http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/Naked feet, pale face, princess never sleepsen-UKhttp://backend.userland.com/rss092http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/f7/cdd5c85fc8507589c218af15a2b4bd_160x200.jpg <p>Last night my dream man got engaged.<br> No pain, no surprise. His fiancee is a pretty, sweet BBC girl with a tender smile on face. A face Just like his mum, so soft and pure.<br> I know he will have such a happy ending since I knew him. Since the year before last year. I told myself he is the right one for me when I saw him in the first sight. But I was also sure I was not the one for him.<br> We met on the coach to London Heathrow airport, from that day on I have addicted to James Blunt's You are beautiful. I saw a fragile me in his black eyes, and too afraid to go for him.<br> He has too much good things that I can die for, but a figure that was too high to climb over.Like I am a little 7 years girl, shyly looking up to my prince and waiting for a careless glance.<br> I wrote him several letters when he was in Hongkong, I went his hometown to cast about any trace from him. I was so crazy for every reply from him. I was so eager to see him for a second time.<br> Until the day in HongKong.<br> There he was. Still has long hair covering half of his glitering face,still is so peaceful and bright. But only a little difference.<br> He is with her.<br> I hidden myself behide my big Vogue. My heart is beating fast. Oh, I finally see him after almost three hundred sleepless nights.But he has already got a company.<br> And He did forget me. He even cannot remember my name.<br> Alright. Mark. Farewell. Please be happy with your pretty young lady. And wish in the next life, you will love me and be with me. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2008/04/19/title-4065539/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2008/04/19/title-4065539/Sat, 19 Apr 2008 13:12:57 +0200 <p>Another sleepless night.<br> I left my wonderland,my UK and went back to China to be a financial journalist. Just like the other day when I was chatting with Jenny in a great sunny day. Wind whispered and I was painting out what my future might be. I said that I would be some serious-like reporter, working for some financial department while, she thought I was not that right for a position like that. "You are never that kind of person. But I admire ur plan."<br> But I did it.<br> Just like most people in my class. She also looked at me as some pretty little things, young , good-looking and simple, with a full in head of fashion icons. "I think you can get a job from a fashion magzine, which is perfect for your kinda people. "<br> My kinda. Like I was a supersize walking-Barbe, customized for those muscular guys who always have their male hormone overmuch. Like they will like my long slim legs under my mini skirt. Like nobody ever care about if I HAVE BRAIN.<br> I still remember how hurt and insulting it was when the shity German guy in my class treat me like an easy girl, open enough to have one-night-stand together, while I, stupid enough to believe he might want me to be his soulmate.And the Chinese girl who never consider herself a Chinese. She said she never talk to Chinese or speak any Chinese language, whilst she only had been in the UK for 3 years.<br> All are big liars. The whole class never told the truth. THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT US. Those so-call friendly internationalism. They identified me as empty doll, but never prove if their conclusion are legitimate.<br> I wanna shout to them, I wanna prove that they are too arrogant.<br> But I did not do that. I did not even show any of my indignation. Because time can tell.<br> So that I got a internship in the FT. So that I am now a financial reporter.<br> And I will do more.<br> Not just a financial reporter in a top one financial newspaper in PRC, but a great English columnist in a world-famous newspaper like the Times, or the UStoday.<br> I will give them a big smile instead of showing my anger to those who ever look down upon me.<br> I will. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2008/04/18/i-will-be-back-4063358/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2008/04/18/i-will-be-back-4063358/Fri, 18 Apr 2008 20:58:57 +0200 <p>I don’t think it is a coincident for Mr. Brown to be the PM. Mr. Brown has an absolutely different character from Mr. Blair. Blair has an attractive personality and also, he is a talent player in diplomatism. While Mr. Brown is thought to be a dour person, good at number game but bad at making his own figure. However, as the country is calling for a leader who can lead it to walk out from the cloud of the Iraq war, Brown is no wonder a suitable guy.<br> The foreign policy from Brown can show his party is eager to get public support back, as people are question about the Iraq war and lost trust in the Labour party. And his contributions to the economy help him to be trust by middle class. He is now playing a role like a nurse, to help the country to recover. </p> <p>His policy is more conservative comparing with Blair’s. He wants to keep distance from the US; this is because most people believe to follow a donkey government leading by Bush is not only stupid but also disastrous. He plans an all-party convention means that not the Prime Minister but the party now has more rights, which in another word, more democratic. </p> <p>At present, to be conservative is a better choice for Britain need a break from the war. Maybe the country won’t as shining in diplomacy as under Blair’s, but what I can be sure is the GDP of the UK will perform well with the governing of Brown. And this, I belive, is the most important thing to the nation by now and in the near future. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/10/31/mr_brown_v_s_mr_blair~3222368/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/10/31/mr_brown_v_s_mr_blair~3222368/Wed, 31 Oct 2007 07:33:06 +0100 <p>China’s fast economic growth over past few years has given a rise to the new wealthy elite of spending spree for luxury goods.<br> Xing Yan, 30, so-called new wealthy elite in China, is an advertisement producer of a Beijing-based culture communication company. She is on a salary of £2,000 a month plus a share of the company’s business profits. She dresses Prada or Dior, drives a BMW and owns a fashionable apartment in the centre business district of the city. As she has no worries on rent and her income is disposable, she spends almost the entire salary on luxury labels every month. “Shopping for luxuries is a treat for me after the hard work at the office, besides, I bought them for their good quality and my confidence”, said she. </p> <p>Such a case is by no mean of particular in Beijing, in fact, in most big cities in China, quite a number of white-collar employees would spend spree on the expensive hand bags, outfits or other luxuries. Those famous brands, like Prada, LV and Gucci, which have dominated European continent for hundreds of years, suddenly become a fashion among the new wealthy elite Chinese. The country is now the third biggest consumer who accounts for an estimated 12 percent of global luxury market, second to Japan, 41 percent and the US, 17 percent1.</p> <p>According to a survey from Ernst & Young, the China luxury market currently generates more than US$ 2 billion in sales a year2. It is expected to grow 20 percent3 annually until 2008, and then 10 percent4 per year until 2015. By 2010, China is expected to have 25 million5 consumers who can afford luxury products and the sales are expected to exceed US$11.5 billion6. What is more, if the high living continues as expected, China will surpass the US to become the second-largest buyer of luxury products by 2015, with the 29 percent account7 of the world’s luxury sales.</p> <p>It is a feast that nobody wants to absent. Driven by the huge potential of China’s luxury market, brand makers are rush to expand their stores in China to pursuit greater profits. Cartier, whose earnings in China almost doubled 2005, is planning to expand the number of outlets from three to 15 in next two years. Chanel, who was a latecomer to the Chinese market, has increased its cosmetic stores from two cities—Beijing and Shanghai in 2002 to 23 cities today, and plan to be in 40 cities by 2008. Also, BMW sold 23,595 marques8 in 2005 and 50,199 marques9 in 2006, which is a significant turnover compared with three years ago.</p> <p>“There are a lot of people who are willing to buy the luxury goods in China now,” said Miss Tang, public relation manager of Chanel (Shanghai) Corp, “the number of our cosmetic shops has increased to 60 and we are planning our third flagship store to open this year.” </p> <p>Does China really have a luxury market with almost 10 million consumers? According to report from China State Statistics Bureau last year, nearly 20 percent10 of the population--over 9.5 million individuals or households11--hold nearly a half of the country’s savings worth than 10 trillion yuan12 (£667 billion). They earn as much as 240,000 yuan13 annually and have between 300,000 yuan to 500,000 yuan in savings14. These wealthys help greatly on the evolution of China’s luxury products market.</p> <p>A survey from the China Association of Branding Strategy (CABS) indicates that in general, China’s luxury consumers can be divided into two groups. One group is comprised by young wealthiest who are able to earn high salary as much as £2000 per month. They are often well-educated, have a taste of fashion, and seek for personalized services. They frequently visit luxury stores for the newest offering without caring for price. The second group consists of white-collar employee. They often work in the foreign companies, with salary about 3,000 yuan to 5,000 yuan (£200 to £330) a month but dare to spend the entire salary on a single purchase. Both groups are under the age of 4015.</p> <p>Surprisingly, the survey found out that males are no longer the traditional buyers of luxury goods in China. Young white-collar females (under the age of 30) become a significant force on consuming luxury goods as they achieve greater economic independence in recent year. </p> <p>But consumers in China seldom know what behind the luxury products and why they spend money for. They tend to buy luxury products without study or research, compared with European consumers, who tend to focus on the real value of what they purchase.</p> <p>Xing Gao Ping, 24, secretary of a foreign trade company in Guangzhou, earns 3,500 yuan (£230) per month. “Two third of my salary spends on brands. I used to save up 3 months’ salary to buy a new arrival Prada bag, because it attracts a lot of envy from my girlfriends. They will think I am well-paid or I have a rich boyfriend or my family are wealthy.” </p> <p>“People like to show off with luxuries in China, they want to impress others by showing off their expensive handbags, cars,” said Shelley Chen, the lifestyle columnist of FTchinese.com, who wrote a number of articles about the new wealthy elite in China, “they think luxury products can raise their social status.”</p> <p>“However, they lack of the knowledge of luxury goods. Yes, they may know Hugo Boss suits, BMW marques and LV bags. But they buy these luxury goods just for the high price that can show their finance success. They often go into the shops, look around and say I want this one. Or ask about whether the product is a famous brand. They probably will pay as soon as they get the positive answer. They are in a selfish mood.”</p> <p>However, sociologists in China show their worries about the increasing of luxury goods consumption. A new phenomenon in China is that the income gap between rural and urban Chinese has grown wider and wider during the last 5 years, despite the swift economic growth. At present, there are still 30 million farmers who are still in the poverty. Consumption tax collection on luxury goods on luxury products, which is one of the effective ways to shrink the gap, has no longer plays a potential role in adjusting incomes distribution.</p> <p>The tax rule covering only 11 categories of luxury goods16, made luxury brands easily to escape from the heavy tax. Besides, luxury goods companies do not manufacture in China, which means the country cannot levy on the process of circulation. Therefore, they can price their goods to a rich profit, as well as to keep their customers happy. Moreover, the rule proves a far drop behind the consumption growth—we pay consumption tax on cosmetics, jewelleries, cigarettes and alcohols, but not on some even more expensive luxury goods like a private yacht.</p> <p>Dr Yang Xing, director of economics and socials studies in Jinan University, Guangzhou, said, “China's personal incomes have increased rapidly these years, which influence the consumption habit directly. Unfortunately, the consumption tax has failed to keep pace with the changes. If there are no acts on establishing the new tax rule, the gap between the rich and the poor will become larger and cause the imbalance of our social structure."</p> <p>“To encourage consumption is right, and I am not against people to buy some luxury products to improve their life quality. However, our state should do something to narrow the income gap. High-grade consumption goods should be levied with consumption tax. ”</p> <p>Though the State Administration of Taxation is currently considering a proposal to revise the categories of goods subject to consumption tax, it is still very hard to make contribution to narrow down the income gap. The disparity income growth in China still gives people the impression that those who can afford the luxury goods are all upstarts. </p> <p>Thanks to the market economy, people in China now have chance to wear Prada. You can buy whatever you want as long as it is something you can afford, but before doing that, can you think about those farmers who struggle in surviving with only ten percent of your salary for just one second?</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/06/30/who_wears_prada_in_china~2546474/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/06/30/who_wears_prada_in_china~2546474/Sat, 30 Jun 2007 11:00:08 +0200 <p>If the European Commission pass the recent Green Paper on an EU-wide standardized legal definition on labor law, our freelancers could lose their freedom to be self-employed.</p> <p>According to the Commission, “Four out of ten EU workers are now on non-standard contracts or self-employed and reality is rapidly outpacing regulation in the EU workplace”. </p> <p>The Green Paper states that “the modernization of labor law constitutes a key element for success of the adaptability of workers and enterprises”. </p> <p>However, such a proposal for refined labor law has been claimed that it would lead to “a full scale assault on the right to be self-employed”. UK labor law has a distinction between employment contracts and commercial contracts, with wide space left to cover the uncertainties in the future. Its application depends on a mass of credible tests which have been developed by court for a long time, which has been long proved to be a consentient principle. </p> <p>Called himself Crazystart58 on ebay.co.uk, the 34-year-old Welshman has had his online PDA （Personal Digital Assistant—like Blackberry）business for over 5 years. He told Welsh Globe that, “There are not so many rules to be an online seller. And if there is any, I won’t feel so free to start my own business.” Freelancers like him in Wales can reach several thousands（Sub:I can’t find the data） and the population is still increasing. Self-employment is one of the best ways to release the pressure caused by the year-after-year rising unemployment in Wales. Research from Welsh government has confirmed that the contribution rate of the self-employed is as same as employed one. A one-size-fits-all labor market model can restrict contractors and freelancers’ enthusiasm, as they have been comfortable with the free commercial atmosphere for such a long time. </p> <p>Eu-wide definition of self-employment may be a helpful way to modernize the economies of different countries along with Wales, unless a new and clearer law on employment status is to be introduced to the UK as a whole.</p> <p>So far, a great number of freelancers have submitted their opinions by sending emails to <a href="mailto:empl-labour-law-green-paper@ec.europa.eu.">empl-labour-law-green-paper@ec.europa.eu.</a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/05/10/don_t_drive_our_freelancers_away~2243104/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/05/10/don_t_drive_our_freelancers_away~2243104/Thu, 10 May 2007 07:35:06 +0200 <p>Rosie Swale Pope, the world round runner has reached to Wisconsin, US this week. The 60-year-old Welsh woman has achieved two-thirds of her trips so far.<br> Started from her 57th birthday on 2nd October, 2003, Rosie has spent three and a half years on this self-supported voyage. She has neither back up team nor solid sponsors.<br> It was Clive, her husband’s death which inspired her to set off the journey to raise money for cancer charity. After her husband’s death, she realized how precious life could be and would like to do what she can do while it is still possible. She planned the journey to run over a complete circle of the earth. She has now run across Eastern Europe, Russia and Siberia, Alaska, Canada, reaching Baraboo, Wisconsin three days ago. Her continuing destinations will be Greenland, Iceland, Ireland then return to the UK.<br> The toughest section she faced so far was in Russia, where her entire life nearly been taken away. She had to fight against insects in the forest every single second during the summer and battle for temperatures of minus 45 and below in the winter. She was diagnosed with double pneumonia and forced to take a break from her trainers for a while to recuperate. But she carried on as soon as she got on her feet.<br> Tossing behind the most testing stretch of her route, the prospects are looking rosy and the runner is still in great spirits.<br> More information can be found from the website: <a href="http://www.rosiearoundtheworld.co.uk.">www.rosiearoundtheworld.co.uk.</a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/05/10/world_voyage_on_two_feet~2243101/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/05/10/world_voyage_on_two_feet~2243101/Thu, 10 May 2007 07:34:04 +0200 <p>Dried nuts will be used to replace the plastic buttons. Howies, the famous environmental products company recent come up with the idea.<br> In order to solve the plastic waste problem, the ethical Welsh company begins to use tagua nuts to be the buttons on the clothes. The nuts come from a certain kind of palm tree called Phytelephas Macrocarpa in South America. After gathered and dried out for four to eight weeks, these nuts will be selected and cut carefully, to be prepared to sew on the clothes.<br> As nature and non-toxic as just-picked-up from the tree, the nuts are thought to be the perfect environmentally-sound products for clothes-making. A lot of them have been sewn on to tops, trousers and jackets for the coming summer season.<br> Howies was bought by Timberland early this year. The takeover didn’t change its original aim and helped to put plans into action better. The company still has passion on being the pioneer of producing environment friendly clothes as well as giving part of its turnover to environmental and social projects.<br> Besides dried nuts, Howies is also starting to use other materials for replacement, such as to introduce hemp into its jeans to please vegan customers, for some vegans may allergy to the leather patch at the pack of jeans.<br> One of the biggest actions of Howies is to open up a printmaker in the abandoned shed on its property, Ceredigion. The previous one was in Turkey.<br> An open letter to Welsh First Minister about making Wales the first organic country in the world is Howies’ recent emprise. It says “The idea is to make all foods produced in Wales organic. That’s right, convert the whole country.” </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/05/10/howies_new_ideas_on_protecting_environme~2243094/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/05/10/howies_new_ideas_on_protecting_environme~2243094/Thu, 10 May 2007 07:33:08 +0200 <p>A new research warns that the species of Welsh streams and rivers are in great danger because of the climate change. </p> <p>The 25-year study by Cardiff University warns that the rising temperature cloud have a knock-on effect on stream macro invertebrates, including crustaceans, snails and larval insects such as stoneflies.</p> <p>According to this research, number of small invertebrates like mayflies and stoneflies could fall by as much as 21 persent for every 1 degree Celsius rise in temperature. This would lead to a corresponding reduction on species which live on them—birds, fish and bats for instance. More over, as current predictions point out temperatures will rise by two and three degree Celsius in next few decades, the number of species may fall by 12 to 25 percent in next 50 years. </p> <p>Such findings are important messages on the effects of Global warming, since that streams and rivers are quiet sensitive to climate, which indicates that Wales has got much hotter than 25 years before. </p> <p>This project is the longest and most detailed investigation of the effects of global warming on Welsh fresh water systems, which was funded by the Countryside Council for Wales. Such a study is the first and one of the oldest studies of its kind in the world. The team leader, Professor Steve Ormerod from Cardiff University told Welsh Globe, “I and my colleagues were surprised by our findings. True evidences show that (Welsh) rivers are heating up and （the rising）temperature is the cause for this. Our government should take serious action on how to solve the problem, saying investments on technologies and policies on environment control.” </p> <p>A paper on the study is published in Global Change Biology, calling for a range of mitigation efforts from Welsh Government. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/05/10/warming_rivers_clouds_on_welsh_wildlife~2243084/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/05/10/warming_rivers_clouds_on_welsh_wildlife~2243084/Thu, 10 May 2007 07:31:43 +0200 <p>Supply and demand: that is how the scam marriage came out. There are always some people in the world who are not satisfy with the situation in their own countries and would like to escape at all costs. And there are accordingly a number of people who realize this and would be willing to risk their own freedoms for the riches that immigration fraud can offer.<br> It is an insult when marriage is set up to get round immigrations laws. However, blinded by quiet large sum of money—the earning can be as high as £5,000 to arrange a marriage which will give a bride or groom greater rights to stay in the UK—those people are willing to take chances to marry with somebody they have never met before, even they knew that immigration fraud is a crime. After all, love is hard to trace and prove, and no one bother to investigate until the crime raise to a huge amount—3,578 suspect marriages were reported to the British Government by registrars in 2004. It is therefore the new immigration marriage rules have been introduced to stop the marriage fraud.<br> Though the number of scam marriages went down sharply after the British Government introduced the new immigration marriage rules in 2005, it is still very hard to crackdown such crimes. According to the British senior registrars, before the new legislation launched in February 2005, there could have been at least 10,000 scam marriages a year. Registrars at Brent Council in north London, one of the most diverse areas of Britain, suggested in 2005 that a fifth of all marriages there were bogus, with officials able to spot couples who barely knew each other. Moreover, Scotland on Sunday of Last month reported that scam marriage in Scotland is still taking place every day. </p> <p>Trial scam marriage is hard, because nobody knows how to scale it in a scientific way. In most of cases, the involving UK-citizen accepts a one-time payment from the foreigner, usually they will have a wedding and live as roommates, or at least to set up a family that make them appear to live together. Such cases are the hardest to uncover, since doing so would require a great deal of manpower and resource. Still, some people who commit this crime believe it as good thing for helping someone out.</p> <p>Not matter how a scam marriage will benefit a fake couple, it is still a serious crime and will be punished by jail. Those who give up their freedoms to scam marriages seems seldom have happy ending. After all, freedom is never free.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/05/07/lies_about_love_marriage_for_a_visa~2229195/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/05/07/lies_about_love_marriage_for_a_visa~2229195/Mon, 07 May 2007 21:53:40 +0200 <p>Mike Ruddock has agreed with a three-year contract to be the new coach of Worcester Warriors on 1st May. The multimillionaire and club chairman, Cecil Duckworth, met him last week and made his return to full-time rugby at Sixways.<br> Ruddock, 47, was said to restore the fortunes of Welsh rugby by coaching the 2005 Grand Slam winning team but surprisingly stepped down mid way through their defence of the title. Duckworth believe his outstanding coaching can help the team play better.<br> In his “anything is possible” speech, Ruddock shows his ambition to mould Worcester into a major domestic and European force. Being one of the only two English teams occupying this season’s European Cup final, Worcester Warriors is facing its biggest challenge. Ruddock is their new hope after losing eight successive games resulted in Coach Anthony Eddy leaving the club. </p> <p>Duckworth considered Ruddock as an eligible leader to coach the team to get the Heineken Cup at the end of the season. Thus Ruddock successfully takes over John Brain, who left the club on Monday, just 48 hours after masterminding Warriors' Guinness Premiership survival by keeping one point above relegated Northampton. </p> <p>Ruddock is eager to start his coaching work, concentrating on the new signings to follow New Zealand centre Sam Tuitupou, who arrives at Worcester after the World Cup.<br> It is believed Ruddock will be given substantial funds to strengthen the Warriors squad with immediate signings. Under his leadership, Sixways is expected to reach a new era. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/05/02/new_coach_big_target~2200033/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/05/02/new_coach_big_target~2200033/Wed, 02 May 2007 23:02:50 +0200 <p>Flybe, one of the Europe's leading low-cost airlines, is launching a new service between Cardiff International and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport from April 29.</p> <p>Cardiff - Paris flights have operated from 29th April with fares from £34.99 one way including taxes and charges, bookable from Friday 2nd March 2007. The service runs seven days a week throughout the year with seats available for booking at <a href="http://www.flybe.com">www.flybe.com</a> and offering convenient early morning departure and same day afternoon returns. The whole journey will take 3 hours from Cardiff to Paris and will be available to departure as early as 8am in the morning, which would be preferred by business travelers. </p> <p>To celebrate the launch of the new route, Flybe is offering readers of local regional press the opportunity to win five pairs of return tickets per title, with competition details being published over the next few weeks starting from May 9.</p> <p>Previous direct fights from Cardiff to Paris stopped since Air Wales closed the route for bmibaby last year. </p> <p>Flybe believes the Welsh airport will play an important role in its future operations.With 152 routes operating from 22 UK and 34 European airports, Flybe will become Europe's largest regional airline and will carry a higher proportion of business passengers with new routes to key commercial centres including Paris, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Milan.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/05/02/new_service_from_cardiff_directly_to_par~2195913/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/05/02/new_service_from_cardiff_directly_to_par~2195913/Wed, 02 May 2007 12:12:19 +0200 <p>Ms Proctor, a model turned enterpriser called on a Welsh property investment on Dubai.<br> Tazmin Proctor, 26, who was the winner of Cardiff Bay's Mermaid Quay and a finalist in the 2003 Miss Wales competition, will lead Welsh operations for the London and Dubai-based Bonnington Group. She has longed to Dubai’s Strategic Property Investments and now owns “a couple of properties” there.<br> This weekend she will host the Dubai Property Event at the Wales Millennium Centre to lure Welsh investors. “Dubai really is a city of the future," she said. "It is only going to continue to grow and, with a rapid increase in its commercial base, more and more people from UK are also finding that they can work out there as well as live or just visit."<br> She reasoned for investing in Dubai by listing the figures, properties are appreciating steadily at the rate of 10% - 15% per annual, and prices have almost doubled since 2004, showing no sign of slowing.<br> Her company is particularly promoting property in the Jumeirah Village, which sells a single room apartment for £125,235.<br> Dubai is in the process of creating an international property market. The country has developed rapidly over the past 10 years and has transformed itself from an oil dependent regional entrepot into a highly diversified international business centre of global significance. Property of Dubai is much cheaper than most of other countries. Compare to Wales, where may cost £1,000 per square meter, an average villa in Dubai costs just around £450 per square meter.<br> Around 600 skyscrapers are under construction in Dubai, and the waterfront development is intended to grow to two-and-a-half times the size of Washington DC. When completed it will be the home of 400,000 people, featuring a 75km canal.<br> At Present, over 500 UK companies have been set up in Dubai.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/04/26/ex_model_call_for_investing_property_in_~2163355/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/04/26/ex_model_call_for_investing_property_in_~2163355/Thu, 26 Apr 2007 09:49:08 +0200 <p>An US-based company has been fined £15,000 for allowing oil into leak on the Menai Strait, North Wales.</p> <p>The heating oil entered the Menai Strait from storage tanks on a semi-derelict factory site in Caernarfon then went on flowing into Menai Strait in last July.<br> It formed a four-mile slick which stretched from the Britannia Bridge to Abermenai Point. </p> <p>Ferotec Realty Limited was pleaded guilty at Caernarfon Magistrates’ Court on 23rd, April to causing polluted matter to enter controed water. The company fined £15,000 with an extra £8,208 costs. The maximum fine for water pollution is £20,000, according to the Water Resources Act 1991.</p> <p>The Environment Agency Wales (EAW) has monitored the slick to ensure the oil continues to break up and not damage the environment. An officer named David Wilby from EAW announced that the damage was minimal and would have little impact on the strait and the shoreline. </p> <p>He also warned other companies who endanger the control water would be taken to the court. Action would be taken to protect the Menai Strait, the major economic asset for North Wales for tourism, recreation and commercial ventures.</p> <p>It was the third time to be reported that Ferotec Realty had admitted causing the oil slick. The previous two were a one-mile-long slick on 10th July and a five-mile-long one on 25th June last year.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/04/26/us_company_fined_p15_000_for_oil_slick~2162354/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/04/26/us_company_fined_p15_000_for_oil_slick~2162354/Thu, 26 Apr 2007 05:38:59 +0200 <p>A group of scientists at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth have produced the first 3D image of sun, which was said to be a worldwide breakthrough on understanding of the sun.</p> <p>The Solar System Physics research group (SSPRG) has cooperated with NASA from last October, using data from NASA’s Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (Stereo) mission to create the images. </p> <p>Stereo comprises two nearly identical observatories which will orbit the Sun to monitor its Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) and the space weather created by sun can impact the Earth, astronauts and satellites. </p> <p>One of the observatories must fly “upside down” relative to the other, because the high-gain dish antennas need to be pointed at Earth for command and telemetry. This requires the identical instruments on each craft to be placed in slightly different location. </p> <p>Dr Andy Breen, the co-investigator on the mission’s Sun Earth Connection Coronal and Heliospheric Investigation (SECCHI) announced that such a new technique would help scientists track CMEs and their effect on Earth. He has developed experiments to look out for solar storms in his role with SECCHI, a set of five telescopes on each spacecraft which observe the inner and outer atmospheres of the sun.</p> <p>The SSPRG has made a significant contribution in researching the solar wing and its effect on the Earth over many years. With the help of See3D, scientists in Aberystwyth are now in a terrific postion to be one of the first in the world to exploit the dada.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/04/26/welsh_scientists_ace_in_providing_first_~2162349/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/04/26/welsh_scientists_ace_in_providing_first_~2162349/Thu, 26 Apr 2007 05:37:20 +0200 <p>A troupe of cheerleaders from south Wales has performed in the US and took back the top prize to home. </p> <p>The senior RSD Action team performed in Florida in the US and won the ultimate National America Champions. </p> <p>The 11-strong troupe members, who aged around 16, impressed judges with their Disney-inspired theme and Snow White costumes.</p> <p>Another younger team, aged from 9 to 12 named Peewee took the runner-up position in the category and the juniors clinched a third place.</p> <p>There were five RSD Action teams which participated in the Cheeerleaders of American Ultimate National Championships. The total number of the members was 70. </p> <p>The troupe still has no time to relax for they have to prepare this year’s British National Championships, which will be hold in July.</p> <p>Call 07929n079403 or visit the website <a href="http://www.rsd-action.com">www.rsd-action.com</a> for joining a class or squad.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/04/26/welsh_cheerleaders_bring_top_us_prize_ba~2162347/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/04/26/welsh_cheerleaders_bring_top_us_prize_ba~2162347/Thu, 26 Apr 2007 05:36:20 +0200 <p>American superstar Beyonce will perform in Cardiff for the first time ever as part of her 2007 European tour.</p> <p>Beyonce decided to add an extra Cardiff date to her tour on 5th June after she has had a slew of hits from Crazy in Love to Deja Vu. Dates included two nights at the new Wembley Stadium and visits to Manchester, Birmingham and Nottingham. She has never performed in Wales and southwest of England before.</p> <p>Known as the former Destiny’s Child singer, Beyonce has proved just as successful apart from group. Her model looks and acting talent led her popularity continue. She is currently considered as the number five in the UK chart with Beautiful Liar, a duet with Columbian singer Shakira. </p> <p>She is said to plan to impress Welsh fans with flamboyant show clothes and a great display. Her tour coincides with her latest album, B’ Day.</p> <p>The ticket will cost £46 each and is expected to be well sold. </p> <p>Tickets for this exclusive performance have already opened to sell on 20th, April at Cardiff International Arena. Call 0870 154 40 40 or book online at Ticketmaster (http://www.ents24.com/web/event/1307424/Beyonce.html).</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/04/26/beyonce_to_perform_in_cardiff~2162344/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/04/26/beyonce_to_perform_in_cardiff~2162344/Thu, 26 Apr 2007 05:35:10 +0200 <p>What a wonderful news! I'm now working in Financial Times as an interner. It is really impressive! Though I have to go to London every day which makes me very tired these days, I am still very delighted.<br> FT building located near the south London bridge which acrossed the Thames river. The caramel-coloured glasses building is one of the Holy places for the world-wide journalists, and especially for me, a freshman who has nothing but big ambition and a brave heart. I was so lucky to be chosen as one of the recruiters for I heard subsequently that over hundreds of people sent their resumes to FTChinese.com to ask about the vacancy. But finally they chose ME.<br> I know I should not drum for the news as it is nothing but an internship, however, I just can't help laughing. I wake up with a big smile nearly everyday. I now find my own life through the daily work and start to know what my future might be. After these days I've realized that fortune may not make you happy but work does. God may never gives me a handsome and rich prince, but he gives me the one I needed in the most---a job that I can die for.<br> In front of me there is a long way to go. My English is still not that good to be an English editor, but I will never give up to learn. Karl Marx started his journalism career in his 30s in Britain centuries ago, he learned English all by himself. And I think I can achieve as well, since I improved dramaticly during last 6 months. Thanks for my teachers and classmates, they help me greatly. But among all the things, the one that encourage me most is this blog, which keeps me writing day after day as a good habit.<br> Ok, waffles have beeen finished. I will talk some meaningful topics. Though Garry may never think about that I will be an Economic journalist one day, I have made up my mind to devote my rest of life into this unfamiliar area. I am not an empty-minded Barbie who cares only fashion thing,and thus I won't let people get me down---I will be an excellent economic writer one day! Days in FT help me to know that how important to be an useful person, and how to make yourself an useful person. Those successful ones know how to manage the time, the money and they won't let the chance pass by.And this time, I won't let chance pass me by. I will be the big one, cause I know myself and the hero inside my heart. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/04/13/my_way~2081897/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/04/13/my_way~2081897/Fri, 13 Apr 2007 00:17:28 +0200 <p>Ordinary people may never care about who will be their future leader, but they do worry about their daily lives. Anyone who in the position of power can offer a plan that would actually make Welsh healthier, he will be advocated as a good leader.<br> It is therefore become a very common thing for Politicians to toss around the “health reform” schemes to gain public’s advocacy. But if we examine the schemes closely, we will disappointedly find out that most of the schemes are just financial shell game and seldom benefit our citizens. They put too much energy on pushing drugs, surgery and other treatment and do nothing to address the cause of poor health in the first place. No body in the communities teaches the disease prevention, nobody takes part in nursing the elderly and disabled people, nobody helps the minority group, such as blacks, lesbians and homelessness to solve their basic healthy problem.<br> Though the National Public Health Service for Wales has been set up for four years, the health status in the Welsh population has little improvement. Welsh government pouring huge money on different health care programs every year but data from the annual public health report still makes the government feel headache.<br> What we need is not the blueprint of the Welsh health system, but the genuine legislation or campaign that can give Welsh the information and resources they actually want to prevent disease in the first place. Our government should launch more public services, such as the free medical treatment for homeless and jobless people, the free condom machines for youth, the health education in communities, schools and corporations, and the legible health-guidebook for uneducated people. This strategy may cost a lot of money, but it would save the nation many times its cost in reduced health care costs.<br> As the Assembly election is coming, politicians again put the wish list in front of public to encourage Welsh people to vote. They drum for how the multicultural health service will change the picture of Wales, ignoring the difficulties in real life. Those who are minorities, disables, and poors don’t need Santa Claus, they just need help from public.<br> We are all told that the government is our servant who will help us to get on better lives. However, the reality seems to be up-side-down: many “servants” betray they master as soon as they achieve their goal; they no longer think of public but only themselves’ profits. Could the officers who are in the chair of power stop standing high above people and do something that really helpful to our lives? We would like to believe that our families, children, community and our Wales will head for a brilliant future, but will our government bring any good news? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/03/29/another_wish_list~1994977/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/03/29/another_wish_list~1994977/Thu, 29 Mar 2007 02:04:09 +0200 <p>Wales today is much more like a patchwork of different ethnics. White, black, yellow, people from different races can be found in almost every town of Wales. Compared with 10 years ago, Wales is much more tolerant. However, most minorities still found that it is really hard for them to survive in a so-called white society. They heard racist language such as “Paki”, “Chinee”, and “black bastard” almost everywhere; they felt the racial discrimination happened from time to time. Unless ignore the words that often be used could make them feel comfortable. Are most white Welsh racists?</p> <p>As a matter of fact, most areas in the UK where whites are the majority have few people from ethnic minorities in them have the same problem. Though there are some people who are racists, major part of Welsh are in the belief of tolerance and positive to immigration. Most cases of discrimination were caused by misunderstanding. On one hand, for those who are from ethnic minority, jokes can be very offensive if told by whites, for they are not familiar with British culture or they even can’t understand the exact meaning. On the other hand, many natives are too insensitive to the racism. </p> <p>Social and ethnic division in Wales is a simple fact. Ethnic minority populations do concentrate in particular areas. Although mixed-race marriages are on the rise in recent years, they are still infrequency of all marriages. For the most part, people mix and marry with people of their own cultural background. To mix with people from other culture remains a tough thing. Communities are keeping their own people together and pushing others out with inhospitality. </p> <p>However, today's Welsh government is committed to fighting discrimination and prejudice. A good example is the recent document of life guide in Wales for immigrants which informs about their rights and responsibilities concretely. Such comportment is a good way to help them feel at home. Wales certainly benefits from immigration in both technology and human resource; to solve the racism problem is to build a harmonious society for its own. That's why multiculturalism has recently become such a hot issue.</p> <p>We all like to feel that we are open-minded people who can be friends with anyone. The truth is that human being is not that different if we can treat people equally, whether he is from minority or majority.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/03/22/racists_welsh~1951088/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/03/22/racists_welsh~1951088/Thu, 22 Mar 2007 07:06:11 +0100 <p>The Welsh Rugby Union is delighted to announce that the Australian winemaker Wolf Blass has signed a six figure sponsorship deal. The international wine brand will become the “Official Wine of Wales Rugby” in a two year partnership beginning immediately.<br> The company’s wine will be sold at the Millennium Stadium’s bars and corporate hospitality facilities. The wine will be supplied to spectators outside the stadium at a Wolf Blass trailer during the international match days.<br> Steve Lewis, 34, a Welsh rugby fan said “It is fantastic news that a quality global brand such as Wolf Blass has signed up to support Welsh Rugby.”<br> Wolf Blass is the number seven selling brand in the UK, with ACNielsen showing sales growing by more than 30% in the 12 months to July 17 2006. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/03/21/wolf_blass_sponsors_welsh_rugby~1949317/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/03/21/wolf_blass_sponsors_welsh_rugby~1949317/Wed, 21 Mar 2007 21:22:28 +0100 <p>Sah ein Knab ein Roeslein stehn,<br> Roeslein auf der Heiden,<br> War so jung und morgenschoen,<br> Lief er schnell, es nah zu sehn,<br> Sah's mit vielen Freuden.<br> Roeslein, Roeslein, Roeslein rot,<br> Roeslein auf der Heiden. </p> <p>Knabe sprach: Ich breche dich,<br> Roeslein auf der Heiden!<br> Roeslein sprach: Ich steche dich,<br> Dass du ewig denkst an mich,<br> Und ich will's nicht leiden.<br> Roeslein, Roeslein, Roeslein rot,<br> Roeslein auf der Heiden. </p> <p>Und der wilde Knabe brach<br> 's Roeslein auf der Heiden;<br> Roeslein wehrte sich und stach,<br> Half ihm doch kein Weh und Ach,<br> Muss es eben leiden,<br> Roeslein, Roeslein, Roeslein rot,<br> Roeslein auf der Heiden. </p> <p>Sometimes I believe fate,sometimes I don't. Fate is when I was five years old my young daddy held me tenderly in his arms and sang the Heidenroeslein song to me.He went to Germany when I was seven years old. He told me somewhere in this big big world, there is a country called Germany. Great musicians, ideologists, and scientists were borned in the country as the gifts from God; People there are serious and wise.When he began the topic of Germany, his eyes were shining like stars in the dark sky. Why he loved Germany so much? At that time I was too young to understand. Did he have a secret lover in Germany? What did she look like? Did she have beautiful pearl blue eyes which my father's shadow could be seen clearly in the lake-like pupils? Did she break his heart? Or maybe she cried in his arms when he had to leave?<br> I have no answers to the questions above for he stopped telling the stories when I grew up. I nearly forget his stories until now.FATE.OR CURSE. Germany is the curse from my father. Now he pass down it to me. Someone from the country that my father has dreamed for his whole life came close to me and went away, carving my soul in a cruel way without saying goodbye. Tears, diaries, and words. Roses deflowered.Could you please remember me forever, even I told you I would forget you forever?<br> I still smile to you even you are hurting me, as rose sighed when she was picked off. Will you feel guilty if you see me crying? You will soon go back and we won't see each other for the life time. Will your grandson read novels to you someday and remind you of the memory that long long time ago, a chinese girl once kissed you in an raining night, and smiled to you with tears in her eyes? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/03/18/a_rose_is_still_a_rose~1924511/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/03/18/a_rose_is_still_a_rose~1924511/Sun, 18 Mar 2007 04:18:39 +0100 <p>A Korean company has announced to invest an £80m pound in a flagship residential development in Swansea, which is believed to be the largest ever Korean investment in the UK’s property market.<br> Coda, an expanding Korean architectural property development, said it will build more than 400 apartments and seven retail units in the Harbour Square, on the city's SA1 waterfront site. Harbour Square is the first investment of Coda in the UK.<br> The company has so far invested heavily in the US residential property market but little in the UK. It is considered to be a trailblazing investment and follows the South Korean Government’s easing of restriction on the foreign real estate purchases.<br> Coda Chief Executive Hoshik Chi said the encouragement of the Welsh Assembly Government was a decisive factor in choosing for Wales. “The fact that SA1 is being developed by the Welsh Assembly Government and that we will be engaging directly with the Assembly Government has created a huge amount of confidence amongst our investors and provided the assurance they needed."<br> He spent almost a month on touring the UK looking at 25 potential sites before deciding on Swansea. "The market in Swansea is dynamic and buoyant and I have been most impressed by the city and the surrounding area," he said.<br> Enterprise Minister Andrew Davies, who met Coda representatives last week, said it was the largest single investment in SA1 to date and would help raise the profile of the city internationally.<br> "The news that Coda has singled out Swansea for this significant investment will I am sure act as a catalyst attracting new interest in the city and follows hot on the heels of the launch last week of Swansea’s city centre framework – a £1billion blueprint designed to transform the city centre and its waterfront."<br> Harbour Square will be designed to the highest architectural standards and will be a beacon of sustainability, with the intention achieving an ECO-homes excellent rating.<br> Miles Thomas of Knight Frank said the SA1 development had placed Swansea firmly on the international map. “The continued demand for residential accommodation in Wales is the driver for increased investment at home and from abroad. This, coupled with a relaxation in South Korea’s laws regulating the purchase of property abroad, means that similar organisations may now look to Wales’ strong property market as a route to invest.”<br> It is expected that a planning application for the apartment and retail development will be submitted next month and that construction will take three years.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/03/15/korean_invest_in_swansea_residential_dev~1906932/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/03/15/korean_invest_in_swansea_residential_dev~1906932/Thu, 15 Mar 2007 00:52:15 +0100 <p>James Bond’s favorite marque, Aston Martin is bought by a Welsh entrepreneur in a £479m deal from Ford this week.<br> Dave Richard, the new owner of Aston Martin who comes from Denbighshire, spells out his plans to make British icon Aston Martin “the coolest and most successful luxury car company in the world”. Due to this plan, Aston Martin at Newport Pagnell will cease its production in July and remain at its purpose-built factory in Gaydon in Warwickshire, where 1,800 staff are employed.<br> Around 200 hundred jobs will be created at the company overall and new models lauched as the new owner starts a big push to sell the cars in Russia and Asia. A dealership will be opened in Moscow in June and another in Shanghai this year.<br> Mr Richard is the boss of motorsport firm Prodrive and has a long relationship with motor racing. He is a former accountant who became a professional rally driver, winning the World Rally Championship as co-driver with Ari Vatanen in 1981. His company, Prodrive, already runs the Aston Martin racing team in the sports car series around the world, as well as the Subaru world rally team.<br> “This is an incredible opportunity—Aston Martin is one of the world’s most iconic brands,” said Mr Richard, “We are confident we now have all the right ingredients to take Aston Martin to even greater heights.”<br> Ulrich Bez, the chief executive of Aston Martin said it was “a tremendously exciting opportunity” and “will give the company the opportunity to attain an even higher level of excellence.”<br> Terry King, sales manager of Aston Martin agency in Cardiff said to Welsh Globe, “It’s really encouraged news—we’ve a deal, and it’s a good deal. We’ll have the most beautiful cars in the world. It is good for Aston Martin and good for UK.”<br> However, analysts consider the news cautiously. Professor Garel Rhys, director for the Centre for Automotive Industry Research at the Cardiff University Business School, said: "Aston Martin is a company that is well organized, well run and making good profits. Whether it can sustain this, only time will tell.”<br> "My one worry is the fact that no matter how exclusive a product you are producing, you will find it very difficult to survive as a small company on your own.<br> "Even top brands like Lamborghini, Ferrari and Maserati have had to ally themselves with large partners."</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/03/14/007_s_favorite_marque_sold~1906560/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/03/14/007_s_favorite_marque_sold~1906560/Wed, 14 Mar 2007 23:16:10 +0100 <p>Recently, British government announces that overseas students and tourists will be spared the full brunt of visa fee increases designed to raise money to pay for a crackdown on illegal immigrants.This annoucement will come into effect on April 1.<br> The cost of work permits will increase from £85 to £200, while that of student visas will rise by £14 to £99. A visitor visa fee will increase from £50 to £63.According to an officer in the immigration office, it was only fair that immigrants who get the most financial benefit from coming to Britain should pay more.<br> Let's go over this issue in mathematics way. A Chinese student will pay £85 more than last year, that is to say almost ¥1,275, a standard income in some parts of China. While the working permits even cost higher, almost ¥3,000, which means high-paid-month-salary in some small cities in China.<br> I wonder if is fair that people like me who wish to study in the UK should pay more. Firstly, most international students are self-sponsored or suportted by their families...<br> Secondly, I don't think illegal immigrants will be crackdown by this policy. As far as I know, most illegal immigrants are coming from...<br> Thirdly, this policy may affect legal immigrats and international students' morale, which in anther words, if education is a business to the UK,the policy may cause the customers not buying the "UK education" product and buying "US/EU/Asia education" product instead.<br> Though the population of the international students is increasing according to data from last year, such a event is still far from being a good news. I strongly suggest that immigration office should treat the international students and immigrants differently. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/03/12/fee_fair~1891824/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/03/12/fee_fair~1891824/Mon, 12 Mar 2007 17:59:15 +0100 <p>Traditional circuses are a rarity in many parts of the world these days, but the Moscow State Circus is one troupe keeping the art form vividly alive. Founded on 30th of April 1971, Moscow State Circus is famous for its peerless reputation, based on 200 years of tradition and, in particular, 70 years of massive government support.<br> The circus brings with it a 35 strong cast of Russia's greatest and most flexible circus performers. Many of them hold the honorary titles of People's Artistes and Honored Artistes of Russian Federation. Most of the acts are performing in Western Europe for the first time and there are several world-class performers, such as the Yarmorka Russian Swing, juggling sensation Gurianov, the award-winning Averiouchkine Clowns, the Maszlov Balancing Trio, Sky Travellers Flying Trapeze and the Puzanovs Springboard Acrobats.<br> The circus is operated by the European Entertainment Corporation (EEC) in the UK. Maria, who has worked for the company for ten years, said to Welsh Globe, “We run different circuses. The performance changes all the time. Every season we get new circus show.”<br> Lisa, 56, told Welsh Globe, “The performance is colorful, the circus is big and the artists are well-balanced. I can’t imagine someone to stand on my shoulder and bend his legs on my head.”<br> The Circus opens a 10-day stay at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff from 28th February to 11th March and the next show place will be Birmingham. Call 0870 4000 855 or go to the <a href="http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/artist/848342">http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/artist/848342</a> for the booking.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/03/08/moscow_state_circus~1867081/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/03/08/moscow_state_circus~1867081/Thu, 08 Mar 2007 08:25:23 +0100 <p>A tan may be a fashion statement for many teenagers, but expert warned that they are facing the high risk of skin cancer if they continue to ignore the warnings of sun-protection.<br> Dr Sharon Blackford from Singleton Hospital in Swansea said she was treating people in their 30s for skin cancers more commonly found in the old.<br> Dr Blackford said on Eye on Wales, a Wales' current affairs Radio programme, "We're seeing people in their 30s which is definitely a bad sign. When you've got skin cancer at that age then you are going to go on getting more and more of them unfortunately.”<br> The unregulated tanning salons are blamed for the increasing risk. It found that some young people are having more than 100 sunbed sessions in one year. The over-exposure of the skin to ultraviolet light leads directly to the result of that more people with the non melanoma types of skin cancer which used to be predominantly a problem in elderly people.<br> Labour MP for Swansea East, Sian James, said "I was shocked when I realized young people were accessing for very little money, coin operated salons and the nub of the problem is that there is no staff there."<br> The British Medical Association and Cancer Research UK called for a ban on under-16s using tanning salons since 2004. Now the appeal to close down the coin-operated salons becomes even keener.<br> However, seldom teens have realized the danger and most of them still seek a suntan and more prone to using sunscreen with low SPF levels.<br> “Unless young people change their habits and learn to protect themselves properly in the sun they could be heading for a skin cancer time bomb.” said Dr Blackford. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/03/06/sunbed_causes_skin_cancer_among_young_pe~1858918/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/03/06/sunbed_causes_skin_cancer_among_young_pe~1858918/Tue, 06 Mar 2007 20:40:23 +0100 <p>Welsh cyclist Nicole Cooke, 23, won the opening round of the 2007 World Cup road series in Australia on 3rd March.<br> Ninety-seven riders from 17 countries began the race from Waterfront Geelong and almost immediately had to contend with a fierce thunderstorm at the beginning of the race, but the skies cleared by the time they headed into the second of eight laps of the 15 kilometer circuit. Cooke performed well in the race and outsprinted Australian Oenone Wood and Nikki Egyed after 120km.<br> Cooke and her team have been trained in Australia for a month before the first round race start. Such training give her a plenty time to prepare.<br> "The way it all panned out, holding off the bunch, beating such a fantastic sprinter like Oenone Wood, who's a past winner here, it was one of the most fantastic wins of my career," Cooke said. The world number one had already become the first non-Australian to win the Geelong Tour earlier in the week.<br> It was her second trip to Australia for racing after last year's Melbourne Commonwealth Games to finish third in the road race. The second round of the World Cup Series will be hold in Belgium next month.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/03/06/nicole_wins_world_cup_women_s_road_race~1857841/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/03/06/nicole_wins_world_cup_women_s_road_race~1857841/Tue, 06 Mar 2007 17:37:56 +0100 <p>Beijing is on fever these days.As the year 2008 is coming, Beijing is pouring money on all kinds of urban construction projects. Those projectss include a dozen Olympic sports centres; a new cross-city underground railway; a host of office towers; a massive airport terminal; and, after some delay and much criticism, a colossal French-designed egg-shaped theatre in the city centre.<br> Although media in China are singing highly for the huge transformation of the capital, some economists are worried about the coming result. They believed that Olympics would coincide with a cyclical downturn in China's economy, exacerbating the risk of a post-Olympics slump in the capital.<br> I strongly agree with these observers' views. Beijing is increasing the investment on city construction projects in order to attract the foreign investors. But how do these money come from? Taxes from the residents,companies and loan from the central bank are the main source of the investment fund. Huge amount of the loan and heavy taxes will cause the ecomomy of the city unstable. As heavy taxes means higher price of both commodities and real estate,low-paid residents will suffer from the soaring price in the near future;the strict-control bank systerm in China will also limit the operation of assets.That means the final undertaker of the investent projects(in another word,the payer) is the civilian in Beijing; or more exactly, the middle class and common workers. All of this evidences prove the only beneficiary in the Olympic construction projects is just the realty bussinessmen.<br> This is really a horrible news for citizens. At present, the house price in Beijing has already reached the top of the whole country, which harms the middle class seriously and will continue on even after the Olympic. In January the property-price index in Beijing rose by 9.9% compared with the same month in 2006.<br> If things continue, the residents in Beijing will cry out for the unbearable house price. And that, is really a bomb to Beijing.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/03/05/beijing_booming_or_bombing~1848470/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/03/05/beijing_booming_or_bombing~1848470/Mon, 05 Mar 2007 04:57:12 +0100 <p>Have you ever read about Pride and Prejudice? If the answer is yes, I’ll say, look, you are Darcy and I am Elizabeth. You are such a great man who has everything in your favor: you have talent, you are hard-working, and you are always well-organized. You should think highly of yourself (and you do!). As a friend, I am so proud of you. People love you, admire you and influenced by you, you are the one people can rely on. I truly believe that you will be a good leader and make your dream come true in the future. But have you ever thought that you should appreciate for that? Have you ever thought those ordinary people may as unusual as you? No, you won’t think so.<br> I am just a beautiful object in your eyes. I am a simple, empty-headed Barbie; knowing nothing but cosmetics and clothes. I am so sorry that I may disappoint you if you really think I am a Barbie—my mind is as deep as yours and I am more complicated than you think.<br> Oh, how I wish my English is as good as those native speakers! You may never know how frustrate I was when I was misunderstood by people. Yes, I love fashion and sometimes I behave a little bit crazy of that. It is because I truly believe in this modem world beauty is a kind of power, not only it is what human love and in pursuit of but also it will benefit women in their careers and lives. The way I dress up myself is the way I express myself. I don’t think a woman is splendid if she never care about her appearance. In china there is a saying: women dress up for themselves and those they love. I care about how pretty I am because I love myself and I do mind what I am in your eyes as you are an important person for me. Is it too over for you? If it is true, I have to say, I am sorry, you are not the one I am looking for. We are just people of different types, not different levels.<br> Everything has a reason. Do you know why I have a personality like this? Well, let me tell you what, I am a changed person. I was a fat and ugly girl who has nothing but books and good marks when I was in high school. In order to get ride of the feeling of loneliness and depression, I wrote a plenty of novels. Those novels are nothing related to love or romance, they are the journey of how a girl become a woman. It was a very long way for me to realize women need to be both beautiful and intelligent. So I changed during my university to adapt with the world. Believe it or not, this world is much crueler to women. Men prefer to marry with pretty women, while women show not so many interests in men’s appearance. Do you think it is fair? If you think this thing just happen in the eastern countries then how do you feel about the news from BBC that good-looking women were better paid than not-good-looking ones in the UK? A woman who wants to be successful in this world has to be both well-educated and good-looking. Even Condoleezza Rice, such a powerful woman still needs to pay attention to her appearance. Oh, you may say you have never said that women should not pay attention to their appearance and you just think I have involved too much in the beauty thing, so, listen, I am young and still changing, I will overcome this weakness in the near future. That’s what we called “grow up”.<br> Oh, don't ever find excuse any more!You just don't like me. Look how many excuses you've said!You said you didn't feel right, you said I was too crazy for you,you said we couldn't be a couple for we might apart after one month and it would be hurt,you said you won't love someone who just has beautiful face and empty head. Oh,what else you want to say? The truth is out there, you don't like me.<br> Let me end up it in this way--Don't lie to me any more.It doesn’t matter that you don’t like me or you don’t want to be with me. Because the only thing I need is your respect. Do you think because I am yellow, plain and tongueless so that I am heartless? You think wrong! I have as much soul as you and fully as much heart! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/03/04/title~1844626/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/03/04/title~1844626/Sun, 04 Mar 2007 15:07:52 +0100 <p>Dame Tanni Grey Thompson, Britain's most successful Paralympian, has announced her retirement.<br> Grey-Thompson, the 37-year-old Cardiff-born athlete has competed at five Paralympics, won six times London Marathons and 11 gold medals at distances 100metres. The Welsh star was made a Dame of the British Empire in the New Year's Honors list in 2005.<br> "I have always said that I would wake up one day and know that I would not want to do it any more. There are other things that I want to do and if I want to be successful I need to devote more time to those things." said Grey Thompson, whose final race in a GB vest will be at the Visa Paralympic World Cup in Manchester in May.<br> Minister for Sport Richard Caborn said: "For the best part of 20 years Tanni has dedicated herself to sport, becoming Britain's greatest ever Paralympian. She has also proved an inspiration to so many people, and her success has been clearly linked to the rise in Paralympic sport in Great Britain."</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/02/28/dame_tanni_announces_retirement~1824519/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://lulu128.blog.co.uk/2007/02/28/dame_tanni_announces_retirement~1824519/Wed, 28 Feb 2007 23:21:42 +0100