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Singles are underrepresented on cruises, but unless meeting someone is the sole purpose of your vacation, a cruise can be your best choice if you keep these things in mind.

The Carnival line is the only cruiseline that offers a “singles” rate. The others offer you, but you have to take a stranger for a roomy, or pay double. (Did I miss something? Is that a singles rate?) Some of the cruise lines (Radisson, Costa, Cunard) offer gentleman dance hosts. If you’re a single male, you travel for pennies and it’s your “job” to meet and dance with the single women on the ship, 8 pm to 1 am nightly. If you’re female, there are 4-5 men aboard, proficient in waltz, rumba, jitterbug, cha cha, polka, and congenial conversation who are “on call” every night to dance with you. Choose a large table for dining. It will water down the effect of any uncongenial dining companions. Ask to change tables if you need to. If you like the day activities, take the late seating. If you’re hot for the night-life, take the early seating. Shore excursions booked through the ship are safe and scheduled, but cost more. Most ports have cabbies lined up waiting to take you to the same places for less. (We got a 3-hour tour of St. Maarten for $10 pp instead of $50pp.) However, think twice before you hop into a cab alone. Try and hook up with fellow passengers, even dance hosts. If you can avoid the gambling and liquor, a cruise can be very affordable. Cruise lines make their money off the gambling and liquor. That’s why they can feed you fabulous food 24 hours a day at those low last-minute rates. Sail from a port that doesn’t require airfare, and you can live in luxury for around $80 a day. You couldn’t stay in a hotel and eat steak and lobster for that.

Cruises have been proven to be good for our health. For instance, don’t you think at least 25% of our daily stress comes from car hassles? On a ship there’s no parking problems, traffic jams, or road rage to interfere with your relaxation.

Shopping? Wait till the end of the cruise to shop onboard; they reduce prices. Check with friends or the ship’s shopping expert on what to buy where. Each island has its specialities. For instance, braids are $150 in Key West, $75 in Cozumel, and $35 on Grand Cayman.

Prescription drugs are sold cheaply OOT in Cozumel, etc. Bring CASH so you can stock up on Keflex and avoid doctor’s fees. Many of the best bargains require CASH or TRAVELER’S CHECQUES. For other items, get off the beaten track. Stores that pay for space in the port generally charge that privilege back to you.

Check with friends who’ve actually been on these ships to see what your fellow-passengers will be like. Each ship has its own flavor. If you leave from Galveston, expect 90% Texans (scary). If from Port Everglade, more of a mix - North, Northeast, Midwest, Europe. If you travel in late summer, expect lots of kids and teenagers.

Maybe you care less about people, and more about the quality of food. Decide what your priorities are. Then ask someone who’s been on that line. The quality of different amenities varies, and each cruise line has its plusses and minuses. Most cruise ships have Internet service but it’s expensive and not always available at sea. However, most ports now have Internet cafes which are quite affordable–$5 an hour, for instance, in Cozumel, right on the dock. You can check your email anywhere on www.e-mailanywhere.com. It’s FREE.

One last suggestion. If you like to speak, consider being a presenter on a cruise ship. As I say in my ebook, “How to Get to Present on a Cruise,” being an enrichment gives you extra visibility and maneuverability for socializing, as well as new people to tell about your services.

Bon voyage!

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Women all over the world experience physical and emotional pain
from their abusers. So alone and afraid to tell anyone what is
happening. Each time it happens, the numbness is stronger.
Emotionally drained–you can’t feel the physical pain anymore.
Degraded and feeling inadequate you go on. Afraid to
leave–afraid of being followed and stalked–afraid you will be
destroyed completely. Feeling you will always be in this abusive
situation–there is no way out–you want to call it quits for
good.

Based on my own personal experiences of abuse, I know what it’s
like to be a victim of abuse. I felt at one point I couldn’t go
on. I felt alone and that there was no other way out but to end
it all. I had no fight left and gave up. Luckily I did succeed
in trying to take my own life. I now was more determined to
fight back. How dare he do this to me and get away with it. It
was frightening to think of leaving all alone but not as
frightening as being abused. I had no self esteem. I felt
inadequate and ugly. I was numb. I knew I had to get away before
he destroyed any chance I had of living a normal life and a
chance of happiness. I made the decision to stand and not be
knocked down anymore.

If you are an abused victim, be strong and fight back. There are
help hot lines, shelters for battered woman, and help from your
local law enforcement agency. Call family or friends. Tell them
about your abuser. There are websites to visit to help you
understand your feelings and regain your confidence. You don’t
have to do this alone.

 Plan ahead before you make your move. Have friends or
family have personal belongings waiting for you after you leave
your abuser.  Have maps, phone numbers, and or
directions in tack to safe homes before leaving. You may want to
leave that information with someone whom you trust and retrieve
it after leaving.  Don’t leave while your abuser is
there–wait until he is gone.  Don’t give him any
indication that you plan to leave. Play along to keep him calm.
 Have a law officer to go with you or come to the home
incase he should return while you are leaving.  If you
have to leave your belongings behind in order to be safe, do it.
It can all be replaced but your life can’t.  If you have
no family or friends to stay with, find a safe home. 
Don’t give out your location or phone number to anyone unless
you are certain that they can be trusted.  Always have
some one with you when you go out.  Get help from
counseling–don’t try to face this alone.

I got my life back now but for years I still had nightmares of
the abuse. Eventually the nightmares disappeared. All the years
of my life wasted because I let it happen to me. The longer you
stay in an abusive situation, the harder it becomes to leave and
the more pulled down you become. I have accomplished so much now
that I am no longer in an abusive situation. I have my self
esteem and confidence back. I feel as though I can conquer the
world. It’s a good feeling.

Phyllis Benton, Living Nightmares of Abuse. Autobiography. An
inspirational and emotional story of abuse. Survivor of
emotional, sexual, and physical abuse. Book will be available
when released through publishamerica and other on line book
stores. ISBN # 1-4137-9156-5. http://www.pdbenton.org
http://www.freewebs.com/dianesfantasy/

abuse, victim, survivor, nightmares, emotional, sexual,
physical, autobiography, inspirational, education, confidence,
self esteem

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Pubic hair shave is not a taboo any more. It seems like all
women are shaving pubic hair. It is not an unusual phenomenon
which is attributed only to models and athletes any more. Find
out why pubic hair shave is so popular and what the hot pubic
hair shave fashion is nowadays.

So why is pubic hair shave so popular?

1. More and more women are exposed to the issue of pubic hair
shave. Every body’s talking about pubic hair shaving - Pubic
hair shaving stories and guides are being published on the media.

2. Models, actress and other celebrities which are serving as
role models are shaving their pubic hair and speak of it
publicly.

3. Pubic hair shave has become more accessible - Pubic shavers
and accessories can be found in most of the department and
cosmetic stores and on fair prices.

4. Pubic hair shave is easier, faster and causes less pain than
ever. The modern shavers have been developed for years to apply
the most effective pubic shaving.

5. Pubic hair shave provides a great feeling of freedom and
helps you feel better with your body. It is one of a wide
selection of cosmetic treatments that have become popular in the
last couple of years like teeth whitening, sunless tanning etc.

What is hottest pubic hair shave fashion?

There are two trends that are definitely the most popular of all
pubic female shaving styles.

The first one is the Brazilian Bikini wax. In this pubic hair
shaving method all the pubic hair is being shaved. It is
recommended to have a professional to Brazilian Bikini waxing
you. You could find a Brazilian Bikini Wax in any big city.
Gwyneth Platrow and Naomi Campbell have done it. What about you?

The second hot pubic hair shaving trend is the different pubic
hair cuts. A few samples would be the star, the arrow, the
heart, the butterfly or the traditional downward or upward
triangle. Many women make a pleasant surprise for their boy
friend / husband with a new pubic haircut each time.

You are welcome to join the club of pubic hair shaving.

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When a couple is unable to conceive a child, it is the couple’s
problem, and not the “fault” of one partner or the other. Female
issues are the most common reasons cited, but some studies
suggest that up to 40% of infertility is caused by one or more
reasons originating with the male partner.

For men, the problem can only be from one source- the sperm.
However, that can involve a variety of difficulties from low
sperm count, to poor motility, or abnormal shape/structure of
the sperm. In many instances the cause of the sperm difficulties
are idiopathic, with no known reason. Some issues may be a
result of a past illness, current drug therapy, personal habits
such as drinking and smoking, or varicocele veins.
Recommendations for improving things like sperm count, include
looser clothing around the genitals, eliminating hot baths or
hot tubs, giving up alcohol and smoking, and stress reduction.

For women, the difficulties are more varied, and cover a range
of functions and issues within her reproductive system. She may
have ovulation problems that are due to problems with the
thyroid gland, hormone imbalance, and physical or emotional
stress. The cervix can also be a cause for concern, either
through narrowing, acidic mucous, or a literal “sperm allergy”.
Her uterus may be harboring cysts, fibroids, and polyps, or she
may have endometriosis, a condition where tissue from inside the
womb, has attached itself somewhere in the abdomen, possibly
blocking or restricting normal function of the fallopian tubes
and ovaries.

Even when a couple has taken all the recommended tests, some 10%
remain infertile, for no known reasons. For them, hormonal
fertility treatment or in vitro fertilization, may be viable
options for having a family.

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Diamonds and Moissanite appear identical. Both are clear stones
with a brilliant fire. One is very much cheaper than the other.

Which should you choose?

One look at the prices and moissanite seems like the better buy.

Then again, diamonds are way more expensive because diamonds
are natural gemstones that are rare and mined from the earth
itself. The moissanite
you see in stores is actually an artificial gemstone. Often used
as diamond substitute as they look very much alike. Diamonds are
rare and precious while more moissanite can be made any time to
meet any demand. Diamonds are an investment. Moissanite is
well… decorative.

Both do have their uses.

When should you buy diamonds, when should you buy moissanite?

As diamond
prices tend to be really high, especially for the larger,
whiter diamonds, for glamorous jewelry that features large
“diamonds”, to be worn at a function, go for moissanite.

Huge real diamonds set in jewelry would be way too expensive to
wear safely, in public without bodyguards following you around.
In fact, high society ladies who own such covetable real diamond
jewelry would lock the diamonds in the safe and wear moissanite
replicas or other diamond replicas of the real jewelry in public.

If the jewelry in question is an engagement ring, please go for
the real thing. She is not going to be impressed if that 3 carat
diamond ring is actually moissanite and not diamonds. She might
even be humiliated if she tells her friends about it and later
finds that it is not a real diamond. Better get her a smaller
diamond you can afford than a huge moissanite, for important
jewelry like these.

How about that diamond stud earrings?

Or that diamond tennis bracelet you intend to wear all the time.

Should you go for moissanite?

That depends on your budget and your taste. Moissanite is more
brilliant than diamond but the light tends to be harsh. Some
people think it looks fake and cheap and has a disco light
effect. Others love the extra brilliance.

If you like the extra brilliance and are on a relatively tight
budget but want something that dazzles and really catches the
eye, moissanite is your rock.

If you also want your jewelry to double up as an investment in
case of hard times, then the answer is to stick to diamonds all
the way.

If you prefer diamonds, choose your diamond carefully.
Especially if you want your diamonds because of their investment
value. Look at the 4 Cs. Carat, Color,
Clarity > and Cut.
A good quality diamond, preferably round as round diamonds are
easier to resell, with a clarity of VS2 or better and a color H
or better would be best.

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Prostate infections are extremely difficult to diagnose and treat because many doctors do not order the right tests and even when they make the correct diagnosis, they often fail to treat the condition long enough or they fail to treat infected partners.

Symptoms: Chronic prostatitis is characterized by a feeling of having to urinate all the time, discomfort during urination, terrible discomfort when the bladder is full and having to get up many time each night to urinate. Benign prostatic hypertrophy or large prostate causes difficulty starting stream and dribbling. Prostate cancer rarely causes burning on urination or urgency.

Tests: Total and free PSA blood test to screen for cancer, check your prostate and sometimes order a sonogram of the prostate. If I am suspicious of a prostate cancer, I will refer you to a urologist for further evaluation. Your doctor can order a urinalysis and urine culture. If abnormal, your doctor will treat a urinary tract infection, but it is usually normal. Then, your doctor may do a special swab for chlamydia and gonorrhea and request a semen culture. No test is available for practicing physicians to diagnose mycoplasma or ureaplasma and the test for chlamydia is not dependable. The only dependable test for prostate infection is for your doctor to massage your prostate to collect secretions and immediately check your secretions for white blood cells. If a) he sees more than 5 white blood cells in your secretions under the microscope, or b) the white blood cells are clumped together; or c) your urine has a positive leukocyte esterase or nitrite test and your urine culture and semen do not grow a germ, the odds are overwhelming that you are infected with chlamydia, mycoplasma or ureaplasma or something else that cannot be diagnosed.

Failure to see white blood cells in your secretions does not rule out a prostate infection. Most urologists do not order semen cultures because they claim that they are always contaminated with germs from the skin. Recent studies from Cornell and Mexico City show that they are wrong (2,3). Most men collect semen cultures from the vagina or mouth which always is contaminated. If the patient is asked to shower and clean himself with soap and water, then collect the specimen with his hands and then let it squirt into the culture jar without touching it, the culture is very dependable (2).

Prostate infections are extraordinarily difficult to cure because antibiotics do not accumulate in high concentrations in the prostate. So most men have to take appropriate antibiotics for many months and their partners have to take the same antibiotics for a much shorter duration. I often prescribe a quinolone antibiotic called Tequin for several months, or a combination of Tequin and doxycycline. If you do not feel much better by six weeks, you may need to ejaculate frequently or find a kind urologist who will agree to massage your prostate at least once a week while you take the antibiotics. UCLA researchers report that 40 percent were cured, 20 percent were initially cured and then had a recurrence perhaps because the partner was not treated, 21 percent were improved and only 21 percent had no improvement. All the men who had bacteria in their semen cultures produced sterile specimens after treatment.

Treatment of prostatitis with long-term antibiotics is controversial and not accepted by many doctors; discuss this with your doctor.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

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If you’re still young enough to remember your birthday, you
probably also remember the special birthstone assigned to it.
But at your age, we bet you don’t really know the SIGNIFICANCE
of your birthstone and what power the ancients felt would be
bestowed about you by wearing it.

January’s birthstone: Garnet Garnet Powers: Facilitates night
vision, ensures success Alternative Birthstone: Emerald

Garnet is the birthstone for the month of January and the
traditional anniversary gemstone for the second year of
marriage. Archaeologists have found primitive garnet jewelry
among the graves of lake dwellers which dates the use of this
popular gemstone to the Bronze age. Today they are mined in
Brazil, India, Madagascar, India, Siberia, Africa, Sri Lanka,
and the United States.

Not all garnets are of gem quality. “Raw” garnets make a very
effective abrasive and used commercially for grinding and
polishing. Believe it or not, garnet-coated sandpaper is popular
for industrial use.

Color Me Beautiful Garnets are extremely diverse and offer
enough variety in appearance (and color) to suit every taste.
Although you may think of garnet as a red gem, the truth is that
the garnet family of gemstones comes in a broad spectrum of
colors, except blue.

Garnets of muted yellows, vibrant oranges, rosy pinks, lime
greens, and violets are all part this gemstone’s rainbow of
hues. The diversity is due to unique combinations of elements
within each particular gem, such as iron, calcium, and manganese.

What’s In A Name? Look at the seeds of a pomegranate and you’ll
immediately understand how the word “garnet” was derived from
the Latin word “granatus,” meaning “grain” or “seed.” Garnet
earned its name because of its close resemblance to the
succulent red pomegranate seed. But don’t bite into a garnet!
Like a diamond, a garnet is strong. It has a Moh’s scale
hardness 6.5 to 7.5…definitely not tooth-friendly.

A Greek myth tells the story of Peresphone, the young goddess of
sunshine, who was abducted by Hades, god of the underworld. The
devil eventually released her, but not before he offered her
some pomegranate seeds, which guaranteed her return to him. Thus
garnets have come to represent fidelity and commitment.

Rich Traditions Legends, myths, and traditions abound when it
comes to garnets. It is believed to be one of the 12 gemstones
in Aaron’s breastplate in the Hebrew tradition while Christians
consider it is symbolic of Christ’s sacrifice and the blood of
their savior. Many faiths claim that Noah hung a large red
garnet in the ark for illumination. In the Koran, garnets are
believed to illuminate the Fourth Heaven of the Moslems. On a
more earthly plane, Egyptians believed that garnets protected
them from snakebite and was an antidote to food poisoning.

A gift of garnet is thought to be symbolic of love and the
desire for a loved one’s safe travel and speedy homecoming. It
is January’s birthstone, but far from being only a winter gem,
the garnet, with its brilliance and multitude of colors, is
truly one for any season.

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