Friendship personalities of sun signs

We laugh, we cry; we fight and we make-up. We also hold grudges and keep secrets. But then soon enough, we pour our hearts out. We stand by each other in toughest times and on the lowest days. And, yet we make fun of each-other. We are friends!

Must-reads on V-day page:

• How to Propose to your loved one?
• Real people, real love stories

The cousins we get to choose for ourselves, our alter-egos, our friends play a distinctive role in shaping our choices, preferences and even our personalities. One of the most important influences in our lives, friends are like colours – adding not just beauty and variety to our lives, but also substance and support.

Let's get to know them even better with the Sun Sign-wise guide to friendship personalities -

ARIES

Aries is a fire sign, so independence is a part of its legacy. Happiest when they are in charge of situations, Aries natives have a competitive side that surfaces whenever they are in large groups of people. Their sharp wit and quirky sense of humour ensures that the people of all ages and temperaments connect well with them. Never at a loss for companions, they themselves are extremely selective about their own friend circle. It's definitely going to be a night to remember when friends step out with these fun-loving, flamboyant rock-stars. However, the Aries' need for variety kicks in soon after, and then, the Aries natives are perfectly capable of moving onto a new set of friends, especially if they are bored. Ruled by the First House, the house of Self, Aries tend to put their own needs first, though not intentionally. This should cast no shadow of doubt on their reliability as friends, as they may not share that last piece of chocolate, but they will always be there for their friends, even at 4 am.

TAURUS

There's an inner genuineness to Taurus that shines through, and naturally attracts people to them. They believe that friends are a great source of learning and support, and pride themselves on their stimulating and eternal friendships. They are often the ones with kindergarten friends, who can regale each other with stories from the past, and share an enviable unspoken understanding. They exemplify the phrase 'friends for life', playing varied roles of protector, entertainer, and critic as the need may be. They are steady and devoted, and their friendship is sure to stand the test of time. Without a demur, complaint, or rebuke, they will be there when they are needed, and will expect the same commitment from their friends. They are not big believers in the concept of 'complete space' in relationships, so they want to be involved in everything that matters to their friends. They can be the most wonderful friends if only their feelings are correctly understood. They are sensitive to the slightest snub, and will ably hide their insecurity below a smiling countenance, so friends will need to be careful to not take their undying loyalty for granted.

GEMINI

Gemini is one sign that seems tailor-made for friendship. Immensely popular on the social circuit, they swing between playing the dual roles of entertainers and intellectuals. This explains why they have a diverse set of friends - many groups for their many moods. They have two sides, and their friends need to know them well enough to assess the mood they are in. When they are in the mood for some moments of silence, nothing can lure them to a night around town. Similarly, when they are dressed to kill, they will ensure the night has no end. They love hanging out, and if their friends can tune into their wacky frequencies, they will be entertained to the hilt. With a mercurial temperament, Gemini is instantly attracted to intelligent people, and these relationships have the potential of becoming bonds for a lifetime. They are always open to adventures, so they have a different interesting perspective on most things. They are big on communication and would love spending time with someone they can match wits with. Optimistic and outgoing, they can create extraordinarily positive environments and help people see the brighter side of life.

CANCER

Many adjectives have been used to describe Cancer's sensitivity, but none of them can truly capture the essence of this soft-spoken sign's persona. They are definitely one of the more emotional signs of the zodiac, but that speaks volumes for the genuineness of their affections. They are loyal friends and while they may not express their feelings much, they will stand by their loved ones come what may. Being ruled by the moon necessitates that they are subject to swift mood changes, and they may be found smack in the middle of a boisterous group one moment, while the next moment they will be sitting by the windowsill deeply lost in thought. Nostalgia is a mood-booster for them, and they can often be seen poring over old photo albums, reliving their past. Their aesthetic side takes over when it comes to decorating their houses or setting up a kitchen garden, and they pride themselves on their fine taste. The doors to Cancer's home are always open for friends, especially those who shower them with the love and understanding that Cancer deserves. Their feelings are easily hurt, so close pals may need to treat them with kid gloves until they are completely secure in the relationship.

LEO

If there were a sign of the zodiac that could personify sunshine, Leo would be it. Outspoken and dramatic, they don't believe in beating about the bush, a quality that wins them as many admirers as it does critics. Completely at home in the spotlight, they love soaking up the attention and being surrounded by people. They are immensely supportive friends, always keeping one eye open for opportunities that can help their loved ones excel. Easygoing and quick-witted, they are a treat to hang out with, so it goes without saying that they have a huge social circle. They are generous to a fault, and will happily foot the bill for their friends, as long as they are not taken for granted. Leo is never going to settle for anything less than what they want, be it a dinner date, a designer dress, or a summer vacation. Their friends quickly learn to appreciate their charming and playful nature, and realize that the best way to have a fun time is to go along with the flow. Their competitive side rears its head occasionally when they feel that their friends are stealing their thunder, but they soon regain their sunny disposition and laud their friends for their achievements.

VIRGO

There's a softness to Virgo that reflects on their countenances, and people cannot help trusting these gentle souls. It doesn't hurt that they are always full of relevant advice, and will swear to keep your secrets until their dying day. They are definitely the most helpful friends a person could wish for - the ones who can make a detailed itinerary when you're on vacation, and a shopping list when you're going to the grocery store. They are very particular about details, and love creating order out of chaos. Virgo is the best friend to have in an emergency, as they seldom lose their composure and can think their way out of most situations. Not just that, they will foresee the loopholes in the plans they make, and plug them in advance, so they make for meticulous planners. The downside of these perfectionist buddies is that sometimes they stress so much over the minutest detail, that they can drive their friends up the wall. They are not proponents of PDA; their affections are felt rather than seen, and they may be embarrassed by shows of appreciation.

LIBRA

Punctuality is definitely not a virtue where Libra is concerned. Not that it's their fault; they are merely victims of analysis paralysis. When they do eventually turn up, they will apologize with such grace and genuine regret that their friends will be hard put to stay mad at them. Smooth talkers with a positive take on everything under the sun, they can effortlessly charm their way into any situation. Resourceful and always ready to help, they are your best bet when you need something double-quick. And with the kind of bonds they form, their friends will never refuse them any favours. With their high levels of intellect and awareness, they are great friends to have and provide their friends with constant entertainment. Libra is a people's person, and alone time is totally not on their agenda. This may result in them being demanding of their friends' attention and time, but with the way they pamper their friends, who's going to complain? Swanky hotspots, dream vacations, designer threads, and A-list personalities – all these are an integral part of the Libra friendship plan. Friends swear by their taste in clothes, often hauling them off for shopping sprees.

SCORPIO

There is an aura of mystery that surrounds Scorpio, a quality that greatly intrigues their friends. They may be selective about opening up in matters close to their heart, and tend to hold back until they are sure their friends will not judge them. This also leads to frequent misunderstandings, as friends remain in the dark about the intensity of their feelings. Once friends have proved they are worthy of the Scorpio's affections, they can be assured of a companion for life. They are quite comfortable on their own, so they don't have many close friendships, but are possessive about the few they do. They are loyalty personified and will defend their friends come hell or high water, but they also expect a reciprocal allegiance. Forgive and forget is clearly not their motto and they will make a virtual note of any slight, so friends need to be doubly careful with their words and actions. They are scornful of flattery but have great respect for genuine praise, so when they appreciate something, you can be sure they mean it. With their secretive natures and intense emotions, Scorpio friends are anything but predictable.

SAGITTARIUS

Sagittarius is a sign that is fascinated by the very thought of learning, and any friend who can feed their eternal hunger for knowledge is a friend worth holding on to. Their interactions with their friends provide them with food for thought, and they keep an open mind so they can absorb everything they hear, see, and read. This is also the reason why they have a large and diverse set of friends. With their endless observations on culture and philosophy, Sagittarius can be an extremely interesting companion to have along on a journey. They get a high out of adventures so if you're game, they will take you on the ride of your life. Entertainment will be on the house when they are around, and friends will spend many side-splitting moments with these natural madcaps, even if the laughter is at their expense. Their love for the unique ensures they try out loads of hobbies and adventure sports, and needless to say, they will make friends there too. Friends can rely on Sagittarius blindly; they never hold a grudge, or tomtom a favour, and will be there for their friends when they need them irrespective of time or distance.

CAPRICORN

Capricorn is hardly the type to waste time on frivolities, as they are extremely clear of what they want and where they want to be. Often, they are so caught up in getting to their goals that they may come across as snooty, but this could not be further from the truth. Resourceful and capable, they will spare no expense when their friends need something. Their practical instincts kick in when they are asked for advice, and they can sit up all night with their friends to help them put their lives in order. They are not really the risk takers of the zodiac, and would happily trade an adventurous option for a tried and tested one. Although they are loners by nature, they manage to rustle up quite a few close relationships. Traditional and responsible, they have a very strong sense of the role they play in society, and are extremely dependable. Never one to wear emotions on the sleeve, Capricorn is a loyal friend and partner, and never goes back on a promise. They also have great respect for people who have come up the hard way, and are dedicated to their professions. With a fine sense of humour and their typical deadpan expressions, they manage to get away with biting sarcasm.

AQUARIUS

If you judge Aquarius by the number of friends they have, you would assume they are the most easygoing people to be with. This assumption is not far off the mark, but it is certainly circumstantial. In reality, they keep their cards extremely close to their chest, and it is very few people who have the privilege of sharing their secrets. They may be generous and caring individuals, who can go out of their way to help even strangers, but they can distance themselves from their loved ones in a flash. For someone with so many friends, Aquarius is strangely not desirous of being in the limelight. They would happily work behind the scenes when they see someone in need, and are embarrassed by demonstrations of gratitude. They love surprising their friends with little treats and expect nothing in return. The only prerequisite is that they should be the ones making the decisions, be it the cuisine for a night out, the colour of a shirt, or a weekend destination. Friends can safely assume they are headed for a good time, because Aquarius is blessed with impeccable taste and an eye for beauty. All will be well in paradise as long as their friends don't cling too tight or try to dispute their decisions; any restrictions or dissent will instantly get their hackles up.

PISCES

There's a whole new world that Pisces inhabits, and they often scuttle off there to sort out their thoughts. Caring and sensitive, they are the best people to turn to when you want to vent your frustrations or get advice on a new relationship. There isn't an iota of superficiality to the Pisces concern; they truly want to understand what you're feeling so that they can make you feel better with the appropriate response. Armed with hypersensitive intuition and a knack of knowing just what to say, they can be the best buddies ever. They will never complain when they are flooded with sob stories, and will patiently hear out every one, often offering pertinent advice. They expect their friends to tell them their troubles because they are extremely open with their emotions themselves. Their vulnerability may be their Achilles Heel however, as this opens them up to being manipulated or getting hurt. They are not superhuman after all; they have insecurities too, and need as much reassurance as anyone else. Once left to their own devices, they can surprise friends with their creative ideas, and make them see a dream world that takes their minds off their worries.

Apple to reveal latest iPad in March - report

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Apple Inc plans to introduce its latest iPad tablet at an event in the first week in March, the website AllThingsD reported, citing unnamed sources.

The event will be held in San Francisco, likely at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, which is Apple's preferred site for product launches, the website said.

An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment.

Apple has typically introduced the latest versions of its iPad in the first few months of the year. The current iPad 2 was introduced on March 2, 2011. The original iPad was introduced at the end of January 2010.

Apple's iPad dominates the nascent market for tablets even though deep-pocketed rivals are taking aim at the lucrative segment. Amazon.com Inc's Kindle Fire, which sells at half the cost of an iPad, has chipped away at the lower end of the tablet market.

Apple iPad tablet sales doubled in the December quarter to 15.43 million units from a year earlier.

(Reporting By Poornima Gupta)

Avoid Food Allergies

I think my son might be allergic to certain foods but he loves them too much to give them up. How can I ascertain the allergy or rule it out? -Aasha, Jalandhar

The prevalence of food allergies seems to be on the rise but the reason behind it could be that people often confuse food allergies with food intolerances. The signs and symptoms are usually misread, prompting most people to quickly conclude that they are allergic to certain foods, when, in fact, they may just have a food sensitivity or intolerance of some sort. A true food allergy affects the body's immune system, involving an abnormal reaction to an ingredient, (usually always a protein) that is otherwise harmless. Celiac disease is a typical example.

Food intolerance is a non-immunological reaction to food or food additives that originates in the gastro-intestinal system and involves an inability to digest or absorb certain substances. Lactose intolerance and sulphite induced asthma are common examples. Symptoms of food allergies are not uniform and range from mild (such as an itchy mouth, tongue or hives) to severe (shock or cardiac arrest).

The most severe food allergy reaction is called anaphylaxis. This infrequent, yet potentially fatal response to an allergen involves several different body systems and results in a number of symptoms- difficulty in breathing, throat constriction, decreased blood pressure and unconsciousness, occuring almost simultaneously, requiring immediate medical attention. Food sensitivities are rarely life-threatening and the symptoms tend to be localised.

Identifying Symptoms
Food allergies may appear at any age, but true allergic reactions to foods are most I think my son might be allergic to certain foods but he loves them too much to give them up. How can I ascertain the allergy or rule it out? -Aasha, Jalandhar common in infants and young children. Common food allergens for children include cow's milk, fish, eggs, peanuts, treenuts (almonds, walnuts, hazelnut), soyabeans and wheat.

A person who is allergic to one food, may also be allergic to other foods of the same food group. Allergens usually provoke the same symptoms each time, but many other factors such as intensity, quantity of the offending food consumed and method of preparation, define severity of any allergic reaction. Some allergens are easily identified because symptoms will develop immediately after eating the food with the allergen.

But it may be essential to maintain a food and symptom diary and document the time and content of all the meals and the appearance, timing and intensity of symptoms, if any. After a week or two, a pattern may emerge. If so, eliminate the suspected food from your diet for at least a week, and then re-introduce it in small amounts. If symptoms develop, chances are that the offending food has been identified.

Plan to avoid a food allergy situation:
1. Once allergens have been identified, eliminate these from your diet. 2. Read labels carefully. 3. When eating out, don't hesitate to ask the chef about the ingredients in your food. 4. In case of children and teenagers, parents must inform the school, teachers and friends to help prevent any complications. 5. When traveling, inform your airlines in advance. 6. Avoid cross-contamination by keeping utensils, food containers, cutting boards, serving dishes and even cooking mediums separate for both allergenic and hypo-allergenic foods.

Russia reaches ancient Antarctic lake

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia said on Wednesday it had pierced through Antarctica's frozen crust to a vast, subglacial lake that has lain untouched for at least 14 million years hiding what scientists believe may be unknown organisms and clues to life on other planets.

Sealed deep under the ice sheet, Lake Vostok is one of the world's last unexplored frontiers. Scientists suspect its depths may reveal new life forms and a glimpse of the planet before the ice age.

If life is found in the lake's icy darkness, it may provide the best answer yet to whether life can exist in the extreme conditions on Mars or Jupiter's moon Europa.

"The 57th Russian Antarctic expedition has penetrated the waters of the subglacial Lake Vostok," Valery Lukin, head of the Russian Antarctic expedition, said in a statement.

After 20 years of stop-go drilling, the Russian team raced to chew through the final metres of ice and breached Lake Vostok in time to take the last flight out on February 6 before the onset of Antarctica's harsh winter. It was here that the coldest temperature found on Earth, minus 89.2 Celsius (minus 128.6 Fahrenheit), was recorded.

Lukin said the breakthrough came on February 5, on the eve of the mission's departure: "At a depth of 3,769 metres (12,365 ft) the drill bit made contact with the real body of water.

"The discovery of this lake is comparable to the first space flight in its technological complexity, its importance and its uniqueness," Lukin told Interfax.

But Russia must wait for the Antarctic summer to collect and study water samples, leaving the door open for U.S. and British missions to explore two other subglacial lakes and beat it to be the first to answer the question of whether life exists under the polar ice.

"We call it extraterrestrial life," Russian astrobiologist Sergei Bulat told Vesti 24 state television. "It will be useful to the search for life on other icy planets like Jupiter's satellite Europa."

EXPLORATORY RUSH

A century after the first expeditions to the South Pole, the discovery of Antarctica's hidden network of subglacial lakes via satellite imagery in the late 1990s set off a new exploratory fervour among scientists the world over.

"This is scientific exploration, this is work that no one has ever done before," Martin Siegert, head of the University of Edinburgh's School of Geosciences, told Reuters.

"This is probably one of the last frontiers on our planet that remains largely unknown to us," said Siegert, who is leading a British expedition to explore Lake Ellsworth in West Antarctica in 2012-2013.

Experts say the ice sheet acts like a blanket, trapping in the Earth's geothermal heat and preventing Antarctic lakes from freezing.

If there is life in Vostok and other ice-bound lakes, it is unlikely to be anything more complicated than single-cell organisms adapted to survive in the high-pressure, sunless environment, Siegert said.

"It is just imagination, we don't really know until we go in," he said.

Beneath the vast white landscape, Lake Vostok is the deepest and most isolated of Antarctica's subglacial lakes. Its size compares to Siberia's Lake Baikal or one of the Great Lakes, increasing the chance of biodiversity in its waters.

Scientists estimate the body of water is roughly 1 million years old and supersaturated with oxygen, resembling no other known environment on Earth.

John Priscu of Montana State University suspects that an oasis of life may lurk there, teeming around thermal vents.

"I hope that they can confirm unequivocally that there is indeed microbial life in the lake," said Priscu, the chief scientist on the U.S. project to probe subglacial Lake Whillans.

ALIEN LIFE

Russia has dreamed of uncovering the lake's secrets since the 1996 discovery that the low-lying buildings and radio towers of its Antarctic station sit above the ancient waters.

But the drive to explore this unspoilt environment is not without controversy.

The Russian borehole, pumped full of kerosene and freon to keep it from freezing shut, hangs like a needle over the pristine lake. "The ice core at Vostok is there and it won't go away because it is full of anti-freeze," said Siegert.

In a bid to address international concerns, Russia halted drilling for several years to devise a cleaner method in 2000.

It used a smaller thermal drill to punch through to the lake and back pressured the borehole to force lake water to rise up into it, effectively sipping up samples from the lake's surface.

Russia will core out the frozen sample next season.

(Editing by Janet Lawrence)

Three Clues You’re About to Lose Your Job

The firing process is God awful. (No matter how gleefully Mitt Romney extolled its virtues on the campaign trail.) People hate to cause pain, so there's major stress involved with letting someone go for underperformance. Of course this doesn't even come close to the anguish of the person being fired. Can't this whole process be avoided?

Both sides may wonder how it ever came to this. Managers question why people don't see the writing on the wall and voluntarily exit a company. Employees feel blindsided.

I was in this exact conversation last week with a coaching client, who had an employee on a serious development plan. My client's strong desire was that this person would self-select out rather than having to go through a messy termination process. However, there was no evidence that this was the case.

I'll admit that as a manager I've been in that hopeful-wait-and-see place. And then dismayed when people don't leave on their own. (You know you're ready for a person to go when their frequent absences make you happy since that hopefully means interviewing.) My coaching work puts me in different conversations, and I now see the confusion many employees feel.

Most people would leave if they knew they were about to be fired.

The message is usually not nearly as clear as the manager believes it to be. For one, when we have to deliver negative feedback we often soft pedal to the point of being downright confusing. Second, there are a lot of mixed messages leading to a termination with the required documentation, performance feedback, and remediation time. It's human nature to believe what we want to believe — and often it's that being fired could never happen to us. Performance issues can take many elusive forms, with firing usually due to a cultural or personality mismatch.

Being fired is so traumatic people never fully recover from it, and it leaves an aftermath of pain and risk at companies as well. It's far better for everyone if the employee finds a path to leave on his own accord.

Yes, some employees may think it's smart to hold on because there could be a golden exit package waiting on the other side of a termination. In my experience, the amount rarely justifies the damage to one's ego and career that comes from being fired with cause. By that point, the manager is generally so fed up that she's in no mood to be generous. At best, you're being paid to not cause trouble.

So in an attempt to clarify an opaque process, here's what's happening behind the scenes when someone is in the process of losing a job. See these signs, and it may be best to get moving to your next opportunity while you still have control. It's a sad event to lose your job, but a disaster if you had no idea it was coming.

1. You start receiving a significant increase in written feedback.

Understand that any performance management process is governed by HR and legal, both of whom are motivated to mitigate risk. When a manager goes to them about an underperforming employee, the first question is "what's your documentation?" Usually, there isn't much. So all of a sudden they start, and they make sure it's written so there's a record.

Now some of you may already get written feedback routinely, and that's the norm. The hint here is that the amount increases or it changes, for example from oral to written. This means a case is being made, so take it seriously.

2. You stop getting feedback altogether.

This can be extremely confusing because after having an inordinate amount of feedback, and likely one-on-one coaching meetings too, the attention wanes. The employee may want to believe the best — they've addressed all concerns and the remediation process is successful. Unless you've gotten a gold star for turning things around, it's generally the opposite.

When a company is certain to fire someone, legal will advise to stop communicating so nothing that's said can be used against the company. (Personally, I've always felt this was horrible advice, but I've gotten it from legal many times.) Silence or ostracism may actually be a corporate shout that they've given up on you.

3. Expectations for your work go down or disappear.

This is a softer take on the last point, so it's easy to overlook. If the accountability level for your job seems to have fallen, your boss checks in less, and you feel a lightening workload, that's not a good sign. It's the rare company who can afford to carry those who don't contribute at a high level —a full plate is the safest plate. And yours may just be in jeopardy. Companies may also backfill or shift work to others, in an attempt to lessen the blow when you're gone.

Now of course, being on a performance plan doesn't always mean you're going to lose your job. Good people who need to up their game can also be put on plans in the hope that they rise to the occasion. That's why deciphering where you stand can be difficult.

My advice: if in doubt, ask. Be blatant. "Is my job in danger?' is a good one. If the answer is anything other than a firm NO!, prepare yourself to move on, even if it's just as a backup strategy. Keep yourself in the driver's seat; it's your life after all.

YahooINFinance