Good news for average-looking guys

Women seeking a lifelong mate might do well to choose the guy a notch below them in the looks category. New research reveals couples in which the wife is better looking than her husband are more positive and supportive than other match-ups.
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The reason, researchers suspect, is that men place great value on beauty, whereas women are more interested in having a supportive husband.

Researchers admit that looks are subjective, but studies show there are some universal standards, including large eyes, "baby face" features, symmetric faces, so-called average faces, and specific waist-hip ratios in men versus women.

Past research has shown that individuals with comparable stunning looks are attracted to each other and once they hook up they report greater relationship satisfaction. These studies, however, are mainly based on new couples, showing that absolute beauty is important in the earliest stages of couple-hood, said lead researcher James McNulty of the University of Tennessee. But the role of physical attractiveness in well-established partnerships, such as marriage, is somewhat of a mystery.

The new study, published in the February issue of the Journal of Family Psychology, reveals looks continue to matter beyond that initial attraction, though in a different way.

Supportive spouses

McNulty's team assessed 82 couples who had married within the previous six months and had been together for nearly three years prior to tying the knot. Participants were on average in their early to mid-20s.

Researchers videotaped as each spouse discussed with their partner a personal problem for 10 minutes. The tapes were analyzed for whether partners were supportive of spouses' issues, which included goals to eat healthier, to land a new job and to exercise more often.

"A negative husband would've said, 'This is your problem, you deal with it,'" McNulty said, "versus 'Hey, I'm here for you; what do you want me to do?; how can I help you?'"

A group of trained "coders" rated the facial attractiveness of each spouse on a scale from 1 to 10, with the perfect 10 representing the ultimate babe. About a third of the couples had a more attractive wife, a third a more attractive husband and the remaining partners showed matching looks.

Trophy wives

Overall, wives and husbands behaved more positively when the woman was better looking.

The finding "seems very reasonable," said Dan Ariely, a professor of behavioral economics at MIT's Program in Media Arts and Sciences and Sloan School of Management. "Men are very sensitive to women's attractiveness. Women seem to be sensitive to men's height and salary," said Ariely, who was not involved in the recent study.

In couples with more attractive husbands, both partners were less supportive of one another. McNulty suggests wives mirror, in some ways, the level of support they get from husbands.

"The husband who's less physically attractive than his wife is getting something more than maybe he can expect to get," McNulty told LiveScience. "He's getting something better than he's providing at that level. So he's going to work hard to maintain that relationship."

Men who are more attractive than their partners would theoretically have access to partners who are more attractive than their current spouses, McNulty said. The "grass could be greener" mentality could make these men less satisfied and less committed to maintain the marriage.

Physical attractiveness of husbands is not as important to women, the researchers suggest. Rather, wives are looking for supportive husbands, they say.

So it seems the mismatch in looks is actually a perfect match. "Equitable is unlikely to mean the same on every dimension," Ariely said during a telephone interview. "It just means that overall two people make sense together."

* 10 Things You Didn't Know About You
* The Rules of Attraction in the Game of Love
* The Sex Quiz: Myths, Taboos and Bizarre Facts

* Original Story: Why Beautiful Women Marry Less Attractive Men


source http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20080410/sc_livescience/whybeautifulwomenmarrylessattractivemen;_ylt=AgIpYbeUjjKhWZOc6HWntKEDW7oF

Myth or fact still unknown

WASHINGTON (AFP) - - Drinking enough to quench your thirst is sufficient for the body's needs, and there is no evidence to support the common advice to drink eight glasses of water a day, according to a new study.

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"Just drink when you are thirsty," was the advice from a study published Thursday in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

Doctors from the University of Pennsylvania said "there is simply a lack of evidence in general" that everyone should drink the recommended 1.5 litres of water a day.

Researchers Dan Negoianu and Stanley Goldfarb had examined the theory that drinking more water helped the kidneys flush more toxins from the body.

"So the question is does drinking more water increase these normal important functions of the kidneys. And the answer is no," Goldfarb told NPR radio.

"In fact, drinking large amounts of water, actually and surprisingly, tends to reduce the ability of the kidney to function as a filter."

Water has also been touted as an ideal aid to those who want to lose weight. But while drinking more helps dieters feel full, no clinical study has proved that it will help keep the weight off.

"There were some studies that suggested that in fact, calorie intake was reduced when individuals were given water prior to eating. Other studies suggested that it wasn't," Goldfarb added.

Increased water intake was only really justified in extreme cases, such as for athletes, people living in hot, dry climates and those suffering from particular illnesses.





Source http://sg.news.yahoo.com/afp/20080404/tts-health-us-water-972e412.html

Sinful Dinner

Been a very exhausting and sad week for me.

The warehouse supervisor is leaving in 2 weeks. Though i do not report to him, I find him a very funny person.

My supervisor had tendered his resignation on Tuesday and would be leaving at the end of the month. Though an eccentric person, he had been a great mentor.

Good luck in your future endeavors.

Supposed to meet Jimmy and Xiang Xin for dinner last Friday, but Xiang Xin was still stuck in office. Brought Jimmy to eat at Astons as I mentioned the food was terrific at an affordable price.

Sorry guys no pics, too hungry le. Next time with you again

I ordered Hickory BBQ Chix with pasta, coleslaw and tasty rice. Jim ordered Steak with coleslaw and rice. After dinner while waiting for XIang Xin's reply, he hang around at the library.

Yes L-I-B-R-A-R-Y. Jim looked at some bodybuilding magazines while I browsed some magazines on dogs. The dogs inside are so cute. Jim then told me Xiang Xin could not meet us so we headed to Siglap to try the cheesecake.

The Cheesecake Cafe

Its very near the Siglap centre and along the main road. They have indoor and outdoor dining. The moment we entered, we were greeted by the cheerful staff. Inside the area is decorated with Rome ornaments.




Cupid fountain in the middle of the cafe.

The moment you enter the cafe, not only the Rome decor would gather your attraction, but the freshly made glistering cheesecake in the display would make you salivate.
You would have a hard time, selecting the cheesecake to try.


My order, Oreo Cheesecake The cheesecake is soft, but the taste of Oreo is too overwhelming.


Jim's Peanut Butter Cheesecake, very thick and nutty peanut butter, but find the cheesecake alittle too hard.

East Coast:

685 East Coast Road Singapore 459054
(Near Siglap Centre)

Tel: 6448-7725 Fax: 6448-7226

Operating Hours:

Sun 3.30pm - 12am
Wed-Thu 4.30pm - 12am
Fri 4.30pm - 12.30am
Sat 3.30pm - 12.30am
Eve P.H. 4.30pm - 12.30am
Mon-Tue Closed

source http://thecheesecakecafe.sg/contact.asp

In memory 8 years later

Qing Ming Feelings
As the famous Qing Ming Poems

Qingming in literature
Qingming was frequently mentioned in Chinese literature. Among these, the most famous one is probably Du Mu's poem (simply titled "Qingming"):

Traditional Chinese / Simplified Chinese / pinyin
清明時節雨紛紛 / 清明时节雨纷纷 / qīng míng shí jié yǔ fēn fēn
路上行人欲斷魂 / 路上行人欲断魂 / lù shàng xíng rén yù duàn hún
借問酒家何處有 / 借问酒家何处有 / jiè wèn jiǔ jiā hé chù yǒu
牧童遙指杏花村 / 牧童遥指杏花村 / mù tóng yáo zhǐ xìng huā cūn
English translation
A drizzling rain falls like tears on the Mourning Day;
The mourner's heart is going to break on his way.
Where can a wineshop be found to drown his sad hours?
A cowherd points to a cot 'mid apricot flowers.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qing_Ming_Jie

Morning woke up and went market with Mum and sister for breakfast, then bought paper offerings for praying my father later.

LV so popular even in after life? I wonder if the founder of LV is happy or shocked. Nevertheless, he cannot sue them.

Flagged a taxi to Bright Hill temple. Along the way the taxi driver at least 65yo, left me struggling in fear.

At one point, a motorcyclist suddenly filter to the slip road without prior warning. I closed my eyes to avoid seeing the crash. Heng the motorcyclist was damn lucky !

Reached Sin Ming Industrial estate and area was jammed. As the taxi driver was unaware that only 1 lane was allowed in the temple, he had to make a far detour to reach the back of the temple.

My longest taxi ride 45mins !!!

Ever wondered why people paying their respect this period is emotional with teary eyes and runny nose.

I would guess 50% really emotional and 50% the amount of smoke generated from the burning of incense and offerings!!!

The "house" to burn all the offerings for the departed. Pity the workers having to work in such hot, dusty and dangerous environment.

So much offerings not yet being burnt, but laid outside the "House".

Then we headed Junction 8 for lunch. Cafe Cartel.

My order, Chicken Chop, Fish with pasta

Mum's order Hawaiian Pork Chops.

Sister's order Baked Macaroni Chicken and Mushroom.

Reached home went to cycle for awhile.

Been learning how to pop a wheelie on MTB, not easy with such heavy bike.

New hoot for bike

Good Friday

Brunch at Beach Road market


Famous "Chilli Mee" stall


Black pepper chicken rice


Fried fish with thai sauce and rice.


European biscuit flavour ice-cream. I don't know how to describe the taste. Its like smashing the biscuit and making it into ice-cream.


Belgium chocolate and waffle.

Saturday met Kai to go C2C to fix my tires and pedals.

Reached C2C and it was very crowded, as Ben had close shop for a week. His family and staff had flew to Taiwan for bike exhibition.

I wanted to get the Maxxis Ignitor tires.
However Ben recommended Maxxis Crossmark and Kenda Kwicker.

I then chose Crossmark.

My front wheel already fitted with the new tires with Kai's bike at the background.


Bike fitted with new tires and orange pedals. I wanted to get red color, but there were none.

Kai changed his saddle with a soft gel-like material. His bottom are delicate LOL!

Then we decided to head east as it was goanna rain.

1/3 of our journey, it started to rain so heavily as though we were showering. No choice but had to seek shelter under flat. Soon we were on the road. I accompanied Kai to his house to get some stocks to meet buyer.

Kai recommended eating at Astons which just opened besides the Bedok Library.

They served western dishes with 2 side-dishes. You can choose cold or hot side-dishes.

Cold-dishes - coleslaw, ...
Warm dishes - rice, baked potato, corn cob ...

I ordered black pepper chicken with coleslaw and rice. Kai ordered lemon and lime chicken with coleslaw and pasta.


The chicken chop is tender and grilled as though those served in restaurants with the grilled marks. The coleslaw is nice and the rice is cooked with butter.

Delicious food at such cheap price $5.50


Kai's Lemon and Lime chicken. No taste of lime. $5.50 also.

XP and Win 98 music

Windows Music

Death metal puppy

Death metal puppy

Michael Jackson lives in the animal world !

Smooth Criminal

Batman and super man ?

Best office and company to work in !!!

Google office in Swiss Zurich !!!