Wednesday, 20 July 2011

BMI 與美滿婚姻

研究:妻比夫瘦 婚姻較快樂

【明報專訊】婚姻幸福美滿的秘密,可能並不複雜:只要妻子比丈夫纖瘦。一項最新研究指出,如果女性的身體質量指數(BMI)較伴侶低,伴侶雙方都會比較快樂,較能維持美滿婚姻。
體重相對論 體胖亦快樂
美國田納西大學研究人員挑選了169對35歲以下夫婦作對象,每6個月填寫問卷一次,歷時4年。研究發現,BMI(體重(公斤)除以身高(米)的平方)較妻子高的男性在婚姻中較快樂;而BMI較丈夫低的女性,相比其他女性明顯較快樂。
研究人員認為,這是因為男性普遍認為纖瘦伴侶較吸引,因而樂於保持關係;較纖瘦的女性則會覺得伴侶仍然喜愛自己,會較有自信及感覺被愛,因此較快樂。研究人員推測,男性比女性更重視伴侶外表和體重,丈夫對體型的不滿在婚姻初期或已出現,並因而令妻子日益感覺不快。
不過,研究結果顯示,影響夫婦關係的主要是相對體重,體型不同的女性只要找到合適伴侶,亦可有快樂關係,並非必須要纖瘦。專家又指出,男性在婚姻關係中,如在收入、教育程度、身高或體重等範疇較有能力,會令女性更有安全感,男女雙方都會更快樂。
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如果美滿婚姻之道,是如斯簡單直接;身型較健壯的女士,就只好物色比她們更健壯的丈夫,而肥胖的男士豈不頓成搶手貨?

Wednesday, 13 July 2011

Stress and the City

City dwellers have higher risks for mental disorders


Research has discovered that growing up or living in the city affects how stress is processed in the brain.  Findings from McGill University have shown that the risk for anxiety disorders is 21% higher for people from the city, who also have a 39% increase for mood disorders.  In addition, the incidence for schizophrenia 精神分裂症 is almost doubled for individuals who are born and brought up in cities.

Monday, 11 July 2011

The ABC’s of Raising Teenagers - Happy Mom, Happy Child

Family "Drink Song"

A - Accountability 
Hold your teens accountable for their behaviour.
B – Boundaries
Set specific limits and make the consequences clear if those limits are exceeded.  Parents must say “no” when necessary and hold to it.
C - Consistency
Hold to the same principles and practices.
D – Discipline
Make the consequences fit the act.  Never discipline in anger.
E – Example
Children are in greater need of models than critics.  Be an example for your kids.
F – Forgiveness
Practice it and teach the importance of forgiving.
G – Giving
Teach the joy of giving.  Be generous of your time to family & friends and to others in need.
H – Humour
Keep it.  Have fun & laugh with your children.  It brings joy to our lives.
I – Imagination
Be creative and play with your children.
J – Justice
Be fair and objective and insist that children be fair too.
K – Knowing
Your teen’s friends and their parents as well as their teachers.
L – Love
Love your children unconditionally.
M – Morals
Be sure your own standard of conduct is sound.
N – Nutrition
Expose your teens to healthy food choices and limit high sugar, fat & salty processed or junk foods.  Knowing how to eat well is the key to enjoying a healthy lifestyle.
O – Outdoors
Get outside and encourage regular exercise in your teen’s life – create a healthy future !
P – Pressure
While maintaining high standards, look for ways to reduce the pressure on teenagers.
Q – Questions
Pay close attention to their questions and give honest answers.  If you don’t know the answer, look it up together.
R – Respect
Show respect, teach respect, earn respect.
S – Source of strength
Share your own faith and beliefs with your children.
T – Togetherness
Have special designated times to be together as a family but also know when to let teens go.
U – Uniqueness
Understand the uniqueness of each child, and let that child be who she or he is.
V – Voice
Tone of voice and body language can convey more to a child than words spoken.
W – Word
Keep your word.  Promises broken destroy trust.
X – Expectations
Keep them high and consistent.
Y – You
Take care of yourself mentally, physically and emotionally.  A happy parent helps a child to be happy.
Z – Zoom
Who would have thought they would grow up so quickly?  Enjoy each day.


Another "Drink Song"

Before I trash the 2010-2011 school calendar, let me publish the above so that I can remind myself from time to time.

These ABC’s are nothing extraordinary or new in the parental survival kit but I think that’s why one would overlook them, especially when you are already on the right track.  Undoubtedly, typical responsible parents love their kids unconditionally, set an example for their kids and provide necessary nutrition to them …. 

To me, H, T, Y and Z are noteworthy.  I always think that my silly jokes will only embarrass my kids.  I know a sense of humour brings joy to their lives but how do I know my kids will grow up to be proud of having a GAGmother?  I shed a doubt about “togetherness”.  Sometimes, togetherness doesn’t deserve a credit as “closeness” over value time.  Y and Z are new but important reminders for me.  It is absolutely right that only a happy and healthy (and wealthy is even better) parent helps a child to be happy, so enjoy each day.

So kids, remember this reciprocal rule: always make me happy, then you will be happy !!!!  

Saturday, 25 June 2011

Go Pedals Go

Ride, Fall and Scar


Folding and unfolding a Brompton


See, I told you so many times and that’s why you fell and got hurt.   I fell because my motor skills and balance were bad but you fell because you stunted on your bike and did not stay alert.




Bike Safety Tips

Is Bicycling A Good Exercise?
Yes, riding a bicycle is great exercise. It can help you get in shape and lose weight, and it can reduce the risk of health problems such as heart attacks. Bicycling puts less strain on your joints than jogging does, so bicycling is easier on your body.

What Causes Bicycle Crashes?
Sometimes your mistakes cause crashes, and other times car drivers or loose gravel on the road are to blame. You are more likely to be seriously hurt if you run into a car or if you are riding fast. Children can be hurt while doing stunts on their bicycles. Getting your fingers or toes caught in the spokes or the pedals can also cause injuries.


What If I Fall Off My Bike?
If you hit your head when you fall you should see a doctor, even if the injury seems minor.



What Can I Do To Avoid Injury?
The best way to protect your head and face is by wearing a helmet. Make sure your helmet meets government standards. All children and adults should wear helmets when they ride, even on short trips. This is now the law in some states.

Here are some more tips for avoiding injury while riding a bike:

-      Bike helmet
-      Wear sports sunglasses can stop dust and bugs from getting into your eyes.
-      Wearing bright, reflective clothing when you ride can make it easier for drivers to see you.
-      Use padded gloves to protect your hands.
-      Wear padded shorts and use a comfortable seat to reduce buttock pain.
-      Avoid riding at night.
-      Always stay alert and look out for anything in your way.

Parents should teach children basic traffic rules and make sure they ride in safe places. Children younger than 10 years of age should not ride near traffic.


How Can I Be Sure My Bike Is Safe?
It is always a good idea to make sure that everything on your bicycle is working correctly. Get in the habit of checking that the brakes are working, and be sure there are no loose or broken parts on your bike. Reflectors and lights make you and your bicycle more visible to car drivers in the dark.

American Academy of Family Physicians

Wednesday, 22 June 2011

陳氏書院


兩次到過廣州的陳氏書院參觀,最後的一次是即興與老爸老媽去的。


有趣的是,儘管陳氏書院建立時,不是一所書院,最終在陳氏書院的生命史中亦曾辦過學堂。另外感到有趣的,既然辦合族祠是不合法,陳家祠就化身為書院,以圖倖存於多事之秋,這是可以理解的。但不甚理解的是,以陳氏書院規模之大、以它「天工人可代、人工天不如」如此這般精美的建築,這是極為張揚的假裝,而且不是單一事件,淫祠真的禁不盡、禁不到,或是地方官員不願禁呢?官有官禁,民有民辦,這不是一場角力嗎?明知是淫祠,明知不合國家規定,但因在地方上財雄勢大,仍胆敢興建如此堂皇的合族祠,來彰顯他們的地位和財力,那王法何在呢?是不是說明了,在當時的社會現實,能否建祠堂或合族祠,並不一定取決於國家的法律規定,最重要是視乎該族群在地方社會上的政治、經濟地位?

不禁讚歎明清珠江三角洲先輩的創造力,明明自己有祖先,又可以在合族祠的基礎上,與無明顯血緣、淵源關係的人,再虛擬出一個大太公來;這不是與嶺南人祖宗,眾皆出自南雄珠璣巷的說法同出一轍嗎?如果各姓合族祠的偽裝張羅,是要努力打造正統形象,一方面就表明地方的所謂正統,原本心知不是朝廷的正統。另一方面可見地方社會對正統文化,不是單純的抗拒或投降,而是一種建構,一種地方文化的滲透。這是否代表了當時社會流行的價值觀呢?當中是否顯示出宗族在地方間的開發和力量呢?不禁感到迷惑的是,人生中所認識的、學習中的正統文化,是國家的正統文化?社會的所謂正統變身為正統?或是一人有一個正統呢?或根本就沒有正統,純粹是場角力呢?

口水吹不盡



唔覺唔覺原來已經上載了一百篇口水花了。朋友仔講得無錯,看不出原來我是口水多過茶, 吹水唔抹嘴,口水吹不盡的人囉。實情是,見唔到光而淪為棄文的,比上載的還要多呢﹗

Nostalgia



床前明月光        A splash of white on my bedroom floor.  Hoarfrost?
疑是地上霜        I raise my eyes to the moon, the same moon.
舉頭望明月        As scenes long past came to mind, my eyes fall again
低頭思故鄉        On the splash of white, and my heart aches for home.





一心準備暑假時教兒子李白的靜夜思,但找來找去都找不到心水的英譯本。這首五言絶句詩,英譯的有很多,但找到的大都是直譯的;不是我的理想型。今天小休時,翻看童元方的《為彼此的鄉愁》,看到了翁顯良的譯作《Nostalgia》,將《靜夜思》徹底意譯出來,讀來如散文般的詩,非常精彩。尤其精彩的是詩題,一般都是《Tranquil night, 翁顯良卻譯成《Nostalgia》,貫徹了意境。


孩子啊,媽媽忍不住要先來讀一遍。