Carmine

WO II K A Wheatley VC

British Military Medals- Victoria Cross. Highest award for Bravery

Kevin Arthur Wheatley was born the 13th of March, 1937 at Surry Hills, Sidney, Australia to Raymond George and Ivy Sarah Ann Wheatley. Kevin was their third child. Kevin attended Marouba Junction Junior Technical School. He married Edna Davis, a fourteen year old milk bar assistance on July 20th, 1954. Kevin enlisted in the Australian Army on the 12th of June, 1956. Following basic training, he was assigned to the 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. He was transferred to the 3rd Battalion the next year.

Kevin served in the Malayan Crises from September, 1957, through July, 1959. In January 1964, he was promoted to Sergeant and then to Warrant Officer II (temp) in August. Kevin was a very well liked and respected non-com. His friends and comrades called him "Dasher", an affectionate nickname given for his rugby abilities. In March 1965, Kevin was assigned to Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV). On the 28th of May, he rescued a little girl about three years old, risking his own life running through a hail of bullets.

Kevin was assigned to a Vietnamese battalion in Quang Tri for about six months until he was transferred to Tra Bong along with five other Australian Warrant Officers in October 1965. At a Special Forces base deep in enemy territory, Kevins group worked along with American forces in leading Vietnam and Montangard soldiers running search and destroy missions.

An operation of the Vietnamese Civil Irregular Defense Force on November the 13th, 1966 in the TraBong valley, approximately 15 km from the Tra Bong Special Forces camp at Quang Ngai province made contact with Viet Cong forces. Accompanying the force were Captain F. Fazekas, senior Australian Adviser, with the centre platoon, and Warrant Officers K.A. Wheatley and R.J. Swanton with the right hand platoon.

At about 1340 hours, Warrant Officer Wheatley reported contact with Viet Cong elements. The Viet Cong resistance increased in strength until finally Warrant Officer Wheatley asked for assistance. Captain Fazekas led his platoon to give assistance, and they fought towards the action area. While moving towards this area he received another radio message from Warrant Officer Wheatley to say that Warrant Officer Swanton had been hit in the chest, and requested an air strike and an evac chopper to evacuate the casualties.

Although told by the Civil Irregular Defense Group medic that Warrant Officer Swanton was dying, Dasher Wheatley refused to abandon him. Discarding his radio so to be able carry Warrant Officer Swanton, under heavy enemy fire, out of the open rice paddies into the somewhat safer wooded area, some 200 meters away. He was assisted by a member of the Civil Irregular Defense Group, Private Dinh Do, who, when the Viet Cong were within ten meters of their position, urged him to leave his dying comrade. Kevin flat out refused, pulling the pins from two grenades to calmly await the Viet Cong, one grenade in each hand.

Shortly afterwards, two grenade explosions were heard, followed by several bursts of fire. The two bodies were found at early the next morning after the fighting had ceased, with Warrant Officer Wheatley lying beside Warrant Officer Swanton. Both had died of gunshot wounds.

Kevin "Dasher" Wheatley was survived by his wife Edna and four children. His body was returned to Australia for burial at Pine Grove Memorial Park, Blacktown, New South Wales. His name is commemorated in the New South Wales Garden of Remembrance at Rookwood war cemetery. In 1967 a trophy for annual competition between the Australian Services Rugby Union and the Sydney Rugby Football Union was inaugurated in his name.

A sports arena at Vung Tau, Vietnam was named after him and his citation and photograph are displayed in the Hall of Heroes, John F. Kennedy Center for Military Assistance, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The United States also awarded him the Silver Star. He was made a Knight of the National Order of the Republic of Vietnam, and received the Military Merit Medal and the Cross of Gallantry.

It's Goodbye from me

Regards

Barry

Did you find this article interesting? There are more Victoria Cross winners from New Zealand, Australia and Britain. Victoria Crosses were won in Afghanistan, Vietnam, Iraq & Rorkes Drift (South Africa-Zulu Wars) All part of British Military Medals. You can also obtain replica medals from this site.

http://www.medalnews.com

Typically in a home, most people have a standard TV, Radio and Telephone as communication devices. The increase availability of the Internet has started to change the dynamics in how people communicate and interact.

Outside of the TV and Telephone, now the majority of people in the developed world use e-mail and instant messengers to communicate. But its getting better than that. The traditional phone was based on older wired technology that was proprietary to each phone company. Today, you can get a phone line with very good quality using your broadband Internet connection.

The same revolution that has seen the telephone moving towards to VOIP (Voice over IP) will see the same for the TV on PC. This is further aided with the specialized HTPC (Home Theatre PC) systems which basically puts a specialized computer in your living room. If you are a do it yourselfer, you can easily find special HTPC case online to build your next living room computer. In respect to TV on PC options, there are two ways that this can be done.

1.You could get special TV tuner card for your computer that basically allows you to either connect to a cable provider or Satellite system. This approach is fairly traditional and has the benefit of cheap PVR software to tape your favorite program.

2.There are several providers of software packages that allow you to get most of these TV programs over your Internet Connection. This is based on the fact that most of the big name TV providers and new comers are streaming their programs over the internet. This is the same philosophy as VOIP.

Whats the implication of these technologies converging? The use of a computer in the living room opens up the possibility of doing several things. This includes Video Conferencing, Photo Review, and Web browsing and chatting. Video sites such as YouTube are coming out of the wood works everyday. This means you can do more than just TV on PC functions. You can now do both synchronous and asynchronous video applications directly to your living room.

It does get better than that. The imminent deployment of 4G wireless systems such as mobile WiMAX will allow you take both VOIP and Video where you go. Its fascinating and its coming together as we speak. This means while at the park or beach, you can catch the latest show as well as communicate with business associates or family members instantly. We having even touched on some of the possibilities with Web 2.0 and consequently Web 3.0 will bring to this arena with the whole social networking side of things.

The future is coming fast and with all the tools available for Media or HTPC systems, you can get TV on PC plus a whole lot more. You can get most of these systems at the usual major vendors online or locally.

Larkland Morley is a Computer Systems Engineer by profession. He is also a UK Chartered Engineer and currently working on next generation wireless systems. He also maintains the Site http://www.htpc-portal.com and the related blog http://my-tvonpc.tumblr.com

Many kids find math to be confusing and frustrating, but there are some ways to prevent this from happening. Introducing your kids to math while they are young can help them become familiar with numbers and it will help them understand them as well. One great way to introduce your children to math is to use the various math games that are available for purchase. These games are usually a great deal of fun and teach your kids that math can be exciting. When your children associate learning math with fun, no doubt they will do much better in their math classes at school.

There are many different educational math games that are available, such as card games and board games as well. No doubt you will quickly see that there are many great card games and board games that can help your child to improve their math skills. If your kids are just starting to learn about numbers and shapes, one great game to consider is GeoShapes. This games uses both Metric and English measuring systems, and strategy is part of the game too. No doubt your whole family will have a great time playing it.

Computer games can be another great way to help your kids learn and enjoy math. There are many math computer games that are great for kids, especially since so many kids are comfortable with using a computer and enjoy playing games on it. You can even find great math games for the computer that will allow your whole family to play. Some kids may have difficulty with math because of a short attention span, and using computer games is a great way to keep their attention while they learn math.

If your child learns in a more traditional way, there are many great books that teach more about math too. You can find excellent books for every level of math that will help you kids understand the concepts in a fun way. There are books on graphing, geometry, and other types of math too. Even though they are books, they do not have to be boring; in fact, many of these math books have Disney characters or other characters that your kids will recognize and love. Kids that love Disney characters will no doubt enjoy a math book that has their favorite character teaching them about math.

Even if your child has not entered school yet, there are great games available to introduce them to math. There are also educational math games available for kids of all ages in school as well. Math games are a great way to get your kids more comfortable with math. These games will also help them have fun with math, which will help them associate math with a great time. Math games are very entertaining, and no doubt you and your kids will have a great time when playing them.

Picking up math skills can be fun, and games can be educational. Give your kids the best of both worlds, come visit 123KidsGames.com - Educational Kids Games and discover the best, most fun way to grow and learn. Or go to 123KidsGames.com - Educational Math Games for Kids to find ... educational math games for kids.

Yoga orginated in India 5000 years ago. Yoga is all about poses, breathing exercises and meditation. Yoga poses provide benefits such as strengthening and toning muscles as well as, relaxing your body and mind. The mental attributes yoga provides is astounding to the people who begin a yoga program. The physical, mental and spiritual benefits of yoga are powerful. If you are looking for a make over for your life, starting a yoga program promises results for your physical and mental well being without a doubt!

Today's hectic lifestyles demand versatile exercise programs that can be done anywhere and at anytime. That is why yoga's flexibility makes it a popular choice for those with active and overloaded schedules. These poses can be practiced throughout your day to reduce stress, tension and stiffness, clear the mind, increase mobility, and maintain a balanced body. There are simple and effective Yoga poses that take only a few minutes for you to practice.

There are many different Yoga poses you can practice quickly, anywhere you choose and still reap the excellent benefits for your body and mind.

Mountain Pose(Tadasana)
The Mountain Pose is a great pose that you can practice easily and privately without any difficulty.

Stand straight with your weight distributed evenly on both feet. The base of your big toes touching and heels slightly apart. Lift and spread your toes and the balls of your feet and place them down softly on the floor. Lengthen your tailbone toward the floor and your pelvis towards the navel. Press your shoulder blades into your back then widen them across and release down your back. Arms are down and relaxed at your sides. Center your head, chin parallel to the floor. Soften your throat and eyes. Breathe easily through your nose and out through your mouth. Stay in this posture for 30 seconds to 1 minute as often as you can throughout the day. This is excellent for posture and your feet will feel better at the end of the day.

Simple Yet Effective Yoga Stretches For Relaxing Your Body

There are many simple yoga poses and yoga stretches that you can practice while sitting at your desk or in your office. You don't need too much room, the size of a yoga mat is sufficient enough for practicing. If you have a cubby instead of an office, still there are some poses and stretches you can do which will relief tension, loosen you up and help you feel more refreshed.

Half Lord of the Fishes Pose (Ardha Matsyendrasana)

Start by crossing one leg over the other and grasping the outer thigh of the top leg with the opposite arm. With your free arm, grasp the back of your chair and twist until you feel a comfortable stretch. Exhale and twist a little more with every exhalation. Stay in this pose for 30 seconds to1minute. Then repeat with the opposite side as above. This pose energizes the spine, stimulates digestion, loosens the shoulders, hips, and neck, relieves menstrual cramps, fatigue and backache.

Another good stretch to ease tension in your neck is to slowly touch your ear to your shoulder. Try not to raise your shoulder's to your ear but stretch your ear down to the shoulder. Now you can touch your chin to your chest and then back up to stretch the base of your skull to your shoulder blades. Do this slowly while breathing through your nose and out through your mouth. This is an excellent stretch to relieve stiffness of the neck. You can easily perform this stretch at your desk, at a red light, bathroom break wherever you choose.

Never try to overstretch any yoga pose you don't feel is comfortable. The more you practice the more flexible you will become. Deepening the poses comes with repetitive practice. Sit up straight, spine lengthening on your chair with both feet on the floor in front of you hip distance apart. Hands on your thighs and breathe for as many breaths as you like. Lift your arms overhead and grab your left wrist with your right hand. Bend to the right on exhalation, stay there for 3-5 breaths deepening to a comfortable stretch on exhalation. Inhale and bring arms up vertical over your head. Repeat to the other side. This is a refreshing stretch and relieves stiffness and tension.

Continue sitting on the edge of your chair and fold over your thighs. If you can place palms on the floor or you can grab your ankles/calves. Try to get your head lower than your hips. Breath evenly. Slowly roll up one vertebrae at a time. This is excellent for relaxing the spine after a long day sitting before the desk or computer.

Before you begin yoga at the office or anywhere, always try to sit quietly for a few moments to gain concentration and focus. Always remember to inhale and exhale slowly and deeply. Breath in through your nose and out through your mouth. Yoga poses and stretches should be done slowly and with control. Remember to listen to your body, do not overstretch or force any poses. All poses and stretches should be comfortable and never cause pain. Practicing yoga has infinite benefits for your physical body, such as toning and strenghtening, as well as providing peace of mind. You can be busy and still practice yoga anywhere and anytime!

By Krista Figular, RN

Krista Figular is a Registered Nurse who writes and publishes content for the http://www.healthe-minds.com

There are many skills to learn when completing a program in hospitality management. From working with the public to training a staff, you will find that there are many opportunities to use skills you already have and be able to develop new ones that will help throughout your career. Skills include:

Leadership
Cooking
Training

Because the hospitality industry continues to grow, earning a diploma will prepare you for the many challenges and obstacles you will face along the way.

LEADERSHIP

One of the most valuable skills you can learn in a hospitality management program is leadership. Even if you don't feel you have the skills to become an effective leader right now, once you complete the program, you will have learned:

How to work in a team
How to train and instruct others
How to make quick decisions
How to communicate with staff
How to work with different types of people

These skills can be applied to various fields within hospitality management such as chef, sous chef, supervisor, trainer, or instructor.

COOKING

Another valuable skill you will learn is the ability to prepare many types of food. By completing assessments when working in a fully equipped kitchen, you will learn how to prepare different courses, desserts, and appetizers.

The ability to cook a variety of foods will allow you to find employment in many different restaurants and hotels. With hands-on training, the courses you complete will test your ability to follow recipes, learn more about different types of food, and ways to present it to others.

TRAINING

Training others requires you to be able to explain procedures and techniques clearly so they understand what is needed in the kitchen. This is another skill you will learn as you complete a hospitality management program. The ability to teach others is something that you should be able to do if you want to work in a management position after graduation.

In addition to the skills mentioned above, you will also learn how to properly clean equipment, create menu plans, create seating charts, and balancing budgets. All of these skills are needed in order to be successful in the hospitality industry.

Academia International is a leading international college providing cooking courses, hospitality management training, hairdressing courses, and beauty courses. For a free brochure please visit Study in Australia

* Carp baits made from milk protein ingredients are without doubt some of the most successful carp baits ever invented!

Most importantly, they are extremely high in high quality proteins. They provide for carps' dietary essential amino acids requirements. And these amino acids combined with the taste, smell and flavour of these ingredients, make them irresistible to carp!

Even scientists testing carp feeding responses to different chemicals use the milk derivative casein as a 'control' food, because carp love eating it for it's beneficial effects.

Milk proteins are extracts of whole milk by using various processes. Some use acids or charcoal, others use physical means like grading screens. Each extraction process retains certain nutritional qualities that are better for individual bait purposes, and offer different qualities and properties of milk protein ingredients in a bait.

The milk derivatives called caseins are exceptionally high in protein. As such, they have been highly favored for use in protein carp baits in homemade and commercially produced baits. A carp will practically 'jump' on your hook for these; when used correctly!

Caseins are measured in mesh grades, and vary widely in quality solubility and digestibility. Acid and rennet type extraction caseins are often used. These often represent the highest quality whole food protein in a balanced nutritional value carp bait.

They are recommended to be used together as part of a bait as a 50 % / 50 % mixture, and offer 90 % and 95 % nutritional protein.

They are less soluble than many other milk protein extracts. Lower quality caseins are utilized in industry, for example in plastics and glues. It has often been recommended to use the highest food consumption grade quality and freshness caseins in carp baits.

These can expensive to buy so and lower quality grades of caseins have been used in baits. Individuals and bait companies have still used industrial grade caseins to produce good catches!

Caseins, caseinates and fish meals have become a very successful basic nutritional combination over the years.

Lactalbumin is a more soluble extract, and has 88 % protein. It is actually composed of lactalbumin and lactoglobulins. It has elements which are not soluble; but its one of the very best sources of quality protein available in carp bait making. Carp also love its creamy taste.

Sodium caseinate is a renowned, highly nutritional carp attractor in its own right. It is lighter than calcium caseinate, binds well with other ingredients, and is 96 % protein. Carp love its taste and smell. It is highly water soluble.

Along with calcium caseinate (similar), and casein, these are used predominantly as the quality protein ingredients in an extremely wide range of baits, and form part of carp fishing folklore. It is very water soluble and digestible, but its limitation in bait use, is its high buoyancy!

Used in high levels, Sodium caseinate is often the main protein ingredient of semi-buoyant boilies. Rates of around 50 % inclusion in the dry powders base mix are used for floating boilies or so called pop-ups. Sodium caseinate is very highly recommended in pastes too!

To make baits softer and more soluble, whole milk powder and tinned baby milks can be used. Calf milk replacers are used in the same way. There are many milk replacers that have proven their worth in carp baits, providing different qualities to the baits.

Even the tinned evaporated milk is a proven favorite additive. Rates of use for most individual milk derivatives in powder form average up to 25 % of a total pound mix for example. (Or 4 ounces per pound of a dry mix.

* Milk protein recipes:

One of the most successful baits of the 1970s to early 1980s era, in the UK, was what was termed the four milks. This consisted of equal amounts of casein, lactalbumin, sodium caseinate and an ingredient referred to as FinnStim, which contains purified crystalline betaine, and was best optimized with added amino acids.

Apparently, this was one of the kinds of bait that made top international carp angler, Kevin Maddox, famous.

With a slight change, Rod Hutchinson gave me this formula; it produced very well when I began taking carp fishing more seriously around 1980:

* 4 Ounces of casein.

* 4 Ounces of sodium caseinate.

* 4 Ounces of lactalbumin.

* 4 Ounces of soya isolate.

* 15 Milliliters of amino acids compound.

* 3 To 5 milliliters of scopex flavour.

* 1 Teaspoon of a sweet appetite stimulator powder.

* Four large eggs.

Although expensive, this bait was really excellent, and I still recommend it today.

Other recipes followed in which it was recommended to combine different nutritional base mixes together. For example, by combining a milk protein base mix with perhaps an amino acid compound based mix. Or with a spray dried fruit juices based mix, or a sugars base mix, or with a spicy yeast base mix.

Here is an effective milk protein bait with mixed spices and herbs added:

* 4 Ounces of casein.

* 4 Ounces of sodium caseinate.

* 4 Ounces of lactalbumin.

* 4 Ounces of soya isolate.

* 1 Tablespoon of mixed spices and herbs.

* 15 Milliliters (or more,) of amino acids compound.

* 3 To 5 milliliters of ultraspice flavour.

* 1 Teaspoon of sweet appetite stimulator powder.

* Four large eggs.

* 1 Tablespoon of sweet molasses.

With these as control baits, you can safely experiment with other ingredients, like body building protein powders, herbs, animal feeds, extracts, and so on, and continue catching carp with confidence!

The author has many more fishing and bait edges up his sleeve. Every single one can have a huge impact on catches. (Warning: This article is protected by copyright.)

*** FOR MORE EXPERT FISHING IMPROVEMENT INFORMATION AND EXPERT BAIT MAKING BOOKS SEE: http://www.baitbigfish.com

Tim Richardson is a leading big fish angler with many incredible catches to his name. He is also a nationally recognised carp and catfish bait guru in the UK. His best selling bait making and bait enhancing books / ebooks help beginners and experienced anglers alike to improve and enhance their baits achieving far greater catches of big fish. *His books are even used by members of the elite British Carp Study Group for expert reference. * If you feel your catches could gain from more expert bait experience, insights and fishing information and techniques, take a look at Tims dedicated website.

Tim Richardson: The thinking mans fishing author and expert fishing bait guru.'

The versatility of steel construction allows for a number of add-ons and accessories for buildings. Whether building an office park, church, barn, or small hangar, you can enhance your steel building with a number of accessories.

Personal Doors- Personal Doors are available either as solid metal or long-vue. Doors may include 16-gauge frames and come complete with all necessary hardware. Face sheets are normally 20-gauge embossed finish, protected by a G-60 hot-dipped galvanized coating, with a two-coat acrylic paint finish.

Ventilators - Both continuous ridge vents and circular vents by are fabricated by galvalume or painted steel and have operable dampers.

Windows - Sliding slash aluminum windows are specifically designed to be used with various exterior wall systems. Windows may include latch, half-screen, weather-stripping and provisions for storm sash installation.

Louvers - Steel-constructed wall louvers have overlapping design weather tight blades which can be either fixed or adjustable. An insect screen is standard, and louvers may be installed either singly or side-by-side.

Frame Openings - These are wall opening accessory items, such as overhead doors, which require framing and support are easily accommodated by quality, secondary structural steel framed openings.

Translucent "Skylight" Panels - Translucent glass fiber panels may be provided in either "general purpose" or UL-Approved fire retardant material.

Eave & Gable Canopies - Structural eave and gable canopies may either be extensions of the roof line or situated below the eave or rake line. Both types of canopies are fully framed and trimmed and include return downspouts for eave canopies.

24-Gauge Rollformed Gutter & Trim - Strong, straight 24-gauge rollformed gutter and trim by gives every building a professionally finished touch along eave and rake lines.

Vertical or Mansard Facades - Vertical and sloped mansard facade systems gives the building designer the option to alter building profiles to achieve a flat, aesthetically pleasing appearance.

These are just a few options that await you when you design a steel building for your business. Contact a steel building kit company today to learn more.

Charles Frazier operates Platinum Steel, a top manufacturer and contractor of steel building kits for commercial, residential, and aviation real estate. Platinum Steel serves Virginia and the Southeast in steel building construction and delivery.

More than two-thirds of visits to doctors surgeries are for stress-related illnesses. Stress has been linked to headaches, backaches, insomnia, anger, cramps, elevated blood pressure, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and lowered resistance to infection.

For women, stress is a key factor in hormonal imbalances resulting in menstrual irregularities, PMS, fibroids, endometriosis and fertility problems. Stress can also be a factor in the development of almost all disease states, including cancer and heart disease; the leading cause of death in Australian women.

In most cases stress is a result of letting life get out of balance. This happens when we put all our energy into only one or two areas of our life (usually work) and ignore the rest. We take on too much, over-promise, dont delegate and push our own wants and needs into the background by always looking after others needs first. We overload ourselves to the point where we are forced to stop attending to what is important to us, such as time for our interests and time to spend with our families.

If stress is a major issue for you there are steps you can take to restore balance to your life - so you can stress less and smile more.

Step One: Develop extreme self-care

Most people suffering stress have become good at practising extreme self-neglect! They dont eat well, rarely exercise or take time out and probably cant remember the last time they had a holiday.

If you are one of these people you need to take your self-care to new heights, above and beyond your normal limit. When you take care of your own needs first you are building a reserve of energy and resources that will enable you to sustain extreme self-care with enough left over to care for others.

Creating 10 delightful daily habits that give you enjoyment is a great place to start. Here are some suggestions.

Stretch for 2 minutes.
Laugh for 5 minutes
Floss your teeth
Read to a child
Hug a loved one
Go for a 10-minute walk in the park
Listen to your favourite song
Write in a journal
Eat 3 fruit and 5 veg
Read a chapter of your favourite book
Drink 2 litres of water
Go to bed early

The key to gaining accumulated benefits from your daily habits and practising extreme self-care is to do them each day. Start with one habit and commit to practising it for seven days, then add another, practising both for another seven days. Continue adding your habits until you are practising all 10 items on your list daily.

Step Two: Eliminate tolerations

Tolerations are situations and conditions you put up with that drain you physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually. They include crossed boundaries, unfinished business or projects, others' bad behaviour, frustrations, unwanted commitments, clutter, messy surroundings, broken items, being over weight, weeds in the garden and debt.

List five tolerations that drive you nuts about your job, life, and health and home and then devise a plan to get rid of the first 'intolerable' toleration on your list this week. Notice how this makes you feel, how it lifts a weight off your shoulders. Now think about how much better you will feel when you get rid of the other four tolerations on your list! When youve completed the elimination of the first five tolerations you've listed, start a new one and keep working until you have zero tolerations in your life.

Step Three: Having your needs met!

Unmet needs cause us to become upset, angry, stressed and depressed. The key to satisfying our personal needs is to identify them. Identify needs that feel authentic, not ones that may look good to others or are superficial. Be aware that what you consider to be a need (such as to be loved) may be covering a real need (self-esteem). Ideas of personal needs are:

Calmness
Freedom
Being listened to
Independence
Feeling valued
Stability
Respect
A life purpose
Satisfying work
Honesty
Loyalty
Being busy
Security
Being loved
Balance
Responsibility
A career
Children

It may be necessary for you to tell others what your needs are and learn to ask for support.

Step Four: Smile often and laugh more!

Scientists have found that laughter stimulates the release of beneficial brain neurotransmitters and hormones, which can reduce stress, improve our immune system and give us a general sense of wellbeing. Some doctors are using laughter therapy to replace anti-depressants and to reduce the use of painkillers. According to researchers faking laughter will also produce the same health and wellbeing results as real laughter.

Do you need to improve your ability to laugh more? Bronwen Williams from Laughter Works Australia recommends that upon waking we should to sit upright in bed or in a chair and smile vigorously and ridiculously. This muscular action induces the release of endorphins and within minutes we actually feel happy!

Bronwen writes that: Positive self-talk can be very empowering, so let's begin our days with loud statements such as I love laughing! People love hearing me laugh! Laughing makes me happy and healthy! I have a beautiful smile! Lets express not suppress, lets laugh and live longer!

Step Five: Set Goals

Without goals we have no direction in life. We are lost! When we are lost we become stressed and overwhelmed. Goals help us navigate our lives with greater ease and reaching goals fulfils us, making us happier.

One way to find out what your real goals are is to write a list of 100 things youd like to accomplish before you die and then start working on your list today!

When you set a goal it tells your subconscious mind what is important to you and to be on the lookout for things, people, opportunities or situations that will enable you to move towards your goal. Establishing goals is a tool we can use to have what we want and need in our personal and professional lives.

Step Six: Create a supportive environment Our surroundings can be supportive and give us energy or drag us down and leave us stressed and tired. An inspiring, enjoyable environment filled with positive things and people energises us and we feel happier. We all need good support structures to help our lives flow with less effort and to remain balanced.

Five important life support structures are:

People: family, friends, life coach, accountant, doctor, housekeeper
Places: your office, desk, car, home
Things: your phone, computer, home decor
Processes: filing system, record keeping, time management program
Inner Environment: your outlook on life, self-esteem level, thought processes

Examine these five categories and look at who or what you use to support you in each area. Are you truly being supported? What do you need to change to feel more supported in all areas of your life?

Start making the easiest changes first. Just as it can take time to end up stressed, overwhelmed and out of balance, it also takes time to make positive changes in your life. Sometimes trying to implement change (even for the better) can itself cause stress and prevent a person remaining motivated.

Making changes in your life can be stressful, even if the changes are aimed at reducing stress. For this reason it is important to work on each of the steps one at a time, mastering each before moving on to the next. If you discover you cant make the changes on your own, get support from a counsellor, doctor, naturopath, friend, peer or life coach who specialises in stress issues.

Above all, keep in mind the benefits you will enjoy when youve mastered the steps to stress less and smile more!

Lisa Branigan specialises in coaching women who are stressed, tired and overwhelmed with their busy lives. For further information: Phone: +61 8 9757 3750 or 0439 828 594 Website: http://www.quantumcoaching.com.au Email: lisa@quantumcoaching.com.au

What is broadband? For those who wish to upgrade their internet service provide, this salient question may be the first thing that come to our minds. But the one important question should be: What can broadband do for me that dial-up cant?

Broadband has been taking the internet service provider wars by storm. There are tremendous benefits for broadband that individuals and business are rapidly switching to this internet pipeline. Broadband is a form of telecommunications by which a broad range of frequencies is available to wire information. The most common forms of broadband are cable and DSL. With the advent of broadband, the dial-up modem is slowly being shunted aside. Here are a few reasons why more individuals and companies are switching to broadband.

Broadband is built for speed. Because of the wide range of frequencies available, data through the internet can be multiplexed, which allows the quick transfer and delivery of information. In fact, broadband on average is around 20 times faster than dial-up. Dial-up is usually 28-56 kilobits per second (kps) and broadband is around 1500kps.

Speed is important for content delivery, particularly media. For instance, media such as videos and music demand speeds for adequate streaming. Or even popular sites such as youtube.com require a fast connection. Games, such as online role-playing games, hog connection bandwidth to adequately play online.

Broadband provides users with more than just speed. One great advantage is that its always on and connected. In the world of dial-up, one needs to connect through a phone line. So to connect you must dial-up, get a handshake and wait for the connection to be available. This process could take up to one minute, or even more, causing frustration. With broadband, there is no attempt to dial-up to the server. As long as the physical connection is maintained, the connection does not need to be dialed up. All one needs to do is have the computer connected via a LAN cable, or wireless.

This alternative service also frees up your home phone. Sometimes with dial-up, the phone line competes with the dial-up line. As such, users can only use the phone line one at a time. With broadband, access is kept separate; which means that you can still maintain a dedicated phone line. Who would want to lose important phone calls?

Can you save money with this broadband? Most will think that broadband might be a little costly; indeed, it is. However, this service does allow for Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) for a cheap price. VOIP is a cost-effective way to provide IP telephony services through the delivery of voice information over the Internet. In other words, VOIP can replace your normal telephone. Some save over 50% of their phone bills with a VOIP subscription.

If you have more than one computer, you can find that its not easy to share a dial-up line. Usually, only one computer can use the same line. Broadband, however, allows more than one connection. In fact, theres really no limit at all as long as bandwidth isnt full. Dial-up may require additional lines, if there is more than one computer needing access.

Broadband provides many advantages over dial-up. Although youll pay a premium for its service, the benefits outweigh the costs for most people.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Broadband