Friday, October 31, 2008

Champions League Soccer Games on 31 October and 1 November


Champions League Soccer Games on 31 October and 1 November. Ecobika sportsbetting picks preview all the football matches and give you free picks.

The CL Football serie continues on Tuesday and Wednesday. The odds are very low on certain big names already. And the early final: Barcelona Chelsea v is on the card! Do not miss the action, bet live. The CL games on Tuesday, 31 October:

:



CL Group A:

Barcelona v Chelsea bet it LIVE


This is the game of the soccer games., even if Barcelona is not the same, as it was a year ago. I mean Barce is weaker, especially because Ronaldinho has not yet found his form. But you exactly know how onesided Ecobika is when Chelsea is palying, and when Mouirinho is the coach. This game will be about the lack of goals, if you are a fan of Chelsea. Certainly, if Barca plays, it means goals in normal cases, but not against Chelsea. Hopefully the referee will not play the role of protagonist. I do think that Chelsea will be int he driving seat in this archrivalry. And Ecobika pick on Barcelona v Chelsea is under 2.5 goals, click and bet

Werder Bremen v Levski

Big questionmarks about the ability of the bulgarian team, after the match between the two sides 2 weeks ago. I think Bremen will try everything to win this match, keeping an eye of a potential defeat of Barcelona, to jump to the second place int he CL Group A. Ecobika prediction: awawy win, bet it here

CL Group B:

Bayern M?nchen v Sporting CP v LIVE

M?nchen wasw lucky enough to beat the odds and win away 2 weeks ago. Bayern int he next round, meanwhile Sporting desperately needs at least a point in M?nich to keep the hopes alive. I would play this game under 2.5 goals with these odds. And do not forget, both teams would be satisfied with 1 point.


Spartak Moscow v Inter Milan LIVESTREAM betting

This game is a mustwin for Inter and Spartak already out from the race of qualification. The Russians will play only for the money of UEFA. Pick: away win


CL Group C:

PSV v Galatasaray LIVEBETTING

Galata's hopes to qualify: zero. Moral: most likely zero, after the almost won, but at the end lost game 2 weeks ago against PSV. Home Win is widely expected


Liverpool v Bordeaux
Surprisingly, the same as above: Bordeaux is already out. Maybe the best pick is UNDER 2.5 goals with this beautiful odds.


CL Group D:

Shakhtar Donetsk v Valencia v

As I have mentioned many times, Ukrainen teams are weak in this stage. The only problem that Valencia already qualified, therefore a point would be enough, which easily could lead a classical under 2.5 goals game with this nice odds.


Roma v Olympiakos
Roma is far better than in the last season, and after the win in Greece 2 weeks ago, this will be a bankerbet for many punters. Oly has no hopes, so not adviced to go against the odds of home win


Champions League Soccer CL Games On Wednesday 1 November


CL Group E:

Real Madrid v Steaua, livestream betting

Maybe Real Madrid had found its new style with Maestro Capello, but the team is inconsistent yet. This game is about the first goal, I mean if Real scores, the game is over, Steaua will defend the 0-0. UNDER 2.5 pick of Ecobika


Lyon v Dynamo Kyiv LIVESTREAM betting

The problem with Ukranien teams (Ecobika only repeats himself) that they can not play in the group stage of CL. Home bankerbet here with this odds.




CL Group F:

FC Kobenhavn v Manchester U livebetting

No comment, this is a simple away win and 1st place for MU int he group


Benfica v Celtic live

Benfica's only chance to keep the hopes alive: win this game. The odds are at the home team and Ecobika thinks home win must be good bet




CL Group G:

Hamburger SV v Porto LIVESTREAM
Very interesting game is expected, after the many goals conceded by Hamburg 2 weeks ago. And this group is very complex mathematically speaking. In theory even Hamburg could qualify. Maybe many goals again, OVER 2.5 with these very nice odds.


Arsenal v CSKA Moscow LIVE!

The defeat of Arsenal in moscow two weeks ago amybe the biggest upset was int he Champions League so far. The revenge is a must, because in theory Arsenal even could drop to the third place! Ecobika picks is home win with these odds




CL Group H:

AEK Athens v Lille

AEK is in mustwin situation, and maybe will deliver it. Ecobika pick is home win or under 2.5


Milan v Anderlecht

Last but not least: no comment, I mean home win



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Thursday, October 30, 2008

Monday, October 27, 2008

Do Language Learning Audio Tapes Really Work?


The audio tape language learning technique took a boost in popularity in the early 90s, when it was considered one of the most prolific learning methods of those times. As with all things that grow too popular for their own good, competition tried to take advantage and turn this popularity into something negative, stating that they can teach you the language better and faster than hose stereotypical, boring, inefficient audio tapes. Slowly, their fame went down and people started wondering if they actually work, after hearing how numerous competitors in the language learning market can do better and how they can do it faster. This article will try to shed some light on this subject and answer the question as to whether audio language learning tapes really work or not.


Most language learning specialists will agree that reading and listening are two extremely important factors for getting the basics and for improving the vocabulary of any given foreign language. Although reading sources are extremely easy to find (in local libraries, on the Internet, etc) listening ones aren't. Audio language learning tapes and the country's media culture are pretty much the only things that offer you something to listen to (and if that particular country's media culture is not very developed or it lacks completely, audio tapes are all you have left).


No one can really decide on which of the two methods, reading or listening, is better for learning a new language. Reading has the advantage of allowing you to memorize words quicker and for longer periods of time (cause visual memory is more powerful than audio memory) but then again you only have a rough idea on how to pronounce these new words. Audio tapes on the other hand, provide a good way to get your pronunciation skills up and running and also have the advantage of getting you familiar with using the foreign language in an actual conversation.


Truth be told, the best audio language learning tapes come together with reading material that complement what you hear. Some come with exact transcriptions of the audio, so you can read through while you're hearing things (helping you understand and memorize what the tape is saying better) while others provide translations of the stuff said on tape, which allows you to compare words, grammar rules, etc. If you have a choice, I would recommend getting an audio tape that has an exact transcription attached to it, since this helps a lot in attaining a powerful vocabulary and in learning how to pronounce words correctly.


So to answer the question, do language learning audio tapes really work? Yes they do, provided they have a decent quality and they take the learning process up gradually. Despite the slight fall in popularity, audio tapes remain one of the main language learning methods and if you've considered starting a new language at home, an audio tape might be the thing for you. Please note that you can order or download several such audio language learning recordings over the internet.
About the Author

Saturday, October 25, 2008

10 Great Benefits of ELearning


Knowledge is an ocean and all must be able to access it. And, that's what e-learning has done it has revolutionized education and the way we learn. Learning has moved out of its box and thanks to e-learning can benefit not just the young but the older ones too. With e-learning one can get on with life and learn for pleasure or for work reasons. And, companies today encourage their work force to further their skills through e-learning.


A study by Skillsoft discovered that: 87.5 % find e-learning easy to use; almost 525 share what they learnt with others; 93.5% enjoy the courses; 73% think its interesting, and 98% will recommend e-learning as an effective way to learn.


There are umpteen benefits to e-learning and of these the 10 greatest are:


1. Learning never need end. You don't have to go to learning, with e-learning knowledge comes to you. You can study when you want and however you want.


2. Leaning frees your mind and improves your thought processes. E-learning allows you to update skills, further your career, and learn for the sheer pleasure of learning.


3. Since e-learning is a world-wide phenomenon it puts every student in touch with others all around the world. There are no restrictions and interactions are world wide.


4. E-learning improves computer skills as well as communications. Learning goes beyond course work and books. It becomes hands on and active. There are forums, chat rooms, and project groups. Learning capabilities are enhanced and enjoyable.


5. E-courses are not restrictive and learning goes beyond the specific field. So, a person can choose to learn a subject unrelated to his education or work. One can learn a language, or choose to study art-history or literature. The cyber world is a canvas and the computer key board the palette.


6. With online courses learning is multi-pronged. It is more than audio-visual. And e-learners have access to a mind boggling range of resources.


7. Since e-learning courses are self-paced students can avoid the tension and stress presented by regular courses. With e-learning one can take exams when one is ready and many courses have a huge component of project work.


8. E-learning is different it is interactive and innovative. Often a lesson may be taught through quizzes, questionnaires, or games and often learning is done unconsciously.


9. E-learning inculcates team work and interactions. And since learning involves extensive use of technology you unconsciously become tech savvy.


10. Builds curiosity and creativity as students are encouraged to browse through the World Wide Web and find, understand, and complete a set of assignments.


The tools of e-learning go beyond the traditional and since students are not in a class room environment learning takes on new hues of independent thought, individualized pace, and creative approach.
The world of e-learning has created a new world where learning is eternal and there are no limitations.
About the Author

Friday, October 24, 2008

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Encouraging Language Development In Early Childhood

Language and speech are primarily learned through imitation and observation. During infancy, babies listen to their parents talk and they pay close attention when someone talks to them. This observation of casual conversation is the foundation for a child?s understanding of their native language.

There are several activities and games you and your child can engage in to enhance her language development. While your little one is still an infant, encourage her to imitate simple syllables like ?ma? or ?da?. Repeat any sounds your baby attempts and praise her efforts. Talk to your infant often, using everyday activities like feedings or bath time as opportunities to develop new language skills. Describe everything you do and name the everyday objects you and your little one come in contact with.

Gestures and understanding their meanings are an important part of early language skills so teach your infant to wave goodbye, to nod yes, and to shake her head no. Imitating these simple gestures will help her learn nursery rhymes and songs during her toddler years. Reading to your child on a daily basis is vital to language development. Begin reading to your baby at birth and continue throughout childhood.

By her first birthday, your baby will most likely know how to say a few words. Encourage her speech by expanding on her simple words and phrases. Read picture books that emphasize animals, colors, shapes, or everyday objects. Say the names of the pictures and allow your little one to point to the correct object. Remember to praise her efforts and attempts.

Once your child reaches her preschool years, she will have a good grasp on language and should be talking in complete sentences. Continue to read to your child. Reading favorite story books again and again has been proven to enhance early language development and can improve reading comprehension skills. Nursery rhymes and silly songs also help your child learn speech patterns and language skills.

Talk to your preschooler and listen when she talks to you. Repeat her sentences to correct any pronunciation or grammatical errors without chastising her mistakes. Encourage her oral language and her vocabulary skills by naming common objects, familiar people, and body parts and then describing them. Ask questions that require your child to make a choice rather than answer yes or no. Support your preschoolers emerging language skills by requiring her to use her words to ask for things or to explain her feelings when she gets upset.

Make your own picture book with your child. Help your preschooler colllect pictures of her favorite toys, animals, people, and things and then allow her to sort the pictures into groups. Glue the pictures onto paper and have your child dictate the labels as you write. Read your picture book together often and add new pictures and words as her vocabulary grows.

My First Amazing Diary is a great software program to enhance language development. This educational software has several fun games that allow your preschooler to express herself through pictures. The program will grow with your child and her language development, encouraging simple word use and pictures to create stories and journal entries at level two and offering creative story starters and interactive journaling at level three.


About the Author:

For more tips on parenting an educational toys see our site www.thekidstoystore.com.


Monday, October 20, 2008

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

The Sims Phenomenon

In the world of video games, there are game categories such as shooters, adventure, action and role playing. Then there is the Sims. This game was introduced by Electronic Arts in February of 2000 and became a cultural phenomenon. It sold twenty million copies and generated the development of hundreds of fan sites devoted to their own personal Sims environment.

Sims was the first game that introduced a significant degree of online socialization through the use of a game platform. A Sims player creates his own family, buys or builds his own home, and has numerous encounters with other characters generated by the game's AI (artificial intelligence). Your Sim character, or avatar, goes through life experiencing career changes, family development - many of the real-life experiences that lurk outside our real-time doors. Its unique character, in-game quirks (such as the gibberish in which Sims communicate) and capacity for infinite change made addicts out of millions.

The game makes the player the deus ex machina: the off-screen God controlling individuals lives. As a player, you can help your Sim build not only home and family, but an entire neighborhood. Sufficient quirks and human neuroses are built into the game's characters as they are introduced that the game remains an addictive fascination for its players. As one reviewer put it; Want to play it straight and watch the lives of a typical nuclear family? You can do that. But what if you'd prefer to dress your Sim like a Viking and have him play his guitar for spare change in the subway while living with two women - she's a slacker and she's a paranormal - who are a couple? Go for it.

The company followed its initial success with seven expansion packs and in 2004 launched a completely new version, Sims 2. The new version has better graphics and many more choices for your Sims and their families, who happily are still speaking Simlish. The video engine is more 3D than the original 2D; characters in your game have more choices to make and more characteristics that make them interesting, down to genetic similarities when new family members are born. You can customize the family dog - long hair or short? Blue eyes or crossed? Intelligent companion or clumsy doofus? It's up to you.

By 2005, the audience for The Sims and its various expansions had swollen to over 52 million worldwide. The game has been translated into 17 languages, and the franchise has seen life on platforms ranging from the Xbox to mobile phones.

One of the principal characteristics of the Sims phenomenon - and one that probably made it a uniquely popular game - is that it has drawn large numbers of female players. The Sims has pulled the neat trick of building a player base evenly split along gender lines, drawing in women without alienating male gamers. Game publisher Electronic Arts estimates women could account for up to 60% of Sims players.

According to Psychology Today, most long-term players say designing Sim households is the chief delight of the game and in fact, The Sims' construction and interior design aspects are as impressively realized as its human element. Players can easily mirror their real-world homes; one game analysis called Sims he Ikea game. Most video games have a product popularity curve, like every other consumer item. The Sims seems to be either defying or redefining this characteristic for the video game market.


About the Author:

Madison Lockwood is a customer relations associate, specializing in small business development, for Apollo Hosting. Apollo Hosting provides website hosting, ecommerce hosting, vps hosting, and web design services to a wide range of customers.


Monday, October 13, 2008

Software GuideSome tips about Software

The term software is generally used for computer software that is an essential part of the computer system. It stores and process all encoded information or computer instructions on PC. Computer software has very vast scope in computer world.



According to computer science and software engineering computer software is all information that is processed by computer systems, programs and other data. Software is completely opposite to hardware, which is used to store or execute the software. Software is loaded into random access memory and then executed in central processing unit. It belongs to machine language that is not easy to understand for the users.



Every operating system has its own software that requires an individual processor. It understands machine language that consists of several groups of binary values, which gives processor instructions and data. Software converts machine language in simple language that enables the users to understand machine language.



Software generates a connection between electronic hardware and data. The user can operate the sequence of data instructions with the help of software. Software can use any type of data such as output/input. Sometimes the output of software can be input for another software. Software provides an interface between hardware, data and other software.



Software can be divided in three classes such as system software, application software and programming software. System software enables the users to run computer hardware and computer system including operating system, device drivers, diagnostic tools, servers, windowing systems and some more.



Users can perform one or more tasks simultaneously with the help of application software. With the help of application software, they can perform all applications like office suites, business software, databases and games. Whereas the programming software offers some functional tools that enables the programmer to write difficult computer programs. Programming software provides some useful tools like text editor, compiler, interpreter, linker and debugger etc.



After installing software a computer can operate that vary software. Application software passes the instructions to system software and then computer program executes on computer.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

10 Crucial And Surprising Steps To Build Trust In A Relationship

1. Be predictable. When do seeds of suspicion emerge? When one begins to think, What's up? Why is he doing that? He's never done that before. That is so unlike him. He loses 30 pounds, buys a new wardrobe and comes home late from work. He changes his patterns. His behavior becomes unpredictable. You get the picture? Any movement away from predictable behavior can become suspect and trust can deteriorate. Focus on acting predictably if you need to build trust. Be consistent in what you do. This doesn't mean you must be boring. If there is a twinkle in your eye and a dose of spontaneity every so often, for goodness sakes be spontaneous and fun loving. But, be spontaneous consistently! Be true to who you have always been and be that consistently, whoever you tend to be!


2. Inform your significant other when you become "unpredictable." No one goes through life the same person. We all make shifts and changes. Frankly sometimes we may be fairly clueless about what is happening and where we are going. Those times may be very intense and we do some silly things or make some downright dumb decisions. Life can get very squirrelly and unpredictable. (I have a favorite phrase: Gold is refined through intense heat.) Growth in an individual, marriage or family often is accompanied by a little chaos. Welcome these shifts, for there is a part of you searching for something better/different/richer/deeper, but for heaven's sake, inform your partner of what you are experiencing. Say, "I really don't know what is going on in me right now, but I'm moving in a different direction. Be a little patient with me while I figure this out. I might do some silly things, but my intent is not to harm you or scare you. Accept some of my wondering and wandering and please be there for me? I may need to run some of this by you every so often!"


3. Make sure your words match the message. Mean what you say and say what you mean. When your partner hears one thing in your words but your tone of voice, body language and facial expressions are really saying something else, you open the relationship to some crazy making days. Which message is she to believe? This can waste a tremendous amount of energy and she learns not to trust part of what you are saying. Here's a very simple but common example. You are getting ready to go to a formal dinner. Your wife comes to you and says, "How do I look?" (And she's wearing a dress you don't particularly like and her hair is pulled back in a way that turns you off.) Not to spoil the evening you enthusiastically say, "You look great." You don't really mean it and a part of her knows you really don't mean it. But, you leave it at that. This might not seem like a big deal - we all have done something similar - but if trust is shaky to begin with, it is even shakier now. Here's how to match the words with the nonverbal: "I think you are a beautiful person. I want you to know that. I love you dearly and it will be wonderful to have you by my side tonight. Others will see your beauty. (As you say this, you look into her eyes as you put your hands around her waist.) She's not concerned so much with how she looks but is expressing a need for affirmation. She's not talking about her dress or hair, but about wanting to know the evening is going to go just fine. You respond to the real message. You can take this one step further, if you like. At some point you might bring up her need for affirmation and talk about that. Ask her is there is anything you can say or do so that need is met. Trust is awareness of the intent beneath the obvious message and responding to that!


4. Believe the other person is competent. I hear this phrase very often: "But, I don't want to hurt him." A couple things are at play here. First, she may not have the skill of confronting the other with the truth in a way that brings reconciliation and understanding. She believes truth telling is destructive or entails some sort of drama. Neither is true. The truth is never destructive and can be conveyed in loving ways. (With that said, what we believe to be the truth may indeed be a distorted perception that fits our personal needs.) Or, she may see the other person as a wimp; someone she believes cannot handle rigorous personal confrontation. She doesn't trust that the other person has the internal strength or stamina or skills to be in a relationship of mutual respect and equality. The other person picks up on this mistrust and does what he does (feigns inadequacy and incompetence) to avoid the personal confrontation as well. A dance is acted out. Believe and know in your heart that the other person, somewhere and somehow, beneath the games, has the internal strength and capacity to handle anything. Such trust builds trust in the other person and begins to pervade the relationship. "Hey, she thinks I can handle this! Hmmmm, this is mighty good! I CAN engage her and be truly intimate!"


5. Be very very careful of keeping secrets. If he knows there is an elephant in the room and doesn't talk about it, the elephant takes up tremendous space in the relationship. It takes energy for him to walk around it. She may not see the elephant but knows he is bending his neck to look around something. She will be curious, mildly disturbed, have feelings but no words to wrap around them, might wonder if something is wrong with her or struggle with trusting her intuition (her intuition KNOWS an elephant is there.) And, when we can't trust the messages that come from within us, we find it very difficult to trust the messages of the other person. Secrets demand tremendous energy and erode trust. The relationship is doomed never to experience wall-banging intimacy. This is why extramarital affairs are so damaging. She is not so much concerned about him having sex with someone else as she is about the betrayal, lack of trust, the secrets and deception that are crazy making and energy draining. Now, please. I'm not saying that you sit your partner down and divulge the 23 secrets of your illicit past behaviors. If you have resolved those, i.e. forgiven yourself, understand those behaviors, learned from them and were able to use them to make the internal shifts necessary for your personal development, they do not qualify as an elephant. Hopefully, in the course of growing intimacy in your relationship you may want to share some of those events as you disclose to your partner where you were and where you are now. You do so without emotional charge. However, if a secret takes up room, i.e. still has an emotional charge and holds you back from disclosing more and more of yourself in the growing stages of intimacy, you have a problem that needs to be addressed with your partner.


6. Let YOUR needs be known - loudly. Be a little - no, be a lot - self-centered. (Be self-centered, but not selfish!) Here's a problem I run into almost every day. He is backing away (perhaps attached to work, another person, etc.). She feels the trust and intimacy eroding, is scared and wants to "win him back." So she begins an all out effort to "work on the marriage." She invites him to do so as well. He may reluctantly agree. She blasts full throttle ahead trying to "be nice" and meet every need he ever said he had. She's going to "fill his tank with goodies." Doesn't work. Her eyes are riveted on him. He feels "smothered" or maybe even resentful: "Why is she doing this NOW!" She's hopeful, but eventually that turns to resentment. Her underlying motive - if I meet his needs, he will feel good and meet mine - just doesn't work. It's perceived as manipulation, which it is. Of course, he doesn't say anything. After all, how do you get angry with someone who is so "nice and caring?" Trust disintegrates under a blanket of quiet niceties. Start with your eyes focused on YOU. What do YOU need? Explore your personal need system. Dig beneath the surface. And then say to him: "I need?x, y and z. I would like to talk to you about them. I would like us to work out a way so my needs are met. Are you open to that?" He is empowered to say yes or no. Or, he may say, "What about my needs?" You respond, "I am very interested in hearing what is important to you, certainly." Have you ever been around someone who stated clearly what they needed/wanted? Didn't you respect that person? Because you knew where he stood, and therefore where you stood, didn't that interaction move toward a trusting relationship?


7. State who YOU are - loudly. It is very sad to see those in relationships of emotional investment hold back from letting the other person know who they really are. You build trust in a relationship by entrusting your SELF to the other person. This sounds easy but I find it difficult for most to pull off. Most of us have a difficult time declaring our SELF. For one thing, if you're like most of us, you haven't given much thought to what it is that makes YOU truly YOU. Don't you feel like you glide through life on autopilot, focusing on tasks, goals, accomplishments, problems and the external realities? Don't you tend to focus on those things out there or that person out there? You're concerned about what he is thinking, how he is responding to you, whether he likes you, whether he will be an obstacle and where he will fit in your life? Your conversations may be pleasant but fairly superficial and bluntly, boringly inane. You converse about things/relationships/events out there. You are reluctant to share your thoughts, values, and impressions or take a stand. This doesn't destroy trust. But it doesn't create it either. And, if you do take a stand it may serve the purpose of protecting you or entrenching you as you react against someone. This more often than not creates trust barriers. Take some time to reflect on your standards. What are your standards for a relationship? What standards do you hold for yourself? What do you order your life around? What are the 4 top values in your life? What are some themes that you live by? What are you known for? And then?begin letting significant people in your life know. They will respect you. They will know you more deeply. They will thank you for the opportunity to know you. They will see you as a person of character. They will trust you. They can count on you. They know exactly what is behind and within you.


8. Learn to say NO! Sometimes you need to say NO! Often it is crucial to say NO! Saying NO sets boundaries around you that protects you from being hurt or venturing into territory that will be destructive to your heart and soul. You draw a line. You stop tolerating that which drains energy and makes you less than YOU. You refuse to allow the destructive behaviors of others to destroy you. You build a moat around the core of your life. You do this by informing the other person of what they are doing. You request they stop. If they don't stop, you demand they stop. If they don't stop you walk away without a snide remark, eye-roll or comment. To some this seems harsh, but saying NO is RESPECTED. Fear is the basis of mistrust. If you fear that someone will hurt you and believe you have no recourse but to endure that hurt, fear will prevail. How can you trust when you are in fear? Saying NO, protecting yourself, sends a message to the other person that you will not live in fear. This usually triggers a response of respect from the other person. After all, if you can protect yourself and refuse subjugation to that which is destructive, will not the other person come to trust you and see you as a person who just might protect him/her from harm as well?


9. Charge Neutral. When your significant other expresses something powerfully, charge neutral. Most of us are afraid of strong feelings or points of contention in a relationship. I commonly hear people respond by defending themselves (to a perceived attack), explaining themselves, counter-attacking, shutting down, or walking away. Of course, the relationship remains stuck in this quagmire of mistrust and fear. Rather than reacting and having your feelings flowing all over the place or shutting down, practice charging neutral. Communicate calmness, not only in your tone of voice but also in how you carry your body. Don't speak with a charge to your voice. Control your voice! Say what you must say, state the truth and do it directly and calmly. You can do this, once you master your fears. It will dramatically change the flow of the relationship. You will be able to point out something big, without making a big deal out of it. You will be in control of you. This not only feels great, but your partner trusts that you won't fly or fall apart. You will experience your personal power. This makes you very attractive. Don't people really trust someone who knows their personal power and how to use it for the welfare of themselves and others? Your partner will love the fact that she can trust you consistently to operate from your "quiet center," remain engaged, not back down and speak the truth with conviction and calmness.


10. Dig into the dirt. Relationships of emotional investment, by their nature, bring trials, tribulations, fears, chaos, turmoil, change, stretching and growth. They become the grist from which your life is shaped and formed. Be fearless when faced with turmoil, upset, crisis, questions, and fears. When the time is right, seek them out. Move toward the frightening unknown. Dig into the dirt of your relationship and uncover the treasures. Do you really TRUST that this can happen? The purpose of your relationship is not to make you happy. Do you realize this? Happiness may be an outcome, but your other is given to you to move you to where you really want to be. Obstacles, trials and moments of pain are given as lessons on which you intentionally write the script of your life individually and together. Embrace the difficult. Trust that in this embracing you will find more of your true self. Trust that you are given the resources and capacity to face what you and your significant other are to face. Once you are able to believe and trust these ultimate purposes, trusting your significant other will be that much more easy.


About the Author: Dr. Robert Huizenga, The Infidelity Coach, has helped hundreds of couples over the past two decades heal from the agony of extramarital affairs and survive infidelity. Visit his website at: http://www.break-free-from-the-affair.com


5 Best Free Child Games for Your Preschooler

There seems to be more and more pressure on parents these days to enrol their pre school children in all sorts of innovative learning programs. There are music and swimming classes, craft centres and activities to promote movement, motor skills or sporting ability.

Did you know some of the best learning tools for your kids are right at your fingertips, literally! We as parents are the primary carers and therefore the first teachers of our children before they start school. Without all the classes and activities that we could pay for them to do, just playing simple free child games, your kids will get all the stimulation and encouragement that they need to get the best start.

By providing them with an enriched environment with free activities based around your home and neighbourhood you will get more quality time with your children while enhancing their imagination and creativity.

Top 5 Free Child Games / Activities- Indoors

1. Storytelling- Telling stories to children promotes language, listening skills and imagination. Don't feel confined to reading from books, tell your children a special family story that helps them to know their place in the world. How mum and dad met, how great grandpa sailed in a tall-ship to start a new life in a new country, or the story of their birth. These tales will delight them time and time again, perhaps you have photos to help them put faces to names.

2. Dressing Up- As children the dress-ups box was always our favorite treasure trove for creating characters for a play or story. Pretending to be dinosaurs, truck drivers, doctors, zoo keepers or even mum can keep children entertained for hours. The more props the better so always have a store of blankets for cubbies or tents and assorted boxes for cars, dolls beds or wherever their imagination takes them.

3. Music- Children love a chance to dance and jump around. By the age of three they will already have some favorites which will probably have actions to match. Given the opportunity to march, stomp, clap or any other loud action will be happily accompanied by any musical instruments that you have around the house. If you don't have any, a pot and wooden spoon will do just fine!

4. Craft- By using recycled materials you just need some glue, a little inspiration, and your child's creativity will do the rest. Materials can be used to create collages, space rockets, animals and a whole lot more. Keep a ready supply of recyclables by keeping cereal boxes, toilet rolls, candy wrappers, magazines and yoghurt containers. Other crafty ideas can involve play dough, paint, crayons, chalk and modelling clay! The ideas are endless.

5. Board Games and Card Games- Fun for the whole family or just two bored kids looking for something to do on a rainy day. For younger children these games help them with numerical skills, taking turns and gamesmanship, as well as the concept of chance and that anyone can win the game. Super for holidays as they are easy to set up and can last for hours. There are many card games to learn from easy kids games right up complicated ones for teenagers and adults. Best of all, the only equipment needed is a deck of cards. Board games like Scrabble and Monopoly have been played for generations and will continue to be, unless everything becomes computerised!

Most of these activities will be known to you, but have you played them all? If not, then get out there and enjoy some free child games with your tribe, they'll love you all the more for spending some one on one time with them.

The place to go for all your games needs for 0-6 year olds is Kids Fun and Games. Educational baby and toddler games, party games, crafts, indoor and outdoor games, festivals and more.


About The Author

Nicole is the webmaster at www.kids-fun-and-games.com and the mother of two children under the age of six. She is currently enjoying the journey of building her first website for parents of pre-schoolers.

Enjoy!