72M Magazine Issue 4 by Seventy2Minutes

Spring 2012

issue 4

Charlene Amoia serving up a slice of American Pie…

2012

Start as you mean to go on

Do not make your New Year’s resolutions before you’ve read this!

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Health wisdom 10 key tips for staying fit for life

Boys don’t cry

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Liem

Aspiring author and ex-radio presenter Andy Holmes talks life, ambition and depression

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contents contributors

regulars

Has been working in the design industry for 15 years, producing work for major film studios, F1 race teams, financial institutions, charities and of course 72m Magazine!

With over 13 years’ experience in the industry Nita has a client base that includes Rickie Haywood-Williams & Melvin Odoom of Kiss 100 Breakfast show

what they tweet

ask Alex

YOU-ology

Mbeke Wasame

the parent trap

Are you ready for the commitment?

seventy2minutes with: Charlene Amoia

America’s Sweetheart?

2012: the end of resolutions …and the beginning of knowing yourself

Start your own style revolution

emerging trends

Think pink…

HeavenSentBeauty

Skin survival;after the harsh winter Nita has some rescue tips for everyone!

72mEditor@seventy2minutes.com seventy2minutes.com Spring 2012

painted smile

Just like a pill?

body conditioning

Tone it up Cameron Diaz style with JDI’s all over body conditioning

working without boundaries

world wise woman

In Colombia...

money matters Money! That’s what I want

page 41

Mbeke Waseme specialises in Career Coaching, Change management, Curriculum development, project management, and the development of sustainable partnerships and collaborations.

health, wealth & wisdom

Make the dream a reality with Mbeke Waseme!

Jay has been infamously dubbed ‘The awesome kicking machine’ by Chuck Norris. Fitness trainer, marshal artist and athlete, Jay also has hosts his own radio show ‘Kicking back with Jay Darrell’

Questions, comments, queries or contribution ideas?

*2012 SPECIAL*

features

Andy Holmes

Jay Darrell Ingleton

brit on the boulevard

Nita Thanki

Ex- Radio presenter and aspiring author Andy is the founder of ‘Painted Smile’ and has plans to set up a group in Buckinghamshire to support young professionals who suffer with depression

page 32

Mark Harewood

editor’s letter

fashion & beauty

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editor’s letter

No resolutions, no regrets… Our feature article is one close to my heart! P7, “The Parent trap”, explores the complexities of being a parent today and the commitments necessary to raise a child. We look at all the roles you expect to play (nappy changer, taxi driver, bank) to some unexpected parts you may be called on to fulfill (counsellor, politician, behavioural expert!). We also bring you our regular insights on mental health, beauty, fitness and self awareness and sincerely hope that the advice within encourages you to make the life-long changes that need no resolutions just an understanding of self and a readiness to ‘do’. Enjoy.

Dinah

Dinah Sackey, Editor

page 19

Bah humbug! I thought. How can a person resolve to be any different if they don’t know why they are where they are?? Maybe your weight gain is linked to some underlying health issue and your debts are a result of a decision that is yet to bear fruit, and your long distance relationships? What if closing that gap leads to more debt and weight gain (think of all the Christmas dinners you’re going to have to eat out of politeness)? With this in mind, instead of walking the ‘a whole new you in 3 easy steps’ route’, I set out to pull together an issue that asks you to take stock of where you are, why you are and what you have before making empty promises to change!

The theme of ‘No resolutions, no regrets’ can be felt throughout the whole issue but our 2012 special (p15- p24) draws together some of the key areas that most people aim to tackle with the arrival of the New Year. Guest writers; Moran, Lisa, Shafi, Millen and Paula take our theme and turn it into advice on managing your money, revamping your CV, improving your relationships, understanding your style and ‘freeing’ your mind. Add to this our tips on health, beauty and staying physically active and you have all you need for your personal pledge on P24, your start to thinking about making 2012 bigger, better and brighter! page 12

...this is the theme that came to mind when I4 was in creation. Falling in January it seemed all too easy to be lured by the temptations of the ‘New Year’s resolutions’. All the unsatisfactory things that have niggled away at you through-out the year; bad debt/ weight gain/ lost long distance relationships, could be resolved with a single promise to [fill in the blank].

This issue also brings an interview with Charlene Amoia, a prolific US actress who has appeared in everything from ‘Seven Pounds’ with Will Smith to ‘How I met your Mother’, where her role as Wendy the waitress has won her many a fan. We talk, like old friends, about her ambitions, her work ethic and her role in the upcoming 4th installment of the American Pie movies, American Reunion. She’s truly an ecclectic talent and a sweetheart to boot!

Spring 2012 seventy2minutes.com

what they tweet With Social Media fastly becoming the way local, national and specialist news is shared we bring you the best of Twitter tweets in response to some of the major events that take place during the 3 months before our issues are published!

meganc00ke: WHAT THE HECK! I was told the the #lunareclipse was supposed to happen Sunday morning but it turns out it was this morning. :’( #spacenerd

AlexRW111: I’m gonna miss the #lunareclipse because I live in England FOR CHRISTS SAKE

tyresajane: Am I the only person in the world who didn’t know there was a #LunarEclipse !!?!??!

TheD3bugg3R: Today while the #lunareclipse I was totally expecting some wolves to show up in the public park where I was sitting having some popcorn.

This time it’s on the much talked about: #lunareclipse

MiahVun: The overall emotional level of the earth has raised a bar tonight... #lunareclipse

zzhic: #lunareclipse one of the beautiful event that happened yesterday I like the moon on its reddish orange color it was AWESOME

djmenace: #LunarEclipse is this another twilight movie.

swsmith00: Very disappointed I missed the #lunareclipse but very excited that I actually got sleep for the first time in month! #winning

seventy2minutes.com Spring 2012

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Parent Tra Expectations, lies and the never ending guilt

ome people plan the ‘parenting’ stage. of their lives with military precision. Names, dates and even birth weights are determined years before the planner knows if they are physically able to bear fruit. Some stumble into parenthood blindly opting for their most favoured of 3 choices1 whilst others know themselves well enough to decide that it’s just not the path for them. However when it’s no longer a question about ‘if’ you will or if you won’t’ (certain acts have set the ball rolling, the bun cooking, the stork waiting etc etc) it’s time to consider what you have really got yourself into..

Pregnancy by numbers Whatever route you take to bring a child into being, know that measurements of comparison are now a permanent part of your life. From the horror, or joy, filled ‘how many days late?’ to incessant probes about ‘how many months now?’ you are now part of an exclusive club where members are perfectly comfortable regaling you with tales of 10 pounders, forceps deliveries and episiotomies whilst waiting patiently in the queue at the bank. Nor does it end there. Expect frequent bump rubs, mystical predictions on baby‘s gender and innocent comments about how enormous, or not, you look; and being told you look like you’re carrying twins (when you’ve clearly stated you’re not) can be just as hurtful as being scoffed at for not looking pregnant at all (when you’ve clearly stated you are!). In any given situation random strangers will feel at liberty to share their expertise

1 www.fpa.org.uk/helpandadvice/ unplannedpregnancy/ pregnantanddontknowwhattodo

with you2 and, especially as a newbie, you’ll be expected to accept this gracefully. They are only trying to be helpful after all.

social services tout de suite! Well newsflash, love is not automatic even with your own flesh and blood.3 After what could, potentially, be years of build-up and anticipation (hey, you’ve planned for Through all this you’ll little Johnny since you learn about trimesters The best laid plans... were little yourself) (there’s 3 of them), The ARHP reports, in their the aftermath may gestational age (40 2008 contraception editorial, not seem so glorious. weeks, sometimes that 38% of all pregnancies, Even when the floods less, quite often more), worldwide, were unintended of chemicals in your dilation (10cm) and www.arhp.org/ system aren’t playing labour (on average 6 publications-and-resources/ havoc with your hours yet anything contraception-journal/ emotions societal from a record breaking september-2008 pressures and personal 4 minutes to a heart expectations may be The average time it takes for a breaking 5 days has enough to tip you couple to fall pregnant, when been reported). The over. Dad desperately planning, is 6 months. one thing you should wanted a boy, Motherwww.medicinenet. hold on to is the fact in-law hates the name com/script/main/art. that your pregnancy you’ve chosen and best asp?articlekey=51710 is unique and all the friend’s pregnancy/ numbers that are held It’s estimated that between labour was effortless. up as a benchmark 1.25% and up to 25.5% of new You feel as attractive are just numbers. fathers suffer from Post natal as a sack of spoiled As fascinating as it (postpartum)depression. potatoes, little Joanie is to hear stories en.wikipedia.org/ rejects your breast about 30 minute wiki/Postpartum_ milk and looks nothing home births; where depression#cite_note-30 like anyone in either mother recovered of your families. It’s quickly enough to prepare a placenta unsurprising that up to 25% of new Bolognese, nobody should expect mothers and fathers suffer from you to follow suit, and if they do you postpartum depression. When the need to put them in their place! world, seemingly, conspires to beat you over the head with conformity The greatest love of all? anything that’s less than expected is Possibly the greatest lie of all is that frightening. The lesson here is you all mothers, without question, will need to shelve those expectations love their new born the second they and work with whatever comes your set eyes on them and, if they don’t, way. In reality you’ve just welcomed clearly they’re heartless freaks of another life into the world and you nature that need to be registered with have to take responsibility, even if 2 www.mothering.com/ community/t/77284/come-share-thesilliest-advice-youve-been-given

3 www.telegraph.co.uk/ education/3357276/Mothers-whocant-bond-with-their-babies.html

Spring 2012 seventy2minutes.com

the parent trap the love has truly died do not be a martyr be an adult. Happy families are not built on false emotions and the cracks will eventually show. A separation may be on the cards but that takes place between you and the other adult in your life, not the child. You’re a parent now. Period.

that act of responsibility is admitting that it’s not what you imagined and you simply can’t cope without help.

Happy families The strain of a new child can be immense. Regardless of how you divide the duties it’s near impossible to strike a perfect balance of who does what and when. Once again those troublesome expectations rear their ugly heads. Even if baby is angelic beyond reason s/ he will still have needs and someone has to cater to them. In the modern society this often means that, in the early days, one of you has to work and the other has to accept the role of carer. Ay, there’s the rub. The role of carer has somehow been demoted to a menial task that a blind baboon (albeit a caring and nurturing one) could perform with one hairy hand tied behind its back. It’s not as important as predicting the rise and the fall of the market or delivering a flashy powerpoint presentation, is it now? And never will this be more acutely felt than when your ‘other half’ returns from a day’s work to casually enquire why your home looks like a hive when all you’ve done is look after the baby. Note here that communication is amongst the top 5 reasons for relationship breakdowns and breathe. Explain in terms they’re likely to understand… “Prioritising”, “a paradigm shift in thinking”, “lack of resources”. They’ll either think you’ve lost your marbles or they’ll get the point.

Competing with one another for the “my day was harder than yours” accolade is utterly futile and will only end in bitter resentment especially if your other half transplants hearts for a living. In all honesty weaning a child is difficult, sometimes horrendously so, but it’s not that difficult! The point is when the going gets tough, and it will, you both need to remember that this is what you chose, and you did (remember those 3 options in the beginning?). If you care about each other let that feeling be your guide and stick to the age old rule of treating as you would wish to be treated. If you find that

To work, or not to work... that is the question You’ve made it through the early bit with your sanity mildly intact. You’ve decided that baby needs to interact with other babies (i.e. staying at home was dead boring and you want to go back to adult conversation/ money is tighter than you can imagine/ work is actually easier!), you’ve found the perfect childcare solution and work is gagging to have you back. Before you skip off into the sunset; clear a little room in the corner of your soul so that when the guilt settles in it’ll have ample space to torture you. The first day you deposit baby to their new carer will be an eye opener. If they cry bitterly, thrashing their little arms in a desperate bid to hold onto you, you’ll feel like the devil. If they toddle from you into the arms of the rosy faced minder, looking back briefly to wave you on your way, you’ll feel like the devil. If you decided that you are the best carer for your child and staying home is your destiny somebody, somewhere, will make you feel like the devil. There is no win/win here. The road to peace of mind = make your choice and stand your ground. There’s a plethora of ‘evidence’ out there that claims that working mums/ stay-at-home mums/young mums/ old mums are the best/worst/reason for all things depraved. Ignore it. All of it. Those who lay claim to have surveyed x amount of women don’t know you or your specific circumstances. The guilt will never completely go away. It’s part of questioning whether any

seventy2minutes.com Spring 2012

Work it girl... but not too hard! A 10 year research conducted by the American Psychological Association suggests that part-time working mothers are the happiest!

Playground politics Politicians have nothing on these devious diva’s; say hello to the playground mum’s! www.parentdish.co.uk/2011/02/27/ playground-politicsbitchy-school-mums www.netmums.com/coffeehouse/ general-coffeehouse-chat-514/ coffee-lounge-18/655311-sickplayground-politics.html decision you have ever made is the right one and decisions are far scarier when they involve another life.

Education, education, education! You know you’re firmly trapped in the jaws of parenthood when the task of choosing a school is upon you. It seems that there are a million different options and it feels like none of them are ideal. Most parents have to settle for state provided education and this could be the thing of nightmares. Good, free, schools are so few and far between that some parents are willing to go to impressive lengths to gain a favourable spot for their child.4 Falsifying records, living a double life and feigning religious piety may not be explicit on the job description of a dedicated parent but when duty calls “to undertake any other duties commensurate with the post” comes into effect. Private schooling can be wonderful, if you can stretch to it. Little Joanie gets to mix with ‘nice’ children from ‘nice’ families, every parent has a vested interest (literally) and the staff are paid handsomely enough to look vaguely concerned about your rants over Joanie’s inability to spell “perspiration” at the ripe age of 5. However, be warned, the school gates are a mean place where parents regress back to playground behaviour and money is anything but the great equaliser. If 4 www.telegraph.co.uk/education/ educationnews/8962113/School-admissionsfraud-rises-in-race-for-best-places.html

the parent trap you’re part of the pack that’s stretching for a private education it will show, no matter how hard you try to disguise it. When you’re investing your disposable income in Joanie’s future it’s hard to maintain salon perfect locks, a gym hardened body and fuel a 4X4. Worst yet, when Joanie’s friends turn up at her birthday with gifts of Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, where you can only reciprocate with Florence & Fred (Knowing full well that a charity shop somewhere is about to get lucky), you’ll experience the full brunt of the parent trap; emotions on behalf of your child. Think you’re hardcore? Think again. If the brat pack (mother, child et al) turns their noses up at your child and s/he knows this, but can’t figure out why, it will smart more than you can imagine. Even as you deliver your best prepared “it’s not you, it’s them” speech their tears of frustration will fill that little well of guilt in that little corner you reserved. Home school then?? Hmmm… tread carefully. Time, money and life balances accounted for you need to question whether you’re actually the best person to ‘educate’ your child. In Germany home schooling is illegal but, fortunately, in the UK and US it’s increasingly the choice for parents who are dissatisfied with state offerings yet unable to access private alternatives.5 Whilst there are plenty of resources available to support home schooled children honesty, in this case, is the best policy. If you have the attention span of a gnat and think Sesame Street, 3 hours a day, is a valid part of your curriculum it’s possibly best you rethink this strategy! This is a time for selflessness. What you think is best for your child and what is actually best for your child are not always synonymous. Isolating them from the “bad’uns” found in less favourable schools may be great for their manners but what does it do for their ability to cope in difficult situations, with difficult people?6 Make sure the choice is not about you and the way you felt about school and take your guide from your child. Think about what you’re preparing them 5 www.home-schooling-uk.com 6 showcase.netins.net/web/ nurture/Regret2.html

for 10, 20 or 30 years down the line because parenting is a thankless task and this is one of those decisions that bite if your intentions are selfish!

Remember the time before little Joanie? See the world or save the world, it’s up to you. You’re older, wiser, and tougher; plus you’re a little richer now there’re a few less mouths to feed…

It’s none of your business!! You’ll pray for the day they can walk, talk and take care of themselves but you don’t realise that for the majority of this time they’ll still live with you! Suddenly, now they’re almost the same size as you, you’re not as commanding/ cool/ funny/ clever. They’re clomping about your house demanding gifts of mobile phones and permission to party till midnight whilst flagrantly ignoring your ‘dirty pants off the floor’ rule. They’re speaking in LOL’s, LMAFO’s and WTF’s with random people on websites you’re certain are unscrupulous (nothing to do with the fact you have no idea how to use said website of course) and their best friends seem to be permanent fixtures on your sofa. It’s enough to drive a sane person to drink…7 Which, apparently, could drive your child to drink, and you don’t want this on your conscience now… do you?

Laugh or cry? There’s a well-documented ailment called ‘empty nest syndrome’.8 In a nutshell; you’ve taken the plunge, had that child (or 2), you’ve defeated the dragons at the school gate, sacrificed the champagne lifestyle and raised an upstanding member of society that you not only love but actually like as well. Then they up and leave. It’s nothing you’ve done wrong; it’s just the natural order of things. This is where they spread their wings and show you how high they can fly, thanks to you. You should feel amazing. You don’t. If you went the whole hog; stayed at home, taught at home, poured you blood, sweat and tears into them, this will hit you hard. Get over it!9 Before they return to blight you with grandparental duties live it up for goodness sake! 7 www.underyourinfluence.org.au/ leading-by-example/parents%E2%80%99behaviour-can-influence-teen-drinking 8 www.psychologytoday.com/ conditions/empty-nest-syndrome 9 www.nytimes.com/2009/01/20/ health/20well.html

Always and forever You may think that the flight of your offspring will bring the termination of your role as parent, but no such joy, this is a permanent position. You applied, you somehow succeeded, and it’s now yours forever. Your child could relocate to the moon, if they fancied, and the trail of your parenting will follow them. Are they a commitment phobe? It’s because you were never there. Do they lie incessantly? A fantasist trying to escape the hell of your mediocrity. Are they prone to illness? You were told about breastfeeding weren’t you? Everything they do and don’t do will be silently linked to their maiden home, the place they grew up and the person that grew them. Even their own parenting skills will be your fault.

So ask yourself... do you feel lucky? ... because only that, and the good grace of a God you may not even believe in, will spare you from the trials and tribulations of being a parent, once you are a parent. It’s been said that a person needs a licence to own a dog, yet any animal can have a child; harsh, but often true. So many make huge mistakes in the field of parenting10 and the consequences are dire, reverberating beyond the walls of the family home. Before you leap into it, loins first, ask yourself if you’re prepared to stick it out if your ‘worst case’ scenario comes true. This isn’t a romance. Few would forgive a parent who divorces themselves from their child, but if you’re up to the challenge and feel you have the skills to do a good job go forth and multiply. I dare you.

10 www./mybadparent.com

Spring 2012 seventy2minutes.com

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feature

he title ‘America’s sweetheart’ has been bestowed on the likes of Meg Ryan through to Reese Witherspoon and on to Sandra Bullock. The moniker implies one who’s sweet in nature, humble about their achievements and loved by all.

I vote Charlene Amoia for America’s Sweetheart. Having arranged our Skype interview, London to Virginia, for the day after US Thanksgiving, like all good journalists, I indulged in a little background research (watching episodes of “How I met your mother” whilst munching on cinema sweet popcorn, reading blog posts with a mug of hot cocoa in hand – the hardship!). Impressed by the list of titles on her IMDb page and the wealth of adoration from fans across the globe I hoped for a conversation that was as vibrant and as sincere as this lady seems on screen. I’m used to waiting for my interviews, rearranging them [several times over] and even inventing innovative ways to chase the information I’m after but Charlene is on time. Actually, she’s early. I’m impressed.

with: Charlene A moia 12

seventy2minutes.com Spring 2012

seventy2minutes with: Charlene Amoia I begin by asking about her Thanksgiving.

72m: With 48 titles (and counting) and numerous appearances I ask if auditioning is like a normal job interview. You show case your talents, they pass a judgement, but you also weigh up whether the job is truly right for you

CA: It was really good. I’m in Virginia beach right now, I have my Aunt here, my cousins, their kids and it’s just nice to be back home for the holidays and eating lots of yummy food! How was your Thanksgiving?

CA: Whenever I interested in an audition I try to find my way in, no matter what it is, until you get to the point when you can be choosy with your roles you have to win them. It’s one of the brilliant things about acting; it’s different every time. Some roles are easier to get into than others but the challenge is always the most exciting thing; especially when they’re super far from ‘me’.

72m: I explain that in the UK we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving and it’s all about Christmas. I share my angst about Christmas starting in June and she shares that warm, infectious laugh.

CA: I’m actually in the UK for Christmas this year. I travel a lot over the Christmas/New Year time because in LA the industry completely shuts down so you can really get away and not worry about missing opportunities so I take that time to visit places I’ve never been. I’ve been to Europe a few times but my step dad retires this year and he hasn’t gone so we’re going to go together. 72m: I’m drawn into gushing about Christmas in London when it snows and recommend skating at Somerset House. We both wonder whether it’s Sweden or Norway who sends us (London) the big tree each year and decide that Sweden sounds more likely (BTW it’s Norway). This isn’t an interview, it’s like talking with an old friend. After a little more chat about the fairytale beauty of Christmas in London I remember that I have questions!

Charlene has 48 films and TV titles under her belt; Seven Pounds, Girlfriends, Joey, Glee, Criminal Minds, House... to name a few. I ask her about her most loved character ‘Wendy the waitress’ from ‘How I met your mother’.

“

CA: When I’m travelling someone will say -you know, you look familiar- then they’ll figure it out and it always surprises me because I’m only on a few episodes a year, but it’s neat because the show has grown and people really love it. 72m: Humble as ever she’s flattered when I explain that I think it’s reflective of her personality that she doesn’t have to be in each and every episode to be remembered, and adored.

CA: I really enjoyed playing her. I based her on a girlfriend of mine who’s super funny, goofy, clumsy, naive, sweet... 72m: I wonder if said girlfriend knows and Charlene giggles (FYI, yes she does).

CA: I watch her behaviourisms and I’ll just add one anytime I get the opportunity on the show!

...the challenge is always the most exciting thing.

72m: We talk about the role she’s just finished in the new FOX crime drama ‘The Finder’ www.facebook.com/TheFinderonFOX

The spin-off from Bones she describes her character, Annie Turnball, as ‘the very opposite of who I am’. CA: That was one of the most exciting parts that I’ve been chosen for . It was a brilliant challenge because you transcend into this role and become this character that’s nothing like you. It’s like a drug, a high that’s almost meditative and takes you out of yourself. 72m: What

about nerves?

CA: The first few years I used to get nervous but the trick has been to really focus on the work, and whatever work I’ve put into it, then I look it as if I’ve already got the role and I’m performing in a small theatre where I may only be able to do it just once. It’s made a difference because the nerves come in when I’m worried about getting the role and not about just being the person or the character”. 72m: This is sound advice, I point out, and applicable to all industries.

Spring 2012 seventy2minutes.com

seventy2minutes with: Charlene Amoia My questioning moves on to ‘How I met your mother’. I confess that I can’t see past Doogie Howser and Willow, a clear indication of my age. She rolls out another delicious ball of laughter and in turn confesses to her surprise at having been cast as Wendy, she auditioned for something else; CA: I had no idea what it was going to be, no idea that they would ever bring me back and for them to bring me back as often as they did was a blessing. 72m: Wendy the waitress is well loved and I tell her this but I wonder how she manages to separate this much loved character from her self, especially when people link her face to that of Wendy’s.

72m: What

CA: ...nature. I like to bike ride on the beach, hike, go to the batting cages or go bowling with friends. I’m more of a homebody than someone who likes to go to bars but I also like the cinema, theatre and anything culturally rich that encourages creativity. 72m: Glee. Charlene sings too. She appeared alongside Jane Lynch and Matthew Morrison in S2 E13 titled ‘Comeback’. A nurse on a children’s cancer ward she admits that the scenes were very emotive, however I’m interested in another dynamic of her role. The children. I ask if she has plans, in the future, to be a mother.

CA: I have not yet found that I’m ready to take on that life. As I’m getting older I’m becoming more open to it. I’m spending time with my nephew this weekend and I feel something changing in me... I can’t say in the next 5 years but if I can sum it up I’m open to it if it happens

CA: Everybody has received her well. I don’t think I get noticed enough for it to be a problem. It’s kind of exciting; to get recognition for her! 72m: There was a time when rumour had it that Wendy was the mother [in the title] and people were genuinely rooting for her and Charlene describes how this wash squashed with a storyline that saw Wendy, 10 years in the future, with her own husband and children. There’s a season 8 in the pipeline but Charlene is casual about the potential of reprising the role. Her attitude to working on the show is flexible and she’s “available when they call”.

I run through the fact that during her 17 appearances on HIMYM between 2005-2011 she also took on numerous roles in shows like ‘Days of our lives’, ‘Nip/Tuck’ and ‘The young and the restless’. Clearly she’s not work shy.

72m: Pointing out our ‘no resolutions, no regrets’ approach to our issue 4 I wonder about the worst resolution she’s made and her plans for 2012. To my delight she states that she’s never been one for resolutions and after we laugh about the futility of change without desire the topic of American Pie 4: American Reunion crops up. Charlene plays Ellie, Kevin’s wife, a relative newcomer to the fans. She explains how on-screen husband, Thomas Ian Nicholas, went to great efforts to make her feel less like the new girl in class inspite of the chemistry that the original cast openly displayed.

CA: I work on at least one thing a week. It’s pretty busy for an actor who’s not contracted on anything. I feel very fortunate. It creates some stability in an industry that’s very unstable!

does she do to switch off?

seventy2minutes.com Spring 2012

CA: It was a blast. It was all good vibes on that set. 72m: I believe her. The tone in her voice confirms this. She shares that her favourite character is Alyson Hannigan (Michelle). Why? They have similar traits; shy with a propensity for inappropriate outbursts!

I ask my final question. The question... the one about 72M being about all things you have to be to make your world go round... CA: .. there are moments that would add up to seventy2minutes. The things that stick out for me are the moments when I’ve been able to ‘give’ to others; whether it’s a surprise gift after overhearing a conversation between two memebrs of my family or time to charity. One of the coolest things about having exposure as an actor is that as you grow, in the world, you have a louder voice and I’m looking forward to the future, another seventy2minutes, when I can be of service to others

Keeping up with Charlene twitter.com/charleneamoia

Start healthy as prosperous you fulfilled mean strong to loved go loving on…

The end of disastrous New Year’s resolutions and the start of your journey to health, wealth and wellbeing

2012: the end of resolutions

ith the constant threat of an international economic meltdown if you have plans for a wealthy future Shafi Farooq of Doable Finance has some key tips to balance your financial portfolio in 2012

Your 2012: You and your money

The bad economy keeps dragging its feet and pulling down the pants off of our personal finances. It’s an insult to our core senses. Needless to say these un-certain times make it essential to update your financial plans annually. It’s more crucial now than ever to have your annual financial review with the help of your financial adviser. I have divided the financial plan into five parts that you might want to revisit annually:

1. Investing goals 2. Paying special attention to your tax-paying adventure 3. Updating your estate plan

4. Updating your retirement plan 5. Updating your insurance

1. Investing goals Your investing goals may have changed this year to the point that yearly review becomes essential. If your financial situation has changed, make adjustments as needed.

For example, you may have been saving for a new home or your children’s college education. So you might want to adjust your investment targets to reflect current real estate conditions and college tuition costs. This might be the time to check your asset allocation to ensure that it continues to meet your investment needs and preferences. Also perform any rebalancing that might be necessary in light of the past year’s market performance. If you have invested in mutual funds, check to see if any of them have changed their objectives, risks, and performance. Most of all eliminate duplication. If you own stock in individual companies, evaluate the companies’ current status and

prospects, and decide whether keeping them is justified in your stock portfolio. Educate yourself to identify stock market phases.

2. P aying special attention to your tax‑paying adventure Taxes can hit your investments big and can significantly reduce returns data. You need efficient strategies that can help you reduce the tax hit on your investments and potentially boost your after-tax returns. At your annual review, ask your advisor about tax-efficient strategies you might be missing. Such strategies include knowing when to sell or hold, and monitoring deductions and distributions. The best way to take advantage of some of these strategies may be to contribute more to taxadvantaged vehicles, such as a 401(k) plan or a deferred annuity, by investing in tax-exempt bonds, or by choosing tax-managed mutual funds for your portfolio.

3. U pdating your estate plan Use your yearly review to make sure your estate plan continues to reflect your current family status and financial situation, as well as the latest estate and tax laws.

lifestyle – your evolving interests and tastes and your health and marital status as well. So far as income, check your progress toward establishing your retirement income plan. Your financial adviser could identify shortfalls and recommend strategies to address them. If you are already retired, revisit your investment withdrawal strategy.

5. U pdating your insurance needs We all know life keeps changing and with it our needs. If your family is growing, you might want to increase the amount of your insurance. That will protect your loved ones from a devastating loss of income. On the other hand, most people find that as they get older, their net worth climbs and their children reach adulthood. In that case, they need less life insurance. The same considerations should affect disability insurance.

In a Nutshell Adjust your life insurance, 401(k) and IRA contribution. Remember that assets in your retirement accounts pass directly to the beneficiaries you designate. Talk to your account custodian, trustee, or plan administrator. These suggestions might seem overwhelming to you, but reviewing them on an annual basis will do you good in your financial life.

You should take into account the federal estate tax laws and adjust your estate plan accordingly.

4. U pdating your retirement plan

seventy2minutes.com Spring 2012

Experts suggest reevaluate your retirement plans every year in terms of both lifestyle and financial needs. Many factors could affect your

Doable Finance is a gutsy information blog that explains how to manage credit and debt effectively. Catch up with author, Shafi Farooq, and his insights on; www.doablefiance.com

2012: the end of resolutions

Following suit, we often jump to utilize this period as an opportunity to make extreme changes in our lives, construct goals, and attempt to make a conscious effort to become healthier, happier, more fulfilled people. Merging new ideas with the everyday tasks of life can become overwhelming for most. We start forgetting things, lacking focus, and thus have difficulty managing to complete anything at all. The mind becomes cluttered.

Ask for and accept help from others. There is no shame in letting go of some control and having someone else lend a hand.

Picture your clutter-free future by closing your eyes and visualizing a day where you’ve completed some of the tasks. Take a few deep breaths and imagine how you’ll feel at that moment. Let that feeling inspire you.

Learning to declutter the mind by assessing and improving our patterns of thinking and how we react to the day-to-day tasks we create for ourselves can improve the chances of reaching goals and achieving the mental and emotional clarity that is crucial to navigating not only resolutions, but life.

Inject silliness into your life. Smile more, laugh more, and do things that bring out that child-like giddiness that is often overlooked in adulthood. Every so often, make a point to NOT take yourself so seriously and have some fun.

ways to declutter your mind

Work on getting things off of your mind, literally, by writing them down. When we make our thoughts visible it becomes easier to understand and tackle them. We also become more organized by writing things down, keeping a planner, or keeping a to-do list somewhere noticeable. Pinpoint the unnecessary stressors in your life and get rid of them. Take out the things that keep you overly extended, overly obsessive, or relentlessly unhappy.

Millen Umoh is a NYC psychotherapist with a passion for life, love, laughter and helping others realize their full potential and dreams. Her blog PSG (Psyche and the single girl) is intended to help motivate singletons to be emotionally healthy, empowered, and mindful individuals through positivity, laughter, and support.

Air out any grievances you may have and embrace forgiveness. Hanging on to anger only hurts you and adds more to your mental plate. The other person may not know why you are angry in the first place and will certainly move on. If you are holding on to anger, hurt or resentment, try sitting down with the person to whom it is directed and having a productive conversation. Constructive communication eases the mind and so does forgiveness. Learn this word: “No”. You cannot be everything to everybody and do-it-all all of the time. It’s okay to turn down invitations, requests, and extra tasks that you just don’t have time or energy for. People will understand. If they do not, then remember that your own mental wellness is more important than someone’s opinion of you.

Accept the tasks in your life for what they are: just “Tasks”. They are simply things that exist and that will continue to pop up in life, and that’s okay.

About Millen

Your 2012: Declutter your mind

new year is upon us once again, and as with years past, most of us agree that the new year came extremely quickly and that it’s presence is cause for fresh start.

Affirm that each task can get completed. Make statements like “I can get this done. I will get this done.” Positive statements help to motivate us, relieve anxiety, and build your sense of self. Be realistic! Don’t try to do 10 things in one day, thus adding more pressure and setting yourself up for feeling overwhelmed and eventually disappointed. Choose a couple of things per day to tackle, starting with the most pressing, and move forward.

Find balance. Each day, take some time for yourself to relax your mind and your body, even if only for 15 minutes. Meditate, sleep, read or simply reflect on the successes of the day. P.S.A little positive reinforcement goes a long way, so reward yourself for getting things done!

Visit Millen on: www.psychandthesinglegirl.com Spring 2012 seventy2minutes.com

2012: the end of resolutions

Your 2012

Write the perfect CV land your dream job

ith the current global economic situation, now more than ever, it is essential to have a professional and selling CV that would catch the eyes of recruiters and future employers.

There are some variations on the way a CV should look like depends on the target country and the position we are applying for. However, the following universal steps would help you to write a winning CV.

Step 2: A selling context

Step 4: Check up

In the profile, write a personal slogan that defines your unique advantages and qualifications – who you are and what you can offer your future employers. This part should be reviewed and re-written each time you apply for a new job so it should address different positions.

Make sure you check your spelling and grammar, don’t relay only on spell-check – you can also ask someone you trust to review your CV, to come with suggestions and to help you identify any possible errors.

Step 1: A professional structure A selling CV is neat and readable; it should catch the eye and be easy to read at the same time. Start by deciding about the structure, then write several headlines to define each part of your CV (For example: Profile, work experience, Education, computer skill, etc.). Decide about a format and a look that catches the eye at the same time as it looks well. Do you want to organize the context chronologically? You might want to have the headlines in bold or with a different colour than black? Have your name and contact details at each of the pages by including the information on the header.

Insert several tables to create a professional look – a separate table for education, one for work experience etc. When you are done with the CV, chance the table colours to white.

You can also convert your CV to a PDF document to give it a more professional look.

Write a clear and informative review on the main positions you held in a chronological order – include the name of the employers, years of employment and a short description of the tasks and responsibilities. On the education part, start with your main education or academic level following by other courses you took – include education institutes and time-frame. Don’t forget to include other skills as computer and languages skills.

Step 3: Keep it updated Every time you change position, get more responsibilities or skills include it on your CV. List new courses you take, any new program or language you master. A CV is a living document which needs to be updated and upgraded with time. With time, you can also erase old and irrelevant positions– maybe a cashier job that you had 15 years ago is just taking place on your document.

seventy2minutes.com Spring 2012

Let’s make 2012 the year we get a real career breakthrough on the Road to Success yoursuccessplan.blogspot.com Malin Moran Winsteen Albin is a Personnel Manager in a Shipping company and aims to help others to find their road to success, to give them the needed tools and guides to advance in their chosen career.

2012: the end of resolutions edentry lifestyles, processed foods, technological decvelopments and little time for personal pursuitss can lead to the neglect of the physical self. The World Health Organisation (WHO, 2009) reports that at least 60% of the world’s population do not get enough exercise. Research as early as 2001 suggested that obesity is ‘clearly more prevalent in women’ (Worldwide Obesity Epidemic, James et al, 2001) as women are naturally designed to carry more fat and less lean (muscle) tissue.

Burn Fat. Not all of it is bad but you do not want more than your fair share! Too much fat spells disaster for your heart. Raise your heartbeat to burn fat. If traditional exercises leave you uninspired try swimming, power-walking or even pole dancing. Turn your body into a fat incenerator and move something! All it takes is 20 minutes each day.

Tone If the thought of lifting weights leaves you in a cold sweat ease your body in to an effective routine by taking up an activity like yoga or pilates. You’ll soon discover the benefits of a focused mind and a balanced body as you sculpt and define areas of your body you weren’t even aware of! Take a class, buy a DVD or simply google some moves I promise you won’t look back!

Every year thousands of resolutions are made to ‘lose weight’, ‘get in shape’ or ‘go to the gym’ yet, across the globe, waistlines continue to expand! This year do something different. Move something. Introduce 2o minutes of physical activity into your daily routine. Mix and match to keep things interesting or pick something that you’ve always wanted to try and use your body as nature intended. If you’re stuck for ideas take a look at some of the tips below!

Build Muscle. You need it. Muscles takes up less room and burns more fat; and too much fat is bad news. The gym can be torturous but any activity, like rock climbing, that forces your body to lift, pull and carry weight, even if it’s just your own body weight, will build valuable muscles that will keep your heart strong and your bones supported.

Your 2012: Time to move something

Spring 2012 seventy2minutes.com

2012: the end of resolutions

Health issues can impact on your career, emotional wellbeing, family and relationships. This year make an effort to put your health’s improvement at the top of your ‘to-do list’

Your 2012: You and your health

The lifestyle check Let’s talk The way you live your life could have about STD’s serious implications for your health! Are you a smoker, heavy drinker or do you use recreational drugs? Do you work long weeks, do little to relax and have a stressful home life? Do you suffer from migraines, constant aches and pains or insomnia?

These are basic questions about your daily existence that can give valuable insights into potential health issues and are often asked when you first register with a new health practitioner. This information can also be used when applying for life and health insurance so the benefits of just knowing are wide and varied. What you choose to do with the knowledge is, of course, up to you!

What are you weighting for? Weight can be a thorny issue but knowing how much you’re supposed to weigh can save a lot of dieting heartache! A simple BMI check will give an indication as to whether you classify as obese or ok, however, these do not always account for muscle mass and have been thought to be misleading if you’re overly athletic. Most good gyms will have aprofessional scales that measure weight, body fat percentage, water, bone, and muscle tissue

As uncomfortable a truth as it may be the reality is that once you’re having sex you’re potentially exposed to STD’s (sexually transmitted diseases). Even if you’ve only been with one partner (who’s also only ever been with one other... honest) it’s important to reassure yourself that you’re not sharing more than just your bed! STD’s, untreated, can be embarrassing at best and fatal at worst. If you’re adult enough to embark on a sexual relationship then you’re adult enough to have ‘down there’ examined by a health professional.

Vital signs

BP 110/65? RR 80 ? 70 BPM? An annual health check can highlight changes to your vital signs over time, changes that can alert you, or your health practitioner, to any underlying ailments that, left untreated, could lead to long term damage. As you age these numbers change and knwoing the healthy range for your age can support you in managing your health. You can ask your local health practitioner to check your blood pressure, respirotary rate, heartbeats per minute if you have concerns or as part of an annual health review.

seventy2minutes.com Spring 2012

Where can I get one?! Online There are many online resources that you can use as a starting point or for a basic home check but they are by no means a substitute for sound professional advice! www.bupa.co.uk/ wellnessprogramme/jsp/ healthcheck/index.jsp www.fitsugar.com/How-Find-YourResting-Heart-Rate-What-YourResting-Heart-Rate-Means-2892706 www.nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/ Healthyweightcalculator.aspx

Offline Your family doctor (GP) or a relevant health practitioner can provide these checks. A general practitioner can check your vital signs and inform you if there are any issues. Abnormal readings may prompt further investigations (e.g. blood tests) to rule out any suspected ailments. If you feel uncertain about anythin always ask and never feel shay about requesting a second opinion! A sexual health practitioner can perform basic tests for common STD’s like Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Genital warts. Ordinarily if anything is detected treatment can be prescribed immediately and it’s essential that you see this through as some STD’s can ‘hide’ in your system only to resurface years down the line. If heading to your local Gym to weigh yourself in front of a room full of people sounds horrendous find a weight management specialist who knows the difference between body fat percentage and body mass index. Being overweight, or underweight, is equally as serious as having an ailment that you ignore until it’s too late!

Review your beauty habits and build a personal knowledge base of what works for you

Cleanse,

tone, moisturise. How often do hear this? How often do you do this?

Keep your skin in top condition all year round by eating well, sleeping well and ‘cleansing’ properly. A good routine will keep the shine at bay, reduce spots and ease dryness. If you don’t know your skin type try this online tool to start; www.purposeskincare.com/skinProfiler

See

your true colours shine through by understanding what suits you best. Don’t be lured into thinking that just because it suits xxx that it’s going to suit you, even if on the surface of it you have the same skin tone. A colour consultation will help you choose the right hue/shade/ tint for you. There are online tools available but nothing beats practice! When you next visit your local beauty store try the samples to see what looks great on you.

High

cheek bones? Large eyes? Full lips? Lucky you! Accentuate your best features for maximum impact. Once you know the colours that suit you build your confidence in how you wear your make-up and try on different looks for size. This is where you can fully experiment. YouTube is a cornucopia of tutorial videos that will teach you how to buff, contour, highlight and define yourself to beautiful perfection!

Keep

your brushes clean and your palette fresh. Wash your brushes and your foundation sponges once a week to avoid the build up of bacteria that can lead to unsightly blemishes or skin infections.

You can invest in specialist cleaners but your everyday facial wash or mild shampoo will do just as well!

Once you’ve determined whether you have oily, dry or combination skin do some research! Type into any search engine “best cleanser for… skin”, read reviews, try some products and build a collection that works for you. If money is no object then a trip to a registered beautician or dermatologist can help, however, don’t always feel that the more you spend the better the result as quite often the most simple, less expensive products are the best!

C L E A N

Go for colours you shy away from or tones you’ve previously thought could never suit you and dab these on the back of your hands, your cheeks or even collar bone. Have a mirror handy so you can leave the shop and take a peek under natural light. Don’t be shy, it’s what testers are for! Also try these sites for inspiration.

C O L O U R

www.colourmebeautiful.co.uk/home www.stylemakeovers.com/colorquiz.html

72M has

gathered some favourites so simply follow the link to our YouTube page to pick up some of the awesome beauty vloggers who’ll happily teach you how to enhance what nature gave you! www.youtube.com/Seventy2Minutes

www.amazon.co.uk/StrictlyProfessional-Cosmetic-Brush-Cleaner/ dp/B003R376O0 Simply run your brush/sponge under luke warm water, add a drop of shampoo/face wash and massage into the brushes/sponge until the frothy lather appears. Rinse thoroughly until the water runs clean and then air dry your brushes/sponge. Viola!

D E F I N E M A I N T A I N

Your 2012: …the eye of the beholder

You beauty

2012: the end of resolutions

Spring 2012 seventy2minutes.com

2012: the end of resolutions

Is what you have, what you really want?

1. Make a list List your closest relationships: partner, parents, children, friends, family, etc.

2. Feelings Note how you generally feel when you are interacting with each person, such as happy, sad, fulfilled, anxious, bored, worried, taken advantage of, angry, resentful, in turmoil, afraid, etc.

Your 2012: Your relationships

Are your relationships the kind you really want or just the ones you have?

It’s a great question, and the answer may not be as simple as you think. In fact, just thinking about the question-and the potential consequences of answering it--may be terrifying. But if you don’t own up to what you really want, how are you ever going to have it? And, if you admit your relationships aren’t fulfilling you as much as they could, you open the door to realizing how they can. This year, instead of creating a list of easily-forgotten resolutions, create a new tradition of taking a few hours for yourself to review the most important part of your life--your relationships.

“

I am a psychologist and author of my own self-help book and so I am pretty discerning about what I read and recommend from the countless personal improvement books on the market -- many of them not very good. The Hardline Self Help Handbook is at the top of my list because it does exactly what the title promises.”- Amy Wood, Psy.D

3. Why? Think about why you feel what you do and detail the thoughts or actions (theirs and yours) that create those feelings.

4. The pluses and minuses For each relationship, list five positive and five negative aspects that each person brings to your life. Then, list five positive and negatives that you bring to each of theirs.

5. What’s in it for you? What do you get out of the relationship? Be honest. If you get the sense of feeling needed, appreciated, being looked up to, being validated-or simply not being rejected--admit it. If maintaining the relationship gives you some kind of perks, such as money, belonging, sex, security, whatever, admit that as well. There are no “bad” answers, so don’t shy away from the question. Honor all the thoughts that come up-ones that make you feel good and especially the ones that don’t. The fact is none of us will do anything unless we get something out of it--it feels good or fills a need in some way. It’s not wrong or something to overcome, it’s just the way we are, and working with it instead of fighting against it is the way to create mutually fulfilling relationships.

seventy2minutes.com Spring 2012

Paula Renaye is a motivational speaker, certified professional coach and author of the multi-awardwinning personal development guide, The Hardline Self Help Handbook-What Are You Willing to Do to Get What You Really Want? A self-confessed former eggshell walker, emotional wreck and utter failure at keeping her life from falling apart, Paula uses her path out of despair as road map for others. For more tough love tips, visit her website at www.hardlineselfhelp.com You don’t have to keep talking to and interacting with people who make you feel bad. You can change the dynamic so you don’t have to replay the same old dramas. However, be aware that for some people to be happy they have to be miserable--and they need people to support them in it. If you don’t continue to indulge their victimhood, they may not want you in their lives--and that’s okay. In a mutually fulfilling relationship, each person is giving the other what they want. Positive relationships energize and support each person to the benefit of both. Negative ones suck the life out of you on every level. It’s your choice which kinds you have in your life. The good news is that once you bite the bullet and admit what you really want from your relationships, you’ll know what you need to do to get it. You’ll automatically see ways to enhance positive relationships-and different options for dealing with negative ones. Make the conscious choice even when it isn’t the easiest or most comfortable. Do the tough work now. It’s the only way to get what you really want!

2012: the end of resolutions place where users can update their wardrobes (and stay fashionable) without paying hefty retail prices. There, problem solved!

A new year means new resolutions – many of which we sometimes find ourselves giving up on by March. But broken resolutions aren’t just limited to gym memberships & calorie-cutting – they can pertain to fashion as well. Trying new styles, staying ahead of the fashion curve -this can be difficult as well, due to lack of time, money & properly utilizing what you already have in your closet. But your fashion sense doesn’t have to be dictated by your finances, or your long work-weeks. Here are a few ideas to help you start the new year off looking great:

Enhance what you have

Take inventory! You won’t believe what you may already have in your closet! No seriously, go through EVERYTHING. Yes, this can be time consuming, but it is way less expensive to do this then start shopping from scratch. A good rule of thumb would be if you haven’t worn it in over a year, LOSE IT! If you’re keeping it because “it’s worth something,” you have options! Many fashion bloggers, like myself, have started “shop my closet” sections on our blogs. This is spreading like wild fire!

Online fashion options So, you may not have a fashion blog but you want to sell your clothes online? There’s still lots of resources available such as eBay, Craig’s List, Chictopia, and various resale shops (likely) in-or-around your hometown. To help support this new “boom” in fashion resale, Kaitlyn Fergus & I are launching becauseishoptoomuch.com in the next few months. BISTM will be a great new resource to buy, sell, and swap your clothes & accessories. We are very excited to share a

Now that you know what you have (as well as what you may no longer have), it’s time to get creative. The first way to do this is by updating your accessories – belts and scarfs (and maybe a hat or two). A new accent can spruce up an older, more “worn-in” outfit from your existing collection. This sounds simple right? IT IS! The next step is getting comfortable mixing & matching these “enhancements”. Of course a belt is still great with a blouse and jeans or slacks, but experimenting with accessories can really bring the most out of your outfits. By adding a belt to your favorite dress you can completely change the look, thus getting more mileage out of your current wardrobe. Add a belt over a cardigan and cami or blazer. Add a scarf and boots to your favorite summer dress to instantly transform it into a great Fall look! Want to jazz up an ordinary jeans and a tee? Wear them with a rich jewel-tone scarf and add a chic hat to finish the look!

Ready to do some shopping… You don’t have to spend TONS of money changing your style. In fact, if you’re creative enough you don’t need too many new pieces at all! Okay, okay, you want to do more shopping - here are a few ideas. In my experience it’s best not to buy too many trendy pieces. You never know how long they will be in style and a few will go a long way! Buy staple pieces that you can use for years! Blazer, great jeans, trench coat, and a neutral bag are great, but why not grab something that makes

everything pop. I love when someone is wearing a LBD and then you look down and see a purple, red, or green pump… so unexpected, chic, and again will not go out of style any time soon.

The Art of Layering

Your 2012: whats in your closet?

It’s that time of year again!

Another way to get more mileage out of your wardrobe is to learn the trick of layering. There are so many ways to layer and make your wardrobe look different each time you do so. Here are a few examples: Layer a fur vest over an outfit (or even under a jacket) for a hot new look. Try a collared top under a sweater/cardigan (great Winter look!) or tuck a collared shirt in and add a belt/jacket over it. Have a favorite dress? Wear it under a top/blouse and belt it for a great “skirted” look. Or try a blouse under the dress to take it through the seasons!

Jewelry and hair

The last two ways to make your new look complete are with jewelry and hair styles. We all love fine, ridiculously-expensive jewelry (who doesn’t?), but costume jewelry has come a long way in the last few years. Lots of it is virtually indistinguishable from the “real stuff’ and the prices are way better! I treat my jewelry like my clothes – rotating inexpensive pieces I haven’t worn out and mixing new ones in! Now let’s talk hair. MIX IT UP! I’m not even talking about cutting it, just changing the style up often. Don’t know how? Almost all hair styles have tutorials on Youtube! I hope this helps you to not make ridiculous resolutions but to look within yourself for the new year. After all, you don’t need to change who you are or what you wear, just realize what you have and put forth the best you!

by Lisa Fergus www.facebook.com/SADBblog

Spring 2012 seventy2minutes.com

2012: the end of resolutions

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No resolutions no regrets seventy2minutes.comâ&#x20AC;&#x192; Spring 2012â&#x20AC;&#x192;

I want to lose weight. I know I’m round about 10lbs heavier than I’d like to be so this year I’m going to start running. I’ve heard it’s the quickest way to burn lots of fat and boy do I have some to spare! Ok, so I’m not a natural rinner and it takes some effort to get going but once I’m in the swing of things I’ll build a routine and every weekend I’ll go to my local park and run for 30 minutes, one hour, whatever, however long it takes. The only thing I’m worried about is the rain. I hate the bloody rain! I hate the cold water trickling down my back; it makes me cold just thinking about it. That would probably put me off a run or two if anything. I guess I’m a bit of a fair weather runner...

Run adidas by Stella McCartney Studio Perf Woven Jacket

No resolutions, no regrets rule 1

Promise nothing; give everything

B brit on the Haruptatincim hitist eum rem boulevard

rit on the oulevard Monthly musings & shenanigans from a Brit in LA

Sch ool’s out

Hollywood, being the funny place that it is, virtually shuts down at the end of the year. Well, not exactly closed completely, but the proximity of a little holiday called Thanksgiving, to that other little holiday called Christmas, means that most people in the film industr y (and let’s face it, those involved and those that service it make up about 98% of LA) seem to kick back around this time of year, or simply leave town. And so, the social calendar so akin to the Brit On The Boulevard column can seem a little like a pre-Rogaine patient, not least because of all the vacationing, but also in part to the onslaught of parties, events and happenings that will constantly fill up the diary in the upcoming “awards season” of January to March. However, quiet it was not; and there seemed to be an end-of-year theme of movies, movie festivals, major charity events, and good old American holidays.

The screening of ‘The Way’ with Martin Sheen

Love film

I am enjoying happy hour at The Stand out films of the season included a couple of Clooney triumphs – The Ides Of March, and The Descendants – which have earned George quite a few nods in the upcoming nominations. Biographical stories of inspiration were also in fashion, but often overlooked or undersold, from the uncomfortable tragedy that Gerard Butler’s Machine Gun Preacher battled; to the relentless faith for Burma shown in The Lady (Michelle Yeoh and David Thewlis); Eddie Redmayne’s surprising rendezvous with Michelle Williams in My Week With Marilyn and the heartfelt, funny and transformational journey that Martin Sheen takes us on in The Way, directed by his son and a film I had the pleasure of seeing alongside Martin himself, who explained it was “a film dedicated to a grandfather, inspired by a grandson”. Big pictures Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo were also eagerly anticipated.

Lady Victoria Hervey and Amy Hedrick at Virgin Unite dinner

seventy2minutes.com Spring 2012

One good turn... or two

Charity events also took the stage in Hollywood. The 4th annual Dream Awards for Hollywood Arts took over

the Music Box with sunset cocktails followed by a dinner of fundraising and honoring the homeless youth that have been helped off the streets and trained for the working environment by this fantastic charity. Many stars were out in force for this event, and likewise, for the annual ‘Rock The Kasbah’ benefit dinner for Virgin Unite, for which yours truly is on the gala committee. Hosted by Sir Richard Branson, and his mother Eve, this celebrit y-packed soiree filled to the rafters of the ‘Boulevard 3’ venue, for a fantastic performance by Mary J Blige and the Pussycat Dolls revue, raising incredible amounts of money for Eve Branson’s projects in Morocco and throughout the world. Celebrities such as Will.I.am, Amber Valetta, Paris Hilton, Geena Davis and Stan Lee enjoyed food by Vietnamese restaurant Crustacean, and bid on auction items including a stay on Necker Island, creating a new Ben & Jerry’s flavour, and the right to name a Virgin plane. Another event of note was an awareness builder for Love146 held in a private home in the Hollywood Hills, highlighting the plight to end human traffick ing and slavery, which is much more prominent on the home ground of the USA than people think. A few film festivals were also graced with my presence, from the AFM (American Film Market), a true industr y crowd, to the glamorously titled Beverly Hills Film Festival, confusingly with a launch at the Hollywood Roosevelt, and the Bel Air Film Festival (for which I sit on the Advisor y Board) which held its opening night reception at the Skirball Cultural Center, honoring Bob Yari (Producer of Oscar-winner Crash) for his efforts in movies.

brit on the boulevard

Mu sic, people, toge ther Wh o said th at?

My music taste buds were satisfied sufficiently with an intimate performance by Usher & David Guetta on the Jimmy Kimmel show, and the Grammy Nominations concert at Nokia Theater, hosted by LL Cool J, who actually put his rap hat back on, and flamboyant turns by Lada Gaga, and a telecast of Rihanna from London’s O2 arena, but it was nonperformer Bruno Mars, and Adele that cleared up with the most nods.

sCare foundation Halloween with Jamie Lee Curtis and producer Malek Addad

La Jolla Beach

Tric ky trea ts!

You could not mention this time of year without acknowledging Halloween, which Americans do so well. My week long celebration of the eerie festivities (which by the way don’t have to be scary in US costume tradition) had me take in a special themed night at Universal Studios, full of haunted mazes and zombie characters, through to a three day marathon of the Playboy Mansion (party-rocked by LMFAO); a sCare benefit at the Conga Room (hosted by the producer of Halloween and Jamie Lee Curtis; and the West Hollywood Street Parade and the Brits in LA Dead British party, where you had to come as a dead British celebrit y, or just something Dead British, like a cup of tea.

UK to US, that spec ial rela tion ship just keeps givi ng Far more civilized than that, was a night at the British Consulate, where we ate mini Yorkshire puddings and the like, to celebrate delegates brought from the UK to Silicon Valley, who were bridging the gap between Entertainment and Tech, a thought resonated at the, British- owned, Newspepper launch party the same night at the former Paul & Andre nightclub.

Halloween, USA style! Girls of the Playboy Mansion

and rela x...

Amongst all that partying, Thanksgiving and Christmas offers great times to rest, and get out and see the Californian countryside, and I did much of that, taking in short trips to the calm and classy beaches of La Jolla, to the Pine Forests of Idyllwild. Christmas day itself was spent taking advantage of the diverse scenery and climate of California, by having dinner in a swanky Hollywood Hills home by day, and drinking champagne in a snow-surrounded outdoor hot-tub two hours later that night at Big Bear Mountain. I topped the year off at a Russian Prince’s New Year’s Eve party at a $25m mansion with a view, and Smoke & Mirrors nightclub, followed by a lazy day at Paradise Cove on Malibu beach for New Year’s Day. Sufficient unwinding one would say, for the marathon of Awards events that are about to hit us.

Spring 2012 seventy2minutes.com

The Alex Experience

lthough much has been written about this year I will not be elaborating save to say that for some the hangover after the heavy session of the last 5,000 years of hierarchy and state power is begun. As the new struggles to be born from the old there exists a time of hesitation and, as such, a time of monsters.

There will be celebrations this year by those of a British, monarchist and Olympic persuasion, and they will be made to seem, by the media, to be the significant events of the next twelve months. They will speak of eternal flames, of the dawning of a new day and of pinnacles of human achievement. So as you consider any New Year resolutions and reflect on previous attempts you may have made it is worth stopping to consider what is genuine and lasting change and what is a charade that merely changes masks on the same relentless face, a face that persists only through fear and the need to maintain control. A significant requirement of the fulfilment of their position within this old system is for those who would hold power to balance between reward and punishment with those over whom they seek dominance. For some politicians, businessmen, scientists, clerics, medics, teachers, husbands or parents or those of much greater elite, switching between the perceived luxury and ease of a Brave New World and the jackboot savagery of 1984 is constant, as is the sparing of those who conform from the perils of our delinquent past and the brutality of a constricted future Much of this is done through false promises offered by false prophets that would herald the coming of ‘change’ from on high. Though where this makes for a great campaign poster or iconoclast its fulfilment is always ambiguous. 28

But you can just ignore this kind of egoists fare right? You just want to give up smoking or drop a dress size this year and that has nothing to do with anyone else, right? Wrong. For all that influences us creates the framework for our own selfimposed mind controls. Subsequently taking the boot off of our own neck seems almost impossible, and so failure to transcend is in-built veneered by ‘success’ measured in materialistic show. Often, a life altering turn proves so hard to generate from within that they only come about as a result of an external, often traumatic, event. Where once this would have been via incidents of local proximity our technologically driven world has made exponential possible changes imposed from outside, not because they are more likely but because they are incessantly reported to us. The manipulators who choose to use the threat of cataclysm and in some cases to manufacture disaster to enslave the mind and therefore the man, serve to deepen habituation, lock-step and going along to get along through a kind of stupor of inaction. Most people just want to be on the winning team and that means they will accept being marched inexorably into uniformity and pushed from their individual life path. I would like to highlight one proposed external change by way of example. There exists a movement that seeks through a combination of biotechnology, genetic engineering, pharmacological mood enhancement, and ‘vulcan’ ethics to bring overwhelming change to your life. This ‘project’ appears to advocate what it terms the “re-encephalisation of emotion” whereby all the suffering of sentient beings is eradicated forever providing an utopian existence.

seventy2minutes.com Spring 2012

I am certainly no supporter of pain and distress but reading this ideology makes the existence of evil conspicuous by its absence. What hellish necrophiliac experience would be birthed in a world of genetically opiated smiling depressives without first exposing and removing the architects of control and their empires of evil? Short of suggesting that the Abolitionist Project (www.abolitionist.com) actually stands for the eradication; not of suffering but of the human being as we know it, this is arrogant in its stance over natures balance and so ripe for the abuses of authority to further flourish by replacing us with a much more willing, less troublesome almost jubilantly slave species. Read between the lines of their “trans-humanist” certainty on ‘designer babies’ that would see an individual birthed not of a mother but of an artificial womb presumably in the care of some corporate or state owned facility and you will find the age old process of divide and rule. For what is a more pernicious divide than of a mother from her offspring, at any stage, let alone completely and so we as a species would become completely disconnected from our origins, schizogenic societally and utterly. A psychotic conclusion to man’s determination to exact revenge for the subconscious envy he has always felt at woman’s ability to bring forth life from her body. For once artificial wombs exist why should woman? I leave you then with a consideration for 2012 and whatever this or any new start might offer you with the definition of the word resolution itself which can mean both to resolve to begin anew, to be determined on a course of action or for an image to become clear and in high quality. The question is then, what would you genuinely resolve to bring into being?

Ready to experience the insights of Alex? Email ask@seventy2minutes.com

ask Alex

am velenia essuscidam velenia essuscid

Painted Smile

health, wealth & wisdom

Anti-depressants, too bitter a pill to swallow?

want to introduce you to one of my best friends. He’s only weighs 40mg, doesn’t have much of a personality, and is in fact someone I only come into contact with once a day. And yet, having him around has made such a difference to my life, but at the same time I’m quite looking forward to the day when our association comes to an end. As I type this, we’re celebrating two years together, as I began taking anti depressants just days after completing the New York Marathon. That race was the straw that broke the camels back, as days after I remember sitting in my room and just feeling so awful, the massive achievement dissolving into nothing almost as soon as we’d got off the plane. At that point I knew I had to do something to try and sort myself out, despite my previous views that medication was not what I needed. Why not? Well they’d been given such a bad press in the media, and only the weak need help right? Wrong of course, but it probably took me a decade of struggle before I’d had enough and knew that I had to begin the process of healing the wounds of my youth, even if that meant succumbing to prescribed chemicals. My weapon of choice is Citalopram, aimed mainly at cutting down levels of my anxiety. I won’t go into the scientific details, as believe it or not, I’m no scientist, but whatever it’s got in it, it’s done the job. I am much calmer when it comes to life, it’s a level headedness that has kept me afloat after moving to Buckinghamshire, and I genuinely believe that without the medication, I would not have survived a

tough and lengthy interview process to get the job I love. In my romantic life, I’ve suffered the usual ups and downs since going onto the medication, but instead of hitting the great lows (I remember pre-meds having to take a day off work when I felt so bad that a woman I’d dated a couple of times, didn’t want to see me again), I’m able to view things from a more level perspective. I’m less self involved, I realise there are two sides to every story, and when things go against me in life, even in the very personal field of romance, it’s not just a reflection on me, but could be to do with all kinds of circumstances beyond my control. Having said all that, I wouldn’t recommend going onto medication without counselling from a professional on the side. The drugs allow you a clearer head, and give you more of a confident and relaxed hold on everyday life, but at the same time, if you have issues, you still need to work on those, and that’s something I’ve done with a little help from friends, family and a counsellor. And there are also side effects, luckily nothing that’s got to me too bad, but I am really hoping that, once the winter has gone, I can start to wean myself off and say goodbye to my little friend. In our lives we meet people, some who stick around for a long time, others that are only present for a short period. Some have a bigger impact than others, and I will always be grateful to my little white pill for keeping me going, even though I hope 2012 is the year when I bid him a fond farewell, once and for all. I’m also hoping to do the same with my depression, I know it will always be there, but fingers crossed just in the background, and come Issue 5

by Andy Holmes I aim to witter on about something else. Not sure what yet, I just hope the worries over fresh content don’t make me depressed again!!! Happy New Year. Making you better or making you ill? Antidepresants are often prescribed for the treatment of severe depression. They work by increasing certain chemicals in your brain and are often used in conjunction with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) as it is felt, by experts, that antidepressants may tackle the symptoms of your depression but not necessarily the cause. The good; Ease depressive emotions Ability to cope day to day Feeling of wellbeing The bad: Blurred vision, Dizziness, Drowsiness, Nausea, Restlessness, Shaking or trembling A stiff neck, The ugly: Dependancy Suicidal ideation Severe headache, Chest pains, Vomiting Seizures (fits), Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), Unconsciousness. Read more: www.rcpsych.ac.uk/ mentalhealthinfoforall/problems/ depression/antidepressants.aspx

Spring 2012 seventy2minutes.com

W W W.T H ECR O W N PRIN TS.C O M

the Crown Prints B R ITIS H T-S HIR TS

Sugar and spice and all things nice...

With the catwalks awash with prints, pastels and pretty colours 2012 can be your chance to let a little frilliness back in your life. Girly girls have maximum fun with bright colours, flowers, bows and frills and who’s to say what’s too much when it’s your Barbie world?!

Luella ruffle dress www.tinyurl.com/3cht9zt

Summer weddings are begging for your silky, floral, pink dresses. Indulge in the fairytale fantasy of layer upon layer of chiffon, candy colours and feminine lines. Bare legs will tone down the look but if you’re really after that “oh no she didn’t!” effect patterned tights or ankle socks à la Ugly Betty are a daring must! Yes, you’ll get stared at and yes jaws will drop but who wants to grow up anyway?

Luella silk skirt www.tinyurl.com/6osz9zh

the silk and the flowers and add a splash of purple for ‘big girl’ glam. If your inner princess cannot resist making an appearance team your grown up glam with the ultimate accolade to girl[y] power, pink shoes! If you’re feeling a little timid and the full on “I’m a girly girl and lovin’ it” look is a step too far toning down the pink need not mean toning down the girly gorgeousness. Keep the frills,

Girly girls can also do denim. Cast out images of builders bums and designer distressing and replace these with shades of pink. Wear your jeans skinny and low on the hips for a “Mean Girl”, “She’s all that” revival or do your mommy proud with high waist, kick flares that show your shape but are still so very cute. Nothing goes better with a pair of jeans than a plain white tee but you can still ramp up the ‘ra-ra-ness’ of it all with a sparkly head band in girltastic fuschia!

Giambattista Valli jeans

www.tinyurl.com/7dj9ruf

Stuart Weitzman sandals www.tinyurl.com/6eon7dg

stores.ebay.co.uk/Amaras-Closet-e-boutique

health, wealth & wisdom

Total Body conditioning

Jay Darrell is a celebrity fitness trainer, a martial artist and an athlete with over 12 years’ experience in the fitness industry teaching a variety of classes at all the major commercial health club chains as well as blue chip corporate fitness gyms. Jay Darrell has been nicknamed ‘the awesome kicking machine’ by Chuck Norris! Contact Jay: jaydarrell@talk21.com www.jaydarrellingleton.com www.facebook.com/jaydarrellingleton

otal body conditioning, TBC for short, is a great way to stay fit, healthy and energetic.

Rather than focus on the same muscle group every time you workout it’s important to concentrate on your body as a whole. Following a TBC workout can help you tone and tighten your entire body from your shoulders to calves, leaving you with a complete feeling of satisfaction and balance. P.S I met actress Cameron Diaz in one of the gyms I teach at in London, she is a proper gym rat who knows her way around a gym.. She works out hard ladies!

Before you begin Do some kind of cardio warm up to get your blood flowing and heart pumping. Jumping jacks, skip rope, jog on the spot These are simple moves but will raise your heartbeat and loosen you up. To keep things interesting do 30 seconds of each and then repeat again so that you’re slightly breathless but not out of breath.

Start with your legs These are your largest muscle and aim to do between 10 to 30 repetitions of an exercise depending on your fitness level. Some of my favourites are;

p h o t o. c

i S to c k

a re ©

tu re s

seventy2minutes.com Spring 2012

A ll p i c

Watch your posture, don’t lean over your knees and wear comfortable, well fitted footwear!

Lunges – for killer thighs Squats – for perfect glutes Side lunges/squats – for incredible inner thighs

health, wealth & wisdom

The upper body Don’t be afraid to use weights ladies! Small hand weights will leave your arms toned and defined, not bulky. Try 3kg to begin with and gradually move up to 10kg as your muscles adapt. For your shoulders try Upright rowing, lateral raises or shoulder presses. To tighten your chest muscles and lift the bust; press ups, chest presses and lateral chest flys are unbeatable! For well defined flab free arms shadow box with or without your weights. With weights will get you quicker results but you will feel the burn! Punch across your body keeping your weights/fists chest high, swivel on the balls of your feet so as not to pull any muscles and keep it high energy to burn calories whilst you tone.

See JDI in action on our channel: www.youtube.com/Seventy2Minutes

STRETCH Your arms, your legs, your neck and your spine will need a good stretch after your workout. DO NOT SKIP this part. It’s an important part of getting that long, lean sculptured look that you’re working your butt off for and it’ll make sure you don’t injure yourself so that you can do this all again tomorrow!

Hit the floor! Crunches, reverse curls, cycle sit-ups and the plank. Throw it all in! Give it 15-30 reps and, depending on your fitness levels, run through the whole routine again from legs, through upper body and back to the floor again!

TIP: Drink up Nothing beats water to quench your thisrt during and after a work out. Carbonated drinks are not a good idea and alcohol is even worse! Keep it simple and top up your H20. Not only will it stave off false hunger pangs it’ll also replenish the buckets you lost whilst sweating... if you worked out hard enough!

Spring 2012 seventy2minutes.com

fashion & beauty

With the season now changing and the weather becoming cold & harsh here are some tips to keep your

skin

in great condition Don’t worry People who believe they look good have a strong sense of self-esteem, are freed from anxiety and enjoy high energy levels. Stress and anxiety cause accelerated free-radical activity, and restricted blood and oxygen flow to the cells. Exercise will release the body’ natural feel good chemical call Adrenalin. Try multi-beneficial activities like yoga, dancing, walking or Zumba. 34

seventy2minutes.com Spring 2012

ck image

HeavenSentBeauty

HeavenSent Beauty

Sleep well Protection Become weather-wise by wearing protective clothing. Hats and scarves will keep you warm and keep you protected from the harsh windy chills. Believe it or not, but sun protection is a must throughout the year, even in the cooler, darker winter months. We are constantly exposed to harmful, ageing UVA and UVB rays, not only from the sun, but from everything that gives off UV light around you. I recommend using a broad screen sun-protection cream such as Environ’s RAD SPF 15 which contains sun filters that provide protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

Where there’s smoke... Aside from those tell-tale lines around your mouth, smoking robs the skin of oxygen and precious Vitamin C, doubling the rate at which it ages. Did you know that you destroy approximately 25mg of Vitamin C in your body each time you smoke a cigarette?! For those of you who are smokers, I recommend you take a daily supplement of Vitamin C to help keep your body replenished. Ideally, to keep wrinkles at bay, you would need to cut out the smoking from your daily routine.

And, last but not least a good daily intake of water always does the body good all year round.

Sleep is the foundation of your wellbeing. Human growth hormone is released to revitalise your body and regenerate cells. A good night sleep is essential to effective repair of the stresses and strains the skin endures previously during the day. I recommend to my clients that this is the best time to really treat the skin with extra care by ensuring that they do their complete skincare regime before bed time as it gives the skin a boost and helps to repair and damage done to the skin from being exposed to the weather conditions earlier on in the day.

“Nita is the owner and creative director of HeavenSent Beauty, a prestigious salon in Hadley Wood, North London.

She has worked in the beauty industry for over 13 years and is passionate about working with clients from Top-to-Toe to look and feel their best.

Eat well When it comes to healthy skin, what you put inside the body can be as important as what you apply topically onto the skin.

Her well established client base includes:

Eating the right foods gives the skin the nutrients it needs to be healthier, brighter, smoother and less wrinkled. The top beauty foods include: antioxidant-rich berries, broccoli, dark-leafed greens, oatmeal (slowly cooked-not instant) for its soluble fibre and B-complex vitamins; essential fatty acidrich olive oil, salmon and soy. In recent years the nutritional profile of food has changed and at times it is not always possible to obtain optimum levels of nutrition from our daily diet. During the winter months, when we don’t always have access to the wonderful summer fruits that are full of those antioxidants and rich in vitamin, and so high quality supplements can have a role to play in helping to ensure the daily intake and support a healthy, radiant complexion.

Rickie Haywood-Williams & Melvin Odoom of Kiss 100 Breakfast Show/MTV.” tel: 020 8440 8893 www.heavensentbeauty.com

72m tip Your skin is the largest organ; it covers your entire body! It’s your first defence against the harsh elements and will deteriorate quickly if you don’t look after it well! However dark your skin don’t take it for granted and protect it from harmful UV rays during hot weather whilst keeping it well moisturised when it’s cold and prone to dry out!

Spring 2012 seventy2minutes.com

YOU-ology Written in the stars? Astrology is one of the most commonly used forms of divination; next to Tarot and Numerology. It’s practice has become so well accepted that popular magazines and newspapers often feature a ‘Horoscopes’ page dedicated to predicting your life events based on your ‘star sign’. The reality is these pages are very broad brush in the Astrological grand scheme and are designed to be as general as possible. In order to gain a better understanding of how the stars can influence your existence you’ll need a few key details first! In order to access a full and comprehensive account of how you relate to the cosmos you’re going to need a ‘birth chart reading’. Your birth chart goes beyond the simplistic horoscopes found in your favourite magazine or newspaper. It requires a bit more information than just your date of birth but it will give, in return, an understanding of how all the signs of the zodiac combine to influence your personality, your fortunes (good or bad) and your potential.

It’s all about S

ome believe that knowing yourself is the key to health, wealth and happiness but the path to selfdiscovery rarely runneth smooth.

Are you affected by the waxing of the moon? Do your hands hold the secret to your past? Is your name the reason why you love being the centre of attention?

1. Your date of birth – This is the most commonly used aspect of your ‘sun sign’ (often referred to as star sign). Your date of birth will identify your ‘Birth sign’ the sign that aligned with the Sun during your Period of Birth. This determined your fundamental self, your core traits and the astrological building blocks of who you are. 2. Your place and time of birth – This is the added detail. Your place and time of birth provide an enhanced understanding of where the remaining planets were at the time of your birth. This can determine whether, as an example, the “moon” was in the “house of Scorpio” when you were born (indicating at an erotic person who is also courageous). Full Birth Chart readings can be found on the internet for free and many of the best sites will offer an alternative reading if you don’t know your exact time of birth. The ‘more’ box on page 37 lists some of the most helpful sites we stumbled across whilst pulling this article together so dive in, explore and enjoy ‘knowing you’!

seventy2minutes.com Spring 2012

There are many beliefs out there that promise to offer vital insights into your person, suggesting that once revealed [these insights] will give you the tools necessary to navigate your existence or fulfil your destiny. Before you scoff wait a minute!

Period of birth

Element

March 21 – April 20

Fire

Taurus

April 21 – May 20

Earth

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Air

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Water

July 23 – August 22

Fire

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Earth

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Air

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Water

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Fire

Capricorn

December 22 – January 20

Earth

Aquarius

January 21 – February 19

Air

Pisces

February 20 – March 20

Water

Aries

Leo

YOU-ology We’re going to test drive a few of these for you. Over the coming issues we’ll take a closer look at everything from stichomancy to rumpology. We promise to keep an open mind (honest) and let you judge for yourself. This issue we delve into ‘Astrology’ and explore the belief that the stars and the planets have a divine impact

YOU-ology

on the way we live out daily lives. Astrology is a popular divination and there are numerous sources of information so if you find yourself captured by the idea that the moon can turn the tide and your happiness into melancholy follow the link onto our YouTube page to discover more!

Planet

Quality

Name

Mars

Cardinal

The Ram

Venus

Fixed

The Bull

Mercury

Mutable

The Twins

Moon

Cardinal

The Crab

Sun

Fixed

The Lion

Mercury

Mutable

The Virgin

Venus

Cardinal

The Scales

Pluto

Fixed

The Scorpion

Jupiter

Mutable

The Archer

Saturn

Cardinal

The Sea-Goat

Uranus

Fixed

The Water Bearer

Neptune

Mutable

The Fish

seventy2minutes.com editor revealed! Sun Sign: Cancer Symbol: The Crab Element: Water Quality: Cardinal Charge: Negative Ruling Planet: Moon Day: Monday Stone: Moonstone Colour: Silver

Traits 1st of the water signs Emotional intensity and sensitivity Femininity Home loving Adventurous Hard and determined Overly loving Prone to moodiness and depression Financially astute www.youtube.com/seventy2minutes

Want more? Look here... www.0800-horoscope.com /birthchart.php www.astrologycom.com/ birthsign.html astro.cafeastrology.com/ cgi-bin/astro/natal www.patrickarundell.com/ Personal-Horoscopes/ Free-Birth-Chart/

Spring 2012 seventy2minutes.com

health, wealth & wisdom

Working without boundaries I was sitting in an office with three other workers. I was in my early twenties with a first degree under my belt and in a room, with three others who also had first degrees under their belts! We were wondering what life had in store for us as we wandered through the years enjoying weeks off for tennis, time off to go to the recording studio and time to document people’s lives as a photographer. The last one was me and like the other people, none of us knew how seriously we wanted to take the activities we were exploring but what we did know was that it was a great alternative to the office.

So, it was on one of these ‘days in the office’ where the advert for volunteers for three months in Cameroon caught my eye. Also, at that very moment, it was simply something to do….to break the monotony. The application required that I be fit…which I was…sort off! And that I be willing and able to spend three months in Cameroon. I was and I applied. I was successful. That was twenty years ago and as I reflect on my first voluntary experience working overseas, I think of how many people I know who have pondered on the reality of working and living overseas, volunteering, with or without children. Many people visit hot countries and wonder what the reality of living and working in them would be like. Others find that on certain mornings, days or evenings, when the cold crisp air whistles around your ear and, it doesn’t matter how many clothes you have on, the cold has still managed

to get through to your bones (or so it feels), the thought of leaving to live elsewhere, again raises it’s head.So let’s look realistically at the options.

Voluntary work overseas My first volunteer position was in Cameroon for three months. Up until this point, I had never gone camping, knew very little about living anywhere beyond the houses and council properties in which I had spent a lot of time in south east London. However, three months was great as it was long enough to really get a sense of what voluntary work was like and also as a single working woman, I was able to pay my rent up for three months without having to sublet my apartment. In Cameroon, I worked alongside a team of volunteers providing administrative support for opticians and optometrists, as they moved through southern Cameroon, provided clinics in the rural areas. They carried out eye tests, distributed glasses and were able to diagnose many of the clients who attended the clinics. As volunteers, we offered baths with the women and the men of the village in the local river. We slept in the Chief or head persons hut of the village and we were invited to eat and to drink with them. There are now a wide range of voluntary options in the UK, there are opportunities to exchange skills through skill share organisations and time banks where your activity can

seventy2minutes.com Spring 2012

be ‘banked’ in exchange for someone else’s activity in the future. Each of these opportunities allows you to benefit from the value that voluntary work can bring to you and to others. There are voluntary positions overseas. These all differ greatly so do read the small print. Some organisations, who advertise, will pay your airfare, provide accommodation and pay you a small stipend. They will vary from requiring that you have specific qualifications such as TESOL, Teaching qualification, plumbing qualification, accountancy to wanting you to be a part of an administrative team, building team… Other organisations will require that you fundraise for your airfare, accommodation and living expenses. I and the other 15 volunteers successfully raised 1600 pounds to be in Cameroon for 3 months. There were a high number of organisations who provided financial support for such projects at this time. There are still a wide range of educational and charitable trusts that will support individuals. The details can be sourced online and also in any good library.

The opportunities for paid employment overseas are also incredibly vast. There are the key places which recruit regularly such as the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand and many countries in Africa. There are also a large number of ‘growing economies’ who are in need of people with your skills and your experience to assist them in moving towards systems and standards which they don’t currently have.

working without boundaries

Mbeke Waseme

is a qualified Coach and NLP practitioner with extensive managerial and supervisory skills. With international work experience of Cameroon, Ghana and Jamaica. Mbeke specialises in Career Coaching, Change management, Curriculum development, project management, teacher trainer and the development of sustainable partnerships and collaborations. Mbeke offers SKYPE consultations – MWaseme

The positions which are advertised may be directly from the organisation who is recruiting as well as it may be through a recruitment agency. A word of caution will be to go very carefully if any agent or agency responds to your CV or application form with a request for payment which will in turn ‘guarantee you an interview or a job’.

Benefits to working overseas As an individual, you will have experiences and gain skills through voluntary and paid work which will add value to your resume as you apply for the next position. These are often soft skills and there is endless research which highlights the need for improved soft skills in the global economy. I have worked overseas in three different countries and at each juncture, I have had to deal with personal challenges. These have been as a result of my leaving all that is familiar to managing the culture, attitudes and lifestyle of my new environment. These personal challenges have given me a great understanding and tolerance of diversity and difference. I know that I would not have learnt those wonderful lessons in any other way. In learning these lessons and rising to the many challenges, I have grown and broadened my horizon in ways that I would not have imagined had I stayed in my local south east areas of London where I was born, went to school and taught. I am so happy to say that I see much more potential and opportunity than I do problems. Finally, if the experience doesn’t resonate as a positive one for

you, and you see areas of operation which you have the skill to improve, you are in an even better position to apply for the next position overseas, with this one under your belt! Working and voluntary in your home town and overseas, will require that you ‘Think Outside the box’.

What happens when you have children? A number of people have approached me about working and living abroad with children. There are a many dimensions to this area especially if you are going overseas. Most developing countries have ‘International Schools’ and these vary widely. Do research this thoroughly. Some schools will offer the IGCSE and A ‘levels for students who wish to reenter. For younger children, the offers are very similar to the above and you can often find someone through the social networking options who has had a child in one of these establishments or who has attending the school themselves. Finally, the area of emotional change, which children may or may not experience; this is a hard one for each child is different. My personal experience is that children can adapt at any age. Young children tend to adapt more quickly and make friends. There are often groups of families who are from outside the host country who offer support to one another and whose children, in turn, become good friends because of the shared experience. If you are open to the possibility of living aboard, your children will certainly be too.

your experience your enthusiasm y our expertise our ‘know how’ Take your career to the next level with developmental coaching that will prepare you for the international job market www.twitter.com/MbekeWaseme

Spring 2012 seventy2minutes.com

health, wealth & wisdom

WorldWiseWoman Miss Lego Where I’m from I live in Colombia, located in South America, Cartagena de Indias, I am 28 years old, but I do not look that age. In fact, when someone asks me that question, I reply; “how old do you think I am?” and the answer I get the most is 20. I feel flattered I look that fresh!

Working 9-5? I have to say that I am not working at the moment; I have been looking for a job for a year and 11 months now. In a city like this where there are not plenty of choices, it’s kind of hard but I keep looking

What I do for fun? I go out with my friends, go to the movies, go for a walk and some ice cream, but it has been so long since the last time I did any of those. Why? Well, no job is equal to no money, which is equal to can’t do a thing, which is equal to depression, which is equal to isolation, and the list can go on, but I am still smiling! My hobbies? Main one was going to the gym but well, you can imagine I couldn’t afford it any longer, but I still listen to music, read, watch TV and write posts in my blogs;.

Women and opportunity ... there is not a wide range of them. There are plenty of professional women here that are not working in something related to the careers they studied. Colombia is still a very chauvinistic country, and that shows in every aspect of life where men are considered the breadwinners. In spite of that there are, maybe, a few women who are well positioned in terms of job and lifestyle.

seventy2minutes.com Spring 2012

“When I was contacted by the magazine I first thought it was some kind of a joke, but later when I checked it out and read some articles, saw the design and everything, I realized that it was real. I was still wondering what sort of thing they could possibly want from me, but then I was told they liked my blog Miss Lego and my writing, perfect excuses to have me as featured women in the article. I thought they were going to offer me a writing job but I am not going to complain” Want to know more? www.bappydood.com/en

What are the men like? Colombia is a chauvinist country, so you can imagine how men are: they usually feel like they are superior to women. Relationship between men and women are something pretty, most of the time.

WWW dot com not many people have a computer at home so they still have to go to a café internet

Wish you were... If I could live anywhere in the world? Australia I have heard Melbourne is the second best city in the world to live...

What world dominates yours? Spain. A few people talk about their own experiences there or a relative’s one in terms of a better living and facilities to enter the country. There are a considerable number that have made it there and it seems like everybody knows it.

What about other women? I was told once that British girls are selfish and mean, and that they don’t care about anyone but themselves, Italian women have the power to choose the men they want to hook up with, and Dutch girls are quite free to enter a bar and order a drink with no male company, without meaning they are hookers.

Wondering about wandering to... I have done some trips to Barranquilla (2 hours from Cartagena) and Cali (only once), but I have never done the big thing like going overseas, which for us latinos implies a great amount of money.

Word to the wise women of the world... Be unique and true, be natural and feminine. You don’t belong to anyone so no one has the power to hold you down. Search for happiness within you and learn something new every day.

health, wealth & wisdom

Mon£y Matter$ Money that’s what I want…!

here’s nothing worse than hearing a friend say she has no money to meet you for a drink and then the next day she tells you how she has just bought the latest designer boots. You feel like she lied to you but money is not a subject we like to challenge others on especially when they say they have none! However when it comes to friends and family money is one of those thorny, elusive yet strangely seductive subjects. Everybody wants to know but nobody wants to tell! I don’t know one person whose eyes wouldn’t light up with the thought of making more money. You only have to take a look at the national lottery statistics. Approximately 32 million buy on average 3 tickets each. I know when I buy a lottery ticket I do it to win. When I don’t I tell myself I did a good thing for charity!

Why is this relationship with money so thorny yet seductive and why is it that January is always the month that people think they will save as well as diet…do more exercise… watch less television…take on more sophisticated hobbies…? I am not sure who said it had to be this way as abstinence in as many areas of your life as possible makes for very depressed living. Not forgetting the fact that resolutions or commitments made in January normally simply set us up to fail and feel even worse.

we have had Christmas and all the impulses to spend drummed down our throat since about October and we have been brain washed into thinking we have over done it. Whichever is the truth, the fact is the start of the New Year is when we decide to give penance for our illusionary or perhaps real sins of over indulgence and money is always the big hitter. “Though shalt not spend as much as last month” Being the silent mantra for most, coupled with “Though shalt save a whole lot more this year!”

What I recommend as you kick start your 2012 with the bang, adventure, success and wealth that you were hoping for when the clocks chimed in to say 2011 was finally over, is to look at what makes you feel good.

Neither of these mantras is good or bad, but it’s the energy behind them that is more significant and why en masse there is a drive to not spend.

To support you here are 5 things for you to do to stop you having to make money resolutions this year (and if you have already you can break them and choose joy instead!)!

How we spend, how we save and how we create our resolutions for the New Year is based entirely on how we feel about life and ourselves.

1. Treat Money like a best friend. It needs attention, fun as well as some alone time. Most of all it needs to have a relationship with you!

When we don’t feel good or don’t feel that we deserved to feel good, even on an unconscious level, the contraction kicks in and we present ourselves with resolutions around money. We tell ourselves to stop spending because we don’t have enough and we don’t deserve it.

2. If you want to increase your money wealth then start to feel wealthy NOW! Stop telling yourself you aren’t wealthy and get yourself a wealthy mind-set!

The way I teach it is if you do what you love then the money will flow. Sometimes but not always that includes some hard work but doing what you love never lets it feel like hard work! Now before you switch off and think ‘hippy,’ this concept is as old as the world itself.

3. If there are areas of your life where you don’t feel good about yourself then rather than try and change them and fail, find peace with them as then the change will come naturally! If you don’t feel good about you, then attracting, making and keeping money is hard to do! 4. Reverse the trend and talk money with friends, it’s not crude; it’s just a thing we use to exchange for goods and services. It’s just money and it’s not really elusive! 5. Have some fun in 2012, don’t buy into the gloom and don’t buy into the story you won’t make it financially because the truth is miracles really do happen! You just gotta believe!

“resolutions or commitments made in January, normally, simply set us up to fail” Maybe it is simply this way as the antithesis to the guilt of over spending at Christmas. Or because

get out money. That is the spiritual and cosmic view of money. Hand on heart do you love telling yourself you can’t buy that handbag because you have promised you will save X% a month starting in January? I suspect not, it just exacerbates feelings of I am not worth it. Not very L’Oreal!

The simple economics of it is, you put in, you get out and if you put in love for you and what you do, you

You can connect to the author Sarupa Shah, through clicking here; www.sarupashah.com Spring 2012 seventy2minutes.com

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