There are also meanings hidden in the number of roses exchanged between people. Some of these meanings have been derived from visual significance, while some have caught on from popular stories and myths.

- 1 Rose - Love at first sight or devotion to one person
- 2 Roses - Mutual feelings of love and affection
- 3 Roses - "I love you"
- 6 Roses - "I miss you"
- 7 Roses - Infatuation
- 9 Roses - Together forever
- 10 Roses - Perfect love
- 11 Roses - You are my treasured one; the one I love Most in My life
- 12 Roses - One dozen roses is a declaration of love and appreciation
- 13 Roses - From your secret admirer or "we are friends forever"
- 15 Roses - I am truly sorry, please forgive me
- 20 Roses - Believe me, I am sincere towards you
- 21 Roses - I am devoted to you
- 24 Roses - "I belong to you" or "thinking of you 24 hours a day"
- 33 Roses - Saying "I love you" with great affection
- 36 Roses - Head over heals in love or "I cherish our relationship"
- 40 Roses - "My love for you is genuine"
- 50 Roses - Unconditional, boundless love
- 99 Roses - I will love you for as long as I live
- 100 Roses - Represents a century and says "I want to grow old with you"
- 101 Roses - You are my one and only love
- 108 Roses - Proposal of marriage
- 365 Roses - I can't stop thinking of you each and everyday
- 999 Roses - Everlasting and Eternal Love

Interesting isn't is? No matter how many stalks of roses one give, its the thoughts that counts...

How can we maintain strong, healthy and self-fulfilling relationships with a partner, parent or friend? Some important points we can take note:

Communication – “Two monologues do not make a dialogue ~ Jeff Daly”

Deep, frequent, heart-to-heart conversations are essential in maintaining any relationship. Relationships fail when individuals hold the belief that: if he/she loves me, he/she should know what to do or what to say. I don’t have to tell him/her what I’m feeling or thinking.

We have to keep in mind that we are meant to interact, and are not mind readers. If you have difficulty communicating deep issues face-to-face, start off by sharing about your day and build up the confidence gradually by sharing issues closer to your heart. The person on the receiving end of your sharing will usually be appreciative of your trust and honesty.

Make time for each other

Set specific times during the week to do something both of you (or in a group setting) enjoy doing. Make it a point to celebrate special occasions and if finances permit, why not spend a weekend away from the stressors in life? Recognise that it is equally important to make time for your family.

Recalling the good times

Remember why you fell in love the first place. There are always wonderful memories etched in our brains. Reminisce on the fun times you had together with your friends and children. Tapping on such memories will also allow you to be more appreciative of one another.

Do something nice for your loved one

Know your partner’s, friends’ and family’s love language and do something they can appreciate. Love languages are expressed by – buying gifts, words of affirmation, acts of service, physical touch, and quality time. Understand how your partner showers you with affection and allow your partner to understand how you shower him/her with affection.

Appreciate the present

It’s too late for regrets when a love one passes on. There’s no point in grieving when the person has passed on or has decided to be out of your life. Learn to appreciate the present. Life is too short to dwell on the insignificant.

Celebrate and Enjoy

Celebrate the relationships you have made and maintained over the years. Enjoy the fruit of each journey you walked with that individual. Thank the person for being your partner, friend or family. Be grateful that they are still by you this day.

By Ms Yang Su-Yin
Senior Psychologist at Department of Psychological Services and Pain Management Clinic at Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

Period: 1st – 7th December 09

Season: Winter!

Oh.... yea. I am finally flying to Japan!!! (Land of the Rising Sun) And I am feeling so excited. Can't wait...!!! =P

Period: 17-20 July 2009

Yeah! Bangkok once again! More polo tees to come...

The Indian city of Udaipur, known as the "Venice of the East", was voted the world's best city for travellers in 2009 in an online poll by Travel + Leisure magazine, trumping last year's winner Bangkok.

The island of Bali in Indonesia topped the Galapagos to be named best island in the annual poll, in which casual and laid-back destinations prevailed.

Magazine readers also voted Bushmans Kloof Cedar Mountains, in South Africa, as the world's top hotel while Singapore Airlines grabbed the best airline award again! Cool!

Well, the complete "World's Best Awards" is available on www.travelandleisure.com. Following are some highlights:

Best city - Udaipur, India

Best hotel - Bushmans Kloof Cedar Mountains, South Africa

Best island - Bali, Indonesia

Best cruise line - Crystal Cruises

Best cruise line - The Yachts of Seabourn

Best international airline - Singapore Airlines

Best domestic airline - Virgin America

Best tour operator - Austin-Lehman Adventures

Best car-rental agency - Sext

Best destination spa - Mii amo, A Destination Spa at Enchantment, Sedona

For all travel enthusiastic, do check out the full results! =D

Fun loving, childish, innocent and pure.

You are a sprite of the Air: Fun loving and childish your naive nature only enhances how truly cute you are! You may come off as too childish but only because your not burdened with all the rules and regulations of adulthood. You are carefree most of the time spending your days playing tag or naming all the clouds you see in the sky. You are generally kind to everyone because you have lots of love and happiness to share! Making friends comes easy because they strive for the innocence you possess but be careful, being as nice and kind hearted as you are people will try to manipulate your nature if they have not already. Don't ever let anyone mold you to their standards although I doubt anyone could.

Who would have thought that I have the mood to go for prawning!? Well, yea it was my first time together with the others and a very impromptu one too. Off we go to Jurong Fishing Lake at around midnight. Even though it was in the wee hours, the whole area was still packed with "night owls". There were like 7 of us with just two rods. At the end of the day, we caught only 3 miserable prawns! OMG! And I caught one of them! Haa. =D I was struggling and fighting to remove the hook out from the prawn's bite. It was intensifying... But still, I overcome the prawn... Haha.



Tip: You must have the patience to go prawning! Let the prawn come to you. Hee.

It's been years since I last played a game of pool. With lots of time to kill on Friday night as me and the girl decided to catch a late night movie of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, we decided to play pool in order to kill some time.

Ladies, take note;

Who says you can’t rule the corporate boardroom and look good while you’re at it?

But if your fashion sense is more sexy than stylish, you could be hurting your career, according to a recent University of Lawrence study.

The study, which was led by psychology professor Peter Glick, found that dressing sexy on the job is viewed as inappropriate for female employees in all positions. But here’s the twist: Women holding high-powered jobs, especially, were perceived as less intelligent and less competent when they dressed provocatively, while those in lower level positions (such as secretaries) were not. The study also suggested that women who wore risqué clothing were perceived as using their sexuality to advance professionally.

Bottom line: “If you’re really trying to demonstrate your abilities, looking sexy might not be the best way of going about it,” says Glick. So how can you make sure you don’t cross the line? Here are some guidelines:

What’s Smart for the Boardroom

• Tops: Blouses can be stylish but should be modest enough to cover up the cleavage, shoulders, back and midriff. Avoid overly sheer fabrics: Good fabric choices are silk, rayon, and cotton-polyester blends. Experiment with different styles that complement your shape, but stay away from anything that clings like second skin.

• Skirts: Skirts can be just above the knee, but no shorter. Tailored A-line or pencil skirts are classics, but you can also inject a touch of fun into your work attire by wearing skirts that feature floral prints, subtle beadings or embellishments.

• Pants: Go for dressy, tailored pants in neutral colors with a mid-rise or higher. Pants should be fitted, but not too tight, and should not show visible panty lines.

• Dresses: Look for tailored dresses with full coverage such as shirt dresses and wrap-dresses. For dresses that are a tad more revealing (like sun dresses or halter-styles), layer up with a cropped jacket or cardigan for a professional look. The cut should be relaxed but not too fitted. Hemlines should hit around or just above the knee.

• Shoes: Shoes should be close-toed, and heels should be no higher than two inches. Opt for neutral colors and classic designs. Standard pumps and kitten heels are safe bets.

What’s Way Too Sexy for the Workplace

• Blouses that reveal too much skin such as cleavage- or midriff-baring tops and spaghetti straps. Layer with a longer camisole underneath or throw on a cardigan or jacket for cover-up.

• Overly sheer or shiny fabrics such as see-through lace and head-to-toe metallic ensemble.

• Clothes with extremely fitting cuts, including figure-hugging tops and hip-hugging pants.

• Exposed bra straps and visible panty lines.

• Skirts and dresses that end more than one hand-width above the knee or with revealing side slits. If you’re going for an above-the-knee skirt or dress, pair with opaque stockings or leggings for a more professional look.

• Pants with a low rise or hip-huggers that expose the midriff.

• Dresses with revealing necklines such as halter, deep-V neck or low-back dresses.

• Sky-high stilettos or anything with heels higher than two inches.

• Shoes with open toes, strappy sandals or overly bright colors.

Therefore ladies, you all should know what to do now... =)

Britain has some of the most spectacular, charming and gorgeous beaches in the world. So let's take a look at the top 10 beaches in Britain.

1. Bournemouth, Dorset
Bournemouth benefits from 7 miles of pure gold. One of the best city beaches in the UK , its soft sand and acres of space are perfect for families. It's won awards for cleanliness and on a clear day you can see out to the Needles on the Isle of Wight . True, it's not a deserted paradise, but you can't ask for much more so close to a major town. And with the building of Europe's first artificial surf reef, the beach is set to become one of the UK 's premier surfing spots.

2. West Wittering, West Sussex
West Wittering near Chichester manages to please all comers with expansive sands, superior water quality and a thriving dune ecosystem. The beach shelves gently towards the sea making it ideal for safe swimming and when the tide is out you can bask in shallow tidal pools warmed by the sun. If you feel restless you can walk around East Head, a sandy spit populated by absorbing coastal flora and fauna.

3. Croyde Bay , North Devon
Hammering surf and excellent surf schools and shops have sealed Croyde Bay 's reputation as North Devon 's best beach for catching waves. The village has retained an old world charm despite the influx of young surfers keen to party and the beach is big enough for sunbathers and swimmers, too.

4. Holy Island , Northumberland
One of the most haunting and beautiful places in Britain , Holy Island was an early centre of Christianity in the UK . Cut off from the mainland twice a day by the tide, it has a castle, an evocative ruined priory and mile upon mile of deserted sand. If you're in a reflective mood, this is the one for you. Watch out for grey seals and rare birds.

5. Holkham, Norfolk
Draped in dunes, Holkham is a deliciously secluded beach backed by scented pine forest. Sunbathe, horseride or explore 3 miles of seemingly measureless, creamy sands. And if you come to Holkham, you'll be in illustrious company. The Queen likes to walk her Corgis here and Gwyneth Paltrow strode across the sands for the final scene of Shakespeare in Love.

6. Great Bay , St Martin 's, Isles of Scilly
Short on Kiss Me Quick hats and sickly sticks of rock but with charm to spare, Great Bay is the best beach in the Scillys. You can only reach it on foot, so the holiday hordes generally stay away. It's only a 20 minute walk from the quay and the journey's certainly worth it. Offshore, kelp forests sheltering colourful fish wave lazily in a cobalt sea and the arcing white sands are distinctly tropical.

7. Blackpool, Lancashire
Ice creams, saucy postcards, fish ‘n' chips, rock, donkey rides and deckchairs – Blackpool beach is the essence of the traditional British seaside. Apart from miles of sand you'll find slot machines, shows and some of the biggest and scariest rollercoasters in the UK.

8. Abereiddi Blue Lagoon, Pembrokeshire
Not strictly a beach, the Blue Lagoon is actually an old quarry with a tidal channel to the sea. The quarry forms a satisfying circle, protecting and enclosing a disc of shimmering azure water. It's a romantic spot reached by walking passed ruined slate workers' cottages and quarry buildings. Surrounded by cliffs, it's popular with cliff jumpers and coasteerers.

9. Sinclair's Bay, Caithness
This all but deserted beach just south of John O'Groats has soft white sand that's lapped by waters tinged an otherworldly blue. It's hard to find a more atmospheric beach. This one's guarded by two 16 th -century castles and welcomes porpoises and whales. With 4 miles of uninterrupted sand you won't have any problems bagging a good spot.

10. Porthcurno, Cornwall
This glorious, unspoilt beach hugged by craggy cliffs has fine white sand made from sea shells. There are cliff-top paths, rock pools to discover and a stream trickling down the beach – ideal for paddling children. Nearby, the extraordinary Minnack Theatre hosts open-air plays with views of the ocean.

(Credits for the beautiful pictures)

I am going to Kuala Lumpur and Genting from 16th to 18th May. Yeah!...

Yes. As most of you who have heard before, it's Eragon, the movie in theatres and television. But I am currently reading Eragon, the trilogy. In fact there's four books to it. Book 1 is known as Eragon. A book that evolves around a young boy who stumbled upon a gigantic egg in the woods and it turns out to be a dragon's. The boy, Eragon is a dragon rider. Close as one, he and his dragon, Saphira fought against the feared king who rules the empire.

The dragon riders were once the dreams of many. Fearless and upright, they fought against the bad. Reliving the dragon riders' dream, Saphira and Eragon travelled through the vast land in search for his uncle's killer while trying to escape the King's evil clutches in recruiting Eragon under his rule. A book of myths and fantasies. No wonder I'm so hooked up on it.

This is a childhood song of many, which I'm sure lots would have heard of it before. Now I'm gonna relive the childhood life. Wahaha... =)

The song goes like this...

This is the song that doen't ends...
Yea it goes on and on my friends...
Some people started singing it without knowing what it was
And they continue singing it just because this is the song that doesn't ends... (Repeat from line 1)

(Continue... don't stop... it will never stop...)

And so, it goes on and on... Haa...

It was a cozy weekend spent with the girl. The amount of time we had and spent together was never enough. Nevertheless, we are enjoying every second and minute of it. Reading books, watching dvds, catching movies, watching soccer, going for meals etc... Every single second was well spent.

A wonderful weekend spent with the girl who loves me most... =)

*Heart* you girl.

Took this quiz in Facebook and guess what's the outcome? My result is I'm a boss!!

Bosses are direct, independent, self assured and protective. People see them as strong personalities. They plead for justice and honesty, they have a strong sense of responsibility and they also have an attitude like "Don't let them walk over you!" or "Hit back!". They want to control the situation and that's why they want to know everything. They are possessive. RELATIONSHIPS: You appreciate friendship, but it's difficult, because you want to dominate. Power is very important to you. It's hard for you to stand someone who wants to be the boss over you. You don't commit that easy because of your independence. But if you start a relationship, you are faithful. For you, it's essential to have a fight in your lovelife. FIXATION: vengeance VICE: lust VIRTUE: innocence PROFESSIONS: manager, boss, director,...

Never really expected that! Wahaha...

If you think Singapore is bad, well take a look at the below and you'll might think twice.

It has always been a dream and my deepest passion to travel around the world. I would consider myself to a travel enthusiast. The sad thing is I have not traveled to a lot of countries/cities. My dream or wish is to visit the Seven Wonders of the World before I leave this world. If you ask me how many wonders have I been to? The answer is NONE. If you ask me if I love to visit all? The answer is YES. Am I able to do that? HOPEFULLY. Even if it is not all seven, a few would be nice.

Imagine the following conversation between me and journalist.(Note the following is fictitious)

Journalist: At what age have you started to travel?

Me: Maybe when I was in primary 5?

Journalist: Have you travel to a lot of countries?

Me: Nope…

Journalist: What are the few have you been to?

Me: Mainly Asian countries. I have been traveling to and fro the same countries…

Journalist: Have you been to any Wonders of the World?

Me: No, but I’ll love to…..

Journalist: Do you know any of the Wonders?

Me: Ermm... Bintan, Batam, Tekong, Ubin, Sentosa... (Journalist stare hard at me, jaws wide open)

Journalist: Would you love to visit one then?

Me: Of course I do.

Journalist: Then when would you plan to go there then?

Me: Ermm… When I strike Toto? Haha

Journalist *pengz* upon hearing…..

The Seven Wonders Of The World

Wonder	Date of construction	Location
Great Wall of China	5th century BCE – 16th century CE	China
Petra	Unknown	Jordan
Christ the Redeemer	Opened 12 October 1931	Brazil
Machu Picchu	c.1450	Peru
Chichen Itza	c.600	Mexico
Roman Colosseum	Completed 80 CE	Italy
Taj Mahal	Completed c.1648	India
Great Pyramid (Honorary Candidate)	Completed c.2560 BCE	Egypt

Great Pyramid of Giza

(Honorary Candidate of the Wonders)

The Colosseum in Rome

Chichen Itza

Great Wall of China

Taj Mahal

Machu Picchu

(Credits to all the beautiful pictures taken by the authors)

There are so many lovely sites in this world. I love to view this world with my eyes and my lens, as and when capturing beautiful and scenic moments.

I shall not let my passion die. For that, I setup a traveling blog to pen down the unforgettable moments and places which I have been to, reliving my passion for traveling and hoping to add on to the list of places visited, throughout my entire life. Click here. Raphel's Travel Journey The World will always be a beautiful place with surprises… =)

My bed got a New Look!!!

Say goodbye to my old, yellowish pillow and bolster....

And say hello to my new puffy pillow, bolster and comforter/quilt, with a cool new cover! It was a complete makeover for my bed. Wahaha...

All I can say is that I feel like gluing to my new "makeover" bed all day long.....

I think I'm just beginning to love the Z monster more. Haha =D

Came across this poster in my office toilet.













Why can't the army have this slogan in their training too? I wonder. Haha.....