Should You Just Be Friends?

Sometimes, even though you would hate to admit it, some friends should never become couples. While each relationship is different and almost all obstacles can be overcome, here are 5 situations in which you might want to consider just being friends.

#1 Your future goals are completely different.Future goals play an important part in any relationship. If you are ambitious and your partner is not, then there may come a time when you realize that there is quite a gulf between you. The experiences of today, shape who you will become tomorrow. With the gulf in ambition, there could come a time when you just grow apart.

#2 You have different core beliefs.Every couple needs to have some basic common points of agreement in order to succeed. These "agreements" could be as simple as you both know you want children, or that you both have similar moral values. While different points of view are often healthy for a relationship, some differences maybe a little too difficult to bridge. If you cannot find workable comprises to these differences, then it would probably be better to just be friends.

#3 Your relationship is purely sexual.While sex is an essential and integral part of any relationship, a relationship built solely on sex is probably not going to go far. When "your place or mine" sums up the extent of your conversation then you really should consider just being friends… with a few benefits here and there.

#4 One of you is more committed than the other.One of the hardest situations to deal with is when one partner is obviously more committed to the relationship than the other. It may be because one loves the other more, or it could be that one of you is just not ready to make a commitment yet. Such situations often cause resentment to build up, probably on both sides. If this is happening to you, consider cooling it for a while until you are both ready for the next step.

#5 You were more loving as friends.A friend of mine once described the relationship between himself and his ex-wife as "great friends that should never have gotten married." That got me thinking and I realized that, with relationships come responsibilities and expectations that are not present between friends. If these added responsibilities and expectations are causing you to spend more time arguing and fighting than loving, then you might want to go back to what was successful for you… just being friends. Remember, deciding whether or not to stay in a relationship is not a decision to be taken lightly and every relationship is different. The chances are, if you are reading this article then you probably are having a few doubts about your relationship. When making your decision, make sure you are not just having a "bad relationship day" and make your decisions for the long term.

The above situations are just some guidelines to help you on your way.

The Steps To Breaking Up

Just the words, break up, indicate a situation riddled with impending pain and loss. Even if both parties involved agree it is in their best interests to part romantic ways, there is still a certain amount of loss attached. The best way to approach a break up is to offer the person, to the best of your ability, a clean and clear separation. While there is no definitive way to do this, hear are a few guidelines that may help you.


#1 - Specific Reasons

Don't let them wonder what went wrong. Give them the exact specific reason why you want to break up. It will give them an opportunity to really evaluate what they've done to contribute to the demise of the relationship, and hopefully apply their knowledge to their next one.


#2 - Where To Do It

If you think they will be terribly upset, try a public place that will afford you some privacy, but will deter your partner from possibly "acting up." If at all possible, try to do it some place you can be alone to really talk things through. Avoid places that contain happy memories from your relationship. You don't want to spoil them.


#3 - How To Do It

While following guideline #1 is important, you also want to make sure you are not damaging their ego either. Make it clear to them that the relationship isn't working for you both because you expect different things from the relationship, or that you've reached a line that you don't feel you can cross back over. Take extra care in your choice of wording, but never lie.


#4 - After The Break Up

Your first meetings after a break up can be strained, at best. If you don't feel you'll be comfortable being around them until your emotions are more under control, try a cold turkey break up. Agree neither of you will have contact with each other for an agreed amount of time. Make sure you agree on the set amount of time during the break up process, or the ideal of remaining friends after may diminish.


Your other option is to try a sliding scale approach. Agree to only call or see each other once or twice a week, and slowly narrow it down from there. Agree not to talk about certain things like wishing you were back together, or whether you are seeing anyone new, etc.

If you must remain in contact with them because of school, work or family it is important to remain mature about the situation. Don't run out and date everyone. Allow your partner some breathing room and time to digest their newly found situation. Also, avoid gossiping about what went wrong. It just makes everything ugly.


#5 - Trial Separation

If you are unsure about wanting a permanent break up, try a trial one instead. To signify your commitment to trying to work things out, arrange an agreed upon dating schedule with your partner, maybe once a week. Arrange for the exact dates and times when you are asking for the separation!Remember, no matter how you do it, or what you say, if you are completely honest with yourself and your partner you both will be able to move on and grow from your experience. Like the common phrase says, "If it was meant to be, it will be."

Friends Become Foes

I hate it when your friends turn into strangers
I hate it when you can no longer recognize your own best friend
I hate it when people around you become indifferent
I hate it. I just hate it.

A Message to Garcia

1899

A Message to Garcia

By Elbert Hubbard

In all this Cuban business there is one man stands out on the horizon of my memory like Mars at perihelion. When war broke out between Spain & the United States, it was very necessary to communicate quickly with the leader of the Insurgents. Garcia was somewhere in the mountain vastness of Cuba- no one knew where. No mail nor telegraph message could reach him. The President must secure his cooperation, and quickly.

What to do!

Some one said to the President, "There’s a fellow by the name of Rowan will find Garcia for you, if anybody can."

Rowan was sent for and given a letter to be delivered to Garcia. How "the fellow by the name of Rowan" took the letter, sealed it up in an oil-skin pouch, strapped it over his heart, in four days landed by night off the coast of Cuba from an open boat, disappeared into the jungle, & in three weeks came out on the other side of the Island, having traversed a hostile country on foot, and delivered his letter to Garcia, are things I have no special desire now to tell in detail.

The point I wish to make is this: McKinley gave Rowan a letter to be delivered to Garcia; Rowan took the letter and did not ask, "Where is he at?" By the Eternal! there is a man whose form should be cast in deathless bronze and the statue placed in every college of the land. It is not book-learning young men need, nor instruction about this and that, but a stiffening of the vertebrae which will cause them to be loyal to a trust, to act promptly, concentrate their energies: do the thing- "Carry a message to Garcia!"

General Garcia is dead now, but there are other Garcias.

No man, who has endeavored to carry out an enterprise where many hands were needed, but has been well nigh appalled at times by the imbecility of the average man- the inability or unwillingness to concentrate on a thing and do it. Slip-shod assistance, foolish inattention, dowdy indifference, & half-hearted work seem the rule; and no man succeeds, unless by hook or crook, or threat, he forces or bribes other men to assist him; or mayhap, God in His goodness performs a miracle, & sends him an Angel of Light for an assistant. You, reader, put this matter to a test: You are sitting now in your office- six clerks are within call.

Summon any one and make this request: "Please look in the encyclopedia and make a brief memorandum for me concerning the life of Correggio".

Will the clerk quietly say, "Yes, sir," and go do the task?

On your life, he will not. He will look at you out of a fishy eye and ask one or more of the following questions:

Who was he?

Which encyclopedia?

Where is the encyclopedia?

Was I hired for that?

Don’t you mean Bismarck?

What’s the matter with Charlie doing it?

Is he dead?

Is there any hurry?

Shan’t I bring you the book and let you look it up yourself?

What do you want to know for?

And I will lay you ten to one that after you have answered the questions, and explained how to find the information, and why you want it, the clerk will go off and get one of the other clerks to help him try to find Garcia- and then come back and tell you there is no such man. Of course I may lose my bet, but according to the Law of Average, I will not.

Now if you are wise you will not bother to explain to your "assistant" that Correggio is indexed under the C’s, not in the K’s, but you will smile sweetly and say, "Never mind," and go look it up yourself.

And this incapacity for independent action, this moral stupidity, this infirmity of the will, this unwillingness to cheerfully catch hold and lift, are the things that put pure Socialism so far into the future. If men will not act for themselves, what will they do when the benefit of their effort is for all? A first-mate with knotted club seems necessary; and the dread of getting "the bounce" Saturday night, holds many a worker to his place.

Advertise for a stenographer, and nine out of ten who apply, can neither spell nor punctuate- and do not think it necessary to.

Can such a one write a letter to Garcia?

"You see that bookkeeper," said the foreman to me in a large factory.

"Yes, what about him?"

"Well he’s a fine accountant, but if I’d send him up town on an errand, he might accomplish the errand all right, and on the other hand, might stop at four saloons on the way, and when he got to Main Street, would forget what he had been sent for."

Can such a man be entrusted to carry a message to Garcia?

We have recently been hearing much maudlin sympathy expressed for the "downtrodden denizen of the sweat-shop" and the "homeless wanderer searching for honest employment," & with it all often go many hard words for the men in power.

Nothing is said about the employer who grows old before his time in a vain attempt to get frowsy ne’er-do-wells to do intelligent work; and his long patient striving with "help" that does nothing but loaf when his back is turned. In every store and factory there is a constant weeding-out process going on. The employer is constantly sending away "help" that have shown their incapacity to further the interests of the business, and others are being taken on. No matter how good times are, this sorting continues, only if times are hard and work is scarce, the sorting is done finer- but out and forever out, the incompetent and unworthy go.

It is the survival of the fittest. Self-interest prompts every employer to keep the best- those who can carry a message to Garcia.

I know one man of really brilliant parts who has not the ability to manage a business of his own, and yet who is absolutely worthless to any one else, because he carries with him constantly the insane suspicion that his employer is oppressing, or intending to oppress him. He cannot give orders; and he will not receive them. Should a message be given him to take to Garcia, his answer would probably be, "Take it yourself."

Tonight this man walks the streets looking for work, the wind whistling through his threadbare coat. No one who knows him dare employ him, for he is a regular fire-brand of discontent. He is impervious to reason, and the only thing that can impress him is the toe of a thick-soled No. 9 boot.

Of course I know that one so morally deformed is no less to be pitied than a physical cripple; but in our pitying, let us drop a tear, too, for the men who are striving to carry on a great enterprise, whose working hours are not limited by the whistle, and whose hair is fast turning white through the struggle to hold in line dowdy indifference, slip-shod imbecility, and the heartless ingratitude, which, but for their enterprise, would be both hungry & homeless.

Have I put the matter too strongly? Possibly I have; but when all the world has gone a-slumming I wish to speak a word of sympathy for the man who succeeds- the man who, against great odds has directed the efforts of others, and having succeeded, finds there’s nothing in it: nothing but bare board and clothes.

I have carried a dinner pail & worked for day’s wages, and I have also been an employer of labor, and I know there is something to be said on both sides. There is no excellence, per se, in poverty; rags are no recommendation; & all employers are not rapacious and high-handed, any more than all poor men are virtuous.

My heart goes out to the man who does his work when the "boss" is away, as well as when he is at home. And the man who, when given a letter for Garcia, quietly take the missive, without asking any idiotic questions, and with no lurking intention of chucking it into the nearest sewer, or of doing aught else but deliver it, never gets "laid off," nor has to go on a strike for higher wages. Civilization is one long anxious search for just such individuals. Anything such a man asks shall be granted; his kind is so rare that no employer can afford to let him go. He is wanted in every city, town and village- in every office, shop, store and factory. The world cries out for such: he is needed, & needed badly- the man who can carry a message to Garcia.

THE END-

It's Not A Crime

"A non-doer is very often a critic-that is, someone who sits back and watches doers, and then waxes philosophically about how the doers are doing. It's easy to be a critic, but being a doer requires effort, risk, and change." Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

It bothers me that the friendship once shared is now jeopardized because of the politics that has been happening. Change is something we can never defy no matter how much we try. True, the end does not justify the means however though, keep in mind that the means in attaining the said end was not easy, no sir. Not at all.

So before you judge me as who I have become, bare in mind what I had gone through. It may be lighter than your burden but still I went through a process that without it being said, justifies as to where I am now.

The limelight is not for me alone.
I challenge you to share it with me.

My Chinese Astrology

One of the four constellations that divide the sky over China is Blue Dragon. In Chinese astrology, Blue Dragon controls the movement of the stars Alpha Scorpii in Scorpio and Alpha Virginis in Virgo, Sagittarius, and Libra. As part of the Chinese myth, the Blue Dragon is known to symbolize spring. Blue Dragon is one of the animal signs of the Chinese zodiac.

I thought I was a Blue Dragon all along. But then I found out that I was an Earth Dragon.

Description and Character Traits

Dragon

The Morning

Earth

Brief Description
Dragons are witty, enthusiastic, popular, intelligent and gifted yet are also perfectionists.

Positive Traits
vibrant, magnanimous, charismatic, principled, self-sufficient, discriminating, compelling, sentimental, accomplished, noble-hearted, healthy and prodigiously shrewd

Negative Traits
bombastic, dissatisfied, ruthless, demanding, opinionated, mawkish, egocentric, defensive, power-mad, foolhardy, willful and pompous

General Description of All Dragons
The key to the Dragon personality is that Dragons are the free spirits of the Zodiac. Conformation is a Dragon's curse. Rules and regulations are made for other people. Restrictions blow out the creative spark that is ready to flame into life. However, this behavior is natural and isn't meant for show. Dragons must be free and uninhibited. The Dragon is a beautiful creature, colorful and flamboyant. An extroverted bundle of energy, gifted and utterly irrepressible, everything Dragons do is on a grand scale - big ideas, ornate gestures, extreme ambitions.Because they are confident, fearless in the face of challenge, they are almost inevitably successful. Dragons usually make it to the top. However, Dragon people be aware of their natures. Too much enthusiasm can leave them tired and unfulfilled. Even though they are willing to aid when necessary, their pride can often impede them from accepting the same kind of help from others. Dragons' generous personalities give them the ability to attract friends, but they can be rather solitary people at heart. A Dragon's self-sufficiency can mean that he or she has no need for close bonds with other people.

Detailed Description of The Earth Dragon
Earth Dragons make great managers because they are practical, levelheaded and demonstrate a knack for organizing. They still have the need to dictate and be admired, but they are affable, congenial and supportive. Compared to other Dragons, Earth Dragons are less likely to breathe fire at the least irritation. They will work diligently to complete their life goals. The Earth element adds a greater portion of self-control to the Dragon's personality and usually the Earth Dragon is deserving of the respect he or she desires. These Dragons take their life and romantic responsibilities quite seriously.

Eastern Gem Stone

Amethyst

Eastern Ruling Planet

Mars

Western Zodiac Sign

Aries

Yin or Yang

Yang (Masculine)

Combined Zodiac (East meets West)

The Aries Dragon
Aries Dragons tend to have good luck. With a passionate drive they fill their days to the brim with activity. They are upwardly mobile people so they usually get what they want.

Month of the Dragon
April
Lucky Colors
Black, Gold, Green

Zodiac Position
Fifth
Direction
East-SouthEast (ESE)

Hours
7:00am - 9:00am

Lucky Numbers
3, 4, 5, 6, 15, 21, 34, 35, 36 and 45.

Dual Signs Dragon and Aries
Impulsiveness, courage, bravery, panache you possess all this to the highest degree. The other side of the coin is that you have much pride and always feel a visceral need to be admired, praised, even idolized. You aim too high and tend to believe yourself to be invulnerable.

In any case, you impose yourself by your radiance, for you've much magnetism and ascendancy over others. With your generous and warm nature, you easily captivate those around you. You also have an immoderate taste for elegant gestures and gratuitous acts.

The crusade mind is very conspicuous in you you love to espouse all the great causes of mankind. Nothing can discourage you, and your optimism stays steadfast under all circumstances. You like difficulty and fights.

Despite your royal manners, your heart is very tender, and it's there your Achilles' heel one can easily influence you through sentiments.

This combination, which is essentially virile, seems to be difficult to live by a female. If she can do it, one will then be tempted to take her for a "phallic" woman!

In love, you deliberately make use of your charm to maintain a royal ambience which is indispensable to you and on which you feed yourself. The beloved one must admire you, sing your praises, and do just what you please. In exchange, you will show him/her great generosity, perfect loyalty, and will offer him/her a beautiful and brilliant life.

Today's Outlook (November 21, 2009)
There will be important and very varied opportunities to seize. In your family circle, you'll do your best to maintain a warm climate. Refrain from making excessive physical efforts. If you deem that your present job doesn't correspond exactly with your tastes, make contacts and begin to look around without delay. In your life as a couple, try to tackle calm and frank conversations with your mate.

This Week's Outlook
Your minor physical problems could awake; get a medical check-up from your doctor. Your relationships with the other sex won't be easy because of your provocative moods. A rather austere astral climate, which will facilitate your theoretical researches on a high and long-term plane. Improve your relations with your parents. Oh yes, you'll be so motivated to make a lot of money that the difficulties, far from discouraging you, will stimulate you; there'll be quite a few, and you'll have to navigate between the rocks to succeed.

Outlook for 2009
This year you'll benefit from excellent astral influxes. You'll know how to profit by life and by all the events it brings about. You'll achieve most of your dearest projects. However, you'll sometimes have to cope with calls into question, which may perhaps be violent and painful but which will bring about a definite improvement of your comportment and of your heart. Submit yourself graciously to such astral influences, do not shirk them.

Heavenly Influence (Looking to the Stars)
You might pretty often happen to be too idealistic, to the point of losing your sense of reality and consequently exposing yourself to such deceptions as you'll find it hard to endure. Try to have better balanced views of people and things. In order to protect yourself against sorrow and discouragement provoked by other people's comportment which you deem deplorable, remind yourself that man could be everything but reasonable.

Additional Outlook For Your Element (Earth)
You'll be quite ready to accept with a smile certain inevitable obligations and constraints with a view to climbing up quickly to the summit of the professional hierarchy. Your task will be facilitated by the joint support of several stars.


Romantic Outlook for 2009
First Quarter
The present astral configuration is by itself neither positive nor negative for your love affairs. It simply implies that you'll reap the results of your recent decisions: success and happiness for those natives who made good choices, difficulties and disappointments if you took a bad direction. Thanks to this configuration, some single natives can make a very important encounter which, however, may provoke a drastic upheaval in their habitual ways of life.

Second Quarter
Jealousy in your sentimental sky! This will be nothing really sensational since, as a good native of this sign, you're naturally exclusive and possessive. However, don't go too far! Know that "jealousy is the worst of evils and the one that causes the least sympathy to the person who provokes it" (La Rochefoucauld). Be vigilant if you want to keep your beloved one; shower him (her) with thoughtfulness; and, above all, don't get angry, otherwise you may disrupt the very ties that you want to preserve at all costs.

Third Quarter
Particularly favorable period as far as your affairs of the heart are concerned. The star Dao Hoa, in conjunction with the star Moc Duc and the element Wood, will prove to be the guarantor of great amorous happiness. Long-time couples will experience a new impetus of tender passion. Other natives, swept away by intense, deep, passionate sentiments, will form happy and benefic projects for the future, projects that will very likely be crowned with a marriage.

Fourth Quarter
Whether you're married or single, you'll tend during this period to concentrate yourself on your personal preoccupations or activities. Love? If it's there, so much the better; it not, never mind, you'll go without it! But with this aspect of the star Hong Loan, there'll be strong possibilities for amorous happiness to be present. Numerous lonely natives, who'll think about everything except for passion, may fall in love at the very moment when they least expect it.

The Dragon Lover
People love Dragons so much because they are generous, charismatic, irresistible, and so brave that standing beside them banishes fear. They generate excitement and turn heads anywhere they go. They are free-spirited and impulsive and can help others achieve their dreams. Others love to be around Dragons because they have a way of making people feel better. Dragons are quick to fall in love, but do not surrender their independence easily leaving most of them to live life by themselves. Yet, a smart, witty, and funny companion may intrigue the Dragon long enough to make him want to get married. And once the Dragon becomes committed, he is unlikely to ever leave.

Compatibility
EXCELLENT
Rat, Monkey, Rooster

GOOD
Horse, Tiger, Sheep, Pig, Snake

FAIR
Rabbit

DIFFICULT
Dragon, Dog, Ox


Hidden Sexual Fantasies of Dragon Women
Your fantasies have nothing mean or obscure. With you, everyone swims in glory, renown, and celebrity! Those who arouse your fantasies are in view, in full glare. Narcissistic and demanding, proud and perfectionist, you shun meanness and weakness. Lusterless daily life bores you and, whether you have the courage to avow it or not, only a being of great quality or whose beauty and merits everyone admires can have chances to lure you. And, in your dreams, there are many known people who would be surprised at the feats which you make them accomplish. You are not snobbish, however. It's because your senses are aroused only in the presence of those who excite the desire of all, who are unreachable because of their birth, their talent, or their fame. That's a challenge worthy of you!

The man of your fantasies is powerful. Socially powerful, but also sexually. He bears a scepter and a crown or, at least, a sword and a blazon. He's a great theater actor, a movie star, or a world-famous singer. He's by his birth above all others. But not above you! For what you dream of is to dominate this man, who dominates all others. To enslave this powerful man whom everyone fears, that's your fantasy!


Family Life Home and Abroad
The Dragon as a Parent
Because people born in the year of the Dragon are so working on furthering their careers, they usually Put off having and raising children until later than many of the other Chinese horoscope signs. Parenting doesn't come very naturally easily to the Dragon. However, when Dragons do become parents, they approach it with the same enthusiasm as other endeavors. They are proud parents and tend to boast about the accomplishments and good looks of their children.

Dragons, noted for their benevolence, tend to shower their children with toys and spending money. It has been remarked that they substitute material things for quality time with their children. Even so, Dragons take parenting seriously and are quite protective of their children's welfare. Should anything upset them, or should anyone wrong them, the Dragon will prepare to fight and avenge the people who have hurt or belittled their offspring.


The Dragon as a Child
Like their adult counterparts, children born in the Year of the Dragon have vivid personalities and are independent from birth. Noisy and active, parents should stimulate their imaginations as soon as possible. Their imagination and inquisitive natures can be troublesome for the Dragon child and can often land them in a heap of trouble at school which can cause teachers and other parents to deem them troublemakers or naughty. Sometimes Dragon children are loners who daydream and drift to into their own world of make-believe. Either way, Dragon children demand careful attention and special handling in order to bring out the best in them. Their creativity and talents must be encouraged, even if it means spending extra time in certain school subjects in order to help them master the subject.

The Dragon as a Friend
Dragons are usually popular people, but because of their personalities, they seem to gather as much criticism as they do esteem. Due to their tumultuous temperaments, Dragons are not the most sensitive friends to those in need of a shoulder to cry on. Those who truly know the Dragon know he is a loving soul who will become your best ally in times of need. Once the dynamic Dragon has given his friendship, he will not let his friends down and will never falter in his allegiance to his companions. To a Dragon, a friend is a friend for a lifetime. Incredibly honest, Dragons are known for sincerity and are trusting souls. Because of this honesty, Dragons don't realize others may not demonstrate or uphold the same codes of ethics. Making the discovery that they placed their trust in someone who is dishonest makes the Dragon person quite sad, yet much more perceptive for future encounters.

The Dragon at Home
Not the most domesticated of the Animal signs, Dragons and may be more content out and about rather than at home. Nevertheless, with their imagination and artistic sense, they can enjoy decorating their home or anywhere else where their extravagance can be expressed.. A Dragon's home should be as large and majestic as his personality, providing space for the fiery temperament or emotional eruptions that accompany their character.

The Dragon on Vacation
Dragons are attracted by the bizarre. No self-respecting Dragon desires to walk in a tourist's footsteps. Instead, they take a lot of gratification in finding hidden destinations, or, closer to home, locations off the beaten track. But Dragons also need thrills, which they might find by taking an unplanned winter break to go skiing or a spontaneous rock climbing trip in the spring. They may even test their bravery by daring to ride the highest roller coaster in the world. Dragons are also sentimental at heart, so conquering their childhood haunts, or taking a second honeymoon would bring immense pleasure too.


Career Outlook for 2009
First Quarter
Numerous planets will favor your professional expansion. The stars Thien Dong and Nguyet Duc will awaken your ambition. The stars Pha Quan and Long Duc will give you the support of chance. And the star Thien Viet will incite you to see your ideas and projects through. It should be noted, however, that all these stars have an underhand influence, which will be operative only on the medium or even long term. Thus, even though nothing important is happening right now, remain confident, everything is evolving in your favor.


Second Quarter
The star An Quang in beautiful aspect will incline you to devote much more attention to your career and professional projects than before. This astral movement will allow you to exploit all your potential at best and will grant you the support of exceptional chance. All those of you who want to reorient themselves, to carry out a more independent and more creative activity should take the plunge: They'll have every chance to succeed. As for those who're unemployed, they should explore all possibilities without fail: They'll soon find an interesting job.

Third Quarter
Ambition on the upswing and support of chance: Such is the cocktail that should allow you to make progress in your work. On one side, the star Thien Khong will awaken your desire to organize your professional life as you please and to reach your dearest personal goals. On the other side, the planet of chance and success, Long Duc, will help you avoid all possible pitfall.

Fourth Quarter

The stars Van Xuong and Dao Hoa will meet in your work sector. This means that there'll be in your career a turning point which you expect and fear at the same time. This time, thanks to the benevolent presence of the star Dao Hoa, the changes imposed by the star Van Xuong will be carried out smoothly. The support from a friend should facilitate your new orientation. Galvanized by the star Dia Vong and morally supported, which is essential to you, you'll keep control of the situation.

The Dragon At Work
The Dragon's originality is the most impressive and outstanding of all his characteristics. The Dragon is quite imaginative and always able to see new paths where others may run into brick walls. Dragons are very adaptable and are fit for various occupations, especially if those occupations allow him to take the limelight. In any of these occupational situations, the Dragons will take a radical approach. Dragons work hard, but would rather give orders than receive them. They should avoid jobs that encompass too much routine, and should move toward jobs in which their self-reliance can be an asset.

Well Suited Dragon Occupations
Computer analysts, Inventors, Engineers, Architects, Lawyers, Philosophers, Psychoanalysts, Brokers, Managers, Salespeople, PR People, Advertising agents, Armed forces members, Campaigners, Politicians


Health Outlook for 2009
First Quarter
The planet Pha Toai, habitually very gentle, won't be so at all this time. Jammed between the elements Fire and Wood, he's believed to favor a weakening of the gall bladder, thus causing difficult, slow digestion. In case of trouble, don't commit the error of abstaining totally from all fats for fear of intolerance: the absence of lipids does not favor an increase of gall production but can, on the contrary, impair the assimilation of certain vitamins and trace elements. With this being said, be careful nevertheless not to abuse too fatty foods - nuts, walnuts, almonds, croissants, brioches, mayonnaise, whole milk, as well as all saucy and deep-fried dishes.

Second Quarter
Good dynamism on the whole. This aspect of the star Long Tri will prove fairly favorable to you concerning your health. Those of you who suffer from a long-time affection will see their state stabilize. This will be the moment to try new treatments: you'll have chances to find cares that suit you better. The only delicate thing with Long Tri: you'll have a better appetite than ever; you should therefore control your diet closely.

Third Quarter
You should recover a better tonicity than lately. However beware, for the basic astral climate will remain rather difficult. Of course, you won't run the risk of a serious disease but more simply you'll somewhat lack resistance. Some of you will by moments be a prey to great nervousness; a homeopathic treatment or some acupuncture sessions should suffice to invigorate them. In any case, you should be in good health if you observe moderation in all things.

Fourth Quarter
You should as a rule enjoy good physical balance. With this being said, beware of Luc Si, the planet of energy, in the sign opposite yours. He'll be responsible for your uneven tonicity. In good shape by moments, you can thereafter feel out of sorts or nervous. Do yoga or hiking: this will help you balance your energies.

Dragon Health
Dragons take thrilling risks and burn the candle at both ends so they are fortunate to be blessed with good health. Among the most hearty of the Animal signs, they can suffer bad health as a result of stress. Symptoms of their personalities often stem from emotional outbursts and can range from tension headaches to depression to hypertension. Dragons can remedy these problems by maintaining their cool, implementing a routine in their daily lives, and utilizing exercises such as yoga or tai kwon do that soothe the mind and spirit as well as tone the body.


Financial Outlook for 2009
First Quarter
This period being placed under the sign of an insolent chance concerning the financial domain of your life, it will not be surprising at all if you're one of the Lotto winners or gain a totally unexpected sum of money. Beware, however: if you win much, you'll perhaps have difficulty keeping this money. Indeed, you're not among the signs who know instinctively how to manage their finances. Seek advice, then. In any case, be extremely careful in your expenses.

Second Quarter
This period will be without a hitch as far as your finances are concerned. However, you must beware of Tuong Quan. This planet is not negative by nature; he will even awaken your desire to improve your financial balance, which is evidently a good thing. But look out: Tuong Quan can also at the same time greatly increase your desire for purchases. You must therefore remain most watchful so as not to go beyond your limits.

Third Quarter
Dieu Khach being by nature a beneficial planet, he will protect you and shelter you from important financial difficulties. But beware of the star Lam Quan: you may be induced to spend more than foreseen in order to equip your house or to do pleasure to members of your family. Beware: you may go beyond your budget limits even before you realize it! Watch over your accounts very closely and postpone all purchases that are not indispensable.

Fourth Quarter
Beware of Thien Hinh! This planet habitually renders very extravagant. It's true that, as a good native of this sign, you generally manage your budget prudently. But beware: even you who are so reasonable may this time be tempted by a folly that you'd bitterly regret afterwards. Try, then, to stay away from alluring shop windows and fascinating catalogs!

Money and The Dragon
Dragons like to spend money and are charitable themselves as well as with others. They do not know the meaning of the word "accumulate," and making money does not intrigue them as it may others. Many Dragons will take big chances with their finances, sometimes betting on their shirt and losing it right off of their backs. Yet, they were born with the Midas Touch, and it very rare that a Dragon remains poor for long. Dragons will always be straightforward in financial dealings and can always be trusted.



At first, I thought it was awful not being a blue dragon. However, After reading this, I was thankful. I may not be a blue dragon but I have already aligned the stars being an Earth Dragon. What more if I were a real Blue Dragon.

No Body Likes Simon

Simon Legree is the villain in "Uncle Tom's Cabin, or Life among the Lowly," by
Harriet Beecher Stowe. The name "Simon Legree" has joined the English
language: if you call a man "a Simon Legree," you are saying that he
is a cruel taskmaster.


"One of the most hated characters in American literature, Simon Legree
is a plantation owner from Louisiana who terrorizes his slaves.
Legree's philosophy is to work his slaves as much as possible until
they die, then replace them. A hard, cruel and embittered man, Legree
is secretly haunted by visions of his dead mother, who implored him on
her death bed to change his ways. Though Legree almost had a change of
heart, he eventually ignored his mother's pleas and continued his
lifestyle. He is tortured by nightmares and plagued by superstition,
and the nightmares become more vivid and frequent when Legree is at
his most cruel. His cruelty reaches new highs after he purchases Uncle
Tom with the hopes of turning him into a brutal overseer. Enraged by
Tom's staunch refusal to participate in acts of violence against other
slaves, Legree beats him so severely that he eventually dies."


Who would like Simon?
Someone who is always mad
Someone who is always demanding
A terrible dictator and a terrible master.

Who would like Simon?
Never did he do anything good
Never did he care for others
Never did he pay any pity

Who would like Simon?
He's evil
He's bad
He's cruel

Who would like Simon?

This Too Shall Pass

Yes, I may appear strong, fierce, and unyielding. People like me, however; are more susceptible to pain. We hide our weaknessess behind the sturdy visage we portray. We hide each and every pain to maintain that stark image we show. But has anyone asked us, asked me... am I ok?

I'm as vulnerable as any human being alive. I have not recovered from the emotional, mental, and physical stress I went through two weeks ago but still, I pretend as if nothing is wrong. Its as if the whole world is in place when in fact, its not. I try to compose myself for the people who depend on me. I try to not to get hurt, try not to be affected by words and actions. But as any human being alive, I also get hurt.

I'm like a bomb waiting to explode. I have emotions and thoughts that are waiting to be shared. But I know, sharing them would mean disaster.

I keep all these feelings to myself hoping that time will come where I will just forget all of these. But as the days pass and as that day arrives... my energy and motivation decreases.

I am being tested; my patience, endurance, strength, all of it. But I shall not fall victim to this sentiment.

Did you really think that I will write a melancholic blog as my first post? Oh no dear! No. I did not call myself fierce for nothing.

Yes, they may be questioning my efficiency, but I will show them that my charm has nothing to do with my excellence. That the results of my actions are caused by my perseverance and hard work.

Its what students do to a theorem in geometry class.

Prove.