial aid in return for B-or-better grades during high school. Madison's lakeside location offers plenty of recreational activities in its 5,000-plus acres of parks.

PROS: Reasonable housing costs, low crime and unemployment rates, high-paying research and biotechnology jobs, great health care, progressive education policies.

CONS: Above-average housing costs, uninspiring employment growth, bitterly cold winters, Madison city schools are weak relative to the suburban schools.

7. Pocatello, Idaho

Housing and utilities are unusually cheap here -- Idaho's cost of living is very low compared to the state average nationally. The city also has safe neighborhoods, solid public schools and robust employment growth, especially in nuclear research. Pocatello  can't offer the same range of cultural attractions as a larger city, but kids will enjoy the Pocatello Zoo, Idaho Museum of Natural History, and the Ross Park Aquatic Complex, as well as plenty of outdoor activities in the nearby Rocky Mountains. Salt Lake City and Yellowstone National Park are a day trip away by car.

PROS: Affordable small-city lifestyle, low overall crime rates, solid employment and wage growth, quality public schools, moderate four-season climate.

CONS: Low family income, limited cultural and religious diversity, growing concerns about methamphetamine use and gangs.

8. Rochester, Minnesota

Rochester earns high ratings in almost every category, from great schools and low crime to high-paying jobs and plenty of parks. In fact, if you can get past the brutal winter weather, the so-called "Med City"  has plenty to offer, with a forward-facing economy anchored by the Mayo Clinic and IBM. As for parks and other kid-friendly spots, look no further than Silver Lake Park and the Quarry Hill Nature Center.

PROS: High family income, affordable housing, low violent- and property-crime rates, thousands of acres of parks and trails, high-ranked, prep-focused public schools, world-class health care, commuter-friendly traffic.

CONS: Long, bitter winters (which is why many buildings are connected by underground walkways).

9. West Hartford, Connecticut

The city's crime and property rates are almost low enough to leave doors unlocked, and the West Hartford School District  has earned Department of Education accolades for schools such as the top-performing, multi-track Hall High. However, the cost of living in West Hartford (which is two hours from Boston and New York) is 20% more than the national average.

PROS: Low crime, top-ranked schools (public and private), proximity to major cities, a range of parks and historic sites, up-and-coming downtown with a number of ongoing development projects.

CONS: High cost of living, slow employment growth.

10. Raleigh, North Carolina

Employment is up, and the cost of living is down in North Carolina's capital, a mecca for stable high-tech jobs. The region is also home to more acres of parks per capita than most cities of its size. The Wake County School District is strong, too, with 77 schools of excellence and distinction -- the highest designations in North Carolina. And Tarheel State residents live in a higher-ed sweet spot where academic quality meets high levels of financial aid. The result: The top-notch University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is perennially No. 1 on Kiplinger's list of Best Values in Public Colleges, N.C. State is #10, and other UNC-system schools dot our top 100.

PROS: High family income, affordable family housing, strong employment growth (especially in biotechnology, textiles and medical technology), lauded city schools, mild weather year-round, moderate and falling crime rates.

CONS: Lagging wage growth, blighted downtown in the midst of a stop-and-go redevelopment.

From Yahoo and Kiplinger

10 Secrets of Happy Women

1. Spread your happy thoughts

Let your daughter know how great it feels to spend the day shopping with her. Brag to your spouse about the unexpected compliment your boss paid you.

E-mail your best friend to tell her how fondly you remember the camping trip you took last year, and include a hilarious picture of your attempt to pitch a tent. Sharing happy memories and experiences with others—or even simply anticipating doing so—is one of the most powerful and effective ways to prolong and magnify joy, Bryant's research shows. "It helps sustain emotions that would otherwise fade," he says. Affirming connections with others, he adds, is "the glue that holds people together."

2. Build memories you can savor

Take mental snapshots of memorable moments that you can draw on later.

Recall vivid, specific events, and pinpoint what brought you joy. Do you love your red wool scarf because it's chic and cozy, or because its smell reminds you of your childhood romps in the snow? Interjecting mystery into happy moments—reflecting on what's surprising or hard to understand about them, for example—can strengthen their power. Just be careful not to overanalyze and lose the wonder of the moment. What you want, says University of Virginia social psychologist Timothy D. Wilson, PhD, is to dissect your experiences just enough to appreciate how they've helped form you and then get back to simply living them.

3. Pat yourself on the back

Take pride in a hard-won accomplishment—it’s not something that many people do.

If you spent a year sweating at the gym to reach a fitness goal, bask in your new jeans size—and share your success with others. Self-congratulation doesn't come easily to everyone. "A lot of people have trouble basking in an accomplishment because they feel that they shouldn't toot their own horns or rest on their laurels," Bryant says. It's a fine line between joyous self-congratulation and shameless self-promotion, but don't worry: You'll know if you're crossing it.

4. Fine tune your senses

Here’s an easy trick to hone your tastebuds or follow your nose.

Close your eyes while you roll a square of dark chocolate over your tongue or fill your lungs with salty sea air or eavesdrop on your grandchildren's play and laughter. Shutting out some sensory stimuli while concentrating on others can heighten your enjoyment of positive experiences—particularly those that are short-lived.

5. Compare downward

Comparing upward makes us feel deprived, but comparing downward can heighten enjoyment.

Think about how things could be worse—or how things used to be worse. Keep it light—you don't have to relive a scary health diagnosis or revel in a neighbor's job loss. Simply take note: Is today sunnier than the weather report predicted? Did you finish off that work project more quickly than you thought you would?

6. Get absorbed

Some joyful moments seem to call for conscious reflection and dissection.

At other times, we savor best when we simply immerse ourselves in the present moment, without deliberate analysis or judgment. Listen to your favorite music with headphones in a dark room. Lose yourself in a novel you just can’t put down. Set aside enough time on the weekend for your favorite hobby so you can attain a level of absorption known as the "flow" state.

7. Fake it till you make it

Putting on a happy face—even if you don't feel like it—actually induces greater happiness, says Bryant.

So be exuberant. Don't just eat the best peach of the season; luxuriate in every lip-smacking mouthful. Laugh out loud at a funny movie. Smile at yourself when you pass by a mirror. After all, he says, "a surefire way to kill joy is to suppress it."

8. Seize meaningful moments

Some positive events come and go quickly—a surprise toast to your accomplishments at work, your daughter's sweet 16 party.

It seems obvious that the more quickly a positive experience evaporates, the more difficult it is to savor. Yet paradoxically, Bryant has found, reminding ourselves that time is fleeting and joy transitory prompts us to seize positive moments while they last.

9. Avoid glass-half-empty thinking

The world has enough pessimists.

Short circuit negative thoughts that can only dampen enjoyment, such as self recriminations or worries about others' perceptions. When you find yourself awash in happiness, give it space to grow—don't ruminate about why you don't deserve this good thing, what could go wrong, how things could be better. Consciously make the decision to embrace joy.

10. Say thanks more often

Cultivate an "attitude of gratitude," Bryant says.

Pinpoint what you're happy about—a party invitation from a new pal, a seat on a crowded subway—and acknowledge its source. It's not always necessary to outwardly express gratitude, Bryant notes, but saying "thank you" to a friend, a stranger, or the universe deepens our happiness by making us more aware of it.

From Prevention

Ten things the Philippines bus siege police got wrong

A security analyst who has worked in counter-terrorism with the British Army and Scotland Yard, Charles Shoebridge, says the officers involved in Manila's bus siege showed great courage - but they were not properly trained or equipped for the task.

Here are 10 areas where, in his view, they could have done better.

1. Determination

The first officers who tried to storm the bus were driven out by gunshots from the hostage taker, former policeman Rolando Mendoza. "They showed great courage to go on board. It's very crowded, just one aisle down the middle of the bus. But once you get on board it's not unexpected you are going to be fired at. Squads like this have to be made up of very special people, specially trained and selected for their characteristics of courage, determination and aggression. In this case they acted as 99% of the population would have, which was to turn round and get out. They didn't seem to have the necessary determination and aggression to follow the attack through."

2. Lack of equipment

The police spent a long time smashing the windows of the bus, whereas explosive charges (known as frame charges) would have knocked in windows and doors instantly. "They had no ladders to get through the windows. They smashed the windows but didn't know what to do next," Mr Shoebridge says. "They almost looked like a group of vandals." Their firearms were also inappropriate - some had pistols, some had assault rifles. Ideally they would have carried a short submachine gun, suitable for use in confined spaces.

3. Lost opportunity to disarm the gunman

There were numerous opportunities to restrain the gunman, Mr Shoebridge believes. "The negotiators were so close to him, and he had his weapon hanging down by his side. He could have been disabled without having to kill him."

4. Lost opportunity to shoot the gunman

The video of the drama also shows there were occasions when the gunman was standing alone, during the course of the day, and could have been shot by a sharpshooter. "You are dealing with an unpredictable and irrational individual. The rule should be that if in the course of negotiations an opportunity arises to end the situation decisively, it should be taken," Mr Shoebridge says. Either this possibility did not occur to the officers in charge, he adds, or they considered it and decided to carry on talking.

5. Satisfying the gunman's demands

"I wondered why the authorities just didn't give in to all of his demands," says Charles Shoebridge. "A promise extracted under force is not a promise that you are required to honour. Nobody wants to give in to the demands of terrorists, but in a situation like this, which did not involve a terrorist group, or release of prisoners, they could have just accepted his demands. He could be reinstated in the police - and then be immediately put in prison for life for hostage taking." The Philippines authorities did in fact give in to the gunman's demands, but too little, too late. One message promised to review his case, while he wanted it formally dismissed. A second message reinstating him as a police offer only arrived after the shooting had started.

6. Televised proceedings

The gunman was able to follow events on television, revealing to him everything that was going on around him. This was a "crucial defect in the police handling", Mr Shoebridge says. He adds that police should always consider putting a barrier or screen around the area, to shield the scene from the cameras and keep the hostage taker in the dark.

7. No element of surprise

It was clear to the gunman what the police were doing at all times, not only because the whole incident was televised, but also because they moved "laboriously slowly", Mr Shoebridge says. The police did not distract him, so were unable to exploit the "crucial element of surprise".

8. Safeguarding the public

At least one bystander was shot, possibly because the public was allowed too close. The bullet from an M16 rifle, as carried by the gunman, can travel for about a mile, so preventing any risk of injury would have been difficult, Mr Shoebridge says, but a lot more could have been done. "When you saw the camera view from above, it was clear there was little command and control of the public on the ground," he says.

9. Using the gunman's brother to negotiate

Relatives and close friends can be a double-edged sword, Mr Shoebridge says. While they may have leverage over the hostage taker, what they are saying cannot be easily controlled. In this case, the gunman's brother was included in the negotiations - however, at a certain stage he became agitated and police started to remove him from the scene. The gunman saw this on television, and became agitated himself. According to one report he fired a warning shot.

10. Insufficient training

In some parts of the Philippines, such as Mindanao, hostage taking is not an uncommon occurrence, so the country has some forces that are well trained in the necessary tactics. The detachment involved in Monday's incident clearly was not, says Mr Shoebridge. After smashing the windows, one of the officers eventually put some CS gas inside, though "to what effect was not clear" he says. A unit involved in this work, needs to be "trained again and again, repeatedly practising precisely this kind of scenario," he says.

From BBC News

Glamour’s top 20 Sexiest Men of 2010

Robert Pattinson has been named the world's sexiest man for the second year running, despite facing stiff competition from his 'Twilight' co-stars.

Robert Pattinson has been named the world's sexiest man.

The 'Twilight' hunk has topped Glamour's 50 Sexiest Men poll for the second year running, after fighting off stiff competition from other actors starring in vampire-based productions.

The top five was dominated by 'Twilight' actors, with 18-year-old Taylor Lautner - who plays Jacob Black, the werewolf love rival to Robert's character Edward Cullen in the hit film franchise -in second place, and Xavier Samuel and Kellan Lutz placed fourth and fifth respectively.

The hunky trio were rivalled by 'The Vampire Diaries' star Ian Somerhalder, who was voted third in the survey, proving that women can't get enough of men with fangs.

Glamour's acting editor Charlotte Duck said: 'Women are attracted to vampires because of the element of danger that comes with them. They are the ultimate bad boys - and women want to tame the beasts.

From MSN