english blog

Christmas is supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year,” but for some of us, it’s the most depressing. If you’re eight years old and dreaming of all the great gifts Santa will leave for you on Christmas morning, you’re all aquiver with anticipation. If you’re a parent who’s been laid off at work and can barely pay this month’s rent, much less buy presents, the holiday may look pretty bleak. It’s easy to feel stressed out and overwhelmed by the demands of the holiday season, so it’s no wonder that some of us suffer from crippling depression during this time of the year. Here are a few ways to fight off the holiday blues. Read more »

The period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve is the time for socializing, and for many of us, that means going to parties—and giving them. If you’ve been entertaining the idea of entertaining this season, here are some hints for tossing a bash that your guests won’t forget. Here are four of the most popular types of parties that happen this time of year, and how to throw one of your own. Remember—the point of a good party is having fun, so don’t sweat the details too much! Read more »

Rather than wishing you had more money, wouldn't it be cool if you could get more enjoyment out of the money you do have in your bank account? While having more money is not a bad thing (most of the time), if you're able to enjoy what you're bringing in, you're not going to be sad that you're not making a million dollars. As long as you have a roof over your head and food on your plate, you're doing better than a lot of other people in the world. Just remember what one famous rapper once said - Mo' Money, Mo' Problems! This may be hard to understand for some people, but if you think about it the statement makes sense. When you have more money, you usually have more responsibilities and pressures on you in your life. This is why it's a better idea to learn to enjoy the money you do have rather than trying to make more money all the time. Read more »

One of the most beloved holiday movies of the last few decades is “A Christmas Story,” the tale of a little boy who dreams of finding a toy gun under the tree but is constantly being told that he’ll shoot his eye out. Alas, toy guns aren’t the only dangerous playthings being marketed to kids these days. Some toys are dangerous to children’s health and safety, while others encourage values that parents may not want to reinforce. Here our dirty dozen toys, the ones responsible parents won’t be buying this Christmas. Read more »

This is supposed to be the season of giving, but for too many of us, it’s just the time for eating too much, running up huge bills and general conspicuous consumption. This year, why not do something that could really make a change in the lives of others? Teaching your children about helping those less fortunate can set an example they’ll follow all their lives. Here are a few ways you can bring joy to the world this holiday. Read more »

One of the most hazardous driving days of the year is the Friday before Christmas, because that’s when many companies take part in that yearly tradition known as the Office Christmas Party. While this should be an occasion for enjoying the company of your co-workers, too often the office party turns into an embarrassment that haunts some employees well into the next year. Here are some common gaffes to avoid. Read more »

Jogging full-force at dusk on uneven pavement while listening to awesome music holds a few hidden, unpleasant trappings. For me, it was a recipe for disaster that ended in one black-and-blue, severely sprained ankle. Since then, the past month has been an exercise in patience -- which is, admittedly, not one of my strongest virtues. I'm usually a really active person: I thrive on the high that comes from being consistently physically active. Running and dancing are my go-to pick-me-ups; if I'm near a pool, I'll soon be in it, swimming laps.  My best memories involve some kind of movement: dancing expressively with all of my friends during  class, letting everything go with each jump, arm flail (dance meditation is not always pretty!), and toe-touch; jogging no matter where I am (cities in India are not conducive to a peaceful run); gliding through the water, alternating between freestyle and breaststroke, feeling the release of tension melt away there in the pool. So, I k...