Rules of Wildwords

The basic difference between Scrabble and Wild Words is the use of a 'wild' option, similar to wildcards in card games. The board is the same in size as the regular Scrabble board, and the number of tiles is the same, but there ends the similarity. Some of the more numerous letters in Scrabble are replaced with wildcard tiles, marked with an asterisk. These tiles can stand for one letter or for a string of continuous letters. Which means that you can make a word that, when spelt out fully, can be longer than seven letters. So if you have letters like P, Rand E, and an asterisk tile, you can make PR *E, which could stand for any of the words like PRESENCE, PRESENTABLE, PREVARICATE, etc. This makes the game much more interesting, because you can make very large words too. You do not need to tell the other players what the word is unless you are challenged by an opponent. One important difference between the Scrabble board and the Wild Words board is the 20 turn-to-wild squares. Any tile played on such a square is flipped (blank side up) and can, like the asterisk tile, represent one or more letters.
This makes it easier to use the entire seven tiles when you play, and for this you get bonus point as well. What's more, unlike the blank tiles in Scrabble, a wild tile or one turned to wild can be used to represent different letters in different words! The rules also permit a player to change her or his tiles without losing the turn.

Wild words – The new word game

One of the most popular of all word games is none other than Scrabble. And yet there are times when it can be very frustrating indeed. Many of those odd two letter and three letter words that are allowed in the scrabble dictionary have no real use at all. And you can never make a word that is more than eight letters long. So why not play a game of Wild Words instead, with real words?
Peter Roizen, the "discoverer" of this new game, says that Scrabble does not really allow one to use much of one's vocabulary. Nor does it enable one to strategise much. So he came up with several changes, leading to a much more exciting game – Wild words!

Why are you stressed out?

Ease the pressures of everyday living. Everybody experiences anxiety and tensions. They are our self-protective reactions when we are confronted by threats to our well-being, happiness or self-esteem. So, while an occasional bout of anxiety and tension may be unpleasant, it is quite normal and need not be a cause of concern. The time to become watchful, says Dr George Stevenson, former president of the World Federation of Mental Health is when emotional upsets come frequently shake us severely and fail to wear off. Stress corresponds to mental tiredness which would eventually slow down the ability of functioning of the mind.

Cognitive Behaviour Theory (CBT)

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or CBT is popularly known and the best researched and probably the most valuable when it comes to treating people going through a depression.
"If I think negatively, I feel depressed" is the maxim that constitutes the basis for CBT. The starting point of cognitive theory is that when an event takes place, the way we evaluate and think about it (cognition), determines how we feel about it. For instance, if we lose a job, we could evaluate it as either as an inevitable consequence of these recessionary times or we could interpret it as a signal that the death knell of our career has been sounded. If we do the former, we will doubtless feel bad, but we will still be in a position to rewrite our resume, get in touch with a head-hunter and so on. But if our thought process is along the latter lines, we sink into a depression, feel anxious, angry and resentful, and approach our next job interview with so much negativity that a prospective employer may not want to hire us. And this ends up making us feel even more depressed.

Characteristics of a Baby

A newborn baby's skull has six soft spots where the bone is not yet completely joined. These areas become completely covered with bone by about the 18th month. The other bones in a baby's body are only partly calcified (hardened with calcium) at birth. These bones calcify gradually throughout childhood. For several months, the baby's neck muscles will not be strong enough to hold the head erect. A person must therefore be careful to support the head while picking up or holding the baby.
A newborn baby's actions are all reflex actions-that is, they are completely automatic. Newborn infants can suck and swallow, move their arms and legs, and cry to make their needs known. When lying in bed, they often curl up in a position like the one they had in the womb. If startled by a loud noise or sudden jolt, they jerk their arms and legs in a reflex action called the startle Reflex.
Newborn babies cannot control the movements of their eyes. But they can tell darkness from light and see objects directly in front of them. They can also hear. The sense of hearing may be dulled for a few days after birth by fluid in the ear. But as the fluid drains away, the baby's hearing becomes normal.

Sparkling delights

Gemstones are climbing the popularity charts. So make sure you choose those sparklers right. If you thought that old gold was bold, think again. Exotic gemstones spell a contemporary exuberance that simply enthrals. Glittering gemstones are fast clawing their way up the popularity charts, making their presence felt on and off the ramp, in bridal finery and in a multitude of configurations. Little treasures make wonderful pleasures. They even make you sparkle, sizzle and shine. The past few years have seen a greater awareness of gemstones through advertising. Since blue and green are eye-catching colours, they are making rapid inroads into jewellery designs, singularly as well as in combination with diamonds. Add to it the precision in designs and you find the electric sapphires and alluring tourmalines moving at a dizzying pace through the glitterati events.

Way of life in Babylonian Civilization

Babylonian society was divided into various classes at various times. Usually, the aristocracy (upper class) included government officials, priests, large landowners, and some traders. The common people were craft workers, clerks, and farmers. Slaves made up the lowest class.
The Babylonian economy depended chiefly on farming. The king and nobles owned much of the land, and the temples also controlled large areas. The people built networks of canals to carry water from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers to the fields. Landlords maintained the canals on their property, and the use of water was carefully regulated. Babylonian farmers harvested large crops of grain, vegetables, and fruits.
Industry and trade were well developed. The Babylonians exported manufactured goods and perhaps some farm products to all parts of the Middle East. Traders brought back metal, wood, and stone-raw materials which Babylonia lacked. The people began using wheeled carts and chariots about 3500 B.C.
The Sumerians, who were the first recorded inhabitants of Babylonia, built huts out of reeds and mud. Because the land had no stone or trees, the people also used baked or sun-dried bricks for their houses and temples. Some Babylonian temples and palaces included many colourfully decorated rooms and courtyards.
The ziggurats (temple towers) that stood in the important cities were the most impressive Babylonian buildings. The Babylonians discovered and used many technical devices in erecting buildings. They paid careful attention to drainage, used slightly curved lines in high walls to keep them from appearing top-heavy, and developed mathematical measuring techniques.

Yoga wear

This true Indian exercise as zoomed in popularity like never before. From designers like Donna Karan to brands like Nike, everyone offers yoga fashion. But what's important is to know that the apparel section for this exercise is altogether different. Gym t-shirts and jogging shorts are a complete no-no when it comes to yoga. Camisole tops, little straps, halters, sleeveless body form tops are apt for yoga. Fabric is an integral part of yoga fashion wear. Since the body stretches in various poses, flexible, body hugging, stretchable apparels and fabrics that breathe well are the best option. Also, the exercise is for the early morning, so bright colours add that zing and the exercise should be more enjoyable. For the bottoms, go for Adidas or Lacoste drawstring pants either in three fourth or full lengths. Boot cut pants that are snug at the knee and leave your ankles free are a good option.

Exercise with Fashion

Fashion may not be the first thing that you relate with your daily exercise or draining workouts, but what you wear while exercising is as important as the exercise itself. Nothing interrupts an exercise more than uncomfortable clothing. Gone are the days of loose, worn out exercise apparels. Today, fitness is the top-most and with brands coming up with stylish fitness apparels, you can make your hours of sweat look glamorous just by indulging in this newest trend.

Believe me, looking good is a huge incentive to exercise!

Carat Care

Know how to protect your gems and valuables. Here are a few pointers that will lead you in the right direction.
• Store in separate zip lock bags and then in jewellery pouches to prevent them from bruising each other

• Arrange in velvet trays deep enough, so that there is no pressure on the gems

• Spray your fragrances before wearing jewellery. Spirits harm the natural lustre of the stones.

• Always open your jewellery on a padded surface like a carpet or on the bed, to avoid accidental cracks and breakage

• Polish with a felt cloth yourself if gems seem lacking in shine over a period of time. Hot water or an ultrasonic cleaner can damage gemstones.