Martial Arts Strength Training

According to various sources on the internet, a 1996 article in Iron Man Magazine revealed Bruce Lee's workout. In addition to his cardio and karate workouts, Lee lifted weights three times a week and performed the following routine:

clean and presses 2 x 8

KATE

squats 2 x 12

barbell pullovers 2 x 8

bench presses 2 x 6

good mornings 2 x 8

barbell curls 2 x 8

Unfortunately, he injured his back doing good mornings, which nearly ruined his career. Otherwise, his weight training was successful in that it is credited with helping him add 30 pounds of solid muscle to his relatively small frame.

Although Lee is the most famous martial artist ever, it may be that the strongest was a man named Masutatsu Oyama. Therefore, it will be interesting to contrast Lee's workout with Oyama's.

The Karate Bull-Fighter

Oyama was one of the first to bring Karate to America and founder of the Kyokushin style of Karate. His 1958 classic "What is Karate?" was one of the first books on the subject written in English, and designed to make the subject accessible to westerners.

Oyama initially became famous with stunts such as bull-fighting Karate-style. Unlike Mexican bull-fighters, he would actually wrestle the bull to the ground and break off one of its horns. (He wasn't too popular with animal rights activists in Tokyo.)

Oyama's Strength Training

According to Oyama's 1958 book, strength and speed are more important than skill for Karate, and speed more important than strength. Also, he said it was very important to practice jumping.

Here are some recommendations he gives in "What is Karate?" (He doesn't give an exact workout.)

Running - 4km per day

Rope-skipping - 20 minutes per day

Dumbell arm exercise (shoulder press?) - 200 times

Dips - 100 times

Push ups (with hands in fist) - 300 times

Inclined push ups - 100 times

Jumping side kick over 4 foot vaulting horse

Inclined dumbell bench press

Exercises requiring a partner:

Hitting bag with upper elbow and side of elbow - 200 times each

Practicing jumping kick with bag

Exercises for neck (with partner)

Leg exercise (squat with partner on back)

Back and Abdomen exercises with partner

Elsewhere in the book, Oyama said that he would bench press 175 pounds 500 times a day.

Then there are karate-specific exercises such as straw striking and exercises that are specific to board and stone breaking abilities. All this was in addition to practicing forms, sparring, etc.

Comparing Lee and Oyama

Now, what strikes me as the essential difference between Lee's and Oyama's workout styles is volume. Lee's weight training routine is relatively brief, and he avoided lifting on days of heavy martial arts training.

While Lee might do an exercise for 2 sets of 8 reps (which is fairly typical), Oyama would do it for hundreds of reps. Clearly, Oyama's is a more time-consuming approach that would require a lot of dedication.

If you look at pictures of these men, they have quite different builds. For Lee, his training goal was apparently to add bulk. Before the weight training, he weighed only 135 pounds, and he added 30 pounds of solid muscle.

Oyama, on the other hand, was obviously a stockier fellow, and talks in his book about losing weight during periods of intense training. Judging from pictures of him with other people, I would say that he was probably slightly taller than Lee (who was 5' 8"). Although Oyama was of average height, he doesn't look like a small guy when standing next to American professional wrestlers, boxers, and strongmen.

Possible Conclusions

The point is not to compare them as saying one was better than the other. I do wonder what affect their training style had on the way they looked and how much was just genetic.

At any rate, if Oyama struggled to keep his weight down, it sounds like high volume training helped him to achieve that. Lee, on the other hand, seems to have been naturally lean and wanted the weight training to bulk up (probably to look better on camera). Too much volume might be counter-productive to that goal.

So, maybe the lesson in this is that if you want to lose weight while simultaneously getting stronger, it might be worth considering an old-fashioned high volume workout routine, assuming you can make that kind of dedication. On the other hand, if your goal is to look like Bruce Lee... well, all I can say is "good luck"!

Martial Arts Strength Training

The author, Greg Bonney, is a professional software developer who has been webmaster of several personal and professional web sites. He currently maintains the Strength Training Wiki

KATE

Makeup Tips For Brown Eyes

While I don't believe that there are set-in-stone makeup tips for brown eyes, I do know some people like to have a set of "rules" to help them out. This article is going to cover some very basic steps that women with brown eyes can follow. Keep in mind that variety is the spice of life, and if you really like a color there is no reason why you shouldn't try it out. You may be surprised at how good it looks on you. In my experience, experimenting is all the fun. So, remember these are merely guidelines to help you choose colors when you're standing there in front of 300 colors and have no idea where to start. Just because I don't mention anything about a certain color does not automatically exclude it from the list.

Choosing An Eyeshadow

Blue

The most popular question I get is "what eyeshadow can I wear with my eye color?" Listen up, and I'll tell you.

General makeup tips for brown eyes always include browns, beige and neutral tans. Grays and charcoals look good with this eye color, as do violet and lavender. You can mix it up with a lavendar and a violet.

Khaki and olive green are a great color combination. Browns with green highlights or copper highlights are always a fun option. Try copper and even gold. If your eyes have a tinge of green, or like mine are half green, choose green eyeshadows as well.

You'll find that even though you've heard that you should never wear an eyeshadow the same color as your eyes, that brown shadow can look very good with brown eyes and green shadow can look very good with green eyes. Sometimes it's a matter of finding the "right" shade. Brown eyeshadows are all pretty safe, so you don't have to worry too much about those. Colors like purple, green and blue require a bit more testing.

Black is out, so don't use it as an eyeshadow.

Keep trying until you find a color you like. You'll know when it's right- trust your instincts.

Colors To Avoid

Like I said, I hate to rule anything out, but makeup tips for brown eyes should include that certain pink and mauve eyeshadows can cause you to look swollen or puffy around your eyes. It isn't true for all women or for all pinks, either. But if you're certain you don't want to risk it, avoid pinks. Mauves also fall into this category. It may be because women with brown eyes tend to have more yellow skintones making them warm complexioned and pinks and mauves are definitely cool colors. The blue in the pinks can react with the yellow of the skin producing an unattractive feature.

And while it isn't specifically makeup tips for brown eyes, you may want to avoid blue eyeshadow too. There's the misconception that blue eyeshadow is "out", but like I said, it really depends on who's wearing it. Playing it safe would include skipping this color.

Silvers are not a good color for brown eyes. They tend to cause a "washed out" look. Leave silver for blue eyes.

Eyeliner Colors

And now for the eyeliner colors. Brown eyes always should include dark brown and black eyeliner. These are very good choices for this eye color. Don't line your black liner too thick, though. That's passé. Racoon eyes are a big no-no.

If you're trying to open small eyes, line with silver or white, especially the first third from the inside corner of your eyelid. Then finish with a dark brown.

Navy, forest green, violet and copper are also great eyeliner choices. Play around with the different colors and pick the ones you like best.

Makeup Tips For Brown Eyes

Lynn Starner is the proprietor of Beauty Bliss Mineral Cosmetics at http://www.beautyblisscosmetics.com

Blue

Why Do Many Women Dislike Indian Guys?

Are you an Indian man? Do you feel like that repels women? Are you trying to figure out how to overcome this so you can meet and date women? Read this to better understand the reasons why many women dislike Indian guys, and you can have a better understanding of what to do about it.

Culture differences. Because there are many cultural differences between Indians and Americans, many women just do not want to deal with these differences, and they may not understand them. Understanding the cultural differences between your own culture and that of the woman you are considering dating is the first step in being able to bridge the gap and being able to figure out what it is about Indian men that many women don't like.

BLUE DRESS

Religious differences. Indian culture is usually connected strongly to their religion, so if a woman does not believe in your religion, she may not instantly dislike you, but she also will not be willing to date you. If the reason she's not willing to date you is that she does not agree with your religion, the best option for you is to respect her for that, and be willing to just be friends.

Physical preference. Every woman is different in the type of man that she prefers. Some woman like a man with darker skin, and some prefer the blonde-haired, blue-eyed type. It's nothing personal. It's just what she prefers. For most women, personality and emotional connection are more important that outward appearances, so this may be something that you can overcome, but there's really nothing you can do about the way you look.

Prejudices. There are a lot of prejudices against Indians, especially Indian men. This is another reason why many women dislike Indian men. Some women assume that all Indian men are dominating of their girlfriends or wives, or that they're extremely sexually repressed. Examine yourself carefully to make sure that you are not living up to those prejudices, and you should do just fine.

The best advice I can give to an Indian man who's trying to figure out why many women dislike Indian men is that it's not personal. It's something that many women may not even understand themselves. If you are being your wonderful self and focusing on trying to be friends with the girl you're trying to date, then you can overcome this dislike that many women have of Indian men, and then it won't be a problem.

There are many women out there who do not dislike Indian men, especially Indian women. So, if you can't find a women who is OK with you being an Indian man, just be patient, and you will find a woman that will actually love you for being Indian. As with all relationships, the right one will come along eventually; you just have to wait.

Although it seems like there are more woman that dislike Indian men than those who prefer them, but there are also women out there who actually prefer dating Indian men. Good luck, and believe that you CAN find someone for you!

Why Do Many Women Dislike Indian Guys?

If you are looking for a proven system to get the attention of a HOT woman fast, click Seducing Her Mind. If you're ready for a highly effective method that's different from what everyone else is teaching, click Get Hot Girlfriend Now. You don't want to miss this!

Audrey is a top expert on dating, seduction, and female psychology. She has written numerous articles on what makes women tick.

BLUE DRESS

Fairytale Costumes and Nursery Rhyme Costumes For Adults

Fairytale and nursery rhymes costume are great costumes for children during Halloween. However, these costumes do not have to be limited to children alone. Nowadays, there are adult counterparts of these costumes that older people can wear for Halloween and other events, including tea parties, birthdays, carnivals, festivals and fairs. Here are some of them.

Fairytale Costumes
Even big girls dream of becoming a princess. Indulge in this fantasy by dressing up in fairytale costumes! You can get Sleeping Beauty's all-pink ensemble; Snow White's high-collared dress with a blue bodice and yellow skirt; Cinderella's royal white-and-blue dress and glass slippers; Belle's yellow off-shoulder fancy dress; Jasmine's purple tube top and cameo; Ariel's lilac strapless top and green mermaid-style skirt; and even Princess Fiona's olive green gown and ogre ears.

BLUE DRESS

Aside from these fairytale princesses, you can also dress up as other fairytale characters. Choose from Dorothy's blue checkered gingham dress with a white blouse and classic red shoes; Alice in Wonderland's satin dress in blue with a pinafore attached and black lace trimmings; the Evil Queen's royal purple dress with a black fancy collar and black cape; the Mad Hatter's blue jacket with matching bowtie, bright green pants and a tall velveteen hat; or even the Big Bad Wolf in Grandma's white floral nightgown and a nightcap that matches, to name a few.

When wearing these fairytale costumes, make sure you put on the right accessories. Try on a wig to copy the hairstyle, a headband or a tiara, gloves, jewelry, a matching purse and the like. Put on some elegant make-up to match, as well.

Nursery Rhyme Costumes
Nursery rhyme characters are also well-loved classics. You can go for a big Humpty Dumpty egg costume with flesh-colored tights; Little Miss Muffet's pink gingham dress with petticoat; or Little Bo Peep's white-and-pink checkered dress with a matching bonnet. You can even make your own versions of certain nursery rhyme characters, such as the Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe or the 3 Blind Mice. As with the fairytale costumes, it is important to accessorize. Wear matching hair ties and accessories, bring a gold staff or attach fake spiders to your clothes.

Sexy Costume Versions
A common variation to the regular fairytale and nursery rhyme costumes is their sexy versions. If you're more adventurous, you might want to go for Tinkerbell's short green dress with uneven hemlines and pixie wings; Little Red Riding Hood's red mini dress, white apron and red cape; Goldilocks' bright yellow bra top and matching mini skirt; the Queen of Heart's red-and-black petticoat dress with heart designs; or Mary Had a Little Lamb's black-and-white mini dress with lace-up corset and black choker. When wearing these sexy costumes, high-heeled boots and thigh-high stockings usually add more appeal to the outfit. Accessories, such as baskets, cards and wigs, can also make the characters more identifiable. You should also go for some flashy make-up, to complement your entire outfit.

These are only some of the costumes you can wear that have fairytale or nursery rhyme themes. If you're looking for more, you can go to your local costume store to search for available costumes or check online specialty stores to give you more options. These fairytale and nursery rhyme costumes are perfect for both the young and the young at heart!

Fairytale Costumes and Nursery Rhyme Costumes For Adults

Christine Shoemark is the webmaster of Adult Costume Shop A Dress up Costume Shop for every party occasion. Fairytale Costumes and Nursery Rhyme Costumes for your party costume ideas.

BLUE DRESS

Acid Reflux - What to Drink for It

Some people think ahead, and plan a drink with meals that will help avoid acid reflux. Others Wait, and look for a drink that will relieve acid reflux. Whichever your style, here are a few tips on what to drink for acid reflux.

Acid Reflux - What Not to Drink

KATE

There are four beverages you may want to avoid if you have trouble with acid reflux: alcohol, coffee, peppermint tea, and milk.

1. Alcohol: There is some debate about whether or not alcohol causes acid reflux. Some warn against all alcohol, while others caution only against a very dry white wine, which tends to have high acidity. If you have acid reflux on a frequent basis, you may want to experiment as to whether it is worse or better after drinking alcohol.

2. Coffee: There is an ongoing debate as to whether coffee is to blame for acid reflux. People have thought so for many years. In fact, people believed this so strongly that coffee companies finally decided there was a market for a "smoother" coffee that did not cause acid reflux. A relatively recent study by Stanford University researchers, however, found no scientific evidence to support the notion that eliminating coffee gives relief from acid reflux. The study, which appeared in the May 2006 issue of "The Archives of Internal Medicine," evaluated published medical reports from 1975 to 2004 on heartburn.

3. Peppermint: Many people suggest avoiding products containing peppermint. Peppermint tea, which sounds so soothing, can increase acid reflux. Peppermint appears to permit the passage of acid from stomach to esophagus.

4. Milk: Many doctors agree that drinking milk with meals may cause acid reflux in adults. Non-professionals believe milk neutralizes stomach acid, making it difficult to digest food. The result can be acid reflux.

Acid Reflux - What to Drink

There are a number of drinks you may want to try for acid reflux. Most fall under the category of folk remedy, but many people get relief with them. This information is for educational purposes only, of course. Please seek advice from your physician before drinking any of these.

1. Slippery Elm Bark Tea: Health food stores usually have slippery elm bark tea. Drink the bark tea with your meal to avoid acid reflux. Bark tea coats the esophagus lining, reducing its sensitivity to acid. If you want to make the tea at home, try to purchase the shredded bark. Use the inner part of the bark, and steep it in hot water for your acid reflux tea. This makes a thick beverage, with a consistency similar to runny gelatin. If it is too thick for you, simply add more hot water.

2. Ginger Tea: Ginger tea also is available in health food stores, and is helpful for acid reflux when used either with the meal or immediately following the meal. It is easily made at home. Use 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger root, or 1,000 mg of ginger powder. If neither is available, use ground ginger from the spice rack. Steep the ginger in 1 cup boiling water for 5 minutes, and then sip. Ginger is helpful for indigestion and acid reflux, especially if caused by spicy foods.

3. Licorice Tea: Licorice tea is also effective in the battle against acid reflux. Purchase your tea, or make it by placing 1 teaspoon of licorice root in 1 1/4 cups of boiling water. Turn the heat low, and simmer the tea for 10 to 15 minutes in a covered pan. Remove from heat, and stir in 2 teaspoons of dried chamomile. Cover and allow your acid reflux tea to steep for 10 minutes. Strain it before drinking.

CAUTION: NEVER use licorice tea for acid reflux if you have high blood pressure (hypertension).

4. Clove-Ade: If you prefer a cold drink rather than tea, you may get relief from acid reflux by drinking a glass of clove-ade. Simply add a few drops of clove oil to a glass of cold water. Stir, and sip the clove-ade slowly to offset acid reflux.

5. Banana Milk-less Smoothies: Bananas seem to be very effective as an acid reflux fighter. Bananas become a natural antacid in the body. Banana milk-less smoothies are a cool way to use the banana's ability to fight acid reflux. Start smoothies the night before by placing 1 banana, peeled and cut in pieces, into a freezer container. The next day, put the frozen banana chunks in a blender with 3 cups of soy milk, 1 cup of frozen strawberries, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Add sugar or other sweetener to taste, and blend until smooth. Sip slowly to relieve acid reflux.

Heartburn, acid reflux, GERD, or indigestion: people have found relief for all of them by abstaining from drinking certain beverages, making a point of drinking other beverages.

Acid Reflux - What to Drink for It

©2007, Anna Hart. Anna herself lives with a husband who used to suffer heartburn frequently, and she empathizes with your problem. She invites you to read more of her articles about heartburn and acid reflux at http://www.heartburnreliefblog.com. Anna continues to research and post additional weekly information on that site. If you are eager to get more information about heartburn and acid reflux, please visit now.

KATE

Celebrity Dads Give Push Presents; Get in on the Trend

Rich celebrities are accustomed to being gifted with expensive jewelry, and the trend extends to the day they give birth. Case in point: Pierce Brosnan gave wife Keely three gold and diamond bracelets when their son Paris was born. Ben Affleck presented wife Jennifer Garner with pricey purple jewelry after she delivered daughter Violet (which the unfussy and practical Mrs. Affleck reportedly made him return). Sarah Jessica Parker got a gorgeous charm bracelet from hubby Matthew Broderick when son James made his debut. Other celeb dads celebrate the arrival of their new babies by buying their wives and girlfriends expensive bling such as diamond rings, diamond earrings, pearl necklaces, pearl earrings, and jewelry made with their baby's birthstone.

Up until a few years ago, these "push presents,"--so named because they're tokens of appreciation for labor--were news to me. All I got when I delivered my son was...my son. Not to say that I'm not immensely grateful; he's my pride and joy. But a nice pair of diamond studs or a pearl cocktail ring, say, to show me that my husband appreciated my months of hard pregnancy and hours of even harder labor would have been "ice" on the cake.

KATE

What made the lack of gift worse was that many of my girlfriends got stunning jewelry from their thoughtful and grateful husbands. My favorites were a pearl bracelet, sapphire and diamond earrings, a diamond and yellow gold band, and a princess cut yellow diamond ring.

Poor dear, my husband didn't know it was done.

Apparently, he's not alone. In researching this article, I sent a query to all the guys on my e-mail list (whose wives can thank me later). In addition to wanting to know if they knew what a push present was, I also wanted know if they thought the idea was touching or silly. Did it put pressure on them? Was it just another damn thing they'd have to spend money on?

Naturally, the feedback I got was as varied as the guys on my e-mail list, which includes my boss, my trainer at the gym, my brother, my best friend's brother, my neighbors, my co-workers, and my dentist, to name a few.

First, for the sweet:
From Dave: "Yes, I gave my wife a gift. I didn't feel pressured. She deserved it and more."

From John: "I did buy my wife a charm bracelet after our daughter Lindsay was born. It had charms on it for both of our daughters."

From Taylor: "Yes, I bought my wife gifts both times in addition to flowers. The first time was a cultured pearl necklace (like she needs more jewelry). The last was a Kate Spade diaper bag."

From Wayne, father of four: "Maybe for one or two, certainly not all four." [I certainly remember: Wayne's wife, my friend Sandy, was the recipient of the highly coveted and aforementioned sapphire and diamond earrings.]

From Howie: "Considering my wife had a C-section with both girls, is there a cut present?" [Actually, there is, and it's called a 'cut your guts out' present. My friend's daughter Nicole got a sterling silver bracelet from her husband for her efforts].
"I gave my wife a birthstone for each girl, but forget the 'push present' idea. Those nine months are the easy part. It's for the 18 years afterwards that you have to give your wife the gifts! Honestly, those two girls can scream!"

Dennis: "Funny, before my wife was pregnant I never head of a push present. My buddy and his wife had a baby four months before us and his wife was sure to tell my wife about this gift thing. It's not that I wouldn't have gotten my wife and mother of my son a great gift, but it was put into the realm of 'did your husband get you a diamond bracelet?' type thing. It goes to show that keeping up with the Joneses makes some folks do things they might not otherwise do." [OK, maybe this answer doesn't technically fall under the sweet category as it's got some ambivalence tossed in.]

"Not sure spending thousands on a gift is the best thing for the new family. Was this gift idea created by the diamond companies? So, yes, I did get my wife a gift. Before I'd even heard of a push present, I had my son's birthstone set in a ring and necklace."

From Paul: "I gave her a day at the spa."

From Derek, "I gave her a Tiffany ring because it was a nice thing to do, I'd heard, and because she deserves it."

Now, for the incensed:

From Ben: "No, I didn't get my wife a push gift. The only thing on my mind was making sure all the important stuff was taken care of. To add something so stupid on top of this earth-shattering event is ridiculous. The special gift is the gift of life and the creation of a human being. Now when I look back at those times I wouldn't' even recall the insignificant gift. Sounds like some baloney cooked up by a jewelers' association."

From Steve: "I agreed to fund the kids for 22 years each. That was my gift."

Peter L: "Not a big fan of the push present. A woman gives birth to a child and now she expects a gift??? While I have absolutely no idea what it's like to be pregnant, I don't know of any woman who has regretted it. The whole expensive jewelry thing doesn't sit well with me. That's what birthdays and anniversaries are for." [Thank God I didn't marry Peter, not that he asked.]

From Dave H: When Meryl was born I gave my wife a new bike chain for her road bike ( value) and installed it for her (free of charge.) It was the least I could do, since I had taken the chains off of all of her bikes around the end of month seven when she refused to give up riding. She promptly began riding two weeks after popping out our kid and since she was lighter than what she was used to, she could climb hills faster than I could. The good news is that she's now four months pregnant and she's slowing down more and more by the day, which enables me to seem faster."

And last but not least, the clueless:

Peter C: "Can't remember but I'm sure I gave something."

Matt: "Oops, was I supposed to give something? Why doesn't anybody let us know these things?

Jim: "Color me thoughtless. It never occurred to me."

John S: "I must be a bad husband. Three kids in four years and I didn't get Kim a gift for any of them!"

What's a guy to do?

Whether you agree with the sweethearts, the cads, or whether you're one of the clueless, consider yourself duly informed, and remember that nine months of pregnancy topped off by excruciatingly painful labor (not to mention sore nipples) is no picnic. It's always nice to be appreciated, especially when you're a new mom, and your hormones are screaming what the heck have I done??? I used to be a sexy, carefree vixen, for Pete's sake!!!
What's more, the jewelry you give your child's mother can be passed down to that child when he or she marries or turns 21, say. Best of all, you don't have to spend thousands. Many quality jewelry pieces are just as affordable as they are sentimental.

To help you get started, here are my favorite push presents:

o Pearl studs: Timeless and elegant, pearl studs go perfectly with bathrobes and spit-up. Plus, high quality freshwater cultured pearl studs cost as little as or a pair.

o Diamond studs: A little pricier than pearl earrings, sure, but diamond studs are a jewelry staple. That means your efforts won't be in vain; these sparklers will get a ton of use. And you can have a nice pair for well under 0.

o Birthstone ring: Lots of options and price ranges here depending on the stone and the setting. (Leave out diamond accents and you probably won't break the bank.) Remember, an elegant ring can be handed down to your little one; so make sure you get something of good quality that won't tarnish.

o Nantucket Basket: A gorgeous gold basket pendant necklace that holds the birthstones of your children, the Nantucket Basket necklace is meant to be added to with subsequent births. You might find the necklace pricey, but once you buy the pendant all you have to do is add the birthstones for each subsequent child. (Push present out of the way forever.)

o Mother and child pendant: The sterling silver version of this sweet circle pendant can be had for less than .

o Charm bracelet: The sky's the limit here, but the initial investment shouldn't be too bad. Like the Nantucket basket, this piece can be added to on special occasions. Charms are priced all over the place; it's up to you what to spend. Baby birthstone booties are a favorite charm of new moms, though.

o Pearl strand: Traditional and classic, a pearl necklace is a gorgeous choice. If you have a baby girl, she can wear it in the future on her wedding day as her something borrowed and as a reminder of how much her mother means to you. If price is an issue, akoyas and freshwater cultured pearl strands are the way to go. Save the Tahitians and South Sea pearls for when your stock splits or your patent gets approved. You get the point.

Go Shopping!

Okay, future fathers, now that you know about push presents, there is no excuse not to get your children's mother a little (or big) token of your appreciation. And, no, you don't have to be rich and famous like Matt Damon or Michael Douglas, or blow future college savings. There are lots of affordable gift options that don't cost a bundle. Do a little research on the Internet and you can find unique and meaningful jewelry that fits your budget. (Just make sure to have it gift wrapped. We hate when you forget that.) And don't worry too much that we won't like it. It truly is the thought that counts. Not so sure? I'll let you in on a little secret: If you really want a foolproof way to be a hero in your wife's eyes, change a diaper once in a while!

See pearl jewelry push present ideas here.

Celebrity Dads Give Push Presents; Get in on the Trend

A graduate of the Gemological Institute of America’s Graduate Pearls program, Amy Drescher is a fashion writer and accessories buyer for http://www.moonriverpearls.com She welcomes your questions. Reach her at adrescher@moonriverpearls.com

KATE

Top 25 Undergraduate Schools

With competition rising fiercely for admission into a good undergraduate school and the choice of subjects, school curriculum expanding with it, choosing the best undergraduate school can be confusing. There are large, small, public, private, urban and rural undergraduate schools to select from; while some are appealing because of their inviting locale in a countryside setting or in the midst of a cosmopolitan setting others lure the students with their state-of-the-art facilities and distinguished host of teachers.

The list of top 25 undergraduate schools listed below have many diverse traits and distinct characteristics, however the common thread running through them is that of the promise of the best education ever. The undergraduate school curriculum of these top 25 schools is unparalleled and makes them stand apart as the institutions of great learning.

KATE

Best Ivy undergraduate school

Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut Yale president Richard Levin is a leader and a visionary and has been tireless in his efforts to change ED admissions policies, making it a one of the many reasons for it being the vied for the number one position and topping the student's list for admissions. A big attraction of the undergraduate experience for students is the residential-college system. Students live in one of twelve colleges, each with its own distinct personality, under the guidance of a master and a dean.

Best School for Entrepreneurs

Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pa.

Six of the campus's 10 undergraduate schools offer entrepreneurship courses. The Smeal College of Business and the College of Engineering are the most natural partners, with joint programs to show engineers how to run businesses and to teach business students the latest technology. Hotel-management students operate two on-campus hotels and conference centres where they're involved in everything from food service to staffing the front desk while the College of Communications focuses on entrepreneurship in the Information Age.

Big 10 School - Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill

Comprising of six undergraduate schools, Northwestern University attracts students with diverse aspirations including budding actors, journalists, engineers and teachers as well as a host of liberal-arts students. Each school is world renown and attracts the best minds from across the globe. Set in Evanston at the edge of the bustling Cosmo polis of Chicago, Northwestern offers its students the best of both worlds.

Best Architectural School - Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts

President Charles Vest initiated an ambitious billion construction program at MIT which includes the Steven Holl's Simmons Hall, a aluminium-clad dormitory as well as the Fumihiko Maki's expansion of the Media Lab. The more famous building is that of the Stata Center, a computer-science landmark by Frank Gehry containing labs for the "intelligence sciences" and connected corridors and public spaces to encourage spontaneous collaboration. MIT calls it an "intellectual village."

Best school of for Arts - Juilliard School, New York, N.Y.

With a history of more than a hundred years, Julliard is known as one the most famous undergraduate school of arts and can boast of an impressive alumni list the likes of the actor Kevin Kline, violinist Itzhak Perlman and choreographer Lar Lubovitch. To celebrate this glory, the school has introduced new choreography, productions and performances. Only a few select students comprising of musicians, dancers and actors get chosen every year to showcase their talent in the Juilliard Theatre right next to Lincoln Centre. That's the best inspiration for any aspiring star.

Best Library- Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Harvard's library system ranks with the best of any kind in the country, even as compared to the Library of Congress. The collection which includes more than 15 million volumes, 5.5 million microforms, 6.5 million manuscripts and 5 million other research materials such as photographs, maps and recordings is the largest in the world. Harvard's digital collection is particularly strong, and is hugely beneficial for students who want access to any existing online journal

Best Riding School - Hollins University, Roanoke, Virginia

Situated in the breathtaking locale of Virginia's horse country, Hollins undergraduate school is known for its exceptional training for equestriennes. The school is a regular winner of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference championship, and the Hollins team has won ten times in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association. Although many Hollins students work with horses after graduation as trainers, riders or veterinarians, the school also offers a strong liberal-arts program and a highly regarded creative-writing curriculum. It is famous for its celebrity alumni the likes of Margaret Wise Brown, Annie Dillard and Lee Smith.

Best undergraduate school for diversity-Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut

Dean of Admissions Nancy Meislahn believes that only a large cross section of society from across the globe can contribute to the intellectual diversity of an educational system. Wesleyan's student population comprises of one third coloured people and 7% international students. An additional 15% are the first in their family to attend a four-year college. It offers a huge diversity of shared learning and wide range of perspective to the classroom.

Best Tech Savvy School - Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H

This undergraduate school has been in the forefront of technological revolution ever since professors John Kemeny and Thomas Kurtz, forty years ago, not only realized the importance of computers but were responsible for creating the computer language BASIC. It is known to have the first e-mail programs and an early campus computer network. Dartmouth was also the first Ivy to install WiFi on campus. The school offers free software to students so they can turn their laptops into telephones using the school's WiFi.

Best Fitness School - University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia

Following the adage of Thomas Jefferson, the founder of UVA, who advocated that a strong body makes the mind strong, UVA offers both varsity competitors and weekend warriors some of the best fitness facilities in the country. Students benefit hugely from the four indoor recreation centres, which together make up 300,000 square feet of pools, running tracks, weight rooms and classrooms for yoga and kickboxing. The school also maintains a 23-acre park for outdoor field sports and jogging.

Best Honor Code - Haverford College, Haverford, Pa.

The honor code is central to the college's values and includes every aspect of academic and social life. Rob Killion, Director of Admissions says that the founder, Haverford expects people to learn from one another, debate and argue with one another--but to do so respectfully. It is an academically rigorous liberal-arts college that advocates take-home and non-supervised exams as well as students living in dorms, without resident advisers

Best school for studying abroad - Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts

The mission at Tufts is simple - to teach students to be world citizens. Tufts likes students who want to study abroad which translates into a strong language requirement, and a chance to learn a new culture in one of Tufts's own centres in countries like Germany, Chile, China or Ghana. About 40% of Tufts juniors are travelling across the world during the academic year.

Best School for Politics - George Washington University, Washington, D.C

With a campus close to the World Bank and a stone's throw away from the White House, GWU is a dream college for every Political Science major. Many of the professors are consultants to top government officials thus bringing a real, practical and intelligent perspective to the classroom. The school also encourages internships at government agencies, think tanks and advocacy organizations.

Best school for Double Majors - Rice University, Houston, Texas

Rice allows its students to explore their passions and requires them to commit to their majors only in the Junior Year unlike most schools who ask for it in the Sophomore Year. With an ambitious student body, many of them go for double majors. The most common combination is science and humanities. The school is best known for its engineering and science curriculum, but the social sciences are also becoming strong.

Best school for Greeks with brains- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich

Michigan is known for its multi-disciplinary approach including everything from music to medicine. A good eclectic mix of academics and a lively social life, it offers its students everything. About 15% of undergrads go Greek, which students say helps them find a friendlier community within the vast student population. Fraternities and sororities are especially popular with the many out-of-state students.

Best school for Hot and Dry - Pomona College, Claremont, Calif.

Pomona is one of five colleges of the Claremont University where students experience the best of both worlds - the academically challenging environment of a small New England liberal-arts college with year-round California sunshine. A combination that is attractive and motivating, the applications are up by almost 30% in the last few years. Students also can explore the academic and social resources of the other Claremont colleges, including Pitzer, Harvey Mudd and Scripps. But none of the colleges will be tapping a keg during "dry week," a tradition at the start of the year during wherein no alcohol is allowed on campus.

Best State University - University of Texas at Austin

Although University of Texas Austin has attained the distinction of a laid-back campus, it is no place for slackers. With 50,000 students (more than any other school in the country), UT boasts some of the nation's best business, law and engineering schools. Besides football, it has 900 student organizations that should keep you going.

Best school for landing a job - Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pa

Practical approach and hands-on experience is the most important part of life at Carnegie Mellon. The school has 12 programs including computer science, engineering and drama which are very famous. The school takes pride in being on the cutting edge in every field and encourages students to think about applying what they learn to the real world. About 70 percent of Carnegie Mellon students have a job offer when they graduate.

Best school for Health Careers - University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N.C.

One of the top public universities in the US, UNC-Chapel Hill offers students a choice of more than 50 majors. But the main attraction for future doctors, nurses and other health professionals is the opportunity to study at a campus with all health disciplines in one place. The School of Nursing and the School of Public Health both have undergraduate programs. At the School of Medicine, undergrads can earn degrees in radiology science or clinical laboratory practice.

Best school for Individualists - Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio

Oberlin comprises of the College of Arts and Sciences and the Conservatory of Music. It has a unique approach to life and learning and the undergraduate school curriculum offers innovative subject matter like - Death and the Art of Dying, American Mixed Blood, and Destination: L.A. The student-run Experimental College lets undergraduates teach courses of their own creation, like Making Your Own Mobile or Mythology and Epic Storytelling in "Lord of the Rings." This eccentricity is very rewarding and Oberlin graduates have more Ph.D.s than alumni of any other liberal-arts college.

Best school for city haters - Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.

Cornell's rural, upstate New York campus is bounded by deep gorges, spectacular scenery and a beautiful rural setting. However, it has one of the most rigorous and challenging curriculum that draws only the best minds. The school's greatest attraction is its academic diversity, with top-ranked undergraduate schools of engineering, arts and sciences, architecture, hotel administration, industrial and labour relations, agriculture and human ecology.

Best school for city lovers - New York University, New York, N.Y.

With the Olsen twins Mary-Kate and Ashley lending NYU some of its fame, it is a school loved by the urban and the hip. Despite the 9/11 catastrophe, it continues to draw crowds of talented students. One of the top attractions is the Tisch School of the Arts, which nurtures future actors, dancers and screenwriters. The business school is also highly rated, and students can take advantage of internships on Wall Street. The campus of NYU is not structured in the strictest sense; in fact buildings scattered throughout the Greenwich Village, most students like to believe that they have the whole city as the campus to explore.

Best Military School - U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md.

The four-year undergraduate curriculum at Annapolis is tough and technically oriented, with core requirements in engineering, natural sciences, humanities and social sciences. Traditions play a huge part in campus life. "When you first show up for classes in the fall, students begin counting down the number of days until the Army-Navy game," says Cmdr. Tim Disher, admissions officer. Graduates become commissioned officers in the Navy or the Marine Corps.

Best undergraduate school for scholarships - Berea College, Berea, Ky.
The 1,500 students at Berea come from families with average household incomes of only ,000, and 80% have grown up in southern Appalachia, a region that spans nine states with some of the most remote and poor rural communities in the country. Berea's mission is unique in that it believes in promoting education by giving scholarships to the poor but deserving. All students get full-tuition scholarships, although they do have to pay for their room, board and books. However, scholarships are available for those as well. Students are required to work--many of them at jobs on campus that help to keep Berea's costs down.

Best Surf and Ski School - University of California, Santa Barbara

It is known to be the most beautiful campus located at the edge of the Pacific. UCSB also boasts Nobel Prize winners on its faculty, top research centres in science and technology and an extensive study-abroad program. Aside from the top academics, the various recreation programs offered attract many of the students. The campus has its own beaches where students can surf, and the Big Bear ski resort is just a few hours' drive away.

Top 25 Undergraduate Schools

William Brister - [http://www.plato.tv] - Federal Financial Aid

KATE