Happy New Year Pull Your Ear!

History of Chinese New Year
The origin of the Chinese New Year Festival can be traced back thousands of years through a continually evolving series of colourful legends and traditions. One of the most famous legends is that of Nian, an extremely cruel and ferocious beast, which the Chinese believe, eats people on New Year's Eve. The Chinese word for year is based on the arrival of this beast. A phrase for Chinese New Year, guo nian means the passing of the beast. It is believed that it lives under the sea. It came to attack people at the same time of the year. The Chinese tradition of decorating in red, burning fire-crackers, and the lion dance with loud drums and gongs was to scare the beast away.
But I think all we need is a little music to soothe the savage beast…

The Gold Health Guide
Ready to kick off the party season without worrying about holiday weight gain?
This week will be jam-packed with festivities and fun, not to mention a few obstacles to healthy eating. To keep from overindulging, it's best to walk into a party with a game plan. Here are some healthy eating tips to keep your diet on track:
1. Make a choice
Would you rather look good at the next holiday party or go crazy at the buffet table? Use the season's festivities as motivation to look great in your new years'clothes. Avoid waistline-busting party foods such as fried foods Instead, gravitate toward filling, low-calorie options like fresh veggies and shrimp.
Making healthy choices is an automatic confidence booster, so you'll look, feel better and fit better into those new year clothes!
2. Eat beforehand
Just because you know your auntie made her famous high calorie dish doesn't mean you should starve yourself in preparation -in fact, you should eat in preparation. Have a snack, such as non-fat yogurt or a piece of fruit, before you go out. You're less likely to overeat or make unhealthy food choices at a holiday party if you've taken the edge off your appetite beforehand.

Today’s Show is made possible by the NUMBER FIFTEEN

15 - Sharks are capable of going at least 6 weeks without eating; the record observed in an aquarium is 15 months by a species of shark known as the swell sharks.

15 - The octopus is the most highly evolved of the mollusks - one specimen at Sea World San Antonio was reportedly able to recognize and add numbers as large as 15!
Great, now even the octopus is better at maths than I am!

Tiger Trivia
• The tiger is revered in Chinese mythology and is said to have magical powers.
• It is believed in Chinese mythology that the tiger can take human form.
• A tiger can go two to three days without eating.
• A tiger can spend up to eighteen hours sleeping.
• Tigers reach maturity and are ready for mating at the age of three.
• The tail gives the tiger extra balance when running and is also used to communicate to other tigers.
• The tendons in a tiger's leg are so strong that it has been known to remain standing after it has been shot dead.
• We could lose the wild tiger in as little as five years time, because the tiger has only one predator...MAN!
• A tiger can only usually expect a one in twenty success rate when bringing down prey. Only successful 5% of the time.
• On average a tiger can eat up to 60 pounds of meat at one time.
• After a feed, a tiger will usually bury the remaining animal carcass in an attempt to hide it from scavengers, and then exhume it for its next meal.
Funny, when I was growing up, I thought only my brother did that with his food!

5 Things
5 Snappy comebacks to Nosy Relatives’ Questions
1. You’re not getting any younger, when are you going to settle down and have kids?
"Auntie, I’m happy single. Age is just a number and I’M NOT READY FOR ROWDY CHILDREN JUST YET (look and smile at her kids as you say this)."
2. Waah, you put on weight ah? What happened?
"I’ve been busy cultivating the prosperous look for Chinese New year. Wanna rub my belly for luck?"
3. Aren’t you getting a bit old to receive ang pows?
"Haha, I wouldn’t want you to compromise your Chinese traditions. Anyway a wise old man once said, it’s better to give than to receive!"
4. No girlfriend ah, want me to introduce you?
"No need, auntie, thanks. I hunt alone. This year, my tiger instincts are getting sharper!"
5. Married so long already, why no children?
"Why? Are you offering to babysit?"
or
"My parents are far too young to be grandparents! Why spoil their fun whilst they’re still enjoying themselves?"

Healthy adults need less sleep as they age
Not exactly news, right? But the details of these finding are really quite interesting!
Healthy older adults need less sleep than their younger counterparts and, even with less sleep under their nightcaps, are less likely to feel tired during the day. The time spent actually sleeping out of eight hours in bed declined progressively and significantly with age, according to a study published in SLEEP, the official journal of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society.
Older adults, aged 66-83, slept about 20 minutes less than middle-aged adults (40-55 years), who slept 23 minutes less than young adults aged 20-30, the study said.
But although older adults slept less deeply and less overall, and their sleep was less continuous than their younger counterparts', they also showed less need for a nap during the day.
When asked to lie in a comfortable position on a bed during the day and try to fall asleep, young adults nodded off in an average of 8.7 minutes, compared with nearly 12 minutes for middle-aged adults and just over 14 minutes for older adults.

DIY - CNY Clothing Emergency!
If your children’s buttons keep popping off, try sewing the buttons on with dental floss, which is much stronger than thread. Plus, your kids'll smell minty fresh!

Something Else to do Today!
Monday, 15 February 2010 (to celebrate Chinese New Year)
Admission to the Istana grounds is free for Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents. Others, including foreign visitors, are required to pay an entrance fee of $1 per person. Entrance to the grounds is via the main gate at Orchard Road. Opening hours are usually from 8.30 am to 6.00 pm.
Some highlights:

Visitors are entertained with a variety of performances on the grounds.

For an entrance fee of $2, members of the public are allowed to view selected function rooms in the Istana Building.

Visitors to the Istana Building can also view a special display of selected gifts presented to the President and the Prime Minister.

You can purchase attractive Istana souvenirs, which are only available during these Open Houses. All proceeds from the sale of these Istana souvenirs and the entrance fees collected go to the Community Chest. Not only are you able to enjoy a fun-filled day at the Istana, you can also play a part in helping the needy.

The most unforgettable moment is to have photos taken with President and Mrs Nathan when they come by to greet visitors.

Wise Words for the Start of a New Year
The harvest of a whole year depends on what you sow in the springtime. (Chinese Proverb)