What Makes People Tick?

The Biblical Archaeology Society reported on the 15th August 2014 that new research has found that the ancient Egyptians began mummifying their dead much longer ago than previously thought. About fifteen hundred years earlier to be exact. Reading the article inspired me to learn some more about Egyptian mummies and the mummification process. The British Museum's website explains that "the earliest ancient Egyptians buried their dead in small pits in the desert. The heat and dryness of the sand dehydrated the bodies quickly, creating lifelike and natural 'mummies'." ( Mummification , Ancient Egypt | The British Museum) The Ancient History Encyclopedia explains that although unintentional mummification happened as far back as prehistoric times, mummification as a purposeful and ritualistic process started around 2600 B.C.E. It was a long and expensive procedure which is why mummification was first reserved solely for Pharaohs whose mummies were placed in opulen...

CNN writes an encouraging and heartbreaking story about life in modern Afghanistan that made me want to share with this blog's readers some of the everyday, the crazy and the amazing that makes Afghanistan what it is today. While many in the west might think of Afghanistan as a war-torn dusty country stuck in the Middle Ages, a country that  oppresses women  and  destroys ancient Buddha statues , it turns out that Afghanistan has left the past behind and has been living right here in the 21st Century for a while now... and  cares more about those statues than I thought ! Burqa-clad women |  Shutterstock The CNN article, appropriately called  The Afghan Voice that won't be silenced , talks about Shabana Faryad, the first female contestant on  The Voice of Afghanistan  and features an interview with Aryana Sayeed, the first female judge. It highlights the lives of women in Afghanistan today and looks at the differences between life before, ...

The Daily Mail reports that more than half of British women hate their bikini body so much they'd rather stay home than go on a summer holiday. Listing a stunning amount of figures, the article explains in percentages exactly what parts of their bodies women are most unhappy with. Tummies, muffin tops, breasts, hips, thighs... It seems that British women really don't like any part of their body when coupled with a bikini. The study asked a 1000 women a series of questions which resulted in some very interesting figures. For instance: * 53% of women admit they hate the sight of themselves in a swimsuit so much that they would rather miss out on a sunshine break than strip off  * Just 1% claim to have no beach hang-ups at all Source:  British women hate their bikini body so much they'd rather stay home , The Daily Mail Online Am I the only one asking WHY for crying out loud women in Britain and the world over are buying into this idea that we need to "look go...

Source : The Economist Known as Barbie to the world, her full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts. She was patented in 1958 by Mattel and introduced to the world in 1959. Her creator Ruth Handler (co-founder of Mattel) named Barbie and Barbie's boyfriend Ken after her and husband Elliot Handler's own children Barbie and Ken. Read more about the history of Barbie and Mattel at the Barbie Media website. She is one of the world's best-known children's toys, a fashion icon, a family-loving, friendly, free woman and ultimately - a plastic doll. Yet this plastic doll has inspired millions of girls and women and is the cornerstone of a global brand with worldwide appeal.