Burt Lao

We hear stories about him bringing gifts to children who have been good throughout the year.  Legend also says he lives with his missus and his elves on the land of perpetual snow, presumably the North Pole.  And on Christmas Eve, he rides his sleigh to bring presents to children around the world.  He is fat, wears a red suit with white trimmings wrapped with his thick black belt, sports a big pair of black boots and carries a huge bag containing toys and other goodies.  We call him by many monikers:  St. Nick, Kris Kringle, and Father Christmas.  But children usually call him by one name – Santa Claus. 

Santa Claus is a famous figure in Western cultures that brings joys and presents to homes of the good children.  Legend says that this plump and jolly white-bearded man “is making a list, and checking it twice to find out who’s naughty or nice,” as the popular Christmas carol goes.  On the houses of good children, Rudolf and the rest of the reindeers will make a stop on the roof as the clandestine and secret Santa Claus slips inside the house through the chimney on the roof.  Once inside, Santa delivers his presents that include toys, candies and other gifts.

For us grown ups, Santa Claus is as real as the Tooth Fairy and that elusive little bunny that runs around every Easter.  But there was a time in our lives when we genuinely believed it was really Santa who would leave us toys on a Christmas night.  That is the beauty of childhood innocence. 

Bring back the magic of Christmas.  Be the secret Santa to your family and friends.  Together, let us feel the joy of our innocence in knowing that somewhere out there, our secret Santa has something in store for us this Christmas Day.  Check out Santa’s Bag, and let his magical little elves help you in exchanging gifts with your family, friends and co-workers.

I grew up in a household where we constantly practice what we learn in school in our daily lives.  You may call it ‘practical application’ based on theoretical discussions in the classroom.  For instance, we use our knowledge in Science while helping Mum with the cooking.  My siblings and I would help prepare the meals, and make sure it contains the three basic food groups.  Those were the days when my siblings and I would dabble over the stove.

During Saturdays and Sundays, Dad would treat us with hotdogs and ice cream.  In order to practice our mathematical skills, Dad would quiz us first before giving us the money.  To start with, Dad would inquire as to what we would like to eat, and then ask how much each of us would pay.  By then, my sibling and I would toggle on our thinking helmets, and rattle our brains at mental math.  Whoever gets to answer first wins an extra hotdog.

As we grew older, these math challenges also intensified.  During family dinners, Dad would each randomly ask us a mathematical question, and whoever loses the game gets to clean up the dishes.  This is Dad’s way of helping Mum with the dishes.  Thus, learning mental math was a way for us to escape kitchen duties.

Now that we are all grown up and already have families on our own, we still enjoy those mathematical quizzes that Dad throws our way.  During family gatherings, he would still throw his math questions at us.  But this time, it is the grandkids that give back the answer to Dad.

Back then, the pursuit of developing our math strategies was predicated on Dad’s reward system and positive reinforcement.  Today, my siblings and I realized that it was Dad’s way of teaching us math.  Thanks Dad for helping us with our mental math.  Now, it’s our turn to teach our kids these math strategies.  Check out http://www.mathiseasy.com/ for more on how to develop your kid’s math skills.

Aging is a natural phenomenon to which all people succumb to.  Inevitably, we grow old and mature as the years go by.  Yet for some people, trying to look young and youthful has become a fascination, to say at the very least.  The anti-aging mania, however, is not limited to cosmetic interventions such as Botox treatments and plastic surgery.  It also includes, but is not limited to, skin care, prevention of age-related diseases, and health improvement.

Basically, anti-aging is about getting back the youthful vivacity and exuberance.  On the surface, plastic surgery and other related treatments are used to mask the wrinkles, eye bags and other effects of aging.  Anti-aging is also about improving one’s health and wellbeing.  Accordingly, proper diet and exercise are just two of the means to eliminate stress and anxiety, combat ailments and diseases, enhance memory, and improve overall wellbeing.

Keeping oneself youthful and healthy can burn a hole in your pockets.  Cosmetic applications, for instance, cost big money and are likely to deter people in improving their wellbeing.  Thus, alternative anti-aging products have become a big focus.  Traditional Chinese medicine, for one, is becoming widely known alternative for slowing down the effects of aging.  From herbal supplements to diet and exercise, these Chinese health alternatives can effectively improve one’s health and wellbeing, and slow down the aging process.

To learn more about the traditional Chinese anti-aging methods, watch out for the Chinese Anti-Aging Secrets e-book.  Check out http://www.theantiagingcode.com/ for more about staying young and youthful, both inside and out.

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